Inside Poynton Issue 64

Issue 64 August - September 2016

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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

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Issue 64 - August - September 2016

p o y n t o n

It’s very British (and quite boring, sorry) to talk about the weather but the last couple of months have been exceptional enough to be worth a mention. Torrential rain caused flooding in Bramhall, Poynton and Wilmslow during a June that turned out to be one of the wettest ever. Outdoor events such as Poynton’s Party in the Park and the Wilmslow Show had to be cancelled. This was a massive blow to the organisers who work tirelessly to make these events happen, as well as being a big disappointment for people who had been looking forward to a great day out. By contrast the last couple of days (as I write) we have been basking in record-breaking temperatures, busily watering the garden and wondering how long it will be before there’s a hosepipe ban!

We really hope you can get out and about and enjoy the rest of our summer. If you want to chill out and relax, whatever the weather, have you tried knitting?

We can’t leave you without saying how delighted we are to bring you Jenny’s new feature. We love it and hope you do too!

Co-Editors Garth Aspinall Claire Hawker

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 2016.

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

Cover photo: Luis Troyano at The Hive by Garth Aspinall.

Contents Local Buzz

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Simply Books Book Club Choice

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Is There Life After Bake Off?

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Jake’s Perspective

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In Touch

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Diary of a Geeky Knitter

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Crossword 20 Explore the Road Less Travelled

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NGS Gardens in Late Summer 26 The Walk

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Inside People

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Children’s Activities

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Just 4 Kids

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Sudoku 43 Child’s Play

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Martin Lewis Column

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Inside Guide

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Puzzle Solutions

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Useful Numbers

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Classified Index

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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:

Monday 12 September

Local Buzz FREE CLASS AT POYNTON FITNESS Have you heard about Poynton’s new training facility, Poynton Fitness? After 11 years of personal training in different locations around the world and working as a fitness director on board cruise ships, Andrew Simpson has come back to his roots and taken over what was the old Shanti Academy at Poynton Sports Club.

C.C. GYMNASTICS - putting the spring back into Poynton Local gymnast, Charlotte Carr, is putting her money where her mouth is by bringing new purpose-built gymnastics facilities to the local community.

Having started her own gymnastics career relatively late at the age of nine (due to long club waiting lists), Charlotte progressed quickly, competing in local and eventually national competitions against the likes of three times World Champion Beth Tweddle, and achieving bronze at a national level. Her focus then turned to her coaching career and a vision of sharing her skills and experience with children of all ages in the local community. In 2006, Charlotte realised that youngsters in the area were missing out on the opportunity to do gymnastics due to the very same issue that had prevented her initially – long waiting lists at local clubs.

Charlotte says, “It’s so important to help encourage children into healthy activities.

Gymnastics helps healthy muscle growth, coordination and confidence – as well as being a lot of fun! My vision is for children who want to take part in the sport to have the opportunity to do so without having to wait for months on end.”

Andrew knows that personal training facilities and classes are hard to come by in Poynton so he has started group personal training sessions.

At the moment his timetable looks like this: ■■ Group Personal Training on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6.30pm and 7.15pm ■■ Box Club on Saturday morning at 10am With more interest he’s looking to develop bootcamps at 6.30am and 9.30am in the week as well as more of the Club Box. Classes are between £5-£8 depending on how many you do in a week.

Contact Andrew on andysim1981@msn.com to register your interest and quote INSIDE Magazine for a free class.

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Having reached capacity at its present location in Poynton High School gymnasium, Charlotte is realising her dream by self-funding a purposebuilt facility in Poynton, with planning now well underway. She says, “Gymnastics is my passion and I want to make C.C. Gymnastics accessible to as many children as possible. I can’t wait to see the gymnasts’ faces, when the doors finally open.”

Simply Books Book Club Choice In the last year or two there has been an increasing number of what have come to be described as ‘literary thrillers’ – novels written with the pace and tension of a ‘detective’ story but with a bit more heft than a popular ‘who-dunnit’. This month I’ve chose two of my favourites from this genre.

The Snow Kimono by Mark Henshaw has an intriguing opening: two days after Inspector of Police Auguste Jovert receives a letter from a woman who claims to be his daughter, he returns to his Paris apartment to find a stranger waiting at his door. That stranger is Japanese professor of law Tadashi Omura. What brings him to Jovert is not clear – but when he begins to tell the story of his own lost daughter a spell is cast which draws us in to a novel full of delicate detail and subtle detection. This is a very atmospheric book – moving from Paris to Japan and back again – and has the charm of a carefully constructed puzzle that keeps you guessing to the final chapter (with more than a few twists and turns on the way). Aside from the compelling storyline itself this is also a book about love and loss and the inescapability of the past – a novel of detection, a thriller of the intellect.

By way of contrast Owen Sheers’ new novel I Saw A Man is set in North London. Following the sudden loss of his wife Michael Turner moves to London to try and start again. Living alone on a quiet street overlooking Hampstead Heath he is befriended by (and soon forms a close bond with) the Nelson family next door, Josh, Samantha and their two young daughters. So far so good… but then a devastating incident changes all their lives and Michael finds himself bearing the burden of grief and a terrible secret.

Moving back and forth from the present to the various ‘pasts’ which have brought each character to their present threshold this is a very stylish thriller – clever, classy and seemingly always one step ahead of the reader. A real treat.

And for the children I’ve chosen the winner of this year’s Simply Books Book Factor Competition: I Will Love You Anyway by Chloe and Mick Inkpen. Dog is very badly behaved - he destroys everything, chases cars and won’t stop running away! But when he finds himself lost and alone there is one person he can count on. A poignant and funny story from the celebrated creators of Kipper and Wibbly Pig – a picture book to be treasured and one which was voted their favourite by over a thousand children in our eight local Book Factor schools!

Simply Books, 228 Moss Lane, Bramhall, Cheshire SK7 1BD 0161 439 1436 Open Tuesday to Saturday 9am to 5.30pm Andrew Cant www.simplybooks.info

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Is there life after Bake Off? Jenny Cooke talks to Luis Troyano ‘Bake Off was all consuming and filming once a week. Then suddenly the Bake Off bubble was over and I was back at my desk. The results had to be kept confidential and the waiting for it to air took about 2 ½ months.

‘As Bake Off ended I was lucky enough to start getting offers of work in the food world.

Pavilion Books came along with a book deal, so I wrote Bake It Great. Then I sold the advertising business, which I co-owned, to my business partner. I’m a trained designer and worked in marketing for 20 years, but now I seem to have come full circle back into the food world!

‘Last year I drove 10,000 miles to food festivals.

I do recipe testing and writing, food styling for ads and commercials. BBC Breakfast and radio use me as their local ‘go-to baker’ as they know I’ll be reliable. I run baking courses at Seasoned, a Cookery School in the Midlands. It’s really satisfying teaching people new skills.

How has your early experience shaped you?

‘My Dad ran a restaurant and I was brought up in that environment. It’s very hard work and unforgiving hours. One day when I was 14 I got back from school and Dad said, “You’ll be working at the restaurant tonight!” This was a bit of a shock but it gave me fantastic training in the work ethic. I got pocket money at the start and eventually worked there every evening after school.

What made you decide to open a bakery in Poynton?

‘I’ve been looking for business premises since June 2015. At last the perfect place came

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by Jenny Cooke

available on Park Lane, which is really buzzing now. There are already some great bread guys in the village so cakes will be our focus and my full-time job. We bake every day and open at 7am.

The bakery is a nice place to visit, everything is beautifully presented and packaged. You can treat yourself and your friends to hand-made cakes and even order on-line. We do take-away coffee and special flavoured teas too.

Why did you call it The Hive?

‘I’m a beekeeper with a few hives dotted around the area. I wanted a unique name for the bakery, and after all we are as busy as bees and we all work together at the Hive! It’s important to me to employ local people and young people too and I’ve been able to do this.

Luis shares his top tips 1. Put your cake on the bottom shelf at 160 degrees, away from the blast of the fan. It’ll take a bit longer but should come out with a perfect rise.

2. Bread is different. It needs to be in hot still air so bake that on the middle shelf at 180 degrees, preferably not in a fan oven.

Otherwise it can be well cooked on the outside and doughy inside.

3. Have good work-top mixer. Use a bench scraper (a rectangular piece of metal with a handle) for decorating the sides of the cake to

give a sharp edge. Use stainless steel piping nozzles in preference to plastic. You get a sharper finish.

What has all this meant to you?

‘I’ve really enjoyed my time since the Bake Off, even though it can be long hours. But I’ve learned this: if you want a career change there are easier ways to achieve it than doing the Bake Off! Fame is also the wrong reason to enter. Life’s not about having the biggest influence or the most money.

If you love doing something then that is probably what to aim for. The satisfaction is everything.

Then it doesn’t feel like work. You’re not in it just to make a living.

Where are you going next?

‘The main focus is the bakery. I want it to revolve around the people who work there and not just me. I want them to be happy and feel satisfied, because making cakes is creative. It’s important to me to be part of a team that’s happy and therefore successful in our work.

And finally ‘Once the bakery’s running smoothly the afternoon teas at The Farmers Arms will be back on!’ mail@luistroyano.com www.thehivebakery.com tel: 01625 403031

Jake’s Perspective Hi, or should I say Bonjour? So it’s been a long few months for me. For starters I went to Toulouse.

We arrived at about 5 O’clock in the evening from Heathrow and almost immediately my parents made me go on a- you guessed it- “Walking” tour (that treatment from my GP clearly hasn’t worked). Now I will do a talking tour with you…

On the journey it was very scary because France were still on high alert from the Paris attacks in January. There were lots of army and policemen all over the place with machine guns which were held as if pointing at you.

I learned of a trend going round in France’s indoor markets. It is to buy a huge joint of beef. Whoever has the oldest joint of beef has the biggest status.

The oldest piece I found was from 2014 but I could hardly see any meat. It was covered in mould! As far as I can see whoever has the best status is the most likely to get salmonella. By the way, does anyone fancy some lapin?

350 miles north in Paris the temperature had dropped from a lovely 28ºC to a rather cooler 11ºC which is still warm compared to the -4ºC which greeted us when we returned to England.

Has anyone else been made to walk the whole length of the Seine by their parents? Luckily , once I got to the point of leg refusal they agreed to get the Bateaux Mouche back.

We saw the main sights - Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Pont Neuf and the Louvre but I spent most of my time worrying about my dad as our hotel room overlooked La Philharmonie where he was doing a lecture; loads of soldiers were stood outside with their guns loaded as if on a shoot to kill basis. To add to the drama there were mass, all night protests (‘Nuit de Debout’) in La Place de la Repubique - plus ça change, as they say en France.

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by Jake Crossley

After all of that action in Paris I was ready to return to my usual routines so I kicked off by swimming in my club’s Saracens spring sprints. In this gala I got gold in every stroke (fly, backstroke, breastroke and freestyle). I even managed to bag a club record in the 50 metres backstroke. To top it all off I got the Senior Boy Champion, although I am still wondering how I am classed as a senior as I am not even 12.

Alongside me in this photo is Fiona, the Senior Girl Champion 2016.

Next time, where should a young lad like me get a haircut in Poynton? Also, I go to a club in Manchester to see a ska-punk band…

In Touch Your Community Noticeboard POYNTON TWINS WITH HAYBES Further to the formal approval by the Town Council of Poynton’s twinning with the town of Haybes in the French Ardennes district, the Twinning Association of Poynton (TAP) hosted a delegation of visitors from Haybes in early July, led by their Mayor, M. Benoit Sonnet. The Association was delighted to lead and host a packed four-day programme of visits and events to showcase Poynton’s heritage, as well as taking in various attractions in the surrounding area.

The TAP Committee will place particular emphasis on a schools’ exchange programme, and will also actively promote cultural and other links between societies and organisations in both our communities where there are common interests. The Committee would also encourage Poynton’s residents to visit and discover Haybes for themselves, to realise the benefits of twinning, and to take advantage of and build on the relationships and goodwill that already exist.

Further information about Haybes can be gleaned from the Haybes Town Council website: www.haybes.fr (in French) while updates about the twinning programme can be found on the TAP Facebook page.

TOWNSWOMEN’S GUILD SUPPORTS FIRST RESPONDERs Poynton Morning Townswomen’s Guild has been fundraising during the last year for Poynton’s Community First Responders. At the AGM a cheque for £500 was handed over to a first responder’s representative, who then gave a very interesting and informative talk on their work.

The responders are volunteers and serve a six week intensive first aid training course. After a 999 call the responders can be first at the scene to assess and stabilise the patient prior to the ambulance arriving, hence saving valuable minutes. Their equipment is supplied by the NHS but their vehicle is self funded, therefore they are reliant on groups like ours to help. The Poynton based First Responders was set up 12 years ago.

A particular highlight of the visit was an official reception at Poynton’s Civic Hall at which the Mayors of Poynton and Haybes, Cllr Mrs Sandra Horsman and M. Sonnet, signed the Twinning Agreement, a successful conclusion to all the work and prior contacts made between Poynton and Haybes.

The Twinning Association was delighted to welcome its new found European friends and twinning partners, and now looks forward to a successful and lasting friendship between the two communities.

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in touch

ALI & OLly’S CHARITY ART EXTRAVAGANZA Olly Hargreaves is one of 30 Poynton High school students going on a trip of a life time to Ecuador, in 2017, where they will be working in some of the poorer communities in Ecuador, working on conservation in the Amazon, and helping with ecological projects. His mother Ali, a Poyntonbased artist, is putting on an Art Extravaganza day as part of his fundraising on 10 September at St Martin’s church hall and running an art competition as part of it.

To enter the competition or to attend the event please Email: ali@alisart.co.uk Tel/Text: 07890 425544

the waiting list can attend several lectures during the year and take part in all voluntary activities.”

The new programme starts in September when Professor Jeremy Black, of Exeter University, will explore The Grand Tour, undertaken by young men of the 18th and 19th centuries, travelling through European cities to absorb their art and culture. Specific aspects of the tour, such as painting and sculpture, will feature in other lectures. The varied programme also includes talks on illustrations in children’s books, the art of royal dress and life on the Cote d’Azur in the Jazz Age. See www.necdfas.org.uk for more information.

POYNTON G & S

A ‘GRAND’ TIME AHEAD FOR FINE ARTS SOCIETY A tour of Andalucia, visits to galleries, cathedrals and museums, plus diverse talks - from the aristocratic ‘Grand Tour‘ to modern art - form the stimulating 2016-17 programme of North East Cheshire Decorative and Fine Arts Society (Necdfas). In its 43rd year, Necdfas is maintaining its high standard of lectures and outings - and its 300 strong membership. The society meets at the Brookdale Club, Bramhall, usually on the second Wednesday morning of each month.

Says Society Chairman Michelle Gray: “We are fortunate to have good support from many parts of north Cheshire and we are always pleased to welcome people onto our waiting list. Anyone on

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What happens when a South Sea island ruler, King Paramount, thwarts his powerful and scheming advisors by importing British customs and making his nation more perfect than Britain itself? Find out when Poynton G&S Society perform Gilbert and Sullivan’s penultimate operetta, Utopia Limited, at the Poynton Civic Hall from 4 to 8 October.

Don’t miss a golden opportunity to see a performance of this rarely staged show, updated to the 1920s. It contains all the elements of G&S operettas: intriguingly complicated plots and subplots, witty songs, romantic songs, and fullbodied chorus numbers. The music is delightful, but don’t take our word for it: George Bernard Shaw thought the score of Utopia Limited was the best of them all.

Tickets are £10 & £7 for children and can be obtained from; tickets@poyntongands.co.uk or call 01625 876394. Also available at MATES DIY shop and the Civic Hall.

List of DEFIBRILLATORS IN POYNTON Parklands Residential Care Home, Poynton Civic Centre, off Park Lane, Poynton SK12 1RB 01625 879215.

Priorslegh Medical Centre, Civic Centre off Park Lane, Poynton SK12 1GP. 01625 872299 Poynton Leisure Centre, Yew Tree Lane, Poynton SK12 1PU. 01625 876442.

Poynton Sports Club, London Road North, Poynton SK12 1AG. 01625 875765.

Farmers Arms, 90 Park Lane, Poynton SK12 1RE. 01625 875858.

Poynton Civic Hall, off Park Lane, Poynton SK12.

1RB 01625 872238.

Poynton County High School, Yew Tree Lane, Poynton SK12 1PU 01625 871811 Dental Surgery, 11 Chester Road, Poynton SK12 1EU. 01625 876900.

Dental Surgery, 57 London Road South, Poynton SK12 1LA. 01625 850828.

Phoenix Dental Practice, 1 Park Avenue, Poynton SK12 1QY. 0844 387 8779.

Dental Surgery, 71 Park Lane, Poynton SK12 1RD. 01625 874667.

Asda Supermarket, 24-30 Park Lane, Poynton SK12 1RE. 01625 601500.

Galloways Printers Ltd, Malcolm House, First Avenue, Poynton SK12 1YJ. 01625 870000 Mcllvride Medical Practice, 5 Chester Road, Poynton SK12 1EU. 01625 872134.

WILMSLOW GUILD NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY Do you enjoy the countryside? Do you wish that you knew a little more about plant, animals and fungi? Why not join other enthusiasts as a member of the Wilmslow Guild’s Natural History Society? During the winter expert speakers deliver illustrated talks on a range of natural history topics and, during the summer there is a programme of field trips. Come as a guest to our

in touch

first meeting to see if you are interested in joining.

Indoor meetings for 2016/17: 29 Sep – Wildlife of Cheshire’s Peaks, Plains and Coasts; David Tolliday 13 Oct – Fascinating Fungi; Jeanette Maddy 10 Nov – Shropshire Wildlife; Jim Almond 8 Dec – Christmas Social with members’ presentations and traditional quiz 19 Jan – A Ranger’s work at Tegg’s Nose; Martin James 16 Feb – Switzerland: Landscape and Flora; Roy Beacham 23 Mar – AGM (brief) followed by Penguins and Proteas; Judith Lovelady 27 Apr – Confessions of a Lunatic; Dr. Kevin Briggs We meet every month on a Thursday, at the Wilmslow Guild, 1 Bourne Street, Wilmslow SK9 5HD 7.30-9.30pm. Contact David Warner on 01625 874387 or visit www.wilmslowguild.org for more information.

CLOSURE OF NATWEST POYNTON BRANCH Poynton Town Council, David Rutley MP and Keith Lambert of Mates DIY met recently with National Westminster Bank to urge them not to close their Poynton Branch. Despite a petition of two thousand names collected by Keith the bank has ignored the strength of local opinion and refused to reconsider their decision. They have agreed to explore ideas put forward in an attempt to mitigate some of the effects of the closure.

WEA CLASSES This autumn, please join us at the Quaker Meeting House in Disley. We have a programme of classes and Saturday day schools which may make you look at things in a different way or perhaps introduce you to another circle of friends.

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Archaeology with Tom Saunders will be on Thursday afternoons starting on 22 September for 11 weeks; Literature with Miranda Meadowcroft will start on Monday afternoons from 3 October and runs for 7 weeks. We have an Alexander Technique day school on 8 October with Jane Osgood, ‘British Workers and the American Civil War’ with Mark Krantz on 15 October and ‘Perception – Vision and People’ with Anne Buckley on 12 November . We also have an Art class in Macclesfield at the Salvation Army with Ian Irvine starting on for 11 weeks.

For more details please look out for our branch leaflet or the WEA brochure in libraries, check on line at nw.wea.org.uk or ring the branch secretary, Rosemary Broadhurst on 01625 877 255. You can then use enrolonline.wea.org.uk to book a place or just come to the first class.

SUPPORTING THE NATIONAL TRUST With nearly 600 members the East Cheshire National Trust Association is one of many National Trust Centres and Associations, and is celebrating its 30th birthday this year. Over the past 30 years we’ve provided a varied annual programme of events for our members (all for £6 a year!) and in doing so supported the National Trust. Details of our programme can be found at: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/eastcheshire-association We use our programme to raise money for National Trust properties and projects. Recent examples of some of the projects supported include dredging the central ponds at Hare Hill using horsepower; buying the plasma screen for the Woodyard café at Lyme Park; repairs to the ash lime floors at Little Moreton Hall and terracotta pots for the curvilinear greenhouse at Quarry Bank.

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St George’s Singers 60th Anniversary Season September marks the start of a special season for St George’s Singers as it will be their diamond anniversary season. The choir was formed in 1956 by Rev Eric Chapman and Geoffrey Verney, organist and choirmaster of St George’s Church, Poynton, where the choir still rehearses every Tuesday night.

Geoffrey’s dream was to build a community choir, capable of performing major choral works to a high standard and which would attract singers and audiences from neighbouring towns. Geoffrey died in 1964, but his legacy was nurtured by his successors Duncan Eyre, Ray Lomax and Stephen Williams, and is continued by our present Musical Director, Neil Taylor. From the original 23 members of the local community, the choir has grown to around 100 singers who travel from Cheshire, Greater Manchester and more distant locations in Derbyshire and Yorkshire.

St George’s Singers is recognised as one of the leading and most innovative choirs in the North West of England, performing an astonishingly varied repertoire. The choir presents at least four major concerts a year, in venues including The Bridgewater Hall, Gorton Monastery, Manchester Cathedral and Royal Northern College of Music.

It holds annual Singing Days, and tours regularly in the UK and abroad.

In this anniversary season St George’s Singers will present four concerts including Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem with two award winning soloists, Verdi Requiem at the beautiful Gorton Monastery and a special anniversary concert with a vast range of music including many audience and Choir favourites, as well as of course the traditional Christmas favourite, Carols and Brass

by Candlelight.

New members are welcome and an application pack can be obtained from our Membership Secretary – Mr CA Matthews 0161 483 4050.

Full details of all the concerts can be found in the souvenir 60th anniversary season brochure, now available to view on the website or in information offices etc.

Details of our lectures are listed in the INSIDE Guide. We look forward to meeting you.

For more details and to book tickets visit our website www.st-georges-singers.org.uk

Diary of a geeky knitter About me Hi, I’m Jenny and I work here at Inside Magazines with Garth and Claire. When I’m not working, I love to knit, crochet and sew (soft crafts). Why ‘the geeky knitter’ you ask? I am, what you might call, a ‘nerd’ – I watch superhero films, read fantasy and science fiction novels, and even attend comic conventions around the country.

I enthusiastically talk (and even knit/crochet) about my geeky interests, and combine all of my hobbies together on my blog called ‘the geeky knitter’.

But not everything I make has to be geeky. I have a great passion for all soft crafts, and would like to bring a snippet of this to the magazine. Each issue I will write about something different; reviews of patterns, interesting crafty news and maybe even answer some questions that you might have.

Why I love to knit I make no secret of the fact that I LOVE knitting. If I could I would spend every minute of every day knitting, and thinking about knitting, and looking at knitting patterns. Perhaps I would break for a slice of cake. As it is, I must settle with evenings and weekends devoted to knitting (and cake). For me it is the best way to spend time for dozens of reasons, though two stand out in particular; the relaxing nature, and feeling productive and creative.

Recently scientists at the University of Cambridge have said that anxiety should be given more attention in mental health research as it is more common than we think. This comes on the back of a greater social awareness and understanding of mental health issues.

The calming and relaxing effect of knitting has long been identified by many surveys and studies (any number of which you can find online). I find that knitting calms and destresses me after a long day, both physically and emotionally. The simple, repetitive action is very soothing and can be picked up while watching TV or chatting with friends. There is also something very comforting about the feel of knitting and the texture of worked yarn. Though by no means a ‘cure’, knitting and other crafts can help improve your mental health and take your mind off the stresses of daily life.

Just a shame that it doesn’t burn more calories!

Feeling productive is also a big factor in my enthusiasm for knitting. To spend my leisure time doing something I love and to have a finished object at the end, showing the time and effort I’ve put in, is such a wonderful sensation. Whether I am keeping the item for myself, giving it as a gift or selling it, I never feel like time knitting is wasted! With this comes the feeling of being creative which I adore, perfectly summed up by this quote from one of my favourite bloggers - “The more I make, do and learn, the more creativity I have.”

(Kat Goldin, ‘Slugs on the Refrigerator’)

Next time Why do you love to knit or crochet? Do you have any knitting, crochet or sewing questions?

Email them or other thoughts to me at jennythegeekyknitter@gmail.com – I love to speak with other crafty people and interesting topics could come up in the magazine next time. www.thegeekyknitter.co.uk www.etsy.com/uk/shop/geeksgamesandknits

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Quick Crossword

20

Across

Down

7. Duke of Edinburgh (6,7) 8. Fodder in Silo (8) 9. Disguise (4) 10. Freeze (3,4) 12. Rumour (5) 1 4. Embedded (5) 16. Pasture (7) 19. Astral Body (4) 20. Plain (8) 22. Brazilian? (5,8)

1. Fe (4) 2. Anil (6) 3. Deliberator (7) 4. Zeros (5) 5. Chemical Compound (6) 6. Bandage (8) 11. Commenda on (8) 13. Feet of Water Fowl (3-4) 15. Assistant to Clergy (6) 17. Dignitary (6) 18. Seaweed (5) 21. Close (4)

Solution on page 58.

Explore the road less travelled…

Have you ever imagined learning the secrets to making tapas dishes such as classic Gazpacho, marinated olives and Spanish omelette from a local expert in Spain? Perhaps you dream of tasting locally made wines and sherries, or trying your hand at a spot of truffle hunting in Italy?

Or do you relish the chance to explore the back roads of some of France’s most picturesque towns and villages?

Imagine being able to do all this and more with the help of a knowledgeable, experienced tour guide who can turn an exciting getaway into something truly extraordinary. Someone who can tell you the stories and secrets behind stately homes as you wander the corridors, show you the perfect position to see the sun set over a city skyline or pointing you towards the exact patch of coastline where you can try oysters, straight off the boat.

Travelling as part of a small group tour can provide you with all this and more – and if you choose to take a trip with Travel by Design’s preferred partner, Back-Roads Touring, you get all this from the comfort of a luxury mini-coach that

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by Kristina Hulme www.travelbydesigngroup.com

allows you to really get off the beaten track and onto the back roads.

Forget about tales of long, tiring touring days that typically start early and finish late, we rarely leave our accommodation before 8.30am – in fact most days begin around 9am. Our itineraries are thoughtfully planned to avoid cramming too much into a day. We prefer to make our discoveries at a more leisurely pace with time to socialise with the tour leader and appreciate the local settings or delve deeper into attractions on your own. Sometimes you will have an afternoon – or even a day – at your own pace and we promise that we keep long drives to a minimum.

Small group touring also has other benefits.

Smaller groups (maximum of 18) allow tour leaders to offer a more personalised experience with more attention to the interests of individuals and flexible touring days. Smaller groups also mean a less obtrusive style of touring that allows us to stay in more intimate, boutique hotels and eat at local restaurants oozing local charm and character. From rustic rural retreats to old country estates, traditional inns to grand castle-hotels, every style of accommodation is in

Travel keeping with its surrounds. Some are chosen for their tantalising history, others for their location or superb service. Whether you stay in a Scottish castle, French chateau, Spanish palace or an Italian villa, you’ll be sure that each one will bring more authenticity to the itinerary.

Sampling local cuisine is an integral part of experiencing the culture – not to mention one of life’s pleasures. We include authentic culinary experiences which are locally sourced. Whether you’re dining in Rick Stein’s signature Seafood Restaurant in Cornwall, at a local farm in Puglia, or sampling tapas in a chef’s living room in Seville – you will find that all of our included meals are at local hand-picked establishments.

And, wherever we dine we’ll always offer a choice of meal as well.

At Back-Roads Touring, we’ve spent over 25 years creating these kinds of small group tours.

So we know that the best kind of adventure is one that introduces you to immersive experiences and sights that last a lifetime –as well as give you the time and space to explore.

So what are you waiting for? Explore the road less travelled – book your small group tour of Europe today. Contact Travel by Design on 01625 584195 or call in at 28 London Road, Alderley Edge.

New owners at The Miners Arms And this time they’re here to stay!

It was with some trepidation that I called at the Miners one sunny Sunday morning recently; it’s probably a year or so since I was last there and after a particularly bad Sunday lunch in a dark and dingy pub I’d vowed never to go back!

This time I was out walking along the canal and fancied a coffee so I decided to risk it. What a surprise – I was greeted by pleasant, lighter, brighter surroundings and a very friendly lady who said they were definitely open for coffee and cake or even breakfast if I prefer. And sure enough there were freshly baked cakes and pastries on the counter, a great accompaniment to an excellent cup of coffee.

The transformation has come about following the arrival of new owners Catrena and Barry Peters and their son Jason Maidwell. The family is originally from London, where Barry had been a cabbie for 40 years but ill health forced him to give it up. Jason had lived in Manchester since he was 18 managing bars, restaurants and nightclubs so, when his parents were looking for a fresh start, they came up with the idea of going into business together.

Jason spotted the potential in the Miners and, just over three months ago, his parents drove

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

Jason, Catrena and Barry.

up from London with all their worldly goods in a van, picked up the keys and took up residence.

There was a lot of work to do – freshening up the interior with new carpets, investing a lot of money in updating the kitchen, recruiting staff and generally getting the business operational. And at last, with the teething problems behind them, they are now ready to invite custom from further afield; the locals have already become regulars!

“I get the impression previous owners were trying to make money out of the business without really putting anything in,” said Jason. “We take the opposite approach – we’re here for the long term now and we want a business to be proud of – this is a new beginning, a new life for my family and we are striving to turn the Miners back into a great local, community pub.”

Jason, a qualified chef himself, helped to develop a new menu with Head Chef Darren. Where possible all produce is locally sourced and the daily specials reflect what’s fresh and available.

“It’s not fancy food – it’s good quality English food done really well. Fresh meat, fish and vegetables are delivered daily and everything is cooked fresh to order. You won’t find anything out of a packet here – the pies take three days to make as the beef is slow braised in ale! The beauty of this is that the chef can easily deviate from the menu to cater for specific needs, food intolerances and so on. Just ask and he will be only too pleased to help.”

The Miners Arms opens from 12 noon to 11pm on weekdays – the full menu is served all day until 9pm. Coffee and cake is also available all day for £3.95. At the weekends they open at 10am for breakfast, on Sunday the menu is reduced to make way for a roast dinner, finishing at 8pm for the evening quiz.

NGS Gardens to Visit - Late Summer to Early Autumn What a summer! Frequent deluges with sunny intervals must have tried the patience of many of the owners who kindly open their gardens for the National Gardens Scheme. Fortunately, gardeners – and visitors – are hardy folk: cancellations have been very few indeed and attendances have held up well throughout the season.

As many readers already know, our garden owners kindly open their garden gates to the public on specified days and, by arrangement, to groups. The money raised from admissions, plant sales and the much-appreciated teas and cakes enables the NGS to be the largest donor to several well-known charities, including McMillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie and Hospice UK as well as “guest charities” which for 2016 are the Muscular Sclerosis Society and Horatio’s Garden which helps in the rehabilitation of spinal injury patients.

By way of historical background: the NGS was founded in 1927 to support and train district nurses. To raise money for this good cause, individuals were asked to open up their gardens for ‘a shilling a head’. This was a huge success and led directly to the NGS that we know today. Next year will be our 90th anniversary and we have decided to celebrate this in festival style. Our annual Garden Festival, normally a two-day event, will be brought forward by a week to the Whitsun May Bank Holiday which next year will be 28, 29 and 30 May, being the precise anniversary of when the first gardens opened in 1927 – giving us three days of celebrations. Nearer the time, look out for local garden events and join the celebrations.

Back to this year: although we are approaching the end of the season, we still have a busy schedule for August and September with 22 open garden days and four fabulous gardens that are new to the NGS - and probably to you, too!

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5 Cobbs Lane

Here are the new gardens: 5 Cobbs Lane (Hough, nr Crewe, CW2 5JN) A wildlife-friendly 2/3 acre garden with island beds, wide cottage-style herbaceous borders with bark paths running through for access.

A wide variety of hardy and unusual perennials, shrubs, grasses and trees, with places to sit and enjoy the surroundings. There is a water feature running to a small pond; Open: Wednesday 3 August (11am - 5pm).

Admission £5, children free. Home-made teas.

The Birches

Clover Bank Organic Farm (North Rode, nr Congleton, CW12 2NX) This ‘must see’ garden complements a stunning modern house above a large pond with surrounding plantings of roses, dahlias, herbaceous, raised vegetable beds, marginal and wetland planting. Woodland, soft fruit and fruit trees and large wild flower areas. Spectacular views to Pennines.

Open: Saturday 6 August, Sunday 7 August (11am - 4pm). Admission £5, children free. Tea.

The Birches (Mollington, nr Chester, CH1 6LG) Half an acre of gardens comprising: Front ‘night garden’ of pale/white herbaceous/ mixed planting. Rear garden split into four areas: Koi and wildlife pond with herbaceous planting; Grasses/shrubs and fernery; Orchard and meadow with hens; vegetables and fruit trees and wildlife stream.

Open: Saturday 13 August, Sunday 14 August (10am - 6pm). Admission £3.50, child £2.

Home-made teas: traditional cakes and modern cupcakes.

Winterbottom House (Mere, nr Knutsford, WA16 0QQ) A large garden developed over many years with two distinct areas. One mainly trees, grasses and woodland with a natural koi pond leading to a vegetable garden and greenhouse. The other, more formal, area has lots of herbaceous borders and shrubs to give year-round interest. This includes a period summer house, ornamental stream and extensive lawns with plenty of seating areas.

Open: Sunday 14 August (1 - 5pm). Admission £5, children free. Home-made teas.

Getting more information For more detailed information about NGS gardens throughout England and Wales, as well as arrangements for group visits and special events, please go to the main NGS website www.ngs.org.uk. Our “Cheshire and Wirral Gardens 2016” booklet is available from libraries or larger garden centres.

Do you have an interesting garden? If you live in Cheshire or Wirral and have a garden that you think could be part of the NGS, please get in touch with our County Organiser, John Hinde on 0151 353 0032.

Best to call soon, before the flowers start to fade!

by Graham Beech www.ngs.org.uk

Angie’s Fashion Boutique A new ladies fashion boutique has arrived on Park Lane, and it’s called Angie’s. Many of you will know the previous shop, Recollections Antiques, which has been in Poynton for nearly 25 years, but owner Angela Smith thinks it’s time for a change. And why not? It’s good to evolve.

At Angie’s Boutique all ages and sizes are catered for. The boutique now offers inexpensive fashions with frequent top-ups, so there is always something new for you. Classic essential tops, cardigans, shrugs, and t-shirts hang out alongside loose linens, silk floaty tops and quirky cotton dresses. To top it off, you will find sun-hats, bobble hats, scarves and occasion wear and satin and lace handbags.

Angie looks forward to welcoming you to browse and see what the new look shop is all about.

So, we say “goodbye” to Recollections and a big “hello” to Angie’s Boutique. One thing is for sure, there may be the odd antique dotted around, but there’s nothing old-fashioned about Angie’s Boutique!

Angie’s Boutique is at 69 Park Lane, Poynton, Cheshire SK12 1RD Tel 01625 859373 Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 10am - 5pm Like us on Facebook @angiesboutiquepoynton

Park House Georgian B & B Recommends

The White Bull Country Inn Over the last few years, countless readers of INSIDE Magazines have enjoyed wonderful overnight stays at Park House B & B and, of course, fantastic food at nearby La Locanda Restaurant .

Now we are also delighted to recommend to our guests the newly refurbished White Bull Country Inn and Restaurant and great Special Offers that you can enjoy on Wednesday and Thursday nights.

Stay at Park House any Wednesday night for special B & B price of £70 and stroll across to the White Bull to enjoy Steak and Chips for two with a bottle of wine - just £25 in total. Stay at Park House any Thursday night for a special

B & B price of £70 and enjoy Fish and Chips for two with a bottle of wine at The White Bull - just £20 in total.

Of course, we are still offering the very popular Luxury Gourmet Break in conjunction with Award Winning La Locanda Italian Restaurant.

Hope to see you soon.

Mary and Howard

The Walk - Padley Gorge, Higger Tor and the Derwent Valley Distance: 8miles with easy to moderate climbs Starting point: Small lay-by on the left just before Leadmill Bridge on the B6001 half a mile SSE from Hathersage; if this is full, you could start from the Plough Inn car park just past there, but seek permission from the landlord. The food and drinks here after your walk are delightful.

Maps: OS Peak District series 1:50000, the Dark Peak Explorer OL1and the White Peak Explorer OL24 Walk a short way back from the lay-by and take the first track to the right, running alongside the left bank of the River Derwent and heading east.

Stay on this track as far as the gate and footpath sign on the right. From here walk through the field and then along the river path, which can be muddy at times. Eventually, this path divides (241795) at the sign up to Grindleford Station and the left path is often very muddy, so take the middle route.

After a short distance, the two paths merge as you head up a gradual climb through the woods, and then a slightly steeper section up to a gate in a wall. Beyond the gate there is a good drinks stop with rocky seats to enjoy views down the scenic Derwent Valley south.

Leave here passing over the railway bridge, and then bear right across a grassy pathway until you reach a wider track. Bear right along this past houses and an old chapel. Before dropping

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by Barry Wilson Marple District Rambling Club

down towards Grindleford Station, look out for sharp turn left up a wide and steep access road between some lovely houses. At the top, go through the gate and begin a rocky ascent which stays above the gorge. Keep heading up and then along an undulating pathway of Gritstone slabs through this delightful conservation woodland section with the river deep in the gorge below; the rapids and small waterfalls are spectacular after a rainy spell. Ignore any signs to the left and after one mile you go through a gate at the top of the gorge and out into open countryside with views of our ultimate destination of Higger Tor to the north. This is a lovely resting point with rocks to sit on close to the stream by a wooden bridge; it is a very popular paddling and picnic spot for families during a busy holiday period.

From here, keep to the left of the river along a level pathway for about 100 yards then take the obvious well walked path to the left and follow a fascinating but narrow man-made gully which heads upwards towards Surprise View car park (249801). This deep pathway or former packhorse trail reaches the busy A6187 through a gateway. Cross here with care and then turn left to the main car park on a pathway set back from the road. Sometimes there is an ice cream van in the car park! Ahead of you, the views westward are the stunning surprises. If you also look east, you can pick out Longshaw Hall in woodland.

This was used as a First World War hospital and now has a small cafe and shop, and car parks for

other walks from the Longshaw Estate, well worth a visit sometime.

At the car park payment point, turn right and pass through the wooden gate. This leads up, over and between large Gritstone slabs which wind up to an amazing Gritstone tor. Follow the path round this prominent feature and head north to reach Over Owler Tor. Take care descending this high point on any one of the rocky paths down. From here you can see the higher rocky Higger Tor ahead and to the north east, the lower rocky Carl Wark, a site of an ancient settlement. Keep on this well trodden pathway towards the obvious climbing route on the left of Higger Tor; this is an easy ascent taking you round the left edge to reach the summit.

On a windy day, there are plenty of rocks or gullies in which to take shelter and enjoy a well earned lunch break. There are stunning panoramic views towards Stanage Edge, Kinder and Mam Tor to the north and west, or east to Burbage Rocks and south to Froggatt Edge and the Derwent Valley cutting its wooded route towards Chatsworth.

From Higger Tor, head off north along the summit path, then downhill to the minor road (256823).

Cross the road and beyond the fencing bear left and head across the moorland before going steeply downhill towards Hathersage. Take care on this descent before going through two wooden gates on to a wider track. As it bears right at the foot of this route, turn left at the fingerpost towards Mitchell Field (247817). Keep to the left of this house and beyond it, and then look out

for a signpost right, crossing a grassy area into a small wood, across a small stream and up to a stile into fields. Bear slightly right towards the next wall stile and then up the gentle slope along the path to Scraperlow, a lovely house with large lawns and an interesting pub lamp over its side door. Follow their drive to the left of the lawns, through an automatic gate and eventually keep straight on where their drive bears left. (NB. The owners have been trying to alter this route around their land and it may now be completed, but it should still be easy to reach the next section) Keeping close to the wall on your right, the path soon drops down through a delightful wooded walk. In May, this woodland has a carpet of bluebells, punctuated by beds of white flowers.

This path leads down to a wider track behind large houses before reaching the A6187 again.

Cross over the main road, and then walk up the footpath to the left for 50 yards. Turn right by a tree and head down the steep signposted path, going down some steps at the bottom before following the narrow path behind houses and gardens. Turn left on to the minor road down to the B6001 near to Hathersage station road.

Go straight across the road, walking under the railway bridge, until you reach a field gate in front of the grounds of Nether Hall. Turn left taking the sign-posted path as far as Leadmill Bridge and back to your starting point across the main road.

This walk has been contributed by the Marple and District Rambling Club which organises up to 30 walks of all levels and distances each month, going out every Thursday and Sunday. To join, please phone either Sue Gilmore, 0161 427 1471, or Deidre Nolan, 0161 427 7794. To see copies of the programme, visit www.marple-uk/ community/rambling.htm

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Inside People Linda Tunnard Linda Tunnard was born on 26 February 1948 in Harrogate and from the age of five wanted to be a teacher. She attended Ripon Grammar School. After leaving school she married and had two children before, in 1975, at the age of 27, she returned to part time study at Elizabeth Gaskell College for five years, gaining a BA in Geography and Archaeology and subsequently a Post Graduate Certificate in Education.

She then achieved her childhood ambition and took up a teaching post at Bramhall High School. In her teaching career, Linda was a classroom teacher, worked in pastoral support and counselling, became Head of Sixth Form and for 15 years was Deputy Headteacher. During this time, Linda developed links with schools in Italy, Germany, China and Africa. It was a visit to a school in a remote region of Tanzania that made her aware of the poverty and hunger that existed there, kindling a desire to find some way to help.

When she retired from full time teaching in 2007, Linda worked for three years as School Visits Coordinator before becoming a volunteer with Oxfam and now works in their charity shop in Bramhall.

Oxfam, founded in the 1940s by Oxford University students in response to a European refugee crisis, is the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief. Its aim is to address poverty and suffering in the UK and across the world.

The founding students began by selling their own unwanted books, clothing and household items and then asking friends and relatives to donate theirs. At the end of World War Two the work

34

by Ed Blundell

continued and they opened the first ever charity shop in Oxford where people could donate money and goods and purchase books, bric a brac and clothing. There has been an Oxfam shop in the Bramhall Centre for over 20 years and in the village for much longer.

There are over 30 volunteers like Linda who work there and more are desperately needed especially for Saturdays. Most volunteers work for two to four hours per week and duties include sorting goods behind the scenes, selling in the shop or operating the till.

Linda became a volunteer because she saw it as an opportunity to help those less fortunate than herself and something meaningful to do after retirement. Her other post retirement passion is travel with husband Ian, himself a retired headteacher. They have visited Antarctica, the Galapagos Islands, Australia, Vietnam, South America and much of Europe. Their next holiday is planned in India.

For relaxation Linda reads Scandinavian crime fiction and watches TV. Her ambition is to maintain links with schools and the classroom to prove she can still teach and relate to children.

Last Word from Linda I feel I have been lucky in my life and want to give something back to those who are less fortunate.

Working as a volunteer, I meet the public and I am part of a friendly welcoming team and feel my time and efforts are valued.

Information about Oxfam can be found at www.oxfam.co.uk and if you click on ‘I would like to volunteer’ there is information about what it is like to be a volunteer. Alternatively you can call in the Bramhall shop and arrange to meet Mark, the manager. On 6 September there will be an open day from 11am to 1pm to explore the opportunities and duties of being a volunteer.

The open day will be a chance to have a coffee and meet the friendly team with no pressure to sign up.

Canine Companions I have heard that there are benefits to being a pet owner, particularly relating to dogs, but now there’s real evidence, and the claims that are made are significant, especially for older people.

Researchers at the University of Missouri have determined that older adults (60 plus) who are pet owners benefit in a number of ways from their canine companions. Rebecca Johnson, a professor at the MU College of Veterinary Medicine explained “Our study explored the associations between dog ownership and pet bonding with walking behaviour and health outcomes in older adults” The study found that those with higher degrees of pet bonding would see greater benefits. It concluded that dog walking can be associated with lower body mass index, fewer doctor visits and more frequent and vigorous exercise. I can’t say it comes as too much of a surprise to hear that walking the dog results in a lower body mass index, you

would expect this to be the case with regular and “vigorous” exercise. It’s the other benefits that hold the most interest for me and the positive impact they have. Owning a dog comes with responsibility, it requires routine and importantly it gives us a purpose. Taking the dog for a walk means more opportunity for social engagement, people are more likely to stop and chat especially other dog owners. The companionship that comes with dog ownership can stave off feelings of isolation and loneliness. Personally I am more of a cat person but besides taking a cat for a walk all the other benefits still apply.

Karen Perry, Founder alice chilton In-Home Care Services Limited www.alicechilton.com

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.

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

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.

Stay & Play 10-11.30am Term time only, Poynton Children’s Centre, Clumber Road.

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

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

Rhyme Time 10.30am Poynton Library. No booking necessary and no charge.

All babies and toddlers welcome with parents/carers.

Contact 01625 374818.

Friday Rugbytots Various times. Poynton Civic Hall. An award-winning, fun, energetic play programme for boys and girls from 2 years old. Call Alick on 0345 313 6720 or email alick@rugbytots.co.uk for time and to book.

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 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.

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

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Answers: jet ski, paragliding, banana boat, windsurfing, volleyball, snorkeling Extra letter answer: diving

S D I K 4 JUST

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Solution on page 58 .

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Oh I Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside…

It’s summer and the long balmy holidays stretch before you like a beach towel. The children are already lethargic and bored and you’re wondering what to do. Well it would be hard to beat the pleasure and memory-making potential of a trip to the beach, so why don’t you pack up a picnic, sun cream and swimming stuff and if you’ve got room, add a paddling pool, screwdriver and cable ties too? Read on to find out why!

Create a mini oasis I know that you’re thinking surely taking a paddling pool to the beach is madness but I bet that by the end you’ll be making a mental note to add it to the list! Of course it can’t compete with the delight of chasing waves and thrill of being sucked seawards as the ground shifts underfoot, but if the tide is out, mark my words you’ll be glad of your own mini oasis. With the added benefit of being able to provide shade while little ones play and explore under your watchful eye, or older children vegetate with a book, I bet it won’t be long before they’re filling it with water, adding sand to it and exploring a host of scientific discoveries, constructing worlds or simply creating just the right consistency for the perfect sandcastle.

Make a beach tent A spare towel or sarong, some string, cable ties or pegs are all you need to create a Robinson Crusoe style beach tent. Children will love foraging for wooden struts, making a den and best of all curling up in their finished tent as they read or watch the world go by. What better way to enjoy a gritty sandwich than under a flapping tent!

Make a sundial When you arrive and have set up camp why not find some sticks and make a sundial together?

For children that have to be dragged kicking and screaming back home at the end of the day they can use their very own sundial to literally watch

time go by counting down the hours and preparing them for ice-creams, swimming and home time.

Jewellery Heaven Armed with a roll of string and a shell strewn beach, children (and adults let’s be honest) will spend hours searching for the perfect shells and threading them to make amazing bracelets and necklaces. Mother Nature has a habit of peppering shells with holes in just the right places for threading.

Go on a fossil hunt A trip to the beach would not be the same without a couple of screwdrivers and a bucket for fossil hunting. What better way of helping older children while away the time with no gadgets in sight, than the challenge of discovering fossils and sharks teeth? Then there’s the task of washing and sorting the fossils so that you take home only the cream of the crop. You’ll be glad of a strong bucket to lighten the load and children will happily take it in turns lugging this to the car.

Sand kitchen Mud kitchens are all the rage occupying children as they rustle up meals, mix and pour. Pack a few different sized spoons and containers for some alfresco sand ‘cooking’ while you kick off your shoes to watch or enjoy a good read. Don’t be surprised if this occupies two to five year olds for hours as children find this type of play immensely satisfying.

Finally, there’s always the thrill of a good treasure hunt or diverting a water course by creating a dam. All is not lost if you can’t make it to the beach in person, simply bring it to you with a paddling pool, sand, shells, shingle, sunshades and ice cream of course!

by Sue Gascoyne email: sue@playtoz.co.uk

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Wallet Workout Go grab your purse or wallet. You need it next to you during the five minutes it’ll take you to read this and it should be lucrative! Our wallets are a treasure trove of financial information. One of my party tricks is to take a look at someone’s and save them £100s in minutes – and now I want to do it for you. This is my wallet workout, a selfinspection of contents to save you cash.

1. Pull out your debit card – do you have a winner?

A debit card reveals where you bank; and mistakes there are a plenty.

Do you pay a monthly fee? If so, work out its annual cost (£15/month = £180) and then ask yourself if the ‘extras’ the bank gives are worth this. If not, cancel it. Plus, if you were flogged it or told you had to have it, you may be able to reclaim all packaged bank account fees (see www.mse.me/reclaimpackagefees).

Does your bank make you happy? If not, then www.FirstDirect.com is worth considering switching to. It’s a fee-free account (as long as you pay in £1,000 a month), pays switchers £100 and has a linked 6% savings account.

It’s won every service poll I’ve ever done, with 92% of its customers rating it ‘great’. Or www.

Co-operativeBank.co.uk is giving £150, plus up to £5.50 if you qualify for its Everyday Rewards scheme, and 70% of its customers rate it ‘great’.

Are you overdrawn? Debit cards can be debt cards too, and sometimes costlier than credit.

For small overdrafts, you can switch again to www.FirstDirect.com which gives a £250 0% overdraft, and the £100 switch bonus will help clear some of it. Or the www.Nationwide.co.uk FlexDirect gives a 0% overdraft for the first 12 months. For larger amounts, you can use special 0% credit cards to clear it - see www.mse.me/ moneytransfers Do you have savings? If so, use your bank account to max the interest, as some now pay by far the highest interest on savings. The top picks are www.Santander.co.uk’s 123, which pays

Martin Lewis Column 3% on up to £20,000 and www.LloydsBank. com’s ClubLloyds, which pays 4% on £4,000£5,000. There’s also the www.Tsb.co.uk Classic Plus, which pays 5% on up to £2,000, plus up to £5-a-month cashback on contactless purchases.

2. Pull out your photo driving licence – is it valid?

A whopping 2.2 million licences have a picture that’s out of date. To check yours, look at section 4b on your photocard licence, it’ll show the expiry date. If you don’t and it’s expired, you risk a fine of up to £1,000. You can renew it online at www.gov. uk/renew-driving-licence or at the post office.

3. Got a credit card(s) that you pay interest on? STOP It’s possible to save £100s or even £1,000s a year by getting a 0% balance transfer credit card – that’s where the new card pays off debt on old cards for you, so you owe it instead, but at 0%.

This means more of your repayments clear the actual debt rather than just paying the interest, making you debt-free quicker.

There’s up to 40 months 0% available with a fee, or 24 months 0% fee-free. My full best balance transfers guide at www.moneysavingexpert. com/bts includes a free eligibility calculator which gives card-by-card odds of which you’re most likely to get – so you can home in on your winner. Savings can be huge, as Victoria tweeted me: “I got my fiancé to transfer his credit card balances to a 0%, saved £1,500 interest.”

4. Do you have a donor card?

It’s a big decision, but joining the Organ Donor Register could mean you save or improve up to nine lives. If it’s for you, sign up at www. organdonation.nhs.uk or call 0300 123 23 23.

5. Got a credit card and always repay in full?

Make it PAY YOU Every time you use a card, the retailer pays the card firm a transaction fee. With a cashback card, you effectively get this put back in your pocket.

Continued over...

by Martin Lewis twitter: @MoneySavingExpert

51

As new regulations have cut these fees recently, cashback’s been cut too, yet Amex cards are mostly exempted, so still pay a good whack.

The fee-free www.AmericanExpress.com Everyday pays 5% cashback (max £100) for the first three months, then tiered up to 1.25% after. The best non-Amex is at money.asda.com Mastercard which pays 0.5% cashback (1% in Asda). As Anna tweeted me: “@MartinSLewis Glad I read about Amex cashback card: I’ll get over £200 paid.”

Yet only do this if you’ll set up a direct debit to repay IN FULL each month or you’ll pay 22.9% (Amex) or 18.9% (Asda) rep APR interest, which more than wipes the cashback gain.

6. Sign up for a myWaitrose card for FREE daily tea and coffee Get the www.waitrose.com loyalty card – then in most stores you can get a totally free takeaway hot drink, every day from the self-service machine without buying anything.

7. Not got a credit card…? You’re less protected Pay using a credit card and you get extra protection under the ‘Section 75 law’ – which means buy something costing between £100 and £30,000 on a credit card, and pay for any of it (even 1p) on it, and the card firm’s jointly liable with the retailer for the entire amount.

This get-out-of-jail-free card is hugely powerful if the retailer goes bust or won’t play fair, as Michelle found. She tweeted: “Successful Section 75 credit card claim, refunded £125 for nondelivery of phone order, used template on your website, thanks.”

PS: If you’ve been burnt with credit cards in the past, or have little financial discipline, then ignore this point. Better safe than sorry.

Martin Lewis is the Founder & Editor in Chief of Money Saving Expert. To join the 10 million people who get his Martin’s Money Tips weekly email, go to www.moneysavingexpert.com/latesttip

Inside Guide Friday 5 August Worth Probus Club informal lunch Contact Peter Owen on 01625 871574 for more information.

Boar’s Head Pub, Higher Poynton 12.15pm

Thursday 11 August Worth Probus Club. Collective Legal Services will talk to us on ‘Tax, Care and Toy Boys’. Please contact Peter Owen on 01625871574 or peterowen49@btinternet.com for further details.

St George’s Church Hall, Poynton 2pm

Monday 15 August Mart Rodger Manchester Jazz Poynton British Legion, Georges Road, Poynton 7.30pm

A guide to selected events in East Cheshire during August & September Friday 26 August Simply Cinema presents THE EYE IN THE SKY (15) An edge-of-your-seat political thriller starring Helen Mirren. Tickets £7, to book call 0161 439 1436 email events@simplybooks.info or book online at www.simplybooks.info Centrepoint, Bramhall Methodist Church, doors 6.30 for 7pm screening

Tuesday 30 August Caffe e Conversazione, If you speak Italian, are interested in learning it, or simply love all things Italian, join us for informal conversation, coffee and cake with local Italian teacher Giulia Shepherd. £5 including coffee and cake.

Simply Books, Bramhall 11am

Tuesday 16 August

Friday 2 September

Poynton U3A General Meeting. Peter Bloc will speak on ‘An Introduction to the Alexander Technique’ Entrance £1 including refreshments.

Worth Probus Club informal lunch Contact Peter Owen on 01625 871574 for more information.

For more information contact enquiries@poyntonu3a.org.uk or visit our website at www.poyntonu3a.org.uk.

Main Hall, Poynton Civic Centre 2-4pm

Wednesday 17 August Coffee and Conversation, join Andrew for half-an-hour of lively conversation about books in the news. Hear what’s happening in the shop and pick up suggestions for a few ‘good reads’! Price: £2.50 (towards your coffee and homemade cake!)

Simply Books, Bramhall 11am

Thursday 18 August Poynton Morning Townswomen’s Guild. Informal member coffee get together. Venue to be advised Contact Kath on 0161 456 5299

Thursday 25 August Worth Probus Club. Michael Murphy will talk to us on ‘Crime and Punishment in Dickens’s London’.

Please contact Peter Owen on 01625871574 or peterowen49@btinternet.com for further details.

St George’s Church Hall, Poynton 2pm

Boar’s Head Pub, Higher Poynton 12.15pm

Tuesday 6 September Oxfam Open Coffee Morning for people who may be interested in volunteering, donating or finding out about the work of Oxfam. Please come along, everyone welcome.

Oxfam, Bramhall 11am to 1pm

Tuesday 6 September Hazel Grove Sub Aqua Club. Do you want to learn to SCUBA dive? Sign-up to HGSACs new diver’s course.

Put the winter months to good use and by next summer you could be diving with seals and exploring the UK! Bookings required. More info call 07393 232256 or email admin@hgsac.com Bramhall Park Lawn Tennis Club, SK7 3JN 7.30pm

Wednesday 7 September Poynton Local History Society starts the new season with a talk by Bob Humphrey-Taylor entitled ‘Samuel Oldknow and Mellor Mill’. Our October meeting is ‘The Story of Jodrell Bank’ by Professor Ian Morison. We meet the first Wednesday of the month, September to May. Annual Membership is £12. Visitors are always welcome at £2 per visit. Enquiries 01625 872068 St Pauls Community Room, Marley Road, Poynton 7.30pm

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

Continued over...

55

inside guide

Thursday 8 September

Thursday 22 September

Worth Probus Club. Michael Erskine will talk to us on ‘Quarry Bank Mill’. Please contact Peter Owen on 01625871574 or peterowen49@btinternet.com for further details.

Worth Probus Club. Peter Hyde will talk to us on ‘Oldham Mountain Rescue’. Please contact Peter Owen on 01625871574 or peterowen49@btinternet.com for further details. St George’s Church Hall, Poynton 2pm

St George’s Church Hall, Poynton 2pm

Thursday 8 September Poynton Home Gardeners Club. Our guest speaker will be Chris Beardshaw, making a welcome return visit to our club, talking on “The English Garden.” This is an all ticket event - to check availability of tickets, please contact Elaine on 01625 871603 Royal British Legion Club, St. George’s Road West, Poynton

Saturday 10 September Local artist June Bevan has a retrospective exhibition entitled “A Lifetime of Painting”. Her Artist’s Opening Reception is between 2pm and 4pm and the exhibition will be open until 15 October. Gallery opening times Tuesday to Friday 1pm to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 11am to 5pm.

Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery, Wellington Road South, Stockport

Tuesday 13 September

Thursday 22 September E Cheshire National Trust Lecture – ‘A Patient Patient’ Speaker Janet Lamb. St Michael’s Church Hall, St Michaels Avenue, Bramhall 7.30pm

Friday 23 September ‘Going Downhill Fast’ - An evening of stories and music with Peter Lancaster and the N-Choir at Poynton Players Theatre, in aid of the Children’s Liver Disease Foundation. Tickets £7.50 on-line poyntonplayer.co.uk or phone 0333 666 3366 Poynton Players, Georges Road West, Poynton 7.45pm

Thursday 29 September Wilmslow Guild Natural History Society. Wildlife of Cheshire’s Peaks, Plains and Coasts, buy David Tolliday.

A local naturalist’s knowledge of our county. Visitors welcome £4. Further information from the Chairman – David Warner 01625 874387 Wilmslow Guild, 1 Bourne Street, Wilmslow 7.30pm

E Cheshire National Trust Lecture – ‘Mary Queen of Scots Part 2’ Speaker George Ecclestone St Michael’s Church Hall, St Michaels Avenue, Bramhall 2pm

Thursday 15 September Poynton Morning Townswomen’s Guild. Speaker Barbara Begg on ‘Musical Entertainment’ Contact Kath on 0161 456 5299 Poynton Civic Hall 10am – 12noon

Monday 19 September Mart Rodger Manchester Jazz Poynton British Legion, Georges Road, Poynton 7.30pm

Tuesday 20 September Poynton U3A General Meeting. Open Afternoon with presentations from our interest groups. Open to members and non-members, entrance free including refreshments. For more information contact enquiries@poyntonu3a.org.uk Or visit our website at www.poyntonu3a.org.uk Main Hall, Poynton Civic Centre 2-4pm

56

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Copy deadline for the next issue:

Monday 12 September Tel: 01625 879611 email: info@insidemagazines.co.uk

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Crossword Solution

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

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Mike Knibb 01625 267422

58

07956 134900

Useful Numbers Leisure Centre

Churches Lostock Christian Fellowship

01625 260728

Poynton

Poynton Baptist Church

01625 859036

Library

Poynton Christian Fellowship

01625 859170

Poynton Library

St Paul’s RC Church

01625 872606

Local Government

Poynton Methodist Church

01625 871592

Poynton Parish Church

01625 850524

(St Georges with St Martin’s) London Road Dental Surgery

01625 850828

Wish Dental Practice

01625 874667

Chester Rd Dental Care

01625 876900

Phoenix Dental Practice

01625 875 074

Doctors Priorslegh Medical Centre

01625 872299

McIlvride Medical Practice

01625 872134

Poynton Clinic

01625 875618

Alcoholics Anonymous

0845 7697555

Al-Anon

02074 030888

RSPCA Samaritans Citizens Advice Bureau Directory Enquiries You & Yours Counselling

0800 1111 0800 555111 0300 1234999 116 123 03444 111 444 118 500 01625 874225

01625 422848 0300 123 5500 01625 872238

Co-op Pharmacy

01625 872214

L Rowland & Co

01625 873955

Police Station (non-emergency)

101

Post Offices Poynton Post Office

01625 850262

Schools 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

Travel Bus Information Train Information

0161 228 7811 0845 748 4950

Utilities Electricity – Power Loss

Hospitals

01625 374818

Pharmacists

Lostock Hall Primary School

Helplines

Crimestoppers

E. Cheshire Council Info Services Poynton Town Council

Dentists

Childline

MP’s Constituency Office

01625 876442

0800 195 4141

Macclesfield District General Hospital

01625 421000

Gas – Emergency

Stepping Hill Hospital

0161 483 1010

Water Mains

0845 746 2200

Environment Agency Floodline

0845 988 1188

NHS Non-Emergency Open Hands Transport

111 01625 878589

0800 111 999

Classified Index ACCOUNTANTS

Nolan James Chartered Accountants

ADULT EDUCATION

Free Philosophy The Cheadle College Wilmslow Guild

AUDIO VISUAL Maddocks

BEDS

The Bed and Mattress Shop

BOOKSHOPS

Simply Books

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

BUILDING SOCIETIES

Vernon Building Society

CAFES

Grade Café Bar

CARE HOMES & SERVICES Alice Chilton In-Home Care CLS Parklands Hope Green

CARPETS & FLOORING Carpet Creations

CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING Safeclean Zap-Clean

CHILDCARE Kidszone

CHIROPRACTORS

The Back Pain Centre

CHURCHES

Poynton Christian Fellowship

CLEANERS

Diamond Home Support

CLUBS & ENTERTAINMENT Poynton British Legion Poynton Show

COMPUTER & INTERNET Mike Knibb Tech Teacher

DRAINAGE

Pure Clean Drainage Solutions

DRIVEWAYS

Will’s Driveway Cleaning

EDUCATION

Kip McGrath Education Centre

ELECTRICIANS Maddocks

FASHION

Angie’s Boutique

GARDEN MAINTENANCE

NRG Garden Services Robinson Garden Maintenance

HAIR & BEAUTY

36 40 Inside Back 11

Carl Howard Hair Serenity The Cut

HEARING AIDS & SERVICES Home Hearing Services

HOME IMPROVEMENT & PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

35

Blue Handyman Service K&J Home & Garden Maintenance Trevor Garner

12

HOME SERVICES

Diamond Home Support

6

HOTELS

21 58 45 42

JOINERY

17 5

Magpie Cottages Park House B & B

KITCHENS

Matt Finish Simplicity Granite

LOCKSMITHS

29

OVEN CLEANING

53 42

PAINTING & DECORATING

39

PHYSIOTHERAPY

60

PIANO TUITION

52

Crimeguard Security

LOFT LADDERS

More Than Loft Ladders Ecodazzle

Deano Kathy Shaw

Park Lane Physiotherapy Garth Aspinall Piano Tuition

PLUMBING & HEATING Cheshire Heat David Hanson

PUBS & RESTAURANTS The Miners Arms

58 9

SECURITY

35

SOFT FURNISHINGS

53

SOLICITORS/LEGAL SERVICES

30 28 30 59

ROOFING

Poynton Roofing

9 58 56 27

59 48

59 58 44 61 44 60 25 43

Crimeguard Security Kathy Shaw

Hale Solicitors Manners Pimblett

52

48

59 57

6

60 58 56

39 46

37 18 50

Inside Front

6

42 31

D C Joinery Ken Wood & Son Trevor Garner Woodvine Carpentry & Joinery

TREE SERVICES

Tree Station Swift Tree & Arboricultural Services

WINDOW & CONSERVATORY REPAIRS The Window Repair Centre

WINdOWS & DOORS Peak Taylor Glaze

62

6 23 44

59 58 36 Back cover 30 27 49 45