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PAST STORIES FROM OUR FEATURES SECTION
The amount of stories we've covered on this website over our time runs into hundreds!
Here's just some of the stories we covered in the dim and distant past...
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Features archive: 2002 | 2003 | 2004
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2003
December
Life in Um Qasr Mac McCoig a housing manager for Stafford Borough Council was called up by his Territorial Army to serve in Iraq
Homelessness in the Potteries Some of the homeless people tell their own stories...
The road to Rotorua Nic's travelled from Auckland to Rotorua in the Bay of Plenty area. It's a region dominated by volcanic activity and traditional Maori culture. Check out the second part of Nic's tour diary with pictures...
Private chapels in and around Staffordshire Pivate chapels were built to serve their wealthy owners. We take a look at local ones...
Turkey à la Stoke Check out our handy guide to cooking the perfect Christmas Day meal...
Ceroc Check out this new dance craze - a funky blend of salsa, jive and swing...
Development time for a busy Stoke road The A500 project in Stoke-on-Trent will bring the city a much needed economic boost...
Calendar girls bare all for charity Cheshire women are appearing in a nude calendar to raise money for charity and Congleton Rugby Club.
Living in a winter wonderland Stoke-on-Trent's Mayor, Mike Wolfe, is urging all the shoppers in Hanley to get their skates on - literally!
M6 Toll - congestion busting? BBC Transport Correspondent Peter Plisner asks whether it'll solve problems it's been designed to tackle.
In-car mobile phone laws explained We take a look at the law and provide some answers to the questions drivers are asking...
November
The other side of the world Nic Baddeley went on a trip of a lifetime to New Zealand. He wrote a tour diary of the places he visited
Loads of concert pictures! Sophie Ellis Bextor, Javine, the Fat Cats, Soul Survivor and the Blazin' Squad at the Children in Need concert.
Aladdin Find out about the highs and lows of this year's BBC Radio Stoke pantomime
Stoke-on-Trent Youth Awards 2003 See who won prizes at the S-o-T Youth awards 2003
David Beardmore David is a rising young actor, who has to shake off the girls who mistake him for David Beckham!
Children In Need 2003 See what events took place for Children in Need in Staffordshire
YOUR Moorcroft vases When Moorcroft asked you to send in your designs for vases - you sent some crackers! See the designs here..
Enthronement The 98th Bishop of Lichfield the Rt Rev Jonathan Gledhill was installed in November. BBC Local Radio was there
October
Looking for local unsung hero of sport - you can nominate them for a top award...
Games convention Ben Norley welcomes the Centralan Gaming Weekend coming to North Staffordshire
Grissecon Storm Constantine's weekend of celebrations of the popularity of fantasy writing
Katie Weston's Thailand Diary Katie Weston is in Thailand - this is the first entry in her diary from there
Stafford Film Festival The town has a week of top art-house films and talks
Dave Follows - a cartoonists' cartoonist The work of Stafford cartoonist Dave Follows is remembered by his peers
Symphony For The Disabled Disabled people are creating a piece of music in a series of workshops in Tamworth
Burton Fire! A new book on the history of Burton's Fire Service is published
Well Dressings The strange half-pagan half-Christian celebrations practised on the Staffordshire/Cheshire border
Devilish Dos A new salon with a daring attitude towards hair opens in Stoke on Trent
Resurrection The story of Dr Johnson and his Jamaican servant is the Garrick's play for Black History month
Pots in Need The local BBC joined up with Moorcroft Pottery to create a design competition for Children In Need
Nearly Miss England Kelly Thorpe from Stafford was in the running in the first internet beauty contest
Nast & Gully Two guys from the streets of Stoke on Trent write, record and distribute their own rap CD
Exhibiting Polish history and culture The Borderland Voices group teamed up with the local Polish community to create an exhibition which offers an insight into Polish culture and history.
Mop Monsters A new book exposes the worst footballers' haircuts - including some from Stoke City
September
Mark and Mandy land dream job Mark Barnes and girlfriend Mandy Robinson work at a leading UK computer game company in Stone.
Katie goes to Thailand Katie Weston from Leek is off going to Phuket in Thailand to help stop the abuse and maltreatment of Gibbons
Strange things ahead The annual Abbots Bromley Horn Dance is a very strange affair
Full Fat Female Katrina Austin's website celebrates the ladies who like themselves big
Owd Grandad Piggott Alan Povey's fictional Potteries character is almost as large as life!
Love Music Hate Racism The Rock Against Racism big event of the year was in North Staffordshire
Northern Soul BBC Radio Stoke launches a new programme devoted to Northern Soul music
Sri Lanka Football gift Antony Munday and Tony Adams are making sure young South Asian footballers get a chance
August
V2003 Staffordshire's biggest music festival of the year - with Red Hot Chili Peppers and Coldplay - was a blast. With picture galleries.
Nail-biting time Help for stressed students as they receive their exam results
Manchester United are given a real shock as Stoke City beat them decisively. Re-live the night with our Picture Gallery
Carnival time Reggae and hip hop music was the theme for Stoke on Trent's multi-cultural carnival. With Picture Gallery.
The GEM Gospel Awards The annual awards for the best in gospel style are up again
Burton tops! The firefighters from Burton's Green Watch are world champions
Strong Man Richard Gosling from Cannock is crowned Britain's Strongest Man 2003.
Ballroom blitz reunion The sound of swing rang out again as Trentham Gardens regulars re-visited the venue one last time
Menuhin violin in Staffordshire Yehudi Menuhin's violin has been snapped up by a local collector
Stoke continental-style A new marketing campaign sees Stoke on Trent selling itself as a Continental-style attraction
Wongan Hills VII In her latest article, Sarah talks about the importance of telecentres to local community life in rural Australia.
July
Staffordshire Snaps winner Find out who won the Staffordshire Snaps Summer 2003 competition.
Making the popstars of the future A Staffordshire-based music project could hold the key to pop-star success.
Vale Park opens its doors Port Vale fans had the chance to look round the ground in the close-season
Classic cinema revisited One enthusiast is determined to bring classic movies back to the cinema in Stoke-on-Trent
Restoring the past Restoration is a TV series that highlights Britain's decaying heritage - including the Bethesda Chapel in Hanley
Staffordshire Photography People from across Staffordshire have sent their pictures of the county in to us...
Wongan Hills Part VI The continuing story of Michael and Chris Brennan’s farm by Sarah Watts
DJ Amber She has flaming red hair - and is North Staffs' top female dee-jay
Don't Knock My City People in Stoke-on-Trent are all too willing to run it down, says Phil. With messageboard.
Staffordshire Spiritual Places Staffordshire's favourite spiritual place is in the Moorlands... with other nominations too
Pugin's Gem We take a peek inside the beautifully ornate church of Saint Giles in Cheadle with our 360 degree cameras
June
Biddulph Grange The extraordinary gardens of Biddulph Grange in Staffordshire are a wonder to behold.
World championships The tenth anniversary of the Great World Toe-Wrestling Championships takes place in Wetton in the Peak District. Check out the result of the Championship too
Staffs Uni Graduates look to the future Another crop of art and design graduates have emerged from Staffordshire University.
Lichfield Cathedral We got into medieval cathedral in Lichfield to take some exclusive 360 degree shots
Leek Soup Primary school children and adults from Leek used food as a central theme to create short pieces of very interesting writing...
Ring Around Carers Ring Around Carers is a 'meeting place on the phone' for carers.
Queen's Birthday honours In Staffordshire and Cheshire, eight people have been honoured. to mark the occasion of the Queen's birthday.
Dario reaches another milestone Crewe Alex manager Dario Gradi is celebrating his 20th year in charge. Check out PICTURE GALLERY
Obese Britain Paula Radcliffe is part of a campaign which aims to highlight the problems of obesity in today's children
Wedgwood Job Losses The Eagle and Alexandra factories in Stoke on Trent are closing with 1000 job losses. We have the local reaction
Wongan Hills Part V Sarah Watts takes a look at the history of one Farming Family in Wongan Hills
Hot Run The Potteries Marathon 2003 turned out to be a very hot as well as exciting affair
Chrysalis The group of young Staffordshire students who intend to shale up the local arts and photography world
Frank-ly drugs A new website aims to talk about illegal drugs as much as possible: with facts, and thought-provoking discussion
Port Vale Season Review Our resident Vale fan looks back at a season that's proved to be one of the most eventful in the club's history.
Choir seeks to make it easy The Keele Bach Choir is trying to make it easier for disabled music lovers to enjoy their concerts.
Lichfield declares itself open The Lichfield Arts Festival is likely to be the best ever
Lichfield Garrick is a wonder The first new purpose built theatre in the Midlands for ten years open in July
Caudwell Ball The big society ball of the year took place at millionaire John Caudwell's place. See the report and pictures
Norm plays up A local postman, Norman Fletcher, suddenly found himself in the UK Darts Open finals....
...and so does Phil Stoke-on-Trent's Phil "The Power" Taylor walked away with the SkyBetUK Darts Open
Staffs expert unsureThe bid to bring the 2012 Olympics to London may not be viable, says Dr Paul Downward of Staffordshire University.
May
The Robin - Nestbuilding Ornithologist David Tideswell from Stramshall in East Staffs tells us more of the 'secret life of the robin'.
The Robin - Mating Ornithologist David Tideswell from Stramshall in East Staffs tells us more of the 'secret life of the robin'.
The Robin - Hatching the eggs Ornithologist David Tideswell from Stramshall in East Staffs tells us of the 'secret life of the robin'.
The Robin - Flying the nest Ornithologist David Tideswell from Stramshall in East Staffs tells us of the 'secret life of the robin'.
Ice-Trek 4 The fourth diary update from the Staffordshire students who are preparing to cross the ice flows of Iceland - for charity.
Stoke City Season Review We take a look back at an incredible rollercoaster ride of a season for the Potters. With pictures!
Crewe Alex Season Review Lifelong Alex fan Graham McGarry reviews the season that concluded in promotion back to the first division
Wongan Hills Part IV Kevin and Sarah Watts' latest update of their new life in Australia
Antiques Roadshow Michael Aspel and the team come to Burton's Meadowside. Find out some of the secrets.
Exam Revision Tips ... but not what you expect! We have the Parents' Way, and the Student's Way
Skatejam The third STOKED skate jam - will it produce a skateboarding centre?
Norm hits the target The unknown postman Norman Fletcher reaches the Darts Open finals!
RAF Stafford returns Airmen and women returned to Stafford after the war - with one pregnancy too!
Klingons and Robin Hood will be present, in spirit at least, at the Staffordshire University Graduate exhibition
Walk For Life The annual local event to raise money for Breast Cancer research will take place again as usual
World On Your Street The Radio 3 global music promotion comes to North Staffordshire
Local Government Elections The local elections across Staffordshire threw up some unexpected results
April
Ice-Trek 3 The third diary update from the Staffordshire students who are preparing to cross the ice flows of Iceland - for charity.
Wongan Hills Part III Kevin and Sarah Watts' update of their new life in Australia
Ginger McCain returns to triumph The trainer of Red Rum returns to the Grand National and more success.
Lichfield Comedy Club is moving to The Garrick; and having a festival to celebrate the move
The Polish Community Project BBC reporter Ros Chimes has researched Poles and their lives in North Staffordshire
Marvellous Marvin Hagler The boxing legend talks to us while visiting Staffordshire
Paula Radcliffe breaks world record The running superstar (who's from mid-Cheshire) does it again!
Loneliness of the 'fat lad' challenge. Mike 'Emil Zaotopek' Furnival spills the beans on his non-record breaking London Marathon.
Feeding The Birds Uttoxeter's own birdman David Tideswell gives some seasonal tips.
Staffordshire soldiers buried The funerals have taken place of David Clarke and Stephen Allbutt, who died in Iraq.
Wongan Hills Part III Kevin and Sarah Watts moved to Australia. Now Sarah has sent us another update about life in Wongan Hills...
The Bethesda Chapel in Hanley is an impressive example of Methodist architecture... but can it be saved?
Our heritage on display at Ceramica A new showcase for the pottery industry in Stoke-on-Trent has now opened in Burslem. It's hoped it'll help to promote the Potteries rich heritage...
Staffordshire To Disappear! No, not really, honest... it was our April Fool joke
Poetry for the poetic weather forecaster Paul Damari has had a tribute to him - in verse
Wongan Hills Part II Kevin and Sarah Watts said goodbye to Staffordshire and moved to Australia to start a new life down under. Now Sarah has sent us the latest about life in the Australian town...
March
Alton Towers A Staffordshire lecturer, who is piecing together the history of Alton Towers, is urging people to contact him.
Spring in the park On the last day of peace, students sought the sun in Hanley park. See the pictures
Aromatherapy It would seem that everything is coming up roses for an enterprising woman from South Cheshire
Ceramica A big new pottery attraction is opening in Stoke on Trent in April
Crufts specials The big dog show of the year attracted Staffordshire entries too - including a pair of Portuguese Water Dogs
Chance for historic chapel The Bethesda Chapel in Stoke on Trent is to be featured on a major TV programme
Give It Sum Robbie Williams wants to give his money away - to deserving charities
The Bethesda Chapel in Hanley is to be a featured building in a new BBC History programme, Restoration
Forest accessible to wheelchair users The National Forest covers three counties, but is it open to the disabled?
Kevin seeks vouchers A Radio Stoke presenter wants your Tesco computer vouchers for the Coppice Special School in Newcastle
Adam Faith dies While on tour in North Staffs, the actor and singer suffers a heart attack. Hear his last interview.
New Vic faces the "pressure" North Staffs own community theatre explores teenagers' feelings
Life down under in the Wongan Hills The Watts recently left Staffordshire and moved to Australia. See the pictures...
Red Nose Day Efforts to raise money for Comic Relief 2003 were definitely fun!
Staffs schools show improvement The 2002 league tables for secondary and primary schools in the county
Hitting Home in StaffordshireHitting Home is a BBC campaign which explores domestic violence.
February
Ice-Trek Staffordshire students Hugh Deeming, Jonathan Carrick and Matt Roberts, are crossing the ice flows of Iceland - for charity.
Line Dancing Champion Stoke's Jenny Stephenson has been named the best female line dancer in the world.
Big Cat Watch! Near Tamworth, people are convinced a panther is roaming wild around their homes.
Give Munchies the Blues Leek-based firm Cottage Delight have developed the UK's first blue potato crisp.
Camp America Sarah shares her experience of being a summer camp counsellor in America
Cut The Fat.. out Action Line, based at BBC Radio Stoke, highlighted a healthy eating campaign by the British Heart Foundation
Pottery fit for a Queen A specially-designed dessert service, produced by the British Ceramic industry, commemorates the Golden Jubilee
Midnight Moonwalk Nurses from Stafford will walk through London, at night, wearing sparkly bras! - for breast cancer research.
Panto winners Muriel Allerton and Iris Howell from Blythe Bridge won first prize in the BBC Radio Stoke pantomime competition
Wear it For Sir Stan Day The Stanley Matthews Foundation and the Caudwell Charitable Trust promote a fun dress-down day
Wear It With Pride Day BBC Radio Stoke's breakfast presenter Tim Wedgwood got shirt sponsors to pay up for charity
Swynnerton Millennium Book Elsie Blackburn thought that the lovely flora and fauna of the Swynnerton area should be recorded
Valentines Special The Rules of Dating, E-kisses for All!, Valentine Traditions, The Most Romantic Movies, Txting for St Val
January
Animal Lifeline Calendar Dogs belonging to staff at Newcastle under Lyme college are raising money for this Staffordshire animal charity
Staffordshire Big Garden Bird Watch organised by the RSPB. See list of Staffordshire's top garden birds
Panto boy Jamie Endean, from Eccleshall, is spending FIVE WEEKS plastered in rouge and lipstick
It was forty years ago today that the Beatles came to Staffordshire - and fans are remembering.
The Electronic Image is a project for showing short films, and animations. Staffordshire creatives welcome!
Wayne Lovatt from Stoke-on-Trent, climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro for charity - see his diary and his pictures
Same-Sex Kiss Marmite featured the first such kiss in their latest TV advert. It was quite controversial!
Tornadoes in Cheshire? You thought tornadoes were an exotic phenomenon. Our weather expert says no.
Human Rights Class A new evening class at Stoke College will look at the issue
JRR Tolkien in Staffordshire How the author of The Lord Of The Rings got his inspiration from a Staffordshire house
See Middle Earth on the canals Canal-boats by the name of Gandalf and Bilbo are going down well in Staffordshire
For 2004 stories - click here
For 2002 stories - click here
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