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

Lord Can Sing in Lingfield Chase

THE Right Man Beginners' Chase (1.50) at Lingfield Park has produced good winners in the past and Lord Singer can seize the opportunity this time. The five-year-old has not seen much action and, after two hurdles victories last term, the switch to chasing is logical. He was far from disgraced on his first attempt at Sandown earlier this month, going down by just under five lengths to the well-regarded Pepe Simon. Lord Singer jumped left at every fence that day, so a switch back from a right-h...

Dear Alison with Alison Cooper of Relate North Staffs

MY HUSBAND died a couple of years ago and it left me and my son, who is aged 23, devastated. I have relied on my son sometimes for my own sanity and would have found life very difficult without him.

It Took 47 Years, but Now Patient Pals Are Reunited ; When Jean Matthews Contacted the Sentinel to Share Her Memories of Life As a Patient in Cheetham Hospital, Hartshill, She Never Imagined It Would Rekindle a Long-Lost Childhood Friendship. Nearly 50 Years Later She's Back in Touch with the Girl Who Made Her Eight- Month Hospital Stay Bearable, Writes Zita Collinson

AT THE age of 13, Jean Matthews was diagnosed with rheumatic fever and sent to stay at Cheetham Hospital in Hartshill. The now retired 61-year-old, of Box Lane, Meir, spent eight long months recovering, during which time she made friends with the other children on her ward.

Talented Roberts Is Going Up in the Non-League World

STONE Dominoes goalkeeper Danny Roberts has signed for Colwyn Bay and hopes to make his debut for the North Wales club at Kidsgrove tonight. Colwyn Bay visit the Seddon Stadium in the third round of the Evo- Stik League Cup, but Roberts's chances of playing depend on him receiving international clearance from the Welsh FA.

That's More Fa Cash Going for a Burton!

I KNOW Peter Coates is a sensible and educated man, especially when it comes to football, so I find it impossible to think he is 100 per cent behind the FA's new national football centre down the road at Burton. Even with his FA hat on, the Stoke chairman must be wondering whether all those millions could be better spent than on supposedly trying to educate the next generation of coaches.

Stoke's Players Won't Be Having [...]

STOKE'S players won't be having too many sleepless nights over facing Manchester City on Saturday. They shouldn't be, either. Everyone has been going overboard about City's display at Fulham on Sunday, but the big factor for me was the home team. There's no way Stoke will give City as much time and space to play as Fulham did.

Longton Sitting Pretty After Magnificent Seven-Try Romp ; Speedy Vaka Inspires Leaders to Victory Over Hapless Hereford

LONGTON ran in a magnificent seven tries to claim a bonus point from their highlyimpressive 43-16 win at Hereford. The victory further strengthens their grip at the top of National League Three Midlands following a fantastic start to their campaign.

Flower Tips 'Outcast' to Blossom in the Ashes

ENGLAND will stand together against Australia throughout this winter's Ashes - and that includes Kevin Pietersen. Coach Andy Flower was responding to claims by Shane Warne that Pietersen was an "outcast" in an otherwise close-knit England squad.

Pressure Is All On Ponting Says England Old Boy Bailey ; for the First Time in Years, the Ashes Pressure Is All On the Australians, Says England Old Boy Rob Bailey. Chris Travers Reports

FORMER England batsman Rob Bailey says Australia captain Ricky Ponting will be feeling the pressure ahead of the Ashes series. Ponting has lost the last two series in England during his time at the helm, and Bailey, who made four Test appearances between 1988 and 1990, believes the Aussie batting star cannot afford to slip up on home soil.

Dame Pledges Her Support to Rescue Charity

AWARD-WINNING actress Dame Judi Dench has donated a signed photograph to help raise funds for dog rescue charity Animal Lifeline. The framed photo is one of around 150 donated lots being sold at a special charity auction at the White Star pub, in Kingsway, Stoke, tomorrow.

Get On Your Bike for New Year Safe Cycling Course

AN INITIATIVE aimed at getting more people cycling is again being launched in the New Year. Free Bikeability cycling confidence camps for children and their families are to be held on Sunday, January 2 at Fenton Manor Sports Complex. The aim of the camps, organised by Stoke-on-Trent City Council's CycleStoke team, is to get more people cycling safely and more often.

'We Always Worried This Would Happen' ; Crash Barrier Call After Car Demolishes Conservatory

A COUPLE are calling for a barrier outside their home after a car smashed through their property, causing Pounds 20,000 worth of damage. David and Tracey Poole believe someone could have been seriously injured when a car ploughed through their garden wall, conservatory and back garden on Friday night.

Newcastle: Shoppers Can Hunt Out [...] ; in Brief

Newcastle: Staff at Bibby Consulting [...] ; in Brief

NEWCASTLE: Staff at Bibby Consulting and Support have shown their generosity by filling shoe boxes with an array of essential items and goodies as part of Operation Christmas Child. Twenty-four shoe boxes have now been filled and wrapped up at the Newcastle-based firm which specialises in employment law and health and safety law compliance. They will now be distributed among children in the UK and some of the toughest parts of the world.

Staffs: Libraries in the County [...] ; in Brief

STAFFS: Libraries in the county are offering readers over the age of 16 the opportunity to be in with a chance of winning prizes in a Winter Reading Challenge. On Saturday, December 4, libraries across the county will be holding coffee mornings to launch the new initiative. Readers will be challenged to read five books of their choice, where they will then be given an entry form and be invited to write a short review of the books they have read.

Stoke: Visitors Can Experience the [...] ; in Brief

STOKE: Visitors can experience the joys of an Edwardian Christmas at Stoke Library next month. Children can enjoy an Edwardian Christmas story session between 1.30pm and 2.30pm on Saturday, December 4, with staff in Edwardian costume. There will be an opportunity for older guests to share memories of Christmas past, plus a session on how to wrap presents in style as well as a chance to learn how to create an electronic Christmas card. Sainsbury's will be on hand with samples of their special ...

Cinderella at College Theatre

A PANTOMIME will be staged this Christmas at a college's new theatre. The new Centre Stage Theatre, based at South Cheshire College, is hosting morning and matinee performances of Cinderella in the run- up to the festive period on December 13, 14 and 16 at 10am and 1pm.

Burslem: Anthony Marchese, Aged 25, [...] ; in Brief

Newcastle: Matthew West, Aged 26, [...] ; in Brief

Biddulph Moor: Matthew Smith, Aged [...] ; in Brief