A report to Cannock Council’s Cabinet highlights the continued success of the performance of Inspiring healthy lifestyles (formerly WLCT), who provide the Council’s leisure services.

The annual report for 2015-16 highlights that Inspiring healthy lifestyles have met or exceeded performance in 80% of its targets, with attendances and visits for that period in excess of 942,000.

Visitors at both Chase and Rugeley leisure centres have increased, with 808,689 visits made during 2015-16 compared to 783,811 in the previous year.

Cannock Council’s Cabinet approved free leisure concessions for serving members of the armed forces, who are resident in the District, at its meeting last night.

The concession scheme was first introduced in June 2012 and currently has 135 members.  Council’s Cabinet have approved the leisure concession scheme for the next year, 2016/17.

This scheme is recognition of the commitment made by armed forces men and women to this country in their service throughout the world.

Local residents will have the opportunity to showcase their Staffordshire inspired artwork later this month as the annual Open Art Exhibition returns.

To mark the 1000th anniversary of Staffordshire, the Museum of Cannock Chase is looking for local artwork that celebrates the county’s rich history, special places, objects and people. Artwork can be submitted in the form of a painting, drawing, sculpture, textile, needlework or craft.

Hednesford Park’s ‘Parlour at the Pavilion’ will open its doors this Saturday (11^th June 2016) at 10am.

The ‘Parlour at the Pavilion’ is an ice cream parlour, sandwich shop and coffee bar, that will target families and serve an artisan fresh dairy ice cream menu, sandwiches, savouries, afternoon and cream teas, cakes and bakes.

The American milk bar themed parlour can seat up to 28 covers inside and has additional seating on the outside terrace; with the kiosk operating at peak times to speed up the service for park visitors.

 After weeks of construction works the state of the art skate park located at Hednesford Park has opened for use.

The £170,000 investment is aimed at users of all ages and abilities and incorporates a street plaza bowl, with raised corner pockets, volcano with rolled lips, transitional hips, a number of jump boxes with a shotgun ledge, quarter pipe, 1.5m wall ride and rollovers.

Hednesford Park now boasts one of the best skate parks in Staffordshire which caters for BMX’s, skaters, scooters and rollerblades.

The children play area in Hayes Way, Heath Hayes which was subject to an arson attack in November last year has been replaced and is now fully open.

This play area was one of two arson attacks in a matter of months in the District last year.  In January 2016 Cannock Council’s Cabinet approved to spend of £36,500 to replace the damaged equipment in Hayes Way and Pye Green.

Councillor Christine Mitchell, Portfolio Leader for Culture and Sport said: “I am delighted that both sites have now had their damaged equipment replaced.

The British Armed Forces Day will this year be held on Saturday 25^th June, with the day being an opportunity for the whole nation to show its appreciation for the contributions made by those who serve, or have served in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces. 

Councillor Zaphne Stretton MBE was named Chairman for 2016/17 at the Council’s Annual Meeting on 25^th May, taking the chains of office from Councillor Maureen Freeman.

This is the second time as Chairman for Councillor Stretton who was previously Chairman at Cannock Chase Council in 1998/99.

Councillor Stretton has been a Councillor in the District for over 21 years, taking only 3 breaks during that time.

A student from Kingsmead Technology College has been awarded Cannock Chase Council’s Youth Endeavour Award for 2016.

Niall Toolan aged 15 was nominated by his Head of House, Amanda Evans in recognition of his achievements in and out of school.

Niall is a school prefect and as part of his role he is expected to act as a role model for other students.  He is also Wimblebury House Charity Ambassador, where he co-ordinates the work of house representatives.

Cannock’s Friday Street Market was re-launched on Friday 27^th May by operator’s E.G. Skett & Co.

The market saw attractively dressed stalls, with live music throughout the day and street entertainment.

During the celebrations newly appointed Chairman Councillor Zaphne Stretton MBE presented trader of year to Ben Roberts.

The trader of the year was chosen by the traders. Ben Roberts sells homemade pickles and preserves, eggs, scratchings, cakes and sweets.  Ben from Cannock has been trading at the Cannock Street Market for two and a half years.