Inside Poynton Issue 61

Issue 61 February - March 2016

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inside p o y n t o n

The local magazine our readers love to keep One of six magazines delivered to over 45,000 homes

Welcome to the latest issue of magazines

inside

Issue 61 - February - March 2016

p o y n t o n

We’re feeling really buoyed up this issue and have to say that ‘Blue Monday’ went by almost unnoticed.

Perhaps it’s because it’s our tenth birthday and we sense a little achievement in having published more than 280 magazines!

But the simple truth is that we are looking forward to 2016 and the opportunity to bring something even more special to your doorstep. Please return our Reader Survey and let us have your thoughts about this magazine. Help us to be the best that we can be!

In this February issue, we are especially pleased to welcome young Jake to our magazine and look forward to hearing more of his adventures in the future. As usual, we have tried to offer you plenty of choice and urge you to get out your diaries and make a note of what appeals. There are lots of concerts and attractions to consider, clubs and societies you can join, books to read and a few ideas for your long-term holiday plans.

So get moving and have a wonderful 2016!

Co-Editors Garth Aspinall Claire Hawker

Cover photo: Rob Pimblett & Garth Aspinall outside Manners Pimblett Solicitors.

Contents Avro Heritage Museum

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Business Buzz

8

Poynton People

11

Jake’s Perspective

12

In Touch

15

Crossword 26 India by Design

28

Cycling - Gourmet Style

30

The Walk

32

Consumer Champion

37

Sudoku 38 Barry’s Gardening Tips

41

The Book Group Recommends 42 Recipe 45 Children’s Activities

50

Just 4 Kids

53

Inside Guide

55

Puzzle Solutions

60

Useful Numbers

61

Classified Index

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Inside Guide WEDNESDAY 3 FEBRUARY

sees our own Dr Society meeting Poynton Philatelic will see part of his us. Hopefully we campaign, Gary Cook entertain on Anti Tuberculosis interesting collection throughout the numerous countries which ran through Society please call information on our world. For further 877643 Ron Phelps on 01625 Centre, Park Poynton Community The North Room, Lane, Poynton 7.30pm

events in East A guide to selected & March Cheshire during February FEBRUARY WEDNESDAY 10

writer ANN best-selling crime Simply Books present hugely successful crime series: of two and the CLEEVES, author novels set in Northumbria the Vera Stanhope been adapted for both of which have £2 towards the Shetland novels – refreshments and TV. Tickets £7 (includes books). To book: call 0161 439 Ann’s purchase of one of oks.info 7.30pm at www.simplybo 1436 or book online

SATURDAY 6 FEBRUARY

n for Children. Experimentatio Framework Weaving yarns, fabric weaving techniques, will be with various hand of taught structures strips and manipulation the session. Leave with your during encouraged throughout sample(s) created and all own beautifully woven –covers the full session the workshop. £6.50 materials.

Park Lane, Macclesfield The Silk Museum, 12.30-3.30pm

FEBRUARY WEDNESDAY 10

The speakers Breakfast meeting. talking Poynton In Business Chartered Accountants Financial will be Nolan James of Peak t and Peter Evans about auto-enrolmen For more information please or talking about pensions. www.poyntoninbusiness.co.uk visit the website at ninbusiness.co.uk contact: admin@poynto Accountants, Armcon Nolan James Chartered Road South 7.30am.

London Business Centre,

SATURDAY 6 FEBRUARY

Wallfisch, Orchestra with Raphael Northern Chamber Shostakovich, and including Handel, 18s & under cello Pure Delight, £16 / £13; £7 students; Dvo ák. Tickets: parking) free (adjacent free VIC, 0161 247 2220; Macclesfield From NCO Box Office Shop Heritage 378123; Silk Museum Town Hall 01625 door Centre or on the 7.30pm Roe Street, Macclesfield Heritage Centre,

SUNDAY 7 FEBRUARY

Seed Potato Allotment Association Marple and District seed potato available over 90 varieties of Day. There will be Onion Sets, Garlic, Soft Fruit Bushes, plus Vegetable Seeds, Light refreshments, Bulbs and Herbs.

Summer Flowering tments.org.uk free admission www.marpleallo Marple, Hall, Memorial Park, Senior Citizens 3pm SK6 6BE 10am and

TUESDAY 9 FEBRUARY

as a Lecture - ‘My experiences East Cheshire NT George Nolan Headmaster’ Speaker Avenue, Hall, St Michaels St Michael’s Church Bramhall 2pm

THURSDAY 11 FEBRUARY

speak to us on Catherine Potts will Worth Probus Club. contact Peter Owen Himalayas’. Please ‘A trek round the btinternet.com for or peterowen49@ on 01625 871574 Hall, 2pm George’s Church further details. St.

THURSDAY 11 FEBRUARY

will talk on Club. Janet Heath Poynton Home Gardeners Elaine on 01625 Further details from Winter Gardens. ardenclub.co.uk Visitors 871603 or visit www.poyntong at £2 per meeting. are always welcome Road West, Club, St. George’s Royal British Legion Poynton 7.30pm

SATURDAY 13 FEBRUARY

: Ruslan and Orchestra. Glinka Wilmslow Symphony Suite No.1, Delib Delibes : Coppélia : Romeo a Ludmila Overture, and Mazurka, Prokofiev Concessio : Coppélia Prélude £10 1 and 2. Tickets £12, Juliet Suites Nos. £2 Under 12’s.

Leisure Centre 7:45pm Evans Hall, Wilmslow

SATURDAY 13 FEBRUARY

Day. All are Society Annual Singing Haydn’s Prestbury Choral sing the ever popular invited to come and information go to on Creation. For more or call our secretary www.prestburychoral.org to avoid disappointme book early 01625 262249 – Chapel Lan Reformed Church, Wilmslow United

Continued

Hawker Compiled by Claire .uk e: claire@insidemagazines.co

Inside Poynton is produced by Inside Magazines Ltd. We cannot be held responsible for views expressed by contributors or any advert content, including errors or omissions, or endorse companies, products or services that appear in this magazine. We endeavour to ensure that all local information given in this magazine is accurate, but we cannot always guarantee this. © Copyright Inside Magazines Ltd 2015.

Material from this magazine may not be reproduced without prior written permission from Inside Magazines Ltd.

Design and artwork by Spring Creative www.spring-creative.co.uk | 01925 714203

Contact us

Inside Magazines, 352a Park Lane, Poynton, Cheshire SK12 1RL.

Tel: 01625 879611

email: info@insidemagazines.co.uk www.insidemagazines.co.uk Copy deadline for the next issue:

Friday 11 March

Avro Heritage Museum A unique exhibition, celebrating Woodford’s contribution to the world of aviation, is now open and receiving visitors. Simply driving across the former airfield to reach the museum is quite an experience; the scale of the former BAE site now everything has been flattened has to be seen to be believed!

exhibits, the Museum maintains an extensive archive; a Vulcan XM603 can be explored close up alongside the main Exhibition Hall. Inside you can climb right into the cockpit of a Vulcan XM602 and feel what it was like to sit in the pilot’s and navigators’ seats.

Become a Friend of the Museum The museum is a self-funding Registered Charity and the cost of maintaining and developing it cannot be covered by entry fees and shop/café sales alone. It is therefore reliant on generous donations and the contributions of Friends of Avro Heritage Museum through annual subscriptions. Friends enjoy unlimited free entry to the Museum, 10% discount on purchases, a newsletter and advance notice of special events www.avroheritagemuseum.co.uk

AVRO Heritage Museum is situated in BAE’s former fire station, the walls adorned with colourful artworks that used to hang in the canteen at the Woodford site. A comprehensive exhibition, celebrating the proud history of aircraft manufacture at the Woodford factory, follows a timeline starting with the life of pioneer and aviator Alliott Verdon Roe and his first success the Roe 1 Triplane. In addition to the

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Current opening times are Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm. Group and school visits can be scheduled at other times by arrangement.

10 Years of Inside Poynton...

With special thanks to Rob Pimblett February 2016 is a special date in our calendar because it marks our tenth birthday as a community magazine publisher. But of course, nothing would have happened at all if it were not for the support we have enjoyed from many people along the way. And in this anniversary issue, we have decided to pay tribute to one person who has been with us from the very start – Rob Pimblett, of Manners Pimblett Solicitors.

I remember well the day in early 2006 when I walked into Rob’s offices with a rather apologetic mock-up of a community magazine and tried to persuade Rob that the real thing would definitely look better. As it happened, Rob showed instant enthusiasm, asked for the back cover position and the opportunity to hold that position, if all went according to plan. As a reader, you might recall the rather dated, homespun look of our early issues, but the basic idea was a good one and our magazines went from strength to strength. More importantly, Rob was as good as his word. He has since featured in every one of 60 issues of INSIDE Poynton and we owe him a great debt of gratitude.

As you might expect, Rob is not just a fan of INSIDE Magazines. He is a very committed and enthusiastic member of the Poynton community.

Communities aren’t born with life and a soul.

They thrive precisely because people like Rob care enough to breathe a little life and magic into them. You might call it civic pride.

a supporter of Party in the Park and is now a paid-up member of Poynton & District Rotary Club. He is interested in cars, loves sport and particularly enjoys watching his own children participate.

Rob really appreciates Poynton. ‘If you walk along Park Lane, you always meet someone you know.

I like the high street shops, many of them wellestablished family businesses and all adding interest and value to the village landscape. I really admire any small business that has survived over time.

I would really like to believe that Manners Pimblett Solicitors will still be around in another 50 years. I’m not one for selling a business. As long as we continue to offer a personal service based on mutual respect and trust, I’m sure we’ll still be around. For important decisions of a legal nature, there’s really no substitute for face to face contact with someone in whom you have confidence and trust’.

We totally agree. We wish Rob, his family and the team at Manners Pimblett Solicitors every happiness during 2016 and in the years to come.

Rob put his roots down in Poynton some fourteen years ago, together with his wife, Sarah, having spent the nineties in Hadfield near Glossop. They have three children, two of whom attend school in Poynton. Even with the demands of a family, Rob is generous with his time. He is a member of the Poynton In Business Steering Group and has helped shape the policies of the Group which now has over 50 members. He has long been

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Business Buzz PACE AWARDS 2015 Local businesses in Poynton took the opportunity to celebrate their success at the Poynton Achievements in Customer Excellence (PACE) Awards, at Davenport Golf Club in December.

The Business of the Year award went to Serisabelle Holistic and Beauty Therapy, which also won the Service Providers category, while the Employee of the Year award was given to Sue Watkins, from the brain injury charity, Headway.

John Albutt of PZVI Architects highlighted how the business group had developed strong links with local churches, Poynton High School and the Poynton Community Centre over the past 12 months. The meeting then received a presentation from Chris Allatt of Pulse Tax & Business Consultancy floating the idea of a Poynton showcase of local businesses and organisations to raise awareness of what is available in the village.

To round off the evening, attendees were treated to a sample of Thai Tapas by the Tom Yam, a new range that is due to become available shortly.

The next Poynton In Business meeting will be at Nolan James Chartered Accountants in the Armcon Business Centre on Wednesday 12 February at 7.30am. More information on PIB is available at www.poyntoninbusiness.co.uk

POYNTON BUSINESS JELLY CAFÉ The PACE Awards, organised by Poynton Town Council, are now into their third year and are the only Poynton specific business awards, and the only awards where customers vote for their favourite businesses and members of staff. The award categories cover all Poynton businesses, from shops and restaurants, to professional and business services, meaning that they are relevant to both business users and shoppers.

The awards aim to promote the fantastic service available from Poynton’s businesses, as well as supporting the village’s economy.

They were presented this year by local MP, David Rutley and Cllr Rebecca HorsmanJohnson, Mayor of Poynton.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT AT LOCAL BUSINESS MEETING Poynton In Business kicked off the New Year with a meeting at the Tom Yam Thai Restaurant in Fountain Place. The group, which aims to promote trade between Poynton businesses and to enhance the village’s reputation as a great place to visit and do business, is hoping to strengthen ties with the local community in 2016.

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Poynton Town Council is launching a business café aimed at Poynton home workers, small business owners and start-up businesses. The café, named the Poynton Business Jelly Café, will give attendees the chance to get away from home or the office and work alongside likeminded people in a different setting for a few hours. The idea is to encourage the exchange of ideas, help and advice in an informal setting while also developing a sense of business community.

Three events have been booked to be held at Poynton Civic Hall on Thursday 28 January, Thursday 25 February and Thursday 31 March.

All the cafes will run from 9am to 1pm and free refreshments and Wi-Fi will be available.

Spaces may be limited, so attendees are asked to pre-book on-line although they can just drop in too. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poynton-jelly-cafetickets-20101711761.

The Café will be free but a small contribution towards costs on the day would be appreciated. For more info, please contact Richard Holland at Poynton Town Council on 01625 872238 or at richard.holland@ poyntontowncouncil.gov.uk

Poynton People Making a Difference Chris Beard FRSA It all began for Chris Beard when he was eight years old. ‘I was brought up in Coppice Road and went to Primary School in Poynton,’ he says, ‘where I was known as one of the arty ones. I went to Sunday School at St Martin’s when it was an old wooden hut. There was a print on the wall called The Light of the World by Holman Hunt. It fascinated me. Even then I realised that painting was symbolic, more than just a picture. I used to stand and look at it and wonder how could anyone paint like that?’ So began Chris’s love of art.

Chris attended the King’s School in Macclesfield, then left to work in advertising and music.

Later he enrolled as a mature student at the Manchester Art School, took a degree and taught art for many years as an Adult Education Tutor for Stockport LEA. Today he continues to run successful art groups in Woodford.

Daisybank Studio stands in Chris’s garden and inside there are 50 years of sketchbooks piled up.

‘I still draw and sketch regularly,’ he says. ‘It’s the discipline of pencil and charcoal, like a musician practising scales.’ When students from Poynton High School visit sometimes his advice to them is, ‘Drawing is about seeing. You gain confidence by looking, so don’t allow the craft of drawing to disappear with modern technology.’

‘I love the challenge of landscape and especially the artist Paul Nash.’ Chris’s grandad was a miner so perhaps that’s why he enjoys painting the rocks and shapes in the countryside. ‘I tend to work with fewer colours now and use a contemporary style.’ He also enjoys painting to commission; local views are in great demand.

‘Poynton was such a lovely place to be brought up that I wanted to put something back,’

he explains. Chris has served as a local councillor and Chair of the Council. This led to him becoming a portrait artist, including family and local Mayors and Mayoresses. His most wellknown work is called, The Entry of the Cheshire regiment into Macclesfield 1989 which hangs in the Mayor’s Parlour, Macclesfield Town Hall. He has donated signed prints, and other paintings, to many charities including the Mast Scanner Appeal and Cheshire East Hospice.

Chris has exhibited widely, including in the Civic Hall, Poynton Library, once in Budapest, the Cavern Club Liverpool and in The Boar’s Head pub. Buxton Art Gallery has held four one-man exhibitions for him since 1984, leading to two medals and the Friends Trophy. At the 2015 Buxton Review Night for his exhibition entitled Arrangements from Landscape’, Chris met up with several old friends from Stockport College Art Department. They talked about holding a retrospective group exhibition to be called It was 50 years ago today. This will take place from 2 March 2016 at Stockport Art Gallery.

What is Chris’s vision for the future?

‘I submitted drawings for the eventual piece of ceramic art outside Waitrose. It’s great that Poynton should be celebrated on that brick wall.

I’d love Poynton to be known as an ‘Arts Town’ - a tourist centre with culture and arts. It already does it all really, but there’s always so much more.’

View Chris’ work at: www.bbc-artists-yourpaintings and type in Beard Christopher www.facebook.com/DaisyBankStudio Email: chrisjoebeard@gmail.com Phone: 01625 877813 for viewing appointments

by Jenny Cooke

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Jake’s Perspective Hi, I’m Jake and I have noticed lately whilst reading this magazine that it is missing something - an 11 year old boy’s perspective on events that are happening in Poynton. This is the spot I will be taking up. It’s a new year, so out with the old and in with the new!

I hate bins!

So, it was the first day back after Christmas and I was feeling depressed as you always do on the first day back. As I was cycling along to school I got distracted by a weird looking bird.

By the time it had flown away and the pavement had my attention a bin jumped out in front of me. I toppled over it and landed flat bang on my fingers. I was in agony for ten minutes just daydreaming about that bird until one of my mates called me. A whole day writing with my left hand! The teachers say my handwriting is bad enough as it is but that day it was almost like Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphics. That night when I got home my mum took me to Macclesfield A and E but by the time we had found a parking space in the interminable carpark, my sprained fingers had miraculously healed and the only worry was that I may catch something from the kid who chucked up all over the seat next to me.

Never trust a boy with an oven!

The next day in food tech we faced the terribly technical challenge of making cheese on toast.

Armed with my Tupperware full of grated cheese (thanks mum) and bread, all that actually had to be done was toast the bread. But, let’s call him Clever Trevor managed to set off the fire alarm by burning his toast. Very clever, Trevor!

The day is still young...

11 o clock in the morning and Sassy Sally has already managed to get her uniform card signed six times for chewing gum and putting lippy on in science. Her excuse: “school starts too soon so I don’t have time to put my makeup on beforehand.” This is where Sly Steve comes in

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by Jake Crossley

and says to the teacher, “that’s not true miss she posted a picture on Instagram at six o clock this morning so she had loads of time.” What a snitch!

Giggin!

Lately I have been practising like mad on my bass guitar because I am doing a gig with my band at Sound Control in Manchester. By the time you have read this article though, the gig will all be over. But it’s not just performing that I love, I also often go to live gigs. For instance, last summer I went to the Liverpool International Festival to see Laura Mvula and Echo and the Bunnymen.

Obviously the music was the main thing but I can’t resist a freebie and the Mountain Dew tasted a lot nicer than when you have to pay.

Keep you posted on my musical career next time... ;)

In Touch Your Community Noticeboard FINE ARTS GROUP’S SPRING PROGRAMME Visits to notable museums and gardens, plus lectures on topics as diverse as the 17th century jewellery trade and Middle Eastern sculpture, are part of our innovative spring programme.

North East Cheshire Decorative and Fine Arts Society (Necdfas) attracts top quality lecturers to its monthly meetings, usually the second Wednesday morning, at Bramhall Social Club.

Other subjects in coming months include the work of acclaimed British artist Paula Rego, Bulgarian monasteries and a study of Edwardian intellectual connoisseurs ‘The Coterie’.

Necdfas draws its 300 members from Bramhall, Poynton, Stockport, Cheadle, Marple, Wilmslow, Prestbury, Alderley Edge and surrounding areas.

A study day at St Michael’s Church Hall, Bramhall, on February 3 will examine religious and secular Islamic art, including the Taj Mahal and the pleasure palaces of Persia. March sees a visit to Tate Liverpool and the International Slavery Museum, then in April and May there will be outings to museums and gardens in Wolverhampton and the Staffordshire Potteries.

Necdfas voluntary work covers church recording – making a complete record of the artefacts and fabric of local churches – sponsoring arts activities in schools/youth groups and heritage conservation work.

For more information see www.necdfas.org.uk: for membership enquiries email info@necdfas.org.uk

OFSTED PRAISES POYNTON HIGH SCHOOl The staff and students at Poynton High School are celebrating after being recognised as highly effective by Ofsted in their recent inspection. After praising the school’s teaching, leadership and management, students’ achievements, behaviour and welfare the school is now said to be good in all areas.

The inspectors praised all aspects of school life, including students’ attitude and learning saying all staff and governors have “…high expectations and an unswerving commitment to ensuring that every pupil achieves their goals, whatever their circumstances. As a result, the school has made significant improvements since the last inspection”.

David Waugh, Head Teacher said “We are so very proud of all of our students, our staff, our governors and our parents and carers for their achievement in ensuring our school has been recognised for the very positive impact it has on the life chances of our young people. I hope all within our community will join with me in celebrating the praise that has been afforded to the quality of leadership and governance throughout the school, the quality of teaching and learning, our students’ progress and achievement, our students’ behaviour and welfare, the quality of special educational needs provision, our exceptional Sixth Form provision and the great curriculum and opportunities children have at our school. It has been wonderful to receive such a positive report and the overall Good Grading represents a great achievement in this tougher, more rigorous inspection framework, and is only a “hair’s breadth” from the outstanding judgement that we will achieve in due course”.

Continued over...

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in touch

MP CELEBRATES LOCAL HERITAGE ON POYNTON WALK

GILBERT & SULLIVAN SOCIETY AWARD NOMINATIONS

Member of Parliament for Macclesfield, David Rutley, donned his hiking boots recently and went on the Poynton Heritage Walk with local history expert, David Kitching.

The Poynton Gilbert & Sullivan Society is pleased to announce that it has been nominated in five categories at the annual National Operatic and Dramatic Association’s awards for its October production of The Gondoliers. Under the direction of Richard Huggett, and musical direction of Catherine Silman, the show ran for five nights at the Poynton Civic Hall and attendance was almost a record for the annual G & S shows. Nominated are:

The walk, devised by Poynton Town Council, offers local residents and tourists alike the opportunity to find out more about the history of the area, and in particular, the rich coalmining heritage which the village celebrates. A leaflet, to guide walkers along the route, is available from Poynton Civic Hall for 50p, or £3 for a set of eight.

BEST FEMALE YOUTH IN AN ADULT PRODUCTION: Ruth Pugh for the role of Fiametta BEST SUPPORTING MALE IN A MUSICAL: Ian Whitfield for the role of The Duke BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE IN A MUSICAL: Jeannette Wood as The Duchess BEST G&S PRODUCTION BEST ENSEMBLE PIECE: Act 1 & 2 Finales This is the second successive year that the Society has had multiple nominations.

David said, “It is always good to get out into the open air, but it was particularly interesting to learn more about the area’s great mining heritage. This is a really engaging way of bringing the past to life, and I would like to thank David for showing me around the route and Poynton Town Council for creating this important initiative. I would strongly encourage more local residents and visitors to get active outdoors, and learn about Poynton’s rich local heritage.”

TWINNING ASSOCIATION OF POYNTON

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The Twinning Association of Poynton will be holding its Annual General Meeting on Friday 26 February 2016 in the Bailey Room at the British Legion, George’s Road West at 7.30pm.

Following the AGM there will be a social evening when we will launch our proposal to twin with Haybes, in the Ardennes, France. A buffet of French food will be served and there will be a bar service. Please come along and let us know your views about twinning with Haybes. All welcome.

Maddocks Electrical Welcomes Your Custom

As part of a mutually beneficial deal with Greggs, Maddocks Electrical Ltd have now relinquished their former shop front location. However, they continue to operate in the offices they have occupied for the last 10 years, at no. 23a Park Lane, at the rear of the new Greggs premises.

Maddocks continue to offer a fully accredited electrical installation service and whilst they no longer have a showroom, they continue to supply and install TV’s and White Goods. They also continue to hold comprehensive stocks of essential accessories and electrical items.

However, they no longer have a workshop and for this reason, regret that they are unable to offer a TV repairs service.

Maddocks Electrical welcome your custom and can be contacted in the usual way.

Tel. 01625 872824 Email: maddockselectrical@hotmail.com

CAN YOU INSPIRE? Scouting helps young people to enjoy new adventures; to experience the outdoors, interact with others, gain confidence and have the opportunity to reach their full potential. 3rd Hazel Grove Scout Group is looking for adult volunteers to get in on the action by working alongside our youth members. Why not strengthen your CV while making a real impact on the lives of young people? Whatever your interests are, we’ll make sure you’re properly trained and supported.

in touch

ALL ABOARD THE STARLIGHT EXPRESS Photo by Tony Ioannides

Following on from last year’s successful ‘sell out’ production of Les Miserables, award- winning youth musical theatre group TEMPO (The Edge Musical Performing Organisation) are very excited about their 2016 production which will be Starlight Express (Youth Group Production), at the Evans Theatre, Wilmslow in March.

“We are all so pleased that this year’s show will be Starlight Express” said Chairman Alison Bisset.

“Starlight Express is a very different style of show from last year’s production and the cast have all been hard at work in rehearsals getting to grips with roller-skating. They have really risen to the challenge of learning to sing and dance whilst on roller skates.”

To contact Group Scout Leader Brian Dooley email gsl@3hg.org or call 0161-285-0953 www.3hg.org

POYNTON 10K RACE IS ON! Following the success of the 2015 Poynton 10k Run, a date of Sunday 20 March has now been set for this year’s event. The run had been in jeopardy, but following a plea for help, the Town Council received offers from local residents and businesses keen to make the 10K run an established part of the Poynton community calendar. At a recent meeting, Poynton-based company Crazy Legs Events have agreed to take on the event organisation in association with Poynton Town Council.

The run promises to be a great community event, promoting health and well-being as well as encouraging visitors into the village on the day.

The run will start at 9.30am from the Civic Centre car park and will follow a route taking in both inclines, the canal and Poynton Park.

More information and an entry form is available at www.crazylegsevents.co.uk

Jacob Beresford (Hip Hopper 1), Tommy Seymour (Hip Hopper 2) and Jude Smith (Hip Hopper 3)

The show tells the tale of a child’s train set which magically comes to life as the various engines compete to become the Fastest Engine in the world whilst also competing for the affections of the glamorous coaches. With a mix of musical styles from rock n roll through to country and western, it’s a fast paced and entertaining show which is perfect for all the family to enjoy.

Starlight Express – Youth Group Production will be at the Evans Theatre, Wilmslow Leisure Centre, Wilmslow from 8 to 12 March. For more information and tickets go to www. tempotheatre.com Tickets are also available by calling 07969 176148.

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Inside People Ambrose Smith Ambrose Smith was born in Preston, Lancashire and attended Preston Catholic College before going to Manchester University where he studied for a BSc in Physics and subsequently a PhD in Experimental Atomic and Molecular Physics.

Influenced by coming from a family of teachers, his father was Head teacher of a Preston Comprehensive School, and wanting to do something more useful than abstract research, Ambrose then studied for his Postgraduate Certificate in Education at Leicester University.

By then he had met Judith who became his wife and they now have a son, a daughter in law and three grandchildren. After gaining his teaching qualification, Ambrose returned to Manchester where he taught physics at Parrs Wood School, moving after three years to Stretford Grammar School for Boys. A firm champion of comprehensive education, when he learned that the plans for the grammar school to become comprehensive had been abandoned, he left to teach for nine years in Notre Dame High School in Norwich. In 1989 he returned north where he became the Principal of Aquinas College in Stockport, for 22 years.

When Ambrose joined Aquinas, it was made up of some 400 pupils; by the time he left it was one of the largest and most successful colleges in the country with around 2000 students. Aquinas College, he modestly explains, was so successful not because of his leadership but as a result of a strong staff team and college community with clearly expressed values that they tried to live.

In times of adversity or challenge his favourite maxim, from a medieval mystic, Julian of Norwich, was “All shall be well and all shall be well

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by Ed Blundell

and all manner of things shall be well” Such was the success of the college, Ambrose was invited to serve on a number of national bodies including the Sixth Form Colleges’ Association Council, the National Pay and Conditions Body for Sixth Form Colleges and several Departments for Education working parties. For his services to education locally and nationally Ambrose was made a Commander of the British Empire CBE. Among his interests Ambrose lists walking, cycling, photography, reading and music. His wife Judith was a teacher of the oboe and bassoon, his son is a cellist and Ambrose plays the oboe, the cor anglais, recorder and the saw. The saw is an ordinary carpenter’s wood saw which he plays with a viola bow. He is self-taught, playing hymns and liturgical music and has played in church at Masses. His popular pieces are O Sole Mio and Saint Saens’ The Swan. His favourite music is that of J S Bach and though he enjoys books of all types his favourite read is Shakespeare’s sonnets. Although his appetite for food is what he describes as omnivorous, he confesses that he particularly likes French cooking.

Ambrose’s likes are environmental issues, perhaps not surprisingly, young people, and foreigners. Shortly after the removal of the Iron Curtain, he established links that still thrive between the college and a Romanian high school – becoming the longest standing of any Romanian international exchange.

His ambition is to become a great grandfather and his heroes are JFK, Newton, the great physicist and Pope Francis and he adds a heroine, Kathleen Ferrier, because of her beautiful voice and because, like him, she was a native of Preston. If he hadn’t been a teacher, Ambrose would have pursued his earlier physics research studies and would have been an Optical Astronomer.

Last Word from Ambrose Education is the key to the world’s survival in the future and not just a route to employment.

Well educated people are better parents, better citizens and more fulfilled people.

Local business offers world class service At D&C we are fanatical about great customer service, and strive to ensure every customer is completely satisfied with their buying experience.

We are delighted to have won Samsung’s UK store of the year competition for 2015 and we truly believe that our showroom in Disley is one of the finest showcases for TV and home cinema in the north west.

Come and browse our fantastic array of the latest Audio Visual equipment and accessories with over 40 curved, 4K, UHD, smart LED TVs on display, set up and working for demonstration.

We also have a dedicated cinema room with 10ft screen and HD projector coupled with the latest home cinema systems. Supply and installation of ‘the wireless music system’ Sonos is also a speciality of ours. All of our products are offered with delivery, installation and tuition; in most cases this is FREE* and included in the price.

As members of Europe’s largest electrical buying group we offer washing machines, fridge freezers, tumble dryers, cookers, microwaves and built- in appliances from all major manufacturers.

■■ FREE friendly advice from our team of experts ■■ Advanced custom installation (not a cable to be seen) ■■ High Definition TV distribution over CAT6 ■■ Home surveys to discuss your ideas and wishes ■■ WiFi problem solving ■■ 12 months 0% interest free credit*.

Over 50? Start

training your brain!

As we get older keeping our mind active and healthy can become more challenging. Moving into retirement we find our brains aren’t as stimulated as they were in the working world. Sometimes older people do not benefit from social interaction and engagement. Then there’s aging in general - our mental abilities, on the whole, decrease with age.

However, there’s much we can do to keep our minds in good shape. Michelle Roberts, BBC Health editor has reported on a large scale study which recently concluded that brain training - playing online games that give memory and reasoning skills a workout - is beneficial for older people. Researchers at King’s College London found the mental exercises kept minds sharp and helped people with everyday skills such as shopping and cooking.

Nearly 7,000 people aged 50 and over signed up for the six-month experiment. None of the participants had any problems with memory or

cognition as far as the investigators were aware.

Some of the volunteers were encouraged to play online brain training games for 10 minutes at a time, as often as they wished. The others – the control group – were asked to do simple internet searches. The researchers tested the subjects on a series of medically recognised cognitive tests at the start, then at three months and at six months to see if there was any detectable difference between the groups.

They found after six months those who played “brain training” games for reasoning and problemsolving kept their broader cognitive skills better than those who did not. And people over 60 who played these games reported better scores for carrying out essential everyday tasks, the Journal of Post-acute and Long Term Care Medicine reports. An earlier report by the same researchers suggests brain training has no benefit in people younger than fifty, so if you’re over 50 it seems it’s worthwhile training your brain.

Contact Karen Perry, Founder alice chilton Limited. www.alicechilton.com

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by Friday 26 February

Quick Crossword

26

Across

Down

1.

5.

8.

9.

10.

12.

13.

15.

16.

18.

20.

21.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

11.

12.

14.

17.

19.

Ghandi (7) Sleeve ends (5) Use to balance up (13) Tiny (3) Eager Beavers? (9) Sung by a choir (6) Home for piglets (6) Person addressed (9) Some (3) Appeaser (5,8) Steward (5) Gives up (7)

Parrot (5) Family identifier (9,4) Tantalise (9) Reach destination (6) Indication (3) Action on ice (6,7) Please (7) Colourlessness (9) Applauder (7) Request (3,3) Yoga practitioners (5) First lady? (3)

Solution on page 60.

India by Design - An insider’s guide to Kerala An insider’s guide to Kerala

Live the coffee planter’s life in Wayanad

Hidden away in the south west corner of India lies Kerala. Mention the word ‘Kerala’ and people tend to just think of languid backwaters and sandy beaches. But this intensely tropical state in the far southwest of India offers far more than a standard sun ‘n’ sand break. From jungle safaris with ex-poachers to stays on tea estates roamed by wild elephants, we have devised a collection of signature experiences guaranteed to tempt you beyond the surf and serve up some vivid memories of this fascinating part of the world.

Homestays are booming in India, and one of our long-standing favourites is the Tranquil Plantation Hideaway, in the Wayanad region of north-central Kerala. Set amid 400-acres of lush coffee and vanilla groves, this stately bungalow is the residence of Victor, Ranjini, Ajay and Nisha, who will make you feel like a member of the family from the moment you arrive. Between sumptuous meals, you can explore the many footpaths that interlace the estate, before a cooling spell in the pool or relaxing Ayurvedic massage.

Raft with ex-poachers in Periyar Encompassing a tract of primal jungle in Kerala’s mountainous interior, Periyar National Park is an eco-tourism success story. Locals who once made a living from poaching animals in the forests here are now responsible for their protection. Join them on ranger-led trips deep into wooded valleys of the buffer zone. The adventure starts at dawn, hiking through some of Periyar’s richest woodland, with hornbills, giant squirrels and Nilgiri langur monkeys crashing through the canopy overhead. Later, transfer to bamboo rafts to watch sambar deer and elephants drinking water at the muddy fringes of Periyar Lake.

28

by Kristina Hulme www.travelbydesigngroup.com

Bliss out on empty beaches While most visitors head for Kerala’s congested south, the far north boasts the state’s most

idyllic beaches, foremost among them Bekkal.

Overlooked by the red-laterite ramparts of an old fort, the palm-backed sand here is wonderfully empty, save for a handful of fishermen fixing their nets. Hidden among the coconut trees are a few carefully sited resorts. Our favourite, thanks to its exotic Kerala architecture, is the Neeleshwar Hermitage – a boutique eco-retreat arranged around a shimmering pool. On an altogether larger scale is the Lalit, an option guaranteed to thrill if you like your spa resorts sleek, glamorous and grand.

Cook up a Keralan Storm in Tellicherry Learn how to make your own flavour-packed Keralan delicacies at this very special homestay.

Owners of a sprawling 19th-century mansion, Faiza and Moosa are famed for their Mopalah food – cuisine with a distinctly Arabian influence.

Under their guidance, you’ll select ingredients from the local fish, spice and fresh produce markets, then return to the kitchen to rustle up delicious local dishes, served for supper on the veranda.

Travel plantations in a restored, Raj-era bungalow, where liveried butlers will serve you the finest Orange Pekoe on a flower-filled veranda.

Thus refreshed, head off on a factory tour to pick and make your own tea.

Cruise the backwaters No visit to Kerala is complete without a cruise around the famous backwaters – a timeless landscape of lush, palm-edged lagoons and canals. You can go for daytrips in small launches, but for a more vivid experience of local life, it’s worth opting for an overnight trip in a converted rice barge, or kettu vallam. Attended by a uniformed crew, recline on the cushioned observation deck of the barge as a non-stop parade of local canoes, floating duck farms, ferries and farm boats chug past. At night, you’ll moor at a remote river bank where, after an exclusive supper on deck, you’ll be able to savour the sounds of the tropical night miles from the nearest road.

Kerala is just one of the many destinations within India that is covered in our ‘India by Design’ portfolio, so if you would like to visit The Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, take a trip aboard the Maharajah Express train, take the Himalayan Tea Walk or enjoy an Ayurverdic Spa experience at a luxury hotel, then contact Kristina or Irene at Travel by Design for more details on 01625 584195 or email info@travelbydesigngroup.com

Pick your own tea at Kollukkumamai Temperatures fall as you climb into Kerala’s interior, where vast tea and coffee estates cloak the lower slopes of South India’s highest mountains. They were laid out in the 19th century

by British planters and, as well as producing some of the subcontinent’s finest brews, these days provide a wonderfully refreshing counterpoint for visitors to the heat and humidity of the coastal belt. The best way to enjoy the gorgeous valley views is to stay on one of the

29

Cycling

Gourmet Style

A scenic cycle ride, combined with the delights of fine wine and food, is a holiday format that is really difficult to beat. If you have pedalled on the continent at any time, you will know what I mean.

And if you are going to say that you kicked the biking habit several years ago and are terribly unfit and couldn’t cut the mustard – think again!

You don’t need to be super-fit to enjoy a cycling holiday. You just need an appetite for delicious wine and food and the foresight to choose your terrain and your distances with a little realism and care. There are just so many reasons to get on the saddle and to enjoy a truly idyllic holiday.

I guess I’m what you might call ‘a fair-weather cyclist’ – someone who, just a few times during the summer, takes off on a gentle ride along the leafy and traffic-free lanes of Cheshire. But even in the last couple of years, I have also been able to join my wife and a few friends cycling along the Loire and more recently along the Danube trail, visiting fascinating places like Vienna, Durnstein and Passau, savouring delicious lunches en route, and relaxing in the evenings over a well-earned dinner and wine.

There’s just something very special about cycling – it’s about the independence and freedom you feel, the places you see, the characters you meet, the spontaneous stop as something catches your eye, the aerobic exercise and the inches you shed. Then there’s the conversation en route,

30

by Garth Aspinall

the photos you capture, the anticipation as you approach your destination, the evening shower, the change of clothes and then the opportunity to just chill, laugh and reminisce at the end of a satisfying day.

There are many ways of planning your trip, one of the main criteria being the kind of accommodation you choose. Camping, B & B and boutique hotels are just a few of the many choices available. Your baggage is also an important issue and there are many options depending on the nature of your journey. If you are concerned about your level of fitness or your ability to keep pace with your companions, you could also consider trying an E-bike. Electric bikes have advanced considerably over recent years and are widely used in Europe, but they are an expensive purchase and you should research the market carefully. Hiring an E-bike is perhaps the sensible way to start.

When all is said and done, if you book your holiday with an experienced and knowledgeable company like Headwater Travel, you should receive plenty of good advice and have a truly wonderful experience. As a family, we have had numerous exciting cycling holidays and will be planning another this year. Do let us know if you decide to do the same. We would love to hear about your experiences.

The Walk - The Mysteries of the Roaches Distance 7 miles: The walk is fairly moderate, allow 4 hours, although you may wish to stop and look at some of the unique features.

OS Map: SK 004 621.

Start point: at minor road off A53 after Upper Hulme. A word of warning to car drivers, always make sure you park in the designated parking areas. There is a mobile traffic warden who will book any unwary motorist if their car is only inches past the parking signs.

The word Roaches comes from the Norman French word ‘Roches’, meaning rocks; these rocks consist mainly of millstone grit. In geological terms they are known as a ‘syncline’ or downfold in the Staffordshire plain. The Roaches lie in the western area of the dark peak, in Staffordshire,

32

by Peter Jaques Poynton Rambling Club

just north of Tittesworth reservoir and the village of Upper Hulme. They dominate this part of the dark peak together with two other nearby features, Hen Cloud to the south and Ramshaw Rocks to the east. The Roaches are very popular with climbers, especially one route known as ‘the sloth,’ which is an impressive overhang where climbers have to hang upside down to complete it, using hands and feet. This climb was achieved originally by a well-known climber called Don Whillans.

Our walk commenced from one of the parking areas on the minor road above Upper Hulme.

From the parking place a track goes towards the cliff, passing a building called Rockall, built into the rock face. Originally believed to be a gamekeeper’s cottage, unfortunately, because of its position, it was dark and damp. It was later occupied by a rather eccentric gentleman call Doug Moller who called himself ‘Lord of the Roaches.’ The house was later bought by The British Mountaineering Council after Mr Millar was housed to more suitable accommodation.

Climbing up the well-worn steps of the path we soon reached the top of the ridge where a stone seat and plaque commemorates the visit of the Prince and Princess of Teck, mother of Queen Mary in 1838. It then goes roughly north along the crest of the Roaches for about a mile, until a

large pool of water is reached on the right. This is Doxey Pool. Legend has it that this is the home of a seductive mermaid who attracts young men into a watery grave. Another story is that it is named after the daughter of Bess Bowyer who lived nearby at Rock Hall. One night she was abducted by strange men and then Bess died of grief. Her daughter returned to haunt the pool.

Doxey Pool is actually recorded in the Domesday Book at ‘Dochesig’, which is believed to mean a watercourse. There are many stories like this in the Peak District such as ‘The Mermaid’s Pool’ just below Kinder Scout where another seductive mermaid lures unwary men into its depths.

After passing Doxey Pool the summit with a trig point is reached in about a mile. At this point the Staffordshire moors can be seen to the east, with Tittesworth reservoir behind us.

The moors were once the home of a group of wallabies, marsupials which are a little larger than mountain hares, they occupied the moors for some years until they died out. How they got here is well-known, as just prior to the Second World War there was a private zoo at Swithley Hall. They escaped or were released, together with some yaks, which soon died out, but the wallabies survived and bred for many years until it is believed a series of harsh winters made them extinct. There are often reports of recent sightings, but these are probably mountain hares which they resemble in colour.

After the summit we dropped down to a minor road where we turned right and then first left over a stile leading to the trees of Back Forest and Forest Wood. After a short distance a signpost was reached for Lud’s Church. This is a spectacular rift into a chasm some 60ft. deep. Several stories attach to this unique cleft, the name comes from Walter de Lud Auk, sometimes spelt Walter de Ludauk, the leader of a group of religious dissidents called Lollards, nonconformists who worshipped here in the 14th Century. In those days dissidents of the established church risked being burnt at the stake if caught. The chasm is dark, damp, and muddy, the opening is difficult to spot (as the picture of it shows). It is difficult to avoid a sense of foreboding as you go through it. It is also reported to be the home of a rare type of plant, believed to be a fern, found nowhere else. After emerging from the cleft we turned left past the signpost to Roach End, taking the concessionary path to the minor road leading to the cars. These unique landforms and the overpowering atmosphere of Lud’s Church make it an unmissable walk.

Poynton rambling club has over 100 members with walks on Wednesday and Sunday for walkers of all abilities and vary from easy to fairly strenuous, distances of between 5 and 12 miles. For further details contact the secretary Brian Brough 01625 877463 or for more information and programme visit www. poynton-ramblers.org.uk

33

Natural Support for Women’s Health Do you dread your monthly cycle, is the menopause approaching or are you experiencing symptoms such as hot sweats, forgetfulness, mood changes, weight gain and more? Women can be affected by the delicate balance of hormones which, when out of balance, can bring symptoms such as these.

At Amaranth, we have a team of trained practitioners who can provide ideas for natural remedies, diet and lifestyle changes that may help support your hormone balance. The herb Saffron, for example, has been found in a number of clinical trials to reduce emotional symptoms related to PMS. Magnesium and Vitamin B6 have also been found to be helpful. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormone-related condition that can respond well to diet changes.

Recent research has shown that a combination of the nutrients Myo-Inositol and Folic Acid can also be supportive.

To find out more call in to our Bramhall store and pick up our free Women’s Health booklet. We can provide shop floor advice or private consultations with our Registered Nutritional Therapist or our Acupuncturist, Jas, who specialises in hormone health and fertility.

Thursday 25th February. Join us for an evening talk on female health by Nutritional Therapist, Caroline Keighley. Caroline will be discussing how to support hormonal issues related to female health using nutrition, diet, lifestyle and natural remedies. This event is suitable for everyone from teenagers to maturity. Call 0161 439 9856 to book.

Reader offer: £5 towards any Viridian Nutrition Product over £15 (valid until 15/03/16)

34

To keep up to date with all of our talks, events and offers take a look at www.amaranth-wellbeing.com/ events or follow us on Facebook at AmaranthUK

by Joanne Hill www.amaranth-wellbeing.com

Consumer Champion Nuisance calls This week I received an email from a chap who has had to stop answering his home phone. He is receiving endless cold calls and has simply had enough of trying to get rid of the pesky salespeople trying to sell their services ranging from PPI claims to the installation of solar panels and how much they can save. It is very frustrating when you cannot answer you own phone without the fear of being bombarded about unwanted goods and services!

Unwanted phone calls What would you do if you were faced with the same situation? It is simply not acceptable that you have to avoid answering your own phone.

The first thing you should do is contact the Telephone Preference Service (TPS), run by the Direct Marketing Association. The service is free and allows you to opt out of receiving marketing communications and includes preventing marketing calls from business development firms, charities, voluntary organisations and political parties. You can register your home and mobile numbers with the scheme.

According to Ofcom research, your unwanted phone calls will reduce by one third. Once you are registered, organisations are not allowed to call you unless you have given prior consent. 45% of those registered on the list receive no more cold calls.

Prior Consent When you sign up with new websites there are often two tick boxes, one for their terms and conditions and the other to receive communications from select partners. Do not tick this box, ever! If you do, you are consenting that data can be sold legitimately to third-party companies and this is considered prior consent.

Even though you may have opted out via the Telephone Preference Service you will still receive

communications from companies that have your data via this process. This loophole is extremely unfair and the Government is now considering if this law should be changed. Personally, I find it unbelievable that this law still exists and it certainly ought to be amended!

Silent phone calls If you are receiving silent calls this is usually from an automated system in a Contact Centre. The system automatically dials phone numbers and if you answer, you are then connected to a member of staff in the Contact Centre. However, if no one in the Contact Centre is available then you receive the silent call.

If the company is using this system, they must publish their phone number. Once you get off of the call, ring 1471 to find out the number or call your phone provider and request the caller’s phone number and then make a complaint.

Automated sales calls These are known as lead generation calls, looking to capture your details or leads to sell onto a firm.

Companies making these calls must have your permission to make these calls to you. If you have not given permission then you should contact the Information Commissioners Office with as much information as possible. Call them on 0303 123 1113.

Making a complaint If you are still receiving unwanted phone calls, you should make a complaint to the Telephone Preference Service.

■■ When you receive the phone call ask the person what company they work for and their telephone number. Be sure to make a note of the number. Top tip: sometimes you can also obtain the phone number after finishing the call but prior to the next call by dialling 1471 on your home phone.

■■ Contact the Telephone Preference Service and make an official complaint and it will be investigated.

by James Walker www.resolver.co.uk

37

Sudoku

How to play Sudoku Fill in the grid so that each row, column and 3x3 box, contains the numbers 1 through to 9 with no repetition.

You don’t need to be a genius.

These puzzles use logic alone.

Watch out! Sudoku is highly addictive.

Solution on page 60.

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Barry’s Gardening Tips A belated Happy New Year to you all. I know that many of you will have spent much of the first few weeks of 2016 in the garden because this mild weather has kick-started it into life a little early this year. If you haven’t already, you’ll need to get out there sooner rather than later, if you want to keep ahead of the game. Snowdrops are blooming ahead of schedule and Cyclamen coum seem more unpredictable than usual, along with a whole host of perennials that are bursting forth in my woodland garden. Even alliums and crocosmia are well on their way in the herbaceous borders. However, for me, the stars of the show are the hellebores.

Some were in flower before Christmas, when usually it’s late January or even February before they open their drooping flowerheads. Their appearance signals the annual expedition to Ashwood Nurseries in Kingswinsford, to the west of Birmingham, because this is the time to buy them, when they are in flower.

If you’re a lover of hellebores and have never been, you really should make the effort.

Although they have some of the garden centre paraphernalia (do people really go to garden centres for candles and cardigans?) as well as a very popular cafe, it’s really a proper nursery… yes, they breed and grow their own plants, and not just hellebores. Cyclamen and Hepaticas are also a speciality, and their shrub section is always

worth a look. But it’s the myriad of hellebores that take centre stage and fill the glasshouses.

No matter how many you already have, and I have many, you will need amazing willpower if you are to resist the temptation of adding at least one more to the garden. In fact I would be impressed if you can stop at just one. With the range of colours, patterns and shapes there is always a new one to catch your eye and prise open your wallet. In 2014 I went ‘yellow’ and last year it was the turn of ‘Penny’s Pink’ and ‘Anna’s Red’, with their marbled leaves. Yes, they can be a little pricey but think how long they last and what a great show they make. I have had some of mine for 20 years and they are as vigorous as ever.

For me their only drawback is their promiscuity.

Each spring I seem to spend hours ripping out their tiny, two-leaved offspring, which pop up in droves around the parent plant. Now some of you may be thinking all those free plants are a good thing. In which case lift them carefully and pot them up. In three or four years they will flower, almost invariably a muddy purple colour. Ok, you may be lucky and get one worth keeping but bear in mind that Ashwood carry out 1000’s of crosses and most end up on the compost heap.

Another reason for culling the little blighters is that some will spring up very close to their parent or even amongst its crown. They compete with your prized Ashwood Hybrid and can eventually overwhelm it. So beware!

Now, which one(s) will I choose this year and how can I avoid a bootload and an overdraft?

by Barry Davy barry.davy@ntlworld.com

41

The Book Group Recommends This month we have recommendations from two well established multi award-winning novelists.

One from here in the UK and the other from across the pond.

Ali Smith’s How to be Both has won great critical acclaim. The book has two separate but interconnected stories. There is a teenage girl called George whose mother has just died and who is struggling to make sense of her death with her younger brother and her emotionally disconnected father. Then there is the real life Italian renaissance artist Francesco del Cossa, whose frescoes appear in the Palazzo Schifanoia in Ferrara. Depending on which copy you chance to pick up you will either be presented with George’s story first or Francesco’s.

Smith skilfully ties together the two narratives, often moving seamlessly between the two.

George’s mourning for her mother is particularly moving, in remembering her she brings her back to life and, in looking at del Cossa’s frescoes, the artist still lives through the work.

This is a brilliantly written, amazing book. We have to add our plaudits to the very many tributes it has received. No book has merited as much discussion time, or received as many “definitely to reread” votes from our members in

a long time. Once is definitely not enough. How to be Both showed us that the arrangement of a story, even when it is the same story, can change our understanding of it and our attachments to the characters. So read it, alone or with a friend who may have a different edition, and compare notes. We are sure you will enjoy it as much as we did.

Richard Ford enjoys similar prestigious status in the USA but most of our group had never encountered his work. The fact that his most recent novel Let Me Be Frank With You had been lauded by Michael Palin and Robert Preston may have influenced our choice. We were introduced to Frank Bascombe – an American everyman, ex-sportswriter turned real estate agent who had featured in three of Ford’s most acclaimed novels and who is now a 68 year old retiree. Retired but not retiring, funny, profane, wise, often inappropriate, a character thinking he has life under control but life then having other ideas. Written in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, Ford’s four novellas attempt to reconcile and console a world undone by calamity.

The inescapability of death is something of a preoccupation, in the stand out story he visits his ex-wife, diagnosed with Parkinsons. She has moved to a top of the range care home, an establishment determined to “rebrand aging as a to-be-looked-forward-to phenomenon,” with huge fires, real ducks and paintings of fruit that resemble vaginas.

After an initial difficulty with the Americanisms, we found ourselves warming to Frank, insightful, sometimes laugh-out-loud funny; we may well go back to the novels of his earlier life that obviously influenced this work.

42

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Smokey Bacon and Tomato Pasta This recipe is perfect if you want something quick, easy and warming that also tastes really good. Serve it with salad or garlic bread.

spaghetti following any instructions on the packet. Keep checking throughout and turn down the heat when cooked.

Ingredients (serves 4)

While you leave that to boil, heat the oil in the frying pan and cook the bacon. Do this for just under 4 minutes until the bacon is crisp. Then add the onion and cook until crisp again for 3-4 minutes before adding the garlic and the smoked paprika. Stir together well.

■■ 400g of spaghetti ■■ 120g of smoked bacon (cut into cubes) ■■ 1 onion, finely chopped ■■ 1 garlic clove, finely chopped ■■ 1 400g can of chopped tomatoes ■■ 500g of passata ■■ 1 tbsp. olive oil ■■ 2 tsp smoked paprika ■■ Grated cheese or Parmesan (optional) Fill the large pan with water (adding a pinch of salt) and bring to the boil. Then cook the

Then pour in the chopped tomatoes and passata, bring to the boil for 5 minutes until the mixture thickens. Make sure to stir often to avoid anything sticking to the bottom of the frying pan.

Then drain the pasta before putting it back in the large pan and adding the tomato and bacon mixture. Stir the mixture and the spaghetti together. Finally, serve by adding either grated parmesan or cheese on top depending on your preference.

45

Snowdrop Festival Rode Hall in Scholar Green, south of Congleton, has supported the charitable work of the National Gardens Scheme (NGS) for many years. Rode is famous for its mid-winter season of snowdrop walks, enabling visitors to enjoy a gentle mile-long stroll in very pleasant surroundings. Open from 30 January to 6 March (closed on Mondays). Admission is £5, children £1, and afternoon teas are available. Keen gardeners can purchase speciality snowdrops as a souvenir of their visit – there are over 50 varieties in the gardens at Rode!

Elsewhere in Cheshire, these two gardens will both be open on Sunday 28 February as part of the NGS Snowdrop Festival: Bucklow Farm (Pinfold Lane, Plumley, nr Knutsford WA16 9RP opens 1-3pm, £3, children free) and Dunham Massey (nr Altrincham WA14 5SJ, Open 115.30pm, £8.80, children £4.40)

The snowdrop festival is a national event running from 11 January to 6 March; details of all the participating gardens are on the NGS website: www.ngs.org.uk

Making good use of waste

Excessive food waste and the challenge of managing waste in the fresh food industry is a high profile topic at the moment. The award winning owners of Bramhall Bakery have successfully combined their passion for supporting the local community with a desire to minimise food waste.

Working with a network of volunteers, donations of leftover product are made by the business on a daily basis to local food banks, charities and community groups. The donations either support fundraising or go to local families in need. Chelwood Foodbank in Cheadle Hulme receives donations every week and welcomes the support; “it is fantastic that we are able to pass produce onto those that are disadvantaged and marginalised within our communities.” Most other food waste is donated to local farmers for animal feed, meaning there is very little that doesn’t go to good use.

If you are interested in volunteering or are involved with a local organisation that you believe could benefit from donations, contact us on jo@bramhallbakery.co.uk Follow us @BramhallBakery or on our blog www.bramhallbakery.co.uk.

6 Bramhall Lane South, Bramhall SK7 1AF 0161 439 7776.

45 Queensway, Poynton SK12 1JG 01625 878818

48 by Joanne Peters

jo@bramhallbakery.co.uk

Volume Control A brand-new Manchester University volume is an admirably controlled and balanced guide to the truly encyclopedic story of Alderley Edge.

Sticklers for precision might say that the history of Alderley Edge starts on the 10th May 1842.

This was the day upon which the Manchester and Birmingham Railway opened to passengers, with travellers first alighting at the pristine Alderley railway station, and taking the first steps towards creating the village we know today. However, a magisterial brand-new volume, ‘The Story of Alderley – Living With The Edge’, takes a more balanced and panoramic view of Alderley’s past; in this wide-ranging new book published

by Manchester University Press, you’ll discover that Alderley’s history actually started several hundred million years ago, when the rocks of The Edge began to be forged from the elemental forces of weather, time and the slow seismic shifts of the earth. But the geology of Alderley Edge is just one of the many fascinating topics covered by this 1,000-page book that has been lovingly and painstakingly prepared and edited by Professor John Prag, Honorary Professor at the Manchester Museum and Professor Emeritus of Classics at the University of Manchester.

Exploring the legacy of The Alderley Landscape Project Professor Prag was instrumental in an outstanding enterprise known as ‘The Alderley Landscape Project’, a joint venture between the National Trust (which enjoys stewardship of The Edge) and the Museum of Manchester. The Alderley Landscape Project focused mainly on the archaeology of The Edge, and produced a book in 2005 which recorded in exhaustive detail the many discoveries made – and whilst ‘The Story of Alderley – Living With The Edge’ is from the same well-spring of knowledge gathered at that time, its contents are altogether widerranging.

A dazzling array of authors The book is divided into several subject areas, with individual chapters having been written by academics, historians, authors and local people; and, whilst the principal opening section is devoted to the geology and geography of The Edge, it is followed by an in-depth study of its natural history, encompassing trees and flowers, wildlife and insects – including the discovery of two entirely new and unique types of bramble!

A broad sweep of human history For those interested in human history, there is a comprehensive section devoted to the 4,000year mining heritage of The Edge, swiftly followed by a section focusing on social history of the area. Penned by local historians, this section embraces a wide range of fascinating subjectmatter, including historic graffiti on The Edge, the Stanleys of Nether Alderley, the development of Alderley village, and Nether Alderley Mill. In the final section, which looks both forward and back in time at the entire epic saga of Alderley Edge, the revered and much-loved local author Alan Garner re-visits the telling of the Legend of Alderley, which gave rise to his first two books.

A volume that brings much-needed balance Given that so many people know Alderley Edge only for its modern incarnation of champagne, celebrity and the ostentatious display of apparent wealth, ‘The Story of Alderley – Living With The Edge’ counterbalances this perception with a welcome sense of proportion, and shows Alderley Edge in a clearer, more pristine light.

‘The Story of Alderley – Living With The Edge’ is published by Manchester University Press (www.manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk) in February 2016, priced at around £35. Launch events will be announced, and will take place at Manchester Museum and in Alderley Edge.

by John Wallace

49

Poynton Children’s Activities

Things to do with pre-school kids

Monday St. Paul’s Catholic Pre-School 9-3pm Open Monday – Friday Term Time only. Marley Road, Poynton. A caring and stimulating environment, open to all. Please call ahead from more information – 01625 858222 Playaway 9.30-11.30am Poynton Baptist Church. Contact 01625 859036

Tuesday Wacky Woods 10am-12pm Styperson Quarry Wood, Brookledge Lane, Adlington.

Contact 01625 383090 or email poyntonchildrenscentreadmin@cheshireeast.gov.uk

Friday Wiggle Tots Group 9.15 - 11.15am Term Time only. St Paul’s Pre-School, Marley Road, Poynton, SK12 1LY Maximum 25 children per session, £2 per family. Contact: Clare 01625 858222 or email stpaulspspoynton@gmail.com

Come and have fun in the woods with your preschooler; even young babies can appreciate the joys of nature. Lots of sensory play activities to enjoy with your children in guided sessions.

Baby Sensory 11am, 12.30pm and 2pm The Woodford Scout and Guide Headquarters, Moor Lane, Woodford. A learning and development program for parents and babies.

£5 per child and that includes pancakes or crumpets on the campfire.

To book, call Becky on 07503547083 or email eastcheshire@babysensory.co.uk

Contact 01625 573086.

Story Time 11am Term time only. Hazel Grove Library. Stories, rhymes and songs followed by some colouring.

Contact 0161 217 6009.

Wednesday Pre-School Dance 2-2.30pm Term time only. St Martin’s Church Hall, Shrigley Road North, Higher Poynton. All children welcome from age 18 months. Contact 07903 727763 or email missstephanie1@hotmail.co.uk

Thursday Parent & Toddler Group 9.30-11.30am Term time only, Poynton Methodist Church.

For more information contact the church office on 01625 871592 Rhyme Time 10.30am Poynton Library. No booking necessary and no charge.

All babies and toddlers welcome with parents/carers.

Contact 01625 374818.

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Stay & Play 1.15-2.45pm Term time only, Poynton Children’s Centre, Clumber Road.

Compiled by Jenny Riley e: jenny@insidemagazines.co.uk

Saturday Baby Ballet & Tap 9-10am The Hockley Centre, Park Lane. Step Ahead School of Dance, contact Natalie on 07799 614260 for further details.

Who Let the Dads Out? Between 9am & 11am Second Saturday of the month during term time, St. Martin’s Church Hall, Higher Poynton (near the Boars Head Pub).

A dads and toddler group for dads, granddads or male carers and their pre-school children. £2.50 per family which includes a bacon butty & coffee for the dads, and toast & juice for the children.

Contacts Julie Briggs on 07769 938269, or email julie@briggs.me.uk If you run a local activity for young children and would like to be included on this page please email jenny@ insidemagazines.co.uk

53

Answers: lap time, pit stop, tyres, chequered flag, trophy, helmet Extra letter answer: podium

S D I K 4 JUST

Barnaby Seeks Ten Thousand Stars for 2016 Parade John Hartshorn, carnival director for Macclesfield Barnaby Festival 2016 is a man on a mission – following next year’s theme of ‘Space’, the passionate parade leader is calling on Maxonians to get behind the parade to craft 10,000 stars.

Explaining the request John says ‘we want the parade and the town of Macclesfield to be shimmering with stars for 2016, to reflect the theme of ‘Space’ – any size, colour, material or quantity – we just want stars! So, whether you’re a community group, individual or crafty society, put your skills to the test and help create Macclesfield’s very own constellation!’

the day, costume making, decorating or being an animateur (crowd-entertainer!)’ To get involved simply come along to ArtSpace on Tuesdays from 12noon until 9pm to meet the parade team.

In addition to active involvement the parade team is seeking some unusual items to create new floats, so if you’ve any of these (working or not!) lurking in the loft get in touch with John directly at sambajohn1@yahoo.com ■■ Old golf buggy ■■ old bikes/random wheels ■■ old electric scooter or mobility scooter ■■ bamboo canes ■■ metal poles such as old tent poles ■■ hats ■■ cloaks ■■ fancy dress items Barnaby Festival, a contemporary arts festival, was launched by volunteers in 2010 to reinvent the centuries-old tradition of celebrating St Barnabas Day and became biennial in 2014 after five annual festivals.

Barnaby Festival 2016 takes for its theme ‘Space’ and runs Fri 17 - Sun 26 June, 2016 in Macclesfield town centre.

John Hartshorn creating the MBF 2016 parade centrepiece. Photo by Lisa Paton.

Design and construction for what promises to be Barnaby’s biggest, brightest and boldest parade is well underway at ArtSpace where John and a loyal team are busy building giant puppets, hand-crafted floats and costumes ready for 2016.

Each year John aims to get more people involved in the lively cavalcade that passes through the streets of central Macclesfield. ‘There’s always a role for willing volunteers be it using well-honed carpentry, building, engineering skills in the workshop, being a flag bearer or float-puller on

54

Parade workshops take place every Tuesday 12noon to 9pm at Macclesfield Community ArtSpace, 2nd Floor, The Arsenal, Sutton Mill, Heapy Street, Macclesfield Cheshire SK11 7JB www.macclesfieldcommunityartspace.com

Inside Guide Wednesday 3 February Poynton Philatelic Society meeting sees our own Dr Gary Cook entertain us. Hopefully we will see part of his interesting collection on the Anti Tuberculosis campaign, which ran through numerous countries throughout the world. For further information on our Society please call Ron Phelps on 01625 877643

A guide to selected events in East Cheshire during February & March Wednesday 10 February

The North Room, Poynton Community Centre, Park Lane, Poynton 7.30pm

Simply Books present best-selling crime writer ANN CLEEVES, author of two hugely successful crime series: the Vera Stanhope novels set in Northumbria and the Shetland novels – both of which have been adapted for TV. Tickets £7 (includes refreshments and £2 towards the purchase of one of Ann’s books). To book: call 0161 439 1436 or book online at www.simplybooks.info 7.30pm

Saturday 6 February

Wednesday 10 February

Framework Weaving for Children. Experimentation with various hand weaving techniques, yarns, fabric strips and manipulation of taut structures will be encouraged throughout the session. Leave with your own beautifully woven sample(s) created during the workshop. £6.50 –covers the full session and all materials.

Poynton In Business Breakfast meeting. The speakers will be Nolan James Chartered Accountants talking about auto-enrolment and Peter Evans of Peak Financial talking about pensions. For more information please visit the website at www.poyntoninbusiness.co.uk or contact: admin@poyntoninbusiness.co.uk

The Silk Museum, Park Lane, Macclesfield 12.30-3.30pm

Saturday 6 February Northern Chamber Orchestra with Raphael Wallfisch, cello, including Handel, Shostakovich, and Dvorják.

Tickets: £16 / £13; £7 students; 18s & under free (adjacent free parking) From NCO Box Office 0161 247 2220; Macclesfield VIC, Town Hall 01625 378123; Silk Museum Shop Heritage Centre or on the door Heritage Centre, Roe Street, Macclesfield 7.30pm

Sunday 7 February Marple and District Allotment Association Seed Potato Day. There will be over 90 varieties of seed potato available plus Vegetable Seeds, Soft Fruit Bushes, Onion Sets, Garlic, Summer Flowering Bulbs and Herbs. Light refreshments, free admission www.marpleallotments.org.uk Senior Citizens Hall, Memorial Park, Marple, SK6 6BE 10am and 3pm

Tuesday 9 February East Cheshire NT Lecture - ‘My experiences as a Headmaster’ Speaker George Nolan St Michael’s Church Hall, St Michaels Avenue, Bramhall 2pm

Nolan James Chartered Accountants, Armcon Business Centre, London Road South 7.30am.

Thursday 11 February Worth Probus Club. Catherine Potts will speak to us on ‘A trek round the Himalayas’. Please contact Peter Owen on 01625 871574 or peterowen49@btinternet.com for further details. St. George’s Church Hall, 2pm

Thursday 11 February Poynton Home Gardeners Club. Janet Heath will talk on Winter Gardens. Further details from Elaine on 01625 871603 or visit www.poyntongardenclub.co.uk Visitors are always welcome at £2 per meeting.

Royal British Legion Club, St. George’s Road West, Poynton 7.30pm

Saturday 13 February Wilmslow Symphony Orchestra. Glinka : Ruslan and Ludmila Overture, Delibes : Coppélia Suite No.1, Delibes : Coppélia Prélude and Mazurka, Prokofiev : Romeo and Juliet Suites Nos. 1 and 2. Tickets £12, £10 Concessions, £2 Under 12’s.

Evans Hall, Wilmslow Leisure Centre 7:45pm

Saturday 13 February Prestbury Choral Society Annual Singing Day. All are invited to come and sing the ever popular Haydn’s Creation. For more information go to www.prestburychoral.org or call our secretary on 01625 262249 – book early to avoid disappointment.

Wilmslow United Reformed Church, Chapel Lane

Compiled by Claire Hawker e: claire@insidemagazines.co.uk

Continued over...

55

inside guide

Monday 15 February

Thursday 18 February

Mart Rodger Manchester Jazz Poynton British Legion, Georges Road, Poynton 7.30pm

Teen Holiday Art Workshop: Material Paintings. Children aged 11+ will design and make material paintings- using collage techniques. £6.50 –covers the full session and all materials.

Tuesday 16 February Poynton U3A. Val Cottam MBE will give a talk entitled My Road to The Olympics. Remember to renew your membership for 2016 to enable you to attend the AGM in March. Annual fee remains at £10. Entrance £1 including refreshments. For more information contact enquiries@poyntonu3a.org.uk Main Hall, Poynton Civic Centre 2pm to 4pm

Wednesday 17 February Drop in crafts for children of all ages – create Valentineinspired mobiles using paper and stitch. £2 per child. Adults must accompany.

Thurs 18 and Fri 19 February Holiday Art Workshops: Nocturnal Creatures. Book a place on a special holiday art workshop-create 3D and 2D nocturnal animals using paper sculpture. £6.50 – covers the full session and all materials.

The Silk Museum, Park Lane, Macclesfield, SK11 6TJ 10am -12noon.

Mon 22 – Sat 27 February

The Old Sunday School, Roe Street, Macclesfield, SK11 6UT 1.30pm to 3.30pm

Poynton Players presents ‘Veronica’s Room’, a mystery thriller by Irva Levin. Ticket prices Monday only £7.50, Tues-Sat £8.50

Wednesday 17 February

Tickets can be booked online, full details www.poyntonplayers.co.uk, or by phone 0333 666 3366.

Dispel those winter blues and join Poynton Luncheon Club - enjoy a hearty lunch then sit back and enjoy Dave Cook talking about ‘Humour in Education.’

Interested? Contact membership secretary Pam Orton on 0161 483 4557. The Deanwater Hotel

Wednesday 17 February Poynton Philatelic Society’s - guest speaker Peter Stockton on the French Postal History, taking us through the war years. Further information from Ron Phelps on 01625 877643 The North Room, Poynton Community Centre, Park Lane, Poynton 7.30pm

Wed 17 to Sat 20 February Chads Theatre presents “Waiting for Godot” by Samuel Beckett. One of the plays that most people have heard about but never seen. Two tramps, Vladimir and Estragon, wait by a solitary tree for a mysterious Mr Godot. Come and see if he eventually turns up.

Tickets can be booked on 0161 428 8712.

For any other information visit Chads website www.chads.co.uk

Thursday 18 February Poynton Morning Townswomen’s Guild. Mrs Jo Leach speaks about a Namibian Road Trip. Contact Kath on 0161 456 5299.

Poynton Civic Hall 10am to 12noon.

56

The Silk Museum, Park Lane, Macclesfield, SK11 6TJ 12.30-3.30pm

Tuesday 23 February North Cheshire Photographic Society. Sports Photography with Mike McNamee who will range widely over the genre talking about how to make best use of the tools of modern sports photography in the digital age. More information at www.ncps.org.uk Poynton Civic Centre 7.30pm for an 8pm start.

Thursday 25 February Worth Probus Club. Donald Palker will speak to us on ‘The history of meccano’. Please contact Peter Owen on 01625871574 or peterowen49@btinternet.com for further details.

St. George’s Church Hall 2pm.

Thursday 25 February East Cheshire NT Lecture: The Caledonian Canal and the Invergarry to Fort Augustus Railway with speaker Andy Holmes.

St Michael’s Church Hall, St Michaels Avenue, Bramhall 7.30pm.

Friday 26 February The Twinning Association of Poynton AGM, followed by a social evening. All welcome – see IN TOUCH for more details. Bailey Room, British Legion, George’s Road West, Poynton 7.30pm.

inside guide

Saturday 27 February

Tues 8 to Sat 12 March

Poynton Ceilidhs – Pendle Hill Mob, caller Peter Bearon– traditional dancing to live music, experience not necessary! Dances are all explained by the callers and walked through before music starts playing. Bar till 11pm.Tickets £8 on the door, half prices for under 16s (cash only). To reserve or purchase tickets in advance visit www.poyntonceilidh.co.uk Poynton Community Centre, Park Lane. Doors open 7.45pm for 8pm start

Awarding winning youth musical theatre group TEMPO (The Edge Musical Performing Organisation) presents STARLIGHT EXPRESS (Youth Group Production). For more information and tickets go to www.tempotheatre. com Tickets are also available by calling 07969 176148.

Wednesday 2 March

Poynton In Business evening meeting to discuss local business issues and share information. The speaker will be Paul Moores from Proactive Investigations who will be giving an overview of the life of a private investigator.

Meeting free for first time attendees and PIB members, but there is a £10 guest fee. For more details please visit the website at www.poyntoninbusiness.co.uk or contact: admin@poyntoninbusiness.co.uk

Poynton Philatelic Society’s meeting sees two of our members give displays of their own material for the rest of the membership to appreciate. Further information from Ron Phelps on 01625 877643 The North Room, Poynton Community Centre, Park Lane, Poynton 7.30pm.

Saturday 5 March Northern Chamber Orchestra with Martin James Bartlett, piano. Youthful Mastery, including Mendelssohn, Mozart, Tchaikovsky and Haydn. Tickets: £16 / £13; £7 students; 18s & under free. (adjacent free parking) From NCO Box Office 0161 247 2220; Macclesfield VIC, Town Hall 01625 378123; Silk Museum Shop Heritage Centre & ON THE DOOR www.ncorch.co.uk Heritage Centre, Roe Street, Macclesfield 7.30pm.

Sat 5 to Sat 12 March Chads Theatre presents Brief Encounter by Noel Coward/Emma Rice. In a highly original interpretation of this much loved film, this version uses stage and film techniques, combining Coward’s music, songs and dances with broad comedy and moving drama. Tickets can be booked on 0161 428 8712.

For any other information visit Chads website www.chads.co.uk

Tuesday 8 March North Cheshire Photographic Society. More photographic magic with Glyn Dewis. Glyn will be sharing with us more of his Photoshop wizardry and tricks. An absolute must for anyone wanting to get more from their images. For more information visit www.ncps.org.uk Poynton Civic Centre 7.30 for 8pm start

Tuesday 8 March East Cheshire NT Lecture - From Muck and Music to Stones and Roses with speaker Raymond Smith St Michael’s Church Hall, St Michaels Avenue, Bramhall. 2pm.

Evans Theatre, Wilmslow Leisure Centre, Wilmslow.

Wednesday 9 March

Venue - TBC 5.30pm.

Wed 9 to Sat 12 March Natural Causes – A Black Comedy. A blend of farce, suspense, blackmail, revenge and – ultimately – poetic justice. Call the box office for tickets and more information 0161 439 0505 Brookdale Club & Theatre, Bramhall 7.45pm.

Thursday 10 March Worth Probus Club. David Hill will speak to us on ‘the Titanic’. Please contact Peter Owen on 01625871574 or peterowen49@btinternet.com for further details.

St. George’s Church Hall 2pm.

Thursday 10 March Poynton Home Gardeners Club. Peter Foley from Waddow Lodge Garden, near Clitheroe, will talk on Primulas - a Diverse Range of Plants. Visitors are always welcome at £2 per meeting. Further details from Elaine on 01625 871603 or visit www.poyntongardenclub.co.uk Royal British Legion Club, St. George’s Road West, Poynton 7.30pm

Friday 11 March Hallé Comes To Bramhall. Music for oboe and strings, to include Mozart oboe quartet and a Beethoven string trio. Tom Davey - oboe, Jonathan Martindale - violin, Lucy Nolan - viola, Peggy Nolan - cello. Tickets £10 and £8 (concession) includes refreshments. Tickets from Church Office (0161 439 1204), Thrift Shop, Simply Books (228 Moss Lane) and at the door.

Bramhall Methodist Church 7.30pm.

Continued over...

57

inside guide

Sat 12 to Sat 19 March

Saturday 19 March

Wilmslow Green Room presents Tommy Boy by Ted Willis - the first time ever that this play has been performed in the amateur theatre.

For further information, please visit www.wgrsoc.org or call the Box Office on 01625 540933.

Poynton Ceilidhs – Mouse’s Nest, caller Michelle Holding– traditional dancing to live music, experience not necessary! Tickets £8 on the door, half prices for under 16s (cash only). To reserve or purchase tickets in advance visit www.poyntonceilidh.co.uk

Tuesday 15 March

Poynton Community Centre, Park Lane. Doors open 7.45pm for 8pm start.

Poynton U3A AGM. Your attendance is important in helping to shape the future of Poynton U3A, please remember to bring your membership card as only current members are allowed to vote. Free entrance and refreshments. For more information contact enquiries@poyntonu3a.org.uk Main Hall, Poynton Civic Centre 1.30pm to 4pm.

Wednesday 16 March Lunchtime Concert with kind permission of the Royal Northern College of Music, cello and piano to be confirmed. Admission by programme £5, light lunches available from 12 noon. For further information telephone 01625 586713. Alderley Edge Methodist Church, lunch from 12 noon, performance 1pm.

Wednesday 16 March Poynton Philatelic Society welcomes guest speaker Mr Paul Wrigglesworth who will be displaying his interest in New Zealand stamps and Postal history.

Further information from Ron Phelps on 01625 877643 The North Room, Poynton Community Centre, Park Lane, Poynton 7.30pm.

Wed 16 to Fri 18 March

Monday 21 March Mart Rodger Manchester Jazz. Poynton British Legion, Georges Road, Poynton 7.30pm.

Tuesday 22 March North Cheshire Photographic Society: Photographing horses and other animals by Sue Westwood.

New to NCPS, Sue will tell us about her photographic business and how to best go about shooting and processing images of horses and other animals. For more information visit www.ncps.org.uk Poynton Civic Centre 7.30 for 8pm start.

Thursday 24 March Worth Probus Club. Alan Hayhurst will speak to us on ‘Prohibition’. Please contact Peter Owen on 01625 871574 or peterowen49@btinternet.com for further details. St George’s Church Hall 2pm.

Thursday 24 March East Cheshire NT Lecture - ‘Heart Stopping Moments’ Speaker Bernard Loveday. St Michael’s Church Hall, St Michaels Avenue, Bramhall 7.30pm.

North Cheshire Photographic Society Annual Exhibition (of members’ images). Wednesday 16 March: North Cheshire Challenge Interclub Print Competition.

Thursday 17 March: North Cheshire Challenge Interclub Digital Knock out Competition. Friday 18 March: Members Exhibition Dinner and Awards Presentation.

More info at www.ncps.org.uk Poynton Civic Centre 10am-4pm, and evening sessions.

Thursday 17 March Poynton Morning Townswomen’s Guild AGM. Contact Kath on 0161 456 5299 Poynton Civic Hall 10am to 12noon.

Thursday 17 March Wilmslow Guild Natural History Society is holding an illustrated talk on The Wildlife of Ardnamurchan, almost an island with the westernmost point of the UK mainland, by Mike Roberts. Visitors are welcome (£4).

58

Wilmslow Guild, 1 Bourne Street, Wilmslow 7.45pm.

Don’t forget!

Copy deadline for the next issue:

Friday 11 March

inside magazines East Cheshire’s leading independent publisher of community magazines Connecting local people to local businesses and delivering a quality read to 45,000 Cheshire homes.

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■■ Inside Bollington, Prestbury & Tytherington ■■ Inside Bramhall ■■ Inside Hazel Grove & High Lane ■■ Inside Marple ■■ Inside Poynton ■■ Inside Wilmslow & Alderley Edge

Crossword Solution

Sudoku Solution

COMPUTER PROBLEMS? Broadband setup, Wireless Networking, Virus and Spyware removal, Software reinstalls, Upgrades and Custom builds Free friendly advice NO CALL OUT CHARGE

NO FIX NO FEE

Mike Knibb 01625 267422

60

07956 134900

Useful Numbers Open Hands Transport

Churches Lostock Christian Fellowship

01625 871644

Poynton Baptist Church

01625 859036

Leisure Centre

Poynton Christian Fellowship

01625 859170

Poynton

St Paul’s RC Church

01625 872606

Library

Poynton Methodist Church

01625 871592

Poynton Library

Poynton Parish Church

01625 850524

Local Government

(St Georges with St Martin’s)

MP’s Constituency Office

Dentists

E. Cheshire Council Info Services

London Road Dental Surgery

01625 850828

Poynton Town Council

Park Lane Dental Practice

01625 874667

Chester Rd Dental Care

01625 876900

Pharmacists

Phoenix Dental Practice

01625 875 074

Doctors Priorslegh Medical Centre

01625 872299

McIlvride Medical Practice

01625 872134

Poynton Clinic

01625 875618

Helplines Alcoholics Anonymous

0845 7697555

Al-Anon

02074 030888

Childline Crimestoppers RSPCA Samaritans Citizens Advice Bureau

0800 1111 0800 555111 0300 1234999 116 123 08444 111444

Police Station (non-emergency)

NHS Non-Emergency

101

Post Offices Poynton Post Office

01625 850262

Schools Lostock Hall Primary School

01625 383838

Lower Park Primary School

01625 872560

St Paul’s RC Primary School

01625 383040

Vernon Primary School

01625 872556

Worth Primary School

01625 875900

Poynton High School

01625 871811

Train Information

0161 228 7811 0845 748 4950

Utilities

Hospitals Stepping Hill Hospital

01625 872238 01625 872214

Bus Information

Macclesfield District General Hospital

01625 422848 0300 123 5500

01625 873955

Directory Enquiries

01625 874225

01625 374818

L Rowland & Co

Travel

You & Yours Counselling

01625 876442

Co-op Pharmacy

Citizens Advice Bureau (Macclesfield) 01625 432847 118 500

01625 878589

01625 421000

Electricity – Power Loss

0161 483 1010

Gas – Emergency

111

0800 195 4141 0800 111 999

Water Mains

0845 746 2200

Environment Agency Floodline

0845 988 1188

Classified Index ADULT EDUCATION

Holiday Spanish Crash Course

AUDIO VISUAL

D & C Sound and Vision

BAKERIES

Bramhall Bakery

BOOKSHOPS

Simply Books

BUILDING SERVICES Ken Wood & Son S.P. Lee & Co Whitehall Builders

CARE HOMES & SERVICES Alice Chilton In-Home Care My Life Living Assistance

CARPETS & FLOORING Carpet Creations

CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING Safeclean Zap-Clean

CHILDCARE

Brook House Farm Pre School Kidszone

CHIROPRACTORS

The Back Pain Centre

CHURCHES

Poynton Christian Fellowship

CLUBS & ENTERTAINMENT Poynton British Legion The Acoustic Lounge

COMPLEMENTARY THERAPY Amaranth

COMPUTER & INTERNET Mike Knibb

CREATIVE ARTS CLASSES Poynton Pottery

DRAINAGE

Pure Clean Drainage Solutions

DRIVEWAYS

Will’s Driveway Cleaning

EVENTS & VENUES

Adlington Hall and Gardens Poynton Players Present Veronica’s Room

FLORISTS

Green Earth Flowers

FURNITURE

Kitchen Refinishing

GARDEN MAINTENANCE

NRG Garden Services Robinson Garden Maintenance

HAIR & BEAUTY

62

Carl Howard Hair Serenity The Cut

47 21

HEALTH & FITNESS

Healthwatch Cheshire East

HOME IMPROVEMENT & PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

48

ICAN Handyman Services K&J Home & Garden Maintenance Trevor Garner

43

JOINERY

60 39 46

KITCHENS

Ken Wood & Son Trevor Garner Simplicity Granite

27

Kitchen Refinishing Matt Finish

LAWN CARE 9 46 44 6 51

Greensleeves Lawnkeeper Limited Pure Clean Drainage Solutions

LOCKSMITHS

Crimeguard Security

LOFT LADDERS

More Than Loft Ladders

OVEN CLEANING 43

Ecodazzle

52 48

Deano Kathy Shaw

PHYSIOTHERAPY

Park Lane Physiotherapy

PIANO TUITION 34

Garth Aspinall Piano Tuition

PLUMBING & HEATING 60

David Hanson

PUBS & RESTAURANTS 35

The Farmers Arms

ROOFING 38

Poynton Roofing

59

Crimeguard Security Falcon Security

19 39

SOFT FURNISHINGS Kathy Shaw

SOLICITORS/LEGAL SERVICES

52 20 60 35 35 43

Hale Solicitors Manners Pimblett Slater & Gordon

5 40 38 59 51

58 60 39 61 20 23 44

SECURITY

13

52 20

44

PAINTING & DECORATING Inside Front

46 10 10 60 10

KITCHEN RESPRAYING 22 14

10

TRAVEL

Headwater

TREE SERVICES

Swift Tree & Arboricultural Services

WINDOW & CONSERVATORY REPAIRS The Window Repair Centre

59 47 60 13 Back cover 36 31 10 Inside Back