Rockin’ Chair forum

New faces always welcome over on the Rockin’ Chair forum – a place for music and books, plus a board dedicated to memories of the Theatre Royal, Hanley.

Peter Crouch – the DJ :)

Peter Crouch will be taking over the weeknight Radio X Evening Show between 7pm and 10pm from Monday 24 July for a fortnight. He will also host the listeners’ Sunday afternoons from 1-4pm while regular host Gordon Smart is on holiday.

Crouch told the station’s official website: “I love Radio X and the music the station plays so I’m excited about being in the hot seat. I have a few stories I’m looking forward to sharing, and some visitors I’m looking forward to welcoming to the studio. All will be revealed next week.”

Stoke makes the UK City of Culture 2021 shortlist

Coventry, Paisley, Sunderland, Swansea and Stoke-on-Trent will compete to host a year-long celebration of art and performance as UK City of Culture 2021.

The final bid has to be submitted by September and the winning city is announced in November/December time.

Really hope Stoke wins this as it would be amazing for the city and a real boost to the area. Unlike the Garden festival back in 1986, this will have longer term benefits for the area as it is city/area wide and not just focused on one site.

Save Loyd Road Fields – deadline for objections 12 July

The deadline for your objection letters is the 12th July and you can do so via this link

Do like the Facebook page as they are very active and keep updating on the latest news etc. Good news in that Didcot Town council object to the planning application. A decision on the planning application is due sometime in September.

Tymon signs for Stoke :)

Eighteen year old left back Josh Tymon has signed from Hull City on a five year deal. The fee will go to a tribunal due to his age. Good signing of a highly rated youngster and in an area we don’t have great cover for.

Jon Walters is all but set to join Burnley in a deal of around £3m. He has been a great player for us and hopefully Mark Hughes has some sort of replacement lined-up. Mind you, given the fanfare Bojan has been given at coming back after his loan last season maybe we are looking at him as our new SJW?

Man City’s Fabian Delph could still be joining us on a loan, although hopefully he won’t seek advice from Wildred Bony after his disastrous loan with us last season!

The squad travel to Switzerland this weekend for the start of their pre-season friendlies and Philipp Wollscheid will be in the squad, despite spending most of last season away on loan. No news on Joselu who was linked to Malaga and unless he engineers a move, looks set to stay with the club for now.

Whelan update and Fabian Delph incoming?

Seems Derby County are not going to bid for Glen Whelan according to local press in Derby, which leaves Aston Villa in the driving seat should they match Stoke’s valuation. Looks as though Stoke will consider loaning Imbula next season as a permanent deal looks slim given there seems little interest in signing him permanently.

One possible new signing could be Man City’s midfielder Fabian Delph for around £12m. Newcastle are also being linked although it seems we are the more likely destination for the player.

Former Stokie John Eustace is in the running for the manager’s job at Oxford Utd.

Save Loyd Road fields Didcot

Since moving to Didcot I am amazed at the amount of new housing being built, most driven by the gigantic Great Western Park development which seems to dwarf the town. That seems fairly well planned and logical, however now there is new scheme to build 135 new homes between a designated ‘green break’ between the outskirts of Didcot and the village of East Hagbourne by Catesby Estates.

I am no NIMBY but this scheme appears to trample over South Oxfordshire’s local plan and if you wish to object to the planning application you have until July 12 to lodge your views. There is a Facebook action page here and there is an excellent blog Mind The Green Gap that gives more information on this proposed development.