Ready, steady, cook!

 

Over 40,000 visitors are expected to flock to the Nantwich Food Festival this weekend with organisers promising the biggest and best event yet.

This year’s festival will feature 200 exhibitors, delicious food tastings, wonderful street entertainment and celebrity chef demonstrations – all FREE to see.

On Friday 2 September, CBeebies host Katy Ashworth will delight families with three fun-packed shows in the AGA Food Theatre.  

On Sunday 4 September, Jean-Christophe Novelli takes centre stage. Dubbed the “Nation’s favourite French chef” he boasts AA rosettes and Michelin stars.

Across the weekend local chefs and restaurants will also team up with Mornflake Oats and Snugburys Ice Cream to create a range of tasty treats.

This year also sees the arrival of Dabber Bear, the festival mascot, who has created a special Nantwich trail where people can take part in an exciting competition.

Festival organiser Jean Kay said: “Mr Dabber Bear has put the fun into the new Town Trail that takes visitors to parts of the town centre they may not know.

“Adults and children will be able to follow Mr Dabber's clues to find where he has visited. There are fantastic prizes on offer, all donated by the generous businesses along the trail.”

Social media users can follow @DabberBear on Twitter to get clues about his hiding places around the town centre.

This year’s festival will take place from Friday 2 to Sunday 4 September.

For further information about this year’s Nantwich Food Festival, visit www.nantwichfoodfestival.co.uk

The Sydney Arms 4th annual Car & Bike Show’

Reporter. Jonathan White, Wistaston

‘The Sydney Arms 4th annual Car & Bike Show’ took place at The Sydney Arms public house in Crewe on Sunday 28th August 2016.

Dozens of vehicles were on display in the pub car park and at the rear of the premises. Classic and vintage car manufactures to view included Austin Seven, Ford, MG, Mini, Rover, VW, and Wolseley. Classic motorbikes manufactures included BSA, Ducati, Harley Davidson, Kawasaki, Laverda, Norton, Suzuki, Triumph, and Yamaha. Trophies were awarded for the best vehicles in categories relating to their decade of manufacture. The 'Crewe and Cheshire old school BMX' group displayed an impressive range of BMX bikes.

Vehicles that attracted particular attention were an ‘Only Fools and Horses’ Reliant Regal van and a custom Chevrolet El Camino lowrider with hydraulic front 'hopping' action and the ability to dip on one side to have a wheel in the air!

There was also a display of owls, snakes, cockroaches, owls, and a tarantula by ‘Wings and Things’; a bouncy castle; a refreshments stall; an ice cream van and live music. The Sydney Arms public house was also open as usual.

Entry was free and the event was enjoyed in beautiful sunny weather by several hundred people over the course of the day.

Youngsters’ winning designs to play starring role in Tour of Britain

 

Artistic youngsters will play a starring role in the Tour of Britain after designing the finish flag, winner’s trophy and winner’s jersey for Stage Three of the prestigious cycling event.

The tour begins in Glasgow on September 4 and concludes in London on September 11, heading to Cheshire East on Tuesday, September 6.

Over recent weeks, children from across the area – ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­including many who attended the Cheshire and Nantwich shows ­– were tasked with putting pen to paper and designing eye-catching designs which could be transferred on to a flag, jersey and trophy.

The designs will play an important role in celebrating the end of Stage Three, which will see riders cycle 111 miles between Congleton and Tatton Park in Knutsford.

Nantwich Primary Academy pupil Vanessa(NOTE: no surname available), eight, was chosen as the lucky winner of the flag competition and will have the honour of her design being used to wave the cyclists over the finish line. Jack Williams, 13, of Congleton, and eight-year-old Felicity Bridget Funnell, of Bollington, were joint runners up.

Meanwhile, seven-year-old Ava Chaplin, of Wilmslow, will have her colourful design printed on to the jersey given to the winner of Stage Three. Alice Beech, 11, of Astbury, and seven-year-old Elizabeth Jepson, of Park Royal Community School, were runners-up.

The third competition, won by 10-year-old Charlotte Ward of Astbury, was to design the trophy handed to the winner of the Cheshire leg. The runners-up were Alex Williams, eight, of Talke in Staffordshire, and five-year-old Madison Williams, from Congleton.

All three winning designs will be seen by the millions of people worldwide, who will be tuning in to watch the race, as well as thousands of spectators. All winners and runners-up will also receive a family pass to Tatton Park.

Councillor David Brown, Deputy Leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “We received many fantastic entries for the competitions and I’d like to pass on my congratulations to the youngsters whose designs were chosen and all who took part.

“The high standard of the entries received further highlights just how much young talent we have here in the Borough and, with the spotlight on Cheshire East on September 6, it’s a great opportunity to show that off to a worldwide audience.”

For more details about Stage Three of the Tour of Britain –  including an interactive map detailing the route, information about events going on in your local area and road closures – visit: cheshiretourofbritain.co.uk

Cheshire East gears up for the Tour of Britain

 

Spectators are being urged to arrive in plenty of time to watch the Cheshire leg of the Tour of Britain – with rolling road closures in place across Cheshire East throughout the day.

Comprising a total of eight stages, the race heads to Cheshire East for Stage Three on Tuesday, September 6, and will see riders cycling 111 miles between Congleton and Tatton Park in Knutsford, setting off just after 11am and finishing at around 3.30pm. It is the only stage that is being held completely within one county. 

To minimise disruption across the Borough, all roads on the route will be closed using a rolling roadblock for around 40 minutes, both 20 minutes before and after the cyclists are expected to pass through each town.

The roadblocks will be managed by police motorcycle escorts and spectators are warned to arrive in plenty of time to avoid the closures. Please note that the arrival times of cyclists across the route are only estimates.

Those thinking of attending the start of the race in Congleton need to be aware that Market Street, High Street/Lawton Street and one side of Mountbatten Way will be closed from 4.30am.

While the closures are in place, pedestrian access will be maintained at all times, as will vehicle access for emergency services and residents.

Councillor David Brown, Deputy Leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “I urge all residents and spectators to view the Cheshire Tour of Britain website for details of where and when the road closures will be in place, so that you can plan your journeys in advance.

“We know that many people will be travelling from outside the Borough to watch the race and so I urge them to also take note of the closures and allow extra time for their journeys.

“The Council has worked hard to minimise disruption for its residents while the race takes place and I hope that as many people as possible will be watching this exciting event as it makes its way across the Borough.”

For more details about Stage Three of the Tour of Britain, including an interactive map detailing the route and estimated arrival times, plus information about events going on in your local area, visit: cheshiretourofbritain.co.uk

More information about the road closures can also be found at: https://roadworks.org?tm=71800

A ‘Hockey Fest’ fund-raising

Reporter Jonathan White, Wistaston

A ‘Hockey Fest’ fund-raising event takes place on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th September 2016 at Crewe Vagrants Sports Club (Newcastle Road, Willaston CW5 7EP).

On both days there will be men’s, ladies and junior hockey matches featuring Crewe Vagrants Hockey Club players. The Sunday will include a BBQ, cake stall, tombola, raffle, bat & ball sports, an inflatable obstacle course and a silent auction with great prizes. Hockey Fest will run from 1:30pm until 6pm on the Saturday and from 10:30am until 5pm on the Sunday.

Adult tickets cost £10 and child tickets cost just £5 with an option of a family ticket costing £25. Price includes match fees for the weekend, BBQ and one entry per person into the raffle.

Tickets are available from the following website: https://crewevagrantshockeyclub.teamapp.com/store and at the venue on the day of the event.

All proceeds will go to Cancer Research UK http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/ and Crewe Vagrant Sports Club in memory of Sarah Knight (aka Green) better known as "Greenie", a past hockey player at the club.

For further information about the event please visit Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CreweVagrantsHC/ or Twitter https://twitter.com/CreweVagrantsHC

A ‘Hockey Fest’ representative said, “This will be a great weekend event for such a worthy cause and support of our club. If you have been inspired by our Team GB hockey ladies winning gold at the Olympics Games in Rio this is your time to come along and join in with hockey. There is plenty of activities to watch, play and support so bring yourself along with family and friends.”

 

Don't Be a Money Mule

Subject: Don't Be a Money Mule

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This is a message sent via Neighbourhood Watch. This information has been sent on behalf of Action Fraud (National Fraud Intelligence Bureau)

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Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)

Students are being recruited, sometimes unwittingly, as “mules” by criminals to transfer illegally obtained money between different bank accounts.
What is a money mule?
A money mule is someone who is recruited by those needing to launder money obtained illegally. Criminals advertise fake jobs in newspapers and on the internet in a number of ways, usually offering opportunities to make money quickly, in order to lure potential money mule recruits. These include:
Social media posts
Copying genuine company’s websites to create impression of legitimacy
Sending mass emails offering employment
Targeting individuals that have posted their CVs on employment websites
Students are particularly susceptible to adverts of this nature. For someone in full-time education, the opportunity for making money quickly can understandably be an attractive one. The mule will accept money into their bank account, before following further instructions on what to do with the funds. Instructions could include transferring the money into a separate specified account or withdrawing the cash and forwarding it on via money transfer service companies like Western Union or MoneyGram. The mule is generally paid a small percentage of the funds as they pass through their account.
Money Laundering is a criminal offence which can lead to prosecution and a custodial sentence. Furthermore, it can lead to the mule being unable to obtain credit in the UK and prevented from holding a bank account.

Protect Yourself
Be aware that the offence of money laundering carries a maximum prison sentence, in the UK, of 14 years.
Never give the details of your bank account to anyone that you do not trust.
No legitimate company will ever ask you to use your own bank account to transfer their money. Don’t accept any job offers that ask you to do this.
Be wary of unsolicited emails or social media posts promising ways of earning easy money. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Don’t be afraid to question the legitimacy of any businesses that make you a job offer, especially if the recruitment procedure strays from the conventional.

Families in for a treat at food festival

 

Organisers, exhibitors and visiting entertainment acts are making final preparations for the most extravagant Family Day yet at this year’s Nantwich Food Festival.

The lip-smacking three-day spectacular begins on Friday 2 September with an amazing programme of events aimed at families, children and local community groups.

A full itinerary of FREE cookery shows and demonstrations will take place in the AGA Food Theatre based in the town centre.

Nantwich will be packed as visitors to the beautiful market town enjoy colourful exhibitor stands, craft stalls, tasting events, interactive displays and street performances.

Jugglers, stilt walkers and clowns will feature in a series of circus workshops during the afternoon, with everyone encouraged to join in the fun.  

Music will fill the air as a range of top acts perform on two stages throughout the day, while buskers will add to the festival atmosphere as they mingle with the crowds.

Due to family illness, celebrity chef Nadiya Hussain was forced to cancel her planned appearance.

However, festival organisers are delighted to announce that CBeebies host Katy Ashworth will now be entertaining families with three fun-packed shows.

Christine Farrall, Festival Chair, said: “It’s a huge shame that Nadiya cannot join us, but everyone is excited that Katy has stepped in to bring her passion and energy to the festival.

“The opening day is all about families, so having a much-loved presenter from children’s TV is a real bonus.

“Everyone has worked tremendously hard once again to deliver a truly outstanding festival package and we cannot wait to get things started.”

The culinary programme also includes a number of talented local chefs who will showcase their skills using the best ingredients from around the county.

Emma Shawcross, from Cheshire Cookery School, will serve up a delicious range of tasty kid-friendly goodies using locally-produced Mornflake Oats.  

Jonathan Berry, from the Combermere Arms, will produce a mouth-watering selection of pub favourites.

And irresistible dairy farm Snugburys will get creative with ice cream in conjunction with South Cheshire College.

The early evening celebrations will kick off with performances by children’s choirs and dance groups in the Cocoa Yard from 6pm.

Entertainment continues around the town until 8pm - including stilt walkers, fire breathers, balloon modellers and contortionists, live music and street food.

This year’s Nantwich Food Festival will take place from Friday 2 to Sunday 4 September.

For further information about the festival, visit www.nantwichfoodfestival.co.uk

Nantwich Cycling Group (NCG) fundraiser

Reporter Jonathan White, Wistaston

In July this year members of Nantwich Cycling Group (NCG) completed a 220 mile fund-raising charity cycle ride from London to Nantwich. Eleven cyclists, along with two support crew, took part in the mammoth journey. Last year NCG cycled in the reverse direction from Nantwich to London in aid of Leighton Hospital and raised over £5,000. This year NCG raised money for The Wingate Special Children’s Trust, based at the Wingate Centre, in Wrenbury - http://www.thewingatecentre.co.uk - and raised £5,000. They chose The Wingate Special Children’s Trust because to maintain the Centre and to subsidise their student’s activities they have to raise £300,000 each year. Their state of the art gym makes a difference to the lives of children and adults of all abilities including those with extreme physical and learning difficulties.

A representative from The Wingate Special Children’s Trust said, “We are absolutely delighted to have been the chosen charity for the NCG ride this year, and really were overwhelmed to receive a cheque of £5,000 from them, they have done incredibly well! The riders and support crew have all put themselves through gruelling training and a lot of pain on the day to achieve the 220 mile distance, but I can assure them it will be worthwhile. £5,000 is a huge sum for us and will subsidise over 40 children, many with complex disabilities, to have a four night holiday at The Wingate Centre! For many of the children who visit us this may be the only holiday they have ever had and can be a life changing experience for them and their families who are able to have some vital rest bite. The centre is all about enriching the lives of children and improving health and well-being, which has a fantastic synergy with Nantwich Cycling Group, thank you so much.”

A representative from NCG said, "NCG are proud to support The Wingate Special Children’s Trust as their chosen charity for this year - it's important for us as a group to be able to put something back into the local community. We would like to thank everyone who took part and all the members who helped to organise this successful event, you are all a credit to NCG, and thanks again to our sponsors Morrisons, Chatwins, Halfords, Training Bytesize, Swanline Print and Nantwich Book Shop and Coffee Lounge." 

NCG are a Cheshire based cycling group, who are free to join and run by its members at all levels - beginners, sportive enthusiasts and racers. For further information relating to NCG, please join their Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nantwichcycling/

St Mary’s joins festival spirit

Nantwich Food Festival committee members teamed up with local sponsors this week for a daring photo shoot at St Mary’s church.

Sponsors from a wide range of Cheshire businesses have once again backed the popular food festival that now brings over 40,000 visitors to Nantwich in early September.

Local photographer Paul Compton climbed up onto St Mary’s Church roof to take an artistic image of the group assembled below in the shape of a “F”.

Roger Mills, Nantwich Food Festival director, said: “The festival prides itself on free entry and we could not achieve this without the generous support of our sponsors.

“We appreciate the wholehearted backing of local businesses, Cheshire East and Nantwich Town Councils who help us to promote an event which is eagerly anticipated by the community and which keeps Nantwich successful and prosperous.”

This year’s Nantwich Food Festival will take place from Friday 2nd to Sunday 4th September.

A full list of this year’s festival sponsors can be found on the official website www.nantwichfoodfestival.co.uk

Cheshire East hails planning appeal victory

 

Cheshire East Council has won a major planning appeal preventing 189 homes being built on a green field site in Nantwich.

Muller Property Group had proposed the development on a 14 hectare site off Peter Destapleigh Way in Stapeley, on the southern edge of Nantwich.

The proposed development conflicted directly with the Crewe and Nantwich local plan as well as the forthcoming Cheshire East local plan strategy and the Stapeley neighbourhood plan.

The Secretary of State for communities and local government, Sajid Javid MP, concluded that the harm to the character and appearance of the open countryside was too great a sacrifice.

Councillor Ainsley Arnold, Cheshire East Council Cabinet member for housing and planning, said, “I am absolutely delighted that the Secretary of State has dismissed these appeals. If it had been allowed to go ahead, this development would have resulted in the loss of a substantial area of countryside and a considerable amount of versatile agricultural land.

“This Council and many local people – supported by their local MP Edward Timpson – had very serious concerns that this location would have its rural setting eroded but this ruling protects the residents of Stapeley and surrounding countryside.”

Fraudsters selling non-existent drones

Subject: Fraudsters selling non-existent drones

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This is a message sent via Neighbourhood Watch. This information has been sent on behalf of Action Fraud (National Fraud Intelligence Bureau)

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Message sent by

Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)

Online shopping websites are being utilised by fraudsters to advertise nonexistent drones of various specifications for competitive prices.
Drones are personal flying devices that often carry cameras and can be navigated remotely by smartphones or hand-held controllers. Fraudsters are capitalising on their recent popularity and advertising non-existent drones at a lower value than their recommended retail price to tempt buyers.
After victims agree to purchase the drone, the fraudsters request payment to be paid via bank transfer saying that it will quicken the delivery process. After transferring the money the buyers never receive the drone and the fraudster blocks the victim to prevent further conversation.
How to protect yourself:

• Check the validity of the post.
• Avoid paying by bank transfer and instead use an online payment option such as PayPal, which helps to protect you.
• Check feedback online by searching the associated phone numbers or email addresses of the seller. Feedback will give you useful information about recent transactions other buyers may have made.
• If the item is below market value consider whether this is an opportunity too good to be true.
• If you have been affected by this, or any other scam, report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040, or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk

Advance Fee Fraud (Courier)

Subject: Advance Fee Fraud (Courier)

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This is a message sent via Neighbourhood Watch. This information has been sent on behalf of Action Fraud (National Fraud Intelligence Bureau)

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Message sent by

Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)

People selling their items on online platforms are falling victim to a new type of advance fee fraud. This involves a fraudster, posing as a buyer, sending an email to the seller (victim), agreeing to the full asking price of the item. They state that they are unable to collect the item themselves and will arrange for a courier to pick it up instead.
The fraudster then sends a fake payment confirmation email from a different email address, one which falsely purports to be from a payment platform. In the course of the email exchange, the seller/victim is requested to pay the courier fee. Once the payment is made the contact is broken, the item is not picked up and the money paid for the ‘courier’ is gone.
An example of the most recent emails received by the victim/seller, from the ‘Buyer’, read:
“I want you to consider this a deal as i am willing to pay your full asking price! i actually want to buy it for a family member who is urgently in need of it, i have checked through your posting and i'm fully satisfied with it. Unfortunately, i would not be able to come personally to view/collect, i work offshore as an instructor on a oil rig so i dont have time at all, but like i said i am 100% OK with the advert”

Protect Yourself:

• Be wary when buyers wish to purchase items at the full asking price without viewing them.
• Check the validity of the payment receipt confirmation
• Avoid paying an advanced fee if you are a seller; should you choose to use a courier, arrange your own.
• Check feedback online by searching the associated phone numbers or email addresses of the seller/buyer. Feedback will give you useful information about recent transactions other buyers/sellers have made.
• If you, or anyone you know, have been affected by this fraud or any other scam, report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk.

Middlewich to benefit from road improvements

 

Cheshire East Highways are taking advantage of lower traffic levels over the summer holiday period to undertake essential works in Middlewich over a two week period between August 15 and August 26.

Residents may have seen advanced signage placed on roads in Middlewich, where a number of routes will benefit from works to improve the condition of roads in the area.

All of these works are planned overnight when traffic levels are at their lowest.

• Works start on August 15 where resurfacing of St Michael’s Way will take place under a road closure, between 7:30pm and 5am.

• Booth Lane will be closed over three nights and resurfaced between August 16 and August 18 from 7:30pm to 5am.

• Resurfacing of the Leadsmithy Street traffic signals junction will then take place under a road closure between 7:30pm and 5am, August 19 to August 23.

Traffic lights at Nantwich Road aqueduct are also to be upgraded between August 22 and August 26 with works taking place under a road closure, 9:30am to 3:30pm. The section of road underneath the aqueduct will also be resurfaced, to take full advantage of the closure in place.

Alternative routes will be signed to help with the movement of traffic whilst works take place. Road closures will protect the safety of both the workforce and the public.

Advanced warning signs are in place to help road users plan their journey, with affected residents and local businesses also being notified via letter.

Councillor David Brown, Cheshire East Council Cabinet member for highways and infrastructure said, "There are a number of significant highways improvements planned for Middlewich and we are working to minimise disruption by planning these over the summer holiday period.

“We are urging people to note these dates and the alternative routes in place, whilst these essential works to improve traffic flow are completed. We request public co-operation to ensure the roads are kept clear of all cars during these times.”

Information about these works, including diversion routes, can be found on the roadworks and improvements page at www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/highways. 

Cheshire East Highways can also be contacted on 0300 123 5020.

Public to have say on LDO proposals at Reaseheath

 

A consultation is set to begin to gauge the views of local residents and businesses to planned future development at Reaseheath College, Nantwich, through a new streamlined planning process.

Cheshire East Council is to launch the consultation this week to inform the public of plans to adopt a local development order (LDO) that would allow the college to ultimately develop a food enterprise zone.

In February 2015, the Department for Food and Rural Affairs identified Reaseheath as a pathfinder for the development of a food enterprise zone, supported by Cheshire and Warrington Enterprise Partnership, with a DEFRA grant to assist in the process.

The adoption of a LDO would mean that all customary planning processes that would apply to the usual applications received by the Council are dealt with in one advance procedure, rather than addressing each element incrementally.

This means that all the plans are available to consider together, giving members of the public the opportunity to be consulted and comment on the proposals as a whole. 

The public consultation begins on Wednesday August 8 and will continue until Friday September 9. There will be a drop-in session at the college on Thursday September 1 when all interested parties and residents can view the College’s plans and learn more about the local development order, its process and ask questions on each of the proposals.

Those wanting to attend can register their interest in advance at Reaseheathldo@cheshireeast.gov.uk

Further details will be available in due course.

If approved, the LDO, which will exist for 15 years, effectively grants planning consent for future development in line with the food enterprise use, without the need for further individual applications. Pre-consultation with stakeholders and landowners to establish support has already taken place.

Councillor Ainsley Arnold, Cabinet member for planning and housing, said: “This is about the rural economy in Cheshire East wanting to strengthen and diversify and to meet the challenges of new markets.

“The LDO is fully in line with the Borough’s emerging local plan and complies with national planning policy.”

Now that the application is ready, the consultation remains a key part of the normal planning process that is applied.

Full details of the public consultation will be made available at http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/council_information/consultations/consultations.aspx

Copies of all the evidence base in respect of the LDO will also be available to view at Nantwich Library during the consultation period.

Cheshire East consultation to focus on alcohol related health risks

 

A new public consultation process which begins this week will highlight how people can reduce the risk of poor health and other adverse impacts that occur through the excessive drinking of alcohol.

Cheshire East has already gained extremely useful information around a diversity of subjects such as children’s attitudes to alcohol, substance misuse and test purchasing with underage volunteers.

This has been achieved using data from Public Health England, intelligence from  the UK Youth Parliament’s ‘Make Your Mark’ questionnaire and the Department of Health funded ‘What about Youth’ survey.

This consultation phase brings together all of this previous research and uses it to prepare a framework which focuses on five key areas: prevention, protection, treatment, recovery and control.

The combined shared cost across the Borough for the Council, NHS, police and local businesses of dealing with alcohol related harm is in excess of £136 million. The impact on residents and communities can be measured in the number of people attending hospital for alcohol-related ill health.

Councillor Paul Bates, Cheshire East Council Cabinet member for communities and health, said: “Our public health team do outstanding work in educating residents about the health risks associated with the excessive consumption of alcohol but the time is right to take a more focused approach.

“We are committed to putting residents first and welcome views on our plan to tackle alcohol related harm in the Borough. It is vitally important that we approach this in a co-ordinated manner in order that we can tackle this issue directly.”

For more information about alcohol-related harm and to take part in the survey, please visit: http://surveys.cheshireeast.gov.uk/s/AlcoholHarmReductionStatement/

Cheshire East cuts carbon footprint and reduces impact of climate tax

 

Energy efficiency measures have reduced Cheshire East Council’s carbon footprint by a massive 1,276 tonnes in a single year.

The cut is the equivalent amount of CO₂ produced by a single car driving 3.8 million miles – or around the world 176 times!

The reduction in CO₂ emissions has helped to limit the impact on the Council of the government’s climate change tax, the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC).

Under the CRC scheme, the cost of carbon emissions is inflated annually and this year has risen to £16.10 per tonne. This year’s submission has cost the Council £313,000, but lower emissions mean this is £20,543 less than it would have been.

Colin Farrelly, Cheshire East Council’s Energy Manager, said: “This is an impressive annual reduction in carbon emissions which has been achieved by being more efficient in the way we use gas and electricity.

“Carbon is the gas released into the atmosphere when we burn fossil fuels – and is one of the key causes of climate change. If you were to plant an area of forest big enough for its trees to absorb the 1,276 tonnes of carbon which we’ve saved this year, it would need to be the size of 205 football pitches!”

The annual carbon saving follows year-on-year decreases since the Council was set up in 2008.

In that year, the Council set a target to curb CO₂ emissions by 25 per cent by 2016. In fact emissions were reduced by a whopping 42 per cent – saving the Council £5.7million from cheaper energy bills.

Councillor Peter Groves, Cheshire East Council Cabinet member for finance and assets said: “Our year-on-year investments in money-saving energy efficiency measures continue to bear fruit – both in terms of reducing our environmental impact and cutting our costs. This is a win-win for all and will mean we face less of an increase in CRC payments than if we hadn’t achieved the reduction.

“Cheshire East has performed strongly in this area since we were founded and we now have a proven track record on sustained carbon reduction we can be proud of. Every penny we save means more money for frontline services.

“The key to our success has been sustained investment in energy efficiency measures as part of our ongoing building refurbishment work. If we replace a building’s windows, new better-insulated alternatives are sourced; where we have to fit new boilers, we install more energy efficient models.”

Other energy efficiency measures the Council has put in place include advanced heating controls, insulation, voltage optimisation, high-frequency lighting complete with controls, variable-speed drives and swimming pool covers.

Families and neighbours urged to warn elderly of telephone scam

Subject: Families and neighbours urged to warn elderly of telephone scam

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This is a message sent via Neighbourhood Watch. This information has been sent on behalf of Cheshire Constabulary

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Stuart Timon (Police, Media, Chesh Engagement Unit)

Cheshire Police is urging families and neighbours to warn elderly residents of a telephone scam involving fraudsters posing as internet providers.
A man has contacted a number of victims in the areas of Crewe, Chester, Warrington and Runcorn to tell them their modem was not compatible with their computer and the customer was owed £200.
The fraudster then informs the victim a bigger sum had been transferred instead by mistake, which they needed to repay.
Officers are reminding residents to remain vigilant and are issuing the following advice in-case they receive one of these telephone calls.
• Don′t be afraid to put the phone down on someone if you are unsure about handing over details.
• Banks never call and ask for your four-digit card Pin or ask you to withdraw money to hand over to them or transfer money to another account.
• Never assume a caller is genuine just because they hold some information about you. Criminals may already have some basic information, such as a name, address and account details to try to make the call appear legitimate.
• Always be wary of cold callers who suggest you hang up the phone and call them back.
• Alternatively, if you do not have a second phone then you could try phoning a relative or friend, that way you know that the offender is not still on the line.
• Remember that it takes two people to terminate a call so try and use a different phone line if you are asked to ring back. If you think you′ve already been a victim of this scam, contact your bank or card company immediately.
Anyone who receives any of these calls and is a victim of this scam should contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 and Police on 101.

Mayor’s charities to benefit from fund raising ball

 

The borough of Cheshire East has 170 young people known to the Council as young carers.

These are usually the sons and daughters of parents with a severe disability or who, for another reason, are unable to care for themselves and therefore rely almost totally on a much younger person for support. 

They might have an older sibling with health or mental health problems who requires support and care on a regular basis.

But the Council believes there are many others out there who are not known to the authority but who, like all other young carers, has a different way of life to their peers.

It is estimated there could be as many as 8,000 young carers in the whole of Cheshire – some as young as nine – and as many as 250,000 across the UK. 

Cheshire Young Carers is one of two charities chosen by the Mayor of Cheshire East this year.

Councillor Olivia Hunter is hoping that this particular charity, together with The Christie, will receive a significant boost from the Mayor’s annual ball, which will take place at Cranage Hall, Holmes Chapel on October 15.

Councillor Hunter said: “There are so many young carers in society whose work behind their front door is not always recognised or known about.

“Young children, teenagers and young adults find themselves living a different way of life to their friends in the street or at school and in many cases they may not attend school or college because of the demands placed upon their time through caring for an older relative or loved one.

“I do hope that residents and businesses in particular, will support the Mayor’s Ball this year, knowing that they can be making a real difference to the life of a young carer, many of whom need respite from their daily commitments.

“Cheshire Young Carers provides a wide range of support, including mentoring, health and well being programmes and help with education.

“I am also supporting The Christie because of the fantastic work that is done at this hospital.

“Anyone who has a relative who has been treated there, or who has had the misfortune to be treated for cancer themselves, will be fully aware of the truly wonderful work that is done by the Christie staff and the amazing results they achieve in helping people to get through this disease and recover, and with the quality of clinical and emotional support this hospital provides in that period of end of life care.

“I was a young carer myself from the age of nine and have also experienced the great shock and devastation one experiences when a loved one is struck with cancer.”

Tickets for the black tie event are available at £45 each and everyone attending will enjoy a glass of bubbly and a three course dinner. In addition, anyone buying 10 tickets will receive two complimentary bottles of wine for their table. 

The evening will include a raffle and a charity auction.

Cllr Hunter said: “I would like to encourage as many people as possible to buy tickets and support this worthwhile event. The Mayor’s Charity Ball is a great opportunity for people to have an enjoyable evening and at the same time raise money for two deserving causes. 

“I’ve already had a great selection of exciting prizes donated for both the raffle and the charity auction and I’m sure that we will raise a considerable amount for Cheshire Young Carers and The Christie.”  

For further information and to book places at the Mayor's Charity Ball please contact Nicola.carberry@cheshireeast.gov.uk or ring 01270 686475.

For further information about Cheshire Young Carers or The Christie Charity go to: http://www.cheshireyoungcarers.org/Help.aspx

or

http://www.christie.nhs.uk/the-christie-charity/