The Staffords Must Go

Cannock Chase MP Aidan Burley opposes the MoD's recent decision to scrap the name “The Staffords”.

He said: I understand that the decision by the MOD on which battalions to cut was made among other things on their recruitment record”

“This is quite surprising as unlike several army battalions in Scotland that are to be retained. The Staffords have had no history of poor recruitment.”

The Army is set to lose 17 major units as it cuts 20,000 soldiers by 2020.

Soldiers from both Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent for the past 300 years have fought together as one under the regiment name The Staffords.

The Staffords history dates back to Lichfield in 1705 where at the Kings Head Pub Colonel Luke Lillingston formed the 1^st Staffordshire regiment.

This includes service in countries such as Martinique, South Africa, Flanders, Gallipoli, Anzio and Arnhem. The Staffords have also fought in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Chair of the Staffordshire regimental Association and ex Stafford Dave Lovell has started an online petition to save the Staffords name.

He said: “Were going to fight to ensure the name of the Staffords is kept going and the Army continues to carry the Staffordshire knot.”

Defence Secretary Phillip Hammond when making the announcement to MP’s said changes are needed to fill the £38 billion black hole left by the previous Labour government.

Over 5000 soldiers have signed an online petition opposing the decision to scrap the former name of their regiment.

The Sentinel newspaper has combined its petition to keep the name of The Staffords with the Staffordshire Regimental Association.

Assistant Editor Martin Tideswell said it is pure “nonsense” to get rid of the name. 

Staffordshire MPs including Aidan Burley have written to the Prime Minister expressing their concerns this decision will have upon the soldiers and their families.

Burley said: “I hold out the hope at the very least the name and traditions of The Staffords can be kept alive”

“As part of the Mercian Regiment through a merger with the 1^st or 2^nd Battalions.”

Dark Knight Rises – Review

On a sunny afternoon in Cannock picture house I watched the finale instalment of the Batman trilogy.

Beforehand I had seen numerous trailers of the movie, which had made me by Sunday desperate to see Batman rise.

I have to say the film surpassed my expectations and the ending should satisfy the majority of fans.

Bruce Wayne is the focus of this film as we see him struggle to move on from the death of his best friend Rachel and his parents.

He's grief has led him to lock himself away from the outside world for over eight years.

After taking the blame for Harvey Dent's murders it becomes obvious that Gotham no longer needed Batman-which has left Wayne a broken man.

It is only when Selina Kyle appears that we begin to see Bruce Wayne reconnect with the outside world.

The villain of the film is a man called Bane who is brilliantly acted by Tom Hardy.

Sadly Hardy was let down by the editorial production team as the sound quality for his character is Poor. At times I had to strain just to hear him which is a shame because his voice when heard can strike fear into the audience.

Bane is probably the most successful super villain of Nolan's franchise as his terrorist plot plunges Gotham into chaos. His physical stature is matched by a glaring intellect.

He is truly a menace the likes of which Batman has never encountered before.

This provides for a brilliant battle between Batman aided by the police against Bane’s Army.

The action sequences of the film are beautifully shot and the Bat vehicle should leave many children asking their mothers to buy them one.

However, I was disappointed by the orphan motif that is used to connect PC Blake and Bruce Wayne together. The cop knows more about the billionaire than he should and it is preposterous that his information is based on the fact that Wayne is also an orphan.

Equally there is a young boy who also knows that Batman is a symbol for good which again makes no sense because the kid is possibly only eight and for eight years Batman has been known as a murderer.

But putting these negatives aside the film is just as good if not better than the previous two. 

The performances by Gary Oldman, Sir Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman highlight the acting quality which Nolan has had since the first film in 2005.

Without Wayne the film would not function this movie is not just about Batman’s rise it also signifies the rise of Bruce Wayne as he tries to rise above he's personal pain.

Nolan has also brilliantly connected the events of the previous two films as Batman's actions return to haunt him.

The film also contains a variety of plot twists that should surprise the audience, but they have always been there throughout the earlier films.

Cat woman is spectacular and she should gain plenty of male admirers from this film.

 Isn’t there just something ultra-erotic about a woman who can drop kick the bad guys?

Finally I would urge you reader if you go see the movie keep a close eye on PC Blake- He is very important.

Throughout it is hinted who he really is see if you can guess who he really is in the Gotham Universe.

The ending is very final and would make a sequel very difficult. It depends squarely on if Warner Brothers can convince Nolan to make another film.

There is always a possibility as Gotham will always need Batman.

                                       Rise for the final time for Batman.

Council backs a British tradition

Cannock Chase Council is delighted to announce that a new Indian restaurant is to be opened in Rugeley.

The Silsila will open its doors to customers on the 12^th of September.

Owner Mish Rahman said: “We have a good pedigree we have been in the Indian Cuisine business for over 40 years now.”

The restaurant will seek to offer customers a variety of offers each week such an Early Bird Special.

Councillor Diane Todd said: “I am extremely happy when a new business opens up in Cannock Chase.

“The Council will be doing all it can to support new businesses in our towns.”

The Indian industry is worth £2.5 billion a year to the British economy and over 2 million meals are served every week.

The UK is currently in recession and with consumer confidence at an all-time low- businesses must provide customers with a bargain.

Rahman said: “Our menu will be a recession buster.”

The restaurant will be operating unlicensed which will allow customers to bring their own alcohol.

Cannock Chase has seen the number of empty units in its town centres increase from 18 to 42 in just three years.

Todd said: “It is never good to see empty shops or units in Cannock Chase.”

However Rahman believes there is a clear opportunity for his business to flourish.

He said: “Customers will enjoy the food, the experience, the atmosphere and the service.”

District Councillor Andy Lovell agrees he said: “Any new business created in Rugeley is great news.

“It gives the people somewhere nice to go for a meal.”

Britain's love affair with Curry began 200 years ago when an Indian migrant opened the first curry house.

Former Foreign Secretary Robin Cook described Chicken Tikka Masala as a “British tradition.”

Silsila means tradition let’s hope this new restaurant will become tradition for the people of Cannock Chase.

“Sizzling Silsila why don’t you come and taste their curry?”