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

People in Staffordshire can grab a household bargain or Christmas gift and support a community group or charity at the same time at a series of pop-up sales events run by the county council. At all of Staffordshire’s household waste recycling centres, good quality reusable items are donated to county charities, care leavers who are setting up a new home or sold at one of the regular Rescue Me pop-up sales. People can pick up a wide variety of bargains of items including kitch

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

Saturday 6 December, Sunday 7 December. Morning & afternoon sessions. Booking essential, over 16s, £40 per person Image by by Christine Harding Learn how to make a beautiful, festive, winter wreath. All the materials are supplied for you to get creative and make a wonderful natural wreath for you or a loved one. To book: https://staffs-wildlife.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=84b7450e97fafe87262e4c5ce&id=9724e4fe43&e=433dd18acb Make a Festive Wreath with Staffordshire Wildl

Saturday 17 January, from 10am until 12.30pm Cost £25 pp Adults Only Wood whittling tools image by Aimee Burrows, Join the Forest School Lead, Shaun for an introduction to knife whittling skills. You will be provided with all the training and resources needed to create lovely items in wood. Your ticket includes a panini in the Kingfisher Cafe, which you can visit after your morning of learning this new skill. The Learning Hub is situated at the bottom of the hill in front of

Monday 1 December, 10.30 - 12pm Enjoy a festive nature tots session with Christmassy activities to get into the spirit of the season ! To book: https://www.staffs-wildlife.org.uk/events/2025-12-01-christmas-nature-tots-wolseley-centre Christmas Nature Tots at The Wolsey Centre Stafford - created 29.11.25

Saturday 6 December, 10.30 - 1pm Enjoy a festive family morning creating Christmas decorations, playing festive games and exploring Staffordshire Wildlife Trusts winter nature trail. £9 per child, £7 per additional sibling. To Book: https://www.staffs-wildlife.org.uk/events/2025-12-06-christmas-family-fun-wolseley-centre Christmas Family Fun at The Wolseley Centre, Stafford - created 29.11.25

Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, The Wolseley Centre, Wolseley Bridge, Stafford, ST17 0WT Wildlings is a play group where your children (6 months to 5 years) can try new things outdoors. The sessions include getting mucky making a mud pie, bug hunting in the woods, and toasting tasty treats on the campfire (weather permitting)! Booking essential. £6.50 per child + booking fee, £3.50 per additional child + booking fee. Image by by Christine Harding Monday 8 December, 10.30am - 12

Sunday 30 November from 10am to 4pm FREE Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, The Wolseley Centre, Wolseley Bridge, Stafford, ST17 0WT This weekend The Wolseley Centre is hosting an indoor Christmas Market. Pop in to have mooch of the goodies on offer - it’s the perfect chance to check some gifts of the Christmas shopping list and support Staffordshire Wildlife Trust. The Kingfisher Cafe is serving up a range of festive food and drink too to fuel your Christmas shopping. Image by b

What's On This Month - Message from County Council Leader Ian Cooper

Cheadle Discovery Group has launched their exciting new project entitled WW2 Spirit and the “Hope of Cheadle.” Ivan Wozniak, trustee of Cheadle Discovery Group, said, "It has taken over a year to develop our project and includes many distinct elements and several community partners, including Cheadle Historical Society and the Cheadle Methodist Church." The recent launch event at Wellspring Methodist Church "The project focuses on researching and presenting life in Cheadle du

Lyn Smith reported to COGNEWS that in their latest church building inspection, St. Giles the Abbot Church, the surveyor noticed that the cement mortar was spalling. What's happening is the cement is flaking and falling away from the building, leaving gaps which will enable water to get between the stone. The reason behind this is that the builder who completed the last repair work made the all-too-common mistake of using cement instead of lime mortar. The cost of repair to th

Get Walking this Autumn with Footsteps & Friendships

Safety advice for those who are planning to celebrate If you’re going trick or treating, make sure to go in a group or with a responsible adult and only visit areas that are well lit, don’t take shortcuts through gardens, alleyways or parks Only visit houses that are decorated and don’t knock if there is a sign saying ‘no trick or treat here’ If you’re wearing a mask, ensure that you can see where you’re going and are aware of your surroundings Be aware of the law surrounding

Friday 31st October 2025. 7pm Starting at the Red Lion in the Market Square (walk takes approx an hour) Join Home-Start for a guided ghost walk around Leek Adults £10 each (Kids are FREE) Tickets are strictly limited (it sold out last year) With the kind assistance of Bill Cawley & Leek Town Council Home-Start are again happy to announce a special funding raising ghost walk around Leek for Home-Start Staffordshire Moorlands To book your tickets contact Leek Town Council:..

Tuesday 11th November 2025 6.30pm for food at 7.00pm Spice Merchant, Cross Street Mill, Leek, ST13 6BL Join Home-Start Staffordshire Moorlands for a special fundraising meal Menu includes poppadom’s & chutney / mixed starter / selection of traditional curry dishes with rice or naan (vegetarian & vegan options available). £20 per adult / £15 per child (under 12s) - (£10 per adult & £5 per child going to Home-Start SM). Tickets MUST be pre-booked by phoning: 01538 387231 / t

It can be really tricky to find things to do at the weekend. We sometimes realise that our weekend consists of nothing but chores...

A Common Thread: Brampton Museum Showcases Three Exhibitions

Friday 31 October, 10.30am to 12.30pm £2.50 per crafter. All ages Family drop in. No booking required Vote for the History Centre's spookiest object and try your hand at some creepy crafts. Make your own eerie doll, weird toy and dreadful dragon to take home with you this Halloween. Event: Creepy Crafts at the History Centre - created 15.9.25

Popular Moorlands Beer Festival Embraces Global Tastes