Simon Tagg - Newcastle under Lyme

10/11/2026

Castle Classics this weekend 🚘

Sunday 10am to 3pm. Rescheduled from October

Castle Classics returns this weekend - rescheduled date🚗

Join us on Sunday 15th November, 10am-3pm for a full day of motoring nostalgia, local makers and town centre fun as we join up with Castle Artisan Market!

✨ Explore classic and retro vehicles spanning over 100 years of motoring history across the High Street and Ironmarket.

🎶 Enjoy live music from 6 Towns Radio and vote for your favourite vehicle in our brand-new People’s Choice award!

🏆 Six awards up for grabs, with prizes from some fantastic local businesses👉
Stacks of Tyres, The Staffordshire Signal , DN Details - Mobile Car Detailing and Mosschem LTD

Winners announced at 2:30pm.

FREE ENTRY for the public – everyone welcome!
Exhibitor tickets from October still valid🎟️

08/11/2026

Remembrance Sunday 2026 in Newcastle-under-Lyme. 🇬🇧

An amazing turnout and a respectful Service of Remembrance, as ever, in Newcastle Town Centre. 🌺

We will remember them.

05/11/2026

This is already having a chilling effect in Newcastle-under-Lyme, where the Reform UK administration at Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council adopted the changes early, five months ago.

The Labour’s government’s change to planning rules mean that local councillors can no longer automatically call in planning applications on residents’ behalf. Instead, more decisions about what gets built in your neighbourhood are being handed over to unelected planning officers, reducing local democratic accountability. 👎

29/10/2026

💷 An elected Mayor for Staffordshire could have unlimited council tax-raising powers..

It’s fitting that this announcement comes alongside the Budget, given the concerns about the powers recently granted to mayors to raise council tax without a cap and freedom to spend the money on a wider range of activities, including areas beyond the Mayoral responsibilities.

If this were genuinely about devolving power and decision making closer to local people, there would be a strong case for a Mayor for Staffordshire. But we need to ask a fundamental question: is this really about devolution, or simply another way to raise our taxes? 💰

And what about the future of Newcastle-under-Lyme?

We’re still waiting to hear the Labour Government’s plans for Local Government Reorganisation, which could see Newcastle forced to merge with Stoke-on-Trent.

That process was recently ‘paused’, but a further announcement is expected later today - watch this space!

Our borough, its identity and our local voice must be protected. Residents deserve clarity about what these changes mean for their council tax, local services and democratic representation.

💙 SAVE OUR BOROUGH!

27/10/2026

A 4th leader at Staffordshire County Council in less than 18 months 🙄

Reform UK's leader of Staffordshire County Council, Cllr Martin Murray, has announced he is stepping down.

"It is deeply concerning that Staffordshire County Council, one of the largest local authorities in the country, is now on to its fourth Reform UK leader in a year and a half," said Cllr Philip White, Leader of the Conservative Group on Staffordshire County Council.

"Residents deserve stability and a council that is focused on delivering for them, not one caught up in a revolving door at the top. Decisions on our roads, our schools and care for our most vulnerable people need steady leadership, and right now Reform simply cannot provide it.

"Conservative councillors will continue to hold the administration to account and stand up for every community in Staffordshire."

22/10/2026

Well done and richly deserved 👏 Queens Gardens looked amazing this spring & summer as ever. 🌺

A HAT TRICK FOR NEWCASTLE! 🏆

Today we took home Gold and overall winner in the BID category for the THIRD consecutive year at the Heart of England in Bloom Awards!

LoveNUL in Bloom is led by Newcastle-under-Lyme BID in partnership with Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council bringing together the people, projects and places that make our town special.

And there’s more to celebrate! We also picked up two discretionary awards:

🌿 Landscape Award recognising the work to introduce more sustainable planting across Newcastle. The judges described the displays, including those in Queen’s Gardens, as “stunning”!

👏 Chair’s Award for local historian Jim Worgan, celebrating our very own fountain of knowledge and his dedication to sharing Newcastle’s history over the years. We’re absolutely delighted for you, Jim!

From planting and public spaces to heritage, events and community projects, there was plenty to showcase during July’s judging visit.

A huge thank you to the businesses, volunteers, community groups and partner organisations who joined us to tell Newcastle’s story and who give so much to our town throughout the year.

What a result for Newcastle! 🎉

20/10/2026

Castle Classics returns this weekend 🚘

With 100+ classic and retro vehicles rolling into town with music and food.

❗Please note change of time.

🚗 Classic cars are taking over Newcastle town centre!

Castle Classics returns next month with more than 100 classic and retro vehicles heading to the High Street and Ironmarket 🤩

From early 1900s motors to much-loved classics from the 90s and 00s, there’ll be more than a century of motoring history to explore.

📅 Sunday 15 November
⏰ 10am–3pm
📍 High Street & Ironmarket
🎟️ Free to attend

New for this year, you can also vote for your favourite vehicle in the People’s Choice Award 🏆

Delivered by Newcastle-under-Lyme BID, alongside The Red Haired Stokie and 6 Towns Radio, there’ll also be music and food, plus plenty of opportunities to explore our town centre shops, cafés and businesses.

10/10/2026

This is good to see and a start. 🛴

Many people using e-scooters don’t seem to realise that privately owned e-scooters are illegal to use on public roads, cycle lanes and pavements in the UK.

Riders could also face prosecution for offences such as riding without insurance or driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

It’s important to know the law which is there to keep pedestrian and other road users safe. ⚖️

25/09/2026

Community funding available in Westlands, Thistleberry and Keele! 💷🏘️

Have you got an idea that could make a difference in the community? Whether it’s improving a local facility, supporting a community group, encouraging sport or helping bring civic pride ideas to life, there are funding opportunities available:

💙 Staffordshire County Council Community Fund - £2,500

This year, my County Council funding has already supported a number of projects including:
🏡 Village hall improvements
🏐 A netball boot camp
🔐 Security gates for a community hall

There is just £500 remaining, so if you have a project in mind, now is the time to get in touch!

👉 Find out more about the criteria and how to apply: www.staffordshire.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/councillors-and-committees/staffordshire-community-fund

💚 Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council Community Fund - £2,500

Projects currently being considered include:
🎳 Encouraging participation in sport
🚸 School road safety signage
🚶 Pathway improvements

👉 Find out more about the criteria and how to apply: www.newcastle-staffs.gov.uk/homepage/130/community-fund

Our monthly Thistleberry councillor street surgery is taking place this Saturday by the Paris Avenue shops, from 10am–11.30am. 🗓️

If you’re involved with a local group, community organisation or have an idea for a project that could benefit from Community Fund support, pop along and have a chat. I’m happy to discuss your idea and point you in the right direction. 👍

📍 Paris Avenue shops, Thistleberry
🕙 Saturday, 10am–11.30am

24/09/2026

🏗️ The New Astley Place is starting to take shape!

Great to see this update from Tim Heatley of Capital & Centric, showing the latest progress at Astley Place in Newcastle town centre

Transformation of the old York Place site into a new homes, commercial space and a public area is well underway.

🎥 Take a look at Tim’s video for a behind-the-scenes look at the progress.