Arts programme OUTSIDE has awarded 30 Creative Community Commissions to artists, community groups and organisations across the Staffordshire Moorlands. The successful funding applications, totalling over £24,000, were selected by OUTSIDE’s advisory group and youth advisory group made up of local residents, and will support a wide range of arts activity to take place over the next year in the district’s towns, villages and rural areas. Funded projects span all kinds of art for

Local businessman and Team Cheadle volunteer Paul Keeling is planning to take part in the London Half Marathon. COGNEWS caught up with him after a hard training run on Sunday morning (5th April 2026). His mother, 71 years of age, has undergone a successful open-heart operation, and as a token of thanks to the wonderful team that treated her, he is planning to do a sponsored run. He has already managed to raise £350 before the event. We wish him the best of luck and hope he co

Last week we caught up with Reform Party Candidate Lee Bentley, a Cheadle man born and raised to find out what his plans are for Cheadle if he's elected in the Cheadle West Ward By-Election on the 16th of April. The conversation flowed here's what we learned about Lee. Lee told us that he's been married for over thirty years, with two grown-up children, and both he and his wife have worked in the care industry for most of their careers. He's been a manager for residential hom

We're excited to announce that the April edition of COGNEWS Monthly is currently being distributed to stores. If you wish to obtain a printed copy, you can find it at: A & C Stores - Froghall Road Cheadle Bargain Booze - High Street Cheadle Cheadle Library - High Street Cheadle Fresh Produce Cheadle - Tape Street (Access via Tape Street Car Park) Post Office - 3 Shopping Centre (Tape Street Car Park) South Moorlands Leisure Centre - Allen Street Cheadle Wooliscrofts Butchers

Wishing you and yours a pawfect Easter! from the COGNEWS team. Thank you CC for creating this lovely spring image of NEWSHOUND all ready for his Easter celebrations! Easter Greetings! - Created 3rd April 2026

On Thursday, 19th March, at the Guild Hall, Cheadle, a small group of residents was treated to a free event provided by The Friends of Cecilly Brook and Hales Hall Pool. It was a talk given by Jody from Baddeley Green Hedgehog Rescue Centre. She described how hedgehogs help to increase biodiversity and are our garden friends. Hedgehog Facts | Hedgehog Babies | 5 Things We Can Do for Garden Hedgehogs | What to do if you spot a hedgehog in daylight | Rhian's Story

On behalf of everyone who has benefited from having a mum, a mother figure, a dad who did mum's job, etc., we'd like to say a big thank you—with heartfelt gratitude. Mothers are not perfect; you lot don't come with a manual, and she/he never received any training or even a warning label! Mums are just like you: imperfect, unsure, figuring it out as they go along, and yet somehow managing to achieve awesomeness without really understanding how or realising that they have. For

Following the government's announcement to empower ordinary people to enhance their communities, small meetings have begun between local people keen for Cheadle to be improved. One resident told COGNEWS that "we've lost so much. Years ago, we had a cinema, indoor and outdoor markets, and a thriving town centre." While some things can't be reinstated and new needs have emerged, Cheadle certainly needs the investment and improvement a connected community can bring. To be a part

A lucky Leek resident has won the jackpot in the Staffordshire Moorlands Community Lottery. The winner, who wishes to be identified only as Kevin, won the top prize of £25,000 in a recent draw. Describing it as a “shock at first,” he said he chose to play the Community Lottery because: “The principle of supporting causes that are more locally based to the area I live in is something I like the idea of. In this way, I know financial support is directed to my local community, w

Dougie Mac Hanley Superstore, Etruria Road, Hanley. Saturday March 14, between 9am and 5pm. Brides-to-be can pick up their dream wedding dress for less at a special wedding dress event being held at a Dougie Mac shop. The Hanley Superstore is holding its first wedding dress event where it will be offering a range of brand new and sample dresses, in a selection of sizes, from just £30, as well as bridal accessories. The new dresses, with tags, typically retail between £800 to

Festive residents in a Stoke-on-Trent street have raised nearly £30,000 for Dougie Mac. Each year, families living in Bromsberrow Way, Meir Park, dress their homes with Christmas lights and decorations to raise money for the hospice. The cul-de-sac – known locally as ‘Christmas Street’ – attracts thousands of visitors from Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire every year, with some people making it part of their Christmas tradition on Christmas Eve and even Christmas Day. Ov

Community arts programme OUTSIDE is launching a new photography project with artist Ruby Nixon to celebrate women across the Staffordshire Moorlands, marking International Women’s Day in March 2026. The project is inviting nominations for women who make a difference in their communities – in big or small ways. This could be through their work, volunteering, creativity, leadership, advocacy, or everyday acts of care and support. OUTSIDE wants to recognise women whose contribut

Sandfields Pumping Station, Chesterfield Road, Lichfield, WS14 0AA Saturday 14 March, 10am to 4pm Free The team at Sandfields Pumping Station is celebrating World Water Day on Saturday, 14 March. Find out about the history of this fascinating site, including the story of the filtration plant that used to be on site, family activities, and guided tours (please book tours on the Eventbrite page). There will be refreshments and delicious homemade cakes to enjoy! The station w

On Wednesday, 25th February, Cheadle Foodbank was presented with a cheque for £250 to help run the service by Cheadle Lions. COGNEWS was told that they sometimes run short of stock and that this money will help them restock their shelves, as they are totally reliant on donations. The food bank has been in the town for 12 years and is based at the Guild Hall. They have given out over 125 tonnes of food over that period. They are staffed entirely by volunteers and also provide

Staffordshire’s new mascot, Staffy, is getting ready to hit the county in the upcoming Staffy Art Trail – and Staffs County Council want local people to help bring him to life. There is an opportunity to put your own spin on one of three designs that will appear on three of the ten 5ft statues in the countywide trail. You don’t need to be a professional artist – just a great idea and a love for Staffordshire. They are looking for designs that capture what Staffordshire mean

Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet has agreed the authority’s first Community Safety Strategy, a new, three‑year plan designed to make a visible and measurable difference to neighbourhoods across Staffordshire. The strategy sets out how the county council and its partners will protect vulnerable people, reduce the risk of crime and anti‑social behaviour, and give communities — including rural villages, market towns and urban areas — a stronger voice in shaping the places

Friday 6th March will see a fund raising event by the friends of St Edward's Church, Cheddleton. It promises to be an evening of wonder and heartfelt laughter with many characters of Cheddleton & Wetley Rocks. Tickets include cheese and wine and at £15 per person this promises to be a lovely memorable event. A Magic Lantern Event in Cheddleton - created 22nd February 2026

Events for adults | Local Group Events | Easter Holiday events Events for adults Spring walk and cream tea at The Wolseley Centre Saturday 15 March, 1pm - 3pm Enjoy a gentle stroll and spot the signs of spring all around. You'll receive helpful identification tips as you explore. Binoculars and ID guides provided. Delicious cream tea at The Kingfisher Café included in the price. Find out more Forest School and Sustainability Conference at The Wolseley Centre Thursday 19

If you feel a little let down by a partner, husband, or boyfriend this Valentine's Day, then it is no problem for you if you live in Cheadle, because if you are a signed-up member of Clair’s Pantry, you will get free beautiful flowers with your purchases. The picture above does not do justice to the wonderful smell coming from the volunteer’s car (Vicky), who was met exiting a local supermarket. Clair’s Pantry is open Friday, Saturday, and Tuesday each week between 9 am–4 pm

STOKE-ON-TRENT charity The Hubb Foundation and Staffordshire digger giant JCB have today (February 16th) launched a unique partnership to ensure thousands of vulnerable children across the city have free half-term holiday activities throughout the year. JCB apprentice George Lowe (19) serves up a healthy meal to St Mary's Primary School children. The three-year £375,000 partnership will fund 1,000 activity places every half term in February, May and October at up to 35 Sto