6,400 postal votes issued for Stoke-on-Trent Central by-election Postal votes are today (Monday) being delivered to 6,400 residents in the Stoke-on-Trent Central constituency. The packs are being issued ahead of the Parliamentary by-election on Thursday, February 23. Residents are advised to follow the clear instructions in the postal vote packs to cast their vote. They must: Fill in the postal voting statement with their date of birth and signature Mark the ballot paper Put the ballot paper into the ‘A’ envelope Put the ‘A’ envelope and attached postal voting statement into the ‘B’ envelope. Completed packs can be posted back to the acting returning officer, handed in to the council’s reception at the Civic Centre in Glebe Street, Stoke or taken to any polling station before 10pm on polling day. Residents are advised that if they have been issued a postal vote, they will not be issued with a ballot paper if they turn up at a polling station on the day.   Residents who lose or spoil their postal vote packs can reapply for one from February 17 until 5pm on February 23.   A total of 57,701 people are registered to vote in the by-election. The constituency covers all or part of 13 out of the 44 wards in Stoke-on-Trent. More than 140 people will man 45 polling stations across 39 venues on polling day, including primary schools, community centres, seven church halls, two scout headquarters and a fire station.   The by-election follows the resignation of former MP Tristram Hunt in January.

Choir backs City of Culture bid after success at top festival

A 60-year-old choir which claimed a prestigious singing title has lent its support to Stoke-on-Trent’s bid to be UK City of Culture 2021. 

The Daleian Singers visited the Lord Mayor’s parlour to celebrate their success at the North Wales Choral Festival.

During the event at Stoke Town Hall, the group had their photograph taken with selfie frames as part of the city’s push towards claiming the City of Culture title.

Members also met the Lord Mayor, Councillor Anthony Munday, who congratulated the group on fending off competition from some of the UK’s best choirs to claim their latest choral crown.

The Daleian Singers were formed in Silverdale in 1957 and now – in their diamond jubilee year – they have 60 members from across the local area.   

The group won the male voice choir class at the North Wales Choral Festival in Llandudno – retaining the title from the previous year. More than 50 choirs attended the event from across the UK – and entries even came from Poland and the Netherlands.  

Councillor Munday said: “It was great to meet such a talented group of singers and recognise their achievements. This is one example of the many reasons Stoke-on-Trent is bidding to become the UK City of Culture in 2021.”

Glynn Edwards, musical director with the Daleian Singers, said: “We’re delighted with our recent competition success – especially because we beat the Welsh choirs again on their home ground.

“It was an honour to visit the Lord Mayor’s parlour and we were more than happy to get in the spirit of the City of Culture bid. Winning the title for 2021 would be fantastic for the city and help to show off the many things that it has to offer.”

The Daleian Singers will perform a diamond jubilee concert at the Victoria Hall in Hanley on Sunday, 19 March. Tickets are available on 01782 643148.

For more information about Stoke-on-Trent’s bid to be UK City of Culture 2021, please visit www.sot2021.com and follow the sot2021 Twitter account

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