Leek Life March/April 2014 | Page 5

EDITOR’S LETTER Deborah Boden Contents Editor [email protected] Sophie Cotton Tracey Wardle Design & Production Thomas Brian Advertising Manager [email protected] Mobile: 07855 242693 Jane Walters Advertising Sales [email protected] Times, Echo & Life Publications 18 Tape Street, Cheadle, Stoke-on-Trent ST10 1BD Tel: 01538 752214 www.timesechoandlife.co.uk [email protected] 14,250 copies of every issue delivered to households and businesses in Leek and the surrounding areas Don’t let wet weather dampen your spirits he incredible, severe weather some parts of the country have been experiencing of late really does make you feel lucky about where we live. It is not only beautiful but also high enough that we have, and should continue to be spared from any serious flooding. These strange weather phenomenons we seem to keep getting really have been testing us as a nation, hopefully we will be able to battle through and bounce back as we have done so many times in the past. Our thoughts are certainly with those affected. But the weather aside, in this issue of Leek Life it is certainly the women leading the way this March and April. We hear from former breast cancer sufferer Catherine Bennett and her story of survival and determination to make a difference; we catch up with Leek businesswoman Anne Morris who this year celebrates an impressive 15 years of her boutique business which she launched after a successful career in law; meet a free spirited mother of two who after travelling the world and settling down to have a family has turned her attentions to becoming a freelance photographer; and the young Leek woman who is leading the pack in the new wave of burlesque performance that has been taking the arts scene by storm over the past few years. So some very interesting women with very different stories to tell. March and April of course also heralds the welcome return of the town's popular Arts Festival which officially kicks off in May. Catch up on everything coming up including critically claimed bands and acts who will be appearing right here in Leek this spring. T Happy reading from me and the team here at Leek Life. Deborah x Did you know that you can view Leek Life online? Visit www.timesechoandlife.co.uk Front cover photograph courtesy of Brett Trafford. www.bretttrafford.com Find us on Facebook search for Leek Life Magazine Leek Life March/April 2014 5