The Andrews Panto & Plays Society

Reporter Jonathan White

The Andrews Panto & Plays Society (TAPPS) performed the musical pantomime ‘Alice in Wonderland’ at St Andrew's Church Hall, Bedford Street, Crewe in mid-January this year.

‘Alice in Wonderland’ featured a mixture of song, dance, silliness, and audience participation.

There were also refreshments, a raffle and a lucky programme number draw during the interval. The lucky programme number winner at each performance received a star prize donated by Tesco Extra (Vernon Way, Crewe), Mrs Darlington (Lancaster Fields, Crewe), and Mornflake (Gresty Road, Crewe).

TAPPS received a good luck message from Bobby Ball, who recently performed in panto at the Crewe Lyceum. The message read: ‘Hi everyone, Sorry I can’t be with you this panto season because I am really very busy with my own this year and other things after, but I wish you every success and hope in fact I know it will be a huge success. Once again have a good one. God bless everyone. Bobby Ball’

‘Alice in Wonderland’ played to 300 people over four performances.

Money from this year’s 2020 pantomime will go to St Andrew's Church and charities, plus a small amount will be held in reserve for future TAPPS productions. TAPPS have given away over £6,000 in the years since its formation.

TAPPS Panto Director Fred Allman said: “This has been a great production and I am very proud of all those who have been involved.  It was especially good to have new young faces in our company this year. Our pantos seem to get better with each year and feedback from audiences has been very positive.  We actually had a standing ovation from our Saturday night audience and more people have asked about joining us as a result of watching the show.”

TAPPS was formed in November 2014 to stage a panto for the local community in the St Andrews Church area. Since then the society has grown and includes many people from the local community and further afield, working together with church members. Since the formation the society has staged six pantos, five variety shows and hosted several play reading evenings. Some members have been involved in dramatic presentations in St Andrews Church. The society enjoys a social life with theatre trips, country walks and other events throughout the year. TAPPS is non-profit making so any money goes to charities and the church.

For further information relating to TAPPS please phone Fred on 07949524798.

‘Holly Holy Day’ Battle of Nantwich events at St Mary’s Church, Acton

Reporter Jonathan White, Wistaston

‘Holly Holy Day’ Battle of Nantwich events at St Mary’s Church, Acton

Activities have been organised to suit all tastes at St Mary’s Church on Monks Lane in Acton near Nantwich on Saturday 25th January 2020, during the annual ‘Holly Holy Day’ Battle of Nantwich. The Church will be open from 9am until 11:30am serving hot drinks and buttered toast with the opportunity to go up the Church’s Tower. At 10am Mike Lea (local historian) will give a talk: ‘The Civil War explained’ and at 11am a Guided Walk will head off to view the battlefields. Everyone is welcome (donations are gratefully received). For enquiries please contact Steve Davies Tel. (01270) 624135. A representative from St Mary’s Church, Acton said, “This is always a popular annual event at Acton Church. We very much enjoy welcoming our visitors and helping them to have a really good time”.

The ‘Battle of Nantwich’ occurred during the first English Civil War (1642-1646) and was fought between the Parliamentarians (Roundheads) and the Royalists (Cavaliers) who were loyal to Charles I. At the end of 1643, the Royalist Army had secured much of the North West and Cheshire with the exception of Nantwich where, surrounded by Royalists, the Parliamentarian garrison held out under siege. Namptwiche, as it was then called, was Cheshire’s second major town and very important due to its strategic position on the road to Chester. A Parliamentarian force under the command of Sir Thomas Fairfax (1612-71) advanced from Lincolnshire to relieve the town. This army engaged the Royalists in the Henhull area to the west and defeated them in the Battle of Namptwiche. As Fairfax’s forces marched on Acton, Col Richard Gibson deployed four Royalist regiments of infantry to meet them. The Royalists fell back to Acton Church where Col Gibson surrendered to Fairfax. Many of the Officers took refuge in Acton Church and were also taken prisoner after surrendering. The battle took place on 25th January 1644 and it was a Parliamentarian victory. To celebrate the Parliamentarian victory people wore sprigs of holly in their hair and hats.

Today, the Battle of Nantwich is commemorated annually on the nearest Saturday to the original battle date and it is known as ‘Holly Holy Day’. During ‘Holly Holy Day’ hundreds of re-enactors will also descend on Nantwich to commemorate the 1644 Civil War battle. There will also be various displays and parades culminating in a large battle on Mill Island in Nantwich.

Tatton Park’s Winter Wonder Offers

Visit Tatton Park midweek for half price

Book online and pay just half price vehicle entry to Tatton Park and go on to enjoy free garden admission for midweek visits from 7^th Jan to 7^th Feb. The adventure playground is also here for little ones to run-off steam and parkland walks, whatever the weather, help to keep those promises of being more active in 2020.

10 Winter Wonders in the Gardens

Tatton Park shares 10 reasons for visiting the Gardens this month:

v It’s free!

v Join the hunt for snowdrops. Tatton’s first (photographed) was spotted behind the Tower near the Rose Garden

v Find warmth, relaxation and tropical greenery in the heated glasshouses

v Admire longer views across the 50-acre gardens, thanks to the tree skeletons

v Discover rare species of conifer in the Arboretum

v Enjoy the peace of the Japanese Garden

v Have fun in the maze

v Enjoy a well-earnt sit down in the African Hut

v Soak up views of the parkland from the Italian Terrace

v Take a winter walk out to the Choragic Monument, at the perimeter of the Gardens

“The Winter gardens is the perfect place to re-energise and refresh, take a walk through the Fernery and Conservatory stopping to smell the orange blossom and breathe in the early smell of pine pollen blowing through the pinetum in late winter”
Simon Tetlow, Tatton Park’s Head Gardener

Book your £3.50 entry online today

The Winter Wonder Offer is available online only for Tuesday to Friday visits, from 7th Jan to 7th Feb 2020. Book your £3.50 vehicle entry (£1.75 for blue badge holders) today at www.tattonpark.org.uk/winterwonder

Visit the Winter Gardens for free

Enjoy free garden admission, midweek only Tuesday to Friday, from 7th Jan to 7th Feb 2020. No voucher necessary.

Please note Tatton Park is closed on Mondays during the winter season. More information at www.tattonpark.org.uk or call 01625 374416

Warning Due To A Rise In Courier Fraud Crimes

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We're issuing an urgent warning to residents after three elderly victims were conned out of more than £60,000 by fraudsters posing as police officers and bank workers.
Courier frauds are mainly committed by organised crime groups (OCGs). A member of the OCG, known as the ‘victim communicator’ makes phone calls to vulnerable potential victims, usually the more elderly members of the community, telling them they are a police officer or work at the bank.
They persuade the victim to cooperate with an ‘operation’ designed to gather evidence or identify offenders responsible for a fictional offence. The victims are asked to withdraw money from their bank, purchase an expensive item and/or provide their bank details or card to assist with the operation.
The money, item or documents are handed over to another member of the gang, the ‘courier’, who attends the victim’s address or meets them nearby, on the promise that the money or item will be returned or compensation provided.
In the last 28 days alone, three Cheshire victims have been conned out of more than £60,000 in cash and goods. Two victims in Crewe both handed over more than £10,000 each after withdrawing cash and giving it to fraudsters in the mistaken belief they were assisting police officers. One victim in Alderley Edge has lost £20,000 cash and over £20,000 in goods while there was a narrow escape for a Congleton victim who tried make a withdrawal from the bank but, thankfully, the Banking Protocol* was followed which prevented them from losing their money.
In the other five cases the potential victims realised there was a potential scam in progress and informed the police.
Detective Sergeant Chris Jacques from Cheshire Constabulary’s Economic Crime Unit said: “Nationally, courier fraud is a growing problem with over 1000 offences committed in the last six months. A national awareness campaign is being launched this week to target offenders, which we will be supporting.
“I would strongly urge anyone receiving calls asking for money to be withdrawn and handed over to a courier to immediately phone the police on 101 or report the incident to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. Police, banks or other such services don’t cold call so, if you do receive a phone call purporting to be from one of these organisations, don’t be taken in by what they say. They are not genuine.”
Officers have issued general advice on how to spot and avoid courier fraud:

• Police officers, banks or other such organisations will never ask you for cash or your bank details.
• If you do receive a potential courier fraud call us on 101 or report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
• If someone is trying to rush you into doing something regarding your bank account it is likely they are involved in a scam.
• Do you bank with one particular bank but the person on the phone is talking about a different one - even if they do have the right bank, it doesn’t mean it is legitimate.

*The Banking Protocol trains bank staff to spot when someone is about to fall victim to a scam and will try to prevent them from withdrawing cash to give to a fraudster, after which they can request an immediate police response to the branch.  52 payment service providers, including all the main high street banks and the Post Office, are now fully signed up to the Banking Protocol and have trained up their front-line branch staff in the steps that need to be taken when a customer is at risk. Since March 2018, the scheme has been implemented by all 45 police forces across the UK.

Major sponsorship announced for Pride in the Park!

Cheshire East Council is delighted to announce a main sponsorship package for flagship LGBT+ event Pride in the Park 2020.

This is the second year Crewe Town Council has pledged to help celebrate, support and campaign for the LGBT+ community in Cheshire East.

The third annual LGBT+ event will take place at Queens Park, in Crewe, on Saturday 20 June 2020.

Pride in the Park welcomes people from Cheshire East and beyond, offering a whole host of family-friendly entertainment and activities, a vibrant parade and a dedicated marketplace of LGBT+ organisations to help offer advice and information for visitors.

This colourful, fun-filled, celebratory event will feature a health and wellbeing marketplace for visitors to receive key help and support from organisations such as Body Positive, Transforum Manchester and Diversity Role Models. Cheshire East partner agencies, including Cheshire police and Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, will also attend.

Councillor Jill Rhodes, Cheshire East Council cabinet member with responsibility for equality and diversity, said: “We are delighted Crewe Town Council has made the decision to again get involved with Pride in the Park 2020. Putting on such a major event for the LGBT+ community, which last year attracted 5,000 visitors, would not be possible without the generous and enthusiastic support of Crewe Town Council and other sponsors, partners and community organisations.

“Pride in the Park continues to grow and already there is a real sense of excitement among all those involved for the event next year. Everyone is really looking forward to the big day.”

Councillor Tom Dunlop, chair of Crewe Town Council's community plan committee, said: “Crewe Town Council is incredibly proud to once again be a part of Pride in the Park coming in to 2020, as we celebrate both the equality and diversity of our local communities, by continuing our support for the LGBT+ community - not only in Crewe but around the country.

“I attended the event in 2019, and had the pleasure of meeting many wonderful people who had travelled from far and wide to attend the event, which was held in our beautiful Queens Park - and I am so pleased that the event will be returning to the park this year.

“The atmosphere was fantastic, the parade was awash with vibrancy and colour, the performers all did an outstanding job, the crowd were happy – and the weather was mostly good too!”

Other sponsors who have signed up to support Pride in the Park include Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, HSL Compliance and Cheshire East Council's arms-length company Ansa Environmental Services.

To find out more about this event, visit: www.prideinthepark.com or for details of sponsorship opportunities, contact Kathryn Bradley at kathryn.bradley@cheshireeast.gov.uk

PCSO Recruitment

PCSO Recruitment

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Good morning,
We opened up recruitment for PCSOs on Friday 3rd January, with vacancies in the areas of Crewe, Macclesfield, Warrington, Chester and Runcorn.
Information about the role of a PCSO and the recruitment process can be found below:-
Macclesfield – socsi.in/f70Xz
Chester – socsi.in/BwYfy
Crewe – https://cheshirepolice.taleo.net/careersection/mfss-external+cheshire+constabulary/jobdetail.ftl?job=20000005&lang=en&sns_id=link&utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=SocialSignIn&utm_content=Event+and+Meeting+promotion#.Xg8iLZ2HTCA.link
Warrington – socsi.in/PgLIa
Runcorn – socsi.in/2W31y

Love is in the air at Tatton Park

Christmas is a magical time of year when many couples are swept up in the romance of the festive season. The Fairytale Christmas Mansion at Tatton Park this year immersed visitors in a beautiful world of fairytale themed rooms, elaborate Christmas decorations and festive floral displays. Thousands of visitors marvelled at the magical celebration of the ten much-loved fairytales and for our visitors Julie and Keith, it was an occasion they will remember forever.

Fairytale ending at Tatton Park’s Christmas Mansion

The eighteen-foot tree in the cupola of the Mansion, adorned with silver and gold ornaments and twinkling lights was the perfect setting for a special Christmas proposal. Julie and Keith visited the Fairytale Christmas Mansion on the 20^th of December 2019 on the 9^th anniversary of their “first date.”

Keith says, “I had been looking for somewhere Christmassy, beautiful and memorable to propose to Julie…We have been to events at Tatton Park before and we love the area and knew that the Mansion would be something special at Christmas. I knew that Julie would particularly like it…We went round all the rooms and thought the room with the huge, amazing Christmas tree was particularly impressive and very beautiful. She was not aware of my plan - At an appropriate time, I suggested we take a couple of pictures in front of the tree and at that point I got down on one knee and proposed! Thankfully she said yes!!” Julie and Keith’s own fairytale has just begun and we are sure they will live happily ever after.

Love is in the air at Tatton Park

Tatton Park congratulates all the newly engaged couples from the Christmas period and is gearing up for a busy wedding season ahead. Set in 1,000 acres of beautiful Cheshire parkland with wild deer, beautiful meres, ornamental gardens, and the Neo-classical Mansion from the 18^th century, Tatton has an enviable reputation for providing one of the most sought-after locations for weddings throughout the year.

Bride: the Wedding Show

If you or a loved one has become engaged over Christmas, we have a wedding planning event coming up next month to inspire you. Bride: The Wedding Show is the most glamorous of all our many events and is presented in association with Cheshire Life with fabulous exhibitors that will have everything you need for your special day. Enjoy choreographed fashion shows, live music, and glitzy champagne bars to help make the planning even more fun.

Meet Tatton Park’s experienced team at stall 100 at the show and come and view our beautifully dressed Tenants Hall and wedding facilities. Staff will be on hand to have a chat and you will get the chance to speak to some of our selected suppliers and bar company who can help you plan your special day.

Times and Prices:

v Bride: The Wedding Show and Tatton Park Open Days are on Saturday 1^st and Sunday 2^nd of February 2020 from 10am – 5pm.

v Tickets are £10 for regular admission to the Bride: The Wedding Show or £15 for a VIP ticket, which includes a glass of champagne and a guaranteed seat for the 11:15am catwalk show. Take advantage of our special offer and get half price tickets when you use the promo code TATTONPARK to purchase your tickets in advance at www.bridetheweddingshow.co.uk. Booking fee applies.

A £7 Vehicle Park Entry charge applies for visitors who arrive by car, minibus or motorbike. Walkers, cyclists and pre-booked coaches can enter the Park free of charge.

‘Holly Holy Day’ Battle of Nantwich events at St Mary’s Church, Acton

Reporter  Jonathan White, Wistaston

Activities have been organised to suit all tastes at St Mary’s Church on Monks Lane in Acton near Nantwich on Saturday 25th January 2020, during the annual ‘Holly Holy Day’ Battle of Nantwich. The Church will be open from 9am until 11:30am serving hot drinks and buttered toast with the opportunity to go up the Church’s Tower. At 10am Mike Lea (local historian) will give a talk: ‘The Civil War explained’ and at 11am a Guided Walk will head off to view the battlefields. Everyone is welcome (donations are gratefully received). For enquiries please contact Steve Davies Tel. (01270) 624135. A representative from St Mary’s Church, Acton said, “This is always a popular annual event at Acton Church. We very much enjoy welcoming our visitors and helping them to have a really good time”.

The ‘Battle of Nantwich’ occurred during the first English Civil War (1642-1646) and was fought between the Parliamentarians (Roundheads) and the Royalists (Cavaliers) who were loyal to Charles I. At the end of 1643, the Royalist Army had secured much of the North West and Cheshire with the exception of Nantwich where, surrounded by Royalists, the Parliamentarian garrison held out under siege. Namptwiche, as it was then called, was Cheshire’s second major town and very important due to its strategic position on the road to Chester. A Parliamentarian force under the command of Sir Thomas Fairfax (1612-71) advanced from Lincolnshire to relieve the town. This army engaged the Royalists in the Henhull area to the west and defeated them in the Battle of Namptwiche. As Fairfax’s forces marched on Acton, Col Richard Gibson deployed four Royalist regiments of infantry to meet them. The Royalists fell back to Acton Church where Col Gibson surrendered to Fairfax. Many of the Officers took refuge in Acton Church and were also taken prisoner after surrendering. The battle took place on 25th January 1644 and it was a Parliamentarian victory. To celebrate the Parliamentarian victory people wore sprigs of holly in their hair and hats.

Today, the Battle of Nantwich is commemorated annually on the nearest Saturday to the original battle date and it is known as ‘Holly Holy Day’. During ‘Holly Holy Day’ hundreds of re-enactors will also descend on Nantwich to commemorate the 1644 Civil War battle. There will also be various displays and parades culminating in a large battle on Mill Island in Nantwich.

Winter Wellbeing – accessing the right health services for your needs

Cheshire East Council and its partners are offering a range of advice and support to residents on how to keep warm, well and safe this winter.

This week, we urge residents to make sure they access the right health services for their needs.

During the winter months, health services can become overwhelmed through greatly increased demand. 

To help limit the impact it’s important that you are aware of which service is right for you at a given time.

Firstly, if you start to feel unwell, even if it is just a cough or cold, don’t wait until it gets more serious – get help from your pharmacist. Your pharmacist can give you advice for many common minor illnesses, such as diarrhoea, minor infections, headache or sore throats, so the pharmacy should be your first port of call.

Aside of your local pharmacy, here’s our advice on which services to access in a particular situation:

● Call NHS 111 if you urgently need medical help or advice but it’s not a life-threatening situation. You can also call NHS 111 if you're not sure which NHS service you need;

● Call 999 if someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk and;

● Make an appointment with your GP if you are feeling unwell and it is not an emergency.

Make sure you speak to your pharmacist about medicines you should have in stock to help get you and your family through the winter season. Also check to see if older neighbours, relatives and friends have the medication they need.

Remember, if you do need help when your GP surgery is closed and it’s not serious or life threatening, call NHS 111 or visit: www.nhs.uk, where you can be directed to a local service that is open.

Councillor Jill Rhodes, cabinet member for public health at Cheshire East Council, said: “Residents have a range of services they can access if they feel unwell or need advice during winter. But it’s important that the services they do access are appropriate to their needs.

“You can do your part in helping to take the strain off health services by ensuring you have pharmacy purchased medicines at home to treat common illnesses, keep an eye on vulnerable members of the community and ensure you get help and advice as soon as you start to feel unwell.”

For further winter wellbeing advice, visit: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/livewell and scroll down to the winter wellbeing section. Advice can also be found on the council’s Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/cheshireeastcouncil and on Twitter at: @CheshireEast

Residents can help friends and neighbours, who do not have internet access, by downloading and printing off information from the website and giving it to them.

Cheshire East Council announces cabinet member for Children and Families

Councillor Kathryn Flavell has been announced as Cheshire East Council’s cabinet member for children and families.

Councillor Flavell is ward member for Sandbach, Elworth and has served as deputy cabinet member for children and families and as a member of the corporate parenting committee.

Councillor Sam Corcoran, leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “I am very grateful to Councillor Flavell for stepping forward into this important role.  Kathryn worked closely with the previous cabinet member, the late and much missed Councillor Dorothy Flude, and I know that she is passionate about the welfare and wellbeing of our children and families.”

Councillor Flavell said: “The council plays a crucial role in supporting and helping to shape the lives of children in Cheshire East. Our ambition is for every child and young person to have the best start in life, to be safe, happy, healthy  and to reach their full potential. To this end, the council works in close partnership with schools, health agencies, adopters, foster carers, community groups, police and other partners as well as with children and families directly.

“I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the late Dorothy Flude and her absolute commitment to improving the lives of all our children. I am both honoured and humbled to be stepping into the shoes of such a hardworking and well-respected councillor. I am looking forward to the challenges ahead and will do my very best to help deliver our ambition.

“I would especially like to thank the leader, my cabinet colleagues and officers for supporting me in this new role.”

Have Your Say on the Policing Precept For Cheshire

Have Your Say on the Policing Precept For Cheshire

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Cheshire’s police and crime commissioner is asking residents and businesses for their views on how much council tax they pay towards local policing.
PCC David Keane has today (Tuesday 7 January) launched an online consultation to ask local people if they would be willing to support up to a maximum of £2 per month increase in the policing precept for the average band D household.
You can complete the online survey here: Have your say on police funding
There will also be a number of roadshows held across Cheshire where residents can talk to the commissioner directly about their views on the precept and complete the survey face-to-face.
He said: “Over the last decade police funding has been subject to stringent funding cuts from central Government. This has seen the policing budget in Cheshire decrease in real-terms year-on-year since 2010. In a decade where demand on policing has increased by one third, and become increasingly complex, the government’s programme of austerity has meant that Cheshire has suffered a big decrease in police officers, support staff posts and other essential resources as we’ve struggled with more than £60 million of real term cuts.
“Whilst imposing cuts nationally, central government has dictated the shift of the funding burden onto local residents, requiring commissioners to consult on raising the policing element of council tax. Whilst I believe that policing should be funded from government as the first responsibility of the state is keeping its people safe, I promised to protect our public and our public services and to carefully listen to the views of local residents.
“Historically, this annual consultation is set around the government’s Provisional Police Funding Settlement which local police services usually receive in December. Due to the late general election in 2019, police services are yet to receive their Provisional Funding Settlement for 2020/21 so we have to work on an assumption of the continuance of a flat-cash settlement from Government with no additional funding to support additional demand or to cover pay and price inflation. The chief constable has advised me to consult with Cheshire residents on a precept that enables him to deliver a police service which keeps our communities safe.
“At £200.44, the police element of band D council tax in Cheshire is currently the ninth lowest in the country. And thanks to the support of local residents in last year’s policing precept, we have delivered on our promise of locally recruiting 43 officers in the last nine months.
“We are also expecting to see some of the police officer posts, of the circa 21,000 that have been lost over the last decade, start to be replaced by the government funded national uplift programme. Cheshire are expecting to see 30 of these officers this year which will start to help us reverse the effects of austerity on policing but while these officers may be funded, there appears no protection for the current budget and for current officer numbers in Cheshire to be maintained.
“Therefore, the chief constable and I are asking residents and businesses in Cheshire if they are willing to support up to an extra £2 per month increase for the average band D household. This will enable the chief constable to invest in a number of areas which are operational threats for Cheshire Police including county lines, major crime and modern slavery and human trafficking.”
The public consultation events will be taking place at the following locations on the following dates:

• Chester - Tesco, Frodsham Square, Thursday 9 January, 1pm-3pm
• Runcorn - Runcorn Shopping City, Friday 10 January, 10am-12noon
• Widnes - Morrisons, Green Oaks Way, Friday 10 January, 1pm-3pm
• Warrington - Cockhedge Shopping Centre, Thursday 16 January, 1pm-3pm
• Macclesfield - Sainsbury’s, Cumberland Street, Friday 17 January, 10am-12noon
• Middlewich - Morrisons, Newton Bank, Friday 17 January, 2pm-4pm
• Crewe - Tesco, Vernon Way, Thursday 23 January, 1pm-3pm
• Ellesmere Port - The Market, Friday 24 January, 10am-12noon
• Northwich - Asda, Leicester Street, Friday 24 January, 2pm-4pm

The consultation closes at midnight on Sunday 26 January 2020.

The 7th annual ‘Civil War author event’

The 7th annual ‘Civil War author event’, organised by the Nantwich Book Shop & Coffee Lounge, will take place in Nantwich on Friday 24th January 2020 on the evening before the annual Holly Holy Day ‘Battle of Nantwich’ re-enactment in the town. The event will feature Civil War authors Norah Carlin, Margaret Evans and Mark Turnbull. Tickets = £7.50 per person, which includes snacks and a £2.50 discount upon book purchase. Cash Bar. Doors open at 6:30pm for a 7pm start. Venue to be decided.

Holly Holy Day traces back to the 17th century and the four-year-long First English Civil War between the Parliamentarians (Roundheads) and the Royalists (Cavaliers) loyal to Charles I. This year is the 376th anniversary of the original battle, which took place on 25th January 1644.

Denise Lawson, Nantwich Book Shop & Coffee Lounge, said: “We are looking forward to the seventh annual Civil War Author event with some exciting new authors lined up."

Other author events in the near future at the Nantwich Bookshop & Coffee Lounge:

-Tuesday 21st January - Adam Hamdy returns to launch his latest thriller ‘Black 13’ featuring ex-MI6 operative Scott Pearce. Adam always speaks eloquently and sells out his event so early booking is essential. Tickets are £7.50 per person, which includes snacks and a £2.50 discount upon book purchase. Cash Bar. Doors open at 6:30pm for a 7pm start.

-Tuesday 28th January - David Maidment talks about his latest work, in collaboration with Paul Carpenter, ‘Cambrian Railway Gallery’. The book is full of magnificent comprehensive early photographs of Cambrian engines and Oswestry Works. Quentin McGuiness who was Project Head on the Grange Locomotive restoration will be in attendance as well on the evening. Tickets are £7.50 per person, which includes snacks and a £2.50 discount upon book purchase. Cash Bar. Doors open at 6:30pm for a 7pm start.

For further information please visit Nantwich Bookshop & Coffee Lounge at 46 High Street in the centre of Nantwich, or contact via phone: 01270 611665, email: info@nantwichbookshop.co.uk , or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NantwichBookshopCoffeeshop/

The new food waste recycling service in Cheshire East is now live

Residents in Cheshire East can now recycle their food waste as the new service is live.

A six-eight week roll out of the distribution of food caddies is now taking place to those residents with a garden waste bin. The small green caddies are to be used in the kitchen to collect food waste, which is then transferred to the garden waste bin for recycling.

Residents can start recycling food waste with their caddy as soon as they receive it, or can choose to start recycling before they receive their caddies, by putting food waste directly into their garden waste bin.

An initial supply of biodegradable liners will be provided with the food caddy. However, use of these is optional. Once the caddy is full, the food waste goes directly into the garden waste bin along with garden waste, with or without a liner.

Food waste will be collected in the garden waste bin as the council is not able to collect from caddies – these are purely for kitchen use, to transfer food to the garden bin.

The council is delivering the caddies on a six-phase distribution. Phase one starts in Crewe and Middlewich, before teams move further south then up to the north. Residents can check where on the phased distribution they will be by visiting the council webpage at: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/foodwaste

Residents are advised to wait until the distribution in their area has fully completed before they chase delivery of their caddy. The web page will be kept up to date on the progress of the phased delivery. If a resident finds that they don’t have their caddy after the status of their phase is shown as complete, the page will show information on how to report a missed delivery.

Councillor Brian Roberts, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for highways and waste, said: “I am really excited that this service is now live for Cheshire East residents. The council has acted on their historic concerns about recycling and food waste and has made an investment into this food recycling service. It will reduce the amount of food going to waste and make a difference to our environment

“All residents with a garden waste bin will receive their food caddy by the end of February, weather permitting. A leaflet will be included within their caddy which explains what can and can’t go into it.

“It’s astonishing that on average families in Cheshire East waste £70 a month on food that they buy too much of, cook too much, don’t store properly or don’t use before the use-by date. The leaflet contains tips on how to reduce this to help save money. Any food that does need to go to waste can then go into the food caddy.  

“Collected mixed-food and garden waste will be taken to a processing plant in Crewe, where it will be recycled into compost, which is used in horticulture and agriculture.

“We want to thank residents for all they are doing to reduce waste and reuse or recycle where possible.”

Food waste placed in garden waste bins will be collected every two weeks. Residents should refer to the new collection calendars that were sent to all households, for details of their collection schedule. Copies of these calendars can also be downloaded at: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/bins

Full details of the new service were shown in the resident’s magazine – The Voice. This magazine arrived at households in November and within this is an eight-page, pull-out-and-keep food waste booklet.

A copy of this magazine is available on the council’s website at:   www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/thevoice

A new ‘Waste Watchers’ app can be downloaded from the Apple or Google Play stores, which gives advice, collection day information and news about food waste and all waste collection services. Users can also sign up for alerts, such as notifications about missed collection due to bad weather.

Information and reminders about the new service and the phased distribution will feature on Cheshire East Council’s social media pages. Please follow @CheshireEastCouncil on Facebook and @CheshireEast on Twitter to keep up-to-date.

Don’t miss out on sharing your views on governance of town and parish councils

Don’t miss out on sharing your views on the governance arrangements for all Cheshire East’s town and parish councils.

That’s the message from Cheshire East Council. The council launched a survey of residents and other stakeholders on 28 October, which will inform a review being undertaken across the borough by the local authority.

The council is responsible for the governance and electoral arrangements for the 186 town and parish council wards in 142 town and parish councils, which cover the whole borough. This community governance review (CGR) will include:

● Town and parish boundaries;

● Numbers of town and parish councillors;

● Grouping of parishes; and

● Warding.

As part of this process, the council wants people’s initial views on how they feel current governance arrangements for town and parishes are faring and whether there is a need for change – and why?

People are being urged to take part in a pre-consultation survey on the council’s website. It seeks to gather information, which will support the development of community governance proposals for formal consultation in 2020.

The overarching purpose of this review, which is in accordance with the Department of Communities and Local Government and Local Government Boundary Commission for England guidance, is to ensure that community governance arrangements ‘continue to reflect local identities and facilitate effective and convenient local government’.

Councillor Joy Bratherton, chairman of Cheshire East Council’s community governance review sub-committee, said: “As part of the review, we need to hear people’s views on how effective current town and parish arrangements are at meeting local needs and would like to hear any suggestions as to how this could be improved.

“The present arrangements predate the creation of Cheshire East, under local government reorganisation, and we are mindful that there’s since been considerable change to the population, its distribution and to the borough’s settlements.”

The survey will feed into the overarching review, which offers the opportunity to ensure that the tier of parish governance is fit for purpose for the future.

Cllr Bratherton added: “There certainly won’t be change for change’s sake and so I would urge people to take part in this pre-consultation survey and share their views via the council website at: https://surveys.cheshireeast.gov.uk/s/CGRPartOne/”

Paper copies of the survey can also be obtained from local libraries or Cheshire East Council’s customer service offices at Macclesfield Town Hall, The Municipal Buildings in Crewe and Westfields in Sandbach. The survey runs until 31 January 2020.

Government guidance advises that it is good practice to hold a review of town and parish governance every 10-15 years. The last was done before Cheshire East Council was created in 2009.

Nothing is changing yet, as the review is a complex task and any changes proposed under the CGR would follow extensive public consultation – including with town and parish councils and other stakeholders.

The aim is to complete the process well before the scheduled local elections in May 2023.

The Cheshire East community governance review does not include the electoral arrangements for borough council or parliamentary seats. These would be the responsibility of Whitehall (the Local Government Boundary Commission and the Boundary Commission for England, respectively) and are not currently proposed.

For more information about CGR visit the council webpage at:

https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/community-governance/community-governance-reviews.aspx

Council’s latest land supply figure gives further boost to home seekers

Cheshire East Council can now demonstrate a housing land supply figure of 7.5 years – giving a further boost to home buyers. 

The rise, from a figure of 7.2 years in the same period in the previous year, means greater opportunity for people wanting to get on the housing ladder, access affordable housing or move into a new home. It also puts the council in a strong position to prevent unplanned, uncoordinated schemes in the wrong place.

The increased figure of 7.5 years supply of housing land places the council comfortably above the five-year threshold, which all councils are expected to demonstrate when contesting planning applications that run contrary to local planning guidelines.

Under national planning policy, planning inspectors can approve controversial applications where a local planning authority cannot show that it has a five-year housing land supply – an issue which has led to a number of unpopular housing schemes in the open countryside on the edge of towns and villages in previous years in Cheshire East.

Not only is there a strong supply of housing looking ahead but the council can also point to a record level of housebuilding in 2018/19, when a total of 3,062 new homes were constructed in the borough.

Councillor Toni Fox, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for planning, said: “Having 7.5 years of housing land supply places the council in a strong and resilient position in relation to planning applications in Cheshire East – and reduces, still further, the risk of a planning free-for all.

“This latest assessment means we can properly meet the demand for new homes, including affordable housing, that people need. It also helps ensure a sustainable workforce for our thriving economy in Cheshire East and a sufficient margin to ensure we have greater control over our planning decisions in future.

“I’m encouraged that many house builders are working positively with us and getting new homes built in a prompt and planned manner. We can now focus on ensuring that the remaining sites in our local plan are implemented as soon as possible and that the planning conditions are fully adhered to, in the interests of all our communities.”

As of 31 March 2019, the council had a requirement to show that 11,802 new dwellings could be built in the next  five years. It is now able to show that 17,733 new homes can be built – the equivalent of a 7.5 year’s supply.

Cheshire East remains one of the busiest planning authorities in the country.

Queens Park Crewe December 2019

Cheshire East residents are reminded about changes to bin collections over Christmas and the New Year

Cheshire East residents are being reminded that there will be no garden waste collections between 23 December and 3 January.  

Cheshire East Council has reduced this break in service from 11 weeks last year to just two weeks this year, which is great news for residents. Although the suspension has been scaled back, a small shut down is still required to enable the service to focus on silver and black bin collections. These may contain more waste and recycling than usual due to the Christmas and New Year period.

There will be changes for any resident who has a collection that would fall on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day, these are:

● Wednesday 25 December (Christmas Day)

Silver bins (recycling) due to be emptied on this day will be emptied on Monday 23 December.

Black bins (household waste) due to be emptied on this day will be emptied on Tuesday 24 December;   

● Thursday 26 December (Boxing Day)

Silver bins (recycling) due to be emptied on this day will be emptied on Friday 27 December.

Black bins (household waste) due to be emptied on this day will be emptied on Monday 30 December; and  

● Wednesday 1 January (New Years Day)

Silver bins (recycling) due to be emptied on this day will be emptied on Tuesday 31 December.

Black bins (household waste) due to be emptied on this day will be emptied on Thursday 2 January.

Information about these changes is detailed on calendars that were sent to all households at the end of October. This information is also available online at www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/bins

Ralph Kemp, Cheshire East Council’s head of environmental services said: “I urge all residents to make sure they are prepared for the suspension to garden waste collections, the last collection date for this year will be 22 December. During the shutdown residents can take their garden waste to any of the Cheshire East household waste recycling centres.

“Some households will find that they are also affected by changes to waste and recycling collections due to the Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day bank holiday. Please check the reverse of your collection calendar for full information or check the information on our website.”

Household waste recycling centres are located in Alsager, Bollington, Congleton, Crewe, Knutsford, Macclesfield, Middlewich or Poynton. These are open every day except Christmas Day. More info can be found at www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/bins

A new ‘Waste Watchers’ app can be downloaded from the Apple or Google Play stores, which gives advice, collection day information and news about all collection services. Users can also sign up for alerts, such as notifications about unforeseen additional changes to collections due to bad weather.

Information and reminders about the changes will feature on Cheshire East Council’s website and social media pages. Please follow @CheshireEastCouncil on Facebook and @CheshireEast on Twitter to keep up-to-date.