The Philip Astley Centre marked its 1st Anniversary on Saturday with a fantastic celebration. I was honoured to cut the cake for this special occasion alongside Cllr Sheelagh Casey-Hulme, the Labour Councillor for Town Ward. A year ago, this space was nothing more than an empty, derelict property. Today, thanks to the hard work of Philip Astley Projects CIC, it has been transformed into a vibrant cultural landmark. Dedicated to Newcastle-under-Lyme’s own Philip Astley, the fa

Newcastle-under-Lyme's Business Festival 2025 kicked off at NSCG, bringing together industry leaders and innovators. It was a pleasure to start the week by speaking at the opening of the Newcastle-under-Lyme Business Festival, an event that brings together local businesses, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders to celebrate and support economic growth in our community. The festival is a fantastic opportunity for businesses across Newcastle-under-Lyme to network, share ideas, and ex

With Soroptimist International North Staffordshire in The Guildhall This International Women’s Day, I was honoured to join SI North Staffordshire in celebrating the achievements of women whose contributions have too often been overlooked. This year, their focus was on ‘Women Forgotten’—a theme that resonated deeply, as we reflected on the remarkable contributions of women across our community whose names may not be widely known but whose impact is undeniable. The event was a

Members of my team joined representatives from Newcastle BID, councillors and Local business leaders to restore the Mural. You can see the story in the Sentinel below:

I have just been advised that the operators of Walleys Quarry Landfill site notified the Environment Agency last night that they have gone into liquidation. This, in many ways, is no surprise. The operators at Walleys have been driven by profit over people, and now they have cut and run. It is an absolute disgrace and speaks to the failures surrounding the waste sector in our country. Be under no doubt, there will be a time to ensure that the people of Newcastle-under-Lyme ge