Staffordshire’s New Vic Theatre is celebrating today after scooping a top award at the prestigious UK Theatre Awards for its production of The Snow Queen. Last year’s Christmas production of The Snow Queen won the top honour in the category of Best Show for Children and Young People at the national awards, which celebrate excellence in theatre across the country. Adapted and directed by New Vic Artistic Director, Theresa Heskins, the show’s set, costumes, lighting and sound were all designed by the Newcastle-under-Lyme based New Vic Theatre’s in-house design team: Lis Evans, Laura Willstead, Daniella Beattie, James Earls-Davis and Alex Day; with music by Composer James Atherton and Choreography by Beverley Edmunds. The Snow Queen attracted an audience of 41,958 people, over 70% of them young people. Supported by sheet metal manufacturing company, KMF Group, The Snow Queen ran at the theatre over the festive season in 2016. Awarded to the theatre as Stoke-on-Trent bids to become UK City of Culture, Theresa Heskins, Artistic Director, said: ‘We’re absolutely delighted to have won this award for our production of The Snow Queen. An enormous amount of work goes into our Christmas shows and the whole team at the New Vic feel immensely proud of what we created together on this show. Our […]

York Place becomes first shopping centre in UK to win prestigious ethical workplace accreditation. The fairplace Award ® – developed in partnership with the property industry – allows businesses to demonstrate practical commitment to people, local community and planet. The York Place Shopping Centre in Newcastle-under-Lyme, run by Hometown Plus and Riddell TPS on behalf of the landlord, is the latest accreditation for this new Award which is fast gaining respect across the property industry. www.fairplaceaward.com. Mike Riddell, Managing Director of Hometown Plus, says “I am delighted to have secured this accreditation, which gives independent validation of our approach to revitalising this once-failing shopping centre. Our partnership with the YMCA as a new anchor tenant has allowed us to use wasted space in ways that benefit local people and strengthen the community by delivering a wide range of daily events for everyone. We are now working with our tenants to further improve the shopping centre as a place that is good for people, communities and our planet.” The project recently reached a further milestone by launching the centre’s CounterCoins – a new currency designed by local young people that will be used as the catalyst to inspire people to volunteer at community and charity […]

Newcastle-under-Lyme has come up smelling of roses in a prestigious floral competition. The borough’s entry was declared the overall winner of Heart of England in Bloom, with top spot also being achieved in the coveted small city category, at Warwick Castle last night. Not only that – this year’s campaign has won a horticultural excellence accolade and the borough’s 16th consecutive gold award. The competition is the regional element of Britain in Bloom which is organised by the Royal Horticultural Society to encourage communities to improve their environment. The theme was “Greening Grey Britain” which focuses on transforming grey areas into living, planted places that enrich people’s lives. Horticultural experts toured colourful gardens, parks and projects in July and met with green-fingered residents, community groups, schoolchildren and Council staff. Cllr. Amelia Rout, Cabinet member for leisure and culture, said: “We are absolutely delighted and very proud that Newcastle has swept the board at such a prestigious event. “This fantastic achievement would not have been possible without the sterling efforts of people from all sections of the community who pulled together to showcase the borough at its absolute best. My thanks also go to our sponsors who funded the campaign. “This […]

Newcastle under Lyme BID are excited to announce that they are holding a competition to design a brand (Logo) for Newcastle under Lyme Town Centre.  The winning design which will be picked by judges made up both local and experienced design professionals, will be used on a whole range of things including signage, websites, printed material and social media. Paul Collins, BID Manager says “Like any organisation, the brand is so important and this should be the same for the town centre.  At present, the town has no real identity and when trying to promote this outside the area, it’s not easy and it also sends mixed messages.  This is a great opportunity for people of all ages to submit their ideas of how they identify this great town.“ In October, the designs will be shortlisted by a judging panel.  The winner will not only see their design in years to come all over Newcastle under Lyme but will also win a HP All in one Computer worth £600. Entries are open to all ages of those who live or work in Newcastle under Lyme.  For further information and to enter this competition, please Click the button below.