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Issue. 1 - March 2018 01156 972 672 | www.cheshirelocal.com | sales@cheshirelocal.com
FREE jailed after stabbing stranger Council Chief Man Executive to stand down in the head on night out in Chester
The Chief Executive of Cheshire West and Chester Council is retiring after 32 years of outstanding service in the public sector. Gerald Meehan will retire from his role at the Council at the end of March. Councillor Samantha Dixon, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “Gerald has done an extraordinarily good job since taking up his appointment as Chief Executive in the middle of 2016. “He has led the delivery of the Council’s strategic vision, priorities and outcomes. He has created a strong leadership team and laid firm foundations to make sure the Council continues to be strong and delivers for the residents of our borough. “This is sad news for me as the Leader of the Council and for the wider Leadership team but all of us at Cheshire West and Chester Council wish Gerald health and happiness in his retirement.” Gerald joined Cheshire West and Chester Council in 2011 as
Inside this issue: Wales - Weddings - education
Strategic Director for Children and Families Services, which was a joint role with Halton Council. Before this he held senior roles in Avon and Bristol, Liverpool, St Helens, Wigan and Halton. He has been off since Christmas recovering from an unexpected health condition. In his absence his duties have been shared between the Council’s two Deputy Chief Executives, Charlie Seward and Delyth Curtis, and the Chief Operating Officer Mark Wynn. The process will now begin to recruit a new Chief Executive.
A 30-year-old man from Chester has been jailed after stabbing a stranger in the head on a night out. Martin Dutton, of Boundary Lane, was convicted of wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm. He pleaded not guilty to that charge but admitted possessing a knife in a public place. He was sentenced to five years and six months in prison at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday 8 March. Dutton was drinking alcohol with work colleagues when he was asked to leave a nightclub in Chester by door staff at 2.30am on 20 April 2017. He went home but returned upon reading on social media that one of his colleagues was in trouble and needed help. When he returned armed with a 5” kitchen knife Dutton and another of his work colleagues saw a man and a woman arguing at The Cross in the town centre at 3.10am. Dutton pushed the man and was then headbutted by him and punched several times. Dutton dropped his knife during the altercation. He picked it back up and as the man was knelt down tending to the woman – who had fallen over – Dutton kicked him in the head. They then started to fight again and Dutton stabbed the man in the forehead, inflicting a 10cm cut. A taxi driver intervened, dragging the man away as Dutton repeatedly made stabbing motions towards him. The incident was captured on CCTV in the town centre and police offers
equipped with Tasers were deployed to the area and arrested Dutton. Justin Jones, an Acting Sergeant at Cheshire Police, said: “This was terrifying incident for the victim, who received a knife wound to his head. Thankfully it wasn’t a life threatening injury.
“Members of the public were in the area at the time of the incident and I would like to thank those who intervened after the victim had been stabbed. “Without their assistance I have no doubt further injury would have been caused.
“I hope the significant custodial sentence that Dutton has received for his actions will deter other people from carrying knives and that it sends out a strong message that we will not tolerate knife crime in Chester.” Dutton was also ordered to pay a £170 victim surcharge by the court.
Macclesfield resident targeted by iTunes scam
Officers are warning residents to remain vigilant following a number of hoax calls from people claiming to be from Government organisations. Over the last few days officers have received reports from residents who have received calls from people purporting to be from Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC) or the Courts. On each occasion the victim was told they were being investigated
for an outstanding balance and if they didn’t settle the balance then they would be arrested. The caller was then informed that the only way to avoid arrest was to settle the balance was to use iTunes vouchers. The victims were then advised to visit a high street supermarket or electronics store to purchase the vouchers and then call back the hoax caller and provide them with the serial numbers from the vouchers.
Inspector Angela Marinari from Macclesfield Local Policing Unit, said: “Thankfully all of the victims that we are aware of have ignored the caller and reported the incidents to police. However, the threat of being arrested has caused them unnecessary anxiety and concern. “Following these reports, we are working closely with local stores to help prevent vulnerable residents from purchasing large quantities
of vouchers. I would also like to remind local residents that HMRC and the Courts would never call you and ask you to settle a balance over the phone using vouchers. I advise anyone who believes that they may have been a victim to call us on 101.” Anyone who believes they have been contacted fraudulently or have been a victim of fraud should call Cheshire Police on 101 and Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
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West Cheshire’s “What a Waste”
medicines campaign saves £1.2m in just 12 months
More than £1.2m that would have been needlessly spent on prescription medicines in West Cheshire has been saved in just one year thanks to the public “What a Waste” campaign. NHS West Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group initially asked medicines managers at a small number of GP practices to check whether patients still needed every item on their repeat prescription form. Scores reported that they didn’t.
In January 2017 the initiative was rolled out across all GP practices in West Cheshire and, coupled with public support, savings have since snowballed. In the 12 months to January 2018 a staggering £1.28m was saved. Local GP Dr Chris Ritchieson, NHS West Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group’s Clinical Chair, thanked local patients, GPs and pharmacists for their ongoing support. “Every penny wasted on unused prescription medicines could instead be spent on treating those in most need,” he said. “We are extremely grateful for the support we continue to receive from local patients, clinicians and pharmacists. “Tens of thousands of pounds are being saved every week – at absolutely no detriment to patient care. In fact, by ensuring that people are only prescribed the medication they really need, our What a Waste campaign is helping to improve patient safety too.” Nationally, unused medicines cost the NHS an estimated £300m a year. This sum could pay for more than 11,000 community nurses or 300,000 drug treatment courses for Alzheimer’s.
Even if prescription medicines are unopened, they cannot be recycled or used by anyone else once they have left a community pharmacy – they have to be destroyed. Dr Ritchieson added: “The last thing we would
want is for anyone to think that they suddenly need to stop taking their prescription medication. All we ask is that people check what they have at home before they re-order and think carefully before
ticking all the boxes on their repeat prescription form. “We also ask that people finish the course of medicine they are on, check what’s in their prescription bag before they leave the pharmacy and ensure that repeat
prescriptions are regularly reviewed by a pharmacist or GP.” To find out more about West Cheshire’s What a Waste campaign, go online at: www. westcheshireccg.nhs.uk or follow @ WestCheshireCCG
Salt of the Earth Awards
Nantwich Mayor, Councillor Penny Butterill, has of former Mayors and presenting achievements of individuals, groups announced that she will be following in the footsteps awards to recognise and celebrate the and businesses, that selflessly make a real difference to the Nantwich community. Eight fittingly named ‘Salt of the Earth’ Awards will be presented at an intimate reception on Thursday 3rd May at Nantwich Civic Hall. The Mayor is welcoming nominations for the awards. So if you know someone or a group, who gives up their time and energy to help others, please help us recognise their work by nominating them for an award. Award Categories: Community Volunteer Award Recognises a person, who has taken an active role in shaping their community, helps provide services to more vulnerable residents and encourages community spirit and growth. Inspiring Individual Award To celebrate a local unsung hero who goes the extra mile to serve their community. Supporting Children Award Individuals, group or school who have made a difference to the lives of children, so that they can achieve their full potential. Young Achiever Award (Under 18) Who do you know who has shown major potential? Who is one to watch in the future? Who has made an outstanding contribution to the community? Nominate Nantwich’s rising star. Outstanding Organisation/Group/
Project Award Tell us about a local volunteer group/ organisation/project which has really engaged with the community. Business Support in the Community Award Award for a business that has gone beyond their remit and supported their community. Community Sports Award Sportsmen and women giving their time back to sport and making it accessible for people in our communities to join in with sporting activities The Mayor will also present a Mayor’s Recognition Award. The winner of this award will be an inspirational individual or group who has made an outstanding impression on the Mayor in her year of office. This award is specifically decided by the Mayor and nominations will not be accepted. To nominate someone for an award, apply to the Mayor with the following information: Name of person nominating. Name of Nominee Address and contact details of both of the above Award Nominated for Reason for Nomination (no more than 250 words) Nominations must be submitted no later than Friday 23rd March and can be posted to ‘Salt of the Earth’ Awards, Nantwich Civic Hall, Market Street, Nantwich, CW5 5DG, dropped off at the Civic Hall, or emailed to ntc.marketing@ nantwichtowncouncil.gov.uk.
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Ofsted praises council’s
children’s services The standard of care provided by Warrington Borough Council for vulnerable children in the borough has been praised by the education watchdog. As part of a ‘focused visit’, Ofsted looked at the council’s arrangements for children in need, child protection and children on the ‘edge of care’– and found that the council is performing well. Inspectors found that interventions for children in need and those subject to a child protection plan are applied at the right time, and at right level; while the right support is in place to bring about change and reduce the risk of harm. Social workers were praised for carrying out regular visits with children and taking time to understand their experiences; and appropriately-tailored interventions, which take account of complex
needs, were highlighted. Inspectors also praised the wide range of targeted work that takes place to support children experiencing neglect and abuse; the timely, creative and focused support given to children at risk of family breakdown; and effective partnership working between health, education and police professionals. Ofsted’s report concluded: “Children in need of help and protection receive a service that is mostly timely, proportionate and keeps them safe. The local authority provides childcentred, focused support to families who are experiencing difficulties. Children at risk of family breakdown and on the edge of care receive a broad range of targeted multiagency interventions to help build resilience and improve outcomes.” Warrington Borough Council’s executive board member for children’s services, Cllr Jean Carter, said: “Our officers work tirelessly to provide the highest possible quality of care for our most vulnerable children, and I’m very pleased that this work has been recognised by Ofsted. “We want to ensure every child has access to the right support when
NHS West Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group rated ‘Outstanding’ for diabetes care
NHS West Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group has been rated as ‘Outstanding’ for diabetes care according to a national NHS England assessment published last week. The ‘Outstanding’ rating means that the care and support provided locally for people with diabetes is among the best in the country. In fact, when it comes to the achievement of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommended treatment targets, NHS West Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group is the third highest performing in England. Hundreds of local people are benefiting from the local Diabetes Essentials education programme,
delivered in partnership with the Countess of Chester Hospital, which provides practical advice on everyday living with diabetes in a relaxed and supportive environment. For people at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes, the ‘Healthier You’ National Diabetes Prevention Programme is also available in West Cheshire, helping people to make positive lifestyle changes to reduce their risk of developing the disease. NHS West Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group’s Chief Executive Alison Lee, said: “To be rated as ‘outstanding’ in our diabetes assessment, and the third highest performing clinical commissioning group in England when it comes to the
achievement of NICE-recommended treatment targets, is a fantastic achievement and testament to the excellent care and support provided in West Cheshire.” Dr Catherine Wall, NHS West Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group’s clinical lead for diabetes, said: “Diabetes is a very serious health condition and we are committed to providing the best treatment and empowering people to make positive changes to improve their lives. The rating we have received rewards the commitment of all local GP practices and the ongoing work to improve diabetes care in conjunction with the Countess of Chester Hospital. “In addition to our joint work over the
last five years we have also recently launched community diabetes clinics in West Cheshire which are designed to help even more people with diabetes to stay healthy.” Prof Frank Joseph, Consultant Physician at the Countess of Chester, said: “This achievement is due to the unrelenting hard work and co-operative efforts of everyone involved in diabetes care in West Cheshire. “It is also a great credit to our patients in West Cheshire who have helped guide us and work with us to deliver our services in the way that they have wanted us to, and have taken charge of their own health and improved it. “I cannot emphasise enough how important education for healthcare professionals, patients and people at risk through the Diabetes Essentials programme has been in achieving our success. We continue to build on this success by working in even closer partnership across West Cheshire as we target other long-term conditions and focus our future efforts increasingly on prevention.”
they need it, and that every step is taken to protect children from harm. We work closely with our partners every day to achieve this, and this latest Ofsted report shows we are doing a lot of things right. “However, we know that we can improve, and we will be taking onboard all of the recommendations in the report, so that we can continue to drive up the quality of services we provide for every child in need in Warrington.” Ofsted inspectors looked at a range of evidence during their visit, holding discussions with social workers, managers, parents and senior child protection officers. They also looked at local authority performance management and quality assurance information, along with almost 50 children’s case records. The inspections found no priority actions for the council to take and also praised the council’s stable, skilled and experienced workforce, along with manageable caseloads, which are enabling social workers to better respond to children’s needs.
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Repairs to road defects
Our highways service is working flat out to deal with the increasing number of road defects caused by fluctuating winter temperatures. A spokesperson for Cheshire East Council said: “We put the safety of road users as our highest priority. Our highways teams repair an average of 150 road defects each day, including potholes, and re-surfacing up to 300 square metres of highway to make the borough’s roads safe for residents. Defects are categorised according to a national standard of acceptable road surface quality. “Since January, Cheshire East highways has received a four-fold increase in inquiries from members of the public about potholes and, in response, have increased the number of repair teams operating. “The council recognises that residents are concerned about the number of
potholes appearing on our roads and our highways service is working throughout the borough to address the problem on a priority basis. “In response to concerns about the condition of some of the borough’s roads the council last month voted through a budget which included investment of an additional £7m in highways. “The council also voted to protect its highways budget from further cuts, adding an additional £2m to the initial £5m capital budget available to invest in the borough’s roads maintenance programme. “Repeated fluctuations in weather conditions – from above to below freezing – coupled with heavy rainfall, create the worst possible conditions for road surfaces and result in an increase in the number of potholes. “Our strategy is to keep
our road network safe through the delivery of pothole and patching repairs. We programme larger maintenance schemes for the spring and summer months, when weather conditions are more favourable. “Conditions in winter may prevent permanent repair in a small number of cases and we would encourage residents to report any issues to us online or by phone on 0300 123 5020. “All reported potholes and road defects are inspected and we have directed additional resources towards tackling the problem. “Because of our co-ordinated and robust evidencebased approach to prevention, as well as repairs, we have seen a sharp decline in the number of people claiming compensation for damage linked to potholes – the council currently has a 95 per cent repudiation rate for highways claims.”
Changes are about to be made to the way people can access social housing in Warrington. Warrington Borough Council is introducing a new housing allocations system, to make sure that people who have the most housing need have the best chance of getting a home. The new system, called Under One Roof, will begin operating from 15 March 2018. It will replace the current system, Choose A Home, a choice based lettings system which has run for a number of years. Warrington Borough Council has changed its housing allocations policy
because of the increase in demand for social housing and the need to make it as simple as possible for those with the greatest need for housing to get a home. Public consultation over the change to the policy took place in January and February 2017. Under One Roof will be different from Choose A Home, in that applicants will be matched to properties in the areas they have told us they would like to live - depending on availability - based on information they have provided about their circumstances. They won’t be able to see available
homes or express an interest in them in the way that they can now. Warrington Borough Council’s executive board member responsible for housing, Cllr Maureen McLaughlin, said: “Every Council in the country has a housing allocations policy. This explains how people can access homes owned by social landlords. In most parts of the country, there are fewer homes available than people need, and Warrington is no different. “The Under One Roof system aims to mitigate this by supporting those people with the
It’s all Under One Roof greatest housing need, matching members with properties based upon their circumstances. This is about making sure the people with the highest level of need get housed quickly, and reducing delays in the system. It is in line with our pledge to protect the most vulnerable.” Under One Roof will have available homes from Muir Group, Your Housing Group, Warrington Housing Association, Plus Dane, Sanctuary Housing, Clarion Housing Group, Helena Homes and Golden Gates Housing Trust (GGHT) who run
the scheme on behalf of Warrington Borough Council. There will be two bands for housing need. Band 1 will be for people with an urgent housing need. Band 2 will be for people over 18 who meet the eligibility criteria but have no housing need. All current Choose a Home members are now being written to, explaining the changes and inviting them to register to join Under One Roof if they are still looking for a home to rent. A special website, www. chooseahomeischanging.co.uk, has been launched to explain the changes
being made. When people register, they will be asked to provide up-todate information about themselves and the people who will be living with them. This will inform their priority for housing and the band they are placed in. People looking for a home to rent in Warrington can continue to use the existing Choose a Home system until Friday 9 March. From 19th February 2018 they can register to join Under One Roof. The first matching through Under One Roof, at www.U-1-R.co.uk, will begin on Thursday 15th March.
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Page 5.
Play time at Alexandra Park
Stockton Heath families can look forward to more active, fun-filled times, thanks to the opening of the revamped play area at Alexandra Park. The £115,000 project has seen the popular play area undergo a muchneeded refurbishment. Catering for children aged two to 13, the upgrade
has transformed a basic and tired area into a modern, exciting play zone, with a range of new, inclusive equipment, to ensure access for disabled children. Significant improvements have been made to the hardstanding play area, including a repositioning of the basketball court with new markings,
colourful graphics for alternative play games and new bicycle and scooter routes. Warrington Borough Council’s executive board member for leisure and community, Cllr Tony Higgins, joined children from St Thomas Primary School and representatives from the Friends of Alexandra Park, to
(l-r) Cllr Graham Welborn, Mary Fortune (Chair of Friends of Alexandra Park) and Richard Smith (WREN) with Year 1 pupils from St Thomas CE Primary School and Cllr Tony Higgins (far right), celebrate the official opening of the new play area.
Call for extra children's social care funding
The cabinet member for children’s services has signed a letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer asking for extra funding to pay for children’s social care in the region. The letter, which was sent to Rt. Hon Philip Hammond MP this week, and signed by Cllr Nicole Meardon, states that more Government money is needed to fill a widening hole in the north west’s children’s services budgets. It was written by Barry Kushner, Liverpool City Council, on behalf of the North West Portfolio Holders for Children’s Services Network.
The north west has the greatest number of children in care in England, with 13,000 looked after children. Councillor Nicole Meardon, Cabinet Member for Children and Families, said: “Whilst we are rated as one of the best children’s services in the country, we are facing an unprecedented demand on our children’s social care budget. “Sadly, cases of trafficking, child sexual exploitation, domestic abuse and chronic neglect are increasing at a national level. We are also seeing a higher number of sibling groups coming into care and many of our
current foster carers are unable to home them. This is resulting in an increased demand for our services, creating financial pressures for our budget, which, if we didn’t take action, would threaten the quality of care we provide. “Adequate funding is needed to provide social care for an increasing number of children in the North West needing care. We have reached a 20 year high in the number of looked after children and we are urging the Chancellor to find the funding to keep them safe and give them the best opportunity in life.”
Chester’s heritage will be in the spotlight during a nine-day festival at the end of June
This year the event has been brought forward to coincide with the Midsummer Watch Parades and the start of the renowned Chester Mystery Plays. “We want to create a carnival atmosphere in the city” said Stephen Langtree, Vice President of Chester Civic Trust, who chairs the festival partnership. “It’s our fourth year and our programme is getting bigger and bigger, we hope residents and visitors will find something of interest and enjoy delving into Chester’s 2000year history and heritage.” Chester Heritage Festival will run from 22 to 30 June. It will feature walks, talks, films, exhibitions, workshops and special activities for young people which bring Chester
and its heritage to life. Councillor Louise Gittins, Cabinet Member Communities and Wellbeing, said: “Mystery Plays, The Midsummer Watch Parades and the Heritage Festival, it’s already looking like an exciting history soaked summer. Look out for the festival programme in May for more details.” Stories will unfold in the streets, the Cathedral, the Castle, Roman amphitheatre, around the city walls, at the racecourse, in churches and other historic buildings as well as Storyhouse. Meet Romans, Royalists and Roundheads, immerse yourself in medieval traditions and experience Tudor, Victorian and 20th century Chester. Come and see how the rich
tapestry of Chester’s past frames its present and perhaps foretells its future. The festival is co-ordinated by Chester Civic Trust and Cheshire West and Chester Council in close partnership with many other groups including the Guild of Tour Guides, Chester Roman Tours, St John’s Church, Chester Race Company, the Grosvenor Museum, Storyhouse and local libraries. Over 60 events will take place around the clock, across the city and beyond. For more details visit www.visitcheshire.com/ chesterheritagefestival or look out for leaflets around the city and in libraries when the festival programme is published in May. Follow the festival on Twitter @Chesterherifest.
admire the sparkling new equipment and celebrate the completion of the project. Cllr Higgins said: “We continue to invest in our parks and green spaces, and this project is the latest example of how we are delivering inclusive play facilities in every part of the borough.
“Alexandra Park is very popular and well-used by local people, so I’m looking forward to the new-look play area benefiting many, many local families. Best of all, the area has been designed to break down barriers to play and to be accessible to the widest possible range of young people.
It will be a fantastic asset for the Stockton Heath community.” Grant funding of £50,000 was awarded by FCC Environment through WREN’s FCC Community Action Fund for the scheme, with the council contributing a further £65,000 towards the project.
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Page 6.
Council signals crackdown on
dog fouling and anti-social owners
Signs are going up to remind people of Cheshire East Council’s new beefed-up powers to crack down on dog fouling and dog control – to help keep our parks, nature reserves and open spaces pleasant for all. It follows overwhelming public support for tougher controls put forward by the council during its recent borough-wide consultation. The council introduced the new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) on 1 November 2017, specifically to tackle dog fouling and dog control across the borough. New signs are now being installed
across parks, nature reserves and open spaces to remind everyone of the new rules and to warn dog owners they could be fined for failing to pick up after their dog or keep their dog under control. Fiona Reynolds, director of public health for Cheshire East, said: “We want everyone to enjoy the Cheshire East countryside and make the most of our beautiful parks, nature reserves and open spaces this spring. “To ensure areas are safe and clean for everyone to use, we have to be strict about asking dog owners to keep their dogs under control and
to pick up after their dog. Failing to do this could see dog owners fined between £100 and £1,000 under the new Public Spaces Protection Order. “Most people are very responsible when walking their dogs and are happy to keep to these simple rules and we thank them for helping us to maintain pleasant green spaces for all to enjoy.” The main features of the PSPO allow the council to: Tackle those that fail to pick up after their dog in all public places within Cheshire East borough; Allow authorised officers to tell a
dog owner/walker to put – and keep – their dog on a lead if necessary. For example, if their dog has showing aggressive behaviour; and Issue a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) of £100. A failure to pay the FPN may lead to prosecution and a potential maximum fine of £1,000, as would more serious breaches of the PSPO. Why introduce this new PSPO for dog fouling and control? Cheshire East Council has a statutory duty to keep land clear of litter and refuse (including dog fouling) and a duty of care for dealing with waste. The authority also has a duty to take action against irresponsible individuals who fail to clear up after their dogs on land which is open to session and it only takes 30 minutes!” the public. Not only is dog mess says Janet. highly unpleasant, it is also a hazard “We often get asked if we can support ladies with poor mobility, and specific medical conditions. The answer is absolutely yes. Our ‘Air-Resistance’ machines are kinder on the joints and we always carry out a full induction to address any health issues or concerns you may have and review your programme every 3 weeks”. “Our circuit is so easy and fun to use, and your personal programme ensures that you work at a level you can manage. Ladies who have never exercised before love Gymophobics and ladies who like a slightly tougher workout are surprised at how the circuit makes them feel and can be boosted with HIIT workouts and weekly Bootcamp classes too. Come and see what all the fuss is about……. you’ll be glad you did!
NANTWICH AWARD WINNING LADIES GYM
Some 40 Gymophobics facilities throughout the Country have helped more than 250,000 women of all ages to regain the figure and fitness they deserve. Each Centre is owned and managed by a Franchisee who
has been trained in the Gymophobics concept and when Janet Barton was a member at the Nantwich facility she loved it so much, she bought the franchise! Along with her husband Neil, the radical changes she has introduced in Nantwich have made a huge impact on membership, and led to them being the very proud winners of the National Award for Most Improved Facility 2018. She puts this down to her team’s determination to provide each lady with VIP attention on every visit and helping ladies achieve their personal goals. “Gyms can be quite intimidating with very little input from instructors. Gymophobics is a friendly place to be and our members love the attention they receive and the friendly, caring approach that we have. Our Instructors support members at every
to health – particularly to young children. Roundworm eggs found in dog mess (toxocara canis) can easily be picked up by children. This causes stomach upsets, sore throats, asthma and, in some cases, blindness. Introducing the PSPO last November allowed the council to replace and extend the existing dog controls and byelaws. This gives a consistent approach across the borough to dog fouling and introduced dog control requirements to encourage responsible dog ownership and ensure that everyone is able to enjoy our publicly-accessible open areas, woodland, heath land, country parks and public spaces safely. A national survey found 95 per cent of Britons are worried about the amount of dog fouling. The council recognises
that most dog owners are responsible and clean up after their pets but a small minority continue to cause problems. Go to the following link to see a short video clip of Mark Arnold, our countryside ranger at Brereton Heath local nature reserve, talking about why the PSPO is so important: https://youtu.be/esgps8zmkBg To see the full details of the public space protection order visit: http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/ environment/community_safety/ anti-social_behaviour/public-spaceprotection-orders/public-spacesprotection-orders-pspos.aspx For more information or to report issues relating to environmental crime, visit: www.cheshireeast.gov. uk/environment or ring the council on 0300 123 5011.
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Warrington’s new
cultural journey begins
Leading figures from the world of arts and culture have come together to begin mapping out Warrington’s cultural future. Warrington’s Cultural Commission has met for the first time, to begin laying the foundations of the future direction of culture in the borough. Set up to build on the work already carried out as part of last year’s City of Culture bid and the feedback received, the Commission is made up of leading individuals from arts, culture, business and the third sector. They will lead an open debate, focusing on cultural provision in Warrington and future opportunities to strengthen the borough’s cultural offer. A key theme emerging from the initial group discussions is the importance of children and young people - along with diverse communities in every part of the borough - playing a central role in Warrington’s culture plans. At the meeting, Warrington Borough Council’s executive board member for Culture and partnerships, Cllr Dan Price, shared feedback from Warrington’s recent City of Culture bid, including what had been praised and areas for development. Warrington’s cultural ‘desk top review’ was also presented, a key document for Warrington’s cultural future, which has been developed to explore international, national and local research into the impacts of investment in culture on people’s
health, well-being and lifestyles, the economy and on the identity of the place itself. The desk top review also looks at the cultural assets Warrington currently holds, and considers possibilities for future development. Commission Chair, Adrian Friedli, said: Having contributed to Warrington’s initial bid for UK City of Culture, I was delighted to be invited to Chair the Commission, to help build on the creative ideas and partnerships that were generated by that process, and to set out an ambitious vision for Warrington as a place committed to culture being at the heart of shaping its future. “Our initial meeting made clear that Commission members bring a wealth of expertise and passion to enable Warrington’s to harness its creative talent and potential, in order to develop an inspiring and diverse programme that engages with all parts of the borough, and attracts audiences to Warrington as a distinctive and innovative cultural destination.” Cllr Dan Price said: “Our bid for City of Culture was just the beginning. It laid the foundations for something very special to happen here in Warrington, changing our way of thinking about culture and the arts, and giving us a new energy and focus. We are already seeing real results from our bid, such as bringing the Neighbourhood Weekender to Victoria Park – our biggest festival for more than 20 years. The Cultural
Commission will further harness this energy and help us develop a new cultural vision for our borough. “It’s great news that our discussions are now under way. I’m confident that we can deliver a really exciting cultural vision – one which begins to addresses any gaps we have, builds on our strengths and makes Warrington a place where culture can thrive.” The Commission aims to review local, national and international evidence and research, seeking input from local stakeholders, recognised specialists and key cultural interest groups. It will also take account of Warrington’s desire to establish a unique sense of place, in which culture plays a key part. Based on the informed debate and associated research, the Commission will draw evidence-based conclusions on Warrington’s current cultural position and identify opportunities and areas for improvement. It will provide realistic yet aspirational recommendations to further Warrington’s ambitions, which will be publicly reported. Following the conclusion of the Commission, commission members will, where possible, act as
champions for culture and support the development of a meaningful action plan to address the recommendations made. The members of Warrington’s Cultural Commission are: • Cllr Dan Price – Executive Board Member for Culture and Partnerships, Warrington Borough Council • Andy Farrall – Executive Director, Warrington Borough Council • Emma Hutchinson – Managing Director, Culture Warrington • Bill Carr – Managing Director, Carpe Diem and Chair of Regional
Institute of Directors Cheshire • Ben Dunne – Founder, River Reeves Foundation • Janice Pounds – Music Education Commissioner, Warrington Borough Council • Rob Griffiths – Entrepreneur/ Businessman • Sebastian Farrell – Theatre for Warrington • Patrick Fox – Director, Heart of Glass, St Helens • Kate Lindley - Head of Transformation, Warrington Borough Council
• Stef Woof – Warrington Voluntary Action, 3rd Sector Hub representative • Brendan O'Sullivan - Dean of Arts and Humanities, University of Chester • Leah Biddle – Cultural Partnership Manager, Warrington Wolves Foundation • Jude Bird – Head of Education, Leadership and Research, Curious Minds • Professor Mike Stubbs – Director, FACT • Stephen Broadbent – Artist (Warrington River of Life)
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Chesters Hidden Gem Beatons Tearooms Chester is run by husband and wife team Steve and Elaine Roberts. Beatons Tearooms Chester was opened in April 2015 we are situated next to Chester Cathedral in a beautiful part of Chester city centre just out of the main hustle and bustle areas. This has helped us to build our reputation through creating a relaxing atmosphere, good table service, homemade cakes and delicious light lunches. We also have over 30 loose leaf teas and a selection of coffees. Beatons Tearooms also offers a traditional cream tea and the traditional Afternoon teas. The afternoon teas are presented on a fully dressed table with white linen and on a three tier stand laden with sandwiches, a small savoury, scones with jam and clotted cream and a slice
of cake or your choice. We are fully licenced so if you could add a bit of sparkle with a bottle of Prosecco. We have over the last couple of years gained lovely reviews via Trip Advisor, Google My Business etc here are some examples: Wiebke Conrad Best scones in town and amazing Chai latte! You made my year abroad complete. Thank you! Freshly prepared We were about to visit the Cathedral and as we came off the city walls we passed this restaurant. It looked inviting and walking through the door the friendly welcome made us think we had made a good choice. I had the Quiche of the day and my husband had the Ploughman's.... Make sure you are hungry if you
order the latter. It was delicious. There is an extensive range ot teas but we stayed with the Beatons Brew! I wish we had made time to return for coffee and cake but perhaps will do that next time. Highly recommended Friendliest Staff and Beautiful Setting I called in here today with family, we only had a couple of teas a smoothie and a piece of chocolate cake but I just have to say that the staff are so friendly and cannot do enough for you. We were served by a particularly helpful waiter (not sure what his name was!) but he really went the extra mile and made the visit for us. The view of the cathedral is also beautiful! Will definitely return next time we are in Chester. Ps: chocolate cake is to die for!
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The Bowen Technique
What is the Bowen Technique? The Bowen Technique is a remedial therapy tool. It is used by therapists mainly to help people who are in pain or discomfort for one reason or another. This is a gentle therapy that works over the soft tissue of the client and features lots of rests in
between moves to allow the body to start working with the information. Developed by Tom Bowen, many valid forms of his work exist in the world today. How does it work? There have been many theories put forward in the past relating to why
Bowen works and there are many people who, conversely, believe that we don’t need to know. They may have a point, but these days there is much more that we can understand and acceptance from the medical community and wider use of the technique by health professionals will
come from a better understanding of what happens during a Bowen treatment. Recently the concept of the way in which the brain reacts to neural stimulus has been looked at in more detail and is the subject of ongoing research by ECBS.
The brain emits in the region of 600,000 signals per second, all of which both send out signals and in turn receive information from the body. A muscular movement for example begins from the primary motor cortex at the front of the brain and is sent, via the spinal cord, to the arm or leg where it is translated into movement. In order to gauge this, however, the brain needs to receive a signal telling it what is happening and what to do next and this it does via the parietal lobe of the brain. The effect is a kind of looping circuit travelling at massive speeds, sending and receiving information. A Bowen move which is a series of gentle rolling moves, followed by breaks at certain intervals, interferes with this signal and creates another set of parameters for the brain to examine. Once the brain starts to reorder the signals it is also able to
reinterpret the information coming from other areas, an example of why Bowen will often set off reactions in areas that haven’t been treated. How many treatments will I need to have? There are no guarantees here because everyone responds differently but, on average, the number of treatments required for, say, a stiff neck or back is around three. Some problems need more treatments and some even fewer, but what won’t happen is that you will be required to have a long course of treatment, only to find that it hasn’t helped. Although there are never any promises, you should in most cases start to see change fairly quickly. To learn more about Bowen Therapy or for further details contact Nicholas Tobin Cert. ECBS in Heswall on 0749 659 6969 or alternatively visit: www.wirralbowentherapy.co.uk
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Take the family for a trip to the Brecon Beacons National Park whilst in Wales and enjoy a broad assembly of attractions and activities!
STARGAZING: The entire Brecon Beacons National Park is an International Dark Sky Reserve and has some of the highest quality skies throughout the whole of the UK which makes it a first choice for many to enjoy stargazing as the contrast of the stars against the beautiful dark sky allows for a truly brilliant stargazing experience. There are also many nocturnal animals that venture out in the night that you will
be able to spot with your binoculars! You may be able to spot some of the rarest creatures of the night such as barn owls, horseshoe bats, foxes, badgers, dormice, hedgehogs, moths and insects. MOUNTAIN BIKING: Enjoy beautiful views whilst cycling throughout the stunning scenery within the National Park and simultaneously participating in a healthy bout of exercise and spending plenty of time in the fresh air with family and friends. Bikes can be hired from the park where guests can enjoy a range of packages such as a modest one day bike ride to a complete set including equipment, accommodation, routes and guides. A range of different terrains are available for guests to discover such as lanes and hillside tracks. F I S H I N G : Whether you’re an avid fisherman or a complete newbie, turn your hand to fishing at the National Park and experience fishing in rivers, canals, lakes and reservoirs within The River Wye, The River Usk, Talybont Reservoir, Usk Reservoir, Llangorse Lake, or the
Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal. All participants are required to hold a Rod Licence. HORSE RIDING: Horse lovers are also welcomed at the National Park as the stunning scenery spans over 600 miles of bridle paths and tracks. Guests can also enjoy a relaxing pub lunch whilst exploring as facilities also cater for the horses. Experience quality trekking, riding and hacking holidays, short rides and pony trekking. GROUP ACTIVITIES: Experienced coordinators can help to create a package of activities including mental exercises or physical challenges for an afternoon of fun with your family and friends. Take advantage of the group activities at the Brecon Beacons National Park where a variety of activity sessions can be booked such as: water activities, i.e. Canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, whitewater rafting, raft building, sailing, windsurfing; walking and riding, i.e. Hill walking, orienteering, geocaching, cycling, mountain biking, quad biking, horse riding, pony trekking; nature and skills building, i.e. Navigation, bushcraft, wildlife-watching, archery, clay pigeon shooting as well as exploration activities, i.e. Caving, rock climbing, abseiling, gorge walking, ropes and zip wires. It is important to note that before partaking in outdoor activities, a thorough visit to the Brecon Beacons National Park’s website is recommend ensuring that all essential equipment can be obtained. Also, check the weather forecast to allow for proper preparation for the course of nature. Ensure family and friends are aware of your location and always take local advice about any natural hazards you might encounter. Contact a local guide, instructor or organised group and follow the Countryside Code and the Waterways Code.
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Zip World Fforest
Zip World Fforest in Betws y Coed is an idyllic woodland setting for all your adventures. Kids aged 3 and above can enjoy a variety of adventures including the Fforest Coaster, the only alpine adventure of its kind in the UK, or Treetop Nets, a net playground where you can bounce and slide at your heart's content. Tree Hoppers is an amazing zip line and adventure course for ages 5-12. Older children can experience the thrill of Skyride,
the highest swing in Europe and Zip Safari, a zip line and obstacle course set up high in the canopy of the trees. After a fun day out with the family,
sit back and relax at the Fforest Caffi or Fforest Coffi with a homemade cake, fresh roasted coffee or a range of yummy lunch options.
The Great Orme Tramway
Delighting visitors since 1902, you can’t miss Llandudno’s premier heritage attraction and Britain’s only cable-hauled road tram. The Tram takes you on a picturesque, breathtaking one-mile journey to the summit of the Great Orme Country Park and Nature Reserve, where on a clear day, views stretch as far as the Isle of Man, Blackpool and the Lake District. Your journey begins at Victoria Station, located a short distance from Llandudno’s North Shore and pier. Board one of the beautifully restored
Victorian tramcars and begin your ascent through the winding roads of the Great Orme with stunning views of Llandudno’s sweeping bay. At the Halfway Station, you can learn about the remarkable history of Victorian engineering and observe the powerful funicular system in action. Climb aboard another beautifully restored tramcar to complete your journey to the summit, look out for the wild Kashmir Goats and the rare Silver Studded Blue Butterflies. Once you reach the top, relax and take in the
amazing views or explore the Great Orme many attractions. The Tramway is suitable for all age groups, each tramcar can accommodate up to 48 passengers. Due to the Victorian design, accessibility is limited. We believe The Great Orme Tramway is one of the finest attractions in North Wales and its Victorian splendour and charm will continue to attract visitors for many years to come! For more information please visit our web site www.greatormetramway. co.uk or phone 01492 577877.
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A new way to discover the wonders of Welsh wildlife
Wales is one of the world’s best places to watch wildlife, if you know where - and when - to look. So we’ve teamed up with Wildlife Trusts Wales to create an interactive guide to help you explore Wales’ wonderful wildlife, whether it’s amazing ospreys, a feeding frenzy of red kites, the world’s largest Manx shearwater colony, or the best place in Britain to see puffins and porpoises. Why not go for a relaxing stroll through an
enchanting Welsh rainforest carpeted in bluebells and daffodils? Or simply sit in a field full of orchids, or by a brilliant waterfall, and admire the view? The magic isn’t just restricted to spring and summer – there are amazing wildlife displays in autumn and winter with seal pups aplenty, the return of thousands of birds to our estuaries, and wonderful autumnal woodland colours with
golds, bronzes and foxy reds. Wales has an abundance of wildlife hotspots, including 216 Wildlife Trust nature reserves, 11 RSPB sanctuaries, over 2,485sq miles (4,000sq km) of National Park, and an 870-mile (1400 km) Wales Coast Path for wildlife to, well, go wild in. Wales has it all – but knowing where to go is the key to unlocking its secrets. Wildlife of Wales helps visitors to explore Wales’s wonderful natural world
MOSTYN gallery cafe shop Behind a traditional Edwardian façade in the beautiful seaside town of Llandudno, is MOSTYN, the foremost contemporary art gallery in Wales. Traditional spaces merged with stunning new architecture house six galleries which present regularly changing and exciting exhibitions by artists and makers from Wales and from around the world. For Spring 2018 the gallery has three new exhibitions with a marine related theme, as part of Visit Wales 'Year of the Sea'. The exhibitions include photography, sculpture, textiles, painting, film and printmaking. In the gallery shop, and drawing inspiration from the countryside and its flora and fauna, a special retail showcase 'Into the Wild' presents a selection of original artworks, limited edition prints and hand-made contemporary crafts.
The shop also sells an original selection of greeting cards, affordable gifts, art-related books and magazines, art supplies, and a collection of toys and gifts for creative kids. Prices are to suit every pocket, and the Collectorplan scheme makes buying original art and beautiful jewellery affordable with the offer of 12 months interest free credit. With friendly staff, activities for all ages, a lovely shop and a bright and spacious café, there's something for everyone. The building is fully accessible and admission is FREE. MOSTYN, 12 Vaughan St., Llandudno, LL30 1AB Open: Tuesday - Sunday 10.30am - 4.00pm (café and shop open until 5.00pm) 01492 879201 www.mostyn.org
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Take home treasures
from Wonderwool Wales
Thousands of fibre fans will leave Wonderwool Wales 2018 weighed down with their pick of wool and natural fibre products from more than 200 high quality stalls - and some of the really lucky ones will also go home wearing the results of their own handiwork. Returning with its trade mark vibrancy, the annual wool and natural fibres extravaganza, at the Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells on April 28 and 29 features a fabulous selection of pre-bookable Woolschools. Each hands-on
workshop gives participants the chance to learn or perfect their skills with help from an expert, enabling them to make a beautiful new armknitted cowl, a brooch stitched from wool oddments or a charming needlefelted animal brooch. There’s also the chance to learn weaving; an invitation to get “hooked” on hooking with carpet yarn and more. All these opportunities are presented alongside stalls; special exhibitions; daily demonstrations and have-ago sessions; the ever-entertaining Sheepwalk (a woolly take on the catwalk) and this year’s stunning,
commemorative WW1 installation, A Curtain of Poppies, featuring more than 40,000 contributed textile poppies from groups and individuals across the UK. Find out more at www. wonderwoolwales.co.uk. Like Wonderwool Wales Ltd on Facebook or follow on Twitter @ wonderwoolwales
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Fancy a real Challenge?
Come along to Llangollen on 2nd and 3rd June
and let the Llangollen Round put you to the test! The 3rd Llangollen Round Challenge will be held over the weekend of 2nd and 3rd June. There will be fun, friendship, and maybe a few tears as around 500 entrants take on a fairly demanding 35-mile hike in which every summit around the Vale of Llangollen is visited. The goal is to raise money for Cancer Research UK, and for those brave enough to take on the Challenge, sponsorship is surely hard-earned! The story of the Llangollen Round goes back a few years. Strangely, it was conceived as the inverse of the Tour de Mont Blanc – instead of walking on the low ground around a great mountain, the Round takes to the high ground encircling a deep valley. Llangollen, way below, is almost always in sight, but from those heights the distant scene extends to Snowdonia, the Shropshire Hills, the Pennines, the Dee and Mersey estuaries, and more. This is a really great hike in its own right. The Round can be walked at any time of year – it is well-waymarked and a booklet describing the route is on sale online and locally. The idea of the triennial Challenge is that the whole 35 miles should be walked (or even
run) in either one or two days. Twoday entrants are bussed back from the mid-point and returned next morning to complete the circuit. Out in the hills are five checkpoints carrying food and water, marshals from Llangollen Ramblers are there to give advice, the Red Cross is at base, and cars capable of crossing rough country are on standby. We want to help every entrant complete the course, and at the end of the day there are medals and certificates for all, more food in our restaurant, and the Town Crier out to welcome everyone home.
In 2012 the Challenge raised £37,000, and in 2015, with almost 400 taking part, £45,000 was achieved. This year, with the Challenge gaining in reputation, we expect 500 entrants, and indeed, for insurance reasons, that is all we can accept. So if you want to join in the fun of the Llangollen Round Challenge, the message is ‘get your entry in as soon as possible’. We aim to make this 3rd event the best yet! For more information about the Challenge, go to www.thellangollenround.info or ring Judy on 07905330788.
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Caravan sites
and curfews
61% of caravanners believe that all caravan sites (touring and static home) should have curfews according to new research from Cover4Caravans. co.uk. The caravan insurance specialists asked over 400 of their customers* what their views are on caravan site curfews and found that: • 45% of those who were in favour of a curfew said that 11.00pm was a
sensible curfew for a family site; • 25% said 10pm. When asked: What time do you think is a sensible curfew for an adults-only site? • 42% said 12pm; • 27% said 11pm; • 24% said there shouldn’t be a curfew. Commenting on the study, Richard Burgess, Director at Cover4Caravans,
says: “On the one hand, this could suggest that caravanners are a conservative bunch but when you consider that the government standards for noise at night is 11pm**, we can see that the majority of caravanners like to have fun whilst still showing consideration for other. This reflects our view that the caravanning community is a great community to be a part of.”
DISCOVER THE MAGIC OF THE INLAND WATERWAYS
Imagine an airport queue. Endless hold-ups, baggage checks, noise, hassle. Now imagine pottering gently along a rural ribbon of water....now breathe, aah, that's better. You've discovered the magical world of the Inland Waterways. A narrowboating holiday is all about relaxing, taking your time and chilling out. The moment you step aboard, you are stepping back in time to a hidden world full of fascinating history and colourful tradition. And best of all, there are beautiful historic waterways to explore right here on your doorstep in Cheshire. Nantwich-based Cheshire Cat Narrowboat Holidays has a selection of boats available, from a cosy little two-berth complete with woodburning stove, up to a spacious eight-berth family boat. All the boats come fully equipped with everything you will need, including fully-equipped galleys, comfy beds, colour TV, and central heating. Wellbehaved pets are welcome aboard all their boats at no extra charge, with the canal towpaths providing miles of quiet, traffic-free dog walking. For those who have never boated before, you can be sure that the experienced staff at Cheshire Cat will give you full
tuition, including accompanying you through your first canal lock. Once you are under way, you are free to take your floating home wherever you please. From Cheshire Cat's base at the award-winning Overwater Marina you can head up the Llangollen Canal and over the world-famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, ride the Anderton Boat Lift down to the River Weaver, or visit city centres such as Chester or
Manchester. Or you can just doodle about with no particular place to go, stopping wherever you please, though of course mooring next to a canalside pub is always popular. Cheshire Cat also has a self-drive day boat carrying up to ten people, just the thing for a special birthday or family occasion. To find out more, give them a ring on 07867 790195 or visit www. cheshirecatnarrowboats.co.uk
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Wedding photography
a guide for capturing your perfect day
Once you have booked the date for your big day, there is a list of wedding services you need to consider such as; that wonderful wedding dress, flowers, cake, wedding car, makeup and hair stylist, and very importantly your photographer. With all these wedding services the good ones tend to get booked up well in advance, so good advice is to start looking early. Marc Byram an experienced award winning wedding photographer has put together this useful guide to ensure you have a stress free wedding day and have the pictures you really want at the end of it. Why is the photography an important part of your wedding? After the wedding day the photographs are the only thing the couple has to help them remember their wedding day, if these images are poor or not really what they wanted there really isn’t a great deal that can be done. How to find your wedding photographer: – Word of mouth If you know someone else who has got married recently ask them what their experience was, and if they are happy with their wedding photographer and you also like what they had done, contact their photographer to see if they are free for your date. – Wedding Fayres These are good places to seek out many of the services you need all being under one roof, so worth a visit even if only for ideas. – Magazines & Directories Many wedding and lifestyle magazines feature advertisements or listing for photographers in your area. – The internet Is probably one of the best ways to find a photographer because it is a very visual service and therefore makes it easy to view several photographers work before making any further inquiries. What are the important things to look for: – Getting advice
A wedding is a once in a lifetime thing so it is worth taking advise from someone who has photographed hundreds. So the first thing to look for in a wedding photographer is someone who can give you straight forward advice. In fact most professional photographers are happy to give advice and will give a free consultation. This is a good opportunity for the bride and groom and their families to get some ideas as to want they may want in the way of images and albums. – Face to face In choosing a photographer it should always be the case that you meet face to face to view their work, most will be happy to visit you in your own home or have studio in which to meet. You need to feel comfortable with the photographer both in terms of liking their work but also feeling they will get on with you and your guests. – Professional membership Although not a guarantee if the photographer is a member of a profession body, this should give you more confidence in this person professional ability and ethics. – Photographic style There are two main styles for a wedding images either they are formal or informal. The formal approach often gets the less appeal label of “traditional” attached to it whilst the informal is seen as more fashionable often being called “contemporary”. Unless you really know what style of
photography you want it is best to take the best from both and have informal coverage of the day with some formal shots after the ceremony, this keeps everyone happy and creates a stress free day for the Bride & Groom. – Don’t forget the details It is important that all aspects of your wedding are covered on the day. – Wedding photography packages Often people have a certain budget in mind when it comes to booking their photographer and will probably find a fairly wide range of prices and packages quite confusing. Wedding packages generally range from around £500 up to £5,000 with the average being around £2,000. Avoid photographers who offer hourly rates to make their packages sound less expensive, as although shorter photographic coverage of the day will be of a lower cost than full coverage of the day, the cost are not usually proportionate and the better option is to get total coverage of the day at a set price. This is usually from the bride getting ready through to the first dance of the evening. This most importantly gives a full story of the day to any album and usually costs not a great deal more. The most important thing is to agree a package that covers what you require and most importantly has no hidden extras. – Pre-wedding rehearsal There is a further service a lot of photographers will offer, which is well worth the couple’s consideration, unusually called pre-wedding or engagement photography. If it is done properly, and often included as a part of the overall package this will not be a money spinner for the photographer but instead will serve to give the couple experience of being professionally photographed thereby relieving a great deal of pressure on their wedding day.
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Ferry generous Stena Line save the day for irish bride
LEADING ferry company Stena Line has proved to be arrive at their destination, refreshed, sure to have been the best day of their For more information on Stena Line go to www.stenaline.ie a marriage made in heaven for bride Aine Kilgannon stress free and ready for what was lives. who was married in County Roscommon on Saturday afternoon. Aine, her fiancé Heath Bateman and 26 of their friends and family travelled by train from London to Holyhead on Friday 2 March only to discover that their Irish Ferries sailing to Dublin had been cancelled. Luckily, Stena Line stepped in to provide the bridal party with travel from Holyhead to Dublin and ensure that the blushing bride wouldn’t miss her big day! Aine said of her experience: “Words can’t express the gratitude we have for Stena Line! When we discovered that our Irish Ferries crossing had been cancelled I was completely panic stricken and extremely worried that after all our planning and excitement our big day might not happen at all, but thankfully Stena Line was on hand to make sure I made it across the Irish Sea to my wedding day.” The bride, groom and their friends were given cabins and treated to refreshments onboard ensuring that they would
Fairytales Castles for your dream wedding
Edinburgh Castle The jewel in the crown of the Edinburgh skyline. It’s difficult to imagine a more dramatic venue for your wedding. Tie the knot in one of Scotland’s most famous landmarks and have a magical wedding day. Choose from a variety of packages and suites; all of the function rooms are immaculately restored and offer sumptuous surroundings with breathtaking views over Princes Street and Frith of Forth. If you choose to exchange vows in The Gatehouse Suite you’ll also benefit from a private terrace which looks out onto the historic Royal Mile. Pendennis Castle
This enchanting Castle in Falmouth, Cornwall, commands panoramic views across the sea. Y our ceremony will take place in the Tudor Castle Keep surrounded by candles, ancient tapestries and flowers of your choice. Dinner can be served in the impressive Royal Artillery Barracks before which guests can take champagne and canapés on the grassy “chemise.” This magnificent building is at its most striking when it’s floodlit after dark. Warwick Castle Warwick Castle is a truly majestic venue. Framed by mature sweeping trees and an idyllic lake, you really couldn’t hope for a better backdrop
for your wedding photographs. The venue is also renowned for its high standard of hospitality and excellent catering facilities. Drinks can be taken in the Peacock Gardens surrounded by fountains. Your reception can take place in either The Great Hall or the State dining room. Leeds Castle Despite its name this Castle is actually in Kent. It enjoys a secluded location as it’s marooned on its very own private island in the middle of the River Len. The Castle is exquisitely decorated and also has an aviary, small golf course and even a maize to keep your guests amused.
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WEDDING FAIRS CHESHIRE – 2018
Wedding Fair at The Courthouse Hotel – 18th March 2018 Visit The Courthouse Hotel on the 18th of March and chat to a number of the region’s finest wedding suppliers whilst also enjoying two catwalks showcasing the latest in bridal fashion at 1pm and 3pm. You’re also in with a chance to receive a free goody bag if you’re one of the first fifty brides-tobe through the doors! Entry is free and complimentary copies of Cheshire Bride magazine and Lancashire & Lake District Bride magazine are also given to each bride-to-be. The Courthouse Hotel, Toft Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 0PB Wedding Fayre at Brook Mollington Banastre Hotel & Spa – 18th March 2018 Brook Mollington caters to both small and intimate ceremonies and large and luxurious days with up to 220 guests. The stunning Brook Mollington hotel is hosting over thirty-five of the region’s top wedding specialists to advise you on any special wedding requirements. Enjoy live music and entertainment throughout the day, alongside catwalks, make overs and hair demonstrations and be in with a chance to win competitions. You will be treated to a tour around the venue alongside fizz and canapes upon arrival. Guests will also receive a free copy of Your Cheshire & Merseyside wedding magazine. Brook Mollington Banastre Hotel & Spa, Parkgate Road, Mollington, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 6NN Mere Court Hotel and Conference Centre – 22nd March 2018 Within seven acres of stunning gardens sits the Mere Court Hotel and Conference Centre and on the 22nd of March they will be hosting a wedding fair demonstrating the exquisite transformation the hotel undertakes in preparation for weddings. View the five spaces available for ceremonies as well as a selection of the 34 luxurious bedrooms available within the hotel, which wedding guests would receive a reduced price on. Mere Court Hotel and Conference Centre, Warrington Road Mere, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 0RW
Adlington Hall and Gardens - 25th March 2018 Adlington Hall offers the choice of two beautiful buildings for ceremony; the Great Hall with striking medieval features and the Georgian Hunting Lodge, which is perfect for marquees etc. Barretts Event Caterers care for guests on the couple’s big day. Adlington Hall and Gardens, Mill Lane, Adlington, Cheshire, SK10 4LF Willington Hall Hotel –28th March 2018 Surrounded by 17 acres of beautiful Cheshire gardens, the Willington Hall radiates romantic charm and warm spaces. Expect stunning old world charm, exquisitely decorated with crystal-embedded-chandeliers and grand ceilings, wall to floor mirrors reflecting the grand staircase. The Willington Hall Hotel is easily accessible yet also secluded. The Willington Hall Hotel, Willington Lane, Taporley, Cheshire, CW6 0NB Holiday Inn Runcorn - 5th April 2018. The Holiday Inn Runcorn has a variety of function rooms available to suit weddings of all sizes from intimate events of 20 guests to larger gatherings of up to 350 guests. The Holiday Inn Runcorn provides a selection of wedding packages to suit all budgets with the option for guests to book a room at the hotel also. Holiday Inn Runcorn, Wood Lane, Beechwood, Runcorn, Cheshire, WA7 3HA Rookery Hall Hotel & Spa –8th April 2018 The stunning Rookery Hall Hotel & Spa is situated within beautiful grounds creating a wonderfully whimsical, fairy-tale vibe for weddings. Bridal parties can enjoy a pre-wedding pamper at the spa the night before the wedding. Rookery Hall Hotel and Spa, Main Road, Worleston, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 6DQ The Wedding Bash – 7th April 2018 Announcing our New Refurbishment of the Lakeside Wing. Come and join us for a fun afternoon featuring live music, make-up demos, canapes, a cocktail masterclass, wedding dress showcase and much more. Meet our
excellent caterers and other wedding specialists. Please telephone us to pre-register for a free goody bag. Capesthorne Hall, Siddington, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK11 9JY 01625 861221 Stock Farm Wedding and Events Barn – 8th April 2018 Located on the edge of Tatton Park, the Stock Farm Wedding and Events Barn provides a beautiful tranquil setting ideal for more secluded weddings. The barn offers a great space for large parties whilst maintaining it’s private, intimate vibe. Accommodation is also available for guests within the neighbouring farmhouse or properties within the Tatton Estate. Stock Farm Wedding and Events Barn, Ashley Road Cheshire, Ashley Cheshire, WA14 3QF Cheshire Woodland Weddings – 15th April 2018 Enjoy a relaxed ceremony and reception in the heart of the great outdoors with a woodland wedding. Cheshire Woodland Weddings offers a unique experience as the bride and groom-to-be can exchange vows under a thatched shelter amongst the beautiful woodland scenery and wedding rings can even be flown in by owl! Exclusive hire of the venue can be coordinated, and packages can be created for guests to facilitate activities such as archery, falconry, segway, crazy golf, to human table football and much more. Camping and caravan facilities are available on-site and hotel accommodation within 1 mile. Cheshire Outdoors, Blakemere Village, Chester Road, Sandiway, Northwich, Cheshire, CW8 2EB Wedstival Wedding Fair – 20th May 2018. If a festival theme is what you envision for your big day, take a trip to the Wedstival Wedding Fair to discover a number of wedding suppliers. Expect large sail cloth tends, a vintage Pimm’s tent, street food vendors, chill out areas, live bands as well as more than sixty other luxury wedding suppliers on hand to transform your vision into reality. Capesthorne Hall, Siddington, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK11 9JY
Love at First Sight…
Combining beautiful architecture with picturesque Cheshire surroundings, Inglewood Manor, nestled within 38 acres of beautiful grounds and gardens makes for the perfect venue to hold your wedding ceremony or reception. Situated between the historical cities of Liverpool and Chester, this delightful Grade 2 listed building retains all the charm and warmth of a lavish Edwardian family home, remaining almost unaltered since it was built in 1915. Depending on the time of a year, a roaring log fire greets our guests in winter, and in summer elegant oak-panelled rooms lead out onto spacious sunlit terraces, creating a memorable backdrop for this most special of days. Wisteria clad walkways, formally planted gardens, pretty ponds and shimmering lakes all contribute to an unforgettable
setting for photographs you’ll treasure for a lifetime. The beauty of the building is matched only by the quality of the food and service from your champagne reception, to dancing long into the night. Our spaces include luxury dining rooms and a bar that can all be specially transformed for your wedding day. The team here at Inglewood Manor see every wedding as a unique opportunity to make your dreams come true. Offering a number of wedding packages, we simply could not try any harder to ensure that every single detail has been
meticulously taken care of. Our award-winning chefs and experienced banqueting team ensure that every meal is prepared with care, presented with pride and served with the friendliest of smiles. From start to finish, our aim at Inglewood Manor is to create from your ideas and dreams a magical ceremony day for you and your guests.
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Love Me Again
Welcome to Love Me Again. We and prom dresses at our boutique stock an exciting range of bridal based in the heart of Shotton, North Wales. We are just ten minutes from Chester and The Wirral. We offer a friendly and professional service to every customer. To help us do this we operate an appointment service Tuesday to Friday 10am to 4.00pm and Saturday 10am to 1.00pm. We stock fantastic designer dresses at affordable and realistic prices, in a variety of styles, to suit every taste and wedding venue in sizes 8 to 28. We are registered stockists at Veromia, Ruby Prom and Crystal Breeze. This means if you fall in love with a dress on any of their websites, we can help you find the wedding, prom or bridesmaid dress of your dreams. Our brand new designer wedding dresses start at just £150.
We also offer a range of pre-loved wedding dresses from £99. Many of our new bridesmaid and prom dresses also start at £99. Receive an extra 10% off with this advert. We will have dresses for you to try on and buy at our upcoming dress sales at St David’s Hotel, Ewloe, just outside of Chester. We would like to invite you to following events: Prom dress sale Thursday 22 March 5.00pm – 9.00pm Wedding dress sale Sunday 15 April 11am – 3pm Or call us now to book an appointment: Love Me Again, 71 Chester Road West, Shotton, Deeside, Flintshire, CH5 1BZ Tel: 07561 421794. Please note, we are based at ground floor level and are wheelchair, pram and mobility scooter friendly! Find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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CakeyBitz
Based in Chester and serving the Cheshire region, CakeyBitz is a bespoke and artisan wedding cake specialist with a difference. We offer couples a complete service, from personal design to perfect presentation of their bespoke wedding cake as a beautiful and unique focal point at their reception.
Each individual wedding cake creation begins with a consultation with the happy couple, including a cake tasting and guidance on flavours. We believe your wedding cake should be a reflection of you - your ideas, your dreams and your passions – baked and decorated to your
individual specification. So whether your wedding cake vision is two hundred individual, iced cupcakes or a seven tier extravaganza, whether you crave rich, dark chocolate or light-as-air lemon and poppy seed,
we pride ourselves on creating the perfect cake to perfect your wedding. A unique part of the service offered by CakeyBitz is a sketch of the proposed design so that the couple can visualise their dream cake and ensure that even the tiniest detail is taken care of. We've had messages from many of our bridal customers who said what a great relief it was for them to have a sketch of their cake beforehand, as it confirmed that we knew exactly what they wanted and there would be no disappointments on the big day. This is definitely a part of our service that sets us apart. To continue the same feel throughout a wedding, we can also provide favours for guests at the reception, all based on the chosen wedding cake design. This is something that proves very popular, as it saves having to search for accompaniments that complement the other elements of the wedding and keeps everything under one roof, so to speak. This ultimately cuts down on time and stress levels, something that we're sure every bride would vote for!
Cheshire Toastmaster
Mark Braithwaite is the Cheshire Toastmaster. He is the genuine article being passionate, enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the service he offers, and we recently caught up with Mark to get to know more about the man behind the proceedings. ‘As a graduate of the UK School of Professional Toastmasters’ I am able to ensure protocol, etiquette and tradition are considered and matched to the couple’s personal requirements. Whether it’s a large and traditional event, or intimate and relaxed occasion, and whilst working behind the scenes, it is the duty of a Master of Ceremonies to help ensure the Bride and Bridegroom’s day is, well, just perfect.’ Happily married for over the last 30 years, Mark says he can’t think of a better way to give other couples the right start on their own life journey than by being the Master of
Ceremonies at their Wedding. ‘There is something very special about helping someone organise an event which their guests will remember for a very long time and to be part of that unique experience by making sure that things go to plan on the day. And of course, if and when those little hiccups do occur, I am quick to provide a solution whilst remaining cheerful and positive throughout.’ Of course, to help others plan, Mark can call on polished project management skills which he developed during an extensive career in marketing. In
a career switch, Mark moved into hospitality management through presenting a silver service, fine dining experience in exquisite surroundings. He quickly gained the reputation of being thorough with a keen eye for detail and for going the extra mile for his clients. The move fitted his easy going yet dependable character perfectly. Mark also has a lifelong love of theatre and amateur dramatics, so his next move was a natural one. The Cheshire Toastmaster was born. Living in the heart of Cheshire Mark tends to cover the North West of
England and North Wales but with a 5-star rating from Yell, his demand is spreading as he’s off down south this Summer to Toastmaster a Wedding in Surrey. As a Master of Ceremonies, Mark’s services can be called upon to support all manner of events, whether it be a Charity, Civic or Corporate, a Prom, an Anniversary or a Sports Dinners. He loves them all, but Weddings are the ones he holds dearest. ‘It’s the biggest event of the year for the couple getting married. It should memorable and for all the right reasons.’
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Unusual Wedding Venues If you’ve never considered yourselves to be a conventional couple, check out our list of top alternative wedding venues in the U.K. Some are fun and quirky, some are downright odd. The Gherkin Boasting the best views over the city of London, The Gherkin is the capital’s most iconic modern building. The London landmark also offers a very high standard of hospitality with some the biggest companies choosing it as the venue for their lavish parties. The Gherkin can be seen for miles around so your guests certainly won’t have any difficulty finding your wedding venue. A Cave Wookey Hole in Somerset, who recently appointed a new resident witch, offer couples
the opportunity to exchange their vows deep underground in one of their spooky caves. There are a selection of caves to choose from, the largest can accommodate 120 guests, all of which are fully licensed for civil ceremonies. A lighthouse West Usk Lighthouse is situated halfway between Newport and Cardiff in South Wales. The lighthouse is privately owned and has been restored to a very high standard with a hot tub, four-poster beds, an exquisite spiral staircase and a beautiful roof garden with views across the Severn Estuary. Your
ceremony can be conducted on top of the lighthouse in the open air. The building is steeped in history being over 180 years old and grade ll listed; keeps your eyes peeled as many of the local farmers have spotted UFO’s in the area. Editor’s Office We’re not sure why, but the offer is there. Media enthusiasts (if there is such a thing) can choose to commit themselves to each other in the Editor of The Daily Mirror’s office in Canary Wharf, London. Aaah, the romance! If you’re a busy career couple, this maybe the perfect venue as you can tie the knot during your lunch break; even better if you happen to work at
The Daily Mirror. Theatre It’s expected that the newlyweds are the centre of attention on their big day, however privately owned Clonter Opera Theatre in Cheshire offers couples the opportunity to wed live on stage. They have a selection of 5 separate reception rooms to choose for your reception. The theatre enjoys an idyllic setting surrounded by bluebells woods and lush parkland. London Eye Climb aboard your own private capsule with your family and friends and hold tight. A full revolution takes half an hour
and by the time you’ve reached the highest point of the wheel 135 metres above the city, you’ll be married. If you choose the Platinum Package you’ll also be treated to a complementary ride on the Eye to celebrate your fist wedding anniversary. Absolut Ice Bar Set in the heart of London this sub zero venue will certainly give your guests an occasion to remember. The aisle is constructed out of the purest ice harvested from a river in Sweden. This bar is far from being a novelty venue as they also offer a very high standard of catering courtesy of their award winning chefs.
Raspberry Photo Booth, founded by husband and wife team Franck and Laura, is an exciting, local company that specialises in helping to create memorable celebrations and events by providing Magic Photo Mirror hire throughout North Wales and NorthWest England, as well as lawn games such as Skittles, Quoits and Viking Chess for classic fun in the garden. For anyone looking for an exciting and original way to entertain guests at a wedding, party or personal or corporate event, then look no further than the photo booth hire options offered by raspberryphotobooth. co.uk. Choosing from our big basket of funny hats, glasses, crowns, wigs, handheld signs and colourful accessories, and guided by our Booth
Buddy, your guests will pose in front of the mirror, immediately view and approve their image, sign it or add a message and emojis, then receive a professional quality print to remind them of the fun they had at your celebration. You can choose the background for the prints and even add a message, the date of your event, and your name, and best of all, as host you will receive digital or paper copies of all images from your event. Our fairy tale magic photo mirror is a great way to create an original guest book. A second sets of prints is made for your guest book and our booth buddy will encourage your guests to leave a message for you along with their photo. Our lawn games are hand made from British hardwood, and
are just the thing to get your guests enjoying a spell of warm weather at your event. Whether you are planning a wedding, a birthday, a professional promotional event, or any kind of party at all, we’d love to work with you. We have packages to suit all budgets and we can tailor our service to your requirements, offering party extras such as hammocks, light up letters, or even a mobile photo booth. Why not get in touch and share your ideas today? Simply visit www. raspberryphotobooth.co.uk and fill in our no-obligation enquiry form, or find us on Facebook to check out our photos and chat with us. 10% Discount on all bookings made before the 30th of April When you mention the Cheshire Local
Fairy Dust Cake Shop Raspberry Photo Booth
Fairy Dust Cake Shop is based within the Edwardian Courtyard of Blakemere Village, Chester Road, Sandiway, just off the A556 and we are open 7 days a week (except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day) from 10am to 5pm. We stock a range of cake making and decorating supplies from brands such as PME, Culpitt and Renshaws. From cakes boards and boxes to cookie cutters, ready made decorations, fondants and sprinkles and with new items added monthly. There is always some one on hand to help if you need any advise, we are happy to talk cake (shutting us up is the problem). We are constantly adding new items and we currently stock some of the new PME Geometric Cutters that are a new
release and are a wonderful addition to any cakers equipment. If there is some thing you are looking for and we don’t stock it let us know and we will try our best to help. We also have our cupcake counter with a fantastic selection of cupcakes in a range of flavours that you can pop in and choose from, as well as our shortbreads, flapjacks and cake slices available on a daily basis and all baked fresh on site. The Build-A-Cupcake counter is also available every day and this is where you can create your very own cupcake! Tell us at each step what you would like and watch us make it specially for you right there and then. There are literally thousands of combinations so the hardest part is choosing what you want! We also
create bespoke celebration cakes onsite for Weddings, Birthdays, Anniversaries and Christenings. Each cake is bespoke, made to order and we will work with you and your specifications and requirements to ensure that you have a cake that has the real wow factor for your special occasion. From 5 tier wedding cakes to family sized birthday cakes, each one is designed and created with an attention to detail that we pride our selves on. I highly recommend these talented people. I had a fantastic cake created for my 40th birthday “ Absolutely amazing cakes made by a wonderful lady and her team.” I would definitely recommend her to anyone looking for something a little unique
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Booking A Church Wedding Ceremony:
Everything You Need to Know
Saying your vows in a church is a traditional part of planning a wedding, and a quarter of couples plan on getting married in a religious ceremony. www.hitched.co.uk have put together the ultimate beginner’s guide to church wedding ceremonies, so you know exactly what you need to do. What are the legal requirements for a church wedding? You can marry in a church wedding ceremony from the age of 18 onwards in a church wedding ceremony in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. If you’re aged 16 or 17, you will need your parents’ approval in England and Wales, but not in Scotland where it’s legal without consent providing there are two witnesses. Church wedding ceremonies must take place between 8am and 6pm and be witnessed by at least two people. You’ve probably heard about ‘having your banns read’ in connection to a church wedding – this is required before the marriage takes place as it signifies your intention to marry. Your banns will be read out in the parish where each of you lives as well as in the church where you’re planning on marrying for three Sundays during the three months leading up to the wedding. If you’re marrying in a hurry it is possible to skip having your banns read, but you will need to apply for a common licence for this. They cost from £200. You may also need a licence if one of you isn’t a British citizen or currently lives outside of
the UK. In Scotland you’re required to give 15 days’ notice with the local registrar. Do the rules differ depending on where in the UK the church is? Depending on where you are in the UK and what kind of church you want to marry in will impact what you need to do. Scotland has different rules relating to church weddings that England and Wales, as explained above, and there are stricter residency requirements for those planning a church wedding in Northern Ireland. A Catholic church ceremony is different to book compared to a Church of England wedding too – for example, you will need a dispensation to marry in a Catholic ceremony if one of you is not Catholic, but you don’t have to have the banns read out beforehand. Do I have to attend the church to get married there? The Church of England gives all British citizens with no former partner still living the right to get married in the parish church of the town where they live, or where either of the couple are on the church’s electoral roll. You can also get married in church to which you have a connection, such as: - Either of you lived in that church’s parish for six months or more - One of you regularly attended worship in that parish for six months or more - Either of you were baptised or prepared for confirmation in the parish - One of your parents lived in the parish/regularly attended
worship there for six months or more in their child’s lifetime - Your parents or grandparents were married in the parish If you attend services at your chosen church for six months – even if you only attend a single service a month – that can help your case. Do I have to be religious to have a church wedding? You don’t have to be religious to have a Church of England wedding, however for a Catholic wedding at least one of you must follow the faith and you’re required to get a dispensation to marry there for the one that isn’t Catholic. Anyone is welcome to have a Church of England wedding, regardless of their beliefs as the vicars understand that 'spiritual beliefs are complex and varied'. How far in advance should I book my church wedding ceremony? It works the same way as booking a civil wedding ceremony in that places will get booked up months in advance. Talk to your vicar or the church office as soon as possible, particularly if you’re hoping to marry in peak wedding season. Bear in mind most Church of England churches won’t host ceremonies during Lent, although this isn’t usually the case for Catholic ceremonies. How much does a church wedding ceremony cost? It costs around £500 to get married in a church in England and Wales, so make sure you factor this into your wedding budget. This cost covers the expense of reading of the banns, the certificate, the
vicar and the use of the church itself. Extra details such as flowers, having the bells rung or making use of the organist or choir will incur additional costs. It’s worth noting in Scotland and Northern Ireland there is no fixed cost for a church wedding. Can we use our own vows in a church wedding ceremony? If you’re planning on writing your own wedding vows, a church ceremony might not be for you. In England and Wales you cannot change any part of the wedding vows, however in Scotland you can vary the traditional vows or write your own as long as the minister approves them.
You can include poems, readings or songs in your vows as long as your vicar is okay with it. Can I decorate the church with my own flowers? Most churches will be able to recommend someone from the parish who can decorate the church for you, but it shouldn’t be a problem to bring in your own floral displays. Just check with your vicar where you can have the flowers as you wouldn’t want a large arrangement to get in the way during the ceremony. What is a wedding rehearsal? Lots of churches offer the chance to have a wedding rehearsal – this allows you, your partner and your
bridal party to run through the service ahead of the big day so you know what to expect and when. Can we have confetti at our church wedding? This varies from church to church so check with your vicar and let your guests know in advance. If wedding confetti is not allowed, find out if they’ll allow you to use a natural or bio-degradable type of confetti instead. Can we have the reception in the church hall? Usually you can – check with the church office to find out. You can also have your reception at a different venue if you wish.
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Church Versus Registry Office
Many women dream about their wedding day from childhood. Not only is it one of the biggest days of a person’s life, it is also likely to be the most romantic. Given the momentous nature of the all-important wedding, it should therefore come as no surprise that a lot of thought goes into the planning involved. And one of the most significant aspects of that is the wedding venue. While most people associate a wedding with a church and minister, tying the knot in registry offices has
become increasingly popular over the years. Ultimately, however, the decision between church and registry office depends on the individuals in question. A bride and groom-to-be could think about whether they want a traditional wedding versus modern. There is nothing more traditional than donning a lavish white wedding dress and walking down a long aisle flanked by scores of family and friends to the tune of Here Comes the Bride. The tradition of having the father of the bride accompany his daughter
and give her away at the altar is one that many dads dream about. Having bridesmaids at the side of the wifeto-be is another comforting aspect of traditional weddings that is so engrained in our cultural identity. But such strict adherence to tradition is not everyone’s cup of tea — particularly those who are in no way religious. Ultimately, marriage is a legal contract and what better way to seal that than by having a more official and straightforward ceremony in a registry office? As opposed to having passages from the bible
recited and old religious hymns sung by guests, registry office weddings can incorporate a more modern set up consisting of clear and concise vows - that are not necessarily devoid of romance — along with songs that again, are not strictly religious. At the bones of the comparison between church and registry office is just how lavish you want your wedding to be. For example, at a church there will be room for more guests, in which case a big and extravagant ceremony is a possibility, but in an official office, only a handful of
people can be present. Brides feel more comfortable wearing a fabulous traditional wedding gown in a church, but in a registry office, a smart dress and jacket seems more apt. A church wedding undoubtedly provides men and women — regardless of their religion - with the ultimate fairytale setting that is often considered more romantic and magical. But, on the plus side of the registry office, it can be an awful lot cheaper. There is also less wedding planning and stress involved, meaning that the bride and groom can focus solely on each other
and the reasons why they are tying the knot, instead of being distracted by the drama surrounding the spectacle that is their big day. There is a lot to be said for couples who do not need to profess their love to the world by spending thousands of pounds on an over-the-top ceremony. Clearly all they need is each other.
Sarah’s Wedding Boutique
Dress & Accessories Supplier of the year
Winning the national title of 'Dress & Accessories Supplier of the year' 2018 has made us extremely proud as an independent retailer. We have put so much time, energy and hard work into creating our bridal haven, making this achievement more than just an award on both a personal and professional level. Our work ethos has always been to make every brides experience an unforgettable one. Choosing a wedding dress is such an important decision which is why we pride ourselves in the service we provide to all of our lovely brides to be. Since relocating to our larger premises in Northwich 2 years ago,
variety has been key to cater for all tastes, shapes and sizes. More recently we have introduced a range of gowns for the fuller figure, opened a dedicated bridesmaid room and additional changing rooms to provide absolute exclusivity in a welcoming yet relaxed environment. 'I would just like to say a huge thank you to everyone who voted for us, we really do appreciate your support and we would not have received this recognition without YOU, our amazing customers'. Going forward we will continue to listen to our customers wishes, keep on top of new trends and support the local community and beyond. 'It is humbling to see so many previous brides returning with family and friends, based on genuine recommendations'.
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Scottish tourism still
punching above its weight
VisitScotland Chief Executive, Malcolm Roughead, responds to the release of the International Passenger Survey (IPS) tourism statistics by the UK Office of National Statistics (ONS). He said: “These latest figures show that Scotland continues to punch above its weight in a hugely competitive global market, with our country seen around the world as a ‘must-visit’ destination. “In the 12 months from April 2016 to March 2017, we saw a 3 per cent increase in trips and a 9 per cent increase in spend among our international visitors. “This was driven largely by a 19 per cent increase in trips and a 40 per cent rise in spend among those coming from North America, who are showing an ever-growing appetite for our history, culture and our stunning landscapes. Favourable exchange rates during this period also played a part. “We will, of course, not rest on our laurels. We need to think bigger about Scotland as a tourism destination to ensure we fulfil our potential – every visitor must get a quality experience every single time. “Our industry is the heartbeat of the Scottish economy, causing a ripple effect which touches every industry and community, creating employment and economic growth.” The ONS data can be viewed here: https://www.ons.gov.uk/releases/ overseastravelandtourismprovisionaljantomar2017 To view the Scottish Government’s press release, click here: https://news.gov.scot/news/rise-in-internationaltourist-spend
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New bursary to get
veterans into teaching
New government bursary of £40,000 available from September 2018 for ex-service personnel to retrain as teachers Pupils across the country are set to benefit from the leadership and worldrenowned expertise of our armed forces – as the government unveils a £40,000 bursary for ex-service personnel to retrain as a teacher. From September, courses at universities nationwide will offer the incentive to veterans who have left full-time employment in the British Army, Royal Air Force or Royal Navy in the last five years, or anyone leaving before training begins. The incentive will help ex-servicemen and women – who have spent their career honing the discipline, motivation and unique skills needed to become great teachers – make the transition to the classroom where they can share their expertise with the next generation. The bursary has been developed as part of the Department for Education’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant – the nation’s promise to those who serve or who have served – and will be offered on priority undergraduate courses in biology, chemistry, computing, maths or modern foreign languages. Education Secretary Damian Hinds said:
Academic standards are rising, with 1.9 million more children in good or outstanding schools and a record 15,500 more teachers than in 2010. We want this trend to continue and to explore every opportunity to attract the best and brightest into teaching. Our ex-servicemen and women – who have already contributed so much to our country – have a wealth of experience and expertise that can be shared in the classroom, teaching pupils the knowledge they need to succeed alongside vital skills, such as leadership and self-discipline. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: Our incredible troops have unrivalled life experiences and world-class skills that will motivate and inspire a generation of children in classrooms across the country. Through leadership, teamwork and problem solving, veterans are ideally suited for a career in teaching once they leave the Armed Forces. This programme not only offers our valued veterans a new and fulfilling career, it will help our children achieve their aspirations and life goals. Chief of Defence People, Lieutenant General Richard Nugee said: This initiative, under the Armed Forces Covenant, is another great addition to our wider resettlement
offer of courses, mentoring, and advice, helping our serving personnel successfully transition into civilian life. The announcement, made today (6 March) by the Department for Education and Ministry of Defence, adds to a number of government bursaries and other financial incentives to encourage even more talented trainees into key subjects. The new bursary will replace the existing Troops to Teachers Programme, providing veterans with greater flexibility and enabling them to train with any Initial Teacher
Training provider, while still receiving the same level of financial support. The University of Brighton, which has delivered the Troops to Teachers Programme since 2013, has backed the move and will now draw on the experience of training 106 serviceleavers to become fully-qualified teachers – with a further 96 trainees currently studying to deploy their skills in the classroom. Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Brighton, Chris Pole said: The University of Brighton is delighted that non-graduate, ex-
service personnel will continue to be offered the opportunity to train to teach. They offer unique expertise and skills that are especially valued by the pupils they teach as well as the profession more broadly. Among the University of Brighton’s trainees is Colin Grimes, a former Aerospace Systems Manager in the Royal Air Force who is now Year 4 teacher at Rothbury First School in Northumberland. He welcomed today’s news: Studying for a degree in education while being supported financially opened up exciting new career
choices for me. Without this kind of support many candidates would not have access to career opportunities of this kind. So it’s great news that ex-military personnel will now be offered even more opportunities to train for a valuable and stimulating second career while still being able to support their families. In addition to the bursary, trainees will also have access to further support through the government’s Get Into Teaching service and other financial incentives. Applications for 2018 courses are now open.
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'My dream is to open a Syrian cake shop in Cheshire Oaks'
Adnan Alater When Syrian Omar Ahmad was hiding from the bombs raining down on his home in Aleppo in 2013 he had a simple dream: to escape from the hell of the war engulfing his country and lead his wife and three children to safety. Now, with the care offered to Omar and other Syrian families by Cheshire West and Chester Council , he has a new dream: to open a Syrian cake shop in Cheshire Oaks Retail Park. It has been a long and stressful journey to a safer life for the Syrian families flown over to different parts of the UK by the British Government since December 2016 as part of a fiveyear refugee programme to rescue the most vulnerable victims of the Syrian war.
Omar Ahmad Among the Syrians now living in Ellesmere Port is also Adnan Alater from Damascus. It has been a traumatic few years for Adnan, his wife and three children. He said: “When I was in Damascus I lost everything: my house, my carpentry shop, there were bombs. I escaped to Egypt with my family, but my father, mother and sister are still in Syria. I’m very concerned about them.” When Adnan arrived in England 14 months ago he was ‘shocked’ to experience the sudden culture change between being in a place of war to one of peace. If it wasn’t for the support provided by the Cheshire West and Chester Council and its partnership with the
charity P3 and the Cheshire, Halton and Warrington Race & Equality Centre (CHAWREC), Adnan’s traumatic life would have continued. However, his life is on the mend as a result of the council’s support with accommodation, schooling, cultural and emotional advice, and English lessons. He explained: “I am eager to learn the language but it is very hard. The council runs the lessons and they are doing a good job. The council helped me by finding me a house and gave advice about where to go and what to do. “They helped us by showing us where to take the children to school. I am looking for a job and a carpentry qualification so that I can look after
myself.” TK Al Jorani is co-chairman of CHAWREC which is an important support for the refugees. He said: “It is really positive that the Government have taken the refugees and brought them here. Our experience here in Cheshire in dealing with the refugees has been enhanced in the last few years and, with the support of the council, it is benefitting the Syrian people. We like to make their lives here as easy as possible, so that they are integrated and can live a normal life.” Omar Ahmad arrived in Ellesmere Port a year ago from Aleppo. He said: “There is nothing left of Aleppo. I’m very sad, there is nothing left of my country. When the war started I was in my house and the bombs were coming down on top of us. I was very scared all of the time. “I never spoke English before I came here but now I am able to speak some English. I do understand people in shops. I was really happy to be here when I got here. I came from a different way of life but the people here have been wonderful. “The council has helped me since I have been here and as other Syrians have arrived they are getting better at helping the families and finding translators for them. “The council has helped us to meet people and have been encouraging us to volunteer and giving us English lessons. I volunteer at a farm for four hours a week. “I was a tailor in Syria with 25 years-experience making coats. I am looking for a job in a factory or a warehouse but in the future I want to be self-employed. “My dream is to open a store in Cheshire Oaks. I want to sell Syrian cakes or sweets there. I have seen lots of Arabic people in Cheshire Oaks and they like Syrian sweets. English people will like Syrian sweets too, they are very tasty.” Councillor Angela Claydon, cabinet member for housing, said: “Cheshire West and Chester Council and its partners are preparing to welcome more families to the borough from Syria in the coming months and the partnership is well equipped to aid their integration. “It is important that Syrian people feel welcome here. They are being given support by Cheshire West and Chester Council and our partners to become valuable members of our community, which will go a small way to alleviating the trauma which they have experienced in war-torn Syria.”
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Council is urging same sex
couples to become foster carers
“You know that you’re doing something amazing when the little girl in your care, who says she only skips when she’s really happy, skips into school every day.” “Watching her grow is the greatest reward ever,” said Stephen who, along with his same-sex partner James, are foster carers for Sophie (names have been changed for safeguarding purposes). It has been a happy few years for Sophie and her Cheshire West and Chester Council-approved foster carers who have watched Sophie blossom in their care. Now, during LGB Adoption and Fostering Week 2018, they are encouraging other same sex couples to apply to Cheshire West and Chester Council if they are considering fostering a child. Stephen, of Northwich, grew up in a caring, sharing family and had a longing desire to have a family of his own. When he met James they began
talking about fostering together. They went along to a fostering dropin information event and began their journey to becoming foster carers for the Council. Sophie came into their lives and the couple have been supported by the Council’s training programme, which was invaluable in helping them adjust to family life. In the last couple of years the family has become a happy and contented unit. Stephen said: “Over the two and a half years that she has been with us, we have seen her grow into a happy, confident little girl, which is fantastic to see. “When she was first placed with us, she was a shy, timid little person who was lacking in confidence. Nowadays, as time has gone on, she has grown into an outgoing, confident little girl and it is lovely to see.” The Council urgently needs more foster carers, particularly for young people aged 11 and over. Take your first
step to becoming a foster carer by completing the enquiry form online at fosteringwestcheshire.co.uk or by telephoning 01244 972222. Stephen added: “A lot of same sex couples feel that it is not something that they would be able to do. Many feel that they will be treated differently to other foster carers because they have been treated differently at other times in their life. “Having worked with the Council’s fostering teams we have found that that is absolutely not the case. You are treated the same as everybody else and I would encourage other same sex couples to contact the Council if they are thinking about fostering.” Councillor Nicole Meardon, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “I’d like to thank every one of our foster families who help to welcome foster children into their family and home. Every child
deserves the best start in life and the support of our foster carers is essential in helping us to protect some of our most vulnerable children. “Every foster family has their own story to
tell about their fostering journey and I would urge anyone thinking about fostering to contact Cheshire West and Chester Council and speak to our team to find out about the support on
offer. We need to recruit more foster families to help care for some of our most vulnerable children and young people. If you think you could foster please get in touch.”
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10 Things Golfers Hate Golf can be a frustrating game at the best of times. It will test your patience and mental strength, and will do all it can to break you. When things go wrong, they tend to go terribly wrong, but for some reason we keep coming back? Here are 18 things golfers hate on and off the golf course. Wet weather Playing golf in the rain is not fun. No matter whether you have the latest waterproofs, the hassle of sorting your umbrella and swinging in several layers is a pain. Waking up on the morning of a competition that you’ve looked forward to all week and seeing it is raining is an awful feeling. This is made even worse when you ring up to see if the course is open…and it is! What is even worse than this, is heavy showers. Many golfers will risk it on the course and not take any waterproofs out with them. Big mistake. There’s nothing much worse than being caught in a heavy shower with nothing to protect you or your clubs. People saying it isn’t a sport/ old man's sport. This one is very frustrating as a young golfer. Having played golf for over 10 years now, I can honestly say the game is moving far away from being an “old man’s sport” and most definitely is sport. Just look at the top players on tour.
The likes of Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler blow this “myth” out of the water. Slow play. When it comes to competitions around your home course, it can often be frustrating because of the amount of players who think they are tour professionals and take what seems like an eternity eyeing up their shot. In my eyes, no one should be on the course for more than four hours, and even then, that is still far too long. Those who play during the week after work can get round 18 holes in three hours, in a fourball, from my experience any way. Then, when it comes to competition day, it can be hard for these faster players to keep rhythm as they are waiting over every shot. Now, I’m not saying everyone should run around the course, but the fact golf takes so long to play is currently damaging the sport and alternatives need to be found. Missing your buffer. This one hurts to just think about it. You’re on the 18th tee and you know a par will save you getting that crucial .1 back on your handicap. Having nailed a drive, played your approach into the green and lagged your putt 3ft from the hole, you then go and miss the par putt and your dreams of not getting .1 back are crushed, just like that.
Three putting. Putting is the key to scoring. As the saying goes: “Drives for show, putts for dough.” This saying couldn’t be more true. Countless times golfers, including myself, have come off the course and said, “I’d have scored well if I could putt.” If you look at the top pros on tour, they very rarely three putt, hence why they are right at the top of the professional game. Worse than three putting for bogey in my eyes, is three putting for par on a par 5. You’ve done the hard part reaching the par 5 in two, and then you go and three putt. Although you haven’t dropped a shot, it sure feels like you have. Losing a brand new ball Having cracked open a new sleeve of balls and ripped your driver all week in the build up to competition day, you proceed to carve your first tee shot out of bounds, never to be seen again. It hurts, trust me. Bandits After battling the testing conditions and pushing yourself to the limit mentally, you post your best medal round of the year and think there is no way anybody is beating that. That is until Dave, who “hasn’t picked up a club in a fortnight” comes in with a nett 59. They are the talk of the club as they finish in the prizes for the next
Golf can take up a large part of your day. Whether it be an early start on a Saturday morning or a dash straight from work in the evening to the course, you may require sustenance to make it through the 18 holes. Golfshake writer Alex Picken has identified products that should be an essential part of your golf bag, which can help keep you nourished and hydrated, and could assist with concentration and stamina, helping your game and shooting lower scores. Water – What most of us tend to forget when we go out to play, but staying hydrated is crucial for any golfer when they’re out on the course, especially in the summer when the weather is hotter. Sandwiches – The majority of golfers on tour all seem to carry sandwiches for their 10th tee snack, the typical American PB&J sandwich is common with most of the PGA tour golfers,
while many other professional golfers will choose other sandwich fillings for their mid-round fix. Bacon/Sausage Cob – Finishing the 9th hole and arriving at a halfway house selling hot food is the highlight of most golfer’s round, and although it may not be the meal of an athlete, it certainly hits the spot on a cold, rainy day when the golf swing isn’t there. Variety of Dried Berries and Nuts – Probably the most common and effective snack for golfers as they provide a great source of protein and nutrients needed for a tiring walk around any golf course. Most tour players will have a mixture of nuts like almonds, pistachios, dried berries and other varieties for energy during the round. Fresh Fruit – The healthy option for a mid-round snack, providing any golfer with slow releasing energy for the rest of the round. Most commonly favoured by athletes is the banana
which is perfect for providing energy and nutrients needed for sport. Energy Bars – A variety of energy bars are currently on the market and all of them are great for providing you with a snack to help stave off your hunger during the round. Filled with nuts and oats, they are both healthy and perfect for providing energy to the tired golfer. Energy Drinks – Although not the healthiest drink available, energy drinks are great for giving you that added boost of energy you need for the next big tee shot on the lengthy par 5. Sweets – Just like energy drinks, they’re not the healthiest possible item to have on the golf course but certainly do help with giving you that added boost of energy or something to keep you occupied when no other snacks are available, they provide the perfect help to get up the steep hill on 14 or down the home stretch on 18.
few weeks until they reach a suitable handicap. Scarified greens. I always try to avoid competitions when the greens have been scarified because for me, it doesn’t always give a fair reflection of your putting. If you play at a course where they don’t always scarify the greens at an appropriate time, you will understand the struggle. Just when you think you’ve sorted your putting out, you walk onto the course and the greens have holes and lines all over them. The term “hit and hope” comes to mind on these greens. Bad bounces There’s always one of your golfing
group that gets every single good bounce. They can miss the green by a good 10 yards, but still somehow get a lucky bounce and see their ball end up just a few feet from the hole. This is even more frustrating when you seem to get every single bad bounce on the course. How many times have you played a career shot, all over the pin, only for it to somehow take a sharp kick right on what looks a perfectly flat putting surface? All I can say is try and laugh it off; otherwise you will most likely lose your mind. Ending up behind the only tree This one really does make you wonder
if you really are the unluckiest golfer in the world. The chances of hitting your ball behind the one tree that stands alongside the green if you tried, must be well over 100/1, but somehow you will manage it. This is also a similar situation to when you somehow hit the one and only branch when playing out of the trees. It is no thicker than your little finger but because you are deadly accurate, you will hit it nine times out of 10. There are so many more things that get us golfers riled up, so let us know in the comments what gets you frustrated on the golf course.
The Best Golf Snacks to Get You Through a Round
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Hundreds of children CEO leads the way for Active Cheshire’s gender smile for a mile as part of diversity at Northern Power Women awards Wellbeing Winsford week
Active Cheshire launched Smile for a Mile in Winsford as part of Wellbeing Winsford Week. The successful programme that promotes daily activity currently benefits nearly 6,000 children in the West Cheshire and Winsford area. Wellbeing Winsford week, led by the Wellbeing Winsford hub, celebrates positive health and wellbeing, and encourages all Winsford residents to take part to develop healthy habits. Officially launched on 19 February 2018 with an overarching theme ‘Eat Well, Move Well, Feel Well’, Active Cheshire was delighted to do their bit to support the fantastic initiative and help encourage Winsford residents to embed physical activity into all aspects of everyday life. Smile for a Mile is a simple but effective initiative which contributes children to reaching the Chief Medical Officer recommendations of 60 minutes of physical activity every day by embedding physical activity flexibly into the school day. The programme promotes a daily 15 minutes of physical activity additional
to PE and break time play. Anne Boyd, CEO of Active Cheshire CEO, said, “Active Cheshire is truly passionate about delivering lasting change by helping children develop active habits in the early stages of their lives. A simple and inclusive 15 minute run or walking opportunity is proving a really popular and effective way of introducing more activity into the school day, and supporting schools to make it part of their normal routine perfectly reflects our ethos to tackling inactivity.” Smile for a Mile in Winsford is a partnership approach to tackling physical inactivity with Cheshire West and Chester Council and Winsford Primary Care Home to encourage schools to Smile for a Mile. For more information about Wellbeing Winsford please visit: https://wellbeingwinsford.co.uk/
Anne Boyd, CEO of award winning charity Active Cheshire, attended the Northern Power Women awards after being shortlisted from more than 950 nominations in the Transformational Leader Category. On 6 March 2018 the Active Cheshire team and board came out to support Anne at the 3rd Northern Power Women awards. With over 500 attendees from across the North West, the awards showcased role models and celebrated the many different ways women contribute to a thriving Northern Powerhouse. Anne Boyd, CEO at Active Cheshire, said: “It was an honour to be nominated for the Transformational Leader award, and humbling to be in the presence of so many amazing women and men who champion gender equality in organizations and businesses across the Northern Powerhouse. “We are so proud to have extremely talented and high caliber women on our team and board. Nearly half of our staff and over a third of our board are female. We encourage personal and professional development across the whole team, and have recently enabled promotions for two of our amazing female staff members into more senior positions.” Active Cheshire are committed to promoting equality and diversity in
all they do. They aim to ensure the workforce truly represents the communities they serve, and that all team members feel respected and able to do their job free from discrimination. Representing the charity at the awards shone a light on the passion Anne has to ensure diversity at all levels within the organization, and gave further inspiration to how we can further apply good practice. Anne continued: “It was so fantastic to network with all these amazing women, and an honour to be nominated in the first place. My congratulations to all winners and we cannot wait to continue diversity practices in all we do.” Active Cheshire aim to promote fairness and equality, continuing to be a Real Living Wage employer, a mindful employer and following high standards of governance.
Crewe Alexandra are to be banished from the Northwest Football Awards
Crewe Alexandra are to be banished from the Northwest Football Awards because of their handling of the Barry Bennell sexabuse scandal and are facing the embarrassment of a motion being passed against the club by their own town council, as reported by the Observer. The club’s decision to abandon plans for an independent investigation, having pledged in November 2016 that one would be held “at the earliest opportunity,” will be on the agenda when Crewe council meets on Tuesday. The Professional Footballers’ Association intends to raise the matter with the Football League and the dismay felt by many people within the sport is exemplified by the decision to remove Crewe from
the Northwest Football Awards out of respect to the boys who were abused in the club’s junior system during the 1980s and 1990s. Laura Wolfe, speaking on behalf of the event, said Crewe could not be involved in an event celebrating football in the region if the club were unwilling to look properly into the failings that led to Bennell, now starting a 30-year prison sentence, preying on boys during seven years as youth-team coach. “We feel strongly that the club owes it to the survivors, to their fans and the world of football as a whole, to finally be honest about the past, face up to the fact that people in the club must have been aware that all was not well, admit that mistakes were made and more should have been done to protect these young players,
and finally do the right thing,” Wolfe said. “We believe this is the only opportunity the club has to begin to rebuild their future and move on from this. For that reason, Crewe Alexandra will not be included in the Northwest Football Awards.” Laura Smith, the Crewe MP, has already called for the club to rethink their decision and the Observer’s information is the council will pass a motion to “question the reasonableness” of promising an inquiry but not going through with it. Bennell’s victims, the motion says, were “entitled to expect full protection from abuse and should expect a complete and thorough explanation of how that protection was not provided”. Crewe have not commented since releasing a statement eight days ago
claiming there was no need to hold an independent inquiry because the police had already carried out a criminal investigation into Bennell’s time at Gresty Road. Manchester City, in stark contrast, have spent over a year on their own inquiry, as another of the clubs where Bennell abused boys. Gordon Taylor, the chief executive of the PFA, has also urged the Crewe chairman, John Bowler, to think of the victims and revert to the club’s initial plan. “Manchester City are going about it in the correct manner with a full independent investigation and, as Crewe are so much a part of it, it not helpful that they have reached this decision, either for Crewe or the lads who were there,” Taylor said. “It needs a full independent inquiry to make sure the reasons are known why
it was allowed to go on. They owe that duty of care to all those players who have been in court in horrific circumstances. After all the courage
it has taken for them to come out, to go through a court process and go public, it is the least that is owed to them.”
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