Award hope for centre

The state-of-the-art Stafford Children's Centre, in Faraday Road, was officially opened at the end of last year.

It aims to offer a wide range of childcare, health services and family support all under one roof – and has now been shortlisted in the Southern Staffordshire Design Awards.

The awards, run by the Southern Staffordshire Partnership, recognise and promote the best in new buildings and conservation across the area, and are held every two years.

Entries that have been shortlisted this year include Stafford Children's Centre, the Ramada Hotel in Cannock, The Swan in Lichfield, the Malt House near Kinver and the new CineBowl in Uttoxeter.

David Dimbleby has now recorded some introductory comments to be screened as part of the awards luncheon next month.

Recognising a connection with his recent TV programme How We Built Britain, the partnership contacted him about the scheme. He then agreed to record some words that would set the scene for the event, which will take place at Uttoxeter Racecourse on September 5.

Southern Staffordshire Partnership director Jeff Marlow said: "We had already had all the shortlisted entries filmed to DVD by a small group of media students we are working with from Staffordshire University.

"As this DVD was going to be shown at the awards lunch, we thought it would be great if we could persuade David Dimbleby to also be on it, introducing the awards and the shortlisted entries.

"He was very amenable to this and we met up with him in London where he recorded a piece with our media students."

Mr Marlow said that, with more than 40 entries, there had been "fantastic" support for the awards this year.

"We have seen some innovative and attractive buildings entered, many of which are incorporating measures to reduce carbon emissions and lower environmental impact," he said.

"The judges have clearly had a tough job this year but that reflects the excellent quality of building design we are seeing across southern Staffordshire."

So far, 150 people guests are expected at the awards luncheon when they will see and hear about the 16 schemes shortlisted in the five categories of the awards scheme.