Thursday, November 17, 2022
CANNOCK EDITION
NEWS Respects paid to the fallen Page 4
FEATURE Countdown on until Christmas Page 17
SPORT ‘Dales’ tales are brought to book Page 31
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POLICE TACKLE RAIL NUISANCE
Patrols will be stepped up on train services on the Birmingham to Rugeley line following a rise in reports of bad behaviour. Uniformed and plain-clothed officers will carry out targeted operations on West Midlands Railway services between New Street and Rugeley Trent Valley after a series of complaints. Inspector Paul Finlayson, from British Transport Police, said: “Through partnership working we’re working tirelessly to deter criminality and anti-social behaviour on the railway network, and we’re stepping up our patrols across this line using targeted operations. “We need parents to have some awareness of where their children and young people are,” he added. “We have seen an increase in anti-social behaviour from teenagers and need to work with parents to ensure their children are not involved and remind them of the dangers and potential impact of being involved in criminality. “We ask everyone to be sensible and considerate of other passengers. If we do get called out to anti-social behaviour incidents we will take action as the railway needs to be a safe place for everyone using the
By Deborah Hardiman
network. Passengers continue to be our eyes and ears and they can help us by reporting crimes and concerns by texting 61016.” West Midlands Railway customer experience director Jonny Wiseman said: “The safety of our passengers and staff is our top priority and I welcome these additional British Transport Police patrols on the Chase Line in response to an increase in anti-social behaviour along the route. “We remain committed to working in partnership with the police and Network Rail and we fully support this targeted action to help prevent such incidents.” MP for Cannock Chase Amanda Milling said she was pleased the police were stepping up patrols and was due to meet representatives from the rail operator to discuss the matter further. She said: “Passengers should feel safe and comfortable on public transport and I have been concerned to receive reports of passengers experiencing anti-social behaviour on the Chase Line. This behaviour is totally unacceptable.”
Uniting in remembrance
Towns lit up at Christmas Cannock town centre will be lit up for Christmas next weekend. The switch-on, on November 26, will feature street food, bars and live music and entertainment from The Vonics, The Players Staffordshire Rock Choir, 2 Step dance academy and Party Popperz with MC Stu Haycock. In Hednesford, the lights will be switched on on December 2, with festivities running from 5-8pm. The theme is the tale of Sleeping Beauty with local schools working on themed decorations for the trees and around the town focusing these around granting wishes and sending goodwill, just like the good fairies.
Church hosts trees display
Landywood youngsters with care home resident Ron Britten, 92 Care home residents were joined by primary school pupils to mark Remembrance Day. Youngsters at Landywood Primary, Holly Lane, Great Wyrley, spent the week creating poppy displays, supporting the British Legion
and learning about the importance of remembrance. Pupils visited the nearby Waters Edge Care Home to spend the day with the elderly residents, deliver hand crafted poppies and explore its Remembrance Day displays.
Christmas trees are in focus at an annual festival at Cannock’s town centre church. Entry is free to the Christmas tree festival at St Luke’s Cannock, which is open from 10am to 4pm from December 1 to 3. A spokesman said: “We already have two exciting entries – the food bank tree, promoted by a local school, and the other with apologies to The Twelve Days of Christmas – a version supported with figures from children’s television and film programmes hanging from a tree. “St Luke’s Choir, on December 2, will singing the new words to the song.”
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