Conservatives gain Stafford

The Labour stronghold of Stafford was overthrown last night (May 6) with a convincing win by Jeremy Lefroy securing victory for the Conservatives.

Labour candidate David Kidney had been in power since 1997, when he beat David Cameron.

Yet Mr Lefroy acknowledged Mr Kidney’s successful run over the past 13 years, saying in his acceptance speech: “I have got to earn the respect that David Kidney has earned.”

Mr Lefroy commended the amicable way in which all candidates had fought the election.

He said he was “very honoured” to have gained such a majority.

The Conservatives gained 22,047 votes, while Labour received 16,587.

Liberal Democrat candidate Barry Stamp received 8,211 votes, while UKIP’s Roy Goode polled 1,727. BNP candidate Thomas Hynd received 1,103 and the Green Party’s Mike Shone polled 564.

Turnout was up from 67% in 2005 to 71%, with 50,328 votes cast compared to 45,554 in 2005.

Mr Lefroy said: “The turnouts have been very good. I think people took a lot more interest, and I have noticed that a lot of young people have voted, which is good.”

He said he wanted to change the national perception of Stafford, following the recent controversy surrounding Stafford Hospital.



StaffsLive article

In stitches

North Staffordshire University Hospital's annual charity show opened at Stoke's The Rep Theatre on Wednesday. Click the link below to find out more.

http://www.staffs.ac.uk/schools/art_and_design/journalism/staffslive/wordpress/2010/02/23/university-hospital-create-a-song-and-dance-at-rep-theatre/

*Newsflash!*

Artist Andy Scott to produce two sculptures for Uttoxeter

One of the UK’s leading public artists has been commissioned to design and build two major sculptures in Uttoxeter.

Andy Scott, and his project manager Caroline Scott (no relation), had been friends for over 20 years when they replied to a call for artists to submit ideas for the Uttoxeter Regeneration project.

Around £95,000 has been secured for the completion of two sculptures to be displayed on the roundabouts at either end of Town Meadows Way.

The sculptures, which will be based on a particular theme that represents the town, have been commissioned to create a ‘point of arrival’ into the town.

Forty people applied from across the country, but Andy Scott was quickly identified as the stand-out candidate.

Paul Challacombe, Community Arts Officer for East Staffordshire, told StaffsLive: “We wanted to have a piece of art that is recognisable to people driving past, but it is the quality of the work that is most important.

“The history of work Andy has done is fantastic and his enthusiasm is really good. This project started in the summer last year, but it’s still early doors.”

But before he starts on his work Andy decided to give the residents of Uttoxeter the chance to influence the design.

A stand was set up in Uttoxeter’s market place displaying examples of Andy’s previous public art work, with questionnaires for locals to share their views.

Caroline Scott, Project Manager of ‘Andy Scott Public Art, said : “We’ve been trying to glean nuggets of information from the locals about Uttoxeter, so there is more to it than the information we could have simply found online.

“This is a process and it is developmental. People read things in very interesting ways.
“We want to create an atmosphere where the piece does not come from out of nowhere. The people who have engaged with us will feel connected to the sculpture.”

Andy and Caroline are planning to get schoolchildren and youth groups involved.

Artists will be doing workshops to help young people in the area relate to the sculptures, and Andy is planning to take a local youth group to his studio in Scotland so they can witness first hand the process of the sculpture being made.

Displays of Andy’s work are now showing at the Uttoxeter CSC, Library, Town Hall and Heritage Centre, and those who wish to express their views can download a questionnaire here: http://www.eaststaffsbc.gov.uk/


*Produced with Leanne Kirtley

http://www.staffs.ac.uk/schools/art_and_design/journalism/staffslive/wordpress/2010/02/22/artist-andy-scott-to-produce-two-sculptures-for-uttoxeter/