Thursday, October 27, 2022
CANNOCK EDITION
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SPORT Beth still out to net her dream Page 31
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FUNDRAISER, 86, IS LAID TO REST
A big-hearted grandmother who ran a club for people with learning difficulties for 47 years has died at the age of 86. June Neal, from Burntwood, also raised money for various charities including the NSPCC, RSPCA, Cancer Research and Great Ormond Street Hospital. However, her Thursday Club, which met every week at Cannock’s St Luke’s Church was her first love. Daughter Tracey said: “Mum was always doing something for someone else and she loved running the Thursday club. “She ran it for 47 years and made such a difference to those who attended every week.
Report by Adam Smith
ents of the members, she dedicated her time to making memories with the members, youth clubs, Easter, Halloween, Christmas parties day trips to support to the parents. Her love and devotion was endless. “There are so many people my mother helped over the years,” Tracey added. The Thursday Club was forced to close during the pandemic and never reopened due to June’s deteriorating health. She started child minding in 1966 looking after over 40 or more children until she retired in 2001. She suffered with health issues and Happiest needed a hip replacement and once “She did so much work for so fell down a manhole. many charities and was also a foster After decades of raising carer so was always giving back. money for Cancer Research, “This is where June felt her June died earlier this happiest, because love was month of pancreatic canunconditional and the memcer leaving behind three bers of the Thursday club children and four grandbecame her extended family. children. “With the loving support June was laid to rest of her husband Raymond, who yesterday (Wednesday) at died in 2008, and the supChase & District Meport from her best friend June Neal pictured with morial Park, BurntDianne Jones and the par- her husband Raymond wood Way.
Giant-sized panto fun
Craft fair to help charity An event this weekend will raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Society. The autumn craft fair is at the Peace Memorial Hall in Pinfold Lane, Penkridge, on Saturday, from 9.45am to 3pm. Crafters from across the area will sell items ranging from wax melts, crystals, 3D printing, wreaths, pebblecrafts and frames, felting and jewellery to papercraft. Vegan bakes and The Bodyshop items will be on sale, along with hot beverages, homemade seasonal cakes and cookies and there will be Christmas cards and gifts and goody bags for £2.50. Entry is 50p per person.
Election for council ward
Jack and the Beanstalk cast members at the Prince of Wales Theatre Pantomime favourite Jack and the Beanstalk will hit the stage at Cannock’s Prince of Wales Theatre this Christmas. Star Wars actor Keith De Winter will reprise his panto role, playing Dame Dolly Dimplebottom. Also
returning is Stephen Donald, who played Carl Banks in Brookside. Michael Ruben, Lee Goode and Rebecca Avery also join the cast. It starts on December 17. Call the box office on 01543 578762 or see princeofwales.live
Voters go the polls for an election for the Chasetown ward on Lichfield District Council next week. Conservative Norma Bacon and Labour’s Paul Taylor will contest the seat. Postal voting packs have been sent out ahead of a Royal Mail strike next week. Postal voters must return their vote by 10pm on the day of the election, November 3. Alternatively, they can be returned directly to District Council House, Frog Lane, up to 10pm on polling day or handed in between 7am and 10pm at either polling station, the Studio at Burntwood Leisure Centre or Chasetown Methodist Hall.
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