Local residents have watched with interest over the past few months as a disused shop at the north end of the High Street was sympathetically brought back to life. A Wedding Gown destination store is the perfect addition to this section of the High Street, and it's clear from just viewing the window how much love has been poured into bringing this space to life. COGNEWS was on hand to find out more about this lovely addition to our town. New Store Owner Bernice Fisher with Lo

A NORTH Staffordshire mum is celebrating the 10th anniversary of her life-saving transplant surgery with a call for more donors to come forward. Janet Matthews (centre) is flanked by her daughter Jenny Lowe and grand-daughter Maisie Lowe Janet Matthews, 62, received the gift of a kidney from live donor daughter Jenny Lowe in a life-changing operation on June 14th, 2016. Now, as organ donation levels across the UK fall, Janet, a buyer at the JCB World Parts Centre in Uttoxeter

In April of this year, the Government released the Renewed Women’s Health Strategy for England, pledging to prioritise women's voices in NHS decision-making, address gynaecology waiting times, and enhance pain relief and care for conditions like endometriosis, fibroids, and menopause. The strategy recognises what many women have been saying for years: that they feel dismissed, unheard, and left waiting too long for diagnosis and treatment. These national commitments strongly

Pride in the Moorlands returns with full three day weekend programme of celebration, creativity and community to towns and villages across the district from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th June 2026. The weekend celebration, promises to be an inclusive and joyful experience for people of all ages, backgrounds, and identities. From a textile craft workshop in Cheadle to a roller disco in Biddulph, Pride oatcakes in Endon and a spectacular parade through Leek, this year's celebratio

If you've ever asked the question "What's for dinner?" or if just hearing the words makes you want to hide behind the sofa, this post is for you. I've been in charge of the cooking since I was fifteen, and with a modern household of constant activity, hybrid and shift working, allergies, and health considerations, something which used to be simple and organized is complete chaos. Batch cooking is brilliant if you can make the time to do it. But here's a quick win - a crib she

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

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

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

It was announced on social media last week that after 28 years of operation, the Leek-based charity, Home-Start Staffordshire Moorlands, will close on 30th June. A great example of the type of work Home-Start provided Home-Start is a local charity that provides free, confidential support to families with at least one child under five in the Staffordshire Moorlands district, including Cheadle. The help offered via local staff and volunteers includes providing early help, home-

Wednesday, the 13th of May 2026 saw Cllr. Linda Malyon take on the role of Chairman at SMDC, with Cllr. Lyn Swindlehurst taking on the role of vice chairman. Outgoing chairman, Cllr Adam Parks, spoke of his "human sleeping pill" leadership strategy. By starting each meeting with a long speech, a calm atmosphere was created, which helped manage the difficult topics that have dominated this year of planning change. He also shared his experiences from his last two days in office

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

Cheadle Flower Club welcomed members to their April meeting introducing David from Sunny House Farm Nursery in Tean, Ali from Checkley who is a cut flower grower and Elie an ecologist from Keele University. David started the meeting with a discussion on growing sweet peas, advising visitors to grow them in deep pots, sow the seeds in October prior to planting the following year, dig a deep trench if planting in the garden lined with superphosphate and fish, blood and bone fe

A regular reader of COGNEWS commented to me that the Iran war has cost her more to fill up her car this week. She tried to fill up with regular diesel, but there was none. So she had to fill up with premium, costing £1.89 per litre. Because she is on a budget, she was limited to just £20 for the top-up—a mere 10.5 litres, barely enough to get to work and back for a few days. What can be done about the high energy costs we are experiencing now? Our government has put a cap on

Events and Activities | Visits and Partnerships | Encouraging Young Visitors | How the Space is Used | Our Incredible Volunteers | How the Library Came to Be | What Next? Events and Activities The library is always trying to provide innovative events and activities that attract a wide range of community members to use the library. Some are more traditional events, such as Baby Bounce and Rhyme, and Jigsaw loans, but also a more varied range of initiatives, suc

This year, Staffordshire Libraries are focusing on recycling, re-use, food waste, everyday waste management , and sharing simple actions that can make a big difference. All month long, you'll find posts featuring useful resources and collaborations with partners throughout the county to provide practical advice on minimizing waste in daily life. There’s something for everyone, with events and activities ranging from recycled crafts for little ones to relaxed reading cafés

Thursday 23 rd April In the UK, 1 in 6 (8.5 million) adults struggle to read. This limits life choices. Reading for pleasure and empowerment makes us more aware and informed. It helps us grow our imaginations. It makes us more empathetic and understanding of other people and cultures. It supports our health and well-being. It increases our ability to learn new skills. It helps us to communicate our ideas more effectively. It opens doors and brings joy. World Book Night brin

Emma Chatwin is a local lady, married, a mum of four, 34 years of age, and standing for the Green Party. COGNEWS caught up with Emma at Cheadle's Summerhouse Coffee Shop. Here's how it went. Emma Chatwin, Green Party Candidate She told us that she wishes to be proactive and loyal to the people of the town and to do her best to help the community, but she does recognise the limitations town councillors have. She works as a quantitative analyst and is very good with numbers. He

Tuesday, 17 March 2026 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM 2 St Philip’s Place, Birmingham, B3 2RB Join NatWest, the British Business Bank, and the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce as they come together to celebrate International Women’s Day 2026 with Empower to Elevate, an inspiring event dedicated to female founders, leaders, and innovators across the region. This gathering highlights the global theme Give to Gain, reflecting the idea that investing in women—through opportunity, coll

16-20 March 26 FREE Newcastle-under-Lyme's Business Festival - Shaping the Future - is returning for 2026. Taking place from 16-20 March, the five-day Festival will feature inspiring keynote and guest speakers, hands-on workshops, and opportunities to connect and network. Monday 16 March - Employment and Entrepreneurs Day (St Giles Church) Tuesday 17 March - Innovation and Sustainability Day (Keele University) Wednesday 18 March - Business and Network Day (The Boulevard)

A report released on International Women's Day (March 8) by Elsevier Ltd in the Lancet reflects on recent advances in women's health while considering what the future might hold. According to the report the past decade has witnessed significant research and innovation in women's health, leaving a lasting impact across disciplines and clear signs of progress globally. A list of ten advances that have altered the course of women's health over the past 10 years has been compile