The Armed Forces Day flag was raised in a special ceremony at the Civic Centre on Monday 20^th June 2016.

The flag was raised by John Stanley from the Royal Engineers Association who was chosen by the Chairman of the Council, Councillor Zaphne Stretton MBE, to raise the flag on behalf of Cannock Chase.

The flag raising ceremony is part of Cannock Chase Council’s contribution to this year’s Armed Forces Day, which takes place on Saturday 25^th June across the nation.

Year 6 children from St. Peter’s C of E Primary School helped sow poppy seeds at Hednesford War Memorial, as part of the Forest Schools Program.

Forest Schools is a program that aims to foster a relationship with nature through regular personal experiences in order to develop long-term, environmentally sustainable attitudes and practices in staff, learners and the wider community.

Cannock Chase Council have expressed disappointment at the downgrade of the Arriva Cannock-Pye Green circular 25/26 bus service.

In October 2014 Arriva launched a much needed fleet of seven new vehicles for the popular 25/26 Cannock-Hednesford-Pye Green circular service.

However, more recently it has become apparent that these vehicles are no longer operating services in the District.

Cannock Chase Council has been working closely with house builders and housing providers to increase the affordable housing supply across the District.

In these uncertain economic and political times, the Council has managed to build the first Council housing in 25 years and enable local housing provider partners to deliver further affordable housing in the District.

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.