Suspended jail sentence for housing benefit fraudster

 

A woman who forged rent forms in order to cheat the benefits system has ended up with fines and costs of more than £470 and a suspended prison sentence after she was prosecuted by Cheshire East Council.

For more than a year, Natasha Barnard, 30, used the fraudulent forms to claim money she was not entitled to.

Barnard, of Latham Road, Sandbach, admitted one charge of making a false representation to obtain housing benefit when she appeared before South and East Cheshire Magistrate’s Court in Crewe on November 11, 2014.

Magistrates heard that she first claimed in May 2012 while living at an address in Bridle Road, Crewe, providing a confirmation of rent form completed by her landlord showing the amount she was paying.

Housing Benefit was paid to Barnard for this property until June 2013.  She then told the Council that she had moved to Broughton Road, Crewe where she submitted a new claim and provided another confirmation of rent form for that address.

An investigation by officers from Cheshire East Council’s Benefit Fraud Investigation Team found that Barnard’s forgeries continued for more than 12 months.

Barnard will have to repay state benefits of £3,667.37 that she received but was not entitled to.

Magistrates sentenced her to 12 weeks imprisonment suspended for 12 months, together with 200 hours of community punishment. Barnard will also have to pay £367 costs, a victim surcharge of £80 and a fine of £15 for breaching a previous sentence.

The prosecution was brought by Cheshire East Council’s legal team.

Peter Raynes, Cheshire East Council’s Cabinet member for finance, said: “This case shows that cheating the system leaves perpetrators much worse off. We proactively investigate cases like this to prevent fraudsters taking money away from those really need help.”

Residents can report people they suspect of benefit fraud by calling free on the confidential fraud hotline number 0800 389 2787. There is no need to give a name and calls are treated in the strictest confidence.

Alternatively, suspected fraud can be reported through the Council’s website at www.cheshireeast.gov.uk

Councillor’s campaign to get bollards erected, to stop dangerous parking, is successful

  

Willaston and Rope Ward UKIP Councillor Brian Silvester has been campaigning for a long while alongside local residents and the Parish Council to get action to stop dangerous parking at the junction of Meadow View and Wistaston Road, Willaston.(See photos below)

Brian said, " The developers of Meadow View, Thomas Jones, instructed contractors to erect bollards on the grassed area on the left hand side of the road as you drive in.(See below) The idea was to physically stop the double parking at the junction, which made it impossible for emergency vehicles and other vehicles from gaining access. The bollards have now been erected (See photo below) I am hopeful that they will alleviate the parking problems that have occurred too frequently at the junction.”

A local Meadow View resident said ‘ The parking has improved due to the installation of the bollards  Occasionally drivers are continuing to park on the left hand side next to the bollards, making it very difficult to access the cul de sac but instances have been quite few. All the residents are extremely grateful to Cllr Silvester for his continued  help with this matter and can only thank him for his support.’

Cllr Brian Silvester BA (Hons)

Leader of the UK Independence Party Group

Willaston and Rope Ward Councillor

Cheshire East Council

11 Rimsdale Close

Rope,Crewe

CW2 6RS

Tel/fax 01270 567757

Text     07760147609

Cheshire East Council responds to Planning Inspector’s interim report on Local Plan

 

Cheshire East has received a report from the Planning Inspector providing his interim views on the soundness and legal compliance of the Council’s Local Plan.

The report outlines a number of areas that need further consideration and clarification before the Local Plan examination can continue.

The inspector has agreed that, in preparing the Local Plan, the Council has complied with its duty to cooperate and its strategy for towns and villages. He has, however, expressed concern as to whether the draft Local Plan provides for sufficient homes to meet future need by 2030.

The Council has agreed to pause the examination to allow further work to be undertaken to address the inspector’s concerns, which is likely to be completed within six months. 

The Planning Inspector said in his interim report: “The proposed level of future housing provision seems inadequate to ensure the success of overall economic, employment and housing strategy.”

Adrian Fisher, head of planning at the Council, said: “We must now do further work to ensure that our housing requirements match up with the economic requirement.  We need to integrate our overall assessment of housing needs with our economic strategy.”

Councillor David Brown, Deputy Leader of Cheshire East Council and Cabinet member in charge of the Local Plan, said: “It is regrettable that there will now be a delay in getting this finalised. However, we must justify our decisions with work on our objectively-assessed need and economic evidence.

“Our aim is to deliver the best housing, jobs and infrastructure for the people of Cheshire East and our future generations.

“Getting the Local Plan right is an absolute priority and we undertake to do this over the next six months.”

Councillor Michael Jones, Leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “This is a regrettable situation but my focus will now be on protecting the open countryside and our greenbelt from unplanned development.

“This means more neighbourhood plans and some interim policies put in place, as well as communications with the Government, which have already begun, to ensure that Cheshire East Council’s Local Plan is brought to fruition as soon as possible.”

George Osborne, MP for Tatton, said: “I very much regret that there will be a delay to the long-awaited Local Plan.

“I know Cheshire East Council have worked hard to put this in place and I’ve spoken to them about it.

“The key thing is that more work is now done over the next few months to get it absolutely right and I’m glad Michael Jones and Cheshire East Council are going to do that.”

Relocation of The Gables Luncheon Club

 

Cheshire East Council is working to find a new and better location for The Gables Luncheon Club in Nantwich.

The Council intends to put The Gables building on the market for sale before the end of the year.

The luncheon club’s trustees and members have been reassured that it will be able to remain within The Gables for the time being.

Councillor Les Gilbert, Cabinet member for localism and enforcement, said: “We are working with a range of partners to develop a Community Hub within Nantwich and we have been looking at various buildings around the centre of the town, which could provide suitable facilities for a range of user groups. 

“We all want the very best for The Gables Luncheon Club and we will do everything we can to stand by our commitment to find a suitable venue.”

Councillor Janet Clowes, Cheshire East’s Cabinet member for care and health in the community, said: “Council officers are visiting the lunch club regularly to keep members and volunteers informed about progress.

“Our hope is that the new venue will provide this much loved and highly valued club with better facilities and the opportunity to expand, as it is currently full to capacity.”

Free parking will boost Christmas trade in Cheshire East

 

Cheshire East Council is scrapping charges at some of its car parks on three of the busiest shopping days before Christmas.

A total of 28 Council-owned car parks which are mainly used by shoppers will be free after 10am on December 6, 13 and 20.

And parking will continue to be free after 3pm at another seven car parks where a ‘free after three’ offer is already running.

Councillor Michael Jones, Leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “We believe in putting residents and businesses first, so we have listened to them and to the town councils.  This action will help our town centres to make the most of the Christmas shopping period.” 

Councillor David Topping, Cheshire East’s Cabinet member for service commissioning, said: “Scrapping charges on these three days will reduce the cost of Christmas and boost footfall in our town centres. We are pleased to be able to support local residents and businesses in this way and to mark Small Business Day on December 6.”

The Council also plans to roll out its RingGo pay-by-phone system to more car parks to make life easier for people who don’t have the right change or who want to extend their parking time while they are out shopping.

The following car parks will be free to use after 10am on December 6, 13 and 20 (both Saturdays):

MACCLESFIELD: Duke Street; Exchange Street; Churchill Way; Grosvenor Centre; Park Green; Sunderland Street; Waters Green; Town Hall

CREWE: Civic Library; Gatefield; Holly Bank; Delamere Street; Lyceum; Wrexham Terrace

NANTWICH: Snow Hill; Civic Hall; Bowling Green

CONGLETON: Fairground; Back Park Street; Princess Street

ALDERLEY EDGE: South Street

KNUTSFORD: Princess Street; Silk Mill Street; King Street

WILMSLOW: South Drive; Hoopers; Spring Street; Rex.

Car parking is ‘free after three’ at another seven car parks and this will continue for the foreseeable future.  The car parks are:

Whalley Hayes, Macclesfield

Oak Street, Crewe

Snow Hill, Nantwich

South Street, Alderley Edge

Back Park Street, Congleton

Spring Street, Wilmslow

Princess Street, Knutsford.

Resurfacing works on A533 London Road, Sandbach

 

The A533 London Road in Sandbach will be resurfaced from its junction with Moss Lane to St Stephens Court over the coming three weekends.

Work will take place on November 15, 22 and 29 (all Saturdays) between 5pm-11pm; and on November 16, 23 and 30 (all Sundays) between 8am-5pm.

The official diversion is as follows: A533 London Road, A54 Holmes Chapel Road/Middlewich Road, A50 London Road/Newcastle Road to A534 Sandbach Road/Congleton Road and Vice Versa.

The work, part of the Highways Investment Programme, is programmed during off-peak times to alleviate the majority of the congestion.  Unfortunately, given the type of work, there will still be some problems with traffic disruption, which is unavoidable. We thank residents and road users in advance for their patience.

Information about highways roadworks can be found on the Cheshire East Council website at: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/highways.

CONSULTATION DAY

 

ROUTE MANAGEMENT AND SAFETY REVIEW OF THE

WISTASTON WARD PART OF THE A534 CREWE/NANTWICH ROAD

Margaret Simon and Jacquie Weatherill, Cheshire East’s Wistaston Ward Councillors, have organised a Consultation Day for residents to find out more about and to have the opportunity to discuss the Route Management and Safety Review Draft Report that they have commissioned for them from Cheshire East Highways. The Councillors’ request for a Review has been backed by the Council Leader – Councillor Michael Jones and the Portfolio Holder with responsibility for Highways – Councillor David Topping.

Councillor Margaret Simon says;

“A good many of our Crewe Road residents have been in touch with us regarding various safety issues along the Wistaston Ward part of the A534. We took up their concerns and made the decision that, as this is a major issue in our Ward, we would ask Cheshire East Highways to undertake a Route Management and Safety Review of our part of the A 534, which stretches from Wistaston Manor to a good way past the Peacock Roundabout. The review is now nearing completion and a Draft Report has been prepared. Comments and concerns that our residents have already made to us have been collated and used to inform the Review.”

Councillor Jacquie Weatherill says;

“So that we can get maximum input from our residents, and before deciding on any changes, we want to invite them to come along to this consultation event. Cheshire East Highways staff will be on hand to discuss details of the Draft Report and to collect any further suggestions and comments that they may wish to make. Margaret and I will be on hand, at various times during the day to discuss this and any other issues that residents want to raise with us.”

The event will be held at:

WELLS GREEN METHODIST CHURCH HALL, CREWE ROAD,

WISTASTON. CW2 8EJ

(at the junction of Brookland Avenue with Crewe Road)

ON

FRIDAY 14^TH NOVEMBER 2014

9.30am until 5.30pm

The Ward Councillors have written to Crewe Road residents advising them of the consultation day and are also extending their invitation to anyone else who is interested in safety issues on this busy residential road.

PHOTOGRAPHS – recent accident damage in Crewe Road, Wistaston

For further information please contact

Margaret Simon – 01270 651582

margaret.simon@cheshireeast.gov.uk

Wistaston Remembers

Reporter Jonathan White (on behalf of John White), Wistaston

Wistaston Remembers

The Wistaston Memorial Hall and Community Centre was filled to capacity on Sunday 9th November 2014, as the village remembered those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the Great War 1914-18.

A guard of honour was organised by Beavers, Cubs and Scouts from the 35th South West Cheshire Scout group, who welcomed the Mayor of Crewe Councillor Pam Minshall, Cheshire East Councillors and Wistaston Parish Councillors.

The Service of Remembrance was taken by three local ministers - Rev Ken Sambrook and Rev Mike Turnbull (St Mary’s Church, Wistaston) and Rev Steve Ingrouille (Wells Green Methodist Church).

The impressive poppy arrangement on the stage was displayed by Mrs Elizabeth Russell (Wistaston Flower Club).

The names of the sixteen men from Wistaston who perished during World War One, were respectfully read by Mrs Barbara Brereton.

The Wells Green Church choir, led by their musical director Mrs Myra Wood, added quality to the music and hymns.

Jack Gresty played ‘The Last Post’ and ‘Reveille’.

A wreath was placed at the front of the building by the hall’s President, John Cooke, accompanied by George Edge-Robinson, who placed a cross in memory of Lieutenant Commander Roy Berryman Edwards DSO, sent by his daughter Mrs Sylvia Hammond, from Kent.

Lucy Rowland, Wistaston Rose Queen, read 'In Flanders Fields', written by John McCrae MD, in May 1915.

Wistaston Parish Councillor Ian Hodkinson spoke about his family's memories during World War One: his relations were Chief Engineer Ernest Ingham Royal Navy (Distinguished Service Medal) and Corporal George L Hodkinson 7th Battalion Duke of Wellington's Regiment.

John White read a letter from the Commanding Officer to the parents of Second Lieutenant Stanley Fell Hutton who was killed in action on 11th April 1918, aged 24.

The collection at the service was £268 for the Royal British Legion.

As people arrived they were given a copy of 'Saint John's Gospel', which were given to servicemen during World War One.

Participants at the Service of Remembrance in Wistaston.JPG

Could you be a TWISTA legend?

 

We aren’t talking about the game with a similar name but rather being a mentor to help inspire the next generation.

Cheshire East Council and its partners are looking for 20 mentors for the latest cohort of what has proved to be a wildly-successful programme. 

TWISTA (derived from the acronym Together We Inspire Striving To Achieve) was created in 2011, by police officer PC Rebecca Francis, and since then there have been 13 Twista programmes run across Cheshire.

The programme is aimed at Year 10 pupils and runs between January and July 2015 in Congleton and Crewe.

The TWISTA project seeks to encourage mentors from a wide range of ages, backgrounds and life experience, who can spare three hours a month. The one common trait is a desire to see others succeed.

Mentors do not have to be from Congleton but must be willing to work with teenagers from the town. The scheme is designed to help youngsters who don’t have the support that they need from home and friends – often without this support they give up.

Mentors will also be given the support they need and will receive around five hours of quality training before embarking on mentoring.

Once trained, mentors will be paired with a teenager that is matched to them in terms of hobbies and interests. Meetings with mentees will be held with other mentors and teachers around.

Feedback from students who have completed the programme have been superb with many highlighting it’s positive influence on their confidence, grades and ability to overcome the many problems encountered by teenagers.

Cheshire police Assistant Chief Constable Mark Roberts said: “Cheshire Constabulary are proud to endorse ‘TWISTA’ as a true representation of the acronym ‘Together We Inspire Striving To Achieve’. 

“By working with partner agencies, the 12-week programme centres around introducing new ways of thinking and personal decision making to improve attitudes, behaviour and self-esteem in young people.  

“At a time when some young people are most vulnerable and susceptible to negative influences, TWISTA works to build close connections with people in the community, in the school, with mentors and peers. 

“Prior success shows that with the support of positive relationships throughout the structured programme, those fully engaged on the programme have reaped results that have improved the life outcomes and aspirations for students involved.”

Mr Leigh, headteacher of Knutsford Academy, said: “On each occasion the students involved have shown a significant improvement in their motivation, their attitude toward school and their desire to maximise their achievement.

“This is an opportunity to engage with young people at a key time in their lives and make a difference.”

Deb Lindop, local engagement officer for Cheshire East Council and TWISTA mentor, said: “For me, being a mentor was sometimes challenging, quite a bit of fun but most of all rewarding. I was really pleased to be a small part of their journey and seeing the difference it could make to their lives.”

Councillor Les Gilbert, Cheshire East Council Cabinet member in charge of localism and enforcement, said: “The TWISTA programmes have been hugely successful and play an important part in helping many teenagers find their feet as they embark on the transitional period between school and work.

“Many older people don’t realise just how valuable their life experience can be to others and yet they would love to give something back. I’d strongly encourage anyone who might be interested in this to get in touch and find out more. It’s only a few hours a month and could make lasting difference to the life of someone else.”

Interested people should contact TWISTA at: twista@cheshire.pnn.police.uk to find out more and obtain and application form before the end of November.

Woman benefits cheat ordered to repay more than £12,000 and do unpaid community work

 

A woman who fraudulently claimed more than £12,000 in benefits has been ordered to repay the money and do 70 hours’ unpaid community work.

Hazel Williamson, 45, of Melksham Close, Macclesfield, pleaded guilty at South and East Cheshire Magistrates’ Court (on November 6, 2014) to one charge of dishonestly failing to report a change in her circumstances that would have affected her entitlement to housing benefit and Council Tax benefit.

Magistrates sitting at Macclesfield heard that Williamson had claimed housing benefit and Council Tax benefit on the basis that she was a lone parent on a low income.

However, Cheshire East Council’s benefit investigations team found Williamson’s partner had joined her household in December 2010 and was supporting her financially.

She failed to report the change in her circumstances and continued to receive housing benefit and Council Tax benefit fraudulently for more than two years.

This led to Williamson being overpaid state benefits totalling £12,172.

Magistrates sentenced Williamson to a 12-month community order with a requirement to complete 70 hours’ unpaid work. She was also ordered to pay a £60 victim’s surcharge.

In addition to the sentence imposed by the Magistrates’ Court Williamson will have to repay in full the money that she fraudulently received from Cheshire East Council.

The prosecution was brought by Cheshire East Council’s legal team.

Councillor Peter Raynes, Cheshire East Council Cabinet member in charge of finance, said: “Benefit fraud is immoral and simply wrong. It will not be tolerated by Cheshire East.

“We are an enforcing Council and are firmly committed to ensuring such offenders are brought to justice. This prosecution, and others like it, sends out a clear message that we not tolerate benefit fraudsters cheating the system at the expense of honest taxpayers.”

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

Crewe and Nantwich MP congratulates Seahorse Swimming Club

Crewe and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson made a special visit to Crewe Swimming Baths recently to congratulate members of the Seahorse Swimming Club who took part in the Halliwick Swimming Galas this year.

The club, which caters for people with disabilities, enjoyed success at the Regional Gala in September, winning a total of 12 medals, and several Seahorse swimmers qualified to represent the North West at the National Gala in Sevenoaks, Kent, in October.

Club secretary Gareth Roberts said: “It’s great to see Mr Timpson giving his time to visit and support community groups like Seahorse. Our swimmers felt proud of themselves and thrilled when he praised them for their success at the recent galas. As well as meeting club officials and families of the swimmers, Mr Timpson also gave encouragement to the swimmers who use the club as a means of leading a healthier lifestyle and for socialising with each other.”

Seahorse medal winners at the National Gala included Erin Yoxall who won gold in the Girls 25 metre race, Amy Halfpenny who won gold in the Girls 100 metre race and Shea Dutton, Sam Foster, Amy Halfpenny and Colette Tyre who won gold in the Junior Relay. Shea Dutton won silver in the Boys 50 metre race and Neil Jones won bronze in the Men’s 50 metre race.

Edward Timpson commented: "I've always enjoyed coming to watch the Seahorse swimmers in action and see how they've all benefited from the dedicated support of their volunteers and parents. 

“To see so much silverware on display is a testament to the hard work everyone involved has put in to make the Club such a success!"

Seahorse is the oldest swimming club in Crewe, having been in existence since 1956. They rely on volunteer helpers to assist the swimmers, who have a variety of disabilities. They meet every Thursday evening at 7.00pm at the Flag Lane Swimming Baths. Anyone who would like to volunteer would be welcome, please contact Gareth on 01270 629958 for information.

The Remembrance Sunday parade

Jonathan White, Crewe

The Remembrance Sunday parade and service in Crewe took place on the morning of Sunday 9th November 2014. There was a parade through the town followed by the Remembrance service at the Britannia Memorial on Municipal Square. The Parade Marshall was Lt RL Jones RNR, the service was led by the Revd Tim Watson, with a Bible reading from Deputy Mayor of Cheshire East Councillor Hilda Gaddum. There was the sounding of the Last Post, a two minute silence, and hymns. Several local organisations, groups and schools were present and laid wreaths during the ceremony. The music was performed by Crewe Brass and the Crewe Male Voice Choir. Following the parade and service, at 12pm, the Christ Church congregation bell was rung 600 times in memory of the 600 people from Crewe who lost their lives during the First World War.

I have uploaded all my photographs to a Flickr page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jonathanawhite/sets/72157646886282443/

Benefits cheat mum-of-three is spared jail but ordered to repay £30,000

 

A woman who fraudulently claimed nearly £30,000 in benefits has been handed a suspended jail sentence and ordered to repay all the money.

She was also ordered by magistrates to carry out 300 hours’ unpaid community work.

Lauren Drummond, 27, of Ruskin Road, Crewe, pleaded guilty at South and East Cheshire Magistrates’ Court to one charge of dishonestly failing to report a change in her circumstances that would have affected her entitlement to housing benefit, Council Tax benefit and income support.

Magistrates sitting at Crewe heard (Monday, November 3, 2014) that Drummond had claimed income support and Council Tax benefit since June 2008, as a lone parent with three dependent children, after her partner left the household. 

She continued to claim these benefits and additionally claimed housing benefit from July 2008, when she advised the Council and the Department for Work and Pensions that she had moved address but was still a lone parent on a low income.

However, investigators from Cheshire East Council’s benefit investigation team and the Department for Work and Pensions discovered that when Drummond moved to her current address, in July 2008, her partner had rejoined the household and had been supporting her and the family financially.

Drummond failed to declare his return and financial support and continued to receive benefits, fraudulently, for more than three years and was unlawfully overpaid state benefits totalling £29,932.99.

In sentencing, magistrates said the offence was a ‘significant fraud committed over a long period of time’ with a ‘significant loss to public funds’. 

Drummond was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison, suspended for 24 months, and ordered to complete 300 hours’ unpaid work with an education and training element.  Drummond will also have to pay investigation and legal costs of £497 and a victim surcharge of £80.

Drummond will also have to repay all the benefits that she was overpaid.

The prosecution was brought by Cheshire East Council’s benefit fraud investigation team and legal team.

Councillor Peter Raynes, Cheshire East Council Cabinet member in charge of finance, said: “We are an enforcing Council and prosecutions such as this send out a message loud and clear: that people who try to cheat the system and hard-working taxpayers will be pursued by this authority and brought to justice.

“Benefit fraud will simply not be tolerated and we will act firmly to protect our local communities from those who criminally abuse the benefits system to line their pockets at taxpayers’ expense.”

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

Wistaston Fireworks Display.

Reporter Jonathan White, Wistaston

The 37th annual Wistaston Fireworks Display took place on Saturday 1st November 2014. The event began with the judging of the children’s best pumpkin and best fancy dress competitions at the Park Drive/Church Lane junction, after which the procession (led by bagpiper Reg Flower) proceeded to the Eric Swan Sports Ground off Church Lane (behind Church Lane School, Wistaston) for the fireworks display. Entry was by donation. An estimated one thousand people attended the event.

The results of the children’s best pumpkin competition, judged Eileen Bamber (Wistonian of the Year) were:

- 1st Prize - Jacob Edwards

- 2nd Prize - Lewis Rossiter

- 3rd Prize - James & Zoe Knox

There were over 20 entries. It is the sixth year running that the Rossiter family have won a competition prize.

The results of the children’s best fancy dress competition, also judged by Eileen Bamber were:

- 1st prize - Ben Michael

- 2nd prize - Emily Hulme

- 3rd prize - Fabio Cura     

There were over 25 entrants.

Crewe-based online community radio station RedShift Radio - http://www.redshiftradio.co.uk/ - for the fifth year running provided, setup and staffed the PA system before the fireworks and played the music during the display. Liz Southall (aka ‘Bizzy Lizzy’) and Charlotte Lotte from RedShift Radio got the crowd warmed up before the display. Redshift Radio’s appearance was kindly sponsored by Helen Gould who is Managing Director of PA4You Ltd - http://www.pa4you.co.uk/ .

Professional fireworks display specialist Comet Fireworks - http://www.cometfireworks.co.uk/  -  once again setup the fireworks display. The fireworks used during the 15 minute display took 12 hours to setup and included shells, cakes, mines and Roman candles.  The grand finale this year, was a firework spectacular to the song “Let It Go” from the Disney movie, Frozen.

The 35th South West Cheshire, Wistaston Scout Group - http://www.wistastonscoutgroup.org.uk  - served hot and cold drinks and food during the event, whilst Wistaston Community Council members sold candyfloss and ‘Stevo's Glows’ sold children's flashing novelties.

The event was organised by the Wistaston Community Council and jointly funded by the Wistaston Community Council, the Wistaston Parish Council and PA4You Ltd.

Dane Chaplow Chairman from the Wistaston Community Council said, "The children's competitions were very well supported. The large procession went like a charm and very few motorists were held up. They arrived at the Eric Swan Sports Ground on time, where the Scouts were already serving hotdogs, hamburgers, soup, coffee and tea to the large crowd. RedShift Radio once again provided excellent music and Comet Fireworks provided a fantastic display. It was a best ever turnout, and a perfect evening for a firework spectacular. We thank our supporters and volunteers for their help and the public for supporting us so well at this annual event".

The Wistaston Community Council desperately requires new members to help organise next year’s Fireworks Display, as well as other Wistaston-based events such as the Summer Fete, Flower and Produce Show and the Christmas concerts. Please visit http://www.wistastoncommunity.co.uk  for further information if you would like to join.

Another battle against a housing development in green gap in Willaston

 

Willaston and Rope Ward UKIP Councillor Brian Silvester is to battle against yet another proposed housing development in Willaston.

Brian said,” The proposal is to build 5 detached houses behind 44 Cheerbrook Road. (See plan attached below). The application is in the open countrside and the green gap so I was amazed to be advised that the planning officer was going to decide it himself without it going to committee.I thought it was such a contentious application that it needed to be put before the committee so I have called it in.I think it should be refused because it is in the open countryside and green gap, it is tandem development and the access down the side of the existing house is too narrow.I hope the Planning Committee will refuse it. In the past  year Conservative,Labour and Independent Councillors have passed two housing applications in the green gap in Willaston and I hope that now they will listen too local people and save the  precious green gap.Local people are getting punch drunk with application after application in the village but I urge thenm to write in to object (Details of where to write below) We managed to stop the enormous slurry lagoon in the village so we hopefully we can stop this development as well. ”

Cllr Brian Silvester BA (Hons)

Leader of the UK Independence Party Group

Willaston and Rope Ward Councillor

Cheshire East Council

11 Rimsdale Close

Rope,Crewe

CW2 6RS

Tel/fax 01270 567757

Text     07760147609

www.twitter.com/cllrbsilvester

www.facebook.com/CllrBrianSilvester

Wistaston Memorial Hall's Annual Quiz

Reporter  John White, Wistaston

On the evening of Friday 31st October 2014 sixteen teams of four people participated in six rounds of ten questions at Wistaston Memorial Hall's Annual Quiz for the Fred Lorimer trophy.

The quiz setters were Peter & Christina Wainwright who had organised their second quiz at the Hall.

The raffle was organised by Glenys White and Meurig Jones for prizes which were all kindly donated. The raffle made £87.

The half-time refreshments were organised by Audrey Astbury, John Astbury, Eileen Bamber, Kathleen Conroy, Margaret Beresford, and Helen Heath.

The winning team was called 'The Scrabblers' with 52 points. Joint second were 'The Hall Stars' and 'Westward Ho!' with 51 points.

The Fred Lorimer trophy was presented to the winning team by John Cooke, President of the Hall's management committee.

Event organiser John White said, "We had another enjoyable and successful community event, which raised over £150 for Hall funds. We thank everybody who supported this annual event for the Fred Lorimer trophy".

South Cheshire George Formby Ukulele Society and their 20th anniversary concert

Brian Edge, Wistaston

These are so popular when they practice at home people smash their windows so they can hear better

South Cheshire George Formby Ukulele Society - http://www.crewegeorgeformby.com - celebrated their 20th anniversary during a monthly concert on Friday 24th October 2014 at Wistaston Memorial Hall.

The concert was the closest to the date of the original concert and all their twenty years of concerts have taken place at Wistaston Memorial Hall on Church Lane in Wistaston.

The concert contained group and solo ukulele performances, a harmonica solo, plus solo and duet singing. Performers and guests came from Crewe, other parts of Cheshire and counties beyond.

Special guests included National George Formby Society founder member John Walley and his wife Jill, ukulele virtuoso Peter Moss, and star Elvis Presley tribute artiste Paul Larcombe. Also present were Founder members of the society Brian Edge and Steve Hassall and from the first concert Pamela and Jonathan Baddeley, and sound engineer and Vice Chairman Colin Wood.

Founder member Brian Edge said, "It was a wonderful evening with a packed house complemented by the ambiance of our only home for the last twenty years - Wistaston Memorial Hall – a warm, friendly and welcoming place. Many old friendships were renewed during the evening and a bevy of talented artistes trod the boards to the delight of everybody. An excellent buffet was masterminded by our Secretary Mrs Dodd ably assisted by a team of our members. The show was produced by Pamela Baddeley and the Master of Ceremonies was her husband Jonathan, both faithful members of our group from day one."

The Society was founded in 1994 and performs a concert at Wistaston Memorial Hall on the fourth Friday of every month throughout the year at 7:30pm. There are no membership fees to pay to attend a Concert and the entrance fee is just £1 to cover the cost of rent and refreshments. There are also rehearsal sessions, to which new ukulele players are always welcome, at Wistaston Memorial Hall on the third Tuesday of every month throughout the year. For further enquires please contact Mrs. Dodd on 01270 581920.

Photos from the evening can be viewed on Flickr:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/jonathanawhite/sets/72157648534721727/