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The lucky winners of the virtual balloon race that took place as part of the recent Hednesford Park consultation were officially announced at Hednesford’s Christmas light switch-on event this month.

Cannock Chase Council launched a consultation exercise in October to find out what users/visitors of the park thought of the improvements made to the park and the War Memorial as part of the ongoing development works.

Cannock Chase Council’s Cabinet approved the savings options report at its meeting last night.

The report was to consider the feedback received from residents, stakeholders and members of the community, following a six week long consultation on the Council’s financial recovery plan.

In November essential tree works commenced on tree avenue in Hednesford Park, where sixteen, large, over mature trees were felled.

Some of the felled trees have been pollarded and work has started to create living sculptures from some of the trees, that were well past their best.

Robot Cossey an artist from Wolverhampton who is well know for his timber sculptural works has made a start and already created an owl and squirrel.

The first batch of sculptures created will consist of an owl, squirrel, fox and woodpecker.

Cannock Chase parkrun started on 19 November and in its first week attracted over 550 people, making it the 7^th largest parkrun in the Country.

Since the November launch there have been four runs.  Runners meet every Saturday at 9am at Marquis Drive to complete a timed 5K run.

Every week over 35 volunteers from Chasewater Running Club, Chase Harriers, Rugeley Runners and Stafford Harriers give up their Saturday morning to help facilitate the parkrun.

The Leader of Cannock Chase Council has commended the Chairman of the Poppy Appeal, for the unprecedented amount collected from this year’s appeal.

Derrick Ellison who works as Chairman of the Poppy Appeal has raised a total £26,500, which is £5,000 more than the previous year.

Councillor George Adamson said “The amount of money raised is fantastic.  It is all down to the generous people of Hednesford and especially the hard work of Derrick and the volunteers, so well done to all involved.”

A report submitted to the Better Jobs & Skills Scrutiny Committee this week has highlighted a decline in the number of vacant town centre units in the District.

Cannock, Rugeley and Hednesford town centres combined currently have 23 vacant units which equates to 6.67%, the national average is currently 10.7%.

Biffa Waste Management are raising awareness of workers who are at risk whilst carrying out their duties on our roads, through their DROP’s (Driving Recklessly on Pavements) campaign.

Since July this year there have been over 100 successful prosecutions of drivers in Cannock Chase District for driving on pavements around waste collection vehicles.

Between 75-80 incidents are reported each month.  All of the refuse vehicles have CCTV cameras installed on them and the footage from these cameras can sometimes help with a prosecution.

Cannock Chase Council is encouraging residents to make the most of their freezer this Christmas and follow the Food Standards Agency (FSA) Freezer Fairy campaign’s tips and advice to have a less wasteful Christmas.

Christmas can be a stressful and busy time, whilst 43% of people feel that buying presents is their main worry, cooking Christmas dinner ranks a close second.

This time of year the volume of food being prepared is increased as many people are catering for large groups of friends and family.

Cannock Chase Council and local volunteers have started to plant the 10,000 bulbs donated to Hednesford Park and support the Rotary Club’s plight to eradicate polio.

The 10,000 purple crocus bulbs were donated by the Rotary Club in Cannock from money raised during various polio awareness fundraising events.

The rotary clubs mission is to rid the world of polio, which still exists in parks of Northern Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan.