The World Health Organization (WHO) Europe has confirmed that the UK has lost its ‘measles elimination’ status based on data submitted for 2024. The announcement follows a decade of declining vaccination rates in the UK with coverage for 2 measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) doses in 5-year-olds now at just 83 .7%. The child’s cheek shows the characteristic rash associated with measles. In 2024, 2,911 laboratory confirmed cases of measles cases were reported in England, the high

This week, we were informed that Moorlands Home Link will permanently close on Friday, February 6th. This decision by the board of trustees is not related to a specific service closure or a temporary issue for the Charity, but is final. You may have seen their year-long fundraising campaign aimed at bridging the gap in finances caused by a withdrawal of some grant funding. Home Link provides a much-needed lifeline to many elderly and disabled people living in South Moorlands

POV: I recently purchased some wholemeal bread rolls for my weekly hike in the moorlands, only to discover they were a highly processed product. I decided to look for something simple and healthy to make as an alternative and came across a recipe for sourdough bread. It contains only flour, water, and salt, and the flavor is just wonderful. So here's my simple process, which some records show dates back to Egyptian times. The Starter For the starter, add 100 grams of flour wi

ChatHealth is a safe and confidential text messaging service, connecting young people and parents/carers in Staffordshire with health professionals from the Families Health and Wellbeing Service, which supports 0 to 19 years in Staffordshire. It's organized by the Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust. You can contact the service by: Young people - text 07520 6157 Parents/ carers - text 07520 615722 The ChatHealth text messaging service allows young people be

Funding of £300,000 has been awarded to a collaboration of agencies in the Staffordshire Moorlands to help them support people struggling with low-level anxiety. The group comprising of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, the Moorlands Rural and Leek and Biddulph Primary Care Networks, Support Staffordshire, Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, the County Council, MyActive, and other partners to deliver the project to improve the health of Moorlands res

Staffordshire Police are making residents aware of a recent increase in key safe boxes being forcibly broken into. Offenders are targeting poorly secured key safes and using the obtained keys to commit burglaries at later times. Police approved key safe as fitted by n-able What you can do to protect your property: Review your existing key safe – older or low-quality models are particularly vulnerable. If a key safe is required, use a high-quality, police-approved model. Ensur

Unlocking the Benefits: Why Every Homeowner Should Consider Fitting a Key Safe

This article from Innovate Uk shares their extensive work into retrofitting homes. It's a rising tide for our economy, our workforce and our communities. Without a doubt reusing and repurposing what we already have is better for the environment that anything we can create from scratch and housing is no different from any other item in this regard. We believe this information is crucial for reimagining our homes we offer it to inspire and educate anyone involved in this area.

Cost £5 per person Friday 30 January, 10.30am Staffordshire History Centre, Eastgate Street, Stafford Step back in time! Wander the streets of Stafford and discover the grim, grisly and grand events which make up its past. One hour, around one mile of walking. Booking required either via their website or at the History Centre. Stafford Walking Tour - created 13th January 2026

An Extra Venue for Cheadle's Newest Charity: Claire's Corner Community Pantry

With temperatures low and wet or snowy weather continuing, falling on ice is a major concern for many of us. We've seen a lot of talk about which way is best to walk, and with new NHS advice, we're asking the question: which way is better? On a recent visit into town to deliver our new publication, Pocket COG, the only safe option was to walk. Our discussions at COG are long and varied, generally pleasant, and on this day, we found ourselves discussing the new NHS advice to w

Cosy Crafters The Knit Network Winter Workshops Make do & Mend Workshops Quirky Potter Workshops To book in please email or text 07493 160410 All workshops take place at the Tudor House Building - Redeezine and Creative Cheadle on the High Street near to St Giles the Abbot Church. New faces are always welcome and the group hopes to see those who have been before return to crafting. Feel free to bring a friend. Updates will be issued with times and additional

If Staffordshire is known as the country's creative county, then Staffordshire Moorlands should be considered its crown jewel. This is not only because of the amazingly diverse range of art found throughout the moorlands but also due to the immense efforts of an organisation called Outside Arts. You may already know them; if not, your path will have crossed at some point with some element of their work. They provide funding, training, and every other kind of support imaginabl

1. If you need to drive somewhere Icy, wintry weather can cause delays and make driving conditions dangerous, follow these few simple steps to prepare before journeys: Plan your route. Check for delays and road closures. Leave more time to prepare and check your car before setting off. Check wipers, tyres and screen wash. Pack essentials in your car (warm clothing, food, drink, blanket, torch). Take a fully charged mobile phone. Pack an in-car charger. 2. Driving safely on i

Why Walking? Path Blockers Where to Begin Walking Q & A Cheadle Walks Many of us use the start of a new year to review things we'd like to change, and taking a little time to reflect on the last year and how we might improve our lives can be greatly beneficial. We might want to lose weight, increase exercise, reduce spending, or spend less time doomscrolling. Whatever our plans, something as simple as taking a brisk walk outside can help support our resolutions.

Former doctor Nathaniel John Spencer, 38, of Quinton, Birmingham, has been charged with 15 counts of sexual assault, 17 counts of assault by penetration, nine counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, three counts of assault a child under 13 by penetration and one count of attempted assault by penetration. It follows a complex investigation by Staffordshire Police Public Protection Unit into sexual offences at the Royal Stoke University Hospital, in Stoke-on-Trent, and Ru

If you’re taking medication, check whether it could affect your ability to drive before getting behind the wheel is the latest advice from Staffordshire Police. Some medicines can slow reaction times or cause drowsiness, putting you and others at risk. It’s also against the law to drive with any of 17 controlled drugs above the legal limit in your blood. Each drug has its own limit, and for illegal drugs the threshold is extremely low. If you’re unsure about how your prescrip

5th of December Until 7pm Cheadle High Street FAQ's Download your poster A group of Cheadle shop owners are banding together to offer local residents the opportunity to visit their stores for a late-night shopping event this Friday, 5th of December. This is the perfect opportunity not only to get great Christmas gifts and more, but to share some love with our town centre businesses who, despite ongoing difficult times, turn up day after day to provide us with the very best a

As the UK's creative county Staffordshire boasts lots of things to see and to around Christmas time. As well as local events it can be lovely to head out a little further afield. We'll continue to publish Staffordshire events we think might appeal as they come in. a few highlights so far are: Santa’s Grotto – McArthurGlen Designer Outlet: Meet Santa and his elves from 27 November. Tickets from £10–£15 per child, with all proceeds going to Kids’ Village charity. Includes a gi

This week we love is new segment for COGNEWS which highlights something exceptional in the local area this week. This week we loved all the amazing festive activities being organised by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust. You'll find them under What's On right across all our publications. Many are taking place at the Wolseley Centre in Stafford, and this is a great way to support a local charity that does amazing things for nature and education in Staffordshire. They are also COG C