NEWS: The local pottery industry has taken another blow, as Portmeirion announces the axing of more staff at its factory in Stoke. This follows the unexpected collapse of Royal Stafford last week, where 83 jobs were lost. The GMB union is urging the Government to take action.

Two more songs have been added to our rotation this week, from @sarahreeves and @Doejonesmusic! #PlaylistUpdate Find out more about the new additions and our full list of the songs we're playing on our website:

THIS SUNDAY: Anne's guest on #CloseEncounters this week is Andrew Jones - who recalls how despite being born into a Christian family, his own faith deepened later in life as he grew up. Catch the full conversation this Sunday, at 8pm -

WATCH: Following the collapse of Royal Stafford earlier this week, we've been following reaction to the loss of 83 jobs and the current challenges facing the pottery industry in Stoke-on-Trent.

NEWS: A man has been jailed after he was caught inside a cannabis factory above a Stoke-on-Trent takeaway. Police discovered ninety-seven plants in a flat above Peri Peri Delight in London Road, Trent Vale last November.

@pinccollege @ReFormHeritage Sounds good @pinccollege, email radio@crossrhythms.co.uk.

ICYMI: #BusinessSpotlight with @babababoon2017 is back on CR City Radio this week! Sonya's had a chat with some local businesspeople who regularly attend events by @connectsnetwork - who aim to encourage integration and collaboration in the local business sector. Catch the full conversation at 1:10pm today, and on tomorrow's breakfast show at 8:15am!

NEWS: Stoke-on-Trent pottery firm Royal Stafford has 'collapsed into liquidation' with more than 70 jobs expected to be lost. The GMB union said the firm's collapse was a "wake-up call" for the government and its industrial strategy. Stoke-on-Trent North MP @david4lcs said urgent support was needed to safeguard the future of the ceramics sector.

This week, #BusinessSpotlight returns to Cross Rhythms! Join us each week as we shine a light on members of Staffordshire's local business community, in collaboration with @babababoon2017! 🐒 Our first instalment of 2025 is with members of the @connectsnetwork - a not-for-profit, relaxed and informal networking opportunity in Staffordshire. Listen to the full conversation across the week on @CrossRhythms City Radio - starting tomorrow from 4:15pm!

NEWS: Campaigners have lost a fight to prevent 150 homes being built on farmland off Mucklestone Wood Lane, in Loggerheads. A planning inspector has granted permission for the homes to be built on the green space, despite there being more than 400 objections by local residents.

Five new tracks have arrived on the Cross Rhythms this week, including tracks from @Lauren_Daigle and @OneRepublic! Check out our full rotation of music on our website - #PlaylistUpdate

LAST WEEK ON THE CHART: @KorynHawthorne stayed at the top of the chart, for a second week! Will it be three weeks for Koryn, or will a new song assume the position? Find out what song is where, on the countdown with @ChrisMountford - starting at 5pm!

THIS EVENING: Join Anne Donaldson on #CloseEncounters, in conversation with Jim Ford - who found recognition and identify through violence until one day in his 20s, when God grabbed his attention in a dramatic way. You can listen to Jim's full story from 8pm this evening.

TONIGHT: Get a taste of the street, with Street Flava! DJ Zorro is playing the best hip-hop and R&B hits for the next hour! Tune in via FM and online at

COMING UP: #CloseEncounters with Anne Donaldson returns this Sunday, at 8pm. Jim Ford - a former gang leader turned Christian minister, elaborates about how the love from the Lord helped him turn a page on his life of crime and violence.

NEWS: Three men from Stoke-on-Trent who launched a violent attack on some binmen in a road rage incident have plead guilty to various charges at Stoke Crown Court this week. Joe Corden, Jack Spackman and Kyle Worthington - all aged in their 20's - have been remanded in custody as they wait to learn their fate.