Christmas Fair.

Reporter Jonathan White, Wistaston

The annual Cancer Research UK ‘Christmas Fair’ took place at the Wistaston Memorial Hall on Saturday 21st November 2015.

The event was organised by the Crewe and Nantwich Support Group for Cancer Research UK http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/content/crewe-nantwich-local-committee

There were numerous stalls selling gifts, plants, books, DVDs, cakes, cheese, and Christmas cards, along with a Teddy Tombola and an efficient Tea Room serving drinks and snacks. The children were all excited to speak to Father Christmas and receive a present from him.

£3,715.53 was raised at the event for Cancer Research UK.

Committee chairman John Pass said, “We thank everyone for their support. The people of Wistaston have once again come out in large numbers to support Cancer Research UK.”

If you would like to learn more about the work of the local Cancer Research UK committee or would like to volunteer at any of their events please telephone Margaret Smith on 01270 626904.

Alderley Park to spearhead fight against ‘super bug’ resistance

 

Cheshire East Council has welcomed the Chancellor’s announcement to support the development of a multi-million pound centre of excellence at Alderley Park to spearhead research into anti-microbrial resistance (AMR).

The Chancellor announced an initial £4m investment to establish a major research and development centre at the Cheshire life science hub.

AMR is one of the greatest global public health issues facing countries across the world, threatening the effective prevention and treatment of an increasing number of infections and Cheshire East Council is pleased that this important work around this very serious issue will take place at Alderley Park.

A partnership of leaders from industry and academia has come together in the fight against the global problem of AMR and has now been given the go-ahead to create a multi-million pound centre of excellence at the heart of the Greater Manchester and Cheshire Science Corridor, with Alderley Park to act as the focal point of activity to combat anti-microbial resistance.

The centre will provide a world-class platform to develop cutting-edge and innovative treatments and, together with scientists and clinicians across the region, will develop a pipeline of new therapies and testing methods for the benefit of patients and society.

Support for the proposals reaffirms the continued importance of the Greater Manchester and Cheshire Science Corridor to the Northern Powerhouse and is anticipated to be the first of a number of significant science partnerships and investments between the public and private sectors in the region.

The partnership is now working closely with ministers to finalise the funding and further develop the proposals with partners across the region. 

Council Leader Michael Jones said: “The development of new products to address anti-microbial resistance is the single most important research programme in the bio-science and medical world and Cheshire East, through Alderley Park, will become a major player in this ground-breaking work.

“As a Council and Borough we are proud that this work is taking place here in Cheshire East and that our businesses and employees are playing such a valuable role in rolling back the frontiers in the fight against new diseases that threaten our children and families at home and abroad.

“This Council has invested in the future of Alderley Park and we intend to give this major research centre all the support we can.”

Dr Peter Jackson, chairman of the partnership, said: “This is great news, not only for our scientists, technologists, clinicians and businesses but also for patients suffering from AMR infections across the world.

“Given the existing strength across the Northern Powerhouse in AMR, the centre will create a focused critical mass of activity, underpinned by word-class science, people, facilities and equipment, to address current capacity gaps and fast track new products to address this priority issue.”

Dr. Chris Doherty, site director for Alderley Park, said: “The value to society of a sustainable supply of effective antibiotics is enormous.

“This investment at Alderley Park will help to stimulate the development of new antibiotics and provides a crucial step towards ensuring that the world has effective medicines to combat infectious diseases.” 

Several Alderley Park-based businesses are already working on the development of new drugs and antibiotics as part of a global campaign to discover more effective treatments and anti-infectives.

Great news for Alderley Park – as Chancellor unveils new enterprise zone

 

The hi-tech life sciences hub at Alderley Park has been unveiled by the Chancellor as part of a new enterprise zone.

It marks another landmark step forward towards delivering 7,000 new jobs in life sciences at the former AstraZeneca site. In 2012, pharmaceuticals giant AstraZeneca (AZ) announced its decision to relocate its R&D to Cambridge.

George Osborne announced in his Autumn Statement yesterday that the Cheshire Science Corridor Enterprise Zone will cover Cheshire East’s Alderley Park, Birchwood’s nuclear hub in Warrington, Ellesmere Port and Thornton Science Park in Cheshire West.

The announcement was hailed by Cheshire East Council Leader Councillor Michael Jones as another ‘real boost’ to the Cheshire East science corridor and the wider economy of the Northern Gateway region.

The news follows the launch at Alderley Park, in September, of a £30m Greater Manchester and Cheshire Life Sciences Fund, expansion of AZ’s Hurdsfield operation and Cheshire East Council investment of £1m in Jodrell Bank to help unlock more than £100m of investment funding for the world-leading radio telescope to lead the international Square Kilometre Array project.

Cllr Jones said today: “This is a great vote of confidence in, and achievement for, Alderley Park, Cheshire East Council and reinforces the science corridor.

“I greatly welcome this clear sign of the Chancellor’s commitment to growing the already world-class life science cluster in the Cheshire and Warrington area.   

“We look forward to working with all the partners in this new innovation enterprise zone to achieve real benefits for companies, not only in Alderley Park, following on from the science ‘catapult’ in medical technologies.

“This is great news for the whole region and strong evidence of the Northern Powerhouse in action.”

Last July the Government said the best of the UK’s businesses, scientists, clinicians and engineers would work side-by-side in the new ‘catapult in medicines technologies.’

The programme will further boost the economic recovery of Alderley Park and play a key role in the bioscience element in the vision for the Northern Powerhouse.

Cheshire East Council has a 10 per cent stake in the Manchester Science Partnership, which aims to build on Alderley Park’s international reputation as a centre of excellence in the world of bioscience and life science research and development.

● The Chancellor also announced yesterday a £400m Northern Powerhouse investment fund will be created to help small businesses to grow – with £5m going to Manchester Museum and £150m to help make oyster-style ticketing a reality across the North.

The Lost Carnival to appear in a mystery location in Cheshire

The Lost Carnival to appear in a mystery location in Cheshire
28, 29 & 30 May 4-9.30pm www.thelostcarnival.org.uk
“Step inside our little world, a place where magic will unfurl …”
Over a century after the mysterious Lost Carnival disappeared, news has reached our ears that The Lost Carnival will appear in Crewe in Cheshire this May. For three short nights only, families will step into a world unlike any other in this large-scale outdoor immersive theatre experience from award-winning producers Wild Rumpus (Just So Festival) and So It Is (Bury Met, Ramsbottom Festival).
LAStheatre presents The Battle of the Carnivals, a story beyond your wildest imagination. Meet The Birds and The Ingenues - two rival carnival families battling for supremacy.  Expect spellbinding theatre and enthralling installations, circus, music, visual trickery and sideshows.

The story will be revealed in the coming months in a series of podcasts, clues and archive footage, with families able to influence the drama in advance and at the live event.
Following a brief appearance in Burrs Country Park in Bury in 2015, where families saved the carnival from disappearing forever, step inside the spectacular world of The Lost Carnival with a new, original story. Choose your friends, choose your foes, as The Battle of the Carnivals commences. Take part throughout the evening and witness a thrilling culmination if you dare.

Every year, as summer arrives and the evenings grow longer, The Lost Carnival will appear in a different locality. The Lost Carnival in Crewe is the second Lost Carnival event with a limited amount of early-bird tickets on sale now. Keep your ear to the ground for the mystery location to be announced. Vetting is currently taking place as the carnival families prepare to appear in Cheshire to ensure it is on neutral ground and no foul play occurs. Look out for and meet curious characters popping up in locations across Crewe throughout May.

Rowan Hoban, Wild Rumpus director says “The Lost Carnival is back with a vengeance. After being saved by the audience in Bury in 2015, it will be popping up in a different town or city each year, and we’ve heard whispers that Crewe is in its sights for 2016. Families can expect an evening of outdoor spectacular, with a story woven amongst circus performance, incredible sideshows, marching bands and incredible feats. But they need to be prepared to make a choice, for this isn’t just a carnival, but ‘The Battle of the Carnivals’, where the audience will help decide the most incredible contest in carnival history."

Start the adventure now. Buy early-bird tickets, be the first to know the location, follow intriguing clues, receive secret messages, dressing up and reading inspiration. Sign up to the newsletter at www.thelostcarnival.org.uk and follow The Lost Carnival on Facebook and twitter #thelostcarnival.
Sign up online for your family to become Carnivalistas - enjoy special benefits and support The Lost Carnival to do good work in the communities that it touches.

Black Friday: Bagging a bargain isn’t worth a night in the cells

Subject: Black Friday: Bagging a bargain isn’t worth a night in the cells

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This is a message sent via The Neighbourhood & Home Watch Network (England & Wales). This information has been sent on behalf of Cheshire Constabulary

(Please do not reply directly to this email, please use the Reply button at the bottom of this message)

Message sent by

Peter Caldwell (Police, New Media Manager, Chesh Engagement Unit)

In the run up to Christmas people are keen to bag a bargain and this Friday will be no exception. It is Black Friday on 27th November  with shops across the country reducing prices to entice shoppers to spend their hard earned cash.
The event last year saw mass hysteria sweep across the nation as people queued, pushed, shoved and sometimes fought to get their hands on some discounted goods.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Roberts said, “Black Friday is an opportunity for people to snap up a few bargains before Christmas. Last year in Cheshire we had a few minor incidents involving people getting a little over excited by the event, but thankfully nothing as spectacular as what other areas experienced.
“Here in Cheshire we’d like to keep the disruption to a minimum and warn those who are thinking of behaving inappropriately to think again. The question I want to ask is this, ‘are you willing to spend a night in the cells following an altercation for a couple of quid off a TV?’”
“I urge people to use common sense when it comes to this day of sales. We don’t want to close stores and arrest people for disorder on the run up to Christmas, but we will deal with any incidents that arise with the tools and powers we deem appropriate. We’re here to support our communities this Christmas, and will take action against anyone who wants to turn Christmas blue for others.”
If you’re out taking advantage of the Black Friday sale, keep an eye on your purse/wallet and remember bagging a bargain isn’t worth a night in the cells.

Protect yourself from Bogus Electrical Websites

Subject: Protect yourself from Bogus Electrical Websites

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This is a message sent via The Neighbourhood & Home Watch Network (England & Wales). This information has been sent on behalf of Action Fraud (National Fraud Intelligence Bureau)

(Please do not reply directly to this email, please use the Reply button at the bottom of this message)

Message sent by

Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)

Fraudsters have set up a high specification website template advertising various electrical goods and domestic appliances. These goods are below market value and do not exist. The fraudsters will request your card details via the website; however the purchaser will then receive an email stating the payment failed and they must pay via bank transfer.
The fraudsters entice the purchaser and reassure them it is a legitimate purchase by using the widely recognised Trusted Shop Trustmark. The fraudsters are using the Trustmark fraudulently and have not been certified by Trusted Shops and therefore the purchaser is not covered by the Trusted Shop money-back guarantee.
Protect yourself:

• Check the authenticity of the websites before making any purchases. Conduct a ‘whois’ search on the website which will identify when the website has been created, be wary of newly formed domains. You can conduct this search using the following website - https://who.is/.
• Carry out online research in relation to the website, company name and the business address provided to identify any poor feedback or possible irregularities.
• Check the Trusted Shops Facebook page where warnings about websites using their Trustmark are published. If you are in doubt about the legitimacy of a Trustmark then you can contact Trusted Shops on 0203 364 5906 or by email service@trustedshops.co.uk. They will confirm whether they have certified that website.
• Payments made via bank transfer are not protected should you not received the item. Therefore always try to make the payment via PayPal or a credit card where you have some payment cover should you not receive your product.
• If the item advertised seems too good to be true, then it probably is.

If you believe that you have been a victim of fraud you can report it online http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_fraud or by telephone 0300 123 2040.

New food enterprise scheme will open doors for small producers and create better access to nation’s food supply chain

 

Delegates to the forthcoming food and procurement conference at Reaseheath College, Nantwich (November 26), will get to hear more about Cheshire East Council’s ambitions to establish a Food Enterprise Zone designed to stimulate huge growth in the rural economy and food supply chain and create new skills and jobs.

The pilot project, which is expected to run for five years, will be the first to benefit from the new Local Development Order initiative which seeks to streamline the planning process – in this case allowing permitted development aimed at promoting rural businesses and rural enterprise in designated zones.

Cheshire East Council and Reaseheath heard in February 2015 that they had been successful – along with 11 other councils and enterprise partnerships - in the bid to become a pathfinder Food Enterprise Zone and the Council expects to learn in the New Year whether plans for developing the FEZ at the Nantwich college will be adopted by the Secretary of State. 

The zone will see new development within the grounds of the college, with an open-door policy to encourage SMEs and start-ups to grow and diversify within a rural knowledge-based setting together with incubator space, business and technical support.

The proposal is to create a unique and highly innovative integrated food enterprise zone to assist food production and related businesses to access support, skills, specialist technical resources and facilities to grow and thrive.

It would also overcome barriers to growth and business development faced by many SMEs in the food and agri-economy and make careers and jobs in the £100billion industry, far more attractive.

George Eustace MP, Minister of State for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, will be among the guest speakers and delegates will include food procurement specialists, suppliers and experts in food safety and the supply chain.

Councillor Rachel Bailey, Cabinet member for rural matters, will outline the benefits of the Local Development Order to the rural economy and how it can be applied in order to unlock the economic and jobs potential for many small and medium sized enterprises hoping to gain a foothold in the food supply chain locally and nationally.

The conference is a vital element prior to the formal consultation process that forms one of the many criteria to be met before the FEZ and local development order can be formerly adopted and recognised by the Secretary of State.

Cllr Bailey said: “Our rural areas are amazing places, made up of fantastic landscapes with communities that are passionate about where they live.

“They are a true asset to Cheshire East.  We know that our rural economy is increasing in size and importance year on year. Food enterprise is an important part of that rural economy that we know has further potential, delivering jobs, helping to sustain the rural character of our area, reflecting local distinctiveness and contributing to the visitor economy.”

Situated at the centre of Cheshire’s dairy heartland, Reaseheath is seen as a beacon of excellence for its work with the farming and agricultural businesses along the food supply chain. 

The proposed Food Enterprise Zone would enable Reaseheath to further support businesses to innovate, grow and develop, complementing existing facilities, supporting primary production and the food and drink section. Projects could provide an agri-Tech Centre, facilities for business support, a nutrition centre and incubator space for start ups.

The entire project meets objectives set out in the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership economic strategy and will contribute to regional and national objectives for agriculture and food science development.

It will help to encourage more young people to train in the agriculture, land management and food production industries, emerging as well-qualified and skilled professionals equipped to take forward and grow a sustainable rural economy in Cheshire East and elsewhere.

The whole project is expected to deliver a £5.9m return on investment per annum.

The conference takes place at the College’s newly completed Centre for Horticulture, The Environment and Sustainable Technologies on November 26, starting at 10.30am.

Leading the way! – New £3m funding scheme to boost rural jobs and economic growth ‘opens for business’

 

A Council-backed £3m scheme to boost rural jobs and economic growth has been launched today.

Cheshire East Council, in partnership with Cheshire West and Chester Council and Warrington Borough and Trafford Councils, can now announce the official launch of the Cheshire LEADER Programme, which aims to deliver nearly £3m of funding to rural areas of Cheshire, as well as rural parts of Warrington and the Dunham Massey area.

LEADER is part of the Rural Development Programme for England, which is funded by the European Union, with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) as the managing authority. 

LEADER aims to help create jobs and stimulate economic growth by providing funding for businesses and organisations looking to begin or expand their operations in the rural area.

What separates LEADER from other funding programmes is that it is delivered locally rather than nationally, with decisions on where the grant money is spent being made by an appointed Local Action Group of key representatives from various organisations in the area, chaired by Councillor Rachel Bailey in Cheshire East and the Rev Canon David Felix in the West.

Cheshire East Council Leader Michael Jones said: “LEADER is a unique and valuable funding stream for rural areas and the Cheshire LEADER team are delighted to be able to start working with potential applicants.

“With each LEADER area having its own dedicated programme manager as well as a Local Action Group, we are able to provide a level of support rarely seen in other funding programmes.”

The scheme will run until 2020, and the Cheshire LEADER team are keen to hear from anyone who wishes to discuss an upcoming project with them.

For more information, or to see if your project might be eligible, visit the Cheshire LEADER website at www.cheshireleaderfund.co.uk  or contact Sean Bell, the Cheshire LEADER support officer on sean.bell@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

Nantwich Christmas lights switch-on.

Reporter  Jonathan White, Wistaston

The Nantwich Christmas Lights switch-on took place on Saturday 21st November 2015 on the Town Square in Nantwich.

Chris Radford from The Cat 107.9 FM community radio compered the event with Trees Alive! mingling among the audience and entertainment on stage during the afternoon and evening from talented local teenage singer Josh Whittaker, the Frozen Theme Singers and energetic band The Runaway Babies, who warmed up the crowd prior to the switch-on.

The sponsors of the event were invited onto the stage before the switch-on: WeaverHouse and YourRepair Plumbers, along with Applewood Independent who - for the second year running - have sponsored the square’s Christmas tree. They were joined by Rev'd Canon Barry Wilson from St Mary's Church, Nantwich; Santa’s Rusty Robot who will soon be appearing at the Nantwich Civic Hall; Twitchy the Cat from The Cat 107.9 FM community radio; Nantwich Mayor Andrew Martin and wife Linda; Father Christmas and special guest BBC North West’s Beccy Meehan.

Nantwich Mayor Andrew Martin - http://www.nantwichtowncouncil.gov.uk/ - thanked the sponsors, organisers and everyone who attended for supporting the event. A ten-second countdown ensued before the lights were turned on by Nantwich Mayor Andrew Martin, Father Christmas and Beccy Meehan. The switch-on was followed by a spectacular firework display by local company Blitz Fireworks - http://www.blitzfireworks.com .

A large video screen adjacent to the stage advertised local businesses, Nantwich Market and the numerous forthcoming events at the Nantwich Civic Hall.

There was also a children's mini-funfair, festive stalls and refreshments. The event was enjoyed by several thousand people.

You are invited to a local charity music event in December

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Live music band 'SWaY' will perform at Crewe Alexandra Football Club (Carlsberg Lounge) on Saturday 5th December 2015 (7:30pm to midnight).

The ticket price - £20 per person - also includes a fish & chip supper and a disco.

All proceeds will go towards reopening the Mirion Street Youth Centre in Crewe, after it was damaged by fire.

For tickets and further information, please contact Philip Shore philip.shore@virgintrains.co.uk or Yvonne Wooldridge yvonne.wooldridge@virgintrains.co.uk 

Cheshire East’s gritting teams are ready for winter!

 

Cheshire East Council’s highways teams will be working around the clock this winter to keep the Borough’s roads safe for motorists.

The end of October marked the start of the winter maintenance season in Cheshire East. Duty officers are working to dispatch gritters to treat the Borough’s road network in response to any winter weather conditions. 

Cheshire East highways teams treat a total of 1,090km of primary roads across the Borough’s network. Gritting takes place on a precautionary basis to stop ice forming and snow is dealt with using specialist equipment such as snow blowers, all-terrain quad bikes with attachable snowploughs and towable gritters for footways and roads with restricted access.

Cheshire East staff work closely with neighbouring authorities to ensure that a consistent level of service is provided to roads that cross local authority boundaries.

Councillor David Brown, Deputy Leader for Cheshire East Council and Cabinet member in charge of highways, said: “We will be continually monitoring weather conditions throughout the winter months so that we are ready to deal with snow and ice on our main roads. Our gritter drivers will be out in all weather conditions to keep our highways as safe as possible.

“In the same way that we as a Council are ready for winter, I would urge residents to make sure their vehicles are prepared for winter and that people ensure that they tailor their driving and speed to match the road conditions at all times.”

Residents can track gritting vehicles as they treat the Borough’s roads by visiting: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/highways

Gritting routes, salt bin information and tips for travelling during winter can also be found online. Gritting decisions will also be communicated on Twitter @CECHighways. Cheshire East highways’ team can be contacted by calling 0300 123 5020.

The Wistaston Singers at Port Sunlight.

 

Reporter . Jonathan White, Wistaston

The Wistaston Singers took their talents on the road when they travelled to Port Sunlight on the Wirral. They performed a fundraising concert on Saturday 7^th November 2015 at Christ Church United Reformed Church http://www.ccpsurc.info/ .

In the afternoon the choir and guests were able to view the delightful village of Port Sunlight, along with its art gallery, museum, cafe and garden centre.

Phil Houghton was the Musical Director at this evening concert and also introduced each song and soloist. Jane Hale was the accompanist on the piano. The Wistaston Singers sang Get me to the Church on time (Lerner & Lowe), a My Fair Lady compilation (Lerner & Lowe), Nightingale sang in Berkeley Square (Sherwin), Can you feel the love tonight (Elton John), Deep Harmony (H Parker), You’ll Never Walk Alone (Rodgers), a tribute to Queen compilation (Brymer), Love Changes Everything (Lloyd Webber), Jerusalem (Parry) and a rousing Cwm Rhondda to finish the concert.

Chris White (ukulele), accompanied by Phil Houghton (organ), performed three songs: Pack up your troubles (Powell), Lancashire Toreador (Formby) and Keep the Home Fires Burning (Novello). Jane Hale performed Flying Free (M Begg) on the flute, accompanied by Ann Farrington. The audience were given the lyrics to some of the songs and were encouraged to join in for each chorus.

Port Sunlight-based female choir ‘Silver Tones’ accompanied by Paul Goulden (piano) and Wirral-based tenor Nicky Hardy accompanied by Alan Derrick (keyboard) also performed at the event.

Refreshments were served during the interval.

Proceeds from the concert will go to the Christ Church United Reformed Church.

Musical Director Phil Houghton said, "The choir had a wonderful visit to Port Sunlight and were most appreciative to the audience for coming to watch us perform at this fund-raising concert."

The Wistaston Singers were originally formed by members of the choir at St Mary's Parish Church, Wistaston in May 2000 and now number over forty members singing four-part harmony music. The choir perform a variety and eclectic choice of music ranging from choral church music and anthems, Gilbert and Sullivan items, music from the shows, music from modern composers such as John Rutter encompassing from the 15th century to the 20th century. They perform up to five concerts a year at various venues in south Cheshire. The choir is also available to perform at weddings in the area. The choir rehearse weekly in the parish rooms of St Mary's Church, Nantwich on a Wednesday evening from 7:30pm to 9:30pm. New members are welcome and further details may be obtained from Choir Secretary Jill Oakes, Tel: 01270 662940 and email: jillandjohnoakes@uwclub.net

Their next concert will be a Christmas concert on Saturday 12th December 2015 (3pm) at St Stephens Methodist Church, Gainsborough Rd, Crewe.

Cheshire East scoops national award for keeping people informed about roadworks

 

Cheshire East Council’s highways team has scooped a national award for the way it keeps people informed about roadworks.

Use of Elgin’s Traffic Management (TM) app to plan, coordinate and publicise roadworks has won the ‘award for the best use of new technology in the highways Industry’ at the Highways Magazine Excellence Awards.

The need to get up-to-date information to local residents and road users became evident following an increase in the number of permits for roadworks being processed. 

Cheshire East Highways uses the application to ensure that closures, diversion routes and other temporary traffic diversions, approved by the permit team, are instantly displayed on Elgin’s website: Roadworks.org

This information is shown on the Cheshire East Highways’ website to help people plan their journeys throughout the Borough’s 2,700km network of roads.

Councillor David Brown, Deputy Leader for Cheshire East Council and cabinet member in charge of highways, said: “Keeping people informed about roadworks on our busy and extensive network is essential and this tool is making it easier for them to plan their journeys throughout the Borough.

“As a ‘residents first’ authority we place a high priority on keeping local people and visitors informed and on working to keep our traffic flowing freely and safely with as little disruption as possible.” 

This is the second award that the TM app has won this year, following the North West ‘best practice project of the year’ award received from the Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation back in May.

Cheshire East Highways was also shortlisted for the ‘highways maintenance efficiency award’ at the Highways Magazine Excellence Awards for its asset management-led approach to maintenance and improvement of Cheshire East’s roads.

Alert regarding purse thefts

Subject: Alert regarding purse thefts

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This is a message sent via The Neighbourhood & Home Watch Network (England & Wales). This information has been sent on behalf of Cheshire Constabulary

(Please do not reply directly to this email, please use the Reply button at the bottom of this message)

Message sent by

Lawrence Price (Police, PCSO, Crewe LPU East PCSO)

Police from Crewe Local Policing Unit are advising shoppers to be vigilant following a number of purse thefts.
There have been a number of purse thefts near supermarkets in the areas covered by Crewe Local Policing Unit which includes, Sandbach , Alsager, Middlewich, Holmes Chapel and Nantwich.
The offenders are noting pin numbers when the victims make a purchase at the till and then when they are distracted take the opportunity to steal their purse and use their cards before the victim realises their purse is missing and money has gone from their account.
Our advice is for shoppers to keep their purses safe in their handbags, protect their pin numbers, and keep their handbags zipped and secured at all times.
Anyone who sees suspicious activity should contact police on 101 and if you see suspicious activity at a till or in the car park, alert store security staff.

Cheshire East cancer project scoops national excellence award

 

Cheshire East’s lung cancer project has won a top professional excellence award at Macmillan’s annual awards ceremony.

The project, funded by Cheshire East Council, raises awareness about the early signs and symptoms of lung cancer and speeds up diagnosis.

The proactive collaboration between Cheshire East Council’s public health team, NHS South Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group and Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust means patients are supported at all stages of their treatment.

The project team, based at Leighton Hospital in Crewe, were presented with the ‘team excellence’ award at a prestigious ceremony held at The Hilton Metropole Hotel, in Birmingham, on November 12.

Project manager Michelle Huxley said: “It is an honour to have our work recognised by Macmillan. I see this award as recognition of the whole team’s hard work to improve the outcomes and experience of people affected by lung cancer.”

The project has already seen an increase in referrals and reduction in the proportion of cancers diagnosed through emergency admission from 21 per cent to 13 per cent in a single year. Furthermore, since the project began, the number of patients with access to a lung cancer clinical nurse specialist at diagnosis has risen from 46 per cent to 85 per cent.

Councillor Janet Clowes, Cheshire East Cabinet member in charge of adults, health and leisure, said: “We are delighted that the work of the lung cancer project team has been recognised nationally.

“The team’s hard work and dedication means that local people receive early diagnosis, information and the best possible care. The project has truly changed the lives of people living with lung cancer in Cheshire East.”

Bentley Open Day

Reporter Jonathan White, Wistaston

Bentley Motors’ ‘CW1 House’ showroom on Pyms Lane in Crewe is open to the general public every Saturday in November (9am-12noon). I visited on Saturday 14th and saw the full model range including the Bentayga, Mulsanne, and GT’s. There was also an opportunity to see their champion race cars. There’s parking at the front of the premises. I recommend a visit on the remaining Saturdays in November – 21^st and 28^th.

Christmas Fair this Saturday

Reporter Jonathan White, Wistaston

The annual Cancer Research UK 'Christmas Fair' takes place this Saturday 21st November 2015 (10:15am to 3pm) at Wistaston Memorial Hall, Church Lane, Wistaston. There will be numerous stalls selling gifts, plants, cakes and Christmas cards, Santa's Grotto, plus a Tea Room serving drinks and snacks. Proceeds to Cancer Research UK.