Cheshire East Council backs new regulations for UK cigarette packaging

Cheshire East Council is supporting the introduction of a new, standardised packaging for all cigarettes in order to effectively promote the dangers of smoking.

These regulations came into force on May 20, and consist of larger health warnings which must cover 65 per cent of the front and back of packaging, one standardised brown-green colour and the prohibiting of misleading information on packaging, such as ‘low-tar’ or ‘organic’. This is alongside the discontinuation of cigarettes being sold in packets of less than 20.

Cancer Research UK confirms there is evidence that removing branding from cigarette packs reduces their attractiveness to children. So this alteration to packaging aims to combat the two-thirds of smokers who take up the habit before they are 18.

Smoking causes around 50 per cent of deaths from lung cancer, 80 per cent of deaths from bronchitis and emphysema and 14 per cent of deaths from heart disease. Any measures taken to reduce this death toll will greatly benefit the health and lifespan of people.

Due to the difficulty some find in stopping smoking, Cheshire East Council has set up ‘One You Cheshire East’ stop smoking services to provide free, friendly advice and support to local people.

These include services available in the community, which are open to any resident who wishes to stop smoking, alongside specialist services from the One You Cheshire East ‘Kickstart Service’ which are aimed at:

● Pregnant women and their partners – because smoking while pregnant can lead to premature birth, miscarriage, still birth and cot death;

● Mental health service users. Stopping smoking, if you have mental health issues, is as effective as antidepressants in improving your mood; and

● People who have been in hospital and have recently been discharged. As a patient you will find quitting makes you less prone to infection, helps you recover more quickly and your wounds heal better too.

Fiona Reynolds, director of public health at Cheshire East Council, said: “These new regulations are a positive step towards combating the serious health risks associated with smoking.

At Cheshire East Council, we know how difficult it is to kick the habit, which is why we’re pleased to provide a range of extensive help and advice services to support residents to quit smoking – totally free of charge.”

To receive help and advice from One You Cheshire East, all you have to do to qualify, is to live in the borough and be over the age of 12. To speak to someone about quitting smoking, please call 0800 085 8818, or visit the One You website at: www.oneyoucheshireeast.org.

Residents are also urged to take the online quiz on the website, to assess their daily lifestyle and advice on how they can improve their health.

Old school BMX bike

Reporter Jonathan White, Wistaston

Old school BMX bike fans converged on Crewe on Saturday 27th May 2017 for a social ride in and around the town.

Over fifty people gathered at Crewe railway station in the morning for the annual 'Chesh-Air' event, organised by the ‘Crewe and Cheshire old school BMX’ group.

They rode from the station to The Manor pub for breakfast, onto The Woodside pub, and then took a tree-lined route along the Wonderful Wistaston path to The Rising Sun pub.

Participants showed off their impressive BMX skills at the Platform 1 skatepark and the Shanaze Reade BMX track at Tipkinder Park.

They rode racing and freestyle vintage BMX bikes from the 1980s as well as modern BMX bikes. BMX brands represented included Ammaco, Diamond Back, GT, Haro, Hutch, Kuwahara, Mongoose, Puch, Raleigh, Rebel, Redline and Torker. 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize trophies were presented for the best bike.

Gary Mcbride designed a commemorative sticker, containing a grinning Cheshire Cat, which was given to each BMXer.

The event was open to all and bikers ranged in age from children to adults. There were participants from Crewe along with visitors from further afield including Sandbach, Nantwich, Woore, Cambridge, Clitheroe, Halifax, Middlesbrough, Norwich, Peterborough, Stockport and York.

The ride finished in the afternoon with a buffet meal at The Hop Hole pub.

'Chesh-Air' was organised by John Collins from Crewe, who rode his custom-built GT blue & chrome BMX bike. John said, “We once again had a great turnout for this years 'Chesh-Air' event. It was great see such a fantastic array of BMX bikes. I hope everyone enjoyed the ride and chat. We are always looking for new members, so please get in touch and join us on our next ride."

For further information relating to the ‘Crewe and Cheshire old school BMX’ group please visit: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1145537948806438/ .

Old school BMX rides take place throughout the United Kingdom and around the world. For further information relating to the UK old school BMX scene please visit: http://www.radbmx.co.uk/

A Summer of Digital Discoveries across Cheshire East

Cheshire East continues to deliver an inspiring SHIFT programme this summer – celebrating digital arts and tech in 2017 and beyond in venues and creative spaces throughout the borough. From interactive storytelling, the world premiere of art installations, maker stations and a jam-packed family programme - these forthcoming events open up the exciting world of digital arts to and for all right across Cheshire East.

Summer Highlights Include:

Tales of the Town, Bollington June 2 – 4 June, including Family Event 3 June

The Tales of the Town exhibition takes a nostalgic look into the lives of people in Bollington -  a town that prides itself on its heritage, industry and community spirit. This interactive exhibition invites visitors to unlock largely untold and personal community stories hidden inside handmade curiosity cabinets dotted around this  post industrial town. Each beautifully crafted box contains the memories of Bollington dwellers past and present, expressing and commemorating their life and experiences from days of old.   Created by Manchester based art collective One Five West -  Sophie Bullock and Anna Horton -  together with local anthropologist Zak Tanamli, they have interviewed local residents and groups to capture how village life has changed over the years, and to explore what the future holds.

As part of this exhibition, a free family fun day takes place at Bollington Arts Centre on 3rd June, from 11 - 3pm for all. Families can partake in creative workshops and get hands-on with the technology involved in the interactive exhibition. Collect free maps, activities and refreshments to explore the public art works hidden across Bollington.

Tinker Market with Wavemaker  June 25,  Treacle Market, Macclesfield, 10-3pm

Attention all shoppers! Do you want to 'demystify the world of tech?' Do you want to get hands on with the latest kit including 3D printers, Micro:bits and Raspberry Pis? Do you want your tech questions answered while coding a robot through our obstacle course? Then the Wavemaker STEAM Explorer Market Stall is just for you!

June will see the first of these interactive Tinker Markets happening at the ever popular Treacle Market in Macclesfield. These pop in monthly events offer shoppers and visitors the opportunity to take part in making workshops and to get hands on with new technologies - whilst out and about enjoying the monthly farmers market. Themes include Robotics with designer Ross Atkin and 3d printing with Stoke based Wavemaker.

The first iteration of the Tinker Market will feature a guest spot by Wavemaker which will see a marketplace of technology, machinery and “show and tells” exploring new forms of making.

Full information on this event plus dates and themes for all the Tinker Markets are available via the SHIFT website: www.shift-digital.co.uk

Colony: Alison Ballard and Mike Blow

Friday 30 June 1pm – 7pm, Saturday 1 July 10am – 4pm, Sunday 2 July 10am – 4pm

Coming to Crewe Market Square this summer, Colony is a visually arresting and aurally entrancing work that transforms the environment into an alien landscape through light and sound. These large, tactile, sonic sculptures allow the audience to experience the physicality of sound through listening, touching, and hugging.

Family Highlights August 1-September 1st

Drop in and get making at these free and family friendly hands on workshops at different Cheshire East libraries across the borough:

Animations in Minecraft

Create 8-bit animations in Minecraft using physical punchcards, powered by PatternCraft

Build an Infrared Detector Circuit

Learn how the PatternCraft punchcard reader works by creating your very own infrared detector circuit.

Interactive LED art

Program the Micro:bit LED display and create interactive bitmap art that responds to movement and button presses.

PatternBeats

Use the PatternCraft punchcard reader to program machines, tempo and sounds and create a basic music composition.

Crewecraft

The magic of Minecraft comes to Crewe with five public interactive sessions where you can build a part of Crewe’s heritage.

Minecraft has captured the imagination of kids everywhere, and this project will re-create Crewe’s historic buildings in three-dimensional digital formats.to reconstruct the designs of old buildings and landmarks within digital worlds.

It will bring together history, heritage, architecture and digital design in one exciting and fun learning experience.

With five days of public events, incorporating four workshops each day during holiday periods: Saturday 8 July (part of trAction Festival), Monday 31 July, Saturday 5 August, Saturday 12 August, Monday 14 August at Crewe Library

Thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, these sessions are free but places are limited. Call : 01270 375295 to book

Full information on venues, dates and times and how to book your free place  for all these workshops - http://www.shift-digital.co.uk/events/

SHIFT Artists Talk

Colony: Artists In Conversation, Friday 30 Jun 2017 at 18:00 Circle Bar, Lyceum Theatre, Crewe  FREE

To celebrate the launch of  COLONY, join the artists Mike Blow and Alison Ballard in conversation with Louise Shannon, Creative Director of SHIFT, to find out about how they created this stunning new art installation - large, tactile, sonic sculptures which allow the audience to experience the physicality of sound through listening, touching, and hugging.

Refreshments will be provided.

Colony is on display in Crewe Market Square on Friday 30th June 1pm-7pm, Saturday 1st July 10am-4pm, and Sunday 2nd July 10am-4pm.

To book a free place on this talk – please sign up here:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/colony-artists-in-conversation-tickets-34661691051?aff=es2

Ross Atkin. Monday 31st July. Macclesfield Library. 18.30-20.00, FREE

Ross Atkin is a designer and engineer based in East London with a

strong interest in making design and engineering more visible and accessible to young people. He was part of the 'Fix Team' on the BBC2's flagship maker-focused program 'The Big Life Fix' and started The Crafty Robot to radically lower the barriers for young people to getting into creative making. Ross’s work has been displayed in the Design Museum’s Designs of the Year exhibition and Fast Company Magazine’s Innovation By Design Awards. He is also recognised internationally as an expert on the Internet of Things having been invited to speak on the subject at high profile technology and design conferences from San Francisco and Austin to Johannesburg and Beirut.

Join him on Monday 31^st July where he will discuss and give valuable insight into his design practice and his approach to making and new technologies.

The full SHIFT programme – including talks, workshops, professional training, tech meet ups, art installations, family events and drop-in coding sessions - will be updated throughout the year via the website: www.shift-digital.co.uk

Smishing Fraud Alert

Subject: Smishing Fraud Alert

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This is a message sent via Neighbourhood Watch. This information has been sent on behalf of Action Fraud (National Fraud Intelligence Bureau)

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

Message sent by

Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)

Smishing – the term used for SMS phishing – is an activity which enables criminals to steal victims’ money or identity, or both, as a result of a response to a text message. Smishing uses your mobile phone (either a smartphone or traditional non-internet connected handset) to manipulate innocent people into taking various actions which can lead to being defrauded.
The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau has received information that fraudsters are targeting victims via text message, purporting to be from their credit card provider, stating a transaction has been approved on their credit card.
The text message further states to confirm if the transaction is genuine by replying ‘Y’ for Yes or ‘N’ for No.
Through this method the fraudster would receive confirmation of the victim’s active telephone number and would be able to engage further by asking for the victim’s credit card details, CVV number (the three digits on the back of your bank card) and/or other personal information.
Protect yourself:

• Always check the validity of the text message by contacting your credit card provider through the number provided at the back of the card or on the credit card/bank statement.
• Beware of cold calls purporting to be from banks and/or credit card providers.
• If the phone call from the bank seems suspicious, hang up the phone and wait for 10 minutes before calling the bank back. Again, refer to the number at the back of the card or on the bank statement in order to contact your bank.
• If you have been a victim of fraud or cyber crime, please report it to Action Fraud at http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/ or alternatively by calling 0300 123 2040

Cheshire East continues to deliver £5m boost to street lighting

Cheshire East Council is set to deliver the latest part of £5m of improvements to street lighting across the borough.

Following the successful upgrade of 21,000 street lights in Cheshire East over the past two years, a further £5m is to be invested to convert street lighting to LED this year.

Main traffic routes have already been upgraded, as well as street lighting in some residential areas throughout the borough.

The next phase of the programme begins in June and will focus on residential roads in the Crewe and Nantwich area. It is anticipated the programme should be completed by the end of October 2017.

Information signs will be placed in advance of the works and we ask residents to assist, where possible, by finding alternative parking. 

The new street lighting produces a ‘white light’, which improves visibility and colour recognition to help promote and maintain safety for residents and road users. LED street lighting is also designed to direct light downwards on to the road, reducing light pollution into properties.

Installation of this technology across Cheshire East is reducing the council’s carbon footprint and will deliver annual savings on street lighting energy consumption in excess of 40 per cent for the council and Cheshire East residents.

LEDs are more reliable than the existing street lighting and have an estimated service life in excess of 20 years. The improved reliability will result in fewer faults and therefore less disruption to the network from additional repairs by engineers. 

Councillor David Brown, deputy leader of Cheshire East Council and cabinet member for highways and infrastructure, said: “These latest street lighting LED upgrades form part of our ongoing work to invest and improve Cheshire East’s road network.

“These new lights are more energy efficient and they also help make people in our communities feel safer.”

More information on the street lighting LED programme can be found on Cheshire East Council’s website at: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/highways

The council’s highways team can also be contacted on: 0300 123 5020.

SPAREPARTS ON THE MOVE ARRIVES AT TRACTION CREWE

SpareParts art festival is set to arrive at Action Crewe Festival on 8th & 9th July with a host of performances and activities for all the family to enjoy.

The touring festival, which was originally developed in Fleetwood, is funded through Arts Council England’s Strategic Touring programme and brings together the best of transport themed arts from around the world.

Running from 10am to 4pm, the festival will offer performances, workshops and the Great SpareParts Parade on Saturday 8th July starting at 3pm from Victoria Street.

Adam McGuigan, Artistic Director at SpareParts Festival, said: “We’re delighted to bring SpareParts to a whole new audience in Crewe.

“The festival features a whole host of fantastic performances that we’re sure audiences will love and that blend beautifully with the existing trAction Crewe Festival.”

The programme includes everything from urban explorers performing on and around a fictional Steam train to the Urban Astronaut flying high into the sky, plus a whole host of performances and workshops that all ages can enjoy.

Children will also have the chance to complete their Arts Award Discover certificate by picking up a special map which will guide them on a quest to rescue two stranded aliens as they journey around the festival.

Councillor David Brown, cabinet member for arts and culture at Cheshire East Council, said: “This exciting partnership project has been developed by Cheshire East Council’s cultural economy team and will help to boost the two transport festivals that are established events in the borough’s calendar of cultural attractions.

“We hope it becomes a great success and a regular feature of the two festivals in Sandbach and Crewe. I would like to thank SpareParts and Fleetwood Festival of Transport for bringing this very colourful and entertaining arts carnival to Cheshire East. We are all looking forward to joining in the fun.”

Councillor Pam Minshall, chair of the Crewe community and environment committee, said: “We are delighted that trAction Crewe will this year be part of 'On the Move'. This will add an exciting programme of art, performance and spectacle to our transport weekend and we look forward to working with SpareParts to ensure a wonderful two days of high quality, arts entertainment and interest for our town.”

The festival will also visit Fleetwood Festival of Transport on 16th July.

The full programme for SpareParts at Action Crewe will be released online at www.crewelife.net/events/traction-crewe/ in the coming weeks.

Lifestyle Centre snaps up two top awards for quality build and community benefit

Cheshire East Council’s £16m Crewe Lifestyle Centre has collected two prestigious awards on the same night for its design and construction, and for the community benefit it delivers to the town of Crewe.

Judges from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), at their annual awards ceremony in Liverpool, voted the combined leisure, sports and community hub the best out of seven nominations from Crewe to Carlisle, taking in Liverpool, Manchester and Salford.

The RICS ‘Community Benefit’ category recognised the lifestyle centre for its success through local community feedback.

And, at a separate event in Manchester, the project snapped up another significant  accolade in the North West Local Authorities Building Control Awards, winning ‘Best Public Service Building’ and runner up in the ‘Best Commercial Project’ category.

At the RICS awards in Liverpool, the judges said the lifestyle centre brought together comprehensive leisure facilities, library functions, adult social care and children’s services.

They commented: “The centre successfully delivers community benefit by delivering to occupier and user, individuals and families, Crewe residents and council, as well as being a stimulus to wider employment and education.

“….the building has been uniquely designed through extensive stakeholder and community consultation.”

The scheme rejuvenated the town and enhanced the local streetscape.

The Lifestyle Centre will now be nominated for national awards at ceremonies in London in November. It will go forward for the national RICS awards to be held at the Continental Hotel, Park Lane, London and for the ‘LABC Building Excellence’ grand finals at the Westminster Park Plaza. Both events take place in November.

All the awards recognised the work of the council’s two main contractors Pozzoni Architects and Kier Construction.

The LABC awards ceremony, at The Emirates Old Trafford, was organised and promoted by North West Local Authority Building Control (LABC), the building control service representing more than 30 local authorities in the region.

They recognise quality-build across the public and private sectors, including public buildings, commercial buildings, housing design and construction as well as partnership working.

Councillor Rachel Bailey, Leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “I congratulate all involved in securing this award for all the hard work they have put in, enabling this prestigious facility to be delivered on time and on budget.

“The Crewe Lifestyle Centre will always be a jewel in our crown and a benchmark for future leisure and community projects in Cheshire East.”

Cheshire East Council’s wholly-owned land and property services company Civicance succeeded with six other nominations at the LABC awards, two of them overall category winners and four highly commended.

Civicance specialises in building regulations and land and property enquiries from the public, designers, builders and all other private contractors.

The award nominations by Civicance are a result of high-quality building construction and design, together with effective working relationships between site operators, architects and the LABC surveyors.

The lifestyle centre opened its doors to the public last April and is not only home to state of the art leisure and sports facilities, but also provides modern, discreet amenities for children and families with special needs.

It also houses the town’s lending and reference libraries as well as a café, while the exterior of the building is designed to reflect the characteristics of neighbouring features and buildings, including the town’s railway.

For more information about Civicance and other awards in the borough visit: http://www.civicance.co.uk/home.aspx

What UKIP stands for:-

What UKIP stands for:-

1)Net ZERO immigration.

2)Foreign aid slashed by £10,000,000,000 a year to fund the NHS etc

3)A Brexit with no backsliding.

4)Stopping the Tory cuts in the NHS,elderly care and school funding.

Dear elector

,

I live in Crewe with my wife and two children and I work as an on-board operative on British Rail.My wife Leiddy is from the Dominican Republic but is now a British citizen. I went to school in Crewe and Nantwich but the area has changed for the worst since I left school in 1998. The standard of living and job opportunities have gone down drastically. The NHS is being privatised and run into the ground by both the Tories and Labour. Our armed forces have been downsized and undercut at a time of great international tension.

Once we LEAVE the  EU our great country can shake off the shackles imposed on it by unelected EU Bureaucrats, who were supported by most British MPs. Westminister is full of MP's serving their own self interest and not the interests of the British people. Brexit will be a huge success as long as we have MP's we can trust to put their country first and not fight against it.

Cllr. Michael Stanley

Your LOCAL UKIP Candidate.

Vote for Local Man, Cllr.Michael Stanley

Vote UKIP on June 8th

In 2015 UKIP produced the only election manifesto that was independently costed by the Centre for Economics and Business Research. Since then the Tories and Labour have been stealing our policies.I want you to look beyond the political elites' normal propaganda and look at the UKIP manifesto.(www.ukip.org)

Ask yourself how many times you agree with UKIP policy, then compare it to the other manifestos.If you believe in our common sense policies, the only way to see they get implemented, is to vote for them.

Vote for Local Man, Cllr.Michael Stanley

Vote UKIP on June 8th.

Green Party launches manifesto - strong standing in North West

While other parties ignore the environment Greens will protect it
Green MPs will protect NHS and roll back privatisation
'Ratification referendum' promised to the British public
Party pledges to fight for bold policies like a basic income and shorter working week

The Green Party today launched its manifesto for the general election - the Green Guarantee⁽¹⁾. It contains ten key pledges that Greens in government will adhere to - on the economy, environment, EU, NHS, education, young people, housing, a safer world, citizens’ democracy and transport.

Caroline Lucas, the party's co-leader, said:
"The Green Party has big, bold ideas to create a confident and caring country we can all be proud of. That means protecting our environment for our children and grandchildren. Saving our NHS from crisis and ridding it of private sector profiteering. It means giving people a proper say on the Brexit deal, not shutting them out of the process. And it means exploring changes to our economy to make it fairer and fit for the future. Green MPs elected on June 8th can be trusted to protect our public services, fight for a close relationship with the EU and truly hold whoever is in Government to account.
"If we do end up with a Tory Government you can be sure that Green MPs will hold Theresa May's feet to the fire."
Jonathan Bartley, the party's co-leader, said:
"By voting Green on June 8th people can elect MPs who will always fight their corner, and push for the major changes we need to make this country a world leader, rather than the little Britain envisioned by the Tories. We are unapologetic in fighting to remain close to Europe, and in defending free movement as a wonderful gift to my generation that is being robbed from the next. We will always defend our public services, stand up for our NHS and push for bold changes so our economy delivers on fairness and on pioneering new technology.”

The Green Party are standing in 55 of the 75 North West Constituencies in the General election - three quarters of the available seats⁽²⁾. Whilst slightly down on the 2015 election, this is a significantly higher number of seats than the 41 UKIP have been able to muster across the region. In a few marginal seats, Greens have stood down, following discussions with other parties, e,g, City of Chester and Cheadle.

Circus Funtasia

Microsoft Tech-Support Scammers using WannaCry attack to lure victims

Subject: Microsoft Tech-Support Scammers using WannaCry attack to lure victims

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This is a message sent via Neighbourhood Watch. This information has been sent on behalf of Action Fraud (National Fraud Intelligence Bureau)

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

Message sent by

Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)

Action Fraud has received the first reports of Tech-Support scammers claiming to be from Microsoft who are taking advantage of the global WannaCry ransomware attack.

One victim fell for the scam after calling a ‘help’ number advertised on a pop up window. The window which wouldn’t close said the victim had been affected by WannaCry Ransomware.

The victim granted the fraudsters remote access to their PC after being convinced there wasn’t sufficient anti-virus protection. The fraudsters then installed Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool, which is actually free and took £320 as payment.

It is important to remember that Microsoft’s error and warning messages on your PC will never include a phone number.

Additionally Microsoft will never proactively reach out to you to provide unsolicited PC or technical support. Any communication they have with you must be initiated by you.

How to protect yourself

• Don't call numbers from pop-up messages.
• Never allow remote access to your computer.
• Always be wary of unsolicited calls. If you’re unsure of a caller’s identity, hang up.
• Never divulge passwords or pin numbers.
• Microsoft or someone on their behalf will never call you.

If you believe you have already been a victim

• Get your computer checked for any additional programmes or software that may have been installed.
• Contact your bank to stop any further payments being taken.

Report fraud and cyber crime to Actionfraud.police.uk

Manchester Terrorist Attack

 

STATEMENT FROM GROUP LEADERS OF CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL

The leaders of all political parties of Cheshire East Council,

Councillor Rachel Bailey,

Councillor Sam Corcoran,

Councillor Barry Burkhill,

Councillor Rod Fletcher,

issued a joint statement today saying: “Our thoughts and prayers go out to those who have lost loved ones and the injured, all their families and all those affected by this dreadful event. We stand behind the people of Manchester and join them in their condemnation of this appalling terrorist attack.

“We support the messages this morning from the elected mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham and city council leader Sir Richard Leese, stating that Manchester is a great city which has experienced dark days in the past and whose people have pulled together to defeat terrorism.

“We will be writing to Mr Burnham and to councillor Leese to express our support, our condolences and to offer any assistance we can to help the city overcome this tragic event.

“In Cheshire East, all council buildings will fly flags at half-mast and we would urge all businesses that have their own flags to do the same. Staff from our schools’ support team are contacting all schools in the borough to ascertain if any pupils or staff were at the concert at the Manchester Arena and are offering support, if required.

“We would also urge our residents in Cheshire East to remain vigilant, wherever they are, at railway stations, sports stadiums and public places in particular and to follow the advice of the police to report any suspicious activity to them.

“The borough’s new mayor, Cllr Arthur Moran, added: “I wish to echo the words expressed by the group leaders of Cheshire East Council and to extend special praise for the emergency services, who demonstrated enormous courage in the way in which they responded to this shocking event.

“I too shall be writing to the civic leaders of Manchester, including the Lord Mayor Cllr Eddie Newman, to express my sincere sympathy and support for the great city of Manchester.

“Many of us may remember how Manchester recovered so well from the IRA attack on the city in 1996 and I have every confidence that the people of Manchester, from all walks of life, will once again pull together to demonstrate that they will not be cowed by terrorism.”

Don’t lose your voice on election day – check the location of your local polling station!

 

Voters are being urged to check the location of their local polling station – so they don’t lose their voice on General Election day!

Despite the short notice – due to the Prime Minister’s decision to call a surprise ‘snap election’ –  Cheshire East Council’s elections team has managed to secure all but nine of its usual 282 polling station locations where votes can be cast on June 8.

The nine stations affected (and their replacements) are listed on the council’s website at: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/council_and_democracy and then click on ‘elections’ – or click on this weblink: http://bit.ly/2rlksRE

Voters can check on their polling cards, which will identify which polling station they should visit to cast their ballot. Residents affected by changes to polling stations have also been written to by the council, informing them of where they will be able to vote.

Acting Returning Officer at Cheshire East Kath O’Dwyer said: “To secure all but nine of our 282 polling station locations is quite an amazing achievement at such short notice. Indeed, we’ve already received a number of messages from councillors and local people congratulating us for being so swift and effective at securing venues for election day. 

“It is worth bearing in mind that there are always a small number unavailable due to refurbishment, repair works or ‘event clashes’ at the venues we use, which in the past have included schools, church halls, community centres and even local pubs. I would just ask that voters check the location of their local polling station before election day.”

On polling day, Thursday June 8, polling stations will be open between 7am and 10pm. Information about voting at this election is available at: www.yourvotematters.co.uk

Cheshire Fire And Rescue Service May 2017 E-Newsletter - FiRELiNK

Subject: Cheshire Fire And Rescue Service May 2017 E-Newsletter - FiRELiNK

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

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

Message sent by

Ashley Lawton (Cheshire Fire , Administrator, Cheshire Fire)

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

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Are you looking for an apprenticeship like no other?

If you are enthusiastic, committed to learning new skills, dedicated to delivering an excellent service to the community and keen to step into a vocation like no other then a career as an apprentice with Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service might be for you!

This is your opportunity to join one of the country’s leading fire and rescue services as a Firefighter and Community Safety (FCS) Apprentice. We are currently looking to appoint 12 apprentices to this dynamic programme.

Find out more - Firefighter and Community Safety Apprenticeship

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Boat safety advice

The number of boat fires on our coastal and inland waters is relatively low. However, when they do occur, they quite often have devastating consequences.

Due to the remote location of moorings, the fire and rescue service can experience difficulties in gaining access to an incident. On many occasions, these incidents result in the total destruction of the boat and to surrounding property.

Please use the link below to view some simple advice to ensure your boating activities are safe and enjoyable.

Find out more - boat safety advice

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Caravan and camping safety advice

Holiday season is upon us and many people will be getting ready to take out their caravans or camping equipment.  Make sure your holidays are full of fun and not ruined by poor preparation.

Find out more - caravan safety advice

Find out more - camping safety advice

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Child Safety Week 2017

Child Safety Week is an annual campaign by the Child Accident Prevention Trust to raise awareness of the risks of child accidents and how they can be prevented. The theme this year is 'Turn off technology for safety'.

Find out more - Child Safety Week 2017

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Fire Station open days

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

Find out more - Fire Station open days

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

Find out more - Your local fire station

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Flip & Fill

Reporter Jonathan White, Wistaston

British electronic dance legends 'Flip & Fill' and 'Ultrabeat' each performed a DJ set at The Studio Nightclub & Entertainment Venue - http://www.facebook.com/studionantwich - in Nantwich on Friday 19th May 2017.

Flip & Fill have had several Top 40 hit records including True Love Never Dies, I Wanna Dance With Somebody, Shake Ya Shimmy, Field of Dreams, Irish Blue, Discoland, and Shooting Star which peaked at number three in the UK singles chart in 2002.

Ultrabeat have also had several Top 40 hit records including Feelin’ Fine, Better than Life, Elysium, and Pretty Green Eyes which peaked at number two in the UK singles chart in 2003.

Flip & Fill and Ultrabeat were both supported by MC Domino, who hyped up the audience to a fever pitch. DJ's Andy G and Ste Owens also played sets at the event.

Nigel Woodhouse, Director of Operations at The Studio said, "It was great to have two more Clubland legends at The Studio Nantwich - for these guys and The Studio it really is about the entertainment. On Saturday 27th May we are bringing DJ Danny T, who will be making memories for today's clubbers and it's free admission before 11pm.”

Flying Scotsman came to Crewe Heritage Centre

Reporter Jonathan White, Wistaston

World famous steam locomotive Flying Scotsman came to Crewe Heritage Centre - http://creweheritagecentre.org/ - on Wednesday 17th and Thursday 18th May 2017 in the 30th anniversary of the centre.

Members of the public could see Flying Scotsman - http://www.flyingscotsman.org.uk/ - at close-hand and Flying Scotsman merchandise was available for purchase.

Flying Scotsman was originally built in Doncaster for the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER), emerging from the works on 24 February 1923 and initially numbered 1472. It was designed by Sir Nigel Gresley as part of the A1 class – the most powerful locomotives used by the railway.

By 1924, when it was selected to appear at the British Empire Exhibition in London, the loco had been renumbered 4472 – and been given the name ‘Flying Scotsman’ after the London to Edinburgh rail service which started daily at 10am in 1862.

It was the first steam engine authenticated at travelling at 100mph in November 1934.

Flying Scotsman was making its second visit to the centre since the locomotives refurbishment was completed last year at a cost of £4.2million.

All Crewe Heritage Centre regular attractions were also open to visitors including its three signal boxes, the Advanced Passenger Train, model railway displays and layouts, static locomotive displays and rides on a miniature railway.

This year is the 30th anniversary of Crewe Heritage Centre, which was opened in July 1987 by HM Queen Elizabeth II, to commemorate 150 historic years of the town of Crewe. The centre is open from April until the end of September at weekends and Bank Holidays (10am-4:30pm).

 

Don't lose your voice! Check you are registered to vote on June 8

 

Cheshire East Council is asking people to ensure they are registered to vote – so they don’t miss out on having their say in the General Election on June 8.

The message from Cheshire East is: If you can’t vote, you haven’t got a voice.

If you are not registered, you could miss out on being able to vote in the upcoming General Election.

Polling cards have been posted to registered electors in the past few days. If you have not received your polling card by now (May 16) you should contact the council to ensure you are registered to vote. 

Alternatively, if you are not already registered you can register to vote via the government’s Gov.UK website at: www.gov.uk/registertovote

The deadline to register to vote is Monday May 22. Cheshire East Council is actively supporting the Electoral Commission’s drive to boost voter registration.

If you have not yet received your polling card, ring the council’s elections team staff on: 0300 123 5016.

Cheshire East Council’s acting chief executive Kath O’Dwyer, who is the Returning Officer for elections in the borough, said: “Don’t leave it too late to register to vote in the General Election. A healthy democracy needs actively engaged voters – and you can’t vote if you aren’t registered.

“It is vitally important that people cast their ballot and don’t miss out on the opportunity to have a voice on the local, national and international issues that affect the lives of all of us. So, I would urge everyone of voting age to take just a few minutes to ensure that they are registered to vote.”

The deadlines to apply for a postal vote or a proxy vote are also looming:

● The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm, Tuesday May 23. Completed forms must be received by the Cheshire East Council elections team before this deadline.

● The deadline to apply for a proxy vote, where a voter nominates a trusted person to cast a vote on their behalf, is 5pm, Wednesday May 31. Completed forms must be received by the Cheshire East Council elections team before this deadline.

Anyone looking for more information about voting should visit the website: www.yourvotematters.co.uk.

Anyone who is not yet registered to vote should apply now at: www.gov.uk/registertovote

Anyone who was registered to vote at the EU referendum does not need to re-register in order to take part in the 2017 General Election – providing your details have remained the same.

Remember: registering to vote does not mean you have to – it just means you don’t lose out on the opportunity to do so.

On polling day, Thursday June 8, polling stations will be open between 7am and 10pm.

Information about voting at this election is available at: www.yourvotematters.co.uk