Chase Community Canvas is a collaborative community calendar created by CHAPS to celebrate the beauty, creativity and seasonal landscapes of the Cannock Chase area.

The calendar is available to buy through the shop on our website or you can pick up a copy from Cannock or Rugeley Library.

The project brought together local creative groups, schools and community organisations to produce original artworks for a professionally designed calendar. Each artwork reflects a different month to showcase the unique identity and natural surroundings of Cannock Chase.

Importantly, the calendar will serve as a fundraising initiative to support CHAPS’ next major heritage project—a digital touring exhibition designed to preserve and share the personal stories of Cannock Chase’s mining communities.

CHAPS invited creative groups from across the district to contribute artwork -which includes painting, photography, collage, and floral design – that was inspired by Cannock Chase. Groups have each been assigned a month of the year and encouraged to reflect the changing seasons or local landscape in their work. Below are ‘snippets’ from some of the fabulous pieces of artwork:

Each piece has been professionally photographed and incorporated into the calendar design, alongside short descriptions and acknowledgements of the contributing groups. The project has been made possible through community partnerships, volunteer support and the generous participation of local groups and organisations

Groups from all over the district have taken part and include:

Cannock Library Creative Wellbeing Group; Catherine Care; Churchfield CE Primary Academy; Friends of Cannock Stadium; Friends of Hednesford Park; Heath Hayes Art Society; Hednesford Valley High School; Norton Canes Library Flower Club; Norton Canes Library Painting Group; Norton Canes Watercolour Club; Prospect Village Hall Art Group; Stand by Me BTS; Vysions Youth Service

In August 2023, a time capsule was housed within the National Miners’ Memorial. The capsule contains paper and digital evidence of all aspects of design, planning, fund raising, building, unveiling and Dedication of the memorial, along with information about the pandemic we were living through whilst all of this was happening.  There is also a mug which was designed to help to raise funds, a pin badge made to commemorate the memorial, an NUM card and a selection of miners’ and Mines Rescue pin badges – and a newspaper of the day! It will be opened in August 2073 – and we hope our grandchildren are there to witness it!

Pictured above: CHAPS President Mike Mellor; Trish Mellor; Secretary Jackie Prince; Len Prince; Chair Pat Ansell

This insightful recording tells the story behind each of the twenty five bronze plaques featured within the National Miners’ Memorial (NMM), located at the National Memorial Arboretum (NMA) in Alrewas, Staffordshire.

Memorial visitors can follow this story using a mobile device via a QR code, available on its site. Start your journey through time with the first plaque located top left on its front face.

The story commemorates the men, women and children who worked in the UK coal mining industry over hundreds of years. It highlights the challenges, significant contributions and sacrifices made to fuel our nation and the role of miners who gave their stamina and skills and for many, their lives as ‘tunnellers’ during World War 1.

Written by CHAPS committee member Len Prince, it is told by former miners and CHAPS committee members Len Prince and Alex Smith; Colonel Richard Hawkins from the Royal Engineers; Historian, Brian Elliott; CHAPS President Mike Mellor and Ian Dudson CBE, K St J, the Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire. The commentary is accompanied by individual images of each plaque.

This recording will ensure that the messages conveyed by the NMM will be preserved for future generations by educating, raising awareness and understanding to its wide and diverse visitors.