Letters from the Editor
Dear Reader,
Each month, our editor writes a short personal letter, printed at the front of the magazine, outlining the content and her experiences this month. Although this isn't usual for an online publication, we think you might find them of use. Here they are grouped together for your consideration.
SEPTEMBER 2026
Hello Dear Readers,
I'm constantly amazed by how much you like and support our humble publication, and this month has been no exception, with people stopping me in the street, writing in, and buying a copy for the first time or reading online each month. I very much want this to be a publication for everyone in the South Moorlands area, covering anything and everything that touches people. We are a very small team at COG, and to do justice to the magazine, we need to grow in the number of reporters, creators, and general connectors. There is a space at COG for everyone, no matter how little time or how little skill you think you have. You'll be amazed at the difference communication makes to a community!
Highlights for me in this month's magazine are Thinking About Fishing - a humble activity but one that is well embedded in our local community. I've thoroughly enjoyed all the summer shows and fayres - meeting all kinds of people who work so tirelessly to make our community a better place restores one's faith in community and the role we can all play in it.
If you have loved ones off to school this month, I wish you all peace and success for the coming academic year, whichever year group they're joining!
Much Love
Lori. x
AUGUST 2026
Hi All
I don't know about you, but over the past couple of months, I've found it difficult to function in the afternoons due to the intense heat. It seems I've reverted to an older sleep pattern, reminiscent of pre-1930's mattress commercials, where I wake up for a few hours at night to do things before returning to bed. Interestingly, my Apple sleep scores remain good, so perhaps this is the new normal!
The Met Office is reporting record-breaking statistics, and I keep receiving increasingly serious messages from Severn Trent about the dangers of using hosepipes, though there's no outright ban yet. We've started experiencing some terrible fires in our beauty spots, and the police are asking for assistance in finding the perpetrators in some cases.
July was a fantastic month for festivals, with events like Cheadle Carnival, Pride in the Moorlands, the Festival of Brilliant, and the Leek Show. August promises to be just as wonderful. Staffordshire Moorlands is a fantastic place to live or visit, with plenty to enjoy this summer, so be sure to check out our "What's On" section (back page) and the regular activities on our website.
One article that will resonate with many is about menopause matters, based on an incredibly informative talk at the Guild Hall. If you know someone who's struggling, please send them the link—good quality help is available when you know where to look, and there are some great self-help resources too.
Whatever you do in August, try to savor every moment, no matter how hot it gets!
Best wishes,
Lori
We're delighted to welcome our new town mayor and look forward to bringing you the news on all that's ahead for our town in the coming months.
Quite a few residents and police have aired their concerns about youngsters, often with their faces covered, riding fast electric scooters and bikes unsafely and dangerously around the area, so we've given this quite a bit of space this month in the hope that we can all work together so that everyone can stay safe.
Well dressings are a uniquely Peak District activity, and if you've not been to one, it's well worth a look, as is the life-size replica Spitfire and activities on the market square on the 6th.
It was my honour to hand over £300 to our Food Bank on behalf of yourselves and our sponsor n-able Norse. We hope, with your help to do much more of this in the future.
There are so many wonderful things to enjoy in Staffordshire Moorlands this month; you'll never be stuck for something to do!
It's another record-breaking magazine this month with 32 ad-free. We are eternally grateful and humbled by your ongoing support. This is your magazine, so do get in touch if you're struggling with something or if you'd like to help your community. It is by coming together that we make our town brilliant and enjoyable for all who walk her streets.
Best wishes
Lori and the Team x
Letter from the Editor June 2026
