JCB and a group of employees have dug deep to help transform a village playground where the company has its World Headquarters. Pictured at the opening of the new Rocester village playground are, left to right, Thea (5) of Dove Academy, Rocester, JCB Chairman Lord Bamford, JCB Project Leader David Wheeldon and daughter Amelia (6) of Saint Filumena’s, Caverswall, Riley (10) and Bobby (10) both of Ryecroft Middle School, Rocester and Demi (5) of Dove Academy, Rocester. The Roce

The number of people enjoying the new state-of-the-art health and wellbeing centre in Leek has already passed the 43,000 mark since it re-opened, as MyActive Leek, in August. Staffordshire Moorlands District Council led the project to redevelop the former Brough Park Leisure Centre which, together with the rejuvenation of the town’s indoor markets and the work to modernise the Nicholson Institute, forms part of the multi-million pound regeneration of Leek funded in part by th

On the 11th of October 2026, the Auctioneers Arms, a Caverswall-based community pub, invited us to a taster evening for their new menu, but it's so much more than food that is served here. Manager Terry told our reporter what makes The Auctioneers such a special place. Pictured: Manager Terry & Deputy Manager Tilly The new menu was made possible thanks to a completely new kitchen. It had been on Terry and his team's wish list for a long time, the old one being smaller than an

We Love the Moorlands is a local fund that works with small charities and community groups over the Moorlands region. Part of the Community Foundation for Staffordshire they are dedicated to helping good causes specifically in the Moorlands area. A panel of local volunteers help to deliver grant awards in the Moorlands. Over the course of the year they award around £25,000 to many groups, each grant can be up to £1000 – A spokesperson for the group said "If you need some

Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust provides local research facilities to the NHS. They sometimes have opportunities for people to be part of a research study, and other opportunities which not only help our understanding and treatments but also enable participants to have a closer connection to medical expertise they might find valuable to their own health. This post will detail the latest opportunities to take part in their research. Readers should thorough

A VILLAGE bowling club has two reasons to celebrate after securing funding for a new shelter and topping off a successful season. Mayfield Crown Green Bowling Club feared they would be without refuge from the elements when their Conygree Lane recreation ground shelter was destroyed by storms at the beginning of the season. But an appeal to the local community produced heart-warming support for the 30-strong club which has been a part of the village sports scene since 1990. Lo

A poem of encouragement from our editor, Lori Wood Williams, celebrating the colder months of life in Staffordshire. Don't Fear Autwin...

St Giles Catholic Church in Cheadle (Pugin's Gem), celebrated the 180th anniversary in style with a flower festival. Organisers Liz and Janet, along with Father Eric and local historian John Smith, chatted with us during our splendid visit. The High Alter at St Giles Catholic Church Cheadle All the flowers in the festival were designed in white to complement the beauty of the church itself, which is drenched in color, texture, and pattern at every turn. It is incredibly beau

Saturday 3rd of October saw the official opening of phase one and two of the seven stages of development at Churchill Road Recreation Ground development. COGNEWS editor Lori went along to report. A happy bunch L-R Deputy Mayor Jase Jervis, Deputy Town Clerk Dave Mullington, Vice Chair Leisure & Operations Ian Plant, Chair Leisure & Operations Paulette Upton Chair of SMDC Linda Malyon, Cllr Steven Ellis, Lady Mayoress & Deputy Chair of Planning Zenobia Routledge. Youngsters an

Wanted at Cheadle Food Bank. Here is the list of food bank shortages for this week and we thank you for your continuing support.

Ofsted praise how Bishop Rawle CE Primary helps pupils to feel safe, to feel valued and to thrive. Bishop Rawle CE Primary School has been celebrating a positive report from Ofsted, receiving praise in many areas and being described as a ‘welcoming and inclusive school community’. The school is part of TMPF Trust, a multi-academy trust of 14 primary and first schools in the Staffordshire Moorlands and Uttoxeter area. A team of inspectors visited the school for two days, speak

Regular Activities What's On Things to Do Each section is in date order. If you have something to add please send it to cognewsstaffs@gmail.com. Please note: We can only publish detail with the consent of the event organiser and all images/artwork must be your own. What's On in September 2026 St Giles Catholic Church Celebrate 180th Anniversary Flower Festival 4th-6th September 4th: 10am-6pm, 5th: 10am-4pm, 6th: 12 noon - 5pm St. Giles' Catholic Church, Cheadle September Sun

With the energy prices about to soar again as the price cap is removed from electricity, is there anything we can do to cut the costs other than trying to get a better deal? We asked local environmentalist and electrical engineer Bernie Charlesworth for practical tips on how to save costs. Heating Your Home Heating is always the big one. The difficulty with radiators and fires is that the heat rises and doesn’t heat us directly. The planet is heated by infrared radiation from

Local solicitors have generously agreed to waive their usual fees to draft or amend a basic Will as part of Dougie Mac’s Make a Will Month this October. Every year, gifts in Wills help Dougie Mac provide specialist care and support to thousands of local people living with life-limiting illnesses, including adults, young adults and children. Fiona Chater, Head of Legacy and Trust fundraising at Dougie Mac, explains: “Gifts in Wills are a really important source of income for D

This weekend (4th-6th September), St Giles Catholic Church, Cheadle (Pugin's Gem), will celebrate its 180th anniversary with a flower festival. We met up with Liz and Janet, who organise the flowers at the church, to find out more. The newly refurbished stained glass window All the flowers in the festival will be white to complement the beauty of the church itself, which is drenched in colour, texture, and pattern at every turn. It is incredibly beautiful, and keeping the col

One lovely sunny weekend morning (9th August) went along to a fishing open day at Dilhorne Pools to find out more about the sport. Pictured: Centre: Paul Aitken (Chair) with Phil & Zenobia Routelege (Cheadle Mayor & Mayoress) Andy Donalson (Club Secretary) Tom Myatt (Vice-Chair) John Mac (party co-ordinator) Vanessa Woodcock (Bailiff) Grant Ireland (Potteries Fly-Tying & Bailiff), John Sephenson (Smart Pre-loved Tackle), Carl Humphries MBE, (Let's get fishing) We spoke with T

Last week, we were invited to visit Wellspring in Cheadle to find out about their chair-based exercise group who meet there Cheadle Mayor Phil Routledge was keen to meet participants and have a go himself. Chair-based exercise is a form of physical activity performed while sitting on a chair or using it for support. It is designed for older adults, people with limited mobility, or anyone recovering from an injury, offering a safe way to build strength, flexibility, and balanc

This Saturday, 22nd of August 2026, the Kingsley Holt Centre opened its doors for their summer fun day. COGNEWS went along to chat with the people involved. Kingsley Holt Centre formed as a community benefit society to rescue and repurpose the former local Methodist chapel so that it could be retained for community use. The centre is used every week for a wide variety of activities, community café, craft workshops, fitness classes, and fundraising events. They are working tow

Leek CSOB ACFC (Leek County School Old Boys, Ability Counts Football Club) gather players and friends from across North Staffordshire and have put out an appeal for new sponsors. CSOB began a football team based in Leek and surrounding moorlands area in 2024 aiming to promote and encourage the growth of people with disabilities and difficulties through sport and social interactions. These activities include training, tournaments, leagues, festivals, and social events. Their e

Funded by Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime Ben Adams, the Space summer programme brings together public, voluntary and private sector organisations to provide enjoyable, positive activities for young people. These activities aim to increase their skills, improve their health and wellbeing and create opportunities, while also aiming to reduce levels of anti-social behaviour during the school summer holidays. Space 2026 will run from Monday 27 July