SECRET EASTER TREASURE TRAILS

 

 

Flowers blooming, bumblebees buzzing, lambs bounding, daylight lingering… Mother Nature is starting to reveal the signs of spring and Tatton Park will be joining her in unveiling many of its own secrets. Will you be the first to discover, the one to uncover, the “Secret Stories” of Tatton Park?

Starting Good Friday, April 14th to Easter Monday, April 17th, children and adults can follow trails in the Mansion, Gardens and Farm to earn some secret chocolate treasure (this is Easter, after all!) and join in the fun at the Stableyard with amazing magic tricks, storytelling, puppet shows, face painting, glitter tattoos plus top-secret craft activities

In our Mansion, our busy butler has forgotten the secret code to the safe! Follow the trail through the Mansion with the help of Tatton’s butler, housekeeper and servants who will also be on hand to help visitors crack the six-digit code as they discover clues along the way. The final stop is the butler’s pantry to hand in your answers and hopefully open the safe to claim your chocolate treasure! Family activities will also be taking place in the amber bedroom and cellars.

Children can also spot the homes of our undercover helpers in the Gardens – our residential fairies, pixies and elves! These magical creatures do their secret work at night helping our gardeners keep the gardens in tip-top shape. Will you be able to spot their homes in our 50-acre gardens to claim your secret chocolate treasure?

Discover the people helping us at the Farm and the work they do behind the scenes. What does the sheep scanner, the vet, the cattle hoof trimmer and equine dentist do to help us look after our animals? Can you guess the secret object each use to help them? Which one of these characters is hiding the chocolate treasure and can you find it? Watch the secret miracle that’s happening in Tabitha, our Shire horse’s tummy. Dress up as a vet and step into the vet’s surgery. And let’s not forget our newly-born Easter lambs who will be skipping for joy to meet everyone!

And there’s plenty more! Join in the laughter and fun in the Stableyard where Poz the magician will dazzle visitors with his secret slight of hand. One of the north’s best loved entertainers, Mr Bimbamboozle, returns with his Punch and Judy puppet theatre – does Joey the Clown have a box of secrets? Meet our storyteller as he weaves his tales about the people in Tatton’s history – it is up to you to decide if he is telling the truth or telling a tall tale! See smiling painted faces and sparkly arms covered in glitter tattoos. Sit the kids down to make some Easter-themed craft activities organized by our Learning team and, finally, dust off your dancing shoes at the kids’ disco (Parents, try not to embarrass your children if you dare to throw some shapes on the dance floor…).

For the grown-ups, there is our popular Easter Shopping Fair which is free to enter. Take time to find unique gifts, crafts, fashion and home furnishings in our Tenants’ Hall.

TV chef on menu for Nantwich Food Festival

 

Nantwich Food Festival once again welcomes a top TV chef to its food theatre this September as the popular Cheshire event gears up for another record-breaking weekend.

Last year’s festival attracted more than 40,000 visitors who enjoyed diverse food and drink offerings from 200 exhibitors, showcasing delicious recipes from across the country.

Run by dedicated volunteers, the festival is supported by many local and regional companies, including marquee sponsors Mornflake Oats and Cheerbrook amongst others.

Based entirely in the heart of Nantwich town centre, independent shops, historic buildings, music and street entertainment make the market town’s food festival one of the summer’s top attractions.

This year’s headline chef is Candice Brown, the 2016 winner of BBC series The Great British Bake-Off. A lover of everything vintage, the stylish chef will delight fans with her passion for sumptuous, decadent food.

There will be cookery demonstrations by celebrated chef Nigel Brown, and children’s television favourite Katy Ashcroft will entertain the crowds with her high-energy shows.

Across the weekend there will be entertainment, exhibitions and demonstrations, offering something for everyone at this family-friendly celebration of food.  

Access to the Nantwich Food Festival is free, with a packed programme of events scheduled to take place from Friday 1 to Sunday 3 September.

Check the official website www.nantwichfoodfestival.co.uk for the latest details.

Cheshire businesses invited to cyber crime fighting conference

Subject: Cheshire businesses invited to cyber crime fighting conference

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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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Peter Caldwell (Police, New Media Manager, Chesh Engagement Unit)

Keeping your business safe online is top of the agenda at a special conference next week.
The event, hosted by Cheshire Constabulary, will provide local business owners with the knowledge they need to help protect their company and staff against the latest online threats.
Experts from a variety of organisations, who have specialist knowledge of online security and safety, will be delivering presentations.
Topics covered on the day will include Mandate Fraud, CEO Fraud, Ransomware, Cyber Essentials and GDPR legislation.  They will also be on hand to talk to those attending the event to offer any additional advice or support.
Detective Sergeant Brian Faint said:  "This event is a great opportunity for local business owners in Cheshire to be given the most up to-date information by industry experts to help reduce their chances of becoming a victim of online crime.
"Cyber crime can have a devastating impact on those who fall victim. It is vital for businesses to ensure they do all they can to protect both their company and their staff.
"People continue to be affected by this issue and It is more important than ever that local businesses arm themselves with the knowledge they need to reduce their chances of falling foul of online fraudsters.
"We are all reminded to remain security conscious and do everything we can to reduce the risk of being targeted by those intent in causing misery in our communities."
The free one-day event, which is organised by Cheshire Constabulary’s Economic Crime Unit in conjunction with Get Safe Online, takes place on Friday 31st March between 9am and 1pm at the force’s headquarters in Winsford.
Register your interest on eventbrite.

Wistaston Jubilee Tennis Club

Jonathan White, Wistaston

Members of Wistaston Jubilee Tennis Club organised a fund-raising activity on Saturday 18th March 2017 at their Club on Church Lane in Wistaston.

They held a ‘Wistaston Red Nose Day’ doubles tennis tournament for Comic Relief http://www.comicrelief.com , in which players paid a donation to play.

The winners were Rob Sheffield and Eric James who won all their sets. They received a trophy donated by Concorde Trophies in Crewe. There was also a fund-raising sweepstake.

In total over £40 was raised for Comic Relief, which fund’s projects in the UK and worldwide.

A representative from the Club said, "We would like to thank everyone who supported the event. It was all for a very worthy cause”.

Local schools upcycling talent showcased at annual awards evening

 

Judges were wowed by breathtaking upcycled items produced by Cheshire East schoolchildren at an awards event.

Schoolchildren from across the borough met at Congleton Town Hall to show off their wares and receive awards for some brilliant designs as part of the ‘great big upcycled design awards evening’.

The project forms part of Cheshire East Council’s waste minimisation strategy, which is managed by the charity Groundwork on behalf of the authority’s arms-length company Ansa Environmental Services.

This year’s competition was launched across all schools in the borough in September. The aim was to get high school students to think differently about waste.

Children were asked to make the most stylish, innovative and useful products they could from materials that normally end up in the bin. Four judging teams were asked to pick their winner.

One of the winners was Olly Hargreaves, from Poynton High School, with his bike rim lamp. The winner was picked by designer, television host and upcycling author Max McMurdo.

Max said: “The winner for me, due to absolute elegance, bravery of working with complimentary materials and gorgeous finish, is Olly. I could honestly see this in a high-end store selling for hundreds of pounds.”

Keeping it in the family, Olly’s brother Jamie, also at Poynton High School, received an award for his bike-rotating stool.

Megan Hough, from Sandbach High School, was a winner with her record and old books Bluetooth speaker. Megan’s entry was picked as a winner by the Upcycled Hour business group, which is a mix of professional upcyclers across the UK.

The final winner was Hayley Rossiter, from St Thomas More Catholic High School, Congleton, with her briefcase desk.

Councillor Paul Bates, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for communities and health, who attended on the evening, said: “There were some truly outstanding exhibits on display this evening. The schoolchildren have clearly put so much time and effort into their designs and should be extremely proud of their efforts.

“It’s brilliant to see so many fantastic designs but it’s also an important reminder to all of us that we should be thinking twice before we throw things away. These young people exhibiting today have set a tremendous example of how we can all contribute to reducing landfill.”

Other schools that took part in the challenge were Middlewich High School, Tytherington High School, Eaton Bank Academy, Congleton and All Hallows Catholic College, Macclesfield.

Cheshire East gets tough on litter louts

 

Cheshire East Council has successfully prosecuted nine people for litter offences in the last week with fines and costs imposed totalling more than £3,500.

The prosecutions were the first to be taken to court since the council started a crackdown in September, which followed the launch of the Crewe neighbourhood action plan – a pilot project to tackle the issues of littering, fly-tipping and dog fouling in the town.

Eight defendants, Mark Sutcliffe, Jack Rutter, Andrei Ciuciumis, Sophie Nesbit, Alison Ralphs, Oktavia Maciejewska, Suresh Baines and Matthew Egan, failed to respond to the summons and were convicted in absence. Each was fined £220, ordered to pay costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

Kimberley Phipps pleaded guilty by letter and was fined £120, ordered to pay costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

The prosecutions are in addition to fixed penalty notices (FPNs) issued by the council. Since October 1, 4,234 FPNs have been issued as follows;

· Littering – 4,116;

· Dog fouling – 24;

· Fly-tipping – 28 (including duty of care); and

· Other (including abandoned vehicles) 66.

Cheshire East’s payment rate for FPNs is more than 80 per cent. In the last two months, 18 formal warnings have been issued and there have been 58 educational visits.

Councillor Paul Bates, cabinet member for health and communities, said: “We are being serious when we say that we will find and prosecute those who have a lack of care for our local area. 

“The rigorous evidence-based approach we started in the autumn is now starting to pay off with successful prosecutions.

“It takes time to investigate, compile a court case and ensure that the evidence holds up to scrutiny by the defence. We have many more cases in process for environmental crime, including litter and fly-tipping offences.

“Most residents do their bit and help to keep Cheshire East a beautiful and clean place to live. We owe it to them to crack down on those who don’t.”

While enforcement is being taken very seriously, Cheshire East is also working hard with local communities to raise awareness of issues and provide advice to people.

This has involved working with local volunteers and groups to help look after the borough through supporting events, such as the Great British Spring Clean​. 

Fly-tipping, dropping litter and dog fouling are all environmental crimes which can be reported online at: cheshireeast.gov.uk/environment or by ringing 0300 123 5011. The website also contains lots of information to help residents with their waste and recycling.

New parking machines to be installed across Cheshire East

 

Cheshire East Council is rolling out new ticket machines at its pay-and-display car parks across the borough which will provide residents, shoppers and visitors with a greatly improved service.

The new pay-and-display machines will be introduced over the next couple of months and will provide a variety of quick and simple ways for people to pay for their parking.

The new machines will be far more robust and reliable and will accept all methods of payment, except banknotes.

The machines will accept the new £1 coin, due to come into circulation tomorrow, (Tuesday 28 March), as well as the existing £1 coin and will also be able to take contactless payments. Chip and pin for both debit and credit cards can be used for payment and motorists will still be able to pay for their parking via the RingGo mobile payment app.

Councillor David Brown, Cheshire East cabinet member for infrastructure and highways, said: “Once again, Cheshire East is stealing a march on many other authorities by having a plan in place to instal these new machines as the new coinage comes into circulation.

“We have listened to our residents’ concerns about availability of appropriate means of paying and I believe that we now offer a very broad range of options, which will suit all purposes.”

There will be a very short period, between the new £1 coins coming into circulation and the installation of the new machines, when the new coins will not be accepted by the current machines being replaced.

During this period, there will be laminate signs on all the existing machines. The signs will be clearly displayed on the machines once the new coins come into circulation.

Crewe businesses get cash grants to promote active travel

 

Businesses in Crewe have been awarded cash grants by Cheshire East Council to

encourage people to cycle and walk to work or to car share with colleagues.

Eight local employers, including Bentley Motors and South Cheshire College, will share more than £30,000 as part of a council effort to cut congestion on the roads, ease car parking pressure and encourage more active forms of travel.

Firms will use the funding for a range of improvements – including shower and changing facilities for cyclists, lockers or secure shelters for bike storage.

South Cheshire College plans to use more than £4,000 to encourage staff and students to make the shift to walking or cycling. Another grant recipient, Alliance Disposables, will use the cash to set up a car sharing scheme for staff.

The grants have been awarded by Travel Cheshire, a Cheshire East Council scheme funded by the Department of Transport, which was set up last year to promote walking, cycling and other forms of ‘active travel’.

Other local employers to benefit include Joseph Heler Cheese Ltd, Jones Sheridan

Financial Consulting Ltd, Leighton Hospital, The Country Group and Assurant.

Last month, cash grants were awarded to two local community organisations, Christian Concern and Community Recycle Cycles, to help promote cycling in the town and boost skills and training locally.

The grants scheme is funded by the Department of Transport’s Sustainable Travel

Transition Year (STTY) initiative, which aims to widen access to skills, training and

employment opportunities by promoting walking, cycling and public transport use. 

The project has also seen the creation of a new website – travelcheshire.co.uk – to help widen people’s travel options and encourage more active forms of transport.

Councillor David Brown, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for highways and

Infrastructure, said: “Local businesses in Crewe are keen to find ways to reduce car use – either for their employees or customers and we hope these grants will go some way to helping them to achieve that aim.

“By making it easier for staff to cycle or walk to work, or to encourage car sharing, it’s a win-win. Firms can reduce traffic around their site, making it easier for customers or
deliveries to get through, and this can help ease pressure on parking space and reduce pollution.

“But by encouraging staff to get on their bikes or walk to work there are other benefits. Staff get into work less stressed, and by getting some exercise and fresh air it sets you up for the working day ahead.

“It can also help staff to save money and has been shown to improve productivity and

recruitment and retention rates, as well as employee health and well being.”

Last week Cheshire East Council launched a 10-year cycle strategy which aims to double the number of people cycling in the borough. The plan will deliver a high quality cycle

network of key routes to connect residents and visitors to jobs, skills, schools services and leisure opportunities.

Council unveils strategy to give huge boost to cycling in Cheshire East

 

Cheshire East Council has unveiled a strategy to double the number of people cycling in the borough.

The authority’s ambition is a ‘step change’ in the take up of cycling by residents of all ages across Cheshire East, with a vision ‘to enable more people to cycle safely, more often and with confidence for everyday and leisure journeys’.

The new cycling strategy provides a framework which will shape council policy and inform the planning and design of the borough’s streets, communities and green spaces.

The plan will deliver a cycle-friendly network of key routes connecting people and places. This network will link with local routes to connect residents and visitors to jobs, skills, schools services and leisure opportunities.

The council will work with partners and local cycling groups to deliver the cycling strategy over the next 10 years. Cheshire East aims to double the number of local people cycling at least once a week by 2025*.

Speaking after the cycling strategy was formally backed by cabinet today, Councillor David Brown, deputy leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “This is fantastic news. In adopting this strategy there is a real opportunity to capitalise on increased public awareness and interest in cycling following Cheshire East’s hugely successful hosting of stage three of the Tour of Britain last September.

“The council’s cycling strategy demonstrates how we intend to deliver a high-quality cycle network so that people of all abilities will be able to travel safely around the borough by bike – and help put cycling on the map in Cheshire East.

“Cycling has so many well-recognised benefits – not just for individuals’ health, wellbeing and pockets, but also our wider communities, environment and businesses.

“It will also help the council achieve its wider ambitions, set out in our corporate plan, by making Cheshire East a green and sustainable place, enabling people to live well and for longer and helping ensure Cheshire East has a strong and resilient economy.

“I would like to thank our local cycling groups and residents who responded to our online survey for their enthusiasm and assistance in the development of this document – whose aims have won the support of a thumping 89 per cent of all respondents.

“The message is clear: by cycling regularly you’ll be healthier, happier and wealthier – and it’s great for businesses, the visitor economy and the environment too.”

To deliver the cycling strategy, funding will be needed from a wide range of sources. Current funding streams accessed to improve the cycle network across the borough in 2017/18 onwards include:

● Share of £5m allocated to Cheshire and Warrington LEP by the Local Growth Fund to improve cycle routes which link key housing and employment and development sites; 

● £500,000 Local Growth Fund match funding by Cheshire East Council;

● £612,445 secured from the Department of Transport to fund Bikeability cycle training for children;

● Commitment from Network Rail to construct cycle facilities alongside the proposed rail replacement bridge on the A530 at Leighton, Crewe;

● Developer funding as part of planning consent agreements.

The cabinet decision means the cycling strategy document will become part of the council’s transport strategy framework.

The cabinet further underlined its commitment to cycling by supporting a motion put before council by Cllr Sam Corcoran, and seconded by Cllr Howard Murray, which said:

‘This Council supports the Space for Cycling process promoted by Cycling UK and commits to providing the funding to implement its cycle policy effectively’.

Civicance snaps up national award for its service to home buyers

 

The team responsible for land searches for home buyers and solicitors in Cheshire East has been voted one of the best in the country.

Civicance, a wholly owned company of Cheshire East Council, picked up the ‘Best Customer Experience’ Award, beating 353 other local authorities at the Land Data Awards in Bristol.

The Civicance Land Charges team aims to take a lot of the stress out of property purchase by ensuring that home owners and their solicitors receive speedy responses and real-time updates on their land search enquiry.

The judges were particularly impressed with Civicance’s range of customer contact points, the company’s interaction with customers and its excellent communication with the National Land Information Service.

Also, how the team met the criteria of the award, including its handling of urgent searches, customer-friendly explanations and the electronic supply of documents upon request.

The service provides solicitors and property purchasers with up to date information concerning property boundaries, planning history, covenants, rights of way and all other relevant historical data.

The annual awards are staged by Land Data, a community interest company that regulates the land search information service in England and Wales.  

The event, hosted by television celebrity Kaye Adams, celebrates the work and achievements of local authority land charges departments.

This is the third nationally recognised award for the Land Charges team which came first in the 2007 Marketing Innovation awards and ninth for the ‘Most Improved’ service in the 2013 Land Data awards.

Cheshire East Council Deputy Leader David Brown, said: “We are really proud of the Civicance team in achieving this award. They always go the extra mile to assist our customers and provide a prompt and reliable service.

“This award clearly demonstrates the innovative decision by Cheshire East to create this wholly owned company.  The dedication to exceptional customer service by Civicance shows that Cheshire East residents are at the forefront of all the services they provide.”

Civicance Managing Director Ian Bunn said: “This team truly demonstrates the culture that we are aiming to provide through all our services, ensuring the customer remains at the heart of everything we do.”

Masterplan jobs boost for Crewe

 

Cheshire East Council has unveiled a future vision for Crewe that seeks to bring 37,000 new jobs to the town by 2043.

Following the announcements about the proposed new HS2 hub station, Cheshire East Council – using a team led by international masterplanners Arup and property experts CBRE – is preparing a masterplan, which covers areas of prime development land in central Crewe.

The emerging Crewe masterplan – unveiled at a MIPIM property conference –

showcases new development opportunities and will underpin transformational change, supporting the creation of new jobs and making Crewe one of the UK’s key destinations for growth and investment.

It will also deliver more homes to meet the needs of local people and employers, reflecting one of the prime locations at the heart of the UK and HS2 rail network.

At the conference, Councillor Rachel Bailey, leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “The Crewe masterplan gives an insight into the future of the town.

“The council is both a major investor and a major advocate for Cheshire East and it is right that the local authority commits time and resources to build market confidence and promote Cheshire East as a great place to be – and help deliver jobs, investment and greater opportunities for all our residents.

“With HS2 coming to Crewe in 2027, the town is set to become one of the most connected places in the UK and a great place to invest and do business. This will be a revolutionary change for the area as Crewe will be only 25 minutes by train from central Manchester and Birmingham as well as being less than an hour from central London.”

Jackie Sadek, chairperson of the Constellation Partnership, formerly the Northern Gateway Development Zone Partnership, gave an overview of the connectivity HS2 will bring to the area, with strong governance, partnerships and a commitment to new physical and social infrastructure.

At the launch of the Constellation Partnership, she said: “In little over a decade, Crewe will be the most connected place in the UK, with its high speed rail ‘super hub’ giving 360 degree connectivity, north and south, east and west, and in turn providing a massive and long-lasting boost to Cheshire and Staffordshire, as well as the north of England and Scotland.

“This year is a big year for the Constellation Partnership, with our growth strategy to be submitted to government. We need to maintain momentum and encourage early investment in our region to avoid missing out on the 40-square miles of some of the brightest investment opportunities in the whole of the country over the next 25 years.”

'Ultra 90's'

Reporter Jonaathan White, Wistaston

'Ultra 90's' - http://www.ultra90s.com/ – performed for the first time in Crewe at the Crosville Club on Friday 17th March 2017.

Ultra 90's are the UK's first and only 1990's dance tribute show.

The band featured vocalists, a DJ, a keyboardist, a guitarist, and a drummer.

Their set recreated songs by artists including Rozalla, Robert Miles, 2 Unlimited, Baby D, Prodigy, Fugees and Snap!

The show was accompanied by a video projection and light & laser display.

There was also a DJ set preceding and following the show.

90% say Osborne should resign as MP

 

A UKIP Councillor in Cheshire conducted a one day poll on his twitter account (See below)

Cllr Brian Silvester said,"In just one day 2049 people voted and an overwhelming 90% thought George Osborne should resign, now he is to become the Editor of the Evening Standard in London.Osborne already has 5 jobs,how many more does he want? He is badly letting down his constituents in Tatton in Cheshire. He can't possibly have all these outside jobs and do justice to his most important role,that of representing his constituents in Parliament.

I think he is being extremely arrogant in the way he is clearly planning to be a part-time MP.He should resign and allow someone to be elected who will commit themselves full time to the good people of the Tatton Constituency.

Cllr.Brian Silvester

UKIP Councillor

07760147609

Cllr.Brian Silvester‏ @CllrBSilvester  29m29 minutes ago

Should George Osborne resign as MP for Tatton in Cheshire,now he's to be Editor of Evening Standard? Yes 90% No 10% 2049 votes He should go

Book launch at St. Paul’s Centre in Crewe

 

Crewe charity St. Paul’s Centre is holding a book launch on Friday 24 March, with free coffee and cakes also on offer at the centre’s new café on Hightown.

The book, It’s Not About The Furniture, was written by the centre’s director Rob Wykes. It tells the story of the church on Hightown that became one of Crewe’s leading charities, supporting people across the town.

Throughout the text, some of the many dedicated volunteers who have helped to shape the charity are profiled, plus uplifting stories about some of the people who have enjoyed support and work opportunities.

The book is priced £10 and all profits will go back into the charity, helping to fund the cycle workshop, food bank and furniture distribution scheme.

There will be an opportunity for visitors to tour the building to see what fantastic work is performed at the centre.

The launch takes place at 12.30pm on Friday 24 March, in St Paul’s Centre café on Hightown.

Details about the book and the centre can be found on the website www.stpaulscentre.org.uk.

Cheshire Fire And Rescue Service March 2017 E-Newsletter - Firelink

Subject: Cheshire Fire And Rescue Service March 2017 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)

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service March 2017 E-Newsletter - FiRELiNK

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

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Driver safety - mobile phones

It’s illegal to use a hand-held phone or similar device while driving, or riding a motorcycle. The rules are the same if you’re stopped at traffic lights or queuing in traffic.

Studies show that drivers using a hands-free or handheld mobile phone are slower at recognising and reacting to hazards. Even careful drivers can be distracted by a call or text - and a split-second lapse in concentration could result in a crash.

For more information - Driver safety - mobile phones

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Change your clocks and test your smoke alarms

The clocks go forward at 01:00am on Sunday 26th March 2017 - as British Summer Time officially starts.

When you change your clocks, please check your smoke alarms too.

Find out more - change your clocks and check your smoke alarms for the start of British Summer Time

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Exciting opportunity - High Potential Development Scheme

Are you enthusiastic, dedicated and keen to step into a vocation like no other? If yes, then read on - as a career as a firefighter with Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service might be for you!

We are currently looking for talented first year degree students who would like to apply for our High Potential Development Scheme - a programme to develop our managers and leaders of the future.

For more information - High Potential Development Scheme

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Hoping to raise bucketloads for charity

Cheshire firefighters will be splashing out with car washes throughout March in aid of The Fire Fighters Charity.

Crews will be rolling up their sleeves and taking to buckets and hoses to shine up the county’s cars along with providing drivers with vital road safety advice.

Find out more - Hoping to raise bucketloads for charity

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Biker Down courses

If you were the first on the scene of a collision 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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Public urged to help communities defeat terrorism

We are supporting a national campaign launched by Counter Terrorism Policing urging the public to act on their instincts to help tackle the terrorist threat.

The campaign is called “Make Nothing Happen” and focuses on the critical role the public can play in defeating terrorism. This is the first campaign under a new branding platform called ACT - Action Counters Terrorism. It urges the public to report suspicious activity to help police bring dangerous offenders to justice and prevent terror attacks in the UK and overseas.

For more information - Public urged to help communities defeat terrorism

Public invited to launch of ‘One You Cheshire East’

 

Lifestyle and health advice services offered by ‘One You Cheshire East’ will be officially launched to the public next week with the help of Paralympic gold medallist Megan Giglia MBE.

One You Cheshire East, which brings lifestyle and health advice services in the borough under one support system umbrella, works to improve residents’ health, tackle health inequalities and reduce the load on the council and NHS.

It focuses on early intervention to help residents live well for longer, by supporting them to drink less alcohol, eat well, lose weight, move more and be smoke free.

The integrated system has already been launched to stakeholders and will be officially launched to the public at an event at Crewe Lifestyle Centre on Monday, March 13, from 11am-2pm, when visitors will be able to find out more about the free services on offer.

During the day there will be a 1km static bike challenge, the opportunity to win a Garmin fitness tracker, healthy eating cookery demonstrations and samples, demonstrations of health apps, a smoothie bike activity and the opportunity to sign up to services on the day.

British Paralympic track cyclist Megan Giglia MBE, who won Britain's first gold medal at the Rio Paralympics in 2016, will also attend and sign autographs.

Megan, a Congleton Cycle Club member, who now lives in Stockport, was honoured by Cheshire East Council last year by being given the freedom of the borough.

Councillor Paul Bates, cabinet member for communities and health at Cheshire East Council, said: “One You Cheshire East supports residents to take control of their health and address the everyday habits and behaviours that could lead to problems further down the line.

“The help and advice is provided in a way that works best for the individual but by bringing that support under one umbrella. It also increases cost-effectiveness.”

Residents can access One You Cheshire East services via self-referral or referrals from a health or social care professional. Support includes a dedicated website and lifestyle support staff.

Following next week’s public launch of One You Cheshire East, roadshows will take place across the borough, targeting the areas where there is the most need. There will also be One You Cheshire East activities at the lifestyle centre on Saturday, March 18.

Cllr Bates added: “I’m pleased that many of our residents are already taking advantage of the wealth of help and information available to them through One You Cheshire East but I’d like to encourage more residents to do the same and I urge them to attend the launch to find out more.”

The One You Cheshire East support to stop smoking is being delivered by a number of community providers – Well Pharmacies, Rowland Pharmacies, Healthbox and Wirral Community Trust – while specialist stop smoking services for clients in hospital settings, pregnant women and people with mental health issues is provided by Kickstart.

Everybody Sport and Recreation, the trust that manages the council’s leisure centres, is delivering the programmes to help residents eat well, lose weight and move more.

While the services have access criteria, information is still available to help those not eligible, such as through the dedicated website.

The One You Cheshire East website can be found at: www.oneyoucheshireeast.org

Cheshire East Council hails announcement of £215m boost for special needs education

 

Cheshire East Council has warmly welcomed the government’s decision to boost special needs education by £215m.

The local authority was delighted with this week’s announcement by Education Minister Edward Timpson, MP for Crewe and Nantwich, that £215m of capital funding is being made available nationally to improve services for children and young people with special education needs and Disabilities (Send).

Creating sufficient good-quality school places for all pupils, including those with Send, is currently a high priority for the council.

Cheshire East is set to get £593,690 over three years (£198,000 each year) as its share of the £215m funding pot.

Councillor Rachel Bailey, leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “We welcome this funding to help drive forward our existing plans to provide more local specialist placements and to support, where appropriate, children to remain in mainstream schools with their peers.

“This capital funding will be used to support the implementation of the council’s plans to increase local suitable placements for children with special educational needs and disabilities. We will continue to work closely with early-years settings, maintained schools, academies, free schools and others to agree how special education needs can best be met and how maintained schools can be as inclusive as possible.”

Councillor Liz Durham, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for children and families, said: “The council is committed to providing a good range of services to meet local needs and we are continually reviewing and working to improve the local offer of provision. We are fully engaged with parents and carers of children with ‘Send’ and they routinely work with us on all aspects of Send developments.

“Working closely with and consulting parent and carers and all providers of services, we are confident we can provide the highest quality of provision going forward and that our children and young people can achieve their highest potential.”

Alsager poised to get prestige sports and leisure facilities

 

Residents in Alsager will benefit from a range of new high-quality sports and leisure facilities at the former MMU site, with additional upgraded provision at the town’s adjacent leisure centre.

Formerly the Manchester Metropolitan University campus, the land is now owned by David Wilson Homes who are set to both redevelop the sports facilities and make a financial contribution towards additional amenities at the council-owned Alsager Leisure Centre. 

The plan would give the town of Alsager enviable and extensive sports and leisure facilities, alongside the provision of 400 new homes on the remainder of the MMU site. This follows a previous planning consent for the redevelopment of the campus.

The developer has agreed to lay out new grass pitches, create two artificial pitches – for hockey and football - install floodlighting and fencing, construct a new pavilion, changing rooms and car park. The company will also make a financial contribution towards extending the existing gymnasium and the creation of two new health and fitness studios at the council’s nearby leisure centre.

By transferring ownership to Cheshire East Council, with the facilities to be managed by the council’s trust Everybody Sport and Recreation, this will meet the requirements set out by Sport England that sustainable sports facilities and open space will be provided and managed.

Redevelopment of the former MMU sports facilities represents an investment of £4.8m, while a further £486,000 is invested in the existing Alsager Leisure Centre.

Councillor Don Stockton, cabinet member for regeneration, said: “This is fantastic news for Alsager as it will see new playing pitches and a range of sports and leisure amenities provided for the residents of the town.

“The council is committed to providing quality leisure and sports facilities as part of our policy to help our residents to live long and healthy lives.

“With the council’s independent trust Everybody Sport and Recreation taking over management of the facilities, this is expected to meet the requirements set out by Sport England to ensure the town’s leisure and sports offer is protected and sustained.”

Cheshire East enjoys great success with ‘connected communities’

 

A new pilot scheme trialled in Macclesfield has been a resounding success with community groups and has received cabinet approval to be expanded across the borough.

Cheshire East Council is one of 23 authorities nationwide that has been piloting a scheme that focuses on exploring what works best for local communities and how to maximise the facilities that are available to bring groups together.

The national pilot is called ‘delivering differently in neighbourhoods’ and Cheshire East has completed a highly successful trial following a year of activities in Macclesfield.

At the heart of the approach has been one key objective – to deliver services at the right time, by the right people and at the right place, through facilities which are seen as facilities which are valued by local communities.

The trial – which was funded through a central government grant – is expected to deliver a cost saving of more than £200,000 to residents in Cheshire East when it is successfully implemented over the next five years.

Maggie Faulkner Taylor, Chief Officer for Cheshire Streetwise said: “We would love Elim Christian Life Centre to become a connected communities hub as our base is ideally placed in the town centre.

“We have at least 500-600 people coming through Elim every week and we would like to provide more for them. Being a part of the connected communities scheme would give us the ability to move forward and improve the services we deliver for the people that we reach at the moment and enable us to have an even wider outreach.

Delivering differently in Macclesfield has focussed on a number of activities which include:

● developing networks of building and outdoor spaces;

● providing opportunities for people to raise aspirations and develop skills;

● developing places where community links are extended;

● providing community activities which promote mental wellbeing;

● offering services that increase independence for older people; and

● extending community activities

Councillor Paul Bates, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for communities and health, said: “The value of working with local community organisations is that we can listen first hand to what can work so we are able to get in early and transform people’s lives.”

“I would like to thank everyone in Macclesfield who has been part of the project, particularly the many volunteers who do such fantastic work in their local communities making such a difference to so many people.

“Our early successes with some of our resident-led projects and the innovative way we are making savings from them is truly ground-breaking.”

For more information on the connected communities project, please watch this video:

http://bit.ly/2m7fJw6

Council to reveal plans for two major road schemes in Crewe to further unlock town’s economic growth

 

Cheshire East Council is about to launch a public engagement exercise for two major road schemes for Crewe, ending frustration for motorists and unlocking further economic growth in the town.     

Plans to reshape the Crewe Green Roundabout to relieve a major pinch-point on the outskirts of Crewe will go before the public this month, alongside proposals for removing one of the town’s most frustrating bottlenecks – the Sydney Road Bridge.

Cheshire East Council plans to replace the signal-controlled, single-lane road bridge with a bridge wide enough to accommodate two-way traffic and safer routes for cyclists and pedestrians.

The scheme to relieve the daily congestion at Crewe Green is expected to begin early next year. The works to replace the Sydney Road Bridge have been coordinated to follow directly on from this. 

Both schemes will be subject to further consultation through the normal planning process. 

Crewe Green Roundabout, on the north-east side of the town between Crewe and Sandbach, is a key gateway to Crewe and is located within its northern growth corridor. It is currently a frustrating bottleneck for drivers heading to and from the M6 motorway.

Enlarging the roundabout to enable direct access from Sydney Road and Hungerford Road, and removing signalling at other junctions, is intended to significantly improve traffic flow and provide safe crossing of the junction for cyclists and pedestrians.  

A public consultation took place last August and resulted in a preferred design which would see the existing roundabout significantly extended into an oval shape, with the addition of combined cycle/footways and the removal of existing traffic signals. 

Clearer lane directions and enhanced traffic management, including wider junctions, will contribute to improved traffic movement and reduced queueing.

The council is also bringing much-needed relief to users of the Sydney Road Bridge, which has been single lane and signal controlled for many years. Safe routes for pedestrians and cyclists will be included in the scheme to replace the existing stretch of road with a two-way carriageway.

This, together with the enhancement of the Crewe Green roundabout, will make a significant contribution to the future economic growth of Crewe as well as improving air quality and journey times for traffic and emergency vehicles heading to and from Leighton Hospital. 

Councillor David Brown, cabinet member for highways and infrastructure, said: “This council has made significant improvements to the road infrastructure around Crewe. The Crewe Green Roundabout and Sydney Road Bridge schemes represent the next phase in our highways strategy.

“These schemes will play a major part in supporting the economic growth of the town, making it attractive to business investment, while reducing the frustration felt by motorists and commercial road users.”

The public engagement will start on March 20 and will run until midnight on April 9. An exhibition and printed literature will be available to view and both manual and digital feedback facilitated.

Leaflets on the schemes will be accessible at the Municipal Buildings, Crewe, Crewe Lifestyle Centre, Manchester Metropolitan University, Crewe Green Road campus, and at Leighton Hospital. 

The three-week public engagement exercise will also include opportunities to meet and discuss the proposals with the strategic highways team. These will take place on March 25 (10am – 3pm) and March 30 (10am – 8pm) at Hunters Lodge, Sydney Road, Crewe. These will include both the Crewe Green Roundabout and Sydney Road Bridge schemes.

A further event – for the Crewe Green Roundabout scheme only – will take place on April 1 (10am – 3pm) at Yoxall Village Hall, Crewe Road, Haslington.

More information will be published on the Cheshire East Council web site.

Welcome to this, MP’s 174th news bulletin...

Welcome to this, my 174th news bulletin...

2017 London Marathon

In April, I will be running the Virgin London Marathon with fellow Cheshire MP, Graham Evans, in support of Muscular Dystrophy UK and the Army Benevolent Fund – The Soldiers' Charity.

Between us, we have run 17 London Marathons and, collectively, raised tens of thousands of pounds for many worthwhile causes – including charities and groups, such as The Christie, East Cheshire Hospice, Leighton Hospital, the Royal British Legion, and Care After Combat.

Our Virgin Marathon personal bests, going into this year’s event, are not too dissimilar. Despite getting close in recent years, my PB still stands at the 2013 record of 3hrs 42 minutes, while Graham, in his fifth consecutive marathon, last year, achieved a new record time of 4hrs 25mins. 

As I am sure you will agree, both charities for this year’s effort are superb causes. Muscular Dystrophy UK (previously known as the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign) is a charity that brings together individuals, families and professionals to beat muscle-wasting conditions. Since 1959, it has been leading the fight against muscle-wasting conditions, by:

• supporting high quality research to find effective treatments and cures and won’t stop until we have found them for all muscle-wasting conditions;
• leading the drive to get faster access to emerging treatment for families in the UK;
• ensuring everyone has the specialist NHS care and support they need – the right help at the right time, wherever they live;
• and by providing a range of services and resources to help people live as independently as possible

ABF - The Soldiers’ Charity, meanwhile, supports soldiers and veterans from the British Army, and their immediate families, in times of need. It makes grants to individuals through Regiments and Corps, and supports a wide range of specialist charities that sustain the British Army ‘family’, both at home and around the world.
I know many of you will already have charities that you sponsor, both personally and corporately, but, if you are able to support us and these fantastic causes it would be very much appreciated.

Our VirginMoneyGiving page is:
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/GrahamEvansMPandEdwardTimpsonMP

Thank you!

Edward Timpson MP
Member of Parliament for Crewe and Nantwich
Please remember, you can always contact me directly if you have any questions, or if there is anything I can do to assist you.

Crewe Town Council Civic Awards 2017

Do you know someone who has made an outstanding contribution to the local community; an individual that has demonstrated achievement across the arts, culture or sport disciplines; a young person, group or organisation focussed on working with children and teenagers; or a local business that has demonstrated initiative or enterprise?
If so, the Mayor of Crewe and Crewe Town Council want to hear from you! See the below poster for more info.

Cheshire East Council are offering FREE parking in Crewe town centre car parks on Saturdays, after 12pm, until Easter 2017.

Recently, I...

• Cheered on the Parliamentarians at Holly Holy Day in Nantwich!
• Attended an MP's 'Training Breakfast' event, ahead of this year's London Marathon.
• Supported Barnardo's 'Fostering & Adoption Week'
• Paid tribute to local organisations at the Wishing Well 'Voluntary Organisation Event', at The Georges Community Centre.
• Joined volunteer litter pickers in Nantwich to support Keep Britain Tidy's 'Great British Spring Clean' campaign.
• Made representations to the Secretary of State for Education, Justine Greening MP, about the impact of the Government's proposed National Funding Formula on Cheshire East schools.
• Held my regular advice surgeries in Crewe and in Nantwich.

Marketing Cheshire has announced the launch of the inaugural Cheshire Residents’ Festival. Residents of Cheshire will be able to enjoy some of the region’s excellent tourist attractions for FREE to celebrate the annual week-long celebration of English Tourism Week which takes place from 25th March to 2nd April 2017.

Marketing Cheshire alongside the respective local authorities formulated Cheshire’s first ever Residents’ festival as a way of saying thank you to the people of Cheshire for the warm welcome residents give to the 48 million visitors that visit the region.

The concept of the festival was borne from the notion that whilst residents have some of the country’s most brilliant attractions on their doorstep, which millions of tourists travel across the country for, there are many of Cheshire’s own residents that haven’t ever experienced them.

Many of the county’s largest attractions are offering the opportunity to visit for free for one week only. Representatives from Cheshire’s Gardens of Distinction like Adlington Hall and Gardens, Cholmondeley Castle Gardens and Tatton Park Gardens are all offering free entry to enjoy the British seasonal planting and landscaping for which Cheshire is renowned. Wildlife lovers can visit RSPB Burton Mere or Reaseheath Zoo and culture vultures can enjoy performances at Crewe Lyceum for free, entry to the Port Sunlight Museum and the chance to have a behind the scenes tour of Chester’s new cultural centre, Storyhouse. Jodrell Bank have also offered 250 free tickets to enjoy their discovery centre – a chance to explore the workings of the universe and the giant Lovell telescope.

To join in, visit and book tickets through: http://www.visitcheshire.com/cheshire-residents-festival.

Crewe UTC - March Open Evening
Crewe UTC:
On 16 March, Crewe Engineering & Design UTC will be hosting an opening evening for prospective students, aged 14-18. 

The vision of Crewe's new UTC is to be an engineering and design education provider of choice, and via its collaboration with local employers, such as Bentley, Bosch and Network Rail, it aims to ensure that students are exposed to a unique learning experience, within the full scale of engineering and design disciplines and opportunities.

You can find out more, and book a spot, at: www.utccrewe.co.uk/utc-event/march-open-day/

The 'Great British Spring Clean'
Keep Britain Tidy:
Crewe and Nantwich MP, Edward Timpson, joined volunteer litter pickers in Nantwich town square, on Saturday 4 March, to support Keep Britain Tidy's 'Great British Spring Clean' campaign.

This new campaign followed on from the success of last year's 'Clean for the Queen', and, like its predecessor, had a simple ambition: to bring together people from across the country to clear up the litter in their towns and public spaces.

A record number of events and picks were held across the constituency, with many coordinated by groups such as the Crewe Clean Team and Nantwich Litter Group.
You can find more information about the campaign at
http://www.greatbritishspringclean.org.uk/home/2684

Crewe Firefighters - Charity Car Wash
Red Shift:
Firefighters in Crewe are hoping to swap buckets of water for buckets of cash this weekend.
On Sunday, 12 March, they'll be rolling up their sleeves, and washing cars, to raise money for the Fire Fighters Charity - a support group that has provided assistance to serving and retired firefighters for more than 60 years.
The car wash will take place at Crewe fire station, on Crewe Road, between 11am and 4pm. 

Give us your views on Cheshire East’s new mobile children’s centre

 

Cheshire East Council has launched its new mobile children’s centre – and they want to know your views on it.

The vehicle, part of the council’s children and families’ service, will be launched at the Council’s Sandbach HQ on March 7 and then tour the south of the borough in a series of roadshows, visiting areas around Crewe, Nantwich, Middlewich, Sandbach and Alsager.

The Council is inviting parents and families to drop in and find out more information about the service, take a look at the new vehicle and talk to the dedicated team. Children and young people are also invited to ‘road test’ its facilities.

The mobile children’s centre has been launched with the aim of providing an additional way to access children’s centre services in rural areas in the south of Cheshire East.   

The service places a focus on providing help and support to families earlier – evidence shows that a child’s experiences in early years (0-4) has a major impact on their health and life chances, as children and adults.

Research in early 2016 suggested that there was broad support for a mobile service, particularly among parents who had experience of accessing existing children’s centres.

Councillor Liz Durham, cabinet member for children and families, said: “In a local authority with a very significant rural population, it is often difficult for some children and families to access services delivered from centralised buildings.

“By working in partnership with health visiting, childcare providers and schools, the new vehicle will allow us to deliver effective support to those families that most need it and where they are able to access it – ensuring that more children have the best start in life and are ready for school.”

For more information about the mobile children’s centre, including the dates and locations of the roadshow, visit: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/fis

Public invited to launch of ‘One You Cheshire East’

 

Lifestyle and health advice services offered by ‘One You Cheshire East’ will be officially launched to the public next week with the help of Paralympic gold medallist Megan Giglia MBE.

One You Cheshire East, which brings lifestyle and health advice services in the borough under one support system umbrella, works to improve residents’ health, tackle health inequalities and reduce the load on the council and NHS.

It focuses on early intervention to help residents live well for longer, by supporting them to drink less alcohol, eat well, lose weight, move more and be smoke free.

The integrated system has already been launched to stakeholders and will be officially launched to the public at an event at Crewe Lifestyle Centre on Monday, March 13, from 11am-2pm, when visitors will be able to find out more about the free services on offer.

During the day there will be a 1km static bike challenge, the opportunity to win a Garmin fitness tracker, healthy eating cookery demonstrations and samples, demonstrations of health apps, a smoothie bike activity and the opportunity to sign up to services on the day.

British Paralympic track cyclist Megan Giglia MBE, who won Britain's first gold medal at the Rio Paralympics in 2016, will also attend and sign autographs.

Megan, a Congleton Cycle Club member, who now lives in Stockport, was honoured by Cheshire East Council last year by being given the freedom of the borough.

Councillor Paul Bates, cabinet member for communities and health at Cheshire East Council, said: “One You Cheshire East supports residents to take control of their health and address the everyday habits and behaviours that could lead to problems further down the line.

“The help and advice is provided in a way that works best for the individual but by bringing that support under one umbrella. It also increases cost-effectiveness.”

Residents can access One You Cheshire East services via self-referral or referrals from a health or social care professional. Support includes a dedicated website and lifestyle support staff.

Following next week’s public launch of One You Cheshire East, roadshows will take place across the borough, targeting the areas where there is the most need. There will also be One You Cheshire East activities at the lifestyle centre on Saturday, March 18.

Cllr Bates added: “I’m pleased that many of our residents are already taking advantage of the wealth of help and information available to them through One You Cheshire East but I’d like to encourage more residents to do the same and I urge them to attend the launch to find out more.”

The One You Cheshire East support to stop smoking is being delivered by a number of community providers – Well Pharmacies, Rowland Pharmacies, Healthbox and Wirral Community Trust – while specialist stop smoking services for clients in hospital settings, pregnant women and people with mental health issues is provided by Kickstart.

Everybody Sport and Recreation, the trust that manages the council’s leisure centres, is delivering the programmes to help residents eat well, lose weight and move more.

While the services have access criteria, information is still available to help those not eligible, such as through the dedicated website.

The One You Cheshire East website can be found at: www.oneyoucheshireeast.org

Cheshire East residents get behind national clean-up campaign

 

More than 20 community-led clean-up events took place across Cheshire East at the weekend in support of the Great British Spring Clean campaign.

Coordinated by Keep Britain Tidy, the Great British Spring Clean is taking place throughout March and will see around 500,000 people clearing up the places they love to help rid the country of litter.

The main weekend of action took place between March 3-5 and, in Cheshire East, a total of 22 events were held across Crewe, Nantwich, Sandbach, Alsager, Macclesfield, Wilmslow, Over Peover, Knutsford, Congleton, Moston, Disley, Bollington and Poynton. A number of schools, businesses and community groups were involved.

On Saturday, Councillor Paul Bates, Cheshire East Council’s cabinet member for communities and health, joined members of Crewe Clean Team as they tackled littering along the length of Flag Lane. The community group organises regular communal litter picks, bulb planting and other related activities.

Cllr Bates said: “Crewe Clean Team is one of the many community groups active within Cheshire East which are doing a great job in helping to tackle litter and keep our borough an attractive place to live, work and visit.

“I was glad to be able to join the volunteers and help them to litter pick, as well as hear more about their valuable work. But it was also saddening to see just how much litter had been dumped.

“We all have a responsibility to dispose of our rubbish in the correct way and the majority of our residents do care about the communities in which they live. Sadly, there are still those that don’t and choose to behave in an anti-social manner and drop their litter, instead of simply placing it in a bin.”

Clean team members were also given some of Cheshire East’s new ‘What Goes Where’ wheels, designed to educate residents about what materials they should and should not be putting into their black, silver and green/brown bins.

The interactive and picture-led wheels, which are magnetic, will initially be distributed to residents living in six fly-tipping ‘hot spot’ zones in Crewe, who have been surveyed as part of an action plan to decrease the amount of waste illegally dumped on the town’s streets.

Cllr Bates added: “I’d like to say ‘thank you’ to all those who took part in events across Cheshire East in support of the Great British Spring Clean.

“I’d also like to encourage even more residents, community groups and businesses to get involved in cleaning up their local area throughout the month.

“If you do notice a street cleansing issue or fly-tipped waste while you’re out and about in Cheshire East, please help our waste and enforcement teams by reporting incidents to us online at: cheshireeast.gov.uk/environment, or call 0300 123 5021.”

The Tatton Farm Staff are counting sheep!

The Tatton Farm Staff are counting sheep!

There are sleepless nights ahead for the farm staff at Tatton Park as the much-loved farm in Cheshire East heads into lambing season. How do staff members wind down after a long night-watch? By counting sheep of course!

In total, 32 farm ewes are due to lamb and the farm staff are expecting (hooves crossed!) 7 single lambs, 21 sets of twins and even 4 sets of triplets between now and the middle of April.

Visitors to the farm during Lambing Week (from Saturday 8th April to Monday 17th April) can expect to see many woolly new arrivals as the ewes have been synchronised to give birth within a 10-day period. There will be regular farm fact talks as visitors “meet the sheep.”

In addition to the farm’s mainly Suffolk cross flock, there are also two rare breed Leicester Longwool ewes expecting 3 lambs between them. The Leicester Longwools are considered ‘vulnerable’ on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust’s watch-list and so the addition of potentially more females to Tatton’s farm flock is very special.

Farm manager, Jayne Chapman says: “Lambing is a very special time of year, a real sign of spring. We all love to see the lambs skipping about enjoying the sunshine!”

Aside from the “stars of the show,” there are also shire horses, pigs, donkeys, cows and more for children to view as well as an outdoor den-building area.

Farm open Easter Half-Term everyday Sat April 8^th – Easter Mon April 17^th (closed Mon April 10^th) 12pm-5pm; last entry 4pm.

Admission charges: Adult £7, Child £5 (4-15 years), Children aged 3 and under are free, Family £19 (two adults + three children). Totally Tatton Tickets: entry to Farm, Gardens and Mansion: Adult £13, Child £7, Family £33 (two adults + three children).

National Trust members pay 50 per cent entry to the Farm. Park entry charge of £6 per car or mini-bus applies and includes NT members. Walkers and cyclists can enter Tatton Park free of charge.

Anti Social Behaviour

Subject: 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

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

Message sent by

Jess Street (Police, PCSO, Crewe LPU East PCSO)

Good Afternoon Residents,
Following a number of incidents of anti-social behaviour in and around Broad Street, Crewe we have increased our patrols in this area. We are encouraging residents who would prefer to remain anonymous to call Crimestoppers confidentially on 0800 555 111 to report any such activity.
Kind regards,
Crewe Local Policing Unit

Cheshire East scores well for first choice secondary school places

 

Cheshire East Council has worked with the borough’s schools to offer first preference places for more than 93 per cent of secondary school applicants this year.

This is 9.63 per cent better than the 2016 national average of 84.1 per cent. In total, 97.73 per cent of Cheshire East residents are being offered a place at a school of their choice for September 2017.

The number of applications received for school places in Cheshire East remains high in 2017, with a total of 4,866 applications. These included 3,877 from Cheshire East residents.

Due to a high number of applications in the north of the borough, a decision was taken to request admission to some schools above the published admission number to ensure that local children could be offered a school place within a reasonable distance. The local authority will make additional resources available to schools to meet the needs of children following the ‘accept and decline’ process.

For other schools, the decision to admit above the published admission number was made on the basis that the school had existing accommodation that could be used or that class organisation allowed for the admission of more children for this year.

Councillor Liz Durham, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for children and families, said: “Our schools in Cheshire East have a well-deserved reputation for excellence, with 95.1 per cent rated good or outstanding by Ofsted. This leads to a significant number of applications from outside the borough.

“Because of this, and our desire to offer parents places in a local school of their choice, extra resources are being made available to make this possible.”   

Councillor Rachel Bailey, leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “To be able to say to such a high proportion of parents that they have been given their first choice of school for their child is further recognition of our first-class education service in Cheshire East. I believe our team have reached this phenomenal achievement in a challenging landscape.

“We know that access to a school of choice is an important issue for families and our record demonstrates, once again, that Cheshire East is a great place to live and to learn.”

The local authority is in the process of reviewing school capacity across the borough, due to housing developments and the increasing demand for places in some areas. Details of any proposals will be published on the admissions website.

● Further information on secondary school place decisions for September 2017 is available on the council’s website at:

http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/schools/admissions/september-2017-allocations.aspx

Birders @ Sandbach Flashes threaten 70 year old OAP

Sandbach Flashes a 70 year OAP was today was physically assaulted by the owner of the car below. The man threatened he would be killed and his family hurt if he returned to the flashes . The man openly admitted a few days earlier in front of witness he had put a trap on top of a badger sett in the area which he claimed was for squirrels. It is a criminal offence to interfere with a badger sett and even if it was for squirrels there is no excuse for birders killing them just because they eat the birds pea nuts.

Cheshire has a badger group who inspect and protect all badger setts and they found it and its believed it was removed by the Police last year. In very recant days badger baiting has been seen in the area and a dead badger has been found close to the site. The birder had a go at the OAP last week and a field officer from the badger group who was checking for any illegal activity   felt very threatened by birders at the site.

If other birders are party to these traps they can be found guilty of criminal offence under the Badger Act. To offer this level of violence it would suggest that something illegal is going on you expect birders to respect all wildlife not murdering any wildlife who are just trying to feed themselves.

To threaten an OAP is the lowest of the low I wonder if they would do the same to a young body builder or is it just OAPS. The question remains are visitors safe or will they suffer similar violence. The site is all on public property and not owned by the birders so its open to anyone to see the wildlife its a SSSI site and should be promoting wildlife not killing it.

The badger group will step up checks in light of the incidents and the dead badger and police and RSPCA are working with the group to protect badgers and other wildlife they can put markers on the cars which will be flagged if they are seen close to any setts .

 

If you think that threatening an OAP and setting traps is wrong you can complain to the birders here https://sandbachflashes.co.uk/contact-us/

New Penalty For Using Mobile Phones Whilst Driving

Subject: New Penalty For Using Mobile Phones Whilst Driving

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

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

Message sent by

Jess Street (Police, PCSO, Crewe LPU East PCSO)

Dear Residents,
As from today, 1st March 2017, the penalty for using a mobile phone will double to 6 points and attract a £200 fine. Newly qualified drivers, who are within two years since passing their test, as a consequence, will have to retake their tests again.
PC Burns has already issued 7 tickets over a 5 hour period today in Crewe to people seen using their mobile phone whilst driving – some very expensive phone calls for those people.
If you need to use your mobile phone whilst you are out driving, please first pull over in a safe place or wait until you have arrived at your destination to make your call.
Kind regards,
Crewe Local Policing Unit.

Council awaits Supreme Court ruling in landmark planning issue

 

Cheshire East Council is awaiting the ruling of five Supreme Court judges in its joint appeal over the interpretation of the National Planning Policy Framework and the impact of the requirement for a five year housing land supply contained within it.

The council is arguing that the NPPF fails to attach sufficient importance and weight to local plans and neighbourhood plans when planning decisions are taken.

The council’s submission stems from a Court of Appeal decision which ruled against the authority in the case of Richborough Estates and the developer’s plans for 170 homes in the green gap at Moorfields in Willaston near Nantwich.

The joint application to the Supreme Court is with Suffolk Coastal District Council, which has put forward the same argument that local plans and neighbourhood plans should be given due weight where a five-year housing supply cannot be identified.

Councillor Ainsley Arnold, cabinet member for housing and planning, said: “The Court of Appeal decision, which went against us, was too important to ignore.

“This is about Cheshire East Council standing up for our residents where we feel the planning policies in adopted local and neighbourhood plans can be too easily set aside on appeal.

“It takes years to prepare such plans with full community involvement and complex examination, and yet they can be deemed ‘out of date’ on the turn of a housing supply calculation.

“This loophole allows housing schemes to go ahead in the face of long-term planning policies such as green gap, protected landscapes or historic environments.

“We feel we had little choice but to test this, along with another planning authority, by going to the Supreme Court in the interests of our residents and to obtain clarity in the interpretation of the NPPF.” 

If the two councils are successful with their joint appeal, then it could impact on future planning decisions and appeals across the country.

The Supreme Court ruling is expected at a later date and follows a two-day hearing in February.

As the hearing was web streamed it can still be viewed at http://bit.ly/2m9ET1x

Businesses urged to take up free expert advice and support

 

Businesses are being urged to attend a briefing which provides information on changes to environmental legislation and rules on business standards.

The breakfast briefing at South Cheshire College, at 8am on March 28, will include top tips to help businesses avoid costly fines for failing to meet key legal requirements.

With Brexit presenting businesses with a host of opportunities and challenges, the event will help companies ensure they remain competitive and comply with important changes to the ISO 9001 and 14001 standards demanded by customers for quality and environmental management.

As well as the free-to-attend event, businesses can receive free business support before the end of March, to help identify energy-saving and other resource-reducing opportunities. Cheshire East companies that have benefited in the past through similar programmes include Holmes Chapel-based Fine Décor, which saved more than £500,000 and Nantwich-based haulage company GA Newsome, which saved £81,000.

The council’s environmental business support programme is managed by its arms-length Skills and Growth Company in partnership with Groundwork Cheshire.

Councillor George Hayes, chairman of the Skills and Growth Company, said: “For any business holding quality or environmental ISO standards, this is a ‘must attend’ event. For others – who feel improvements in their environment efficiency could not only help them save thousands of pounds but also give them a real business edge – I urge them to attend and take advantage of our free support.”

For more information on the event and to book places visit: http://www.skillsandgrowth.co.uk/events/

Cycle to work for a chance to win top of the range bike gear

 

Commuters are being urged to swap four wheels for two and take part in a week-long competition to promote cycling to work.

Ride to Work week runs from March 13-19 and offers cyclists in Cheshire East a chance to win fantastic prizes – including top of the range bike gear and a cycling holiday to Cuba.

Cyclists who regularly cycle to work can take part, as well as new riders who want to try cycling for their daily commute.

Local employers, including Bentley Motors, AstraZeneca, South Cheshire College and Cheshire East Council, have already signed up to take part in Ride to Work week, with staff logging their bike journeys via the Love to Ride website.

Everyone who signs up is entered into a daily prize draw and there’s a chance to track your progress against colleagues and other employers online.

The friendly competition is being backed by Travel Cheshire, a Cheshire East Council project set up to promote ‘active travel’ across the borough, including cycling and walking.

Councillor David Brown, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for highways and

infrastructure, said: “Cycling to work has lots of benefits and by taking part in Ride to Work week, you can see for yourself why getting to work by bike is a great option.

“By swapping the car for the bike, you’ll be healthier, happier and wealthier. It’s a great way to get a daily dose of exercise; it can set you up for a productive day at work and can save you money. 

“If you already cycle to work, why not encourage colleagues to take to the saddle? If you’ve never ridden to work, or if you’re not a regular cyclist, why not give it a try for a week? It’s free to register and take part and you only have to ride for 10 minutes or more.”

Prizes include brand new bikes, bike luggage from recycling company UPSO, and a cycling holiday to Cuba from Exodus Travel.

Cheshire East cyclists will also have a chance to win a new bike courtesy of Crewe’s Community Recycle Cycles.

For more information visit: lovetoride/net/cheshireeast

Council’s Ansa company to deliver savings for two more authorities

 

Cheshire East Council’s award-winning company Ansa is in discussions with two other authorities to create a new joint venture partnership to deliver waste collection and other environmental services. 

Staffordshire Moorlands and High Peak councils have agreed with Ansa the principle of establishing a subsidiary company to carry out waste collections, street cleansing, grounds maintenance and fleet management for the two authorities.

Waste disposal will remain the responsibility of both Staffordshire and Derbyshire County Councils.

The new venture aims to save Staffordshire Moorlands and High Peak councils more than £1m over the lifetime of the arrangement on their combined budget of more than £8m.

The joint venture partnership will be a stand-alone arrangement and will utilise existing facilities and resources currently available within High Peak and Staffordshire Moorlands, with all existing employees transferred to the new partnership arrangement.

The proposal will not affect the current contract between Ansa and Cheshire East Council, meaning that environmental services will continue as normal.

Discussions have been taking place between Ansa and both councils over a number of weeks and changes in the management of services will be introduced through a phased approach over the next 18 months.

Both authorities are keen to maintain and improve – where possible – their strong recycling rates, and have commissioned Ansa to achieve this while also aiming to  improve the overall performance of their existing environmental services.

The Cheshire East company has transformed recycling rates in the borough to make the authority one of the best-performing authorities in the country.

Fifty-five per cent of the 183,000 tonnes of household waste collected – above the national average – is recycled, 17 per cent is processed into energy renewal with only 28 per cent going to landfill.

Last year residents’ feedback on council services gave Ansa a 90 per cent public satisfaction rate for waste collection.  It was a finalist in the national recycling awards and  retained the Rospa gold award for health and safety training.

Councillor Rachel Bailey, Leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “Ansa will share its high standard of best practice, expertise and service delivery with these two neighbouring authorities and we are proud that High Peak and Staffordshire Moorlands have agreed to enter into this partnership arrangement with a Cheshire East Council owned company.”

Cllr John Hammond, chairman of Ansa, said: “This arrangement is a glowing reflection on the reputation of Ansa as a company that seeks to achieve the highest standards of service for its commissioning authorities and for council taxpayers in all three boroughs.

“We look forward to a long and successful working partnership.”

Council confirms £10m highways improvements for Cheshire East

 

Cheshire East Council is to invest a further £10m in highway improvements over the coming year.

The council’s approved budget for 2017/18 secured this highway investment programme to continue work to improve the condition of Cheshire East’s roads.

The borough’s highways are the council’s biggest material asset, valued at £5 billion. An additional £35m of council investment has been spent on road improvements over the last three years, with reports of road defects reducing from 17,000 in 2012/13 to just over 4,000 in 2015/16.  

Councillor David Brown, deputy leader of Cheshire East Council and cabinet member for highways and infrastructure, said: “We are committed to continue to utilise available budgets to ensure the right road treatment is planned, in the right location and done at the right time.

“Based on Department for Transport statistics, Cheshire East’s roads showed the greatest improvement in condition in the North West in 2015, with ‘A’ and ‘B’ roads improving by three per cent and ‘C’ roads by six per cent, compared with 2013.”

The council is on track to qualify for further government ‘incentive funding’ worth £870,000, with the potential for increased funding in 2018/19, maximising highways money from central government.

The council’s highways investment programme will be published online at: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/highways

The council’s highways online reporting ‘tools’ can also be found on this web page, which can be used to report and track any highways issues. You can also phone Cheshire East highways on 0300 123 5020.

Greater support for victims of domestic abuse following funding boost

 

Hundreds of victims suffering from domestic abuse will be provided with greater support after local authorities successfully secured almost half a million pounds.

Cheshire Police, along with Cheshire East Council, Cheshire West and Chester Council, Halton Borough Council and Warrington Borough Council, successfully secured £481,000 in order to help provide support to victims with the most complex of needs.

Over the next two years money – from the Department for Communities and Local Government – will be used to recruit and train a team of specialist workers who can assess more complex cases and effectively support those who are experiencing multiple and challenging barriers to living safe lives. This will provide local suitable accommodation to victims so they no longer have to live in fear in their own home.

It will also help to create a dedicated coordination function across the sub-region to provide direct access to a range of public sector data systems and professionals to offer additional advice and support on complex cases. This includes local services such as social care, NHS, drug and alcohol, housing, mental health services, missing from home workers and CSE.

The function will also be used to build upon and expand a sub-regional network of existing specialist workers including Polish-speaking independent domestic violence advisors, Polish helpline and BME for specific faith based work and men’s workers.

The funding is part of the government’s commitment to protect those suffering from domestic abuse and ensure no victim is turned away from the support they need. The funding will help local services support victims with somewhere safe to live and rebuild their lives.

Chief Constable Simon Byrne, Chair of the Domestic Abuse Strategic Board, said: “Securing this funding is fantastic news and will go a long way in helping us support those who suffer greatly at the hands of their abusers.

“Domestic abuse has a huge impact on the lives of victims as well as their families and we work hard to ensure they are protected and kept safe from harm to enable them to move forward and begin a better life.”

Councillor Paul Bates, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for communities and health, said: “Through our ongoing commitment to working more collaboratively  with neighbouring local authorities  and other strategic partners, we are delighted to have secured this additional funding which will see more victims of domestic abuse across Cheshire being given the essential support they so desperately need.

“Tackling domestic abuse and violence in Cheshire East remains a top priority and there is simply no place for abuse or violence against women and girls in our local communities. As a council, we are firmly committed to putting our residents first and helping the victims of domestic abuse feel safe and have the opportunity to turn their lives around from this devastating crime.”

Police and Crime Commissioner David Keane said: “It is welcoming to see this vital service has been given the funding. One of the priorities in my police and crime plan is to focus on services which support victims of crimes and protecting the vulnerable. This latest initiative is another step in the right direction in being there for victims when they need it most and when they are at their most vulnerable.”