1980's Electronica tribute band 'Electro 80s'

Reporter Jonathan White, Wistaston

1980's Electronica tribute band 'Electro 80s' - http://www.electro80s.com/ - performed a fund-raising concert at 'The Studio Nightclub & Entertainment Venue' - http://www.thestudionantwich.co.uk/ - in Nantwich on Friday 23rd September 2016.

The concert took place in the music and stage area on the middle level with additional viewing available from the balcony area around the top level.

Electro 80s arrived on stage shortly after 10pm and performed a two-hour set recreating songs by artists including Gary Numan, OMD, Visage, Tears for Fears, Kraftwerk, A Flock of Seagulls, Howard Jones, Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, Spandau Ballet, The Human League, Erasure, and Yazoo.

Their show was accompanied by robotic dancer 'Man O' Chrome' and a fantastic light display.

The finale was 'Say Hello, Wave Goodbye' from Soft Cell.

Entry was by donation and the £536 raised will go to St Luke's Cheshire Hospice https://www.stlukes-hospice.co.uk/ in Winsford.

Nigel Woodhouse, Director of Operations at The Studio, said, "Electro80's always provide excellent entertainment. We hope everyone had a great night. We are pleased to support St Luke's Cheshire Hospice in their fund-raising efforts."

Future fund-raising concerts at The Studio for St Luke's Cheshire Hospice:

-Friday 7th October 2016 – Beardsmith – doors open 8:30pm, on stage 9:30pm. Entry by donation.

-Friday 4th November 2016 – The Bon Jovi Experience - doors open 8:30pm, on stage 9:30pm. Entry by donation.

'Wheels of War:

The annual 'Wheels of War: Past & Present' classic military vehicle show took place on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th September 2016 at Crewe Heritage Centre on Vernon Way in Crewe.

The show featured military vehicle displays, trade stalls, model displays, and a tombola. Numerous people came dressed in 1940’s clothing. On the Saturday night there was a 1940's themed dance night in the Centre’s Exhibition Hall with live music from The Cheshire 20 Big Band http://www.cheshire20bigband.co.uk/ .

Crewe Heritage Centre - http://creweheritagecentre.org/ - was open to visitors including its three signal boxes, the Advanced Passenger Train, model railway displays and layouts, static locomotive displays and rides on a miniature railway.

The event was organised by Crewe & District Military Vehicle Club in support of Help for Heroes http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/ .

Crewe & District Military Vehicle Club meet on the last Tuesday evening of each month at Hops Belgium Bar in Crewe. New members are always welcome. For further information please visit http://www.cdmvc.co.uk/

Another successful Ward Walk has been held in Rope

 

Rope Parish.Cllr Brian Silvester said, "The main concern we observed was the overgrown hedges which obstruct some of the footpaths.Action will be taken on this. Otherwise the Parish is clean and tidy with no litter or dog fouling. The Parish is a credit to its residents.Well done to them."

Borough Cllr Sarah Pochin said "These ward walks are really gaining momentum and are a great way of keeping on top of the small things that really matter to residents, like overgrown hedges, pavements, streetlights, dog bins etc. We are lucky to have the support of our PCSO Vicky Moulton and PC Oliver Cross who joined us today and are on hand to help with information and advice. I would urge residents to keep an eye on the Parish notice boards and join us next time."

Cllr Brian Silvester

Rope Parish Councillor

  Over three months ago 56% of Crewe voters voted to leave the EU.What has happened since? Not a lot. Mrs Delay May has dragged her feet and knocked back any of her Brexit Ministers who have had the audacity to try and move matters forward.

Every week that goes by we have to give the EU a net £200 million of our hard earned taxes.That money should be spent  in the UK not in the EU.There is no advantage in delay.Every week that goes by thousands of EU migrant are free to walk into the UK, use our NHS, use our schools,take up subsidised social housing tenancies and claim in work and out of work benefits, that are paid for with our taxes.We cannot control EU immigration until we actually leave.

We should repeal the 1972 European Communities Act now and leave.It could and should be done in months not years.Once we are out we can continue with all the rules and regulations we have now. Once out we can then decide to alter or repeal whatever we want at our leisure.

The EU would be mad not to have tariff free trade with the UK. We buy £70,000,000,000 a year MORE from the EU than what they buy from us.

UKIP is the only party that is not dragging its feet on Brexit or trying to overturn 

Brexit with another referendum. Voters should vote UKIP at every opportunity to ensure that Brexit actually happens.

The people of Britain have spoken and they are getting increasingly frustrated with the politicians who think they know better than them. The idea that the voters will wait years until we are out of the EU is ridiculous.

'Hands Off Wistaston' residents group

 

WISTASTON RESIDENTS ANGER AT PLANNING APPROVAL FOR 300 HOUSES

Wistaston residents are shocked and angered by the decision to allow planning permission for 300 houses on land off Church Lane, known locally as Witter’s Field.

The field is a much loved part of Wistaston that helps to give the area a semi-rural feel. Many people enjoy walks across the field and, as Green Gap land, local councils had been clear that this should be left free from development. This is a sentiment echoed by many across the parish who fought the proposal, including the residents group Hands Off Wistaston (HOW). HOW spokesperson Peter Wainwright said:

“This decision is a huge blow for people in Wistaston. Thousands of us have signed petitions and objections to this development. We’ve spoken against this proposal along with the Parish Council and Cheshire East Council. It couldn’t be clearer that this development is not what the community wants.”

The decision to allow planning permission was taken by the Government after the developer, Gladman Developments, appealed against Cheshire East Council refusing planning permission.

This is the second such appeal, with Gladman losing a previous decision on the same site in early 2015 – shortly before the last general election - when the previous Government refused planning permission. This u-turn has left many bemused and annoyed. Peter commented:

“The Housing Minister has, sadly, shown himself to be the ultimate NIMBY – opposing a development in his own patch in London because it would ‘significantly change the character of the local area’ but sees no issue in forcing 300 houses on Wistaston against wishes of the vast majority of local residents and others. Yet again us ‘little people’ aren’t listened to by those in the corridors of power.”

The decision can potentially be challenged at the High Court, which Hands Off Wistaston will be hoping Cheshire East Council can pursue if legal grounds for a challenge can be found.

Fundraising activity for World’s Biggest Coffee Morning

 

Encourages Local Community to Follow Their Dreams

Encouraging the community to come together and chat about their career dreams, Pitman Training in Nantwich is holding a free career focused drop in session on Friday 30th September to join in with Macmillan’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning, to encourage people to grab life by the horns, after recent research revealed that many of us are not following our dreams in our careers.

Running from 8am til 12.00 at Pitman Training, Hospital Street, a light breakfast will be provided and community members are invited to come and share a bite to eat, gain inspiration from each other, and benefit from the guidance of the team to chat career development over cake.

Pitman is calling for any students who did not go to Uni to drop in for coffee and chat, on the back of recent research illustrating that 84% of 16-24 year olds don’t know how to turn their passions into a career, and 49% feel lack of qualifications halts them exploring aspirational career opportunities.

All are welcome though, and with the research also revealing that 45% of 25-34 year olds and 32% of 35-44 years olds wouldn’t know where to start to turn their passion into a career, Pitman is keen to get people talking in a relaxed environment to see if any lightbulb moments occur.

Centre Manager Allan Virr and his team will be on hand offering free CV and career advice and voluntary donations will be collected in support of Macmillan Cancer.

Allan said: “We know that many people have career dreams that remain just that, dreams, after they have fallen into a certain industry, or taken a certain path for whatever reason. What we want to do is help those people who still have a desire to do something different to what they are currently doing, to ensure they are truly happy in their career. Things like Macmillan fundraising make us realise that life really is too short to be going down the wrong path, and that it’s important to craft the futures we want, so we hope we can help people take action towards this over a relaxed cake and coffee”.

To find out more call 01270 626083 or find visit www.pitman-training.com/nantwich.

Pitman Training has been synonymous with office based training since Sir Isaac Pitman invented shorthand in 1837, and the company now helps thousands of students each year progress their careers through tailor-made study programmes and Diplomas with one to one support at over 100 local centres, as well as via online courses, and short seminars to help top up skills. For more information see www.pitman-training.com

SANDBACH FAIR – MANAGING ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

Subject: SANDBACH FAIR – MANAGING ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

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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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Message sent by

Liz Biddle (Police, Community Engagement Officer, Chesh Engagement Unit)

The Sandbach Fair will be in town this coming weekend 23 – 26 September
Several young people were stopped by Cheshire Constabulary last year during the Sandbach Wakes Fair. As a result of their behaviour they were issued with a dispersal notice which banned them from the area for up to 48hours.
These notices are issued when Anti-social behavior is at such a point that it is deemed necessary to ban them from the locality for this period. Failure to comply with this order could result in the person being arrested.
Cheshire Police and The Safer Cheshire East Partnership treat all incidents of Anti-Social Behaviour seriously, especially where the quality of life of others is affected. The Partnership agencies will be monitoring incidents with a view to taking appropriate action.
We would also appreciate the assistance of the community, where you have an opportunity to influence young people, to remind them NOT to engage in any sort of Anti-Social Behaviour at this years’ event.
The event is for everyone’s enjoyment and shouldn’t be affected by the behaviour of the minority.
There will be a police presence at this event, with a zero tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviour.

NanoCon' comic-con

Reporter  Jonathan White, Wistaston

The third 'NanoCon' comic-con took place at Nantwich Civic Hall on Sunday 18th September 2016 after previous events in May this year and November last year.

The main hall featured a collectors market of stalls, selling a whole host of collectable merchandise, hand-made goods and artwork, and ample autograph/photo opportunities with stars of TV and the movies.

Numerous characters and superheroes were seen outside and inside the venue including Stormtroopers, Kylo Ren, a Jawa, Boba Fett, Pikachu, Jack Sparrow, a Dalek, Batman, Captain America and Iron Man. There was also a scale-model of the Battlestar Galactica rag-tag fleet, hand-made over three years by Philip Cocking.

Several children and adults came in costume including Darth Vader, the Hulk, Wonder Woman and the Joker.

The event was attended hundreds of sci-fi lovers and TV/movie fans and in an official capacity by Nantwich Mayor Councillor Andrew Martin.

The Wistaston Jubilee Tennis Club (WJTC) Finals Day

Reporter  Jonathan White, Wistaston

The Wistaston Jubilee Tennis Club (WJTC) Finals Day took place on Sunday 11th September 2016, in sunny weather, on the two courts behind the Wistaston Memorial Hall & Community Centre on Church Lane.

Bill Heath (WJTC Chairman) introduced the presentation of trophies inside the Memorial Hall:

- Men’s Singles Final: George Raiswell beat Paul Unwin 6-4, 5-7, 6-2.

- Men’s Doubles Final: George Raiswell and Robert Sheffield beat Nick Green and Roy Broughton 7-6, 3-6, 6-4.

- Open Doubles Final: Nick Green and Robert Sheffield beat Arvind Anandakumar and Ryan Harper-Griffiths 6-1, 6-2.

- Presidents Tournament Final: Kath Charlesworth and Hazel Dunn beat Jean Proudlove and Marion Proudlove 6-4, 6-2.

There was also a Junior Singles exhibition match between George Raiswell and Ryan Harper-Griffiths.

Wistaston A players displayed the two shields they won as winners of both the Men’s Division 3 Summer division and Men's Division 3 Winter division in the South and Mid Cheshire Tennis League: http://www.smctennis.co.uk/ . Wistaston A captain is George Raiswell, aged 15, who is a Year 11 pupil at Shavington Academy.

Refreshments were provided by members of the club.

For WJTC membership details please contact Bill Heath (Tel. 01270 560471).

George Raiswell serves to Roy Broughton during the Mens Doubles Final.JPG

Basshunter

Reporter Jonathan White, Wistaston

'Basshunter' - http://www.basshunter.se - returned to 'The Studio Nightclub & Entertainment Venue' - http://www.thestudionantwich.co.uk/ - in Nantwich on Friday 16th September 2016 as part of his UK-wide 'Freshers Tour'.

The Swedish singer, songwriter, record producer and DJ - real name Jonas Altberg - last performed at the venue in October 2015.

Basshunter has sold over four million records worldwide, has over 2.8 million friends on Facebook and his hits have had over 750 million views on YouTube.

Basshunter posed for photographs with VIP fans, then moved to the stage in the large music and stage area to entertain the audience.

He performed a full DJ set, then sang many of his hits including club classics 'Angel in the Night', 'Walk on Water', and 'All I Ever Wanted'; reaching a climax with 'Now You're Gone'.

The set was enhanced by a fantastic laser & light show.

His appearance was organised by SOML Events.

Nigel Woodhouse, Director of Operations at The Studio, said, "We are pleased to once again bring this international artist to entertain the people of Nantwich, Crewe and surrounding areas. At The Studio it is all about the entertainment. We hope everyone had a great night."

Annual Duck Race and Children’s Model Boat Race’

Reporter Jonathan White, Wistaston

The annual Duck and Boats’ races were postponed on 3rd September 2016 because of the inclement weather – too wet for ducks!

The 21st event took place at the Joey the Swan Recreation Ground, by kind permission of the Wistaston Parish Council, on Saturday 10th September; this time there was no duck-out or wash-out, eider way.

Members of Wistaston Memorial Hall’s management committee, and friends, organised this quacking spectacular. The ticket sellers were Audrey and John Astbury, Helen Heath, Helena King, Eileen Bamber, Kathleen Conroy and India Sloan. The on-stream marshals were Rob Dutton, Mark Ray, Christopher and Jonathan White, Dave O’Harah, Bill Heath and Meurig Jones. The nine stalls were organised by Glenys White, and did well. The guests of honour were Emma Horne (Wistaston’s Rose Queen) and Roger Woodward (Wistonian of the year).

The first activity was the judging of the best designed children’s boats, which resulted:

1st - £10 prize – Chloe Brereton with boat ‘Cat-amaran’.

2nd - £8 – Fabio with ‘The Wistaston Flyer’

3rd - £6 – Leah Wood with ‘Leabobs’.

The prizes were presented by Emma, the Rose Queen.

The second activity was the Boat Race – 40 boats competed in the assault course:

1st - £10 prize – No.26 – Jess Chesters

2nd - £8 – No.1 – Chloe Brereton

3rd - £6 – No.20 – Hayden Jones.

The prizes were presented by Roger, Wistonian of the year.

The third exciting activity was the Duck Race. 700 ducks were billed to start, and ducked and dived to the finish:

1st - £100 prize – No. 338 – Bernard Cliffe

2nd - £50 – No.517 – Luke Thomas

3rd - £25 – No.409 – Dad Underhill.

The Most Stuck Duck was No.2.

The sponsorship of the afternoon’s prizes was kindly given by Nigel Huxley of Wistonia Electrical and Security Ltd. The hire of the ducks was sponsored by Crewe Movie Makers and the printing of tickets was sponsored by the Wistaston Community Council. We are most grateful for this support.

Cheshire East commit to energy efficiency with new lights

 

Cheshire East Council is showing its commitment to putting residents first by investing nearly £10m in LED street lighting.

Following the successful upgrade of street lighting on main traffic routes last year, a further £9.5m is being invested to convert the majority of Cheshire East Council’s street lights to LED over the next three years.

The LED replacements start this month and focus on residential roads. A total of 24,000 lights are to be replaced over three years, including 3,000 lampposts.

The new street lighting produces a ‘white light’ which improves visibility and colour recognition to help promote and maintain safety for residents and road users. The improvement in the quality of lighting will have a positive impact on vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, children, the elderly and people with disabilities.

LED street lighting is also designed to direct light downwards on to the road, reducing light pollution into properties.

It is more economical and produces less carbon than conventional street lighting. Installation of this technology across Cheshire East is reducing the Council’s carbon footprint and will deliver annual savings on street lighting energy consumption in excess of 40 per cent for the Council and Cheshire East residents.

LEDs are more reliable than the existing street lighting and have an estimated service life of 10-20 years. The improved reliability will result in fewer faults and therefore less disruption to the network, which would otherwise require engineer repair visits.

Councillor David Brown, Deputy Leader of Cheshire East Council and Cabinet member for highways and infrastructure, said: “The energy savings and carbon reduction associated with this investment in LEDs will secure real benefits for Cheshire East.

“Most importantly, though, we hope that this innovation will help to improve feelings of safety within our communities.”

A total of 11,500 street lights have already been replaced following a programme of upgrades focused on traffic routes. Additionally, there has been a successful pilot of residential areas which led to this widespread LED lighting programme.

The street lighting LED programme can be found on Cheshire East Council’s website at www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/highways. Cheshire East Highways can also be contacted on 0300 123 5020.

'Community Open Day'

Reporter . Jonathan White, Crewe

A 'Community Open Day' takes place this Saturday 17th September from 10am to 4pm at St. Andrew's Church on Bedford Street in Crewe.

The Church will be open and there will be free refreshments and children's arts activities provided by Cheshire East Council's Community Team.

Visitors can hear about the work of the Church starting with children via the 'Messy Sunday School' and new pre-school group 'Little Fish'.

Members of the local community can take part in a consultation exercise in relation to the proposed new parish hall & community centre.

The day will also host representatives from Crewe Town Council together with families and visitors involved in the town's twinning visit from Germany and Poland.

The event has been organised in partnership with Cheshire East Council and Crewe Town Council.

For further information please call or text Revd Lynne Cullens on 07544350692.

Phishing Email Alert

Subject: Phishing Email Alert

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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)

There is a phishing email currently in circulation that claims to be from the City of London Police. The departments that it claims to represent include the ‘Fraud Intelligence Unit’ and the ‘National Fraud Intelligence Bureau’. The email is titled ‘compensation fund’ and has a letter attachment that claims to be offering financial compensation to victims of fraud. The letter uses the City of London Police logo.
The letter states that in order for compensation to be arranged, the receiver of the email should reply disclosing personal information. It states that HSBC and the South African Reserve Bank have been chosen to handle the compensation claims. All of these claims are false.
The email and letter are fraudulent and should not be replied to.
Protect Yourself

• Opening attachments or clicking links contained within emails from unknown sources could result in your device being infected with malware or a virus.
• The City of London Police and the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau will never email you asking for you to disclose personal information.
• If you believe you have become a victim of this fraudulent email get your device checked by a professional and make a report to Action Fraud, the UK’s national fraud and cyber crime reporting centre:  http://www.actionfraud.police.uk

Council Leader salutes medal success of Borough’s athletes

 

The Leader of Cheshire East Council has praised the phenomenal success of local athletes competing in the Rio Paralympics and the jiu-jitsu Asian Open.

The salute from Councillor Rachel Bailey follows a clutch of eye-catching and medal-winning performances from locally-based stars on the world stage.

Record-breaking 12-times gold medallist Dame Sarah Storey, 38, from Disley, scooped her latest cycling gold in Rio in the 3,000m individual pursuit – and could yet bag further medals. Dame Sarah is Britain’s most-decorated Paralympian.

Congleton Cycle Club member Megan Giglia, who now lives in Stockport, earlier won Britain's first gold medal at the Rio Paralympics by clinching the C1-3 3,000m cycling race. She told the BBC that ‘sport gave her something to live for’ after she suffered a stroke and a brain haemorrhage three years ago, aged 27.

Sophie Thornhill, 20, from Poynton, with pilot Helen Scott, won gold in the velodrome B 1,000m time trial and then added a bronze in the B 3,000m individual pursuit.

Sophie, who won silver with Scott at the World Championships in March, said: “I can't believe it. Gold is something I've dreamt of for so long and we have it.”

Nantwich’s Andy Small, 23, last night bagged the bronze medal in the T33 100m sprint final – with Middlewich’s Daniel Bramall, 31, just two tenths of a second behind in fourth.

Meanwhile, as our Paralympians were shining brightly in Rio, Congleton’s Becky Bursnoll, 22, struck gold in Tokyo by becoming the 2016 Asian Open jiu-jitsu champion.

Cllr Bailey said: “I am sure that everyone in Cheshire East will join me in congratulating each and every one of our local athletes on their tremendous success.

“We are all very proud of what they have achieved on the world stage and these incredible results are testament to their dedication and the hard work they have put in over many, many years. I hope they really enjoy their much-deserved medals and sense of achievement!”

Councillor Paul Bates, Cabinet member for communities and health, said: “The success of all these young athletes is absolutely fantastic and truly inspirational. Every one of them is an exemplary role model for young people of all abilities. They are true stars.

“As a fellow Congletonian, I am also really pleased to see young Becky Bursnoll add the title of Asian Champion to her already fabulously-impressive CV.

“I hope the example of all these local athletes will inspire many more people to take up sport – either competitively or just for fun – so they can reap the real benefits to their health and wellbeing throughout their lives and live well for longer.”

Crewe town centre to undergo ‘deep clean’

 

Crewe town centre will undergo a deep clean this week to help improve the shopping environment for visitors.

In partnership with Crewe Town Council, the work will be carried out by contractors on behalf of Ansa Environmental Services and Cheshire East Council and will begin tomorrow(September 13).

Cheshire East Council has carefully considered the best time to carry out the work in order to minimise disruption to businesses and shoppers. The work will take place between midnight and 8am and is expected to be completed by Friday, October 7.

The following areas will be covered within the deep cleaning programme: Heath Street, Lyceum Square, Market Street, Victoria Street, Queensway, Tower Way, Delamere Street, Market Square, Earle Street and Memorial Square.

Councillor Simon Yates, Leader of Crewe Town Council, said: “The deep clean of Crewe town centre is really positive news and this approach by Cheshire East Council should be both welcomed and applauded.

“The Town Council calls on the people of Crewe to take full advantage of a cleaner Crewe, to support the businesses and activities which take place in the town centre and to help in maintaining this improvement. A cleaner Crewe will be so much more attractive and it would be great to make sure that this remains the case.”

Councillor Don Stockton, Cheshire East Council Cabinet member for regeneration, said: “We recognise that a clean town centre is important to residents and businesses, as well as visitors.

“The work will make a visible difference to the town centre and we hope it will encourage more people to go and spend time there.

“We’re appealing to residents to also play their part in keeping the town centre clean and encourage them to ensure any litter is placed in the bins provided.”

South Cheshire Model Engineering Society

Reporter Jonathan White, Wistaston

South Cheshire Model Engineering Society held their annual open day on Saturday 10th September 2016.

This free event took place on their premises at the rear of the Peacock Hotel, Crewe Road, Willaston, Nantwich CW5 6NE.

There were miniature-gauge steam train rides on the 5-inch railway track which is almost a quarter of a mile in length, miniature-gauge steam train rides on a temporary straight section of 7¼ -inch railway track and rides across an adjacent field pulled by miniature steam traction engine 'Maud'. The Clubhouse contained a display of locomotives and engines produced by Society members.

Nantwich Mayor Councillor Andrew Martin perused the proceedings and was given a guided tour of the impressive site.

Refreshments were served by Society volunteers in the Clubhouse, with further refreshments available outside from the Wilson House Scouts http://www.wilsonhousescouts.org.uk/ .

The event was enjoyed by hundreds of visitors who were treated to sunny weather all day.

The Society currently has over eighty members and meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 7.45pm in their Clubhouse. For further information relating to the Society please visit: http://www.southcheshiremes.com .

The track and Clubhouse are available for birthday party hire from the last Saturday in March to the second Saturday in October. Book in January if you require a specific date in the year, as it is a popular venue. Please contact Don Potts via the website for costs and further details.

Cheshire East riders get on their bikes for the 2016 Cycle Challenge

 

More than 300 cyclists from 18 local employers have signed up to the Cheshire East Cycle Challenge – a fun competition aimed at getting more people on their bikes during September. 

And, following Stage Three of the Tour of Britain, which came through the Borough this week, it is also hoped local riders will sign up for national Cycle to Work Day on September 14.

Riders from across the Borough are hoping to win prizes including holidays, bikes and shopping vouchers, as part of the nationwide Cycle Challenge, which is coordinated by Love to Ride.

Competitors log each of their cycle journeys throughout September, while employers compete with each other to see who can get the most colleagues using pedal power.

A local leaderboard on the Love to Ride website allows competitors to see how they are performing.

Local employers who have signed up include Bentley, Leighton Hospital, Sainsbury’s in Nantwich and Cheshire East Council.

Cheshire East Council staff Mark Bayley, from Holmes Chapel, Mike Harris, from Pickmere and Andrew Arditti from Guilden Sutton expect to be clocking up more miles than most during the month of the challenge. 

The trio has completed a long-distance ride together every year since 2012 and will be cycling nearly 200 miles from Cork to Dublin in the Republic of Ireland over three days later this month. Every mile will be logged for the Cycle Challenge, including training runs in Cheshire. The team are raising funds for the Christie cancer charity in the process.

Previous years’ rides have included the English coast-to-coast challenge from St Bees Head to Robin Hood’s Bay (which raised more than £3,000 for the charity Alzheimer’s UK), London to Paris, Newcastle to Edinburgh and the gruelling hills of Majorca.

This year, riders can record their progress using a free app called Moves. Cheshire East hopes to use information provided by the App to better plan local cycling infrastructure and make riding a bike safer and more enjoyable for everyone.

Councillor David Brown, Cheshire East Council Cabinet member for highways and infrastructure, said: “The response to this year’s Cheshire East Cycle Challenge has been incredible and we are thrilled with the number of cyclists and employers who have signed up.

“The challenge is a fun and friendly way for people to get out and enjoy the benefits of cycling.  With the Tour of Britain coming through the Borough this week, it’s fair to say Cheshire East is cycling mad at the moment!

“What’s great about the Cycle Challenge is that it’s about much more than who can ride the furthest. It’s also about which organisations can get the most people cycling. People who are already into cycling are taking up the challenge but people who are new to cycling are also signing up.”

“As well as fostering friendly competition the challenge is also providing us with important information so we can better plan cycling routes and facilities in the Borough.”

Cheshire East cyclists are also being urged to get on their bikes on Wednesday (September 14) for national Cycle to Work Day.

Riders are encouraged to take to two wheels for at least one day – and join the estimated 741,000 people who cycle to work daily.

For more information visit: https://www.cycletoworkday.org/what-is-cycle-to-work-day

Cheshire Fire And Rescue Service September 2016 E-Newsletter

Subject: Cheshire Fire And Rescue Service September 2016 E-Newsletter - Firelink

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This is a message sent via Neighbourhood Watch. This information has been sent on behalf of Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service

(Please do not reply or forward this email directly; please use the Reply, Share buttons at the bottom of this message)

Message sent by

Ashley Lawton (Cheshire Fire , Administrator, Cheshire Fire)

Welcome to the September edition of the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service e-Newsletter.

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Recruiting for wholetime firefighters

The first wholetime firefighter recruitment campaign to be run by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service in over six years gets underway on 12 September.

The initial stages of the recruitment process will be undertaken online. The process will be made available on our website from 12 noon on Monday 12 September, and will stay open until 12 noon on Friday 23 September 2016.

This method of recruitment is designed to make an initial assessment of the potential to work as a firefighter using a range of specifically designed questions examining the qualities and basic knowledge required for the role.

For more information - Recruiting for wholetime firefighters

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Download The Rising by Cheshire Fire Choir

To mark the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the Twin Towers in New York, Cheshire Fire Choir has released Bruce Springsteen’s The Rising as a download.

The Rising by Cheshire Fire Choir is available on iTunes (79p), Amazon and Google Play (both 99p). All proceeds from the sale of the single are being donated to The Fire Fighters Charity to support injured and ill firefighters and their families.

For more information - Download The Rising by Cheshire Fire Choir

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Cheshire Fire Choir to take centre stage in concert at Warrington Parr Hall

Cheshire Fire Choir is getting ready to take centre stage in September for their debut concert.

For one night only, on Friday September 30th, Parr Hall, Warrington is the venue for 'An Evening with Cheshire Fire Choir and Friends' in aid of The Fire Fighters Charity.

For more information - Cheshire Fire Choir to take centre stage in concert at Warrington Parr Hall

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Get your chimney ready for the winter

With the colder, winter months looming, people will begin to start using open fires and their chimneys again.  In order to keep you and your family safe from fire, you need to take necessary steps such as ensuring your chimney is swept regularly, depending upon what fuel you burn and we would urge all householders to have a working smoke alarm in their home.

For more information - Get your chimney ready for the winter

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Biker Down courses

If you were the first on the scene of an accident involving a biker, would you know what to do? Would you know who is most at risk, how to protect the area or whether you should remove the helmet of a downed rider?

Actions taken in the first few moments after an accident can be crucial in minimising injuries and can make a real difference to the lives of those involved, but there can be some uncertainty about what to do in these situations.

We are holding a number of free Biker Down training courses this year. For dates and details please visit our website.

For more information - Biker Down

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Fire Station open days

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service fire stations will be holding free open days over the next few months.

For more information - Fire Station open days

Find out about your local fire station - where it is, what open days or special events they are holding and how to get in contact with them.

For more information - Your local fire station

Save Our Badgers Cheshire against the Cull

The Badger Cull may well come to Cheshire very soon and is going ahead in many counties and being put down by many scientist and wildlife experts as totally wrong and ineffective. Thousands of people from all over the country are protesting in many forms from march's to direct action supported by prominent people like Sir David Attenborough,, Chris Packham, Brian May     

A note on the badger cull is worth including here; the policy is being carried out in ten zones this year, with an upper limit of 14,213 badgers set by the licenses, and there's every indication it'll be carried out in South Cheshire in 2017. The given reason is to tackle bovine tuberculosis (bTB), a disease affecting cattle herds. Advocates of badger culling participate at their peril; there's very little scientific evidence to suggest this will help them at all, and in fact the opposite is likely to be true in some cases. In the Randomised Badger Culling Trial, a previous experiment that cost us 11,000+ badgers and £50 million, the conclusion was that badger culling makes no meaningful contribution to bTB control; in some areas of this experiment it even increased the disease prevalence.
This seems to be the situation now; bTB has increased in each of the three cull zones from 2015 if stats from May 2015 vs May 2016 are compared. The current cull has also cost us approximately £25 million for approximately 4,000 badgers (none of which are tested for bTB at all) according to DEFRA statistics reported in 'Badgered To Death', the new book of Dominic Dyer, current CEO of The Badger Trust. Because they aren't tested, there is absolutely no data on how prevalent the disease is amongst the badgers that are being killed. Perhaps if they were tested, it would make it even clearer that the disease is an issue stemming from the poor husbandry of intensively farmed cattle, subsequently spilling out into many wild hosts as what is essentially industrial pollution, infecting not just badgers, but rats, hedgehogs, otters & deer as well.
Warning you may find this video disturbing as badgers are often shot and scream for a long time in agony before they die and it can be a mother and her young will starve to death would farmers do this to their cattle?

It cost £7000 to cull a badger £300 to inoculate Under a vaccination programme being used in Wales, around 25,000 badgers could have been vaccinated for the same cost of killing just under 2,500 in Gloucestershire and Somerset, according to Dyer. The badger vaccine doesn't kill any TB but stops them infecting anything so those with TB die leaving health badgers. The TB test for cattle is ineffective many are killed as they show positive only to find on post mortem they were clean it is also very painful for cows.
Many if not all Badgers killed may not be infected with TB    
 

 
The policy is unlikely to be stopped by appealing to the common sense of those who have already ignored the warnings of countless researchers & experts that have examined the evidence. But wildlife lovers in & around South Cheshire still have plenty they can do to help stop this;
 

How can you Help Save Badgers?

Join us at Cheshire Against The Cull, and learn how to identify, map, monitor & protect badger setts,
as well as help with campaigning. The loaned cages that were being used by conservationists in order to vaccinate badgers in Cheshire have been recalled by the Government to instead kill them.
We can be contacted on Facebook or by email at http://tinyurl.com/gu6uahu
email Click Here to Send us a Mail cheshireagainstthecull@hotmail.com.
We’d also recommend you sign the current government e- petition to stop the cull -
http://tinyurl.com/z4bn8du.
 
Finally, we’ll leave you with the statement given to Professor John Bourne by a senior government official… ‘Fine John, we accept your science. But we have to offer the farmers a carrot and the only carrot we can possibly give them is culling badgers’.


 
If anyone knows of a badger sett in Cheshire please let us know with as much detail as possible so we can inspect and protect it you can use the form foxyform
http://www.crewetown.co.uk/inform.htm
 

Cheshire East Tour of Britain hailed a success

 

The Cheshire East stage of the Tour of Britain has been hailed a huge success after thousands of people lined local roads to cheer on their cycling heroes.

In a carnival atmosphere across the Borough, Wilmslow-based Ian Stannard proved the benefits of local knowledge by winning the stage against a line-up of stellar talents that included Sir Bradley Wiggins, Mark Cavendish, Adam Blythe and André Greipel.

Stannard, 29, who led a small breakaway soon after the start of the stage, told the BBC: “I train on these roads every day, since I was 18, so I really enjoyed it today and was giving it some down the descents.

“Cheshire East pulled out all the stops and got an amazing crowd out. Every town, every hill, there was massive crowds. It was great to see.”

Cheshire East Council Leader Councillor Rachel Bailey said: “The whole event was an amazing, joyful and exciting spectacle and it was fantastic to see so many communities taking part and really getting into the spirit of this fabulous event. I think we’ve really set the gold standard for future Tour stages to emulate.

“I’m sure that everyone in Cheshire East will also join me in congratulating Wilmslow’s Ian Stannard on his stage win on home soil! What a great and fitting achievement.

“I hope his example will inspire many more people to take up cycling – either for leisure recreation or competitive sport – and to get and stay fit and healthy throughout their lives.

“To see so many top athletes cycling through our communities and the beautiful countryside of Cheshire East was an inspiration to us all and I’m delighted the Council was successful in its bid to bring the Tour of Britain to the Borough.”

The Tour of Britain’s Cheshire East Stage Three saw 120 top international cyclists racing 111 miles from Congleton to Tatton Park, in Knutsford, on September 6.

Councillor David Brown, Deputy Leader of Cheshire East Council and Mayor of Congleton, who helped start the race, said: “I felt like I had best job in the land!  To be hosting the start of Stage Three of the Tour of Britain, in such a party atmosphere with so many people packing the streets of Congleton – and the sun shining – it was just brilliant!

“Hats off to everyone involved for pulling together such a tremendous event and a big thanks to all our town and parish councils, and sponsors, for their support.”

The Tour of Britain, billed as the biggest free-to-attend sporting event in Britain, began in Glasgow on September 4 and concludes in London on September 11.

This year, 10 of the Union Cycliste Internationale’s (UCI) top-level world tour teams are among the 21 teams competing.

Revised Local Plan Strategy moves forward as hearings resume

 

The public examination of Cheshire East’s proposed strategic blueprint for the Borough’s development will resume next week.

The authority has presented its revised Local Plan Strategy (LPS) following comments and submissions during six weeks of public consultation earlier this year.

The blueprint, which will shape development across the Borough up to 2030, will now be examined in a series of public hearings by Planning Inspector Stephen Pratt, The hearings start on September 13 and are due to finish on October 21.

The focus of the last round of public consultation was on the changes the Council proposed to the plan it originally submitted to the Secretary of State in May 2014, in light of interim views by the Planning Inspector during examination. This included additional and amended strategic site allocations.

A significant amount of detailed research and evidence has been gathered to inform the amended document and this latest round of consultation aimed to capture the views of the public on the changes made and adopted by full Council in February 2016.

The Council received a total of 19,572 representations from 4,679 members of the public or groups during the most recent consultation.

The Council had already previously received more than 40,000 responses to the original draft Local Plan Strategy during nine previous rounds of public consultation.

Councillor Ainsley Arnold, who is overseeing the Local Plan process, said: “This revised Local Plan Strategy (LPS) is the Council’s most important tool for shaping development in Cheshire East up to 2030 and we now look forward to moving forward towards its examination and formal adoption.

“There has been a tremendous response from our residents and other stakeholders during the latest and nine previous rounds of public consultations on our proposals.

“Given the changes made during examination and the significance of the plan, it was only right that people have been given full opportunity to reflect on this LPS document and give their views.

“All told we have received a total of more than 60,000 responses in the various consultations to arrive at our draft LPS. This represents an unprecedented level of interest in a council consultation process and I’m sure this additional period of consultation has allowed everyone to feel they have had time and opportunity to have their say.

“I am pleased that the revised document is going forward and I am confident that the LPS is comprehensive and robust. Cheshire East’s LPS includes a comprehensive suite of development sites to accommodate the larger scale of growth now expected and planned for in the Borough.”

Updated evidence, completed during the earlier suspension of the inspector’s examination, necessitated revisions to the main strategic policies relating to housing, economic growth, development and green belt. The wording of policies was amended to reflect the outcome of the new evidence. This has now been publicly consulted on and further changes made.

Cllr Arnold added: “The Council is confident this Local Plan Strategy is comprehensive, fully consulted upon and robust – and we look forward towards its successful adoption.

“The final adoption of the Local Plan will help provide Cheshire East with a blueprint to better shape future growth and prevent unplanned or unsustainable development in the Borough.”

For more information about the Local Plan Strategy visit the webpage:

http://cheshireeast-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal/planning/cs/sub1

Tour of Britain

Jonathan White, Wistaston

The ‘Tour of Britain’ cycle race (Stage 3, http://cheshiretourofbritain.co.uk/) passed through Crewe, Wistaston, Willaston and Nantwich on Tuesday 6^th September 2016.

The stage followed a course from Congleton to Tatton Park in Knutsford over a distance of 111.6 miles. It is the only stage in this year's race that is held entirely within one county’s borders.

This year’s race includes Sir Bradley Wiggins (Tour de France winner, Olympic multiple gold medallist) and Mark Cavendish (Tour de France points winner, Olympic silver medallist).

The stage was won by English-man Ian Stannard from Team Sky, who helped Chris Froome to victory at this year's Tour de France and was then part of Team GB's road squad at last month's Rio Olympics.

South Cheshire Model Engineering Society

Jonathan White, Wistaston

South Cheshire Model Engineering Society are holding their annual Open Day from 11am to 5pm this Saturday 10^th September 2016.

The event takes place on their premises at the rear of the Peacock pub/Premier Inn hotel, Crewe Road, Willaston, Nantwich CW5 6NE.

There will be miniature-gauge train rides for all ages and an exhibition of members work.

Refreshments will also be available.

Road in Cheshire East renamed to honour Olympians

 

Knutsford Road in Chelford has temporarily been renamed ‘Kenny Trott Road’ in honour of two of the Borough’s gold-winning Olympians.

The busy A537 is the main road running through the Cheshire East village and has been given the new name as part of the Stage Three Tour of Britain celebrations.

The renaming is in recognition of the achievements of cycling couple Jason Kenny and Laura Trott, who won a total of five gold medals between them at the Olympic Games in Rio and who live in Chelford.

Laura won gold in both the women’s team pursuit and in the multi-discipline omnium event. She is now Britain’s most successful female Olympian, having won a total of four Olympic gold medals during her career.

Jason achieved three gold medals in Rio, winning the team sprint, individual sprint and keirin events. These successes mean that he has now equalled Sir Chris Hoy’s British record of six Olympic golds.  

Cheshire East Council Leader Councillor Rachel Bailey said: “I am sure that everyone in Cheshire East will join me in congratulating Laura and Jason on their record-breaking success. 

“Their amazing achievements are an inspiration to us all and I’m glad that we can honour them by temporarily renaming a road as part of the Tour of Britain celebrations. We hope Laura and Jason will also have the chance to watch the race as it passes through Chelford – it certainly will be a spectacular occasion.”

The Tour of Britain arrives in Cheshire East for Stage Three tomorrow (September 6) and will see cyclists racing 111 miles from Congleton to Tatton Park, in Knutsford.

Setting off at about 11am, the competitors are expected to arrive in Chelford at about 3.15pm and will make their way along the newly-named Kenny Trott Road as they head towards Knutsford.

Councillor David Brown, Deputy Leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “There’s a lot of excitement building around the Tour of Britain in Cheshire and the renaming of Knutsford Road further adds to this.

“We hope Laura and Jason will be watching the race as it makes its way around our beautiful towns and villages and that spectators will line the route and cheer on the cyclists as they pass through.”

The Tour of Britain, billed as the biggest free-to-attend sporting event in Britain, began in Glasgow on September 4 and concludes in London on September 11.

This year, 10 of the Union Cycliste Internationale’s (UCI) top-level world tour teams are among the 21 teams competing.

While the renaming of Knutsford Road is a temporary measure, as part of the Cheshire Tour of Britain celebrations, Cheshire East Council will be considering – in conjunction with the Olympians – permanently renaming the road if the move proves popular with residents.

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

Council staff leap into action as blaze tears through flats

 

Quick-thinking Cheshire East Council staff ran into a burning block of flats to help rescue residents as a blaze tore through the building.

Staff at the Council’s Westfields offices leapt into action on Wednesday afternoon (August 31) when the fire started at Saxon Place – directly opposite the council building.

John Watts, Andrea Weaver, Kate Carson and Jenny Williamson were working on the ground floor of the offices when they spotted smoke billowing from a second-floor window and flames inside the flat on Middlewich Road, Sandbach.

Jenny, who works in the Council’s adult social care Smart team, dialed 999, while colleague John and Kate and Andrea from the reablement team dashed across the main road to raise the alarm.

Andrea said: “The building’s fire alarm hadn’t gone off, so our first thought was we needed to get everyone out. We banged on windows until eventually someone let us in and we then began going door to door and clearing the building. Everything happened so fast but you just don’t have time to think in these situations – your natural instinct is just to help.”

Meanwhile, John and Kate headed to the second floor, to the flat which was the source of the fire.

John said: “You’re just totally acting on instinct and running on adrenalin. It all happened really quickly. We banged on the door and shouted that there was a fire and once the lady who lived there answered we quickly led her outside.

“She was really shook up but thankfully wasn’t hurt and was just checked out at the scene by the ambulance. It was such a relief when you realise no one is in immediate danger.”

By this point other Cheshire East Council staff had brought out chairs and drinks for the shocked residents of the flats.

Fire crews, an ambulance and the police were quickly on the scene and once all residents were safely outside, Andrea and Kate began dealing with the traffic build up, which was impacting on Middlewich Road.

Kate said: “Andrea and I then took it upon ourselves to start directing the traffic outside the flats as the fire engines parked on the road meant only one lane was clear for traffic to get through. You don’t really think in these circumstances you just act.

“You don’t have time to be scared – and it’s only afterwards you realise what you’ve done.”

Kate and Andrea were still at the scene helping the police direct traffic more than two hours after the fire started.

Andrea added: “It was only after it was all over that we had a moment to take it all in. The two of us actually broke down in tears and started shaking. I think it was the first point we’d had to reflect on what had happened. You just don’t see yourself as being heroic.

“The whole ethos of our team is about helping people out who are in difficult                 circumstances so you just get stuck in and do what needs to be done.”

Council Leader Rachel Bailey said: “Our staff acted quickly and selflessly to ensure the safety of others. They are the living embodiment of this Council’s commitment to put ‘residents first’. All four of them should be proud of their actions, as we all are.”

Council Chief Executive Mike Suarez said: “Our staff responded quickly, effectively and bravely to this frightening incident. It’s clear their quick-thinking actions have helped to prevent a dreadful situation from turning into a real tragedy.

“On behalf of the Council I’d like to thank them for what they did. They are a credit to Cheshire East.”

Is your health at risk due to high blood pressure?

 

There are 40,000 people in Cheshire East who are unaware they have high blood pressure and Cheshire East Council are urging to residents to take action.

High blood pressure is a health condition which affects one in four adults in the UK and is the second biggest risk factor for early deaths and disability. Despite this, only four in 10 adults are aware of the condition and how to manage it.

The Council is supporting Blood Pressure UK’s efforts to raise awareness of this important issue as part of the ‘know your numbers’ campaign which runs from September 12-18.

The aim of the campaign is to encourage adults to know their own blood pressure numbers and take the necessary action to reach and maintain them at a healthy level. The only way to know for sure that your blood pressure is high is to get it checked.

To have the best possible impact, a number of pharmacies across the Borough have been set up to form ‘pressure stations,’ where blood pressure checks will be provided.

Councillor Paul Bates, Cabinet member for communities and health, said: “People all lead very busy lives but it is at times like this that it’s worth remembering that health is still important.

“The ‘know your numbers’ campaign is already very successful and a firm reminder that there is still a lot of work to do to reduce the number of people who suffer from unhealthy blood pressure levels.”

To find out more about the ‘know your numbers’ campaign and where you can get your blood pressure checked, visit: http://www.bloodpressureuk.org/microsites/kyn/Home

Wistaston Jubilee Tennis Club

Reporter Jonathan White, Wistaston

The 2016 Slazenger South and Mid Cheshire Tennis League Presentation Day took place at Nantwich Tennis Club - http://www.nantwichtennisclub.co.uk/ - on Sunday 4^th September 2016.

The event included two tournaments - open doubles and veterans doubles - and was enjoyed by dozens of players from a variety of local clubs. In the open doubles final, Ian Young & Alex Lerczak beat Diane Mayman & Chris Jackson 5-3. In the veterans doubles final, Ben Reinhardt & Giles Foden beat David Farrall & Mike Jones 5-3.

Refreshments were followed by the presentation of trophies from the league competitions. Local winners included Nantwich and Wistaston.

The special ‘Stonelake Sporting Award’ was presented by the League Chairman Dave Clarke to Alma A'Court (Nantwich) for her outstanding sportsmanship in a longstanding tennis career. Alma has been selected to play for the Great Britain team in the 2016 ITF Super-Seniors World Team Championships in Croatia.

 

The full list of 2015-2016 winners is:

SUMMER LEAGUES

Ladies Division 1 – Nantwich A

Ladies Division 2 – Congleton B

Ladies Division 3 – Hartford E

Men's Division 1 – Congleton A

Men’s Division 2 – Winsford A

Men’s Division 3 – Wistaston A

Men’s Division 4 – Winsford B

Men’s Division 5 – Winsford C

Mixed Division 1 – Nantwich A

Mixed Division 2 - Winsford

Ladies Knockout – Nantwich A

Ladies Handicap Knockout – Nantwich C

Les Hoff Men’s Knockout – Congleton A

Les Beckett Men’s Knockout – Tarporley B

Jane Astbury Mixed Knockout – Hartford A

Dave Clarke Veterans KO – Nantwich A

Stonelake Shield Sporting Award - Alma A'Court

WINTER LEAGUES

Division 1 – Congleton A

Division 2 – Nantwich B

Division 3 – Wistaston A

Division 4 – Congleton C

Division 5 - Winsford

Ray Jones Knockout – Congleton A

Barbara Smith Knockout - Winsford

SPRING LEAGUES

Division 1 – Congleton A

Division 2 – Nantwich C

Division 3 – Tarporley B

Division 4 - Winsford

Division 5 – Hartford B

‘Audlem RNLI Festival’

Reporter Jonathan White, Wistaston

The fifth ‘Audlem RNLI Festival’ took place over the weekend of Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th September 2016 at OverWater Marina - http://www.overwatermarina.co.uk/ - near Audlem in Cheshire.

On Saturday in the daytime there was a Boat Share Show and in the evening there was a hog roast, a play from Day-Star Theatre and a performance from Motown Soul singer Geoff Rey.

On Sunday the programme included a six-race Donkey Derby and donkey rides from Stonehill Donkeys; a Dog Show with categories for prettiest bitch, most handsome boy, best trick, golden oldie, cutest pup, the dog with the waggiest tail and best in show judged by Steve Leonard and Andy Nelson from Leonard Brothers Veterinary Centre Ltd; a demonstration from the Whitchurch Dog Display Team; and the second day of the Boat Share Show.

A large marquee hosted the entertainment on Saturday evening and RNLI Lifeboats stall, Canal & River Explorers stall, raffle, trade stalls, face painting and refreshments on Sunday. Refreshments were also available in the Waterside Café and at an outdoor Oxtail & Trotter food area.

Other stalls at the venue were represented by Shrewsbury District & North Wales Branch of the Inland Waterways Association, ADAPT (Audlem & District Acting Positively for Transition), Canal & River Trust, Leonard Brothers Veterinary Centre Ltd and Boatshare4u.co.uk . There was also a Cheshire Fire fire appliance, a steam traction engine and several heritage vehicles.

There were boat trips between Audlem and the marina on ‘Audlem Lass’ and boat trips around the marina on the ‘Overwater Wheelyboat’ wheelchair-accessible boat and a Cheshire Cat Narrowboat Holidays narrowboat.

A cameraman and soundman representing the RNLI were on-hand to record the event.

Audlem RNLI Festival was organised by the Crewe & Nantwich Branch of the RNLI. All money raised will go to the RNLI to support their valuable lifesaving efforts. The RNLI operates 444 lifeboats from 235 lifeboat stations around the country. Since 1824, the RNLI lifeboat and lifeguard crews have saved more than 139,000 lives, and on average rescue 22 people per day. It costs around £410,000 a day to run the RNLI, all of which is generously donated by the public nationwide.

I’ve uploaded all my photos to a Flickr page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jonathanawhite/albums/72157670187929444

'Duck Race and Children’s Model Boat Race'

The postponed Wistaston 'Duck Race and Children’s Model Boat Race' will now take place this Saturday 10th September at Joey the Swan recreation ground, Wistaston.

The original event scheduled for 3rd September was called off because of rain - too wet for ducks.

Stalls open from 1pm. Children’s Model Boat Race starts at 2:30pm. Duck Race starts at 3:15pm. Duck Race tickets = £1 each. The proceeds will go to funding Wistaston Memorial Hall’s new kitchen.

Rental Fraud in Student Accommodation

Subject: Rental Fraud in Student Accommodation

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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)

(Please do not reply or forward this email directly; please use the Reply, Share buttons at the bottom of this message)

Message sent by

Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)

Seasonal rental fraud is an emerging trend with students looking for suitable accommodation around August, before the start of the new term. Fraudsters use a variety of websites to advertise available properties to rent, often at attractive rates and convenient locations. Adverts will seem genuine, accompanied by a number of photos and contact information to discuss your interest.
Due to demand, students will often agree to pay upfront fees to secure the property quickly, without viewing the property, only to discover that the fraudster posing as the landlord does not have ownership of the property, or often there are already tenants living there.
Protect Yourself

• Only use reputable letting companies.
• Do some online research such as using Google maps to check the property does exist.
• Make an appointment to view the property in person.
• Always view the property prior to paying any advance fees.
• Look out for warning signs, such as landlords requesting a ‘holding deposit’ due to the property being in high demand.
• A landlord will usually conduct some due diligence on any successful applicant. Be wary of handing over cash without the landlord requesting employment or character references.

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.

Local brass band hosts friends from Crewe and Nantwich’s twin town

 

For over six years Crewe Brass has had a strong friendship with HHS Bischofsheim, an accordion band from Crewe and Nantwich’s twin town. They first shared a stage in 2010 when Crewe Brass were invited to take part in Bischofsheim’s music festival and they have been firm friends ever since with the brass band making another trip to Germany in 2014 and welcoming their friends to Crewe in 2012.

This year it’s the turn of HHS Bischofsheim to make a trip to Cheshire and they will be joining Crewe Brass for a spectacular joint concert on Saturday 1^st October at St Mary’s Church in Nantwich.

Musical Director, Jamie Meredith is looking forward to performing alongside the accordion band again ‘it really is a unique and exciting sound when you bring together a full 25 piece brass band and an accordion orchestra. The friendship that the two bands have developed over the past years really reflects in their musical performance and this joint concert will be the highlight of Crewe Brass’ 2016 concert schedule’.

Tickets are just £5 and are available now from St Mary’s Church shop in Nantwich, or contact crewebrass@yahoo.co.uk to reserve your tickets.

Visit www.crewebrass.co.uk for more information.

HHS Bischofsheim is an accordion orchestra from the town of Bischofsheim – you can see more information on their website: http://www.hhs-bischofsheim.de/

Crewe Brass are a local Brass Band based in Crewe and are entirely self-funded with all musicians playing entirely voluntarily. The band is also a registered charity. You can see more on their website www.crewebrass.co.uk

Cheshire East Council pays tribute to hero Tom

 

Cheshire East Council Leader Rachel Bailey has paid tribute to hero Tom Jackson who died after trying to save a fellow backpacker as she was stabbed to death in Australia.

The authority is flying its flags at half mast as a mark of respect to the 30-year-old from Congleton, who was fatally injured while trying to save the life of Mia Ayliffe Chung, 21, in the attack at a tourist hostel in Queensland on August  23. Tom died on August 30.

Councillor Rachel Bailey said: “Thomas Jackson paid the ultimate price for a selfless act putting his life on the line to try to save a vulnerable young woman from a violent attack.

“Cheshire East Council pays tribute to his bravery and sends our deepest condolences to his family and friends.

“The Council will now be looking at ways to honour and commemorate Tom’s bravery and selfless sacrifice.”

Frenchman Smail Ayad, 29, has been charged with murder and attempted murder and is due to appear before an Australian magistrates’ court next month.

Council offers free training to boost local businesses

 

Cheshire East Council is to hold a series of free workshops to help business people learn how to win public sector contracts.

The award-winning procurement training events are being provided by the Council’s arms-length Skills and Growth Company and are targeted at local businesses, charities and social enterprises.

The aim is to show small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) how to ‘get started’ in the bid process and how to produce a tender for local and central government work. The workshops are suitable for businesses new to the tendering process or looking to improve how they tender. 

Councillor Paul Findlow, Cheshire East Cabinet member for corporate policy and legal services, said: “Tendering for a public sector contract can be a rather daunting prospect and these free workshops provide excellent guidance to help businesses develop their bids.

“We are always interested in receiving tenders from local businesses and organisations and these workshops can significantly help to simplify and demystify the process.

“We are keen to support local firms and businesses and work to ensure as many services as possible are provided locally. As a local authority, we are committed to working with others to deliver quality services and value for money for the people of Cheshire East.

“We want to encourage even more local businesses to get involved in working with not only Cheshire East Council but also other public sector bodies.

“It is vitally important, as more than £300bn of services are procured by the public sector each year, with Cheshire East spending in the region of £260m of public money annually on contracts, supplies and services with third parties.”

The latest procurement workshops, which aim to cover the whole process from start to finish, are:

● Let’s get started – on Wednesday, October 12, 2016;

● The ‘invitation to tender’ process – on Wednesday, October 19, 2016.

The first workshop is an introduction to the tendering process, which will show how the framework for public sector tendering operates, how to navigate it and how to prepare for tendering opportunities.

The second workshop will explain the best-practice procedures and structures that you should put in place in your organisation to make sure your bids are as professional as possible and also how working in consortia can provide further opportunities.

The free workshops are conducted by award-winning Melanie Bryan, from WhyNotChange – an organisation which helps businesses tender for public sector contracts. Melanie won the best social enterprise partnership award in the Prime Minister’s Big Society Awards 2011.

Both workshops will take place at Manchester Metropolitan University, Crewe Green Road, Crewe, CW1 5DU. Each event starts with refreshments and bacon rolls at 7.45am for a prompt 8am start. The sessions finish at 11am.

Places are strictly limited and businesses are advised to attend both events in order to get the most benefit and understand the whole process.

To book a place on the latest workshops, contact Cheshire East Council on 0300 123 5001 or email business@skillsandgrowth.co.uk

Salute to Cheshire East’s ‘baby friendly’ health service

 

Cheshire East’s health visiting and breastfeeding support service has been hailed as ‘baby friendly’ by United Nations health organisation Unicef.

Staff at Wirral Community NHS Foundation Trust, who are commissioned by Cheshire East Council to provide the service, were commended for the high standard of care they provide for pregnant women and new mothers. 

New mums who took part in the re-assessment found the ‘Cherubs’ breastfeeding support service extremely valuable, with many saying that they could not have continued to breastfeed without the support given by the team. 

Mums also spoke very favourably of the time spent with their health visitor, finding the staff approachable, friendly and helpful, particularly when they had received an antenatal visit. 

The Unicef team praised the peer support training programme, which has resulted in 21 breastfeeding peer supporters established across the Borough. It also praised the training that has taken place with staff and mothers in Styal prison and the joint provision of a grandparents’ antenatal workshop.

Evidence of collaborative working was also recognised by Unicef, particularly the close links with the infant feeding team at Leighton Hospital. 

Councillor Liz Durham, Cheshire East Council Cabinet member for children and families, said: “The Council is delighted with the findings of the Unicef report, which confirms the high standard of care and support given to our new mums to encourage and enable them to successfully breastfeed.”

Councillor Paul Bates, Cabinet member for communities and health, added: “Breastfeeding helps to give children the best start in life so this report on the service is excellent news.”

The service is now working with Cheshire East Council to improve information and support given to mothers about the best time to start weaning their babies and to develop an antenatal pack to ensure that pregnant women have all the information they need.

Plan your journey for this weekend’s Nantwich Food Festival

 

Visitors to the Nantwich Food Festival are being urged to plan their journey to the event this weekend and allow extra travel time.

More than 30,000 people are expected to visit the festival between Friday (September 2) and Sunday (September 4), where some localised traffic delays are anticipated. 

Park-and-ride facilities will be available at Nantwich Town Football Club, Barony Park and Brine Leas School, with visitors also being advised to determine if public transport is a viable option for travel to and from the festival.

Improvements being undertaken by Barratt Homes – to upgrade the existing traffic lights at the High Street/Welsh Row junction to improve their efficiency – continue, following a delay to works on site.

Cheshire East Council’s highways team has instructed that Barratt Homes manually control the traffic from 7am–9pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday to help minimise impact on event goers as much as possible. During this period, Welsh Row will be closed to improve capacity at the junction and reduce waiting times.

Plan your journey to and from Nantwich Food Festival at: http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/highways_and_roads/roadworks/latest-roadworks.aspx