Inside Marple Issue 53 by INSIDE MAGAZINES

inside m a r p l e Issue 53

january - february 2020

including compstall, marple bridge & mellor

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

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inside m a r p l e

including compstall, marple bridge & mellor

2019 was quite a year for us with a graduation, a wedding and finally a house move! The idea to ‘downsize’ swept over us when we rented a small cottage in Anglesey for new year and loved it. When we came back to a house with rooms that weren’t used, full of ‘stuff’ not people, we started taking more interest in For Sale boards! Funnily enough we stumbled across exactly what we wanted very quickly, so the process of selling ours was soon under way. Not something I’d repeat in a hurry! Sorting and getting rid of stuff we’d acquired over 20 years was a challenge (but a very satisfying one) and everything went remarkably smoothly until the last few days. I can’t recommend having two vans parked up outside, with all your worldly goods packed in them, when there is still every possibility the chain might collapse completely. But we hung on in there and all was well. So… goodbye 2019 and hello 2020, a new decade! Wishing you all a healthy and happy new year.

What’s INSIDE this month 4 inside people 7 save the wharf warehouse 8 simply books book club choice 11 Diary of a Geeky Knitter 12 Recipe 15 In Touch 19 this charming man 22 prairie planting 24 The Walk 26 Real Life Motoring 29 INSIDE Guide 38 37 Puzzles 38 travel - costa rica 41 Children’s Activities 44 Puzzle Solutions 45 Useful Numbers 46 Classified Index

Editor: Claire Hawker

Tel: 01625 879611

Inside Magazines, 352a Park Lane, Poynton, Cheshire SK12 1RL. email: info@insidemagazines.co.uk www.insidemagazines.co.uk The Wharf Warehouse by Arthur Procter

Copy deadline for the next issue: Friday 7 february

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 2020. 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

Inside people Jill Barney was born in Glossop, Derbyshire. Like many young girls she loved dancing and ballet but from being very young her burning ambition was to become a nurse. In 1978, at the age of 19, she became a student nurse at Stepping Hill hospital, where she qualified in general nursing. Always keen to improve her skills, she later also trained to become a psychiatric nurse and worked at Macclesfield hospital. Doubly qualified, Jill worked at the Devonshire Royal hospital in Buxton in the trauma head injury unit. Later Jill trained as a community mental health nurse, working in Macclesfield on mild to moderate mental health issues such as stress, anxiety and depression and conditions relating to peri-natal and post-natal depression. In 2008 she began working for the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies Service and since she retired in 2017, she has worked part time for East Cheshire Talking Therapies. Jill is married to Paul who is an industrial chemist and has one sister, Liz and a daughter, Nicola who is an actress currently appearing in How the Grinch Stole Christmas at the Lowry theatre Manchester. Jill has retained her early love of dancing and is an addict of Strictly. She has also become a keen thespian. Just before retiring she nervously attended an audition at the Heald Green theatre for a part in Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime. The audition went well, she was chosen and played Nellie, the maid, so successfully that the part was augmented for her. Subsequently she has appeared in Brassed Off with Congleton Players and played Mrs Swab in Habeus Corpus. She is currently busy rehearsing with Heald Green Theatre for Aladdin in which she will play W. not so P.C. Iris Stew.

by Ed Blundell

Jill enjoys keep fit. She is also a keen gardener, and was for a while an enthusiastic beekeeper, until she discovered that husband Paul was seriously allergic to bee stings. Sadly, the bees had to go. A keen reader of British Social history, perhaps not surprisingly Jill also enjoys reading plays, especially Alan Bennett. Her favourite food is fish especially salmon cooked in any style. Her pet hate is chocolate. Jill enjoys travel and she and Paul have visited India, South Africa, Jamaica and Kenya and are hoping to holiday in Canada soon. Her passion for nursing has continued into retirement and she now runs courses on coping with the menopause. The courses are psycho-educational and particularly designed for women who can’t or don’t want hormone replacement therapy. Jill believes the menopause can have a major impact on a woman’s life adding to life’s many other demands. The menopause is often a taboo subject and there is little support for women and no opportunity to talk to others and explore emotions and feelings in a safe and supportive environment. Her courses seek to bust the myths about the menopause and to look at its impact on women’s wellbeing. The courses are open to residents in the East Cheshire area and can be accessed by calling 01625 469955. The courses run for three evenings from 5.30pm to 7.30pm and the next one begins on 12 February. If you don’t live in East Cheshire and have concerns or are struggling with menopausal issues you should speak to your GP or a specialist nurse at your practice. More information about Talking Therapies can be found on their website at www.mytalkingtherapies.com Last word from Jill Working with people who need help is part of me. I feel privileged and proud to have been a nurse. It is more than a job; it is a part of my life.

SAVE THE WHARF WAREHOUSE A Community Investment Scheme is set to save the iconic Grade 2 listed Wharf Warehouse. Marple residents and heritage enthusiasts are being offered the chance to save the historically important canal side building and convert it to a community and heritage attraction. The building has been at risk of conversion to residential, but the new plan would renovate The Wharf to be a Community Café, and Heritage Centre with a much-needed health and well-being facility on the first floor. The Community Investment Scheme has been put together by The Wharf Marple Community Interest Company (CIC), a social enterprise committed to acquiring, renovating and bringing back into use the well- known former warehouse exclusively for the Marple community. The scheme aims to raise up to £175,000 to purchase the building and people will be offered the chance to invest in the project by purchasing Investment Bonds starting at £100/Bond up to a maximum of £25,000.

Architect’s impression

Located at the junction of the Macclesfield and Peak Forest canals, the Warehouse building was built around the time the canals were constructed in the early 1800s and sits between two Grade 1 Listed Roving Bridges. In its heyday the Warehouse would have been busy as a transhipment point, particularly for goods to and from the neighbouring Lime Kilns. The Wharf Marple Project seeks to tell the story of Marple’s industrial heritage and the significant part that Samuel Oldknow played in

The Wharf Marple CIC Team by Arthur Procter

the town’s economic, social and cultural development. Samuel Oldknow was a prominent local industrialist, owner of the Mellor Mill and undoubtedly the chief architect and driving force in the development and industrialisation of Marple and the canals at the time. As well as the Heritage Centre, cafe and shop on the ground floor, the first floor will provide purposedesigned studios for health and wellbeing groups such as Tai Chi, Pilates and Aikido. Founder Director and Chair of The Wharf Marple CIC, Susan Ingham said, “This plan has been a long time coming but now, thanks to the support we have received and the help from H2O Urban over the past two years, we will launch the Community Investment Scheme. It’s a great opportunity for people to be part of realising the long-awaited dream of saving the Wharf for Marple and in providing the much-needed new facilities for community use.” As Heritage Director, Bob HumphreyTaylor said, “This is an important local heritage site which will sit well with the recently completed ‘Revealing Oldknow’s Legacy: Mellor Mill and The Peak Forest Canal in Marple’ project. It is vital that this piece of local history is allowed to flourish for the benefit of the local and wider communities. For more details about The Wharf Marple Project and how to invest go to www.thewharfmarple.co.uk and download the Investment Prospectus or email: info@thewharfmarple.co.uk

simply books book club choice I’m starting this time with a work of non-fiction. The Salt Path by Raynor Winn is part-travelogue and part-memoir. Just days after Raynor learns that Moth, her husband of 32 years, is terminally ill, they lose their home and livelihood. Scammed by a close friend they are left with not much more than the clothes they are standing in and no source of income. Impulsively they decide to walk the 630-mile South West Coastal Path – from Somerset via Lands End to Dorset. Living wild and free – but penniless and at the mercy of the sea and sky – they discover a new, liberating way of living. This is an astonishing (and inspirational) story of two people dragging themselves from the depths of despair along some of the most dramatic landscapes in the country, looking for a solution to their problems and along the way finding themselves. Met with kindness and hostility – often in equal measure – it’s a remarkable journey, underpinned by the love and care that Raynor and Moth share for each other.

Simply Books

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

Station Eleven by Canadian author Emily St John Mandel is one of the most intriguing and compelling post-apocalyptic novels you will ever read. One snowy night in Toronto famous actor Arthur Leander dies on stage whilst performing King Lear. That same evening a deadly virus touches down in North America. The world will never be same again. Twenty years later Kirsten, an actress in the Travelling Symphony, performs Shakespeare in the settlements that have grown up since ‘the collapse’. The story hops back and forth between the days immediately preceding ‘the collapse’ and its aftermath two decades later – painting a mesmerising picture of a world disoriented by devastating loss but where beauty and culture still strive to find a place. This is one of most unsettling and thought-provoking books I have ever read – in the end not so much about the apocalypse itself as about memory and loss and the power of art to bring a broken society together. And for the children…two highlights this Christmas are Meerkat Christmas by Emily Gravett - follow Sunny the meerkat as he travels the world in the search of the perfect Christmas – and The Crayons’ Christmas by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers – an hilarious interactive book with letters, games, ornaments, a poster and even a pop-up Christmas tree - perfect for the festive season!

Recycle more and waste less in 2020 Are you having a clear out? Did you know there are 20 Recycling Centres across Greater Manchester you can use for getting rid of your waste and recycling from your home? You can recycle all sorts of things from your home, including dead batteries, old clothes and any broken electrical items. Before you visit a Recycling Centre please make sure you sort your waste and recycling first. Research shows that 43% of the waste that people put in the general waste container could have been recycled. Carrying out home improvements? If you are hiring traders to do up your home, whether it’s updating your kitchen, refurbishing your bathroom or sprucing up your garden – it’s the traders’ responsibility to remove all the waste for you. Make sure they include waste removal in their quote. You can’t take this waste yourself to any of the Recycling Centres as this is classed as business waste. Paying someone to get rid of your waste? If you pay someone to get rid of waste for you, it’s your duty of care to make sure they have a waste carrier’s licence. If your waste is fly tipped, you could face a £400 fixed penalty notice or an unlimited fine. Follow the S.C.R.A.P code before you hire someone to remove your waste:

For more information, visit www.recycleforgreatermanchester.com

*Recycle for Greater Manchester is a partnership between the GMCA and nine councils in Greater Manchester (Bolton, Bury, Manchester City, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford City, Stockport, Tameside and Trafford).

Diary of a geeky knitter Seeing more in your craft Recently, I pulled together an issue of Crochet Now in which the pattern collection theme was called ‘Music in Stitches’. Everything inside the magazine was somehow inspired by music. Some were literal interpretations of the theme, such as a favourite song that inspired a blanket design. Others though were a little more creative and played instead with how music and crochet are more alike than you realise. Where musical notes flow into one another to create a finished piece of music that can invoke emotions like happiness, sadness, or passion, crochet can have a similar effect. Individual stitches can flow and play over one-another to create stunning textures that inspire you, or colours can be used to create warmth, coolness, or even emotional response depending on the story or intent behind that design. Now if you aren’t as big a crocheter or knitter as I am, this might be a very strange idea to process. But many of you reading this might find that two or more of your interests that, on the surface appear very different, might in fact have more in common than you realise. Perhaps that explains why you like those things after all! This isn’t supposed to reveal any huge philosophical revelation (as I clearly love to attempt in this column about knitting and geeky things…) but it was just something that occurred to me as I was deciding what to write about this month. Now that we are in a new year following the bustle of one of the more fun (and sometimes stressful) periods of time, self-care and metime is at the forefront of my mind. Connecting two of my interests in this way is somehow a comforting thought that plays into this self-care mindset. I’m not entirely sure how, or if this would even work for everyone, but seeing the links and connections in things I enjoy, like music and crochet, enhances

the enjoyment of both pastimes, particularly when enjoyed together in a meditative way. Perhaps this isn’t the same for you, and I’ve not quite worked out how to connect knitting to my enjoyment of video games, but sometimes it’s nice to just stop and let your thoughts wander to little realisations that give you pleasure. And then of course share those inane thoughts with your friends who patiently read your article, wondering what on earth is she on about…

jennythegeekyknitter@gmail.com www.thegeekyknitter.co.uk www.etsy.com/uk/shop/geeksgamesandknits

Bacon and Mushroom Risotto

A tasty and simple New Year supper Preparation: 10 mins Cooking time: 30 mins

Method

Serves: 4

1. Heat the oil in a deep frying pan and fry the onion and bacon gently for 5 mins to soften. Add the mushrooms and cook gently for a further 5 minutes until they start to release their juices. Stir in the rice and cook until the rice begins to look translucent.

Ingredients ■■ 1 tbsp olive oil ■■ 1 onion ■■ 8 rashers streaky bacon, chopped ■■ 250g chestnut mushrooms, sliced ■■ 300g risotto rice ■■ 1 litre hot chicken stock ■■ Grated parmesan to serve

2. Add the stock, a ladleful at a time, stirring well and waiting for most of the stock to be absorbed before adding the next ladleful – it will take about 20 mins for all the stock to be absorbed. 3. Once the rice is cooked, season and serve with the grated Parmesan.

Here at Uniquely Chic Furniture we source and sell quality pine, oak, vintage and shabby chic furniture. We have a vast range of stock which changes constantly. New pieces arriving almost daily. We also paint furniture. Our painting team are experts at transforming our furniture, or yours, into hand painted, individual, unique pieces. If you have a favourite or inherited piece that fits your space why not have it upcycled and uplifted in our workroom? We occasionally buy your furniture or sometimes we even do part exchanges, so why not pop in and see us, or email us. As well as furniture, we also sell lighting, mirrors, shabby chic home accessories and gifts. New and returning customers always use the same two phrases when they visit...”Aladdin’s Cave” and “Treasure Trove”! We are open 6 days a week, including weekends. Come and visit us, you never know what you will find when you step through the door. @shabbychicuk Official stockists of Frenchic ecofriendly chalk paint and accessories.

Canalside, Goyt Mill, Upper Hibbert Lane, Marple SK6 7HX Tel: 0161 484 5116 or 07785 794308 Email: uniquelychicfurniture@hotmail.co.uk www.uniquelychicfurniture.co.uk Opening Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10-5.30pm Sunday 11-4.30pm Closed Mondays @be_uniquelychic

in touch your local community noticeboard january - february 2020

ROMILEY & MARPLE LIONS The Club was formed in 1978 (originally known as the Stockport – Goyt River Lions Club), covering Woodley, Bredbury, Romiley, Compstall and Marple. In 1985 the name Romiley, Marple and District Lions Club became our official title, although we are now usually known simply as Romiley and Marple Lions. We meet at 8pm, on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month, in the Conservative Club at 6, Guywood Lane, Romiley. As members of a world-wide organisation, Lions Clubs International (formed in 1917), we assist as many worthy causes – locally, nationally, and internationally – as we possibly can. Our members can be seen during the year at local fetes and carnivals with our famous Ball in the Bog game, raffling Easter Eggs or selling novelty items at the Brabyns Park Bonfire. We also organise various events, quizzes etc. locally to raise money for the Club’s Charity Account and have for many years brought Father Christmas to Marple Garden Centre (Wyevale), where he hosts breakfast and tea time sessions in the restaurant and greets visitors to the Dragon Miniature Railway’s grotto. We also organise the annual Marple Santa Dash and the support given to this event over recent years by the locals has been greatly appreciated. A number of dinner meetings are arranged throughout the year, and guest speakers are often invited to inform and entertain our members. The Club enjoys its annual Charter (Birthday) Dinner Dance in March and a variety of social events, theatre visits and so on, to keep us happy when we are “off duty”. Do, please, come to see us and help us to raise money with our silly games and other activities. Perhaps you would also like to attend one of our meetings. We’d love to see you and you can be sure of a warm welcome. You might even decide to join us and become a Lion! If you know of a worthy cause which you would like the Club to support you can come along to tell us about it personally or contact our Welfare Chairman, Terry Harding, whose details are shown below. We always do our best to help so please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Terry Harding, Badger’s Hollow, 265 Birch Lane, Dukinfield, Cheshire SK16 5AU Tel: 0161 330 9494. Continued over

in touch - your local community noticeboard

NEW HOMES FOR STOCKPORT’S GIANT FROGS 18 of the giant frogs from Totally Stockport’s Giant Leap Frog Art Trail went under the auctioneer’s hammer, raising a fantastic 31,000 for the Tree House Ward at Stepping Hill hospital. Running concurrently online and live in the showroom at Mercedes Benz, Stockport, a frenzied evening of bidding found new foreverhomes for the frogs. Deputy Matron at Stepping Hill Hospital’s Tree House children’s ward, Claire Gibson, was ecstatic after the auction: What a fantastic night. I’m thrilled and just keep smiling! We are so very grateful and excited about what this means for the children and young people who use the Treehouse Children’s Unit. The proceeds far exceeded any of our expectations and we are awestruck at the possibilities that such a large donation opens up to us. “Our Treehouse building celebrated its 20th birthday this year and how wonderful it will be to give it a muchneeded new lease of life. The ground floor of the building serves all of our outpatient facilities and outside garden area, while the first floor is home to our inpatient ward and assessment area. “We would love to create a spectacular experience, right from the front entrance to our building, where children and young people will feel comfortable and even excited about coming to; the frog auction will enable this to happen.” Totally Stockport’s BID manager, Paul Taylor said: “When we first conceived the idea of the frog project, we never imagined just how successful it would be; over the summer thousands came to Stockport to follow the trail and discover all the frogs. “To end the project with such a fantastic auction is truly amazing. A small dedicated team made all this happen and, on behalf of everyone involved, I would like to say a huge thank you to the sponsors, artists and local businesses who have supported us. “LSH Mercedes-Benz Stockport have been fantastic and hosted a great evening and the team from Simon Charles Auctioneers gave their time for free, I really can’t thank them all enough. I would also like to say a BIG thank you to the people of Stockport who have loved and respected the frogs; that has given us the confidence and the drive to do it all again, watch this space!”

in touch - your local community noticeboard

ST ANN’S HOSPICE CHRISTMAS TREE COLLECTION How do you dispose of your Christmas tree after Twelfth Night? If you live in SK5 or SK6 (or any Stockport MBC area) you can make a voluntary donation and have your tree collected from your front door. At the same time, you will be helping the environment, helping St Ann’s Hospice and other local charities and saving yourself any effort. No chopping up required. No needles all over your car. The charity Just Helping (no 1149068) works together with local businesses and volunteers to collect Christmas trees from homes. The trees are then recycled, usually by being made into chippings for mulch and pathways. The net proceeds go 80% to St Ann’s Hospice and 20% to local charities. It’s very easy. All you have to do is register your tree online at www.charityxmastreecollection.com before midnight on 5 January 2020. The trees will be collected between Friday 10 January and Sunday 12 January 2020. In January 2019, in the Stockport MBC area we collected 2,234 Christmas trees which raised £29,472, split £24,046 for St Ann’s Hospice and £5,425 for various local charities, including Mellor Country House and Kinder Mountain Rescue Team. The Carbon Trust figures for the carbon footprint of a 20m tree is around 3.5kg CO2e if it is chipped compared to 16kg if it goes to landfill and 40kg for an artificial tree. Volunteers are very welcome. Help is needed for leaflet drops, collecting trees, driving a van, delivering food, employee charity day, business sponsorship, lending a van, donating refreshments, printing etc.

If you might be able to help please contact Amanda Howlett: amanda.howlett@hotmail.co.uk or Clare Hinton: clarehinton@just-helping.org.uk

KEEP ON TAPPING! The Doo-lally Tappers are still tapping after 30 years! Over the years we have raised many thousands of pounds for local charities – NSPCC, St Ann’s Hospice, Stockport Scanner Appeal, Victim Support, The Rainbow Trust, McMillan Nurses and Cancer Research, to name but a few. We have busked in Covent Garden and in Manchester for the Commonwealth Games. Our greatest thrill was meeting Cilla Black on her show Surprise, Surprise. We don’t do exams; we just tap dance for fun. It’s great for the legs and for keeping fit. Our studio is in Marple and classes are on Mondays and Thursdays - 10am to 11am for Beginners followed by Intermediate + at 11.15am.

For further details contact Joan Cairns on 0161 427 4689

This Charming Man This month I was fortunate to make the acquaintance of Richard Cragg, a stalwart of Bramhall Cricket Club, recently honoured by the club through having the ground named after him. An unusual gesture, some might say, but not once you’ve met the man himself and heard about his strong affinity with the club which stretches back as far as 1958. At this point, Richard was living in the Bramhall area and travelling to school at King’s, Macclesfield. During his time there, his mode of transport switched from steam train to diesel train to electric train, all in the space of ten years, as he rose to the top of the school, becoming head boy and captaining the school cricket first eleven. Cricket has always been in the ‘Craggie’ blood and his talent was recognised when he captained English Schools, then the English Universities cricket team and an MCC Schools side which was the last to tour South Africa before Apartheid. In wistful mood, Richard wonders whether he might have been able to take his cricketing career a little further, as he would have welcomed the life of a professional cricketer. Instead, having graduated from Leeds University, he studied Teacher Training at Cambridge University and then began his teaching career, which included a couple of years at Sale Boys Grammar and over 30 years at Marple Hall, where he became Head of English. Richard captained the first eleven at Bramhall at the young age of 24, and his connection with the club could not have been closer since then. The troubled times came in the mid ‘90s, when the club looked like it might fold. It was forced to seek a new ground,

following the purchase of the old Queensgate ground where cricket had been played for over a hundred years. It was in 1996 that the ground at Church Lane was founded and Richard was fundamental in helping to ensure that the foundations were laid for a top Cheshire club. Now ‘Chairman of Grounds’, Richard has been involved with preparing pitches since the 1970s. It’s a major hobby, keeping him busy from March to October every year, as he continues his ‘love affair’ with the cricket club. Considering that he feels the club has given him so much, Richard admits that the naming of the ground after him still feels somewhat surreal, though lovely at the same time. Away from cricket, Richard has plenty to keep himself occupied. Reading is still a passion and he plans to spend some of this winter copying out some of his favourite poems and Shakespeare quotations in long hand. This against the backdrop of his cottage with a stream in the garden, which happens to stand right next door to his (very) local pub. ‘Had we but world enough and time’, I’d tell you more of this charming man, as well as his love of the metaphysical poets. But I think I might suggest meeting him for a pint in Bollington, where he claims the air is fresher and the stars shine more brightly in the sky. Great to meet you, star man. by Barrie Hawker

Prairie Planting - part 2 Prairie gardens are a recent trend in garden design and mark a shift towards more natural looking, low maintenance perennial beds and borders. Part 1 of this article covered how to plant a prairie garden. This time I’m going to take a closer look at some of my favourite plants for this style of garden. Possibly the most iconic prairie flowers are the Coneflowers – Echinacea and Rudbeckia. These are closely related plants with large daisy flowers with prominent central cones. Echinaceas come in a large range of colours but particularly pinks and whites. “Rubinstern” (“Ruby Star”) and “White Swan” are old favourites but there are so many new varieties available as well. Echinaceas need good drainage in winter to do well. Most Rudbeckias are hardier but come in shades of yellow mostly (except the tender, and usually biennial “Hirta” types which are also red and bronze). Rudbeckias will tolerate colder, damper conditions. Best for the prairie are “Goldsturm”, “Deamii” and “Little Henry”.

tops of the stems off in late spring to encourage them to bush out rather than up. Old varieties like Autumn Joy and Brilliant have large heads or pink flowers. One of the brightest coloured is Red Cauli. There are lots of new varieties coming out with bronze or chocolate coloured leaves. The only pest to watch for is vine weevil grubs eating the roots in winter – check the plants are well rooted in late winter. Bergamot (Monarda) have aromatic leaves smelling of Earl Grey tea and unusual and striking flowers on top of stems between 2 to 4ft (60-120cm) tall depending on variety. They are ideal for a prairie planting because they spread to form large mats of leaves quickly covering the soil. I add lots of compost at planting time and give a really good feed each spring. Their one drawback is the tendency to get powdery mildew (white powder on the leaves) in late summer. This doesn’t kill the plants but can cause leaves to drop off. Chemical fungicides can be used to prevent this, but I find improving the plant vigour and soil moisture is usually enough. Don’t mulch Monardas! There are lots of varieties and colours including Gardenview Scarlet, Pink Supreme (short) and Violet Queen.

Ice Plants (Sedums) make ideal plants for the natural garden: they are tough, drought tolerant and form good sized clumps. They come in a range of heights from ground hugging mats to knee-high with large cauliflower-like heads. The taller ones can become topheavy if grown in rich soils so it may be best to take the

by Martin Blow > www.specialperennials.com

Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum) is another easy plant for the prairie with mid-high stems clothed in bee-friendly flowers. The variety Dropmore Purple has a really natural look and is ideal. Beware that Yellow Loosestrife (Lysimachia) is a different plant and some of these can be invasive.

Talking of invasive plants, be very careful if planting Cirsiums in the garden – these are the thistle family, and some are really pernicious weeds. However, the Purple River Thistle (Cirsium rivulare Atropurpureum) doesn’t invade and doesn’t seed and the tall rich flowers look great in the prairie garden. No prairie planting is complete without grasses and among the best and toughest is Moor Grass (Molinia). These come in a range of heights from 2ft (60cm) up to 6ft (180cm) and will grow in dry or very moist soils and are really hardy. The shorter ones are ideal for windy places. My favourite short one is Moorhexe and for a tall one I love the see-through stems of Transparent. Some like Windspiel take on brilliant colours in autumn. Other grasses for this style of garden are Panic Grass (Panicum) which never ceases to move in the breeze and Feather Grass (Calamagrostis) with large flower heads in late summer. These are some of my favourites, but you can include all sorts of plants in a prairie planting. You might want to try Mullein (Verbascum), Veronicastrum, Gay Feather (Liatris), Masterwort (Astrantia), the list is endless!

Janet and I run Special Perennials, website www.specialperennials.com We sell at Plant Hunters’ Fairs throughout the season. DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2020. We will be at the Plant Hunters’ Fairs at Bramall Hall, Stockport on Sunday 5 April 2020; The Dorothy Clive Garden, TF9 4EU (4 miles south of Bridgemere) on Sunday 12 & Monday 13 April; Cholmondeley Castle, Malpas SY14 8AH on Sunday 26 April and at Adlington Hall, Macclesfield on Sunday 10 May. All gardens offer half price or better entry for these special event days. Please see www.planthuntersfairs.co.uk for full details of these and other fairs.

BOLLIN VALLEY AND QUARRY BANK MILL Walk description: This is a circular walk out through Styal Village, across fields to the edge of Manchester Airport and returning along the Bollin valley through Quarry Bank Mill. It is mainly easy with 3 short steep climbs along the Bollin Valley pathway. Distance: 4.25 miles circular from Quarry Bank Mill (SJ835830), or 6 miles starting from the Twinnies Bridge Car Park at SJ840821 – the western end of The Carrs. Map: OS Explorer 268 Wilmslow, Macclesfield and Congleton Start: Quarry Bank Mill National Trust Car Park. Alternatively, the walk can be extended by 1.75 miles by starting from the Twinnies Bridge Car Park* see note at the end. Leave the car park along the adjacent path and exit through the Main Entrance building. Because you are heading away from chargeable areas, explain that you are going out through the Village. Cross the road and take the pathway diagonally opposite leading towards Styal Village, keeping to the left of the fence alongside the Apprentice’s House kitchen gardens. The young apprentices, both boys and girls, employed in the Mill, came from poor houses or work houses in Liverpool and some as far from home as Hackney and Chelsea.

By Annie Durham

After a day’s work, they had to attend school and help in the kitchen garden, a hard life. The path remains straight crossing over one track separating two fields, until you reach Styal Cross by Norcliffe Chapel. This medieval cross remained a stub until it was relocated and then restored in 2010. Keep straight on to the row of cottages ahead and turn right between these and their neat front gardens. All the cottages in the village were built by Samuel Greg for his workers, offering a scullery kitchen and two bedrooms. The path reaches the road where you go straight across to the stile into a field. Keep to the right of the wall and follow the path up to a gateway ahead. Keep straight on across the next field heading for a gate next to a white cottage. This leads on to a track for about 100 yards where you turn left through a small gate and walk out alongside new fencing. At the end of the fencing, keep in a straight line to a main gate leading out from the field. Here, a short path heads over a stile and on to Holly Lane. Turn left and follow the winding road to a T-junction. Turn right as far as the sharp bend to the right, cross before the bend and head for the private road to the left, signposted as the Orbital Cycleway and Laureen’s Ride. Keep on this road, formerly Moss Lane, until you reach the perimeter security fence of Manchester Airport. Follow this track round to the left, and walk to the endless sounds of aeroplanes taxiing, landing

or taking off. After the path eventually follows a ‘dog leg’ bend, take the gap in the fence in the left, turn left up a small pathway and arrive at a flat grassy area where you could enjoy a lively and very different but memorable lunchtime picnic watching the planes. From here you can see both runways, the main terminals and servicing hangars as well as the hospitality building housing the Royal Concorde. The airport was first known as Ringway from 1935 until 1938 when it became known as RAF Ringway during World War 2, and after the war expanded rapidly. Terminal 1 opened in 1962, the first wide bodied Boeing 747 appeared in 1970, and in 1982, the main runway was extended by passing over a new tunnel route for Altrincham Road from Wilmslow. In 2001, a second runway was built and in 2010 Emirates landed their first “big one”, the A380.

Returning to the track, turn left and walk 100 yards before going left down towards the Bollin Valley. After the second gate, take a path down to the left and go through a wooden gate on to the river trail. Go left and head along this delightful woodland route all the way back to Quarry Bank Mill. When you reach the first river bridge, ignore it and head on past open fields where rare cattle breeds are grazed in the summer. This path is a little uneven and can be muddy in places so take care along it. Eventually you reach the woodland on a good path, leading up to Giant’s Castle, and a steep flight of steps up and down but with rest benches part way. After the descent, cross over the Giant’s Castle Bridge and head up to a further climb over another river cliff.

The Walk

As the path flattens out down by the river, you reach Oxbow bridge. Cross here and turn left until leaving the river meander on the left. Bear right until you join the river closer to the Mill grounds. Cross over the small Kingfisher Bridge and then bear left up the wide path which has a flight of steps up the middle. Where it levels out at the top, take a pathway to the right which leads you past the expanded and developing garden area.

The path bends left past this area and leads to the road going down to the Mill. This magnificent 18th Century Mill was first built in 1784 using water power from the Bollin and became a busy cotton factory close to the cotton capital of Manchester. As the Industrial Revolution gathered pace, the Mill was expanded in 1860. Before then, it had acquired a Boulton and Watt steam engine to power the machinery when river levels fell. This NT owned working museum is well worth a visit or alternatively return another time but stay and enjoy the cafe and the shop, before returning up to the car park by the steps and winding accessibility pathways. *If you prefer to extend your walk, you can begin from the Twinnies Bridge Car Park at SJ840821 – the western end of The Carrs. From there take the path past the toilet block (now closed), over a river bridge next to the road, and stay inside the road before taking the second turning to the left. The path goes straight up to a gateway and continues in a straight line as far as Quarry Bank main car park where you pick up the earlier guided route. To return from the Mill, head up the path from the courtyard where small tables and chairs are set out. Keep above the fencing and follow the good path along the River Bollin. Where it divides go right along the river bank and join the outward pathway by the bridge, and return to the car park. Marple District Rambling Club organises up to nine walks each week on Thursdays and Sundays. For more information, either ring our Chairman, Sue Gilmore on 07775 620398, or our Membership Secretary, Claude Prime on 0161 483 8596. Alternatively, you could visit our website on www.marpleramblers.org to learn more about our Club’s programme of walks, socials and walking holidays.

Electric Vehicles

The very clever Kia e-Niro is pointing the way towards the immediate future of personal and private transportation. But let us not get ahead of ourselves here as this is not a review of the e-Niro just yet, rather a rumination regarding the practicality of electric vehicle travel right here and right now.

range for the time spent charging. Turns out they’re not all the same... Checkout the What Car? EV charging guide online and look for rapid chargers rather than just fast on Zap Map.

TIP 1 - download Zap-Map

Take a good look next time you see an EV charge point at the services. They all look the same, don’t they? Now look closely at the charging cables available and you’ll notice that some have a Type 2 charger (capable of charging from 7 kW to 22 kW, fully charging an EV in 3-4 hours) on one side and a Chademo on the other and yet others have a CCS (rapid DC units which are at least 50 kW and will charge the majority of EVs to 80% in around 30-60 minutes) and Chademo charger. Which to choose? It’s different for some EVs (Nissan, Renault, Mitsubishi and Tesla) but generally and from my own experience with the Kia, it’s the CCS type charger that you need when looking to maximise recharging.

Before going anywhere, you absolutely must download the fantastic Zap-Map app which is compatible with both Android and IOS and is packed full of invaluable features. Without going into detail, you input your own EV information and then have access to a UK-wide charging point map (constantly updated) currently showing over 6,000 charging locations and 19,000 connectors. There’s also a superb route planning feature that you can customise to your own required specifications. Believe me when I say that this superb app helps extinguish any doubts regarding range anxiety.

Tip 2 - know your charger Familiarise yourself with the type of charger you need to find on the journey so that you can access maximum

by Martin Hall

Tip 3 - maximise recharging

Tip 4 - don’t charge to 100% Don’t waste time charging twice at a charge point (one 45 min charge followed straight away by another) trying to get the battery up to 100%, as it takes longer than just finding another charge point as and when you need it. Most, if not all, EV manufacturers recommend

that charging to 80% rather than 100% will help extend the real-world lifespan of the EV’s battery pack. Indeed, Tesla themselves recommend charging to 100% only if a longer journey is to be undertaken. And then there’s the time it takes to fill the final 20%, which takes longer to complete relative to the first 80%. So, charge to 80% and off you go.

Tip 5 - use more than one app Download and register with several of the most popular EV charging apps available on either IOS or Android, allowing yourself the luxury of choice when it comes to charging your chosen EV. You really don’t want to be wasting time trying to set up the correct app and payment card on the journey itself. Try out Zap Map, ChargePoint, PlugShare, Polar Plus, Pod-Point and Electric Highway.

Whether we like it or not the electric vehicle revolution is here to stay. Prices will come down, range will increase and charging times will reduce, but until they do, take on board the advice given and carry on enjoying the drive. It’s going to be an electrifying journey. Where will you go? Martin Hall writes www.motormartin.com a ‘real life’ motoring blog that focusses on the car itself rather than lap times, a blog to see if the car you want is good for shopping or commuting, a blog that recognises that ‘real life’ motoring should also be fun on the bends.

inside guide

january - february 2020

selected events in your area

Wednesday 8 January

Thursday 9 January

Marple Naturalists Russel Hedley – Wildflowers of Lancashire Adult Membership £30, visitors £4 Enquiries to Jane Michael 07917 434598 or Derek Clifford 0161 4274611 www.marple-uk.com United Reformed Church, Hibbert Lane, Marple 8pm

Ludworth and Mellor WI Monthly Meeting. Why not join us, to have some fun making art with surprising results? We always have other activity groups running throughout the week, plus events and outings. See our website: www.ludworthandmellorwi.com Visitors and new members always welcome at the Women’s Institute Hall Lower Fold, Marple Bridge SK6 5DX 2pm for a 2.15pm start

Wednesday 8 January Stockport Walking and Outdoors Group. A talk about Edwardian motoring in the north-west by Craig Horner. All are welcome, admission £1. For details of all our events including Wednesday evening meetings, day walks and weekends please go to www.stockportwalkingoutdoors.org.uk Hazel Grove Civic Hall 8pm

Wednesday 8 January Marple & District Probus Club Frank Plesak “The fatal bombing of New Mills and Hayfield 1942” - an 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. The club is open to ladies as well as gentlemen; 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 9 January 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

stand out from the crowd

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

Thursday 9 January Marple Exploring The Arts. Art developed quite slowly during the middle ages and reached a plateau during the Renaissance. Then there was a period of civil revolutions. These had a dramatic effect on the subsequent development of art. Desmond Winterbone’s lecture, entitled, ‘19th Century Revolutions’, will examine the art and artists that emerged from this period. Visitors very welcome: £5 on the door including refreshments. The United Reformed Church, Hibbert Lane, Marple at 7.30pm

Saturday 11 January Open Day with Cheshire A Cappella We’re looking for new singers (ladies only!) and would love you to come along and sing with us for a day. We’ll assess your vocal range, then we’ll all learn a song together. Free of charge, lunch provided! Email: cheshireacappella@gmail.com or call Elspeth on 07521 101409 to reserve your place. Morley Green Club, Mobberley Rd, Wilmslow SK9 5NT 10am to 4pm

Tuesday 14 January East Cheshire Association of the National Trust Lecture – Mick Jagger slept here – Barbara Foster Brookdale Club, Bridge Lane, Bramhall, Stockport, SK7 3AB 2pm

Thursday 16 January Wilmslow Guild Natural History Society The Flowers of the Drakensberg Mountains – illustrated talk by Judith Lovelady. Visitors welcome (£4) Details from Steve Osborne 01625 879087 or www.wilmslowguild.org The Guild, 1 Bourne St, Wilmslow SK9 5HD 7.30pm

Continued over

Thursday 16 January

Wednesday 22 January

Moor End Women’s Institute welcomes visitors so if you would like to come to our next meeting it would be lovely to see you. Fran Henderson will be talking talk to us about Podiatry. We are a small friendly group and meet on the third Thursday of the month. Contact: Liz Kidston 0161 427 7275 Mellor Parish Centre, Church Road, Mellor, SK6 5LX 7.45pm

Stockport Walking and Outdoors Group A talk about the restoration of the South Pennine Moors by the Moors for the Future partnership. All are welcome, admission £1. For details of all our events including Wednesday evening meetings, day walks and weekends please go to www.stockportwalkingoutdoors.org.uk Hazel Grove Civic Hall 8pm

Friday 17 January Stockport Historical Society “Given with Cheerfulness and not Grudgingly” (Almshouses and charitable giving in Cheshire) by Claire Moores Further information from Tony Nightingale 0161 440 0570. Visitors very welcome Admission £3. Stockport Sunday School, 96 Nangreave Road, SK2 6DQ 7.45pm

Saturday 18 January St George’s Singers annual Singing Day Led by musical director Neil Taylor and accompanied by one-man orchestra-at-the-keyboard, Pete Durrant. This year the chosen work is John Rutter’s Requiem. The Singing Day is a great musical event but it’s also a great social event, renowned for the friendly atmosphere and wonderful home cooked food. Contact Gillian Banks on 01925 213949 or email stgeorgessingingday@gmail.com St George’s Church, Poynton

Monday 20 January Marple Local History Society From Ancient Tracks to Modern Highways by Judith Wilshaw Annual membership £10, Visitors welcome £3 per meeting, Website: www.mlhs.org.uk Methodist Church, Church Lane, Marple, SK6 7AY 7.45pm doors open 7.15pm

Monday 20 January High Peak RSPB Barrie Cooper—Belarus This talk takes us to Belarus with its ancient forests, bogs and marshes making it a rich country for wildlife including Azure Tit and Aquatic Warbler. Mammals such as Lynx, Wolf, Bison and Beaver supplement a good selection of birds including raptors, owls and woodpeckers. All welcome - group members free; non-members £2 donation (on the door). Children free. Further information 0161 427 0881 www.rspb.org.uk/groups/highpeak Marple Senior Citizens Hall, Marple Memorial Park, SK6 6BA, 7.30pm

Wednesday 22 January Marple & District Probus Club Betty Hayhurst “A Visit to an Antique and Collectors Fair” bring your objects for assessment. 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. The club is open to ladies as well as gentlemen; 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 23 January Marple Exploring The Arts Michael Howard presents an illustrated lecture entitled, ‘Theodore Major - Walking in Fire’. Michael is currently working on a book that will claim that Wigan born Theodore Major, a close contemporary of L. S. Lowry, is England’s last forgotten master of the twentieth century. Theodore was a most extraordinary (and much loved) man and a painter of acknowledged brilliance. His paintings, once seen, can never be forgotten. Visitors very welcome: £5.00 on the door including wine and mince pies. The United Reformed Church, Hibbert Lane, Marple 7.30pm

Friday 24 January & Saturday 25 January A Night in the West End. Join us for an evening of West End entertainment as we take you to the heart of theatreland with extracts from some of the biggest musicals of all time. Ticket prices £15/£10. 24hr Box Office 0333 666 3366 www.theforumtheatre.co.uk The Forum Theatre, Stockport, SK6 4EA 7.30pm

Saturday 25 January Stockport Symphony Orchestra. Bruch Violin Concerto soloist Martyn Jackson. Shostakovich Symphony No 7 “Leningrad” Conductor Rob Guy www.stockportsymphony.co.uk Tickets available at the box office, online or on the door £15 full price/£13 concessions/students £5/accompanied children under 16 free Stockport Town Hall 7.30pm Continued over

Wednesday 29 January

Thursday 6 February

Marple French Group We meet on the last Wednesday of every month in an informal atmosphere for a drink and a chat. All levels are welcome and there’s no charge. À bientôt. Ring o’ Bells, Church Lane, Marple, SK6 7AY 8pm to 9pm

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

Wednesday 29 January Stockport Walking and Outdoors Group An illustrated talk entitled ‘Where are all the aliens’ by Cary O’Donnell. All are welcome, admission £1. For details of all our events including Wednesday evening meetings, day walks and weekends please go to www.stockportwalkingoutdoors.org.uk Hazel Grove Civic Hall 8pm

Wednesday 29 January Offerton Hatters WI This month we are welcoming Joanna who is going to teach us belly dancing. Why not come along and join us, you will be made very welcome. We meet every last Wednesday of the month. Please call if you are interested in joining our lovely group, June Golding 0161 484 0417 / 07812 639207 St Albans Church Hall, Offerton, SK2 5AG 8 to 10pm

SATURDAY 1 & SUNDAY 2 FEBRUARY Mind Body Spirit Event 50+ Exhibitors including 30+ workshops, talks and demonstrations of mediumship – all included in the entrance fee of £4 or £3.50 concessions, full / weekend pass £6/£7 in advance or £1 more on the door. FREE PARKING, FREE MAGAZINE, FREE RAFFLE ENTRY www.rosemarydouglas.com Masonic Guildhall, Stockport, SK1 3UA

Wednesday 5 February Marple Naturalists Dr Hugh Jones – Australia and the Great Barrier Reef Adult Membership £30, visitors £4 Enquiries to Jane Michael 07917 434598 or Derek Clifford 0161 4274611 www.marple-uk.com United Reformed Church, Hibbert Lane, Marple 8pm

stand out from the crowd

Thursday 6 February Ludworth and Mellor WI Monthly Meeting Why not join us at our February meeting when Joss Carpreau will talk to us about her journey to become a memoir writer, sharing some insights and stories. See our website: www.ludworthandmellorwi.com We always have other activity groups running throughout the week, plus events and outings. Visitors and new members always welcome at the Women’s Institute Hall, Lower Fold, Marple Bridge SK6 5DX 2pm for a 2.15pm start

Thursday 6 February Marple Exploring The Arts Rosemary Broadbent presents a lecture entitled, ‘The Tip of The Iceberg’. In her talk Rosemary explores some of the unexpected treasures which lie behind some of the most popular musical compositions, including Handel’s Messiah, Ravel’s Bolero and similar works known to all of us. Visitors very welcome: £5.00 on the door including wine and mince pies. The United Reformed Church, Hibbert Lane, Marple 7.30pm Club, Bridge Lane, Bramhall, Stockport, SK7 3AB.

Tuesday 11 February East Cheshire Association of the National Trust Lecture – Doorstep Crime Awareness – Paul Unwin Brookdale Club, Bridge Lane, Bramhall, Stockport, SK7 3AB 2pm

with our paid INSIDE Guide listings.

Call 01625 879611 or email info@insidemagazines.co.uk for further details. Continued over

Wednesday 12 February

Friday 21, Saturday 22 and Saturday 29 February

Stockport Walking and Outdoors Group An illustrated talk entitled ‘Machu Picchu-The hard way, A trek through the High Andes’ by Norman Harris. All are welcome, admission £1. For details of all our events including Wednesday evening meetings, day walks and weekends please go to www.stockportwalkingoutdoors.org.uk Hazel Grove Civic Hall 8pm

Hazel Grove Musical Festival - 93rd Season www.hazelgrovemusicalfestival.org.uk

Wednesday 12 February Marple & District Probus Club. Geoff Scargill “Edward Elgar the Real Elgar” - an 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. The club is open to ladies as well as gentlemen; 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 13 February Wilmslow Guild Natural History Society Wild Britain- part 2 – illustrated talk by Brian White. Visitors very welcome (£4) Details from Steve Osborne 01625 879087 or www.wilmslowguild.org The Guild, 1 Bourne St, Wilmslow SK9 5HD 7.30pm

Monday 17 February Marple Local History Society. The Leghs of Lyme – How to join the Aristocracy by Neil Mullineux. Annual membership £10, Visitors welcome £3 per meeting, Website: www.mlhs.org.uk Methodist Church, Church Lane, Marple, SK6 7AY 7.45pm doors open 7.15pm

Monday 17 February High Peak RSPB. Gary Prescott - The biking birder. Adventures of a Green Birder. Gary is a major figure in the eco-birding movement. This encourages birdwatchers to minimise their carbon footprint when travelling to see birds. Gary works tirelessly for charities including The RSPB, The Wildfowl and Wetland Trust (WWT), Asthma UK and the Chaskawasi-Manu Rainforest children project in Peru. 0161 427 0881 www.rspb.org.uk/groups/highpeak Marple Senior Citizens Hall, Marple Memorial Park, SK6 6BA 7.30pm

Thursday 20 February Moor End Women’s Institute welcomes visitors so if you would like to come to our next meeting it would be lovely to see you. The speaker will be Keith Corden and he will be talking about the Weather. We meet on the third Thursday of the month. Contact Liz Kidston on 0161 427 7275 Mellor Parish Centre, Church Road, Mellor, SK6 5LX 7.45pm

Wednesday 26 February Marple French Group We meet on the last Wednesday of every month in an informal atmosphere for a drink and a chat. All levels are welcome and there’s no charge. À bientôt. Ring o’ Bells, Church Lane, Marple SK6 7AY 8pm to 9pm

Wednesday 26 February Marple & District Probus Club Judy Jones “The Heritage of Canals around Marple” - an 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. The club is open to ladies as well as gentlemen; 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

FRIDAY 28 FEBRUARY Stockport Historical Society “Old Crocs and Dodgy Car Salesmen: Interpreting Cheshire’s Vehicle Registrations 1904-1907” by Dr Craig Horner Visitors very welcome Admission £3. Further information from Tony Nightingale 0161 440 0570. Stockport Sunday School, 96 Nangreave Road, SK2 6DQ (Next to Aquinas College) 7.45pm

Friday 28 to Saturday 29 February Magic of the Musicals Junior Join the NK Theatre Arts youth theatre members as they take us on an evening of West End entertainment to the heart of theatre-land with extracts and songs from some of the biggest musicals of all time. Ticket Prices £12/£8. 24hr Box Office 0333 666 3366 www.theforumtheatre.co.uk The Forum Theatre, Stockport SK6 4EA

Saturday 29 February Stockport Symphony Orchestra Mendelsohn: Overture A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Mozart: Piano Concerto no 25. Stravinsky: Rite of Spring. Conductor and soloist Peter Donohoe. For more information please check the website www.stockportsymphony.co.uk Tickets available at the box office, online or on the door. £15 full price/£13 concessions/students £5/accompanied children under 16 free Stockport Town Hall 7.30pm Free car parking available 4pm-midnight

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

Do you have a waste carrier’s licence? If you are a trader, own a business or offer a waste removal service, under the Duty of Care legislation, you will need a waste carrier’s licence to get rid of any waste from your business. This could include anything such as hardcore and rubble, electrical items or wood. It could be as small as a single bag to an entire truckload of waste. You must pay for the disposal of your waste using a licenced waste facility. If you carry out repair or renovation works on any building, it is your responsibility to remove all the waste produced. Make sure you include waste removal in your quote. Do I need a waste carrier’s licence? You must register for a waste carrier’s licence with the Environment Agency if you do any of these things as part of your business: transport waste

buy, sell or dispose of waste

arrange for someone else to buy, sell or dispose of waste

To register for a licence, visit www.gov.uk and search ‘waste carrier licence’

You can be fined up to £5,000 if you don’t register. Can I take business waste to the Household Waste Recycling Centre? No, it is illegal to use any of the Household Waste Recycling Centres for business waste. To ensure traders and businesses are not using them illegally, the following measures have been put in place: Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) to monitor the number of vehicle visits CCTV Vehicle load checks

For more information about how you can dispose of your waste responsibly, please visit: www.recycleforgreatermanchester.com/business-waste

quick crossword Across 1 Outskirts of a city (7) 5 Follow orders (4) 10 In good physical shape (3) 11 Rotor blades that power a plane (9) 12 Ogle (3,2) 13 Clothes-maker (6) 15 Rounded paving stone (6) 17 Gentle bell-like sound (6) 18 Castle tower (6) 20 Ceremony, celebration (5) 23 Skittish, highly-strung (9) 24 Admiration (3) 25 Celtic stringed instrument (4) 26 Spotty infectious disease (7)

down 2 Disentangle, release (5) 3 Abhorrence, disapprobation (12) 4 Increase, improve (5) 6 Sandra _______, Speed actress (7) 7 Woollen thread (4) 8 Crime, infraction (7) 9 Unhesitating, resolve (12) 14 Small falcon (7) 16 Nightclub doorman (7) 19 Chart, diagram (5) 21 Delete, abolish (5) 22 Netting, tracery (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 donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to be a genius. These puzzles use logic alone. Watch out! Sudoku is highly addictive.

Solutions on page 44 37

costa rica

I have been to some amazing places on my travels, but it’s been a few years since my last ‘tropical’, long haul adventure. I’m excited to share with you an inside view from a recent trip I took to a real emerging hot spot, Costa Rica, and I’m convinced I can tempt everyone to go! In early October I was lucky enough to be invited to experience the highlights of Costa Rica. It’s amazing how diverse the country is, and in only eight days we saw everything from volcanoes and thermal hot springs to sloths, monkeys, cloud forests and the Pacific Ocean. Here’s a quick guide to the places you should visit:

Arenal & La Fortuna One of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica and with good reason. This area is stunning and is, of course, home to the impressive (active) volcano. Arenal is a real adrenalin junkie playground with numerous companies offering action packed (and in my opinion, slightly mental) zip lining parks, bungee jumping sights and white-water rafting. To be fair, we went zip

lining (very impressed with myself) and the adventure parks are very well organised and totally focused on health and safety. If adrenalin sports are your thing, you will love it! And after all that action, the area is full of beautiful luxury hotels, many with their own thermal hot springs where you can relax and enjoy the gorgeous, tranquil surroundings.

Monteverde After Arenal you should head down to Monteverde, the Cloud Forest, a ‘must’ on your Costa Rica tour. Only 60 miles from Arenal, Monteverde is in the Cloud Forest and the best word for it is, magical. This ecosystem is something you can only experience in a few spots on Earth and I felt very privileged to be there. If there’s one thing you will quickly discover in Costa Rica it’s that the locals are so proud and respectful of the world around them. Costa Rica is one of the greenest and more biodiverse countries in the world and the people are dedicated to preserving the environment. It’s almost as if the plants and animals come first and the people come second; it’s heart-warming and refreshing to discover this mentality.

Manuel Antonio Further south on the Pacific Coast, you see another side to Costa Rica, the beach! Costa Rica has many gorgeous beaches and offers great variety as not only can you visit the Pacific Coast, but you can also go north to the Caribbean.

Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to go to the Caribbean, but our trip to Manuel Antonio did not disappoint. Manuel Antonio is becoming a real backpacker paradise, though it’s worth pointing out there are some wonderful, luxury hotels here too. You can visit the national park; lush rainforest, brimming with wildlife and lots of naughty white-faced monkeys (they’re thieves, beware!) The best part of this park is where two worlds meet; you follow the trails through the rainforest and emerge on to absolute paradise beaches! As we were there in low season, we practically had the beach to ourselves which was amazing.

Costa Rica has something for everyone. If you want to go and relax on the beach, you can. If you are a nature lover, it’s absolutely one of the best places on earth to visit and if you are an adventure seeker then there is plenty to keep you occupied. At Not Just Travel, we can organise tailormade trips for all ages and all budgets and now I’ve been I can share with you my first-hand knowledge. Thinking of going somewhere different in 2020? I would highly recommend Costa Rica. Lucy Allen Personal Travel Consultant Notjusttravel/waitingworld lucyallen.notjusttravel.com e: lucy.allen@notjusttravel.com p: 07512 784700

Children’s Activities

Things to do with pre-school kids

Friday

Monday

The Monday Make & Play 9.15-10.45am Term time only. 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.

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.

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.

Treetots 9.30–10.45am Term time only. Mellor Primary School, Knowle Road, Mellor, Stockport. SK6 5PL.

Tuesday Playtime Toddler Group 9.45-11.30am 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.

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. Just4dadsstchads is a midweek toddler group for Dads and Grandads who are looking after their children. Plenty of space to play, good coffee and plenty of banter for the dads! Entrance £2, suitable for new-borns to age 4. The Guywood centre. Guywood Lane Romiley

Thursday 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.

sunday Lego Church 9.30-10.00 am The Ridge Methodist Church, Marple. 1st Sunday of the month (except August). Bible stories, Lego building, with refreshments. Please contact 0161 427 2509. Little Fishes 9.30-10.00am The Ridge Methodist Church, Marple. 2nd Sunday of the month (except August). Bible stories, songs, activities, with refreshments 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

puzzle solutions

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget! Copy deadline for the next issue:

Friday 7 February Tel: 01625 879611 email: info@insidemagazines.co.uk

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 Rose Hill 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 9168 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

classified index BATHROOMS Bathroom Design

ENTERTAINMENT 28

BOOKSHOPS Simply Books

DRAINAGE Pure Clean Drainage Solutions

Adlington Memorial Park

Malcom Shaw & Son

Uniquely Chic

DRIVEWAYS & PATIOS Pure Clean Drainage Solutions

Techni-Pave

ELECTRICIANS SCZ Electrical Services

TBG Inspection Services

Garolla

Adlington Retirement Living

Abstract Roofing Services

Marple Bridge Roofing

Whiting and Mason

The Stair Shop

Back Cover

Inside Front Cover

TAXIS 27

TRAVEL

Matt Finish

Transform Your Kitchen

LIGHTING 39

PETCARE

WINDOWS & CONSERVATORIES Pate & Lever Windows

WINDOW & CONSERVATORY REPAIRS The Window Repair Centre

Don’t forget! Copy deadline for the next issue is Friday 7 February Tel: 01625 879611 email: info@insidemagazines.co.uk 46

ROOFING

Lucy Allen Personal Travel Consultant

KITCHENS

Puddles & Paws Petcare

RETIREMENT PROPERTY

ASAPP Cars

HEARING SERVICES

LIT

Greater Manchester Combined Authority 10,31,36

STAIRCASE RENOVATIONS

Carrington Doors

Cheshire Hearing Centres

SOLICITORS

GARAGE DOORS

DOG WALKING Puddles & Paws Petcare

FURNITURE

DECORATORS Edmondson’s Decorators

Brilliant Fires

Brian Sharples & Son Inside Back Cover

COMPUTER & INTERNET SR Computers

FUNERAL SERVICES

CHIMNEY SWEEP Cheshire East Chimney Sweep

Edward Mellor

Martin Quinn

RECYCLING

FIRES 32

BUILDING SUPPLIES & RENTALS Pure Clean Rental Solutions

ESTATE AGENTS

BUILDING SERVICES Whitehall Builders Ltd

Romiley Operatic Society

PLUMBING & HEATING

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