Southport garden caves, described by TV architect George Clarke as extraordinary, will be open to the public as part of the National Open Gardens Scheme. Inspired by a visit to the famed Blue John Mines at Castleton, Derbyshire, Francis Proctor has created a unique space which includes a cavern, 20ft below ground. The garden led architect and Channel 4 Amazing …

Careers and apprenticeship specialists the Spark Group is gearing up for the arrival of new apprentices and learners, just weeks after the conclusion of a programme which helped to turn around the lives of young attendees. The Stoke-on-Trent based Spark Group will welcome six property maintenance apprentices, four gas maintenance apprentices, and eight learners on an introduction to work education programme. …

A North Staffordshire company established just over two years ago is showing incredible growth.  Sixtowns Waste offers holistic waste management solutions, for almost all waste streams.    Owner Ben Trickett of Barlaston, Staffordshire, says expertise, coupled with a new sales strategy, and high customer service standards means business is booming.  “This July was 393% better than last July and is …

Building owners in the UK must take more care than ever before to guard against Legionnaires’ disease. The new State of the UK climate report (published in the Royal Meteorological Society’s ‘International Journal of Climatology on July 13, 2025), concludes that weather extremes are now the norm in the UK, with record temperatures and rainfall becoming more frequent.  As the …

A family run café has cooked up a unique inter-generational project in Newcastle-under-Lyme. The Tuesday Club will offer free meals for older people at Loui’s Kitchen, the Westlands, each Tuesday, between 12.30 and 2pm, with the meal made and served by young people from the Keele-based Caudwell Children charity. Loui’s Kitchen was set up by Special Connections CIC in 2023 …

Hanley Economic Building Society, in partnership with the Community Foundation for Staffordshire and Shropshire, has awarded a total of £28,907 to seven local charities through its Hanley at Home Fund. The funding will support a wide range of community initiatives aimed at promoting independence, education, and housing stability in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire Moorlands, Newcastle Borough and Stafford Borough. The latest round …

North Staffordshire cyber security experts SyTech IT is advising more businesses to ensure their data is secure as possible. Managing Director Darren Kirby is working to support companies to reach the Government’s Cyber Essentials standard and to go further to gain the gold standard Cyber Essentials Plus certification. The cost of a cyber attack on business has been highlighted by …

Careers and apprenticeship specialists the Spark Group are set to launch a new apprenticeship programme for future low carbon heating engineers.  The Hanley-based training centre has signed an agreement with award winning training provider Performance Through People to provide six two-year apprenticeships covering heat pumps and other low carbon technologies in Stoke-on-Trent.  A property maintenance apprenticeship will also be launched …

“Where Biddulph leads, other towns and cities should follow” – Cllr Dave Proudlove. A Staffordshire town is leading the way in the training of mental health first aiders. 60 people have risen to a challenge laid down by local councillor and mental health awareness campaigner Adam Parkes. Now Adam says Biddulph’s work could be a blueprint for the rest of …

By Ben Trickett, Director, Sixtowns Waste.   A waste control expert is offering advice and solutions regarding new issues affecting both the private and public sectors.   Ben Trickett, of Sixtowns Waste says many organisations are struggling to scrap obsolete IT equipment, while there’s a growing problem with end-of-life solar panels.  The IT issue is compounded by Microsoft’s announcement that …