The Sticks
Help for Syrian Families
I was in Syria for only one week in 1993. A long time ago. Every time I transcribe another section of the diary I kept for that week in 1993 I am saddened. I wonder what happened to the people I met. The children I saw then may be scattered refugees now, or grieving the loss of their own children or struggling to keep them safe and warm. Something I can say and know but which I struggle to understand. But I do know they deserve our help whether they arrive here as refugees or are struggling on at home. Read more.
The Sticks
Have dog, will walk. Here we have mapped some of our local routes
Our dogs have an in built clock. At the same time each day they herd us together and demand their walk. Here are some of the routes they enjoy.
- Biddulph Moor Short Run
- Car Parks
- Classic lake and feeder route
- Endon Bank Walk
- Evening Walk
- Grand Circle Walk (Allotments)
- Grand Circle Walk (St. Anne's)
- Knypersley run via waterfall and rock
- Lanes and Fields
- Marshes Hill Short Loop
- Rudyard Walk and/or Run
- Tongue Lane and St. Anne's Route
- Tongue Lane, St. Anne's and Broad Lane
- Woods and Lake Walk
The Sticks
Tracing the names and dates of ancestors is the easy part, discovering their stories is much more difficult
There are over 5000 people identified in our genealogy database. Tracing them and their dates was the easy bit, finding out about their lives and telling their stories is more difficult. For a few we have managed to identify some key aspect of their lives and begun to piece together their stories.
Read their stories
- From Refugee to Slave Trader
- His uncle Daniel was killed in action
- Orange peel, salmon and India - the life and untimely death of a street nuisance
- Running away to join the church
- The Mysterious Colonel Hallows
- Two generations take mother's maiden name
- Victorian skeletons in the closet
and explore the interactive database Roots
The Sticks
Our house is on a 1795 map so we set out to trace its previous owners and occupants
From census records, wills, newspaper advertisements, morgage deeds and leases we are gradually piecing together the history of our house and those who lived here before us. Read more here.
The Sticks
When "project fear" warned of fresh food shortages Brexiters exhorted us to "grow your own" - so we did.
Fortunate enough to have the time, space and funds to start our own vegetable garden we decided to give it a try. Was it possible to be self sufficient in fruit and veg? Read more to find out.
A website just because we can, mainly for our own fun and to provide our family and friends with a glimpse of what we are doing but we hope it provides something of interest to others - the descendants of those who have previously lived in our very old house, those connected with our family tree or anyone planning a visit to the little part of the world in North Staffordshire.
Latest
-
Citadel of Aleppo
- Information
- 19 April 2024 Syria and Jordan
A cold day in Aleppo starts with a visit to the impregnable looking citadel which stands on a hill at the centre of the city. -
Orange peel, salmon and India - the life and untimely death of a street nuisance
- Information
- 14 April 2024 Family stories
Story of a life blighted by drink and cut short by tragic accident just as it seems to be settling after years of service in the British army in India. -
The no-dig border: what happened next?
- Information
- 18 July 2023 Ornamental garden
Satisfied with my trial no-dig border I decided to extend it and aim for year round colour. -
Equador - Galapagos
- Information
- 12 June 2023 Equador
After one night in Quito we transferred to the airport for our flight to the Galapgos Islands. We had to leave most of our luggage behind at the hotel in... -
Equador - Quito
- Information
- 12 June 2023 Equador
We arrived in Quito as the locals were celebrating the decision to build a new airport. Having just arrived and seen how close to many homes the old airport... -
Peru - Machu Pichu
- Information
- 12 June 2023 Peru
We travelled by train from Cuzco down to Agua Callientes and then completed our journey to Machu Pichu by bus, up the winding track. When the train left Cuzco...
Dizzie Miss Lizzie
Dizzy Miss Lizzy
Everything and Nothing![Dizzy Miss Lizzy](https://www.blog.thesticks.org/wp-content/uploads/cropped-logo-32x32.jpg)
-
Being right doesn’t mean being happy
This post was written in November 2021 I voted to remain in the European Union...
-
Oceans Rise, Empires Fall
Last month my daughter’s Californian boy friend, who is visiting for an...
-
Real people with Real Lives
Over the last month*, while the dismal weather limited activities in the...
-
The narcissists are in charge
Every day for what seems forever, but probably only since 2013, I have told...
-
Move over for the younger generation
I started this blog in July 2019 but never finished it. Now the coronavirus...
Featured - Locality
-
Local Walks
- Information
- 28 December 2019 Locality
Introduction to a collection of walking routes, with maps and descriptions, local to the corner of North Staffordshire which is home to The Sticks
Featured - Genealogy
-
Orange peel, salmon and India - the life and untimely death of a street nuisance
- Information
- 14 April 2024 Family stories
Story of a life blighted by drink and cut short by tragic accident just as it seems to be settling after years of service in the British army in India.
Featured - History
-
History of Ladymoor Gate
- Information
- 23 November 2014 History
I think it is natural that when you live in an old house you wonder about its history. Who built it, who lived in it and how has it eveloved and developed...
Featured - Travel
-
Citadel of Aleppo
- Information
- 19 April 2024 Syria and Jordan
A cold day in Aleppo starts with a visit to the impregnable looking citadel which stands on a hill at the centre of the city.