Inside Marple Issue 48

inside m a r p l e march - april 2019

magazines

Issue 48

including compstall, marple bridge & mellor

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inside m a r p l e

including compstall, marple bridge & mellor

I’m writing this in the middle of February but it’s already a beautiful Spring day! Blue sky, a bit of warmth from the sun and people smiling as they walk around, instead of scurrying along, heads bowed against the cold. Last year we still had the ‘Beast from the East’ to come – let’s hope it stays away for 2019.

With Spring in the air, I hope you’ll get the chance to enjoy the great outdoors a bit more. There’s always a new walk to try in every issue of INSIDE, and often a suggestion for a day out or two, as well as all the events listed in the INSIDE Guide. Feel free to send anything you’d like to see featured – we can’t guarantee to use it, but we do our very best. Also, remember we’re always on the lookout for good local photos for the cover – please send any you think might be suitable.

It’s also the time of year when you might feel moved to get a few jobs done around the house and garden.

Where better to look for someone to help with your project than in your local magazine?

Happy reading.

What’s INSIDE this month 4 Diary of a Geeky Knitter 7 perfect primulas 8 simply books book club choice 11 carry on Peter Butterworth 15 Puzzles 16 Recipe 20 NGS Snowdrop festival 23 inside people 24 The Walk 26 In Touch 16 33 Children’s Activities 34 Just 4 Kids 37 INSIDE Guide 45 Useful Numbers 44 Puzzle Solutions 46 Classified Index

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Editor: Claire Hawker

Tel: 01625 879611

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Inside Magazines, 352a Park Lane, Poynton, Cheshire SK12 1RL. email: info@insidemagazines.co.uk www.insidemagazines.co.uk

By Marple Canal

Copy deadline for the next issue: Wed 10 april

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Inside Marple 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 2019. 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

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Diary of a geeky knitter Public Speaking When it came time to write up this little column again, the timing couldn’t really have been better as it coincided with a talk I had agreed to give to Ludworth & Mellor WI. I was approached by the secretary, Caroline, about half a year ago to arrange this event, and being so far in the future (this was back in my unmarried days after all!) I said yes without hesitation.

Fast forward to about a week ago, where the realisation really hit me that, wow, I needed to give a 45-minute talk about what I do for a living.

Something that may appear like normal dayto-day for some, but for the majority of us, it smacked heavily of public speaking.

You’ve read my words in past columns about stepping out of your comfort zone and taking that leap, but my goodness had I forgotten the fear that hits you before an interview for a new job in front of strangers, or even giving a dreaded PowerPoint presentation at school. I was very nervous, but I had a good feeling that the ladies in a WI (the friendliest afternoon group in the area, I have been assured) wouldn’t be quite so scary as an English literature teacher asking you your thoughts on The Merchant of Venice in front of a restless group of 20+ teenagers.

They didn’t disappoint!

Welcomed

by Caroline, Sheila, Elaine and the other members, I gave my talk to what I hope was an interested audience, and enough questions were asked about my job as editor of a crochet craft magazine and what it involves, that it filled me with confidence that perhaps it wasn’t so bad. In fact, the newest face in the group even managed not to cry the whole time I was speaking and given that he couldn’t have been older than 1 year old I took it to be a great compliment. Even his mum, whom he dragged along, was interested - who knew young children these days could be so interested in the inner workings of publishing, eh?

At the risk of saying it once, and saying it again, I do heartily encourage you to think of ways you can just step a little further out of your usual routine to do something a little different - maybe you’re not ready to give a long speech in an established group (I may delay my next one for some time…) but perhaps joining or sampling a new group could be the way to go? The Ludworth & Mellor WI meet to have a knitting, crochet and all handicrafts club every Tuesday morning from 10am to12 noon at the WI Hall on Lower Fold Road, and everyone is welcome to join in - members or not; a great way to do something a little different in the week. jennythegeekyknitter@gmail.com www.thegeekyknitter.co.uk www.etsy.com/uk/shop/geeksgamesandknits

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Perfect Primulas The name primula comes from the Latin for “first” and the native Primrose (Primula vulgaris) is a herald of spring in many woodlands. There are many types of primrose, some common and easy and others rare and requiring special conditions. This month I’m going to focus on some I’ve found easy enough for most gardens provided you meet the general requirement for a moist soil and some shade from the hot sun.

Primulas can be easily raised from seed but do best from very fresh seed, collected as soon as (or even just before) the seed pods open and sown immediately. If you need to keep seed, then its best in a sealed jar in the fridge. The seed compost must not dry out and a humid atmosphere helps – cover the seed tray with a sheet of glass or a clear plastic bag. In the right conditions seed can germinate in three weeks or so.

after flowering. One of my favourite types is the Gold Lace Polyanthus with its yellow centre and gold-edged almost black petals.

Some of the most dramatic and easy to grow are the candelabra primulas with their multiple whorls of flowers along upright stems. There are many colours and hybrids to choose from including Bessiana (pink), Bulleyana (orange), pulverulenta (deep pink) and the dramatic Inverewe (burnt orange). These definitely need damp conditions and are traditionally grown next to streams and ponds or in woodland boggy areas. If allowed to seed, they will mix and produce plants in many colours.

Another favourite is the Drumstick Primula (P. denticulate) with its short flower stems topped with a ball of flowers in white, blue or pink. These tolerate slightly drier conditions but must not dry out completely if they are to do well.

Once the plants have clumped up it is best to divide them after flowering, or perhaps in early autumn in a cooler spell of weather. Dig up the clump and break it into individual rosettes. Shorten the leaves by about half to reduce water loss. Replant or pot up the small plants and keep moist and shaded while they get established.

There are lots of British native Primulas, including the woodland Primrose. The Cowslip (Primula veris) is one of the most accommodating, even growing on dry, sunny banks and seedling around to form large colonies naturalised in grass. Hybrids of these natives gave us the Polyanthas – well-loved bedding plants that are nonetheless perennial flowering every year if divided

by Martin Blow > www.specialperennials.com

Primulas can be subject to a few pests and by far the most devastating is vine weevil which seems to have a special liking for fleshy roots. Apart from that most gardeners will find primulas easy to grow and trouble free.

Janet and I run Special Perennials, our website www.specialperennials.com is full of colour photos and growing tips. We sell by mail order and at Plant Hunters’ Fairs throughout the season.

Please see www.planthuntersfairs.co.uk Locally we will be at the Plant Hunters’ Fairs at Bramall Hall, on Sunday 7 April 2019 and at Adlington Hall, Macclesfield on Sunday 12 May 2019. We are happy to bring orders to plant fairs for you to collect.

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simply books book club choice My first pick is A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline – a beautifully composed fictional memoir which draws together lives of one of America’s most famous painters of the twentieth century (Andrew Wyeth) and the woman who inspired some of his most memorable paintings. To Christina Olson, the entire world is encompassed by her family’s remote farm in the small coastal town of Cushing, Maine. Born in the home her family has lived in for generations, and tied to the farm by health and circumstances, Christina seems destined for a small life. Instead, by chance she and the landscape in which she lives become the inspiration for the artist Andrew Wyeth, and eventually the subject of one of the best-known paintings of the last century Christina’s World. Beautifully written – tender, compassionate and a moving study of the connection between two people from utterly different backgrounds who come to share so much.

The Death of the Fronsac is a debut novel by journalist and historian Neal Ascherson – completed at the age of 85 – drawing on the author’s own experience as a wartime child in Greenock on the banks of the Clyde. In 1940 a French ship blows up in the Firth of Clyde. The disaster is witnessed by Jackie, a young girl, who for a time thinks she has caused the explosion by running away that day from school; by her mother Helen, a spirited woman married to a dreary young officer; and by a Polish soldier whose country has just been overrun by Hitler. Their lives are changed forever by the death of the Fronsac. This is a thoughtful and affecting story - a vivid evocation of life in wartime and the way in which history intrudes on our lives.

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

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Andrew Cant

And for children…unicorns are definitely the thing of the moment! One of our favourite unicorn stories is Uni The Unicorn by Amy Krause Rosenthal – a magical story of friendship that proves that wishes really can come true!

Carry On Peter Butterworth Recently researching the Carry On films (don’t ask!) I was delighted to find that one of the team’s mainstay performers originally came from round these parts.

Okay, Peter Butterworth was not the sort of actor who was ever going to be top of the bill, but he was one of the Carry On team’s most enduring players – he appeared in 16 of their films, many of which were amongst the very best of the series.

Butterworth’s real name was William Shorrocks Butterworth and he was born on 4 February 1915 at a property called Bank House on Bramhall Lane (whether that was the Bramhall end of the lane or in Davenport I’ve not been able to ascertain). Nobody seems clear as to when he started to be addressed as Peter, but it is possible he simply acquired that moniker in his formative years to distinguish him from his namesake father.

Butterworth joined the Carry On team in 1965 when he played the slightly tipsy Doc in ‘Carry On Cowboy’.

In real life Butterworth was apparently a shy and gentle soul and this was reflected in his roles, which were rarely overbearing but often quietly eccentric and usually a bit potty. He was often cast as somebody else’s stooge and that suited Butterworth’s talents perfectly. As Detective-Constable Slowbotham in ‘Carry

On Screaming’ he was the bumbling fall-guy for his incompetent, thick-headed superior Detective-Sergeant Bung (surely one of the greatest character names in cinema history). Bung was memorably played by the son of Steptoe himself, the great Harry H. Corbett who (I feel compelled to add) was brought up in Ardwick and then on a Wythenshawe council estate.

Butterworth was also memorably cast as Citizen Bidet in ‘Carry On Don’t Lose Your Head’ (1966), set during the reign of terror following the French Revolution, where he has to stand by in helpless exasperation while his senior Secret Service officer, Citizen Camembert (Kenneth Williams) continually bungles his attempts to capture The Black Fingernail (Sid James), who is popping up all over Paris rescuing the French aristocracy from the dreaded guillotine. Perhaps Butterworth’s most memorable part in the Carry On series was in the 1969 classic ‘Carry On Camping’ where he plays Joshua Fiddler (the clue is in the name), the shifty manager of the Paradise (ha!) campsite who fleeces all his visiting campers by charging extra for just about everything.

He then played three small roles in ‘Carry On Again Doctor’ (1969), ‘Carry On Loving’ (1970) and ‘Carry On Henry’ (1971) but it wasn’t simply a case of Butterworth’s appearances diminishing in importance.

On the contrary, his performances were valued so highly by the producing and directing team of Peter Rogers and Gerald Thomas that they agreed to insert

by Stuart Bolton

Continued over

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specially written roles to accommodate Butterworth’s restricted availability on those occasions when he had already signed-up to play a part elsewhere or on stage.

‘Carry On Abroad’ (1972) saw Butterworth return with a more substantial role – that of Pepe, the incompetent manager of an unfinished hotel who greets his unexpected guests in a variety of different guises: as builder, porter, receptionist and telephone operator.

He spends the first half of the film desperately trying to placate and accommodate his British guests, and the second half furiously trying to save the poorlyconstructed building from flooding whilst being nagged by his battle-axe of a wife, played by Hattie Jacques.

Butterworth remained with the series until the final (proper) film of the series, the rather disappointing ‘Carry On Emmanuelle’ (1978). All told, Butterworth turned out to be the sixth most prolific performer of the Carry On team, with only Kenneth Williams (25), Joan Sims (24), Charles Hawtrey (23), Sid James (19) and Kenneth Connor (17) appearing in more.

When the Carry On films finished in 1978, Butterworth began to concentrate on straight roles, taking a small part in the feature film, ‘The First Great Train Robbery’ starring Sean Connery. When the film went on general release in early 1979, Butterworth was starring as Widow Twankey in the pantomime ‘Aladdin’ at the Coventry Theatre. When the show finished, he went back to his hotel after the evening performance. His failure to return for the following day’s matinee caused alarm and he was found dead in his room from a heart attack, just a few days before his 64th birthday.

As I was researching this article I was surprised to find that Butterworth was married to the actress and impressionist Janet Brown (they’d married in 1946 in London). Brown later became famous for her television impersonations of Margaret Thatcher during the 1970s and ‘80s. Talking of television it is worth adding that Butterworth also appeared in some our greatest ever TV series: he starred opposite William Hartnell in the very first ‘Doctor Who’ series in 1965/66 playing a character called the Meddling Monk; he appeared in an episode of ‘Catweazle’ in 1970; and he also featured in the ‘Dad’s Army’ episode ‘The Face on the Poster’ in 1975.

That’s one heck of a CV for the Butterworth boy from Bramhall Lane.

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quick crossword Across 7 Gambling emporium (6) 8 Char, sear (6) 9 Wind instrument (4) 10 Backpackers, hikers (8) 11 Large houseplant (6,5) 14 Matching pants and jacket set (7,4) 18 Without penalty, got off ____ ____ (4-4) 19 Animal prized for its fur (4) 20 Tear-inducing vegetables (6) 21 Incorrect, false (6)

down 1 Sheltered place to moor boats (7) 2 Climb, ascend (4) 3 Medic (6) 4 In addition, also (2,4) 5 Props to keep paperbacks tidy (4-4) 6 Frightening (5) 12 Pub seating (3,5) 13 Junior king of beasts (4,3) 15 Civil disorder (6) 16 To make equal, balance (4,2) 17 Perfume, fragrance (5) 19 Nocturnal insect (4)

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.

Solutions on page 44 15

Eggs Benedict with Smoked Salmon & Chives

Method

Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 20 minutes Makes: 4 (or 2 really hungry people!)

Ingredients ■■ 4 eggs ■■ 2 tbsp white wine vinegar ■■ 2 English muffins or two bagels, halved ■■ Butter for spreading ■■ 8 slices smoked salmon ■■ Chopped chives, to serve For the Hollandaise sauce ■■ 2 tsp lemon juice ■■ 2 tsp white wine vinegar ■■ 3 egg yolks ■■ 125g unsalted butter, cubed

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1. Hollandaise Sauce: Pour the lemon juice and vinegar into a small bowl, add the egg yolks and whisk with a balloon whisk until light and frothy.

Place the bowl over a pan of simmering water and continue to whisk until the mixture thickens.

Add the butter a small amount at a time, whisking constantly until the sauce is thick. If it looks like it might be splitting, remove from the heat and continue to whisk. Season with salt and pepper then and keep warm.

2. Poached eggs: bring a large pan of water to the boil and add the vinegar. Lower the heat so that the water simmers very gently. Stir the water a little so you create a gentle whirlpool effect, then slide in the eggs one by one. Cook each for about 4 mins, then remove with a slotted spoon. Handy hint - you will see the eggs begin to rise in the water as they reach completion.

3. Lightly toast and butter the muffins or bagels, then place a couple of slices of the smoked salmon on each half. Top each with an egg, then spoon over your Hollandaise and garnish with chopped chives.

HOW PCDS CAN TRANSFORM YOUR GARDEN It started out as a simple idea, but things never stay simple for very long – PCDS is a great example of this!

We started out as A1 Superkleen, mainly solving issues some customers had with flooded gardens. Our background was in drainage, both commercial and domestic, and we reinvented a little-used traditional practice, namely installing French drains in gardens.

Although popular in agriculture they seem rarely used in domestic gardens. However, when United Utilities began clearing drains for free, we were left with very little work and a bleak future.

contractors were getting the opportunity to do the fun part - installing patios, paving, flags and gravel and re-turfing or installing artificial turf.

So began a long and steep learning curve over a four-year period, which brings us to now when we are offering that final stage in your garden makeover!

We have three local teams, all experts and qualified in a variety of aspects of landscaping. All are dedicated to providing a first-class service from the vehicles they drive, to the support from our sales team and operations team.

At PCDS, we are all working together with a single aim - to provide you, the customer, with a quick and tidy completed job. The right way is not always the easy way, and this is always uppermost in our minds when we are advising you.

So, with the choice of giving up or trying something new, we rebranded ourselves as Pure Clean Drainage Solutions (PCDS) and arranged some advertising in INSIDE Magazines. At the time this was something of a shot in the dark, but thankfully the phone began to ring, and we quickly realised that there really was a future in drainage - land drainage.

The skills needed were simple, mainly involving hard work with a shovel and a wheelbarrow. The problem was, once we’d worked our magic and provided a well-drained garden ready for a makeover, different

If you are thinking of any landscaping work in the future please call 0161 430 5390 and speak to BEN OR REBECCA to arrange a free, absolutely no obligation, quote.

0161 430 1110 YouTube PCDSOL www.pcdsol.co.uk

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Snowdrop Festival 2019 After last year’s long, cold winter and scorching, dry summer (ah remember that?) who knows what late winter and spring will be like. But one thing is for sure: all garden visiting fans will be just desperate to get out and about, as the days lengthen, to see what is coming up.

Snowdrop Walks: Until 3 March, 11am to 4pm, Tues - Sat (Closed Mons). Extensive woodland, lake and lovely café in the barn. And whilst your there, walk around the extensive walled garden to see the preparations being made in the garden for the coming seasons.

The National Garden Scheme launched its new 2019 season with a 4th Snowdrop Festival, always very popular with visitors: a chance to get out, stretch your legs and admire the variations in these small neat flowers. It’s coming to an end now but there here are a couple of places where you might still see snowdrops, if you’re quick!

ROSEWOOD Old Hall Lane, Puddington, Neston, CH64 5SP, 0151 353 1193, angela.brabin@btinternet.com. 8m N of Chester.

THE WELL HOUSE, Wet Lane, Tilston, Malpas, SY14 7DP. 01829 250332. 3m NW of Malpas.

Naturally planted gardens and meadows with stream and ponds. Visit by arrangement anytime from 1 Feb BUT RING OWNER TO ARRANGE BEFORE VISITING. RODE HALL Church Lane, Scholar Green, ST7 3QP, enquiries@rodehall.co.uk , www.rodehall.co.uk . 5m SW of Congleton.

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All year garden; thousands of snowdrops in Feb, Camellias in autumn, winter and spring. Rhododendrons in April/May and unusual flowering trees from March to June.

Visit by arrangement anytime from 1 Feb BUT RING OWNER TO ARRANGE BEFORE VISITING. For more details of how to get there etc, visitors should check with the National Garden Scheme website (www.ngs.org.uk) or App.

by John Hinde www.ngs.org.uk

inside people richard gregg

Richard Gregg was born in Liverpool in October 1945.

After leaving Burnage Grammar School he worked in the motor trade for 30 years, 15 of which were as a self-employed parts wholesaler.

After leaving the automobile industry Richard has spent the last 18 years as the owner of a trophy shop.

Richard is married to Ann and has four children and nine grandchildren. His hobbies are walking and refereeing. Richard recently walked the length of the canal from Marple to Stafford, some 30 miles, although he smiles, “I did it in stages.” He did, however, for his 70th birthday, complete the 12-mile, Cheshire three hills walk, starting at Tegg’s Nose, to raise over £1700 for the Francis House charity.

Forty years ago, in September 1978, Richard took his sons to play football for the Norbury Athletic football club. He also agreed to become a volunteer helper there. Three months later when the manager left, he inherited the job and continued in post until the club folded in 2010. Richard also became the secretary of the South Stockport Junior Football League which ended in 1981 and became the Stockport Metropolitan Junior Football League of which he is still the chairman.

In addition to his roles in administering the leagues, he also trained as a referee and has refereed for 35 years. His refereeing now, he admits, is restricted to the younger teams, as the pace of the older players is rather challenging.

The Stockport Metropolitan Junior Football League organises matches on Saturdays and Sundays for young

people aged from under 7 to under 18 and there are in total 287 teams who participate. On a typical Saturday there will be up to 55 games played by under 7 to under 11 teams and the next day, Sunday, up to 88 games played by under 12 to under 18 teams. That’s 143 games played by 286 teams. In addition, there are linesmen, referees, league secretaries and organisers and, of course, the loyal spectators.

In 2018 Richard was nominated for the Stockport Sports Volunteer of the Year award. He was contacted by the Sports Stockport panel and at a presentation evening at Houldsworth golf club, was delighted to learn that he had won the award.

When he has time to spare, after the football volunteer administration and refereeing and the business he still runs, Richard enjoys reading, especially the Bourne series, and music; his favourite band is the Eagles.

Richard and Ann are intrepid travellers and enjoy long-distance holidays. They have visited New Zealand, India, Hong Kong, Bali, Canada, South Africa, the United States and recently spent a month in Australia.

Richard’s ambition is to visit South America before he and Ann settle down to more sedate holidays in the United Kingdom and Europe.

If he hadn’t been self-employed, Richard would have enjoyed training as an architect. He feels that designing and building something that endured would be very satisfying.

Last Word from Richard.

My grateful thanks to all the volunteers who have worked with me to support football for young people.

It is remarkable that, despite the burdens put on them by sport governing bodies, many people still freely and generously give up their time to support us.

The Stockport Metropolitan Junior Football League is affiliated to the Football Association and further information can be found at www.ourkidssport.com/id43 If you have a child who is interested in joining a team, or if you are interested in volunteering and supporting a club, information on what to do can be found on the site.

by Ed Blundell

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CIRCULAR WALK FROM MELLOR CHURCH VIA HIGHER CHISWORTH Walk description: A 3 to 4 hour circular walk with some rewarding views. The route has only a few ascents, is largely off-road and, for the latter half, crosses open fields and farmland. For most of the walk conditions are firm and on a variety of surfaces, but there are some muddy sections. The route involves quite a number of stiles. Some of these are in poor condition, and care is needed when climbing over them.

Distance: 6 miles Starting point: Mellor Church car park (Grid Reference: SJ983889, Postcode: SK6 5LX). The large car park is free.

Map: OS Explorer OL1: Peak District: Dark Peak Area Leave Mellor Church car park and head towards the Church entrance where four paths meet. Take the lane signed “Old Vicarage�. After a short distance (before a white house on the left) go through a small wooden gate on the right, by a tree. Cross a (ramshackle) stile on the immediate left. Walk down the field, keeping close to the stone wall boundary on the left. Go through a metal gate into a second field and head towards the left-hand corner. Turn left on to a grassy lane for 70 yds and go through a metal farm gate. Head towards the farm buildings, but turn right before reaching them, climbing 100 yds uphill to the second of two telegraph poles.

Worth stopping at the top to admire the view.

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by Stephen Hyslop, Poynton Rambling Club

Descend the field half right to a stile (next to a metal gate) in the corner of the field. Follow a distinct path with barbed wire on both sides, and then with a wall on the left. On reaching the back of some farm buildings turn right at a sign post for Mill Brow. After 100 yds pass through a cobbled farm yard, then turn right and follow the lane uphill. After a short distance go through a wooden gate on the left, then follow the path heading right to another wooden gate. Follow the high narrow path to a further gate by a disfigured tree stump. Go through the gate and follow the path, with a pond on the left. Go over the stile next to a small gate, under some trees. Follow a narrow track and turn left down a tarmac road. Pass the entrance to Primrose Mill on the left - this is the last of four former cotton mills along Mill Brook - and follow the road over the bridge, before turning immediate right up the hill.

After passing a brown-gated drive reach Mill Brow, a conservation area, and the Hare and Hounds pub at the top. Turn right on the road and after 250 yds, fork left up Gird Lane, passing a large converted chapel on the left. Ignore a number of footpath signs, and continue as the road narrows to become a stony track with a steady climb. Pass a pair of gates on either side of the track, with views to the left of Stockport, and of a white house with a fully glazed gable to the right. Continue on the track to reach Sandhills Lane at its junction with Ernocroft Lane.

Turn right for 20 yds to reach a footpath sign and stile on the left. Climb over this stile into a field. Stay close to a wall/fence on the right and climb 500 yds to reach a stile in the corner of the field, then 150 yds to reach a

further stile in the field corner, having passed an enclosed woodland to the right (this is a sanctuary for Brown Low, a Round Barrow ancient burial tumulus).

Cross this stile into a field and head towards a further stile, keeping close to the wall/fence on your left. Cross this stile and go 300 yds diagonally across the field towards an eroded earth mound with a stone wall/ fence on top. This area is known as Ludworth Intake, a geological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Cross the stile to the right of the mound, passing a small pond to the right. Cross the next field diagonally, heading 200 yds towards a stile next to a telegraph pole. Pause here to admire the view. The next stile should be visible from here, with pylons beyond. Cross this and head for a second smaller, newer pylon. From here walk downhill towards Higher Chisworth, with a metal farm gate in view. Cross the stile to the right of the gate then turn right up the road and continue to reach Hilltop. At the T junction turn right to head uphill for 150 yds, then turn left on to a gravel lane, with a sign for the “Old Cowshed” on the right, and “Moorside Barn” painted on the left wall of the lane entrance. After 600 yds there is a left-hand bend leading to the Old Cowshed. Don’t follow this round, but instead turn right on the bend into a grassy lane. At the end go through a metal gate/stile, and then through a further metal gate straight ahead.

Cross the field diagonally, keeping a large barn to your left. Reach a small ladder stile in the wall. Climb over this and follow a distinct path through a marshy field towards two metal farm gates, side by side. Cross the stile by the gate on the right. Walk across the field, with a high wall some distance on the right. Head towards the end of the high wall where there is a stone wall stile in poor condition.

Cross this stile with care, and stay left, towards farm buildings. Before reaching the farm there’s a stile to the right of a metal farm gate. Cross this to reach a stone

The Walk

track. Turn right and arrive at Pistol Farm and a road junction. Bear left and continue 330 yds to reach the second footpath signpost on the left. Turn left on to a rocky dirt track bending round to Ringstone Farm. Go between the farm buildings on the left and a disused small stone barn on your right. Continue downhill along the tarmac road to reach Hollinsmoor Road.

At the T junction turn right uphill to a small row of terraced houses on the right. Opposite these is the entrance to a lane to Hollins Farm. Cross the stile to the right of this lane entrance. Go diagonally and uphill across the field, then down to a gate in the left corner of the field to Newbarn Farm. Note: This is a rickety and heavy wooden gate with an electrified wire strung across some 2yds above it - take care.

Once through, go beyond the farmyard, with the farmhouse on the right. Turn left to reach a wooden farm gate and stone wall stile with a small mesh gate.

Go through this, taking care when stepping over a small length of plastic pipe protecting an electrified wire. Head uphill towards a telegraph pole and continue to a fence on the right. Cross a very ramshackle stile into a field.

Cross the field diagonally uphill a little, to a stile in the corner. Go diagonally across the next field to a further stile in the corner and enter a narrow enclosed path to Shiloh Road. On reaching the road turn left until after some 75yds there is a metal gate on the right with a footpath sign - pass through the gap by the left gate post.

Go across the field diagonally to reach a stone stile, and cross this. Go diagonally across the next field to reach two wooden posts. Head diagonally across the next field towards farm buildings. Climb over a stone stile, then turn right onto the lane. After 50 yds continue straight on an unmade track, ignoring a private driveway to Hambleton Farm on your right. Follow the lane and path uphill for around half a mile through several gates and fields - the tower of Mellor Church (St Thomas’s - a Grade 2 listed building) then comes into view. Return to the church car park.

For further information about our friendly and welcoming Club please visit our website - www.poyntonramblingclub.co.uk and learn more about our programme of walks, social events and walking holidays.

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in touch your local community noticeboard

march - april 2019

THE GREATEST MUSICAL WORK OF ALL TIMES AND NATIONS Few people today would disagree much with the view of Hans Georg Nägeli, the first publisher of Bach’s B minor Mass, despite the almost 200 years of musical history that have passed since he put it forward. Bach’s music is now so loved and revered, it seems incredible that 150 years ago it had fallen out of fashion and was known to only a few music specialists. It might have been lost to us altogether if it was not for the efforts of Felix Mendelssohn who recognised Bach’s genius and brought his works back to the attention of a wider public.

www.pbauerphotography.co.uk

The B minor Mass is widely recognised as presenting the Everest of challenges for choral performers. St George’s Singers are delighted to be climbing the mountain again under the guidance of Musical Director Neil Taylor after a break of ten years, and particularly thrilled they will be joined at the summit by a line-up of five fine soloists including former Assistant Musical Director Marcus Farnsworth who is now very much in demand at home and abroad as an operatic bass and recitalist. With the Northern Baroque Orchestra in the magnificent Gorton Monastery this is going to be a memorable concert.

The performance will be held on Sunday 31 March at Gorton Monastery, Manchester, 7.30pm Tickets £16/14 concessions/7 students and children/ group discounts from the ticket secretary on 01663 764012, email tickets@st-georges-singers.org.uk or online www.st-georges-singers.org.uk. Coach transport is available from Poynton and Hazel Grove.

DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY OF THE DOVEDALE SINGERS 60 years ago, the Dovedale Singers started life as a church concert party and evolved into a choir in 1960, when it adopted its name. Since that time, it has entertained people in Marple, Woodley, Romiley and in the wider region. The choir likes to sing a variety of genres from pop, musical through to classical. New music is constantly added to maintain variety and ensure higher vocal challenges are being reached.

Last September it received a fresh lease of life with a new Musical Director, Ian Malcolm, a new accompanist, Roger Pearce, and several new members. Now is a great time to come aboard if you enjoy singing. No audition is required, simply a desire to share the joy of music and friendship. The choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings at 7.30pm at Marple United Reformed Church.

The Diamond Anniversary will be marked by celebratory concert on Saturday 16 March at Marple Methodist Church, 7.30pm when music from the past 60 years will be performed. Tickets £6 on the door. For more information, visit thedovedalesingers.org or call David Jenkins on 0161 449 0280.

Continued over

26

in touch - your local community noticeboard

MELLOR COUNTRY HOUSE CHARITY Welcome to the new year from us at Mellor Country House, we hope the cold weather has not been too difficult for you all.

We will be opening our doors to new and returning visitors again on 1 March with a group of adults with mental health issues who love coming to us as it is safe, and they are now familiar with the rooms where they stay and love the countryside. We have 11 bedrooms, 24 beds and a beautiful disabled suite with a very popular spa bath for everyone to relax in. The grounds are just starting to bloom with spring flowers, but we still have a carpet of leaves fallen over the winter. Hopefully it is the start of warmer weather for us all and sunnier times ahead. If you know of anyone who is in desperate need of getting away and nowhere else to go because of their circumstances, please recommend us and ask them to get in touch to see availability. We have a fabulous place to offer out with vacancies and it is a shame if people in need do not know about us and miss out on a very beautiful place to stay, please spread the word.

Our first fundraising event is our annual Plant sale which will be on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 May. As usual wonderful plants and a great variety of beautiful shrubs all at very reasonable prices for you to plant out the following bank holiday weekend. If you want to show off your gardens with the best hanging baskets and bedding plants, then look no further. You can also take a break and enjoy our now famous cream teas and bacon butties all washed down with a good cup of tea all in lovely surroundings, proper tea party atmosphere.

Make sure you don’t miss out - last year we sold so much people were amazed! You can pre-order bedding plants and hanging baskets - look out on Facebook and at www.mellorcountryhouse.co.uk for more details.

If we have your email address you should receive an email, probably towards the middle of April which will give us time to get the orders together. Let’s make this our best-ever event.

We hope that all our supporters, old and new, will enjoy making such a big difference in the community with us at our wonderful home away from home.

RED BOX PROJECT HELPING GIRLS IN MARPLE Period poverty is a growing problem in the UK, and a scheme is now running in Marple to help make sure that no girl misses school because she has her period. The Red Box Project collects donations of sanitary towels, tampons and knickers and places them in ‘red boxes’ in schools for girls to use if they can’t afford these essentials.

Local mum, Claire Vibert, is coordinating the Red Box Project in Marple.

Claire said: “I read research that shows that one in ten young women in the UK miss school because they can’t afford sanitary protection and felt that I wanted to do something to help. The Red Box Project is a nationwide scheme established in 2016, and it’s a simple way to help girls in need.”

So far, there are Red Boxes in Marple Hall and Werneth secondary schools, and Claire hopes to extend the project to primary schools in the area over the next year. There is a donation box in the Seed Cafe at Marple Methodist Church, and Lianne Beever is collecting donations at her One Fit Mama exercise classes.

If you want to donate or get involved in any way, you can contact the project via Facebook @RedBoxMarple.

Continued over

29

ROMILEY & MARPLE LIONS CLUB With the Santa Dash and related activities over the Christmas period, we raised over £7,000 on behalf of Kidneys for Life. Huge thanks go to everyone who was involved in any way. If you would like to know more about the Lions and their work in the community please contact Terry Harding (0161 330 9494 or lionterry1@btinternet.com) or go along to one of their meetings on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 8pm in the Conservative Club, 6, Gumwood Lane, Romiley. You can be sure of a warm welcome and may even decide to join the Club!

THE FUTURE OF MARPLE CIVIC SOCIETY Marple Civic Society has been working hard for 56 years. It is a registered charity founded in 1962 by four local architects; they were concerned to retain and develop the community spirit in the Marple area as the population increased, and to make Marple a better place to live, work and visit.

The Society has 350 members and a committee of nine volunteers. We are affiliated to Civic Voice - this is the national charity which promotes civic pride. It monitors planning legislation and campaigns for appropriate development and use of the built environment, public realm and countryside.

We attend the monthly meetings of Marple Area Committee (MAC) of Stockport MBC, ask questions of our councillors and report to members (through our active website – www.marplecivicsociety.org.uk) on all matters of interest - work which is often ‘political’ but strictly not party-political.

We monitor all planning applications made to the local authority and our planning team respond where appropriate, either in support of the application or with a recommendation for revision or refusal in the interest of the community. We consult with the community on issues which affect Marple - such consultation in 2016 led to the establishment of a Neighbourhood Forum to develop a Neighbourhood Plan for central Marple. We take careful note of all national and local planning development reports and we respond in detail on aspects affecting our local area. These responses often involve detailed technical work and they are made available on our website to help others to respond if they wish to do so.

We undertake local projects such as: negotiation with ASDA to make their car park available to everyone; influencing The Canal & River Trust to include the Lime Kilns to complete the story of the Revealing Oldknow’s Legacy HLF project; establishing a Tree Preservation Order on the trees in the ASDA car park and negotiation with Marple Area Committee to encourage and enable greater participation by members of the public.

Four members of our committee, including our Chairman, will be retiring at our AGM. We encourage everyone to come along - you do not need to be a member - to discuss and help to decide on the future of the Society.

If it is to continue its important work for the good of the community, we do need new committee members.

Put simply, there is a lot of important continuing work to be done. Without your participation we shall have to reduce the amount of work we undertake for the benefit of the community. That would be a great pity, so do come along - and feel free to contact us at info@marplecivicsociety.org.uk

MARPLE LADIES LUNCHEON CLUB The Marple Ladies’ Luncheon Club is a friendly group of ladies from Marple and the surrounding area. We meet four times a year at Marple Golf Club when we enjoy a delicious two course luncheon. If you are not a member but you would like to come and try one of our luncheons you would be made very welcome.

30

Our next luncheon is on Monday, 13 May 2019 at 12 noon for 12.30 lunch, the cost is £17.50 for guests. The speaker is Graham Short who will be talking on “The Hands of a Genius.” To book a guest place, please ring Mrs Ann Haden, on 0161 427 0242 before Monday 29 April.

Children’s Activities Things to do with pre-school kids

Monday

Thursday

The Monday Make & Play at St. Sebastian’s 9.15-10.45am Term time only. St Sebastian’s Nursery, United Reformed Church, Hollins Lane. Games, toys, dressing up and singing time, plus a dedicated craft activity that is suitable for babies to children aged 5 and their parents. The cost is £2 per family, includes craft materials, coffee, tea and toast, children’s drinks and snacks.

Toddler Group 10-11.30am Term time only. Mellor Parish Centre, Church Rd. Toys, sing-song and refreshments. £2 per adult. Contact the Parish Centre 0161 484 5079.

St Paul’s Toddler Group 1.15-2.45pm Term time only. St Paul’s Church, Compstall Brow. £1.30 for one child and adult, £1.50 for two children or more, with tea, juice and biscuits included. Contact Lisa on 0161 427 7829 for more information.

Tuesday Playtime Toddler Group 10am – 12noon Term time only. ‘Connect’, Queen St, Marple. Lots of toys, singing, ‘thought for the day’ and refreshments for children and adults. £1.50 per adult. For information call 0161 427 2378.

Toddler Group 9.30-11am Term time only. Marple Methodist Church, Church Lane. £2 per family, please contact Anne on 0161 449 9088.

Little Stars 9.45-10.45am Term time only. Brabyns Preparatory School, Arkwright Rd. Just turn up on the day for an engaging and friendly environment for children from new born to 3½ years and parents. £1.50 per session. Call the school office on 0161 427 2395 or email littlestars@brabynsprepschool.co.uk for more info.

Friday Little Stars 9-10.30am Term time only. Brabyns Preparatory School, Arkwright Rd. Just turn up on the day for an engaging and friendly environment for children from new born to 3 ½ years and parents. £1.50 per session. Call the school office on 0161 427 2395 or email littlestars@brabynsprepschool.co.uk for more info.

Treetots 9.30–10.45am Term time only. Mellor Primary School, Knowle Road, Mellor, Stockport. SK6 5PL. Come along to the beautiful woodland surrounding Mellor Primary School and join us for our brand new forest toddler group. Each week we have outdoor adventures such as story trails, den building, mud painting and toasting marshmallows around our fire pit. Hot and cold drinks and a snack are provided for all explorers.

The sessions are led by our experienced forest school leader and take place outside in all weathers. Children should wear appropriate outdoor clothing and footwear for the time of year.

Cost: £5 per child + £4 siblings/further children For more information contact Christine Skelly on 0161 4271052 or christine.skelly@mellor.stockport.sch.uk

Story Time 2-2.30pm Marple Library, Memorial Park. Contact 0161 217 6009.

saturday

wednesday

Fun Sign Fun Time 9:30am (under 2’s) and 10:30am (all ages) Marple library. Drop in session, £4 main child, £1 for sibling. www.funsignfuntime.co.uk www.facebook.com/funsignfuntime

Parent & Toddler Group 1.15-3pm Term time only. All Saints Church, Church Lane Marple. Friendly, welcoming environment for children and adults. Toys, craft table, sing-song and refreshments. £1.50 per adult. For more info email the church office at office@allsaintsmarple.co.uk Just4dadsstchads 1-2.30pm Term time only. St Chads playgroup for dads, grandads and male carers. A very relaxed group with plenty of toys for the children to play with. £2 entrance. Guywoid Centre, Guywood Lane.

sunday Little Fishes 9.30-10am Ridge Methodist Church, Marple. Usually 2nd Sunday of the month. Bible stories,activities and songs, with juice and cake afterwards. Please contact 0161 427 2509.

If you run a local activity for young children and would like to be included on this page please email c.blackie@insidemagazines.co.uk

Compiled by Clare Blackie > email: c.blackie@insidemagazines.co.uk

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Answers: icing sugar, plate, cream, sponge, tea pot, jam Extra letter answer: coffee

34

S D I K 4 JUST

inside guide

march - april 2019

selected events in your area

Friday 1 March

Thursday 7 March

Murder in the Big Top Murder Mystery Evening. Why not join us for a night of Murder Mystery Fun at the Forum Theatre… Watch the action, quiz the characters and solve the murder!

Tickets: £10 24hr Box Office 0333 666 3366 www.theforumtheatre.co.uk The Forum Theatre, Romiley, Stockport, SK6 4EA 7.30pm

Ludworth and Mellor Women’s Institute Monthly Meeting Come and join us at our March meeting when we welcome Chris Webb, author, playwright and former scriptwriter on Brookside and EastEnders. New members and visitors are always welcome Women’s Institute Hall, Lower Fold, Marple Bridge, 2pm for a 2.15pm start

Friday 1 to Saturday 9 March

Thurs 7 & Fri 8 March

Carver Theatre presents Gaslight by Patrick Hamilton Must-see classic psychological thriller where Bella Manningham, the victim, is subtly driven to question her feelings, instincts and sanity. Talented cast, sophisticated production and intimate setting Tickets £9 and £8 concessions available from www.carvertheatre.co.uk or from Hollins of Marple Tel 0161 449 8363 Carver Theatre, Chadwick Street, Marple, SK6 7AX

Magic of the Musicals Jr. Join the members of NK Theatre Arts as our young performers lead you down to the heart of Broadway and London’s West End with a brilliant review of the very best musicals on stage today! Fantastic Show in a Cabaret Lay out with bar open throughout the evening. 24hr Box Office 0333 666 3366 www.theforumtheatre.co.uk Tickets: £10/£8 The Forum Theatre, Romiley, Stockport, SK6 4EA 7.30pm

Wednesday 6 March

Tuesday 12 March

Marple Naturalists AGM and Member’s Talks Adult Membership £30, visitors welcome £4 for individual meetings, Children free. For further information call Jane Michael 07917434598 or Derek Clifford 01614274611 www.marple-uk.com or on Facebook – Marple Naturalists United Reformed Church, Hibbert Lane, Marple 8pm

Thursday 7 March Would you like to meet new friends? Thursday Group is a social group for unattached people of mature years, with several activities run by the members every week. These include walking, dancing, badminton, theatre and restaurant visits. For more info see www.thursdaygroup.co.uk or ring Bill on 07505 076838, or just come along to new members night on the first Thursday in each month where you will be met by group members.

The Bulls Head Pub, 30 Wilmslow Road, Handforth, SK9 3EW 8.30pm

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with our paid INSIDE Guide listings Call 01625 879611 or email info@insidemagazines.co.uk for further details.

East Cheshire Association of National Trust Lecture – They should have asked me husband!

Brookdale Club, Bridge Lane, Bramhall, Stockport, SK7 3AB 2pm

Wednesday 13 March Marple & District Probus Club Susanne Furness - “Tax Care and Toy Boys” The talk lasts an hour, with a break part way through for coffee/tea, and then questions and any discussion at the end. We usually finish by 11.45am. Visitors and prospective members are always welcome. No charge for visitors.

For further details call 0161 427 1348.

Marple Senior Citizens Hall, Memorial Park, SK6 6BE 10.15am

Thursday 14 March Marple Exploring the Arts ‘Northern Art – People & Landscapes’ by Bill Clark of Clark Art in Hale. Bill will talk about how he established his gallery which is acknowledged as one of the North’s leading galleries specialising in the work of L.S. Lowry and Northern Art. He will discuss the importance of Lowry and the influence he had on his contemporaries. He will also talk about the new generation of Northern artists.

Visitors welcome: £5 on the door including refreshments.

The United Reformed Church, Hibbert Lane, Marple 7.30pm Continued over

37

Friday 15 March

Monday 18 March

Stockport Historical Society “Still Leaning on a Lamp-post” by Mr Brian Hallworth.

Visitors very welcome Admission £3.

Further information from Tony Nightingale 0161 440 0570.

Stockport Sunday School, Nangreave Road, SK2 6DQ (Next to Aquinas College) 7.45pm

Silk-n-Threads. Dionne Swift internationally renowned Textile Artist is giving a talk called (Establishing Rhythm). All invited, £5.00 including tea and biscuits. For further information contact Beryl Wood 0161 336 5847 St Martins Church Hall (behind the church) Brabyns Brow, Marple 1.30pm to 4pm

Saturday 16 March Dovedale Singers 60th Anniversary Celebratory Concert Tickets £6 including refreshments available from members or pay on the door. thedovedalesingers.org Marple United Reformed Church, 7.30pm

Saturday 16 March Church Fundraising Concert at St Thomas’ Church Mellor Music by Royal Northern College of Music singers together with St Thomas’ Church Choir accompanied by John Wilson.

Solo and ensemble pieces on the theme of love. Second half performance of Schubert’s Mass in G, by St Thomas’ Church Choir and RNCM singers and music for St Patricks day. Tickets £10 (£5 - 18’s and under) from: St Thomas’ Church Parish Office Tel: 0161 484 5079 (Open Mon-Fri 9.30 am - 12pm) Marple Bridge Post Office, Town Street, Marple Bridge.

James Holt: Tel: 0161 427 1990 St Thomas’ Church, Church Road, Mellor, SK6 5LX 7.30pm

Monday 18 March Marple Local History Society The water powered mills of Mellor and Ludworth a talk by Ann Hearle All Welcome, annual membership £10, visitors £3 per meeting Website: www.mlhs.org.uk Methodist Church, Church Lane, Marple, SK6 7AY (near the Carver Theatre) 7.45pm (doors open 7.15pm)

Monday 18 March High Peak RSPB Meetings Keith Offord on Gateway to the Sahara Keith is one of our regular speakers and will be taking us on an exotic journey to Morocco covering the highest points of the Atlas Mountains to the lowest valleys of this fascinating country.

Tea, coffee and Raffle. All welcome - group members free; non-members £2 donation (on the door). Children free. Further information regarding group and events from 0161 427 0881 www.rspb.org.uk/groups/highpeak Marple Senior Citizens Hall, Marple Memorial Park, SK6 6BA, 7.30pm

Thursday 21 March Wilmslow Guild Natural History Society Life on the Seashore by Hugh Jones Visitors very welcome £4. Further information from Chairman, David Warner 01625 874387 Wilmslow Guild, 1 Bourne Street, Wilmslow, SK9 5HD 7.30pm

Tuesday 26 March Marple Civic Society Annual General Meeting to discuss The Future of The Society (see article on page 30) All are welcome.

Marple Library, Marple Memorial Park SK6 6BA. 3pm

Wednesday 27 March Marple & District Probus Club Annual General Meeting For further details call 0161 427 1348.

Marple Senior Citizens Hall, Memorial Park SK6 6BE 10.15am

Weds 27 to Sat 30 March NK Theatre Arts presents Grease. The blockbuster smash hit musical Grease hits the Forum Theatre this March. The show is packed with explosive energy, vibrant 1950s pop culture and all those unforgettable songs from the hit movie. Come along and join Danny and Sandy, along with those groovy T-Birds, sassy Pink Ladies and the whole gang at Rydell High for this high octane Rock’n’Roll party.

Tickets: £15/£12. 24hr Box Office 0333 666 3366 www.theforumtheatre.co.uk The Forum Theatre, Romiley, Stockport SK6 4EA 7.30pm (Sat matinee 2pm)

Thursday 28 March Marple Exploring the Arts presents a lecture by the author, Paul Beatty. Paul will map the path, starting from the initial idea to final publication and beyond, for his prize winning novel, ‘Children of Fire’.

Visitors welcome: £5 on the door including refreshments.

The United Reformed Church, Hibbert Lane, Marple 7.30pm

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Friday 29 March

Thursday 4 April

The Marple Band Spring Concert & Vice Presidents’ Night Traditionally our largest public Spring concert and the first of two annual concerts in honour of our Vice Presidents. This concert is open to the public. Come along with your friends and family for a varied, high standard programme of music with refreshments and raffle prizes.

Marple Methodist Church, Church Lane, Marple, 8pm to 10.30pm

Wilmslow Guild Natural History Society Butterflies of the Philippines by Peter Hardy Visitors very welcome £4 Further information from Chairman, David Warner 01625 874387 Wilmslow Guild, 1 Bourne Street, Wilmslow, SK9 5HD 7.30pm

Saturday 30 March

Thursday 4 April

Marple Cancer Charities Spring Fayre and Donation Presentation. We have many stalls including bric-a-brac, jewellery and scarves, white elephant, books, cakes and preserves, tombola and a fantastic raffle. Donation cheques will be presented to our chosen charities. 50p admission including hot drink and refreshment.

Marple Senior Citizens Hall, Memorial Park, Marple.

Saturday 30 March Stockport International Young Musician Competition Stockport Symphony Orchestra, Conductor Philip Ellis We are looking forward to an evening of three well-known concertos played by three stunning young musicians in the final of our 2019 event. Details of the finalists will be available on the website after the semi-final in mid-February www.siymc.co.uk and www.stockportsymphony.co.uk Tickets available at box office, online or on the door. Free car parking available 4pm to midnight Stockport Town Hall 7.30pm

Saturday 30 March Last Night of the Spring Proms. Tickets £8 from 0161 427 3530.

Marple Methodist Church, Church Lane, Marple 7.30pm

Sunday 31 March St George’s Singers perform Bach Mass in B minor Tickets £16/14 concessions/7 students and children/ group discounts from the ticket secretary on 01663 764012, email tickets@st-georges-singers.org.uk or online www.st-georges-singers.org.uk.

Coach transport is available from Poynton and Hazel Grove.

Gorton Monastery, Manchester 7.30pm

Wednesday 3 April Marple Naturalists Heather James – Patagonia, Land of Gauchos and Glaciers Adult Membership £30, visitors welcome £4 for individual meetings, Children free. For further information call Jane Michael 07917434598 or Derek Clifford 01614274611 www.marple-uk.com or on Facebook – Marple Naturalists United Reformed Church, Hibbert Lane, Marple 8pm

40

Would you like to meet new friends? Thursday Group is a social group for unattached people of mature years, with several activities run by the members every week. These include walking, dancing, badminton, theatre and restaurant visits.

For more info see www.thursdaygroup.co.uk or ring Bill on 07505 076838, or just come along to new members night on the first Thursday in each month where you will be met by group members.

The Bulls Head Pub, 30 Wilmslow Road, Handforth, SK9 3EW 8.30pm

Thursday 4 April Ludworth and Mellor Women’s Institute Monthly Meeting Come and join us at our April meeting when Zeta Emmett from the Cheshire Federation will explain the work of ACWW in improving the lives of rural women across the world, supported by the Pennies For Friendship collections at our meetings. New members and visitors are always welcome Women’s Institute Hall, Lower Fold, Marple Bridge, 2pm for a 2.15pm start

Sunday 7 April Plant Hunters’ Fair. Fund Raising Event for special projects at the Hall: £2 Entry to Plant Fair Details at www.planthuntersfairs.co.uk Bramall Hall, Bramhall Park, off Hall Road, Bramhall, Stockport SK7 3NX 11am to 4pm

Tuesday 9 April East Cheshire Association of the National Trust Lecture – The Riverlands Project with Christopher O Widger Brookdale Club, Bridge Lane, Bramhall, Stockport, SK7 3AB 2pm

Wednesday 10 April Mellor Women’s Evening Fellowship. The Glorious Plaza by Ted Doan. Visitors very welcome - more info from Janet Jones 0161 427 1238 Mellor Parish Centre, Church Rd, Mellor 8pm Continued over

Wednesday 10 April

Monday 15 April

Marple & District Probus Club Rev Derek Davidson - “English as she is spoke” The talk lasts an hour, with a break part way through for coffee/tea, and then questions and any discussion at the end. We usually finish by 11.45am. Visitors and prospective members are always welcome. No charge for visitors.

For further details call 0161 427 1348.

Marple Senior Citizens Hall, Memorial Park SK6 6BE 10.15am

High Peak RSPB Meetings Paul Kenyon on Discovering Donana An illustrated talk about the Donana National Park in Andalusia, Southern Spain. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site containing a variety of ecosystems that shelter a wide range of wildlife including many endangered species. Also, many species use it as a stepping stone to Northern Europe.

All welcome - group members free; non-members £2 donation (on the door). Children free. Further information regarding group and events from 0161 427 0881 www.rspb.org.uk/ groups/highpeak Marple Senior Citizens Hall, Marple Memorial Park, SK6 6BA 7.30pm

Thursday 11 April Marple Exploring the Arts presents a lively end of season concert provided by the talented Amity Saxophone Quartet.

The programme will feature a selection of music to suit all tastes from the Renaissance to present day and from jazz to classical.

Visitors welcome: £5 on the door including a glass of wine and nibbles.

The United Reformed Church, Hibbert Lane, Marple 7.30pm

Friday 12 April Stockport Historical Society “Move, Teach, Inspire” - How the National Trust interprets historical research.

by Dr Benjamin Wilcock. Visitors very welcome Admission £3.

Further information from Tony Nightingale 0161-440 0570.

Stockport Sunday School, Nangreave Road, SK2 6DQ (Next to Aquinas College) 7.45pm

Saturday 13 April Study Afternoon with tea, to be held by St. Martin’s Heritage Trust, on “The Artistic and Religious Environment”.

Lectures by Geoff Brammall and Anthony Burton. £10 charge and bookings need to be made through Ann Sayer 0161 427 2542 from the beginning of March.

St. Martin’s Church Hall, Brabyns Brow, Marple 2pm

Monday 15 April Marple Local History Society AGM followed by The Towers Estate a talk by Diana Leitch All Welcome, annual membership £10, visitors £3 per meeting Website: www.mlhs.org.uk Methodist Church, Church Lane, Marple, SK6 7AY (near the Carver Theatre) 7:45pm (doors open 7:15)

stand out from the crowd

with our paid INSIDE Guide listings Call 01625 879611 or email info@insidemagazines.co.uk for further details.

Friday 19 April Good Friday walk to the NEW Cross on Cobden Edge There will be stops on the way up for readings and singing.

All ages very welcome and dogs on leads too.

Linnet Clough Scout car park, Gibb Ln, Mellor, Stockport SK6 5NB) 5.30pm

Wednesday 24 April Marple & District Probus Club Steve Williams - Battlefields and Poppyfields (illustrated talk) The talk lasts an hour, with a break part way through for coffee/tea, and then questions and any discussion at the end.

We usually finish by 11.45am.

Visitors and prospective members are always welcome.

No charge for visitors. For further details call 0161 427 1348.

Marple Senior Citizens Hall, Memorial Park SK6 6BE 10.15am

Thursday 25 April The St. Martin’s Heritage Trust will host a talk entitled “How a Westmoreland sheep farming family came via London to Brabyns Hall.” The talk will be given by Mark Hudson, descendant of Ann Hudson, St. Martin’s benefactor. £8 including refreshments, tickets on the door.

St. Martin’s Church, Brabyns Brow, next to Marple station 7.30pm

Monday 29 April – Saturday 4 May Sweet Charity A musical capturing the rhythm and fun of the 1960’s.

Includes the show stopping hit ‘Big Spender’ Box office 0161 302 2302 Brookdale Club and Theatre, Bramhall 7.30pm, Saturday matinee at 2.15pm

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

43

puzzle solutions

don’t forget!

Copy deadline for the next issue is Wednesday 10 April Call 01625 879611 or email info@insidemagazines.co.uk to secure your space.

44

useful numbers Churches All Saints C of E , Marple Holy Spirit RC, Marple Jubilee Methodist Church Marple Methodist Church The Ridge Methodist Church St Pauls C of E, Strines St Mary’s RC Church, Marple Bridge Church of St Martin’s, Brabyns Brow St Pauls Church, Compstall St Thomas C of E, Mellor Marple, Marple Bridge & New Mills URC Marple Quaker Meeting

0161 427 2378 0161 427 4922 0161 427 5449 0161 427 2509 0161 427 2509 0161 427 2378 0161 427 2408 0161 427 2736 0161 427 1259 0161 484 5079 0161 449 5370 0161 427 2509

COMMUNITY MEETING PLACE Marple Senior Citizen Association

0161 427 3632

Doctors Marple Bridge Surgery Marple Medical Practice Marple Cottage Surgery

0800 917 7650 020 7403 0888 0800 1111 0800 555111 0300 1234999 116 123 03444 111 444 118 500 0161 477 6344

Hospitals Stepping Hill Hospital NHS Non-Emergency

0161 483 1010 111

Libraries Marple Library

0161 217 6009

local government Stockport MBC

0161 480 4949

pharmacies Well Pharmacy, The Hollins, Marple Boots Pharmacy, Market Street

Marple Post Office Marple Bridge Post Office Marple Sorting Office

0845 722 3344 0161 427 2046 0843 903 3213

Schools All Saints Primary School, Marple Brabyns Preparatory School Cheadle & Marple 6th Form College Ludworth Primary School, Marple Bridge Marple Hall School Mellor Primary School St Mary’s Catholic Primary School

0161 427 3008 0161 427 2395 0161 484 6600 0161 427 1446 0161 427 7966 0161 427 1052 0161 427 7498

Travel Bus & Train Times National Rail Enquiries Manchester Airport

0871 200 2233 0345 748 4950 0808 169 7030

Utilities 0161 427 2049 0161 426 5375 0161 426 0011

Helplines Alcoholics Anonymous Al-Anon Childline Crimestoppers RSPCA Samaritans Citizens Advice Bureau Directory Enquiries The Wellspring, Stockport

Post Offices

0161 427 3336 0161 427 2033

Electricity – Power Loss Gas – Emergency Water – Faults, United Utilities Environment Agency Floodline

105 0800 111 999 0345 672 3723 0345 988 1188

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classified index ADULT EDUCATION Aquinas College

ELECTRICIANS 27

SCZ Electrical Services TBG Inspection Services

44

ESTATE AGENTS

BATHROOMS Bathroom Design

Edward Mellor

BOOKSHOPS Simply Books

8

Whitehall Builders Ltd

35

BUILDING SOCIETIES Vernon Building Society

14

CLUBS & ENTERTAINMENT Hawk Green Cricket Club Romiley Operatic Society The Forum Theatre

36 28 41

SR Computers

38

The Dancewear Boutique

28

DECORATORS Edmondson’s Decorators

36

Lucky Puppy

12

DRAINAGE Pure Clean Drainage Solutions

18

More Than Loft Ladders

38

Pure Clean Drainage Solutions

FURNITURE

ROOFING 22

GARAGE DOORS

Martin Quinn

44

Abstract Roofing Services

38

SECURITY 36

GARDEN MAINTENANCE

Sure Locks

42

SOLICITORS 12

Whiting and Mason

HEARING SERVICES

STAIRCASE RENOVATIONS

Cheshire Hearing Centres

Inside Front Cover

The Stair Shop

Dream Doors Matt Finish The Granite & Marble Shop Transform Your Kitchen

18

PLUMBING & HEATING

Back Cover

10

WINDOWS & CONSERVATORIES 9 42 17 13

Pate & Lever Windows

35

WINDOW & CONSERVATORY REPAIRS Cloudy 2 Clear MP Glazing & Repair The Window Repair Centre

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Copy deadline for the next issue is Wednesday 10 April Tel: 01625 879611 email: info@insidemagazines.co.uk 46

42

LOFT LADDERS 21

KITCHENS

DOG BOARDING

Sure Locks

PATIOS

All In Stone

31 20

LOCKSMITHS 6

Adlington Memorial Park 5 Brian Sharples & Son

Inside Back Cover Malcom Shaw & Son 36

Streetwise Garden Services

DANCEWEAR

Claire Vibert & Chris Wallace William Wragg MP

FUNERAL SERVICES

Carrington Doors

COMPUTER & INTERNET

44 12

FIRES Brilliant Fires

BUILDING SERVICES

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Secure your space now!

31 12 32