During the preparations for the Food and Drink Festival, Administrator Jill Hood meets hundreds of people and hears quite a lot of gossip - some of which she feels might be of interest to Stone residents and Festival goers alike. So, if it's legal and decent, Jill will be sharing the gossip with you on these pages!
Please dont expect any heavy gossip because you'll be disappointed! This is just a bit of light hearted banter about our wonderful town. Maybe you'll be surprised by some of the information I bring you and then again perhaps you won't!
I've had an email from Robbie who has pointed out that there is no mention of disabled access. I'm very sorry I overlooked this Robbie. We are totally DDA compliant and I've put a story on the newspage to highlight this fact. So
We are very pleased to announce that this year by holding all the demonstrations on Westbridge Park we are wheelchair friendly and all areas can be accessed, including the toilet area.
The Chef's Signature Special on Tuesday and last night's Little Venice were the most enjoyable 2 nights I've had in town for ages! The resaurants pulled out all the stops and helped to make The Mange a Trois one of the best yet! It was very good fun for myself and Colin as guides ,when we had to go chasing down the canal footpath after Jeff and heather on Brindley's floating restaurant that had cast off and was sailing ,because we realised that we hadn't taken the mains orders for La Dolce Vita! Everyone had an amazing time and I'm looking forward to tonights Musical Meander, The Lounge The Crown and Anchor and Granvilles 30 people in each and then criss crossing each group for the perfect night.
Lymestone Brewery our new micro brewery on The Mount Road Industrial Estate. aims to be open to the public for a couple of hours on Friday and Saturday( possibly Sunday. )Their casks have arrived and they have "Foundation Stone" at 4.5% abv . It's really worth a trip to have a look around and perhaps even a little sample!
The Royal Exchange (Titanic)
I wont make any obvious jokes about the opening night of The Royal Exchange. But after last nights session I have that sinking feeling you know the one you get when you try to get up quickly and remember what you did last night! We were invited as The Stone Food and Drink Festival group to the opening night and of course we all went. What a super place the refurbishment has worked miracles. It's interior is excellent and gone has the shabby tired image that it's always seemed to have from outside. The new Landlord and Landlady Carl and Julie, were previously at the Newcastle rugby club definately our gain, what a super couple. Almost every publican was there and everyone had a fantastic time. The beer was perfect, just what you'd expect from Titanic.The lunch time menu is simple and I'll give it a try today and report back!
The Great Oatcake Challenge in The Trentham Estate Marquee 12 o'clock Sunday .
Come on Mr Mayor!
I've just heard it straight from the horses mouth AY UP DUCK that nearly all the entries have "chaze n bacun", perhaps our Mayor Mark Green could invent a filling without cheese and bacon, I wonder if you can make a beer sauce thick enough to stay in the oatcake? Surely there must be someone out there who can enter with an original filling!
Thinly cut strips of hot chargrilled steak smothered with blue cheese and corriander, there we go my entry!
I just love oatcakes don't you? Here's a challenge then! Daniel inspired film and video company have issued a challenge to anyone who sees themselves as a budding chef,make up your own filling and send the recipe in to them by email to oatcakes@inspiredfilmandvideo.co.uk or by post to Inspired Film and Video, Unit 39, Lymedale Business Centre Newcastle Under Lyme ST5 9QF The best 10 will be cooked at The Stone Food and Drink Festival and the winning filling prize is a meal for 2 at Granvilles here in Stone, not only that but the winning recipe will be added to the menu at Granvilles.
Last night we held our volunteers meeting it was fantastic that such a lot of people turned out. Every year we're joined by a very dedicated band of people who just turn up and work very hard making the festival the success it is. A lot of the work is behind the scenes such as Hilary who is in the kitchen making sure the chefs have all they need to perform their demonstrations and afterwards she washes up and cleans the work stations in preparation for the next chef.There are so many people involved in all sorts of ways that you wouldn't even think of. If you would like to become a friend of the Festival and come along and help out give us a call, there's always something to do!
Trentham Demonstration Kitchen Marquee
Sunday October 5th 12 o'clock mid-day. The oatcake competition a fabulous fun event where a panel of judges will be deciding which oatcake they think is the winner. Daniel Inspire films have arranged this event and on Friday 19th October they were on BBC Radio Stoke talking about the oatcakes and all sorts of things that they do. It's a shame they told everyone the festival was next week! in fact I had a bit of a turn as they say , You know that awful feeling when reality dawns! Back to the subject in hand. Janine Machin has just confirmed she'll be at the festival both Saturday and Sunday so we're over the moon. I wonder what she'll make of the oatcake competition ,being a local lass!
The Manger a Trois
The Musical Meander and Little Venice are sold out.There are 4 tickets left for Chef's Signature Special. This event is always a best seller but this year it's been even more successful as the first two events sold out within two weeks!
Mayfield House Bed & Breakfast have very kindly sponsored us again this year. The very comfortable and smart, Bed and Breakfast here in Stone is run by Mark and Kristan our Mayor and Mayoress.They both work very hard ,it's unbelievable how they find the time to run their B & B. They'll both be doing their bit during the festival and you can guarantee we'll see them begin the day with us at 6am and will be amongst the last to leave. Kristan has been asked to talk to The Womens British Legion about her experiences as The Mayor's wife and we wish her well in her new venture as speaker.
Bunty and Samantha will be spotted about town this week festooning the shops and offices with Food and Drink festival bunting. Apparently Bunty has turned "dirty guts" and is refusing to let Samantha go up the ladder as he says he bought the ladder. Poor old Samantha relegated to footing again this year!
Friday Night October 3rd Dave Smithwick will compere The Annual Festival Quiz 7.30pm,The Crown Hotel Prize £100. Entrance £5, traditionally the quiz is hosted by Bunty and Samantha who have an enormous following. This is NOT a ticketed event , the 2 of them are so popular with their comedy routine that it's always packed out and it's a case of turn up on the night and be prepared for a fun packed time! Once again, Shane is giving us the ballroom absolutely free and we thank him for his generosity. The bar will be open. There will be one prize for the winning team £100.
The Wayfarer is on the A34 heading north past the Shell garage, carry on until you come to the railway bridge over the A34 and just on the left is The Wayfarer run by Joe.At a time when landlords outnumber customers and the smoking ban has made everyone stay at home with booze bought from supermarkets so cheaply it's hard to compete, what chance has "the local" got of survival.Go into the wayfarer and see how Joe has found the answer by blending drinking with fine dining and live entertainment. He sources all his food locally and knows the cow's name going into his next pie. Joe's climbing the gastro pub ladder fast , the food is of a very high standard and quality and you don't have to put your glasses on to locate the portion on your plate. I'll even go as far as to say The Wayfarer has to be considered serious competition for The Holly Bush at Salt ,so watch out Geoff! I recently went to Cyprus and was sitting with a couple of ex pats, I was asked the usual question, where are you from? I said Stone and with a twinkle in his eye, one of them began to tell me of his memories of over 30 years ago as a student at B.T. in Yarnfield and Grab a Granny night on a Thursday at The Wayfarer .For some of you, a visit to The Wayfarer will rekindle many happy memories.If you haven't already been ,there will be a chance for you on The real Ale trail. I'll ask Joe if he's thinking of reviving Grab a Granny night, these days I imagine it's against health and safety laws.
Bags of Beautiful Gifts / Granville Square. One for all you girlies out there who love shoes. Especially the latest styles. I went in to find a gift for my friend and found myself wandering around upstairs looking at the fantastic footwear. I didn't know they sold shoes! It's well worth going to have a nosey, one of those shops that you go in to just look and later find yourself saying to beloved one "Oh this, I've had it ages"!
The Three Crowns Lichfield Road. Called in to discuss their involvement in the Real Ale Trail (RAT) and met Sam. She says chef's going to put on some Staffordshire treats for us during the festival .While I was there I was fascinated by some really old postcard pictures - one in particular of The Frank Jordan centre known then as St Michael's School. Sam also pointed out artwork for sale by local artist Debra Wagner. Stone's full of talented people. I've eaten there a few times and enjoyed the food, testament to that was two of the staff really enjoying a bowl of pasta!
WIKIJUM / High Street. I love this shop, the only shop in Stone that sells Fair Trade. Beki pointed out her new line of FairTrade Devine white chocolate bar with strawberries I only looked for a second and felt the weight pile on. Next time you're in there go through to the back of the shop - it's well worth a look at all the second hand books she has on sale. I love the smell and even found a copy of a 1950's Sentinel Annual. Beki tells me Alice will be upstairs soon channelling her energy into Reiki. I have it on good authority this is called "Chi". If none of that takes your fancy have a peek at the clothes she sells for men, women and children.
I bumped into Dave Smithwick of The Staffordshire Soup Company. Dave is one of Stone's local councillors and a much loved character by everyone.He's going to launch his soup company at The Stone Food and Drink Festival and I asked him what I could say about his soup on this page. He told me he sources all the ingredients locally and for his Thai sweet coconut soup the coconut's come from the plantation just outside Eccleshall. I have to be wary with Dave as he's well known for leg pulling. I don't think he's managed to catch me out yet!
GREGGS the bakers. There's so much fun going on there at the moment as Joanne is getting married. Apparently the hen night photos will not be made public . It's great to go in for one of their gorgeous steak slices and talk to her about the forthcoming event. I don't want to put her off but.....I overheard two guy's in there talking while they were waiting to be served,"My wife was complaining last night that I never listen to her.Or something like that." he said!
SUPERDRUG Almost every town and city has a Superdrug store but ours is different to the others. Louise and her staff are really good at PR and chat to their customers as though they know everyone who goes in there. Recently the staff ran a fund raising day for Teenage cancer victims and managed to net a huge amount of money for this very worthy cause.
The Mill nestled in the heart of Stone.To find The Mill go under the railway bridge just past Morrison's and there you'll find Jose and his family running this beautiful Portuguese Restaurant. Jose and his family have a passion for quality both in serving you and the high standard of the food.Where else in Stone can you sit and watch a heron take a fish from the brook while you enjoy the perfect meal partnered with an excellent wine. Jose will be pleased to talk you through the history of the birth place of Hovis and may even show you the old mill wheel upstairs .The first time I went to the Mill I thought it would be all fish fish fish ,isn't that what Portuguese food is all about? I couldn't have been more wrong. The menu is varied with something to please everyone and reasonably priced, even better the location of the restaurant means I can take my elderly friend and drop her off at the door and park quite easily.
The Swan kept by Jeff and Helen is at the bottom of the town on Stafford Street .I was first introduced to The Swan seven years ago by my beloved one and met Jeff's father, Brian Blundell, who was "The Ideas Man" behind The Food and Drink Festival. Sadly, Brian died last year and we all miss him and his brilliant ideas. I shall be forever gratetful to him for introducing me as the fifth member of the festival team but even more so for his friendship. I remember sitting with Brian in the beer garden last year admiring his grape vines, he talked us into borrowing a grape press from The Halfpenny green vineyard and we made wine, Jeff created the label and it really looked the bee's knee's. At the Swan's annual charity Christmas feast the wine was put up for auction and the bidding was fierce making a good amount for the chosen charity, I like to think there are only 2 bottles in existence and I have one of them my friend the other ! For anyone who prefers to have a QUIET drink the Swan doesn't allow children, now I have nothing against them as I have a few myself but I do not want them in the pub with me.They have live music most nights and a quiz on Tuesdays. Beloved says the beer is one of the best kept pints in Stone and last night rushed home to tell me they were serving draught Pimms. My reply to him was I like to drink my alcohol not eat it!
The Shoe Tree a newly opened shoe shop in the High street. I've met the two proprietors and wish them well. The shop is well set out with plenty of stock and the staff are really friendly. All the ingredients for success.
La Dolce Vita sits on the canal side opposite The Star. I've just received their plans for Festival week and it starts with a 5 course gourmet dinner to be prepared and cooked by the team of chefs headed by Russell Beardmore. La Dolce Vita is one of the restaurants on The Manger a Trois "Little Venice". . Lunch or dinner the food is fresh and sumptious and the staff most obliging, Jake Lowndes ( it's hard to believe he's old enough to work but as Peter reassures me he is then I have to believe him) is one of the team, and has been judged 3rd best young Chef in the country. Russel is Head chef at the restaurant and he will be guiding Jake through his demonstration in The Trentham Estate Kitchen during Festival week,.Russel and his team at La Dolce Vita cook for a full house every day and night .Peter is very keen to "put back into the community" so the team cook for the elderly residents of Bromfield Court every Thursday and will soon be doing the same for The Walton Community Centre on Wednesdays in October. If you haven't dined in La Dolce Vita you're really missing out.What better way to idle an hour away watching the narrow boats cruising by whilst enjoying a gorgeous meal and a bottle of wine.
Somerfield I really do have to share the news that for the very first time Somerfield have become sponsors of The Stone Food and Drink Festival. I'm thrilled and wonder is it because they have a new manager, Mr. James. We ask each business in the town for £30 and the money goes towards all our administration costs and publicity. The aim of the festival is to get more people into the town during October a traditionally quiet month in the lead up to Christmas. So we hope the traders will support us and the majority are brilliant in giving their support. Look out for the green, red and white bunting on the shop fronts they're the ones who know the festival is good for business, need I say more?
Home and Colour the Aladin's Cave of Stone High Street. Going into this shop, owned and run by Paulette and David Wright and their son Matthew, is a journey of unexpected delight. They sell everything for the home, in fact things you didn't even know you needed.Where else can you buy a tea strainer,a curtain pole , carpet, wallpaper, pictures, mirrors, even an old curtain hook you never thought you'd replace, Paulette saves some of the old hooks in her 'special tin'. If you're lucky David will tell you his joke of the week (or maybe unlucky) while he's fitting your blinds. What you may not know about David is he really cares about his customers. The times I've watched him replace a light bulb because his elderly customer can't reach, or offer a lift to one of them because he's overheard them say they need to go into town. He'll even drop off shopping for them. The family take pride in their work, making blinds and the good service they give. You won't be disappointed if you go in. That reminds me I need some baking trays!
Thermograde Process Technology Limited is a leading British chemical and contract processor, specialising in processing high temperature inorganic solid state reactions. They're based on the Whitebridge Estate and I'm so pleased they've sponsored us in our Business section. I've lived in Stone for a long time and when I walk my dog around the 2 big business parks I often wonder how much involvement these businesses have in the town. How many locals are employed by them and how much impact do they have on the infrastructure of our town? When we community litter pick do they ever go out and clear the litter surrounding their area? Anyway I'm digressing from the point that the majority are faceless . On the other hand, Thermograde give us their support and it's good to know that here in Stone we have a "Leading British Firm" on our doorstep giving their approval to yet another event about to take place in the town.
Regent Travel in the High Street this is a Travel Shop with a difference, walk in any time of the day and the staff will greet you with a friendly smile ( even if they're busy with clients).Regent Travel has been in the town for as long as I can remember, it must be over 20 years. We've seen other travel shops come and go so what's their secret. Nothing is too much trouble for them, they apply their unique personal touch to your holiday requirements. David, who heads the team was telling me they've just launched their escorted tours programme for 2009. Imagine when you've sampled some of our food and drink from around the world in the gourmet food marquee going and doing the "Real Thing" in Norway, Austria,China, Newzealand,South America, Antarctica, Iceland and even Zambia. I know that sounds like a blatant advert for Regent but why not they're brilliant and they always support The Food and Drink Festival.
Crazy Daises in the high street, I love to go in this "Flower" shop a bouquet from here will be unusual and beautifully arranged.The price of each bloom is listed on a blackboard inside the shop and you can "pick and Mix" under the professional guidance of Caroline,and her team.It's good to be able send or receive a bouquet that isn't the old fashioned mix of chrysanthemums and gypsy fern .Caroline will put together a mix that you'll be thrilled with., if you go in or past The Swan have a look at the arrangements in the windows, Crazy Daisies do the flowers for Jeff and Helen . Best of all the prices are very competitive.
Footsteps shoe shop in Stafford Street across the road from Shaffer's Restaurant. The lady's in footsteps are running a competition again during festival week. For every £10 spent you will be given a raffle ticket and could win a £100. This is a super shop and has an enormous stock of shoes to choose from and they sell walking boots!They sell childrens, ladies and men's shoes at a decent price it's well worth a look in as you walk past to The Gourmet Food Marquee on Westbridge park.
The Barber Lutherie a music shop and adjoined is a shop with everything for outdoor pursuits. The Outdoor shop has everything from a storm kettle, mountaineering equipment, water and wind proofs and I even noticed a canoe hanging from the ceiling! You might ask why or how I wouldn't spot a canoe before now, well I'm normally on a mission head down and concentrating when I go in to see Joe (son of) Phil Barber hence The Barber Lutherie. Phil and Joe are 2 brilliant blokes who never ask for any credit or acclaim.( Unlike me I always brag about my Silver in Trampoline and my cycling proficiency in every email I send ).Very soon you'll be able to spot signs for The Food and Drink Festival all over town and know it's Phil's handy work. Joe has gone to the Leeds Festival with a gang including my 18 year old daughter, i've given the usual advice, don't drink too much don't go off with strangers don't forget where your tent is and for goodness sake call me just to let me know you're still alive.( last time she went to a festival she returned to do her washing ironing and tidy her bedroom, without me even asking!. To this day I still think aliens had manifested themselves in her body!) Now that I've admitted to her being my daughter Phil will know who she is, remember it's the "sins of the father " and not the mother Phil! The music section of the shop is fascinating, at weekends musicians gather to talk music. Not only can you buy an instrument , but also have one repaired at a realistic price. Both of the lads know what they're talking about when it comes to outdoor equipment or music. in fact they're experts.The shop is in Radford street opposite Christchurch, a very short walk from the High street. Pop in it's an experience not to be missed.You wont be able to spot the signs for the Festival because we've been told we have to take them all down. Apparently they're dangerous. Perhaps we should put up another sign saying SIGNS ARE DANGEROUS!
Zeta exclusive ladies dress shop and Accessories. Zeta stocks a range of stylish ladies clothes, often spotted in the glossies for the young and not so young . Their clothes are functional but at the same time choose a dress to thrill . I've reached the age where it's best for me to cover up and if my beloved is reading this, will offer his advice to me on what to cover up! What I'm getting to is ask the girls for advice and they'll be more than happy to oblige without sending you out looking like an advert from The Twilight Zone, if you ask does my bum look big in this then the answer could be yes.You won't meet someone wearing the same outfit . Prices good, staff really friendly!
Baileys a huge store at the bottom of the High Street with all sorts of goodies stocked here. Buy anything from DIY to a bed for your dog. If you walk to the back of the store you'll see they even stock wood and they'll cut it and deliver for you. Ken will give advice on home improvements and the staff will sell you anything from a top of the range saucepan to a teaspoon, a tin of paint to a beautiful plant holder.
Chantilly your guide to style, beauty, make-up and more , lingerie and swim wear in fact anything that's one hundred percent feminine. Anyone who knows me will vouch that I wouldn't go within a million miles of this place and even have to be tied up and dragged into the hairdressers. The only beauty routines ( I like to refer to them as tortuous rituals) I take part in were taught to me as a child by my grandmother who tried to scrub a birthmark off my face every day with a flannel loaded with Fairy green soap dipped in a bowl of very hot water , I look back on those days with great fondness and hope to god her demonic nature never rears its ugly head in the genes of my daughters! Once again I find myself waffling on and will return to the point. Chantilly is absolute heaven to walk into, upstairs is the beauty salon where trained beauticians will create a sense of total relaxation, whatever the sky outside, with their vast range of bronzing products, they'll magic you away to paradise island. Book an appointment for beauty treatments and salon skin care and you wont be disappointed with this discreet service. Downstairs choose swim wear to impress everyone at the beach or pool side. Gentlemen, treat her to something special from this stunning range of glamorous "sleep wear", bras and knickers. Evocative perfumes can be tested and exclusive skin care regimes trialled. I do have to go into Chantilly for various reasons now and then and my observations are that the staff are very very friendly and the quality and variety of styles perfect. I have many friends who use the beauty salon and tell me I really should treat myself to one of their treatments, are they trying to tell me something I ask myself?
All Seasons the only fresh fruit and veg shop in the high street and they sell milk which for some unknown reason they keep quiet .The staff are brilliant and nothing is too much trouble. My garden boasts many plants bought from All Seasons all of them thriving and nearly five years old so a good advert to buy locally.
Ladbrokes the bookmakers. This is one of the High street units that some of you will probably only visit on Grand-National day.Ladbrokes are the leading number one bookmakers and have broken away from the old image of "fag ends and sawdust" giving odds on more than just sporting events. Ladbrokes in Stone is more than a betting shop and provides a warm and secure place for individuals who may not get the chance to speak to anyone else during the day, here they can meet with like minded people for a banter and a coffee. Emma greets her punter's with a ready smile and is the very capable manager, welcoming to everyone . She's heavily involved in the Greyhound Rescue charity and is always glad of your old blankets and towels.
Occaisions is a gift shop with a difference, here you can buy cards for any occasion. Rob creates some of the images for the cards he sells and they're very professional . I needed a card for my sister who lives in Cyprus but has a home in the Lake District and is always very homesick.I was wittering away about her and how she would prefer to be in the UK and he handed me a card and said what about this. I was thrilled to see a picture of where she lived in the lakes and posted it off to the place where you can fry your skin to resemble a walnut. There are pictures of historic Stone,( I dont think he took those ) I say historic but I can remember some of the scenes. Rob sells some unusual maps and canal memorabelia. He does picture framing and sells some very creative art work. The shop is fascinating to look around and Rob's speciality is in insults I wouldn't go any where else to get the quality of insult I can get from him! It's all part of the fun of going in there . Seriously, if you need an unusual gift then Occasions is the place to go and Rob is lovely but don't tell him I said so!
Stone Carpet Centre Mike Bird has the carpet shop in the arcade near to Somerfield and sells quality carpets and rugs. He supports all the events in the town and we're always thankful to Mike as he knows the Stone Food and Drink Festival boosts the local economy and promotes tourism. Mike considers our event as having a positive impact on the town. Thankyou Mike.
The Crown and Anchor, you can spot The Crown and Anchor by its thatched roof in Granville square close to the war memorial. This public house is run by a delightful team headed by Mark and Will . The food and service is excellent, you can experience The Black Rock Grill , where you cook your own steak at the table,( you don't have to do the washing up) the beauty of this is you can cook it exactly as you want it. I can recommend the carvery at lunchtime, the food is always fresh, hot and tasty.You can just sit and relax with a coffee or a glass of wine.The pub is open the usual long hours and you can smoke outside in a covered area. My girls tell me "it's one of the places to be at night I'll take their word for it!
The Lounge is directly under our office in the market square and is busy all day and night. I can hear the bell ringing and the staff calling out the orders ready for diners who've chosen to sit outside and watch the world pass by. Custodio and Theresa have a brilliant group of young waiters and waitresses working for them. They all work very hard and have a marvellous sense of fun that makes the relaxed atmosphere .The food is the best as is the venue and this is definately the place to be until the early hours of the morning where young people congregate and really enjoy themselves. A trouble free, happy atmosphere is always on offer at The Lounge. Farmers Market day is the first Saturday of the month and Cus provides live entertainment all day in the market square. Stop a while and enjoy time out to watch the band and enjoy a drink with one of The Lounge's Staffordshire breakfasts, the sausages are heaven!
Granville's situated in Granville Square. Adam and Mandy Jones have been successfully running their brasserie for 25 years . On entering you are met by Anick who beams her beautiful smile at you and asks if you'll be eating today and where you would like to sit. The answer is always yes and we'll sit in the garden, a totally enclosed, private ,partially covered area with a high wall and well tended plants, shrubs and trees. Adam would have you believe he's responsible for this but I've seen Mandy's mother working hard in the garden on various occasions. Adam sources some local produce but also believes best is better for his chefs', cooking the food that the brasserie is famous for. At night you can often listen to live music while you enjoy dinner and the staff are on hand to recommend a bottle from Granville's quality wine list. Adam also keeps a really good pint of Guinness and Dave Smethwick is the resident expert on Guinness! Granville's has also just started to sell Titanic real ale.The staff are charming, attentive and polite and it's always a pleasure to go to Granvilles for any reason. Adam , and the other two members of the "Bunting" team will festoon the town with The Stone Food and Drink Festival green red and white flags, the team are so well known they have to begin this arduos task in August as they're invited in to partake of the landlords hospitality at almost every establishment. Last year we had a phone call to say that the landlord had come out to them looking very puzzled .We asked them where they were and they replied The Greyhound, yes, but The Greyhound where?The Greyhound at Yarlet, try The Greyhound at Burston!!!! We'll never let them live it down.
Buy and save
A super shop run by a great family, Peter Neil Gay and their staff, This shop holds an enormous stock of cosmetics, household cleaners, cameras, perfumes, picture frames and a host of things that are needed for every day use.Pop in and browse you'll be surprised at what you find at very competitive prices!
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