Nigel Yates Councillor for Biddulph West Staffs Moorlands District Council

05/09/2026

Come on down!

Join us at the Town Hall today for our Homegrown and Handmade 2026 event

A glorious autumn day to enjoy the best of Biddulph

04/09/2026

🔴 Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he will find a way to save the UK's largest telescope at the Jodrell Bank Observatory after its future was put at risk.

The former Greater Manchester mayor made the promise when he spoke in Parliament today.

It follows a Manchester Evening News campaign and petition to save space science at the site in Cheshire, which has now passed 10,000 signatures.

The Lovell telescope, which has stood in Cheshire since 1957, is the world's third largest steerable radio telescope.

In July this year, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) said the site will not be prioritised for further funding after its current agreement ends in March 2028.

It said this decision was "the result of a comprehensive, evidence-based prioritisation process".

04/09/2026

A pleasure to help out with Cllrs Wayne Rogers and Carl Kisiki to cut back the overgrown shrubs along Meadows Way in preparation for the darker nights.

31/08/2026

Part of our commitment to ensuring that 30% of Staffordshire Moorlands DC land is planned for nature

We'll be out delivering leaflets to the Stanfield Crescent Recreation Ground area this week to inform residents about the wetland scrape works that will take place from 14 September.

You can read more about this online at https://www.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk/article/8667/Wetland-Scrape-at-Stanfield-Crescent-Recreation-Ground

25/08/2026

A fascinating day, made slightly more stressful by being a judge for the event.

Congratulations to the town criers from the length and breadth of the country who made it a memorable occasional for Biddulph, that show cased our town and demonstrated the usefulness of our new town hall square.

19/08/2026

We hope you are all enjoying your summer! Just a reminder about this lovely event coming up.

🌻 Biddulph Homegrown & Handmade 🌻

📅 Saturday 5th September - 11.00am till 3pm
📍 Biddulph Town Hall
🎟️ FREE to enter
🎟️ FREE to attend
📅 Entries can be brought into the Town Hall during the week commencing 3rd September (entry form required), or on the day between 9.00am and 10.55am for staging.
🏅 Judging takes place from 11.00am.
🎉 The show is open to the public from 11.00am until 3.00pm.

Have you been growing, baking, making or creating this year? Then we'd love you to be part of Biddulph Homegrown & Handmade.

This event is all about celebrating the amazing talent, creativity and produce from across Biddulph. Whether you're a seasoned exhibitor or entering for the very first time, everyone is welcome.

There are children's classes in every section, making it a fantastic event for the whole family.

🌱 Homegrown Produce

🥕 Plate of mixed homegrown produce
🥔 3 potatoes
🧅 3 onions
🥬 Any vegetable
🍅 3 tomatoes
🍎 3 apples
🫐 Plate of soft fruit
🍐 Any fruit
👧 Children's fruit or vegetable plate

🌸 Floral

🌼 Single stem
💐 Vase of homegrown flowers
🌺 Floral display
👧 Children's floral display

🍷 Homemade Drinks

🍾 Homemade white w**e
🍷 Homemade red w**e
🍸 Hedgerow gin
🥃 Homemade liqueur
🍺 Homebrew
🍯 Preserves

🫙 Soft fruit preserve
🫙 Stoned fruit preserve
🍋 Curd
🍇 Jelly
🍯 Honey
🍊 Marmalade
🥄 Chutney
🌶️ Sweet chilli jam
👧 Children's preserve

🍰 Bakery

🍪 Biscuits
🍫 Brownies
🍰 Tray bake
🎂 Cake
🥐 Sausage rolls
🥟 Pastries
🍞 Bread
👧 Children's bakery item

🧶 Handicrafts

🪡 Hand sewn item
🧵 Machine sewn item
🖼️ Collage
❌ Cross stitch
🧶 Knitted item
🧶 Crochet item
🎨 Mixed crafts (including woodwork, mosaic, macramé, resin, pyrography, leatherwork, metalwork, glass, jewellery, upcycling and much more!)
👧 Children's handicraft

🎨 Art & Photography

✏️ Pen, ink or pencil
🎨 Watercolour
🖌️ Mixed media
🖼️ Acrylic
📷 Framed photograph
👧 Children's artwork

🍌 Fairtrade Special Category – Let's Go Bananas!

Get creative with Fairtrade bananas! Bake something delicious, create a piece of artwork, make a craft, take a photograph or invent something completely unique. The more imaginative, the better!

The day is about having fun, sharing your talents and celebrating our wonderful community. There is no pressure to be the best—just come along, have a go and enjoy seeing what everyone else has been growing, baking, making and creating.

As well as the competitions, you can also enjoy:
🛍 Stalls
🍰 A tea tent serving delicious homemade cakes and refreshments
🎭 Demonstrations
🎯 Free activities

So why not enter something this year? We'd love to see as many people as possible taking part.

If you have any questions about entering or attending, please don't hesitate to get in touch. We can't wait to welcome you to another fantastic Biddulph Homegrown & Handmade!

&Handmade

18/08/2026

Tom Nadin, Head of Project and Business Services at Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, will share advice on the funding options available, including grants, loans and other sources of finance, as well as tips on preparing successful applications and what funders are looking for.