Meetup

reporter Jonathan White, Crewe

The ‘Crewe/Nantwich/Sandbach Meetup Group’ are looking for new members. The group formed in February this year and is open to anyone in the Crewe, Nantwich, Sandbach and surrounding areas who is looking to make new friends.

The group does exactly what its members want it to do which could involve drinks nights, walks, coffee mornings, cinema trips, days out, weekends away, and activity trips.

To join please visit: http://www.meetup.com/Crewe-Nantwich-Sandbach-Meetup-Group/ 

Founder member Karen Gordon said, "We've had a fabulous response already and enjoyed several successful events. We have lots more planned and look forward to welcoming new members".

Electro 80s concert.

Reporter Jonathan White, Crewe

1980's Electronica tribute band 'Electro 80s' - http://www.electro80s.com/ - performed at 'The Studio Nightclub & Entertainment Venue' (formerly Gregory's) - http://www.thestudionantwich.co.uk/ - in Nantwich on Friday 28th March 2014.

The venue re-opened last year after extensive refurbishment and the concert took place in the music and stage area on the middle level with additional viewing available from the balcony area around the top level.

Electro 80s arrived on stage shortly after 10pm and performed a two-hour set recreating songs by artists including Gary Numan, OMD, Visage, Tears for Fears, A Flock of Seagulls, Kraftwerk, Howard Jones, Spandau Ballet, Duran Duran, The Human League, Erasure, and Yazoo.

Their show was accompanied by a light display and robotic dancer 'Man O' Chrome' with his protégé ‘Little Black’. The finale was Say Hello, Wave Goodbye from Soft Cell.

Crewe Charity wins national Sustainable Cities status

 

Pictured below from left: Jacob Wye, 20, customer, Johnathon Satchwell, 26 trainee, Edward Timpson, MP, Ben Wye CC Cycles Manager, Rev. Rob Wykes, Director, Christian Concern

CC-Cycles is based in the St Paul’s Centre which is most famous for its Friday Furniture Sale; but it is more than that, and others are starting to recognise this.

Nominated for the Sustainable City Awards CC-Cycles were at The Mansion House ceremony last Thursday to receive their Certificate in the Sustainable Travel and Transport Awards. ‘With a tiny budget and local residents volunteering this recognition is great for Crewe and brilliant for the team that achieved it’ said Rob Wykes the Charities Director.

On the way to  the awards, the team cycled to the House of Commons where Edward Timpson, the Crewe and Nantwich MP, congratulated them, and expressed his delight that once again Crewe is being recognised for innovation and entrepreneurship in sustainability. He said ‘it’s positive for Crewe and a clear message to the country that we are serious about sustainable travel’. 

In less than 12 months CC-Cycles has been able to refurbish more than 250 cycles. Most of these are used by local people to get to work. Ben Wye the project manager said ‘cycling is cleaner, leaner, cheaper; it’s good for you and good for Crewe. We need more cycles to refurbish.  Please call us on 01270 586186 and we will collect, in any condition.’ 

The workshop is a skills development hub for young and old alike, and has recently been expanded. It is fully equipped and it is common   to see retired Bentley engineers teaching young adults traditional mechanical skills. More importantly these young people gain positive attitudes towards work by working alongside experienced engineers. Rob Wykes explains how important it is to help young people make the connection between what they do in the workshop, and the income it can generate. ‘In our workshop these young people see their effort reaping a reward and they become energised.’  As Crewe lifts its eyes to the horizon of HS2, more employment, more houses, more traffic and more things to do, means that cycling will again become an essential choice of travel around town, and CC-Cycles has a huge part to play in this.

About the award:  http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/services/environment-and-planning/sustainability/sustainable-city-awards/Pages/default.aspx

For further details, or photos contact:

Ben Wye

Christian Concern

St Paul's Centre
Hightown
Crewe
CW1 3BY

Tel: 01270 586186 mobile 07795644179

https://www.facebook.com/ChristianConcernCycles

www.christianconcern.org.uk

Walkies! Get fit walking your dog – the responsible way

Cheshire East Council is encouraging dog owners to get fit in our beautiful country parks – and learn more about doggy ‘dos and don’ts’ in the countryside.

The Council’s countryside ranger service and community wardens’ team is working in partnership throughout April to highlight the benefits of a walk with your dog in the countryside – while spotlighting our dog ‘code of conduct’.

As part of this month-long project we will focus on four countryside sites managed by the countryside ranger service – Astbury Mere Country Park, Brereton Heath Local Nature Reserve, Macclesfield Riverside Park and Tegg’s Nose Country Park.

Community wardens will be patrolling these sites during April and engaging with dog walkers. Visitor centres will be displaying educational information about some of the issues associated with dog fouling and the importance of the following the dog code of conduct, when visiting country parks and the countryside.

As part of this campaign, in partnership with the Dogs Trust, we are also able to offer FREE dog chipping and registration at four roadshows across the Borough:

· Thursday, April 3 – 11am to 3pm – Astbury Mere Country Park - Sandy Lane, Off A34 Newcastle Road, Congleton, Cheshire, CW12 4FR;

· Thursday, April 10 – 11am to 3pm – Macclesfield Riverside Park, Beechwood Mews, off Manchester Road, Tytherington, Macclesfield, SK10 2SL;

· Thursday, April 17 – 11am to 3pm – Tegg’s Nose Country Park, Buxton Old Road, Macclesfield, SK11 0AP;

· Friday, April 25 – 11am to 3pm – Brereton Heath Local Nature Reserve, Davenport Lane, Brereton, Congleton, CW12 4SU.

Rangers and community warden staff will be handing out an information ‘flyer’ sheet during the project.

Councillor David Topping, Cabinet member in charge of environment, said: “These roadshows are a great opportunity for dog owners to learn more about our

dog-walking ‘code of conduct’ while visiting our stunning country parks and getting fitter in the fresh air.

“Health experts recommend that we all get at least 30 minutes’ exercise a day – and this is something that everybody can achieve by a daily dog walk in the countryside.

“Responsible dog ownership, such as clearing up after your animal and control of your pet near wildlife, is really important for ensuring that everyone can enjoy our fantastic countryside to the full.”

The community wardens are also launching a new survey, which we are asking visitors to our parks to complete, both online and in person at the roadshows, to gauge people’s feelings about the Council’s use of dog control orders.

To complete the survey visit:  http://cheshireeast.dog-control-orders.sgizmo.com/s3/

New figures show tourism is booming in beautiful Cheshire East

 

New figures show tourism is booming in ‘beautiful Cheshire East’ – despite the tough economic climate.

The annual STEAM (Scarborough Tourism Economic Activity Monitor) analysis of the Borough’s visitor economy shows that in 2013 the tourism industry grew by seven per cent and is now worth a massive £737m.

The latest research shows the value and volume of tourism across Cheshire and Warrington and outlines Cheshire East’s success.

Headline figures for the Borough released today show the value of the visitor economy has soared by 35 per cent since Cheshire East Council was formed in 2009 and the number of tourists has risen by 18 per cent.

A total of 13.9 million people visited the Borough last year – an increase of 5.3 per cent on 2012.

The number of people employed in the tourism sector also rose by 6.2 per cent last year to a total of 10,461 (full-time equivalent) jobs – a rise of 21.5 per cent since 2009.

A further boost was given by figures showing the number of visitors staying in the area increased by 4.3 per cent in 2013, while the number of day visitors rose by 5.4 per cent.

Cheshire East Council Leader Michael Jones welcomed the news and said: “Cheshire East is such a beautiful and rewarding place to visit and stay, with so much to offer people, that I must say I am not really surprised at these excellent figures.

“The fact that more and more people are being drawn to the Borough is testament not only to its obvious natural attractions and bigger visitor draws, such as Tatton Park and our other beautiful country parks, but also to the very many first-class and warmly welcoming hotels, guest houses and small businesses that support them.

“At the same time, we are investing in infrastructure to make our towns even more appealing to visitors and to improve the quality of life for residents.

“The All Change for Crewe strategy and proposals for a strategic transport and HS2 hub are set to revitalise that town over the next 20 years and improve connectivity for travellers, while Macclesfield will be enjoying a major regeneration based on its silk heritage and its leisure and retail offer.”

Other sites are attracting new high-tech businesses and generating new jobs, while Bentley is investing £800m in its car manufacturing plant that will create 1,000 new jobs.

Councillor Jones added: “Cheshire East is an attractive place to do business and these developments will undoubtedly help to boost the business tourism sector.

“Cheshire East is open for business – but it’s also open to offer people of all ages a fantastic break from the stresses of work and the hurly-burly of modern living.

“Cheshire East is simply a great place to be – and to be yourself.” 

Benefits cheat ordered to repay more than £25,000 and put under a dusk-to-dawn curfew

 

A woman who fraudulently claimed more than £25,000 in benefits has been ordered by magistrates to repay the money and put under a dusk-to-dawn curfew.

Elizabeth Giblin, 43, of Davenport Avenue, Crewe, pleaded guilty at South and East Cheshire Magistrates’ Court to four charges of dishonestly failing to report a change in her circumstances in relation to claims for jobseekers’ allowance, income support, housing benefit and Council Tax benefit.

Magistrates sitting at Crewe heard (on Friday March 21) that Giblin claimed housing and Council Tax benefits, since September 2003, as a lone parent receiving income support and her claim was later based on jobseekers’ allowance as a single person, from October 2010, following her children leaving the property. 

Giblin commenced self-employment in October 2012, and continued to claim housing and Council Tax benefit as a single person.

A joint investigation into Giblin’s claims for the above benefits by investigators from Cheshire East Council’s benefit fraud investigation team and the Department for Work and Pensions found that Giblin’s partner had joined the household in November 2008, and had been supporting her financially.

In failing to report this change and actively pursuing her claim, Giblin was overpaid benefits totalling £25,087.

Magistrates imposed a sentence of 32 weeks’ imprisonment suspended for two years with a two-year supervision order, along with a curfew for six weeks from 7pm to 7am. A compensation order was granted for recovery of the overpaid benefit payable at £100 per month.

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: “The message from this latest successful prosecution is clear: people who try to cheat the system and hard-working taxpayers will be pursued by this Council and brought to justice.

“Cheshire East is an enforcing Council and that benefit fraud will simply not be tolerated.

“This prosecution is another clear example of this Council taking firm action to protect our local communities from those who criminally abuse the benefits system to line their pockets at the expense of honest, hardworking taxpayers.

“This case shows that we will catch up with these selfish and anti-social fraudsters and they will be brought before the courts to face 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

Crewe firefighters splashing out for charity

 

Crewe firefighters are splashing out with a car wash at the Crewe Road station on Saturday April 6 in aid of The Fire Fighters Charity.
From 10.00am to 3.00pm the crew will be rolling up their sleeves and taking to buckets and hoses to shine up the cars of Crewe along with providing drivers with vital road safety advice.

Firmly established on the fire and rescue service calendar, the National Car Wash is the charity's largest national fundraising event of the year. Celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year, there couldn’t be a better time for motorists to take their car along and have it washed in return for a donation. All funds raised go to The Fire Fighters Charity, the UK’s leading provider of life-enhancing services for serving and retired fire service personnel and their families.

Chair of the Fire Fighters Charity and Deputy Chief Fire Officer Mark Cashin said, “The charity car wash is a great way to not only increase awareness of road safety but also to raise money for The Fire Fighters Charity which has provided assistance to serving and retired firefighters for more than 60 years.

“Unfortunately our firefighters see first hand the tragic consequences of road traffic collisions and I really hope that drivers will go along and support this event as they will not only be helping The Fire Fighters Charity but they will also take away vital road safety advice which could save their lives.”

£1.25m boost to Council’s drive to tackle potholes – and more funding on way

 

Cheshire East Council is to get a huge ‘double cash boost’ to bolster its drive to improve the Borough’s roads.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced that Cheshire East’s share of the £103.5m pot to deal with the damage caused by the severe weather of recent months is £1.25m.

This is an emergency payment from the Government to help with road repairs following the wettest winter on record, and will pay for the repair of 3.3 million potholes nationwide.

On top of this money being shared out to councils, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in last week’s Budget that another £200m will be provided for pothole repairs over the financial years 2014-16.

Cheshire East Council’s share of a similar amount over 2013-15 was £2.2m.

The DfT money is being distributed now to ensure that repairs can be started as soon as possible, so that the majority of the damage to be fixed ahead of the summer holidays.

Cheshire East’s highways team is working hard to radically improve the Borough’s highway network and repaired more than 56,000 potholes in 2013. The initial 50,000 target for the year was achieved during the summer.

Councillor David Topping, Cheshire East Council Cabinet member in charge of environment, welcomed the news of extra funding and said: “This is welcome news that will give us extra resources to commit to tackling potholes and improving our roads.

“Cheshire East continues to invest in its highways and had already set aside around £1.5m to ensure that the network is kept in a safe and serviceable condition through the year for our residents and visitors. 

“We expect to have to repair around 27,000 potholes per year but, as our investment in improving the highways continues, this number should fall. 

“In addition, the number of customer-reported potholes is down from a peak of 3,640 in Jan 2013, to around 782 in Jan 2014, and also similarly we have seen a significant drop in the number of claims received – down from 270 in Jan 2013, to just 34 in Jan 2014.

“However, there is no room for complacency and we will continue to monitor the roads and prioritise works accordingly.

“The Chancellor’s announcement that all councils will share in a £200m boost to the money available for pothole repairs is more great news for road users and this Council. However, at this time, Cheshire East has not been informed about its share.

“The number of potholes repaired per day varies since it is very much weather dependent and a seasonal activity. The number can rise to 100-plus per day, when we experience rain or freezing conditions.

“The highways team carry out regular safety inspections and any defects recorded are dealt with quickly. Currently, we get around 400 reports of potholes or defects a week – but the number will fall through spring and summer periods.

“In addition, Cheshire East has invested £25m to make major improvements to the condition of the road network, through its Highways Investment Programme. 

“The teams have already successfully delivered £14m of benefits and will be working over the next few months to deliver the remaining £11m.”

To report a pothole or fault on a road, use the online service via the Council’s website at: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk

Alternatively, ring the highways team on 0300 123 5020.

Crewe Mile for Sport Relief.

Reporter Jonathan White, Crewe

The Crewe Mile took place at the Cumberland Arena on Sunday 23^rd March 2014 for biennial charity event Sport Relief - http://www.sportrelief.com - which raises money to help vulnerable people in both the UK and the world's poorest countries.

 

One hundred and eighty participants covered either 1, 3 or 6 miles around the Cumberland Arena track. There were people of all ages including a Nordic walker and a runner with her dog. Each finisher received a medal.

Sports Massage students from South Cheshire College http://www.scc.ac.uk/ were on hand to soothe any aches and pains, Cheshire East Council Leisure Development Team https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/leisure,_culture_and_tourism/leisure_facilities.aspx  had a display of ‘Everybody’ gym equipment and ‘Community Recycle Cycles’ https://www.facebook.com/CommunityRecycleCycles promoted their community interest bike shop. There was also face painting and refreshments.

Mayor of Cheshire East Councillor Dorothy Flude and her consort Alex Flude attended the event.

There was also a Swimathon for Sport Relief at Crewe Swimming Pool during the same weekend.

Cheshire Walking

Reporter Jonathan White, Wistaston

‘Cheshire Walking’ is on the lookout for new members. The group is run by volunteers and there are no fees. All walks are led by members of the group and could be anything from a short stroll to a longer hike.

We encourage members to get involved so you too could lead a walk. We are always looking for new ideas for walks, so feel free to give us some suggestions.

A recent walk took the group along a section of the Shropshire Union Canal to Hurleston Reservoir, then onwards to Henhill Bridge before returning via fields back to Barbridge for a post-walk drink at The Olde Barbridge Inn. A list of future walks is available on the Facebook page.

To join please go direct to the ‘Cheshire Walking’ Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/121291244651866/ or search for ‘Cheshire Walking’ within Facebook

Police are searching for a prisoner who has escaped whilst being transported through Cheshire.

John Inglesby, aged 28, escaped from a prison van at 5.25pm today (Wednesday 19 March) on the A534 (just prior to junction 17 of the M6) heading towards Sandbach.

He had appeared at Macclesfield Magistrates′ Court this morning charged with aggravated vehicle taking and conspiracy to commit burglary. Inglesby was remanded into custody and was en route to HMP Birmingham at the time.

Inglesby is believed to have fled the scene and approached a property nearby where he threatened the homeowner and stole a white Audi A3 convertible − with a black roof.

Inglesby, who is originally from the Crewe area, is described as being around 5′ 8" tall, with short brown hair and blue eyes. His last known address was in Kirkby, Liverpool.

Extensive enquiries are ongoing to locate Inglesby and police are appealing for anyone with any information regarding his whereabouts to get in touch.

Superintendent John Armstrong said: "Our priority is to locate this man and return him to lawful custody. Whilst we do not believe that Inglesby poses a risk to the public at large, anyone who sees him is urged not to approach him but should call 999 immediately."

Anyone who has any information regarding his whereabouts should call Cheshire Constabulary on 101 quoting incident number 663 of 19 March. Information can also be passed on anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.

Police are appealing for help from the public in tracing a man reported missing in Nantwich.

Jez Cox, aged 49, was reported missing by family on 6 March. He was last seen at an address in Park Road, Nantwich, on 1 March. Jez was temporarily staying at the property, which is owned by a friend.

This behaviour is out of character for Jez and police are becoming increasingly concerned for his safety.

Extensive enquiries have been ongoing in a bid to trace Jez - these have included enquiries in the local area and further a field. Jez has links to both Lincolnshire and Leicestershire and his last known address before moving to Nantwich was in Stamford, Lincolnshire.

Police are now appealing to the public for assistance in trying to locate Jez, who is described as 6' tall, of slim build, with grey receding hair and blue eyes.

Chief Inspector Paul Carroll said: "Extensive enquiries are currently being carried out to trace Jez. Police search teams and specialist units including air support are searching key areas in the town in the hope of finding clues that may lead to establishing Jez's whereabouts.

"We are concerned for Jez's welfare as this is completely out of character for him to not be in touch with any friends or family. We have numerous resources committed with the search and we are appealing to anyone who has seen Jez or anyone matching his description to come forward. We are also urging anyone who has any information regarding his current whereabouts to get in touch.

"We are also appealing for Jez himself to make contact with us and let us know he is ok."

Anyone with any information is urged to call Cheshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 794 of 6 March or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Circus in town

reporter Jonathan White, Crewe

The circus came to town from Wednesday 19th March to Sunday 23rd March 2014 when Circus Funtasia - http://www.circusfuntasia.co.uk/ - setup in Nantwich.

The show was a thrilling spectacle under the circus tent within the grounds of Nantwich Town Football Club. Ringmistress Tracy Jones introduced each of the international acts within this all human travelling circus. The circus included acrobats, clowns, a Hula Hoop expert, a high wire act, an aerial straps act, a Cloud Swing act, jugglers and the Wheel of Death. There was comedy along with feats of courage and physical strength. I held my breath on several occasions, particularly during the high wire act and the Wheel of Death, and was in awe at the skill and professionalism of the performers.

Refreshments (including tea, coffee, popcorn, candyfloss, and hot dogs) were available before the performance and during the interval, along with face painting, and children's novelties.

I thoroughly recommend a visit the next time they are in the area. Its on at Tipkinder in Crewe

CE treating residents with contempt

Most Cheshire East (CE) residents are punch drunk after being hit with unprecedented number of applications for new houses across the Borough. Amazingly the Conservative leadership of CE, after agreeing major incursions into the Borough's green belt and green gaps to build houses, are making further provision for 500 houses for the adjacent High Peak Council. In other words CE will be allowing 500 houses to be built in CE that High Peak don't want. Surely CE have had enough problems finding their own required 5 year supply of housing land without picking up the responsibilities of adjoining Councils as well?

But it gets worse. CE now has a  memorandum of understanding with Stockport Council that includes an agreement by CE to use its “best endeavours” to secure a site for Stockport’s traveller community. CE  have not yet made sufficient provision for its own traveller community so it beggars belief that CE want to also accommodate travellers from a neighbouring authority.

The political leaders of CE are treating their residents with utter contempt. They make grand statements about protecting  the interests of local people  but they are undermining them at every turn. Residents will be able to express their anger at the way they have been treated at the CE Council elections next year.

Best wishes

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

A Spring Concert

reporter Jonathan White, Wistaston

A Spring Concert takes place on Wednesday 2^nd April 2014 from 7pm at Willaston Primary School, Derwent Close, Willaston CW5 6QQ. The Concert will feature Wistaston Singers and Willaston Junior Choir. Tickets = £3 adults and £1 children. Tickets are available from the School Office, Tel. 01270 661528.

Council Leader welcomes report boost for HS2 and a strategic transport hub at Crewe

 

The Leader of Cheshire East Council Michael has welcomed a second major report which backs HS2 and calls for the creation of a major strategic transport hub at Crewe.

Councillor Jones said of today’s report by Lord Paul Deighton, chair of the HS2 Growth Taskforce: “This report makes clear that HS2 is a ‘once in a generation’ opportunity that has to be seized and that Crewe is the ‘real deal’.

“It makes clear that Crewe is ‘a natural gateway’ and central to creating a transport hub for road, passenger rail and freight for the North, the Midlands, North Wales and beyond.

“HS2 is an opportunity for transformational change to rebalance and re-energise the economy of UK plc. It will be a catalyst to bring far reaching economic and social benefits – with investment-led, plan-led, jobs-led growth not just in Cheshire East but in the North West and the wider country.

“This is the right strategic solution – not just for Crewe – but for the North and the country as a whole. And we have to act now to get it right. ‘Business as usual’ is not an option – what we need is the transformational change that HS2 and a strategic transport hub at Crewe brings.”

Cllr Jones added: “I welcome the fact that first the Higgins Report recognised the importance of Crewe for unlocking the early benefits of HS2 to the North – and now the Deighton Report gives further substantial weight to these compelling arguments.”

Cllr Jones also welcomed the report’s conclusion that the Government should support local councils to deliver their HS2 growth strategies and provide national co-ordination through a central delivery body (which works with local delivery bodies).

He also backed the recommendation to call on the Government to make railway engineering and advanced construction skills a national priority.

The Deighton Report says: “Crewe is ideally placed to act as a hub station to connect HS2 into the surrounding regions.

“Its strategic importance was recognised by the old London and North Western Railway, which identified that it was the optimal place to build a major junction.”

The report says the extra capacity released by HS2 provides an opportunity to reconfigure services and better utilise the strategic location of Crewe to serve major centres in the North West, such as Liverpool, Warrington and Chester and also Stoke, Stafford and all the local stations which form part of the commute into the bigger cities, supporting regeneration in the process.

The report further says that Crewe is a natural gateway to North Wales. Additional connectivity at Crewe into North Wales also supports the proposed strategic European freight corridor through to Dublin, via Holyhead. This helps to unlock investment in North Wales’ growing advanced-manufacturing sector.

On Monday (March 17) Sir David Higgins, CEO of HS2 Ltd, published a report which called on the Government to speed-up high speed rail delivery and create a strategic transport hub for the North at Crewe.

Sir David said a 43-mile stretch of HS2 to Crewe should be built by 2027, rather than 2033 as planned, to extend the benefits to the North more quickly.

He said there should also be a road, rail and freight transport hub built at Crewe, where the high-speed railway would meet lines to Liverpool, Chester, the Midlands and Wales.

Responding to a comment from Stoke Labour Councillor Andy Platt, who said ‘We are a Premier League city. Unfortunately Crewe is still in the fourth division,

Cllr Jones said: “The Labour Party should stop attacking Crewe and its people.

“But just for their information, just as Crewe has turned out to be an excellent feeder club to the Premier League for many top football stars, so an HS2 superhub at Crewe will be a feeder for the regeneration of whole of the North West – including Stoke.

“It always saddens me when politicians attack places rather than face reality. I would like to think this councillor would own up to his mistake and apologise to the great people of Crewe.”

Appeal for Commonwealth Baton Relay Volunteers

 

Cheshire East Council is looking to recruit volunteers to help support the Commonwealth Baton Relay in Congleton.

2014 Commonwealth Baton Relay

The Queen’s Commonwealth Baton is coming to Cheshire East.

Two years to the day since we hosted the 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, Congleton Park will be staging the 2014 Commonwealth Baton Relay.

On the 31 May 2012, 242 volunteers supported the safe and successful delivery of the Torch Relay on the roads and streets of Crewe, Congleton, Macclesfield and Knutsford.

This year, we are looking for another team effort to deliver this Commonwealth event.

All volunteers will be recruited, trained and deployed via the Leisure Development Volunteer Programme.

If you are interested in being a part of this event please contact the team via volunteers@cheshireeast.gov.uk alternatively, for more information please contact the Council’s Charlie Maines on 01625 383790.

Training dates have now been confirmed for April. However, spill over sessions for early May are in place as a contingency.