Sentinel, The; Stoke-on-Trent (UK)

Aussies Reserve Praise for England's Fair Play ; Coach Comments Come After Slur On Series Spirit

CRICKET England v AUstralia AUSTRALIA coach Tim Nielsen last night thanked England for their "fine gesture" after granting a late change to the tourists' line- up in the Edgbaston Test.

Swan's No Longer an Ugly Duckling to Me

SEVEN years ago, when I first ate in the lavishly revamped Swan, I was uneasy about the flash modern decor in the restaurant. It seemed out of place in a 300-year-old former coaching inn. Charles Dickens, who didn't much care for the old Swan, would have liked the new one even less, I thought.

Police Tell 'Attacker' to Say He's Sorry... In ; Apology Enough to Escape Court [Edition 2]

BUILDER Colin McKay has publicly apologised to a park ranger he manhandled into a lake to avoid being prosecuted for assault. Mr McKay, aged 39, was offered a choice of either facing court action or apologising in The Sentinel to ranger Alistair Wright.

Gittens Relishing Chance of a Longton Link-Up

FORMER Longton coach Ian Gittens is relishing his new challenge with Leek. The Moorlands club in Midlands Four West (North) have invested in the 48-year-old, from Mow Cop, in the hope he will bring the best out of the squad.

Potters Are Hoping for Duo Success ; Speedway

NEWCOMERS Robert Ksiezak and Craig Branney will make their debuts when Stoke take on near neighbours and rivals Sheffield at Loomer Road tomorrow (7.30pm). Branney was snapped up to replace the departed Lee Smart, while Ksiezak joined the Potters in midweek following Phil Morris's departure. "They look two decent signings and ones that hopefully can improve the side," said team manager John Woolridge. "Craig is capable of doing a job for us at reserve and he's a bit of a no- nonsense type of ...

Police Tell 'Attacker' to Say He's Sorry... In ; Apology Enough to Escape Court [Edition 3]

BUILDER Colin McKay has publicly apologised to a park ranger he manhandled into a lake to avoid being prosecuted for assault. Mr McKay, aged 39, was offered a choice of either facing court action or apologising in The Sentinel to ranger Alistair Wright.

Race for Promotion Heats Up ; Dukes Division Three

THE race for promotion is still wide open heading into the final third of the season. Moddershall A are in pole position to reclaim their place in Division Two following last season's relegation.

Twenty20 Date Now Set ; Cockspur Cup

'She's a Brave Fighter Who Always has Smile On Her Face'

BRAVE youngster Ruby Owen will be spending the next year in and out of hospital on a chemotherapy programme - but she is facing it all with a smile. The two-year-old from Kidsgrove was diagnosed with a brain tumour in May and endured an eight-hour operation at Alder Hey Children's Hospital, in Liverpool, to remove the majority of it.

Waiting Game ; Patient Pulis Insists He Won't Be Rushed Into Making Any Rash Purchases [Edition 2]

STUBBORN Stoke boss Tony Pulis is ready to dig in his heels until the end of the transfer window to land his priority targets. He says he wants quality rather than quantity - and is prepared to play a waiting game until the end of August to land the right players.

Newcastle: Changes to Waste Collection [...] ; in Brief

New Vic Is After Old Pics

THE New Vic is asking for the help of Sentinel readers in a search for local mining photographs. Readers are being asked to dig out their memories as DH Lawrence mining drama, The Daughter-in-Law, prepares to take to the theatre- in-the-round this September.

Step Back to Steam Days

WORKING steam engines, blacksmithing and expert knot tying will all be on show this Sunday as part of the Etruria Industrial Museum's Mill In Steam weekend. Visitors can experience the museum's historic steam machinery, named Princess, in full working order. The 1820s engine is one of the oldest in the world still operational.

Points From the Post

AGE PROBLEM: I was shopping in my local Asda this morning when an 'old aged' couple barged me and my trolley out of their way. My two young children were in it. I ignored them and carried on with my shopping.

Win!

Win family tickets to the preview screening of Aliens In The Attic at Vue! Aliens in the Attic is invading Vue cinemas across the UK and you could be one of the first to see this summer blockbuster.

Whistle Down La Mancha ; Man of La Mancha Builder by Day, Knight by Night, Tamzin Hindmarch Talks to Uttoxeter's Very Own Man of La Mancha

MARK Hawley has a builder's whistle more tuneful than most. And he runs through the script in his head as he works and prepares for the lead role of Don Quixote in Tim Downes's forthcoming production of Man Of La Mancha.

Centre Stage

THE production of Godspell in the Church of St Peter Ad Vincula in Stoke is beginning to look like a must-see. Which is just what Stoke Youth Musical Theatre Company's production of Les Miserables proved to be last November. The decision to stage the show in the church known as Stoke Minster has been widely applauded, and the award-winning company can surely look forward to a week of sell-out performances.

Your Stars

Your stars with Shelley von Strunckel ARIES: Mar 20-Apr 18 0904 020 8062

Knocking Spots Off the Soap Stars

Eccleshall Boss Wants to Boost His Side's Image

ECCLESHALL are aiming to raise the profile of the club with manager Dave Dale beating the drum. He said: "Some people see Eccleshall sounds far away and in the middle of nowhere, but we are in a superb place.