Scams

We always advise anyone who suspects a scam, or who has been the victim of a scam, to report it to the police on www.actionfraud.police.uk or 0300 123 2040.  However, it is always better to take preventative action where possible and it is good to know what to look for to avoid being taken in, as well as to advise friends and family members when necessary.

The charity Think Jessica (www.thinkjessica.com) provides a lot of useful advice about scams.  Their 12-page booklet, 'Scam mail is blackmail', is particularly useful and covers: lottery and prize draw scams, clairvoyant scams, catalogue scams, courier scams, bank / building society scams and more.  You can order a free hard copy of this booklet by writing to:
Think Jessica
PO Box 4442
Chesterfield S44 9AS
(Please enclose a 2nd class stamp)
Or by emailing advice@thinkjessica.com.

They also provide information packs, including a DVD, which cost £7 per pack, and free downloadable posters which you can access at www.thinkjessica.com/posters.htm.
For a cost they will supply bulk orders to a group or organisation, which can be personalised with your logo and local contact details if you wish - contact Think Jessica at the address above or on advice@thinkjessica.com to discuss your requirements.

Firelink

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

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Smoke Alarms - a small change to save lives

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service is campaigning to make it a legal requirement for all landlords to fit smoke alarms in their properties.
You are four times more likely to die as a result of a house fire if you do not have a working smoke alarm. Rented properties are more likely not to have a working smoke alarm and local data shows us that those living in rented homes are at a higher risk.
Find out more about Smoke Alarms - a small change to save lives

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Automatic Fire Alarms: Our Response

In a single year Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service responded to more than 2,500 Automatic Fire Alarms. On 99% of occasions these were avoidable false alarms caused by either a faulty system or an accidental activation for example as a result of cooking fumes.
False alarms cost businesses time and money. They also divert firefighters from genuine emergencies and other duties. We are committed to reducing the number of these false alarms and so have adopted a policy around how we respond to Automatic Fire Alarms.
Find out more about our response to automatic fire alarms

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Your views wanted on draft plans for a new fire station and safety centre in Lymm

Draft plans and designs for the proposed new fire station and safety centre in Lymm have been unveiled by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service.
The proposal is to build the new fire station and safety centre on Cliff Lane (at the former truck stop site) in Lymm.
Your views wanted on draft plans for a new fire station and safety centre in Lymm

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Change your clocks and check your smoke alarms

The clocks go forward at 01:00am on Sunday 30th March 2014 - as summer time officially starts.
When you change your clocks, please check your smoke alarms too.
Change your clocks and check your smoke alarms for the the start of British Summer time

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Home Safety Week 2014

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service is supporting the Chief Fire Officers' Association (CFOA) UK Home Safety Week from 24th to 30th March 2014.
UK Home Safety Week is focusing on the importance of fitting smoke alarms in your home.
Find our more about Home Safety Week 2014

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No Smoking Day 2014

No Smoking Day is taking place on 12th March 2014.
It is vital that smokers understand how dangerous smoking at home can be for their family and those they live with. Tobacco is designed to stay lit so cigarettes and cigars can easily start an accidental fire, especially if you are sleepy or have been drinking alcohol.
Find out more about No Smoking Day 2014

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Business Continuity Awareness Week

This year Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service is supporting Business Continuity Awareness Week (17th to 21st March 2014), which aims to raise the awareness of business continuity.
The theme for the week is 'Counting the Cost' and this theme is designed to demonstrate the potential cost of not having an effective business continuity management system in place.
Find out more about Business Continuity Awareness Week 2014

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Residents asked to 'Gird up their Loins' for Planning Appeal Battle

 

I am pleased that the members of the Strategic Planning Board of the Cheshire East Council have  rejected the proposed Gresty Oaks development of 880 houses on land bounded by Crewe Road, Rope Lane, Gresty Lane and the A500, partly in the Parish of Rope in my Ward.

This was an application for 880 houses, a very large number of houses indeed. It would have  virtually destroyed  the Green Gap and the beautiful open countryside between Rope and Shavington and would be the latest step towards joining Crewe up with its surrounding villages. Most  people are aware of the ugly urban sprawl in places like Stoke on Trent and we do not want that on our doorstep.

Rope Lane is the main route to Shavington High School and Crewe Road is the main route into Crewe. Both roads are congested and dangerous now at peak times. To have an additional 1600  cars  added to the traffic movements can only lead to horrendous highway congestion and add to the accident and pollution problems.  The proposed two accesses to the site were both in the proximity of hump back bridges and this would have resulted in visibility problems  with oncoming traffic and the possibility of accidents.

The water courses in the area already flood when there is substantial rain  and a development of this size would only make that problem worse. The farmland involved is of mainly high quality and should not be used for housing.  The developers are promising infrastructure investment to serve the proposed huge increase in the population of  Rope and Shavington. Unfortunately, we know from experience in Crewe and Nantwich, that community facilities promised often don't materialise until years after the houses have been occupied, if at all.

In summary there were good planning reasons to refuse this application. I strongly feel that applications like this should be rejected. It was huge in size, it would overpower the existing villages, it was detrimental to the open countryside, it impinged massively on the green gap between our towns and was unsustainable.

This particular battle has been won but  we must now gird up our loins to fight the forthcoming appeal. I am sure that the  continued opposition of the two Parish Councils and Borough Councillors, along with local residents, will be a major influence on the Appeal Inspector.

Best wishes

Brian Silvester
Cllr Brian Silvester BA (Hons) (Photo attached)

UK Independence Party Councillor

Willaston and Rope Ward Councillor

Cheshire East Council

11 Rimsdale Close

Rope,Crewe

CW2 6RS

Tel/fax 01270 567757

Twitter @CllrBSilvester

Facebook Cllr Brian Silvester

Council celebrates success of its own scheme during National Apprenticeship Week

 

Cheshire East Council’s apprentices are flying the flag for National Apprenticeship Week (3-7 March) after figures showed that 19 apprentices secured a position with the council or one of its partner organisations last year, while another 23 went on to secure well paid positions in the private sector. 

Cheshire East’s award-winning A-Team apprenticeship scheme sees between 50-60 young people taken on by the council at any one time. Recruitment takes place throughout the year.

Current apprentices will be offering potential recruits advice and guidance at the Youth Support Centres in Crewe on Wednesday (5 March) and at Macclesfield on Friday (7 March) and exhibiting at the Barclays Careers Event on Thursday (6 March) at Radbrook Hall.

Cheshire East Council’s A-Team Apprenticeship Scheme has between 50-60 apprentices at any one time.  Recruitment takes place throughout the year and the scheme offers a diverse range of opportunities including business administration, customer services, finance, social media, childcare, horticulture and agriculture. 

Council Leader Michael Jones explained: “Cheshire East has a commitment to growing its own workforce by actively supporting apprenticeships. Having talented young people come in at the shop floor and work their way up gives them enormous insight into how the organisation works.

“It’s a highly-competitive scheme, but in return for the fantastic opportunities we can offer highly-motivated, hard-working young people, so it’s a win-win situation.”

Cllr Barry Moran, the council’s executive member for performance, added: “Young people bring a new and fresh perspective to the workforce and as staff retire we want to make sure those skills and expertise are passed on to ensure continued excellent service delivery to our residents. “

Praise from Eric Pickles for Local Plan

 

Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Eric Pickles MP has written a personal letter to the leader of Cheshire East Council, praising the authority and urging developers to work with the Council.

In his letter Mr Pickles said he welcomed the fact that the authority had established a revised housing figure and that the emerging Local Plan will protect the countryside and the green belt.

He said: ...”I am glad that you have found helpful discussions with Planning Minister Nick Boles and the support that we have provided on plan-making via the former Chief Planning Inspector.”

He added: “The Government’s changes to legislation and policy have put Local Plans at the heart of the planning system. Our policy sets out clearly that emerging plans may gain weight as they progress but before they are formally adopted.

“A published Local Plan will therefore mean that Cheshire East is better able to guard against speculative or unwanted development. I appreciate the development pressures and planning constraints in the area, and would therefore openly encourage developers to work alongside you as your plan progresses in order to bring forward appropriate development.”

He praised the Council for working alongside neighbours during the process, adding: “Although I cannot pre-determine the outcome of examination, I very much welcome that you have established a revised housing figure, your statement that the emerging Local Plan will protect the countryside and the green belt and your engagement with neighbouring High Peak Borough Council.”

The Local Plan, which was voted on and passed through full Council on Friday (February 28), has been almost three years in the making and has been publicly consulted on as many six consultations. It is due to go before the Planning Inspectorate in Spring this year and it is hoped that it will be ratified before the end of the year.

Leader of the Council Michael Jones said: ““I am also delighted to have received a letter from the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles, where he confirms that emerging local plans like ours gain weight as they progress, helping guard against unwanted and unsustainable development.

It just goes to show that the hard work involved in getting the Local Plan to fruition has been recognised by our Government.

“I am proud to be leader of Cheshire East Council at a time when we are overseeing the Local Plan process which has been hard at times but, all-in-all, a challenge that will serve our future generations extremely well.

“We have managed to preserve our countryside and even extend the greenbelt in southern parts of the borough, as well as meeting the housing targets required by central government.

“I’m delighted that the Council has now passed the Local Plan and satisfied that it is a robust and exhaustive piece of work. It is the culmination of 37,000 public responses during six rounds of consultation. It will lay out a blueprint for sustainable, jobs-led growth across Cheshire East for the next 15 years.

“Developers should take note of this and work with the council on sensible, sustainable proposals.”

Gypsy and Traveller provision

 

It is national policy that as part of the local plan we are required to identify  a five year land supply for the  provision of Gypsy and Travellers and Travelling show people sites.

As part of a sub regional and pan Cheshire approach we have jointly commissioned a Gypsy and Travellers Needs Assessment to establish the need across the sub region and Cheshire East have also engaged an independent external consultant to undertake a site identification study to establish suitable sites across the authority..

This report is in its final stages and no decision has yet been taken. Once a suitable list of  sites has been established then the report will form part of the Local Plan evidence base and will be available to the public..

It is a very difficult discussion around Traveller sites and we are being very sensitive to this. I am pleased that we have received numerous sites from the private sector and these have been examined. Once the report has been published a clear debate will be undertaken and through the planning process  consultation  with stakeholders and the public will be undertaken .

There has been some confusion on a site mentioned in the Memorandum Of Understanding with Stockport. I am happy to clarify the mistake by a Councillor.

There are no sites in Cheshire East for Gypsy and Travellers at Handforth or Wilmslow. There have been sites proposed but the independent consultant has ruled these out.

There is a site still under consideration which is Council owned land, which is based within the boundary of  Stockport. This site would require  cooperation with Stockport to deliver, especially on planning and access. The report will be released as soon as possible.

Councillor Michael Jones

Leader

Cheshire East Council

Tel : 01270 686011

Borough’s ‘in great shape’ financially

 

Cheshire East Council has revealed its (2014-17) budget which shows the finances are well under control and proposes a council tax freeze for the fourth year running.

A balanced budget, low unemployment and continued high levels of investment across the borough, confirms that Cheshire East Council is working smarter to deliver the best for taxpayers.

Government grants have dramatically reduced since 2009, leaving a much-talked-about black hole in many local authorities’ accounts.

Local authorities have also taken on more responsibilities such as public health, sixth form education and council tax support. But despite this Cheshire East Council has responded swiftly changing its operating model to fit a new approach to service delivery.

Cabinet member in charge of the budget Councillor Peter Raynes addressed the public during the executive meeting in Crewe (Feb 27) and delivered in a speech as part of his ‘health check’ on the borough’s economy, plus the steps taken by the Council to achieve a reduction in expenditure.

He said: “Our performance in the third quarter of 2013/2014 shows we are now well in control of our budgets. We are forecasting a slight under-spend, as we achieved last year, and we will have met our target of saving £7m without compromising key services.

“In last year’s budget we took the first steps towards becoming a commissioning council. By this we mean a council that focuses its money and staff on delivering outcomes that people want and not on running a bureaucracy.”

The Council has spent the last two years re-shaping, following an overhaul of its management structure, and is now a commissioning council with proposals for a raft of new Arm’s Length Companies and a new permanent management team.

This new way of working is designed to provide the benefits of a more commercial approach to services while ensuring that profits and accountability is maintained for the good of the people.

Sensible investment has delivered a series of successes over the past twelve months proving Cheshire East can deliver results from a leaner budget despite the Council’s spending power per household being 17 per cent less than other similar authorities.

These include:

• Best adoption service programme in the country 2013;
• Officially the best place to live in the North West;
• The best recycling rate in the North West at 54 per cent;
• Carbon reduction on track to be cut by 25 per cent by 2016;
• £1m extra invested in our Local Plan;
• Free car parking after 3pm in some areas, more free car parks and frozen tariffs;
• Library satisfaction rates at 95 per cent; and
• One of the lowest costing ICT strategies in the country.

Councillor Raynes added: “In this budget we also announce the most ambitious Capital Plan Cheshire East has seen, a plan funded mainly by attracting Government and commercial investment, a plan exceeding £400m over the next five years.

“Such a plan must be affordable, not funded by local taxes. We have the lowest debt level in our comparable group of Councils, with net assets of over £200m and I have every intention of keeping it that way.”

Leader of the Council Councillor Michael Jones praised the budget and said: “This shows that Cheshire East is in great shape for the future. This is a resident-first approach to the budget and I applaud that.

“It will be necessary to increase some of our fees and charges for services such as pest control, but these are in line with inflation and we are still providing these services way below market value. However, the residents of Cheshire East are still receiving good value for money with the current council tax freeze representing around £200 saved for every household.

“The Council is sustaining great performance while still freezing council tax. This means that as predicted we are providing great value for the people of Cheshire East and will continue to do so.

“The simple fact is life for residents is good and officers and members are working hard to deliver more for less.”

Benefits cheat ordered to repay more than £1,200

 

A man who fraudulently claimed more than £1,200 in benefits has been ordered by magistrates to repay the money.

David Wainwright, 42, formerly of Shropshire Street, Audlem, pleaded guilty at South and East Cheshire Magistrates’ Court to an offence of failing to report a change in his circumstances in relation to his claim for Housing Benefit

Magistrates sitting at Crewe heard (on Tuesday, February 25) that Wainwright claimed Housing Benefit from April 2012, but investigators from Cheshire East Council’s benefit fraud team found, in February 2013, that he had left his property in November 2012.

Wainwright failed to report this change and continued to receive Housing Benefit for a property he was no longer living in.

Failure to report this change led to Wainwright being overpaid Housing Benefit totalling £1,211.55. The prosecution was brought by Cheshire East Council’s legal team.

Magistrates imposed a two-year conditional discharge on Wainwright and a compensation order to reclaim the overpaid benefits. He was also ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge.

Councillor Peter Raynes, Cheshire East Council Cabinet member in charge of finance, said: “Prosecutions such as this send out the clear message that Cheshire East is an enforcing Council which will act firmly to protect our local communities from those who abuse the rules at the expense of honest taxpayers.

“Benefit fraud simply will not be tolerated and we are committed to ensuring these fraudsters are brought to justice.”

If you think someone is committing benefit fraud, you can ring the confidential freephone fraud hotline on 0800 389 2787. You don’t have to give your name and your call will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Alternatively, you can report suspected fraud via the Council’s website at www.cheshireeast.gov.uk

Your local optician could save your sight

 

A Crewe optician is urging is residents to book in for an eye test this World Glaucoma Week (9^th – 15^th March), in a bid to boost the number of cases caught early.

One in 50 people in the UK over 40 are affected by glaucoma which, if left untreated, can cause blindness. Early detection means the disease can be controlled and future damage to vision is minimised so Specsavers in Market Street is urging everyone in Crewe to have regular eye tests.

Michael Elleray, store director at Specsavers Crewe, says: ‘People over the age of 40 are more likely to develop glaucoma although it can develop at a younger age. If left untreated it can cause blindness, but early detection vastly improves the chance of saving someone’s vision, which is why I am encouraging everyone in Crewe to make sure they have an eye test if they haven’t had one in the last two years.’

Glaucoma causes fluid in the eye (aqueous humour) to get stuck as it is draining, causing a clog and adding pressure to the optic nerve. The pressure causes blindness if left untreated.

There are four main types of glaucoma, the most common being chronic open-angle glaucoma which accounts for 90% of all cases. ‘Open-angle’ is when vision is lost from the outer rim of the eye, slowly working towards the centre.

Glaucoma often affects both eyes, with one eye usually developing the condition quicker than the other. However, if caught in the early stages it can be treated with eye drops, laser treatment or surgery.

Michael Elleray continues: ‘Symptoms of glaucoma develop very slowly so in many cases people do not realise they have the disease until it is too late. You only get one pair of eyes so it is important to look after them – if you’ve not had an eye test in the last two years you should make an appointment as soon as possible.’

To book your next appointment at Specsavers Crewe call 01270 250 707 or visit www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/Crewe

Who is the hypocrite now Cllr. Jones?

The Leader of Cheshire East Council, Cllr Jones, is quick to accuse others of hypocracy but he should examine his own record. He has gone around the Borough telling public meetings that he would protect their green belt and green gaps from development. Lo and behold what happened then was that Cllr.Jone's own planning officers were recommending that housing development should take place in the very same green belt and green gaps. In my own ward, in Willaston, two housing applications in the green gap and open countryside were recommended for approval and were duly granted permission by the Strategic Planning Board of the Council, despite the assurances of Cllr. Jones that that would not happen.

The good people of Cheshire East feel totally let down and betrayed by Cllr. Jones and his endless broken promises. Who is the hypocrite now Cllr. Jones?

Yours sincerely,

Brian Silvester
Cllr Brian Silvester BA (Hons) (Photo attached)

Willaston and Rope Ward UKIP Councillor

Cheshire East Council

11 Rimsdale Close

Rope,Crewe

CW2 6RS

Tel/fax 01270 567757

Twitter @CllrBSilvester

Facebook Cllr Brian Silvester

Council recommends refusal of appeal for 880 houses at Gresty Oaks

 

Willaston and Rope Ward UKIP Councillor Brian Silvester has welcomed the news that Cheshire East Council (CEC) recommends refusal of the appeal for 880 houses at Gresty Oaks, Rope in his ward. (See link below)

He said," I opposed the proposed Gresty Oaks development of 880 houses on land bounded by Crewe Road, Rope Lane, Gresty Lane and the A500, mainly in the Parish of Rope in my Ward, which will now be decided by appeal because Cheshire East Council failed to determine it in the required time.

This is an application for a very large number of houses indeed. If it was passed it would go some way towards doubling the population of  the Rope Parish which is simply unacceptable. It would virtually destroy the Green Gap and the beautiful open countryside between Rope and Shavington and would be the latest step towards  joining Crewe up with its surrounding villages. Most  people are aware of the ugly urban sprawl in places like Stoke on Trent and we do not want that on our doorstep.

Rope Lane is the main route to Shavington High School and Crewe Road is the main route into Crewe. Both roads are congested and dangerous now at peak times. To have an additional 1600  cars  a day added to the traffic movements can only lead to horrendous highway congestion and add to the accident and pollution problems. The water courses in the area already flood when there is substantial rain  and a development of this size will only make that problem worse. The farmland involved is of high quality and should not be used for housing.  The developers are promising infrastructure investment to serve the proposed huge increase in the population of  Rope. Unfortunately, we know from experience in Crewe and Nantwich, that community facilities promised often don't materialise until years after the houses have been occupied, if at all.

In summary there are good planning reasons to refuse this appeaI. I strongly feel that applications like this should be refused. It is huge in size, it would overpower the existing village, it is detrimental to the open countryside, it impinges massively on the green gap between our towns and is unsustainable.

Cllr Brian Silvester BA (Hons)  (Photo attached)

Willaston and Rope Ward UKIP Councillor

Cheshire East Council

11 Rimsdale Close

Rope,Crewe

CW2 6RS

Tel/fax 01270 567757

Twitter @CllrBSilvester

The Cat Community Radio Station

The Cat Community Radio Station are proud and excited to announce that we have been successful in our application for an FM license. Ofcom have today confirmed The Cat’s bid a success, allowing the station to broadcast on FM for a length of five years.

The Crewe and Nantwich Community Radio Station have broadcast via various media for 20 years, forming as ‘The Cat’ in January 2008. During this time, The Cat has built strong links with the local community through training opportunities, offering cost effective advertising and providing a large selection of music and speech broadcasting. The Cat is looking forward to strengthening links with the local community, as the FM broadcast takes shape.
Chairman Chris Radford said: “I am absolutely delighted with OfCom's announcement today. Our FM licence will allow The Cat to reach a far wider audience, whilst continuing to serve and entertain our local community and beyond”

Paul Simpson, member of the station for 20 years, said: “This has been a long wait, not just for the community of Crewe and Nantwich, but for all of the dedicated volunteers that have worked on community radio in the area over the last 21 years. We have an amazing history in our area from Youth FM, YFM Witch Fm to The Cat. It has been a long wait so a big Thank You to all of the volunteers and the community that have, and continue to support us. After all, it’s Your Station for Your Community!”
Further details regarding a launch date will be issued shortly. If you want to get involved as a volunteer for The Cat Community Radio Station, we welcome your support by contacting office@thisisthecat.com

New junior reporter Robbie

A junior reported Robbie has found some sites about safety on the internet 
should be of interest to parents and children 

Here are some of the sites Robbie be using in his paper that he asked 
me to pass along to you:

FBI: Internet Safety Tips for Kids
http://www.fbi.gov/fun-games/kids/kids-safety

An Interactive Guide to Staying Safe on the Internet
http://www.opencolleges.edu.au/informed/cyber-safety/#cyber

Cyber Safety: Top 10 Tips for Youth

Internet Safety for Kids: 17 Tips from Cyber Safety Experts
http://safesoundfamily.com/blog/internet-safety-tips-for-kids/

Parent Guide: Talk With Your Kids about Internet Safety
http://www.onguardonline.gov/articles/0006-talk-your-kids 

Parent's Guide to Finding Safe Online Communities for Kids

Cheshire set to save a big slice of up to £1m a year with new communications network deal

 

Public services across Cheshire and Merseyside are set to benefit from big cost savings following the award of the contract for a new regional communications infrastructure ‘backbone’.

The savings are expected to reach up to £1m each year, split between 13 public service bodies.

In Cheshire, the two Councils have a combined annual spend of around £2m on shared communication networks.

The new Public Services Network for Cheshire and Merseyside involves 13 core partners, including councils, police, health and fire and rescue services, providing a major opportunity for the region to develop innovative new ways of working within and between public service organisations. 

It will also allow much greater collaborative working, service transformation and shared use of buildings. The new network will provide a welcome financial boost for Council Tax payers, which will ensure more resources are available to invest in frontline services.

The new network will be the catalyst for greater collaboration and reduced wasteful duplication of resources. By pooling information and communications infrastructure –– significant savings will be made, while ensuring appropriate levels of security, resilience and flexibility are maintained.

Following a comprehensive procurement process, Updata Infrastructure UK has been chosen to provide the necessary ‘root and branch’ network deployment, which will include high-speed fibre-optic broadband and link hundreds of public sector buildings across the region.

Speaking on behalf of Cheshire and Merseyside Public Services Network project partners, Councillor David Brown, Deputy Leader of Cheshire East Council said: “The award of the contract for our regional public services network marks a significant step towards the continued transformation of public services in Cheshire and Merseyside.

“This will enable us all to reduce costs and wasteful duplication while, at the same time, open up new ways of working more efficiently and collaboratively.” 

Councillor Mike Jones, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said “CWaC sees PSN as a key building block in the next phase of public sector transformation and the closer working ties between the Council and its partners.”

Vic Baldorino, co-founder and sales director of Updata, said of the contract award: “The project partners placed a significant value on collaboration and innovation during the process, values which we share, and which are reflected in the solution. We look forward to working with them to realise their ambitions for the network and wider Council initiatives throughout the coming years.”

Sarah Hurrell, PSN senior responsible officer at the Cabinet Office, said: “The PSN frameworks are delivering on their promise to drive savings and efficiencies. For CMPSN and its partners this is about getting more for less: providing better services at a significantly reduced cost and we look forward to supporting them as they transition to PSN.”  

Other public sector, voluntary and social housing providers will also have the opportunity to make use of the network and share the benefits once operational by April, 2015.

The Spring League of the Slazenger South & Mid Cheshire Tennis League

The attached photo shows members of the League: l-r - John White (Wistaston) - Marion Doe (Congleton) - Dave Clarke (League Chairman) - Shirley Rogers (Vice Chairman).

Reporter  Jonathan White, Wistaston

The Spring League of the Slazenger South & Mid Cheshire Tennis League, organised by Chris Raiswell from Wistaston Jubilee Tennis Club, is well underway with each team having played at least one match. Local teams participating include Audlem, Hightown, Nantwich, Wistaston and Wrenbury. The top team and bottom team in each division will be promoted or relegated respectively, which will form the Winter League later in 2014. Fixtures, results and tables are updated during the year via the League website: http://www.smctennis.co.uk

The 68th Annual General Meeting of the Slazenger South & Mid Cheshire Tennis League took place on Thursday 13th February 2014 at the Holmes Chapel Victoria Club. Twenty-seven people attended, representing thirteen clubs participating in the League. The meeting recognised the work of John White, from Wistaston Jubilee Tennis Club, who retired as League Secretary after forty years as an officer. He was made a Vice President of the League as a token of the League's esteem.

The Summer League of the Slazenger South & Mid Cheshire Tennis League will start on Tuesday 22nd April 2014.

The presentation of trophies will take place at Cuddington Tennis Club on Sunday 14th September 2014.

Firearm discharged in Crewe

At 10.30pm on Thursday 20th February police received reports of a man discharging a firearm at an address in Smith Grove in Crewe.
The man discharged a firearm towards the address and fled from the scene on foot. No-one was injured as a result of the incident.
Firearms officers attended and made an extensive search of the area. A 35-year-old man was arrested nearby in connection with the incident – he remains in custody at this time.
Chief Inspector Paul Carroll said: “An investigation is underway to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and enquiries are continuing.
“We take any incidents of this nature extremely seriously and are doing all we can to trace those responsible. Officers have been out and about in the area today carrying out house-to-house enquiries and speaking to local people offering reassurance.
“Anyone with any concerns − or any information, which could assist with our enquiries − is urged to speak to a local officer."
Anyone with any information is urged to call Cheshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 990 of 20th February or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Cheshire Walking’ is looking for new members

 

ReporterJonathan White, Wistaston

‘Cheshire Walking’ is looking for new members. The group aims to cater for all fitness levels with some of the walks short and based in Nantwich, whilst other walks are longer and further afield. A recent walk took the group along a section of the Sandstone Trail at Bulkeley Hill and Rawhead. To join please sign up at their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/121291244651866/