Waste Savvy Staffs Project: Volunteers are needed to talk to people about ways they can help reduce Staffordshire's waste and emissions. The next volunteer recruitment day is Thursday 19th May at Veolia’s Energy Recovery Facility in Four Ashes, Wolverhampton, where much of Staffordshire’s waste goes to be converted into electricity. Attendees will be provided with free training on food waste reduction, composting and recycling, and other sustainable waste schemes in the region. Following a complimentary lunch, there will be a tour of the facility, as well as additional discussion about engaging with communities to reduce waste.

Details here

Read the latest Neighbourhood Watch newsletter for advice on how to stop burglaries and information on running a street party.

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Elford Parish Council are pleased to report that Becky Delderfield has been co-opted as a Member of the Parish Council.

We are sure she will be an asset to our team!

Local opinions sought on parish arrangements in Lichfield District.

As residents will know, exciting improvements are planned for the playground, with new equipment and surfacing. However, we’d like the whole community to use the area, not just families with young children, who we know love to play there. There will be health and social benefits for the wider village community.

Did you know there is a covered barn with picnic tables that can be used whatever the weather? Why not use this space for meetings or celebrations such as birthday parties, or just to meet others for a chat and a sit down after a walk around the village or the field?

At the moment individuals and local organisations get in touch with the Parish Council when they want to use these facilities but it would help everyone if we had plenty of notice, so we’d like you to contact clerk@elfordparish.co.uk or send a message via Elford News on Facebook if you’d like to reserve a space for your group.

When the new playground has been installed later this year (subject to successful funding applications) we’d like even more of the community to use it. The Howard School have told us they would like to take groups of children there as a reward for working hard. Currently groups such as the French group use it for a pancake party in July, and it is used for events such as the Platinum Jubilee Picnic in the Park and the Christmas Fayre. Electricity and water supply is available, and subject to demand we could provide more seating, fold up tables, and equipment such as a barbecue if users need these. Going forward if there are other groups who would like to use this space and the facilities please get in touch – perhaps to organise Mum and toddler meet ups, coffee mornings, art group sessions, or fitness tuition there? Other ideas are welcome!

HS2 are offering online one to one meetings as follows, click on the link for details:

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Thank you to all those who suggested names for the new roads to be built in Elford.

The most popular one with the Councillors was Tame View and this suggestion has been passed on to Lichfield. We are just clarifying with them whether a second name is needed on the development or not, if so the smaller road will be named Hill Top.

Here's a plan showing the two roads. 

Get back to growth in 2022 with a £5k grant

Grants of between £2,000 to £5,000 are now available to small businesses across Staffordshire to grow and thrive. Improving your business is a year-round job, but new year is the perfect time to get the financial boost you need to start the year strong.  Want to invest in increasing sales, productivity or profitability, or improve business processes but feel the risk is too high? Did you put your business-growth plans on hold during the pandemic, but need financial help to finally realise your potential? If you’re an eligible small business, now’s the time to stop crossing your fingers and get a grant of up to £5,000 from the Staffordshire Means Back to Business Scheme to help you to regroup and grow. Funding is on a first come first served basis, and has now been made available to businesses across the county following Staffordshire County Council's successful bid to secure over £751,000 for the Staffordshire Means Back to Business Scheme from the government's UK Community Renewal Fund. Grants of up to £5,000 have already helped small businesses across all sectors with a range of growth activities, including: Finding expert knowledge and support to help develop business ideas and success, including financial strategy, business strategy, marketing strategy and website expertise, and even expertise to enhance customer service Support to analyse customer data Tackling those back-burner projects and tasks Purchase of equipment and technology for new starters Purchase of specialist equipment – from video equipment to specialist fabrication tools and beyond. Support to prioritise business planning Diversification into new market sectors and taking advantage of new opportunities Developing online payment facilities and getting online and much more. Start 2022 right and apply now for a growth grant of between £2,000 and £5,000.