17.11.22 – Countess of Wessex Visits JCB, Diesel stolen in Knypersley, Road Safety Week
Written by Hitmix Local News on 17 November 2022
The Countess of Wessex, Patron of the NSPCC, was warmly welcomed to JCB today for a double engagement – to officially open a new £100 million factory and to receive a £300,000 cheque for the children’s charity.
The Countess visited JCB Cab Systems, Uttoxeter, and during a tour, Her Royal Highness was given an insight into the hi-tech manufacturing plant complete with its computer-controlled production line and rainwater harvesting and heat capture systems. Her Royal Highness later received a cheque for £300,000 for the NSPCC after a successful employee fundraising campaign.
JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford and his wife Carole welcomed The Countess to the plant and during the visit Her Royal Highness unveiled a plaque on the shop floor to the applause of hundreds of employees who had gathered to watch the occasion.
Following the official opening, The Countess, attended a celebration to mark the culmination of JCB’s latest appeal for the children’s charity, which the Bamford Charitable Trust has supported for almost 40 years. Her Royal Highness met more than 50 employees from all over JCB who have played key roles in the JCB NSPCC Platinum Jubilee Appeal, which was launched in 2021 with a target of £70,000. Employees smashed through the goal – raising £150,000. This amount was doubled by the The Bamford Charitable Trust.
An NSPCC spokesperson said: “We would like to thank JCB for their fantastic efforts during the Platinum Jubilee campaign. We are extremely grateful that JCB has chosen to donate the funds raised to the NSPCC and support our vital work with children and families in Staffordshire.”
HRH Sophie Countess of Wessex with Lady Bamford, holding a cheque for £300,000 to the NSPCC, during a visit to officially open the JCB Cab Systems Factory in Uttoxeter, Derbyshire. Pic date 15.11.22
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Staffordshire Police are appealing for information after a large quantity of diesel was stolen from lorries parked at a premises in Knypersley. Police were called to a premises off Tunstall Road just after 2pm on Saturday 5th November. It is believed the theft took place sometime between 10 oclock on Friday night and 9am on the morning of the 5th..
Offenders managed to siphon off around 1,000 litres of diesel from a total of 12 lorries.
Police are currently reviewing CCTV footage of the area at the time of the theft and urge anyone with information to get in touch. Contact them on Facebook, Twitter, or call 101, quoting incident 378 of 5 November.
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In the last 12 months, 221 people were killed or seriously injured on our roads – which is why the Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership (SSRP) is supporting a national campaign to raise awareness of the part everyone can play in making our roads safe.
‘Road Safety Week’ is taking place all this week and runs until Sunday 20 November, which is also World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. The focus of this year’s campaign is on making our roads safe for all, no matter who we are or how we travel.
Deputy Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime Helen Fisher co-Chairs the SSRP, alongside Staffordshire Commissioner Ben Adams.
Helen said: “Road safety is a top priority for myself and the Commissioner. It’s vital we keep Staffordshire’s road network as safe as possible for everyone, whether we walk, ride, cycle or drive.
“Sadly, too many people continue to die or suffer serious injuries on our roads, with devasting consequences for their families, friends and communities.
Road Safety Week is the UK’s flagship event to promote safer road use, coordinated annually by the charity Brake and involving thousands of schools, communities and organisations across the country.
Full details on this year’s campaign can be found at www.roadsafetyweek.org.uk. People can also support the campaign by following #RoadSafetyWeek on Twitter and sharing posts on their social media channels.
Find out more about the work of the Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership here: www.staffssaferroads.co.uk
