As parents we're always proud to see our kids progress and growth, being a parent has a long lasting influence. Parents are often well placed to offer support at challenging and changing times. One such time is when they pass their driving test. Young drivers are most at risk in their first months of independent driving, and parents are one of the strongest influences on their behaviour. The message from Staffordshire Police is "Your influence doesn’t stop when your child pas

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

For years, local residents have expressed concerns that the pool at South Moorlands Leisure Centre has been too cold for a comfortable swim. As there is no local alternative, when several residents informed us about improvements in the temperature, we decided to investigate. Steve, the leisure centre manager, told COGNEWS that the swimming pool is being kept at 27–28°C, with the temperature moving a little higher when catering for their disabled visitors at the weekend. Steve

For Youngsters | Walking Tours | Spotlight Talks Staffordshire, especially the South Moorlands area, is rich in history. Here's what residents and visitors can look forward to. For Youngsters Toy Time Travellers  Travel back in time through play, get hands on with historical objects and help fix a toy emergency! Sensory hands on story time for ages 1-6. All children must be accompanied by an adult.  When:  Friday 13 March, 10.30am - 11.30am Location:  Staffordshire Histo

What's Weaning? Weaning is the process of introducing solid foods alongside breast milk or a baby’s usual infant formula. Complementary feeding is the term often preferred by practitioners, but most people use the word weaning instead. Where Can I Find Reliable Information? The Best Start in Life (BSiL) website is a Dept. of Health & Social Care tool to help support your family on your complementary feeding journey. The Introducing Solid Foods section is full of helpful guida

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

This week we're thinking about love, love for your family and friends but also for your community! Below is the cover and contents so do look out for your printed copy in your favourite retail store this week or contact us to collect. If you'd rather read online you can do that here: and here's the pull-out too! Whatever you do today - we hope it's lovely for you! This Week's Pocket COG - Love Is in the Air! - created 14th February 2026

COGNEWS would like to wish everyone in Staffordshire Moorlands a very Happy Valentines Day! St. Valentine's Day originated as a Christian feast day honouring a martyr named Valentine, and through later folk traditions it has also become a significant cultural, religious and commercial celebration of romance, commitment, and love in many regions of the world until it became the celebration we have today. Whilst it's a great day to celebrate your partner it's also great day to

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

You might have driven or walked by the new cabin on Winpenny Lane and assumed that Phase II of the Persimmon housing estate is imminent. However, it is still in the planning phase because the surface water drainage provision might not meet the requirements, as required by the Staffordshire District Council Planning Department. At the Town Council level, the drainage plans have been reviewed by Mark, a local civil engineer, and his opinion is that the drainage should work as l

By volunteering just a few hours each week (for as little as four weeks) you can help transform the lives of children and parents in local communities across the Staffordshire Moorlands. Home-Start Staffordshire Moorlands is running its next Volunteer Prep course starts on Tuesday 3rd February at its office in Leek, Earl Street on Tuesday 3rd February If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please visit: www.homestartsm.org.uk  or email: info@homestartsm.org.uk or cal

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

Free Event Friday 16 January, 10.30 to 11.30  Staffordshire History Centre, Eastgate Street, Stafford A classic fairy tale with a Staffordshire twist. Save the day and help Cinderella complete her chores in time for the party! Sensory hands on story time for ages 1-6. What's On: Staffordshire Cinderella - created 13th January 2026

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

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

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.

16th December 2025 1.30 - 5.00 pm Thorley Drive Recreation Centre, Thorley Drive, Cheadle ST10 1SA A festive pop-up event is to take place for Cheadle families with something for toddlers right through to teens. Activities and games will offer fun for all ages, see the poster below for details. Festive Family Hub Roadshow - created 8.12.25

With Christmas just around the corner, the Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership (SSRP) has some important advice for anyone thinking about buying an e-scooter as a present.    While it’s legal to buy and own an e-scooter, you can only legally ride a privately owned one on private land, with the landowner’s permission.   This means it is   against the law to ride, or to allow your child to ride, an e-scooter anywhere on the roads, pavements, cycle tracks and parks, or to scho

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