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COGNEWS
Connecting Staffordshire Moorlands
Over 1000 Ad-Free Articles Across 50 Searchable Topics


Wanted at Cheadle Food Bank
Wanted at Cheadle Food Bank. Here is the list of food bank shortages for this week and we thank you for your continuing support.
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Jun 81 min read


Help to Protect Our Wildlife and Green Spaces: Share Your Views
The Local Nature Recovery Strategy Needs Your Input Staffordshire County Council's Local Nature Recovery Partnership is inviting residents, communities, farmers, landowners, and businesses across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent to have their say on plans to restore and protect our natural environment. The new Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) sets out how we can improve habitats, protect wildlife, and enhance green spaces across the county. Developed with local partners,
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Jun 71 min read


Cheadle Pensioners Celebrate 1st Meeting of the Year with a Boost to Funds
On Tuesday 28th April Cheadle Pensioners held their first meeting of the year. It was well attended and members welcomed councillor Paulette Upton and Ian Plant who had come to see the club in action. Members also booked the trip to Llandudno vintage festival for the 1st of May. The guest speaker was Stephen Williams who entertained the members with an enlightening presentation of Jack the Ripper its history and myths using records and photos taken from the period. During the
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May 291 min read


How One Man's Desire to Run is Benefiting Charities: Paul's Story
Last month we shared the story of how former Town Councillor Paul Keeling was successful in his first half marathon. Here Paul shares in his own words how running has changed his life for the better. Runners, including Paul gather with excitement at the starting line of a marathon in London, under clear skies and lush trees. A year ago, I could only run a couple of miles around Cheadle before I had to stop and rest. Even short runs felt tough, and I never imagined I’d end up
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May 272 min read


Just for Fun: Something nobody wants in their garden!
This month, as we are experiencing epic growth in our gardens, we take a peek at one woman's plight, thanks to our resident cartoonist, CC. Enjoy! And if you're free for Balsam pulling Churnet Valley Rangers would like your help. "No, it's not Himalayan Balsam, Missus, but it's definitely getting out of hand!" Just for Fun: Something nobody wants in their garden! - created 27th May 2026
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May 271 min read


A New Toddler Park for Tean Road Recreation Ground
Tean Road Recreation Ground is to receive an update of the Toddler Play Space. Town Cllr Paulette Upton, the project lead, told COGNEWS what's happening. In eight weeks' time, the toddler area will feature a carousel with a bucket seat and net swings for toddlers—both of which are inclusive for those with reduced mobility—and a sensory board. Also new to the park will be trail apparatus consisting of a balance bar, wave stepper, and sway alley for balance practice, important
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May 221 min read


New Children's Destination Shop Opens on Cheadle High Street
This week, a new shop opened on Cheadle's historic High Street. Situated in the old Mother Nature building, "Little Dots" specialises in beautiful fashion and toys for ages 0-6. We met with owner Samantha Rowley-Corns to find out more. Samantha and some of her hand picked British Brands Samantha started her business two and a half years ago, a retail store and play cafe in Stone, when her daughter was just 4 months old. She told our reporter that she was very much inspired by
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May 213 min read


Talking About the Foodbank
Wednesday, the 6th of May, saw local supporters of Cheadle and District Foodbank gather to hear more about the vital work of this local charity. The event was organized by Wellspring Methodist Church, which provided the venue and refreshments. Tony had a great deal of interesting facts to share. Firstly, he tackled the question of what a foodbank is, and opinions on this tend to vary from "It's a bit like supermarkets where everything is free" to "they provide short-term emer
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May 193 min read


E-bikes & E-scooters: The Cautionary Tale of Billy & Gloria
Warning: This article contains distressing content. This isn't a local story, but one that needs to serve as a cautionary tale for local people regarding the use of e-bikes and e-scooters. Scooter seized by Staffordshire Moorlands Police recently without consequences to the rider. May 2025 saw a Sunderland teenager, Billy Stokoe, 18, make a choice that would change the course not only of his own life but that of an entire family forever. Billy was known to ride his e-bike dan
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May 192 min read


Health Insights and Information: Epilepsy
This week is National Epilepsy Week, and we thought it was a good opportunity to take a look at this condition and how it affects the people who have it and the families that support them. This is a personal point of view from a local observer of the condition. Epilepsy is a condition that affects the brain and causes seizures. It can affect anyone at any time in their life. The causes are often unknown; it can strike or change at any time and does not follow any kind of stan
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May 194 min read


Epilepsy - 11 Useful things you might not know
Rail Cards Passenger Assist Blue Badges Bus Passes CEA Card Support from Social Care Education Support Epilepsy Nursing Social Prescriptions Disabled Facilities Grant Disability News About this post - Some readers might find this difficult Understanding your symptoms, what works for you, and managing your condition can be a long process. The support of others who understand your viewpoint can be invaluable. This post exists to help point out some things that might make
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May 197 min read


Free Health Checks & Wellbeing Support
Early detection saves lives. Many serious conditions start with silent symptoms, including: Hypertension (high blood pressure) Heart health issues Early indicators linked to cancer risks Weight‑related conditions such as diabetes Smoking‑related health problems The Smart Symptoms Roadshows are happening throughout the Moorlands in the coming weeks. Anyone can pop along to the event - and it's completely free. This roadshow also aims to help reduce health inequalities by
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May 151 min read


Work Nearing Completion at Leek’s New Leisure Centre
COGNEWS has been informed that work on the new health and wellbeing centre in Brough Park, Leek is now entering the final phase ahead of the summer re-opening. Cllrs. Gledhill & M. Swindlehurst outside the new leisure centre in Leek. Staffordshire Moorlands District Council is leading the project to expand and modernise the centre and develop the external area to encourage people to be active in a less formal setting. Much of the interior work is now complete, and the upgr
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May 143 min read


Staffordshire Police Open Day Set for Saturday, 13th June
Staffordshire Police are to hold a special day to give anyone who would like to attend a behind the scenes glimpse of the work they do every day to keep communities across Staffordshire safe. The open day will take place from 11am to 4pm on Saturday 13 June at Staffordshire County Showground on Weston Road, Stafford, ST18 0BD. Entry and onsite parking are free, and they promise something for everyone, whether you’re looking for free activities for the kids, or if you have
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May 111 min read


Tap Classes - Open to Everyone!
May-June 2026 Outside are inviting Moorlands folk for a joyful series of weekly tap dance sessions led by experienced teacher Teresa Pattison, designed to be creative, social and full of fun. Open to complete beginners and improvers, these relaxed classes focus on rhythm, movement and wellbeing – no previous experience needed. You can dance standing or seated, and everyone is welcome. Sessions take place in an accessible, ground-floor space, with time to stay for refreshments
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May 111 min read


Pride in the Moorlands Weekend Announced
Pride in the Moorlands 2026 is to take place this year on the 26th –28th of June. A spectacular weekend is promised for this community-let LGBTQ+ celebration of life, creativity and joy across the Staffordshire Moorlands. You can - follow the Pride Torch Relay as it travels through Cheadle, Biddulph and Leek, symbolising unity, visibility and pride, before culminating in a full day of celebration in Leek on Sunday 28th June. Across the weekend, expect a brilliant programme o
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May 112 min read


Food Bank Get Together Event
Wellspring Methodist Church, Cheadle 6th May at 2pm Donation £2 Wellspring Methodist Church is hosting a fundraiser event to support the Cheadle and District Food Bank and is inviting anyone who is interested in the vital work of the food bank to come along. Light refreshments will be available, and Diane White, the project manager for the food bank, will be the guest speaker. If you regularly donate to the food bank or are interested in their work in our local community, you
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May 31 min read


Cheadle in Doom - Update from Cheadle Town Council
Cheadle Town Council met in their Leek Road Chambers at 7 pm on the 7th of April, 2026. The main item for discussion was a report regarding a meeting that had taken place between the Mayor, the Deputy Mayor (both district councillors), the chief executive of the district council, Andrew Stokes, and Cllr Paulette Upton to discuss potential asset transfers that could take place as part of the reorganisations, which will result in the demise of the district council next year. St
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Apr 305 min read


Visiting Hartington
Located about 30 minutes from Cheadle, Hartington Village - just over the border in Derbyshire - is well worth a trip out. Our editor, Lori, visited on a sunny spring afternoon; here's how she got on. The Picturesque Duck Pond The drive from Cheadle through Ipstones, Onecote, and Warslow, passing through the Peak Park, is breathtaking, particularly on a sunny day. The round trip takes about an hour, and with free parking available in the village of Hartington, it offers a ve
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Apr 242 min read


Staffordshire Walking Festival Kicks Off This Week
Final preparations are underway for the annual Staffordshire Moorlands Walking Festival. Free guided walks and related events are taking place from 24 April to 4 May 2026. The 11-day celebration offers over 60 free and low-cost walks and activities across one of England's most scenic regions, including routes for all ages and abilities. New additions to this year's programme include a trail run around Tittesworth Reservoir, three half-marathon walks, and four evening talks co
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Apr 201 min read

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