20.06.2023 – Staffordshire Coronation Babies, Staffordshire CC Fostering Friendly

Staffordshire families whose babies were born on the day of the King’s Coronation have attended a special tea party where they were presented with a commemorative mug.

The idea was part of the county’s celebrations for the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on Saturday 6 May.  The gifts were given to the first ten parents to get in touch whose children were born in Staffordshire on the day.

Families joined Alan White, Leader at Staffordshire County Council and Vice Lord-Lieutenant for Staffordshire, Graham Morley, who presented them with their gifts.

Talking about the event, Alan said: “The birth of a child is a very special time for all concerned but for those born on the day of the Coronation, I’m sure for the parents it was made even more memorable.  I hope our commemorative gift helps families remember the event and their very special arrival on the same day.”

Babies and families at the presentation included:

• Olivia Grace Wileman, who made a prompt arrival at the Good Hope Hospital in Sutton on Saturday 6 May, greeting her parents Chloe Vieira and Brad Wileman at 6.26am.
  Chloe, of Wilnecote, Tamworth, said: “We had a few family members predicting a Coronation Day arrival and our princess did just that!”
• Alfie James Flowers announced his presence at Queens Hospital, Burton, at 6.56am, to become the first child of Lizzie and James Flowers, of Fradley, Lichfield.
  Thrilled aunt Sophie Flowers said: “We are delighted with the safe arrival of beautiful Alfie. What an incredible story to tell him when he’s older, that he arrived on the Coronation of King Charles, and the mug is such a nice sentimental piece to mark the occasion.”
• Marnie Rose Easton born at 04:25am, greeted second time parents Sabrina Goodwin and Louie Easton from Burton. They said: “Marnie arrived 4 days earlier than expected, almost like she knew there was a momentous occasion going on and she didn’t want to miss out! Our little Coronation baby; her date of birth to be in the history books forever.”
• Barney Thomas Yardley was welcomed at 10:34am by ecstatic mum and dad Lucy and Paul Yardley from Lichfield. Lucy said: “We are delighted that our very own little Prince was born on the King’s Coronation.  It was a day we shall never forget. We will make sure Barney knows all about the historic day as he grows up. To be involved in the celebration and today’s presentation event is a memory we shall treasure.”
• Toni and Thomas welcomed their second child, Aria Rayleigh Norton-Pill into the world at 10.43am. Mum Toni, of Stafford, said: “We were really excited to attend the event, it was wonderful.  A lasting memory of a special day for us as a family for years to come. Aria will always be our little princess and being born on the day of the Coronation just gives us more of a reason to call her princess.”
• Other families included, Elodie Davis and Parents Hester and Ben from Tamworth.  Bodie Paxton with mum Elise Deavall from Cannock and Louie McIver with mum Amy Davies from Hednesford.

The presentation was held in County Buildings, in Stafford on Wednesday 14 June.

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Staffordshire County Council has been awarded fostering friendly accreditation by national charity the Fostering Network as part of its drive to recruit more carers.

The accreditation means council employees who foster are given more flexibility in working patterns along with access to paid time off for assessments, training and when settling young people into their new home.

Mark Sutton, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at Staffordshire County Council said: “Being recognised as a Fostering Friendly employer is brilliant news.  Our foster carers are key to giving some of our most vulnerable young people a chance at a happy life, so it’s important we do all we can to make it as easy for them as possible