The JCB Pothole Pro has returned to the district on another mission to help patch up the area’s potholes and prepare roads for surface treatments. The machine combines cutting and cleaning functions, enabling quicker and more cost-effective pothole repairs.  It’s primarily used to fix potholes before the roads undergo a preventative surface treatment.  This month, it completed work in Leek, at Ilam Moor Lane - from Brunnister Lane to Blore Road - and Dove Dale’s Thorpe Road.

A crossroad in Cheadle has been changed from a ‘give way’ to a ‘stop’ junction after safety concerns were raised by the local community.  A highways scheme to carry out road repairs and improve safety at the Draycott Cross Road junction with the A521 Delphouse Road completed on Friday 21 November.  The work, which took five days to complete, saw crews patching up potholes and carrying out repairs to footways and kerbs. They also used jets to clear out all the drains in the ar

Staffordshire gritting crews have been deployed for the first time this year as wintery weather takes hold, with freezing temperatures affecting the county. From now up until the end of April, road and air temperatures and a variety of forecasts are being monitored closely, with crews rolling out when temperatures drop below freezing.  As well as gritting crews, the county council’s hill contractors, who help grit higher ground where traditional gritting machines can’t access

World of Wedgwood is delighted to announce that the V&A Wedgwood Collection will appear in the upcoming Antiques Roadshow episode “Unseen Treasures 1,” part of Series 48. The episode airs on Sunday, 30th November 2025 and celebrates remarkable finds from filming across the UK, including a special tribute to the city of Stoke-on-Trent in its centenary year.  During the episode, presenter Fiona Bruce visits the V&A Wedgwood Collection, located at World of Wedgwood, to explore m

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

Join Staffordshire Wildlife Trust for a gentle stroll introducing you to ways of recording wildlife, birds, and plants along a brook. Please dress for the weather and wear footwear suitable for muddy and uneven paths. Bucknall Park South image by Victoria Bunter Tuesday 2 December, 10am - 12pm - River Monitoring Walk at Whitfield Valley Nature Reserve Wednesday 10 December, 10am -12pm - River Monitoring Walk at Staffordshire University Monday 15 December, 10am - 12pm - Riv

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

After a dreadful start to November weather-wise, we've experienced continuous rain leading to flooding, as shown in this photo. It was taken at the junction with the A52 as we leave Cheadle, just before the Churnet Valley Railway Station. If you choose to drive through a flood, it's recommend to use a low gear and proceed slowly to prevent water from being drawn into the engine. For electric vehicles, it's still advisable to drive slowly to avoid insulation faults or moisture

Saving Zone, a family run High Street store in Cheadle has reported to COGNEWS that the have never had a single incident of theft in the store until the last two months. The manager in the household products store is finding it very stressful because he now cannot leave the counter and has to constantly watch the CCTV. Popular items with thieves are radios and tools Saving Zone staff, like Boots the Chemist, also fear that that Cheadle may be being targeted by drug gangs.

A spokesperson from Boots on Cheadle High Street told COGNEWS that they are having daily occurrences of shoplifting, and it appears that these thefts may be taking place to order. Staff have observed thieves operating in pairs, and the extent of this is having devastating consequences on the stock available for sale. Every time the CCTV is passed on to head office and the police, staff are wondering if this continues, how long can the store stay open? The spokesperson said th

Both Staffordshire County Council and Staffordshire Moorlands District Council have announced that they have submitted their final plans to central government for their preference as to how Staffordshire's local government should be organised in the very near future. They propose a completely different approach from each other but both include Stoke-on-Trent despite many Staffordshire Moorlands councillors objections and the say no to Stoke campaign. SCC (Staffordshire Count

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

Cheadle Flower Club at Christmas