Inside Poynton Issue 82

inside poynton august - september 2019

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Issue 82

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inside p o y n t o n It’s July already, halfway through the year and a great time to take stock and set some goals for the next six months! 2019 is an exciting year for me – one daughter is getting married in September so there’s lots of shopping, planning and general anticipation in the air. Meanwhile, other daughter graduated in July and has moved to London to start her teaching career. So, we are now officially empty nesters, contemplating a house move and deciding what to do with the next phase of our lives!

I can be as guilty as the next person of drifting along without much focus, but, as my youngest said recently – YOLO (you only live once!) So true and a handy reminder to make the most of every minute, seize every opportunity you can and make things happen!

For those of you with school age children (or grandchildren) you’ll no doubt be making shorter term plans, to occupy them in the summer holidays. Check out our pages to see what’s on and, whether you’re holidaying here or abroad, let’s hope the sun shines.

What’s INSIDE this month 4 poynton people 7 poynton live 8 Big Butterfly Count 11 poynton town mayor fundraising 12 beer & book club recommends 15 stockport’s giant leap 16 Bollington Walking Festival 19 some like it hot 23 NGS Gardens 24 In Touch 32 The Walk 34 Mocktail Hour 37 Mocktail Recipe 38 caribbean inspiration 41 Puzzles 38 42 Real Life Motoring 45 INSIDE Guide 51 Rembrandt at Chatsworth 53 Diary of a Geeky Knitter 54 Children’s Activities

56 Just 4 Kids

58 Puzzle Solutions

61 Useful Numbers 62 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 Poynton Show by Claire Hawker

Copy deadline for the next issue: tuesday 10 sept

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

poynton people Jenny Cooke talks to Susan Warrington, chairman of Twinning Association Poynton Poynton is twinned with two towns; Erd in Hungary and Haybes in NE France. Susan Warrington is chairman of Twinning Association Poynton (TAP).

Susan’s interest in twinning goes back to her life in Stockport after WW2. ‘I was a member of Stockport Youth Council after I left school and we visited Germany in the 1950s. I found I liked travelling, meeting people and finding out about other countries.’

In 2003 an ongoing cultural link was set up between Poynton and Erd, with a choir coming over in 2014 to sing at the Springboard Music festival. Then, in March 2016, there was an exploratory visit from the TAP committee to Haybes in the Ardennes.

In August 2018, the TAP committee went to visit Haybes and take part in the commemoration of the end of WW1. Susan says, ‘It was very meaningful to them that we marked that particular anniversary. During our first evening we marched off in the dark along the side of the river Meuse. The path went really close to the steep-sided river banks. We were flanked on both sides by “les pompiers’’, the firemen, who held flaming torches aloft. Ahead of us a band played a funeral march. Finally we got to the Memorial Stone which is inscribed with all the names of local people who were shot. It was a solemn moment. They were massacred really as the Germans had invaded Belgium and then marched through this area known as Le Doigt de la France.’ Someone on the French side shot a German soldier on horseback and afterwards the occupying force took a terrible revenge. ‘We laid wreaths, and, on the Sunday, I presented two altar candles as a gift from St George’s to their parish church, and this was very well received.’

Today Haybes is in the lovely scenery of a wine-growing area, with fishing and boating on the Meuse, a zip wire, adventure holidays and hunting for wild boar in the Ardennes region. ‘When we were there,’ says Susan, ‘there was a glass put in our hands wherever we went as it’s in the champagne region.’

TAP’s ten hard-working volunteers, including two from the Town Council, discovered that the mayor of Haybes, M Benoit Sonnet, was keen on forming a link between the two former mining communities. Also, after WW1, Stockport sent considerable aid to France, specifically to Haybes. Ever since, the people of Haybes and the surrounding area, continue to be very appreciative.

They visited Poynton in June 2016, had a great time and formal agreements were signed.

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by Jenny Cooke

TAP would like, if possible, to arrange a week’s rambling holiday, as well as their on-going fund-raising here to add to the grant from the Town Council. In June this year two French students from Haybes (connected by bridge to the school in Fumay) stayed with two English families. During the week here they attended Stockport Grammar, visited Poynton High School and Lower Park.

‘Twinning’s important to me,’ says Susan. ‘You only learn mutual understanding by visiting and talking with others. People are people irrespective of politics and even of geography. It’s so easy to label, to have preconceived ideas about a country, a town and its people.

That’s why we’d like to expand twinning, if we can, and involve young people from Poynton and Haybes.

That’s the future. ’

n to n y o P in ic s u m e v li f o e m o h e Th ing live events in Poynton

Celebrating 5 years of promot Where did it all start?

The sun is blazing down and BBQ’s are being stoked up as I write this - although it might well be raining by the time you read it! Anyway, it’s the quietest time of the year for us so we thought you might like to hear how we got started.

Back in 2014 we were wondering how to raise money for the Mayor’s chosen charity and, rather than having a ‘black tie ball’ it was decided that we should organise something that anyone could go to and the idea for ‘Poynton Springboard’ was born.

Several great Poynton people rose to the challenge and from Friday 26 September until Sunday 28 September 2014, some 60 performances in 15 venues took place including Poynton Jemmers, a Drum Band, the Youth Orchestra and Youth Brass Bands on Park Lane.

There were choirs and singers at St George’s and Poynton Methodist Churches, a music night at PCF and Epiphany Sound Portraits at the Civic Hall. There was afternoon Jazz at the Legion, Acapella and Rock at the Centre, Americana at The Willows and Pop in the Workies.

Then, working with local musician/promoter, Les Renshaw and web designer Mike Gallagher, we decided to create a ‘local live events’ website and, late in 2014, www.poyntonlive.uk was launched along with its associated Facebook and Twitter pages and a logo designed by Paul Parkinson.

So today, Poynton Live is a free to use community site, whose aim is to promote live events in Poynton. We have recently teamed up with INSIDE Poynton magazine to further promote events and are extremely grateful to Claire Hawker for her support.

So why not have a look at Poynton Live, discover the variety of events that go on in Poynton and please support local venues and artists whenever you can. And don’t forget, if you know of any other event or organiser that needs a boost point them towards www.poyntonlive.uk Geoff King

It all coincided with the opening of The Acoustic Lounge, The Cask Tavern had Folk Music throughout the day and Poynton Sports Club joined in too. The weekend concluded with a wonderful ‘Songs of Praise’ event in St. Georges Church - it truly was fabulous.

The event was very successful, but it made me realise just how much talent there is in our great town and surely is was worth shouting about! So, the following month I set up a Twitter page ‘Live in Poynton’ and trawled local media etc. to publicise what was going on.

See www.poyntonlive.uk for more details

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Get out for the Count!

This summer marks the 10th anniversary of the Big Butterfly Count - the world’s largest butterfly survey!

Wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation is calling on everyone to do as many 15-minute Counts as possible between Friday 19th July and Sunday 11th August.

This summer, experts are keen to see how common garden butterflies are faring, as despite many species bouncing back in the 2018 heatwave, colourful favourites such as the Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock both recorded poor years.

Butterfly Conservation Vice-President Chris Packham is following in the footsteps of Sir David Attenborough by getting behind the campaign this year.

Last year a record 100,000 participants took part, spotting almost one million butterflies across the UK. However, research by the charity shows that 76% of the UK’s resident and regular migrant butterflies and twothirds of our larger moths are in decline.

Butterfly Conservation President, Sir David Attenborough, said: “It is vitally important that we gain a clearer picture of how our butterflies are faring. Their ongoing decline tells us that all is not well in the British countryside.

“The Big Butterfly Count is more than just counting butterflies – we’ll be taking the pulse of nature.”

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Chris said: “It’s easy to feel powerless when confronted with endless decline statistics from birds to bees to butterflies, but the fight for our environmental future starts with small acts, it starts with you.

“That’s why I urge you to take part in the Big Butterfly Count this summer. By taking part in the Count you are showing that our butterflies, our wildlife and our environment are worth fighting for.”

Download your free ID chart from www.bigbutterflycount.org and record what you see. You can log your results on the website or submit them using the free Big Butterfly Count app.

Photo Credits: Butterfly Conservation

Poynton Town Mayor Fundraising In my third mayoral year I will continue to support our community, not only through fundraising but also by raising the profile of volunteer groups overall and through continued positive engagement with many of our local businesses.

For this year my focus will be on fund and awareness raising for disability, accessibility and mobility issues (and projects) in Poynton. I’m delighted to say that I will be working with the following groups: Poynton Disabled Swimming Club provides free swimming lessons and swimming activities to anyone with a disability and can be a lifeline for many people who feel they don’t have access to other clubs and activities in their local area. The charity, who are based at Poynton Leisure Centre, need funding to help pay

volunteer drivers are the only human face at their house in a week. Last year they made over 1200 trips.

Poynton Breeze is a relatively new group comprised currently of lady cyclists. They are hoping to encourage many residents to join them on easy, flat rides with a friendly group of people. They would also like to be able to offer cycling experiences to disabled children or adults and wish to purchase two adapted bicycles.

Deva Park Play Area has left a space in the current scheme plan to have an inclusive roundabout. The roundabout is £20k so my fundraising cannot cover the cost, but I hope to help to raise the profile for other groups to contribute. I’m aware that there are other examples of inclusive play equipment and given there are going to be improvements to the path that allows for pushchairs/wheelchairs and there are inclusive picnic tables – it makes sense to me, to have some equipment that is also inclusive.

I am also keen to support Poynton Town Council’s Civic Pride Strategy, having proposed it as a way of forging links between our many hard-working community groups, to enhance services and gain efficiencies through collaborative working.

for the day to day running costs of the club. The group relies heavily on volunteers, with a qualified teacher and three lifeguards attending each session.

Open Hands is a friendly local charity, based in Poynton.

Their primary role is to help vulnerable people, who would otherwise find it difficult to use public transport, to get to appointments. They arrange transport to clinics, dentists, doctors, hospital appointments and visiting for the elderly and disabled. Open Hands’ principal expenses are the rent for their office and the payment of one part-time employee who coordinates the day to day activities, billing, management of the volunteers and general enquiries. Open Hands provides an invaluable service to people in our area, and without it many would struggle to afford taxi fares to their appointments. Others are very lonely, and for some our

This strategy aims to provide links between existing activities and develop new initiatives to bring more people on board. This might mean getting involved in projects to enhance local green spaces, or simply to behave in more responsible ways such as not dropping litter.

Everyone has a contribution to make. The strategy looks at what we can do to improve local places, raise awareness of local environmental issues, encourage people to get involved, inspire young people, and to reward community success.

An important aspect of Civic Pride is to inspire the next generation to become active engaged citizens in order to help influence the future.

I’m very grateful for the support that you, the Poynton community, gave me during the last year, and I sincerely hope you will feel able to support me again.

by Sarah-Jane Gilmore

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The Beer & Book Club recommends Two book reviews for the price of one from The BBC this month, we’ve been busy as Poynton bees. May saw us reading about a lap dancing club and an all-female prison, whilst June involved a novel based around a Birmingham school, set mainly in the ‘70s amidst power cuts and union strife. Whilst the first is a recent novel, which was on the short list for the 2018 Man Booker Prize, the second was released in 2001 and was later made into a TV series.

The Mars Room by Rachel Kushner follows the life of Romy Hall, a single mother who, at the age of 29, begins a double life-sentence at Stanville Women’s Correctional Facility, a maximum-security prison in California’s Central Valley. The story ranges between Romy’s experiences as she adjusts to life inside, and her reflections on her troubled past in San Francisco, recollections which gradually reveal the circumstances that led to her imprisonment. The novel also follows Gordon Hauser, an English teacher at Stanville; Doc, a convicted murderer and former corrupt police officer serving time in New Folsom Prison; and Kurt Kennedy, the man Romy killed.

Considering the bleakness of the book in terms of its setting and in terms of the situation in which many of the characters find themselves, this novel received high

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praise from everyone in our club. We felt it was a tale well told and it really took us into the worlds which were so brilliantly described. The characters were rich and colourful, and credible too, and many will live on in the memory for some time to come. Whilst the book had an element of seediness within its storyline, it certainly does not come across as a seedy book. It’s an intense and gritty novel with so many evocative scenes and descriptions that we were carried along by it to the end.

Tell someone that the book’s title is based on the name of a lap-dancing club and you might get some strange looks. But tell them to give this novel a go and they will be in for a different kind of a treat!

The Rotters’ Club

by Jonathan Coe is set in the 1970s and was inspired by the author’s experiences at King Edward’s School, Birmingham. Its main character is Ben Trotter who, although he is not a model student, has high ambitions of being a professional musician and a writer. As he attempts to follow his dreams, his world is rocked by disaster when his sister barely survives a pub bombing and his friends endure domestic upheavals of their own.

Set against the confusions of the adolescents at the school are the instabilities in their parents’ lives. Doug’s parents separate when his father has an affair with a young woman who suddenly disappears, whilst Philip’s mother is being wooed by his art teacher.

There is no doubt that the era in which this book was set resonated with all of us. The descriptions were vivid, the reminders were many and various, sometimes to the point of making us cringe with embarrassment at being able to relate to a scene or a character. The book was amusing, as well as serious; it brought back some unpleasant memories of power cuts and the IRA, but also made us laugh out loud. It could have hung together better; it could have tied up some of its many loose ends.

But it kept most of us engaged and interested, and it left many feeling glad that it had been chosen for us to read.

Stockport’s Giant Leap Giant, colourful frogs have hopped onto giant lily pads creating a fun, unique and engaging art trail across Stockport town centre, something that Stockport has never seen before.

A totally collaborative and engaging project, Stockport’s Giant Leap has been brought to life by Stockport based businesses, local artists and community groups.

Thousands of visitors have already poured into the town centre, to follow the art trail and spot all 19 frogs resplendent on their lily pads.

Organised by Stockport’s Business Improvement District, Totally Stockport, Stockport’s Giant Leap celebrates the £1bn programme of investment and development that is regenerating the town; a giant leap forward for Stockport, creating exciting opportunities for business and a destination of choice for residents and visitors.

Totally Stockport’s BID manager Paul Taylor said: “This is a great way to entertain and attract new visitors, to showcase Stockport and its vibrant business community and to support local groups, including the youth community, who are after all tomorrow’s giant leapers.”

Stockport’s Giant Leap Forward is free entertainment and open to visitors throughout the summer. Printed trail guides are available from local shops and businesses as well as from the Totally Stockport team at Merseyway on Saturdays and Sundays and to download from www.stockportsgiantleap.co.uk After the trail closes, the frogs will be auctioned with surplus funds awarded to charity to create a Giant Leap legacy fund.

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Bollington Walking Festival 2019 The Bollington Walking Festival is back for its tenth year, from 21 to 29 September. In this special year for festivals in Bollington, the Cheshire town of festivals, we have already had the Bollington Arts Festival in May, encompassing a wide range of artistic activities, and this year with an added 150th anniversary of the railway theme; the annual Boat and Folk Festival in June; the annual welldressing, this year with a child-friendly nursery-rhyme theme; and the Beer Festival in July, to name but four.

Our tenth Walking Festival will build on these themes for both those who want more and those who missed the other events. With this in mind, we have arranged around 40 walks of all lengths from half a mile to 20 miles, many of them themed.

In the artistic area, we have ‘Boggy Doodles’ and En Plein Air art walks. We have a climbing-themed film, Free Solo; and on Friday 27 September a special folk evening to celebrate our tenth anniversary, courtesy of the Bollington Arts Centre and organised by Pete Wood of Bollington Folk Club and Boat and Folk fame.

This evening will feature local talent and special guests, at a discounted price of £5 thanks to very generous funding from the South West Peak Landscape Partnership. This is in addition to our long-term funding partners, Bollington Town Council, who generously pay for our publicity.

We are reflecting the railway theme with a couple of walks and a display at the Discovery Centre, running our own boat trip with Bollington Wharf Ltd and coach trips to Buxton, Disley and the Roaches – all of which involve walks! For food and drink lovers, we are

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walking with Bollington Real Ale Ramblers to the Old Hall Beer Festival (with a bus back, obviously), rambling to Shrigley Hall for tea and cake and taking our usual Bollington food stroll to local cafés including No. 74 Deli, Farm Made Tearooms and Café Waterside. For children, the library will be organising their legendary Bear Hunt – 30 years after the book’s publication – always our best-attended walk, and the Bridgend Centre will be running a new ‘Hunt for Clues’ children’s walk.

Nature and history always play a part in our Festival; East Cheshire Rangers will be running a nature walk and, for the first time, the Canal and River Trust will be combining both themes. We will be visiting the Blackden Trust, Alan Garner’s historic Medicine House, and launching a new self-guided Bollington Heritage Walk with the help of Walkers Are Welcome. Health and wellbeing have an extended emphasis this year – in addition to the usual short health walks, including one in partnership with the Medical Centre, Nordic Walking for beginners and the experienced, we have a Sensory Walk run by East Cheshire Eye Society and, for the first time, a Pilates walk. In addition, the Bridgend Centre is offering a beginners’ navigation walk/course.

In all this innovation, we are not neglecting our core mission to offer walks of varying lengths every day for people who just like to walk, and we are again grateful to local and national walking groups for organising these, including East Cheshire Ramblers, East Cheshire Outdoor Group (ECOG), Manchester and District (MAD) Walkers, Footprints Walking Club and the Long Distance Walkers’ Association (LDWA). As ever, central to the success of the Festival is the Bridgend Centre, which as well as providing a range of walks, refreshments and items for sale, organises the Festival as a whole.

In this year of festivals, in the town of festivals, we are hoping that the tenth Walking Festival will be the ‘festival of festivals’. For further information and to join us go to www.bollingtonwalkingfestival.co.uk, pick up one of our widely available leaflets or contact the Bridgend Centre on 01625 576311.

Bollington Walking Festival Committee Photo by Terry Heathcote

Some Like it Hot This month Martin Blow of Special Perennials gets all heated up about growing Red Hot Pokers.

We all remember the old-fashioned Red Hot Poker plants with their tall, impressive heads of flower, red at the top and yellow at the bottom and great mounds of leaves, flowering away in a neglected spot in the garden. Eyecatching they certainly are, and they have come a long way from these gaudy giants, with lots of colours and sizes now available for every type of garden.

Bee Lemon

In the past gardeners have planted Pokers in the driest, sunniest part of the garden and then left them to get on with it; this comes from the misconception that they are desert plants. They will survive this but not thrive. The best treatment is plenty of sun and a rich, fertile soil with plenty of summer moisture. Here they will have more and larger flowers.

By careful selection of varieties and species it is possible to have a poker in flower from May to December, but for most gardens a few good varieties will cover the summer and autumn months. Here are a few of my favourites.

“Timothy” is very different from the standard poker with his salmony orange flowers on 2ft stems in mid-summer he is more suitable for a small garden. Likewise, the cool, icy lemon and white flowers of “Percy’s Pride” are short and compact and create a zing in the border from July through August. The deep smouldering colour of “Nancy’s Red” heats up in August and September and again she is quite compact. There are even smaller ones available – watch out for “Brimstone” (Yellow), “Little Maid” (cream) and “Bressingham Comet” (Red, orange and yellow) for plants that are not much more than 1ft tall.

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Fiery Fred

Other common names for this plant such as Torch Lily and Rocket Flower are equally as apt.

Kniphofia, as they are properly called come from Southern Africa. The ones we grow in the garden largely grow on high mountains and plateaux meaning they are cold hardy although you may find plants or seeds of sub-tropical species that will need protection in winter. As a rule of thumb those with very narrow, almost chive-like leaves are less hardy.

by Martin Blow > www.specialperennials.com

Twany King

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Slightly taller is the lovely “Drummore Apricot” with bronze stems to set off the flowers in July and August.

“Tawny King” is perhaps the most striking variety with very large caramel and cream flowers on 3ft stems from June to August.

Some pokers are long and slender adding a gracefulness to the flowers. “Jenny Bloom” is one such with softly coloured peaches and cream coloured flowers. “ToffeeNosed” is similar but has more distinctly caramel and white flowers. “Fiery Fred” is tall, slender and burning with heat through July and August and a must for the hot-coloured garden.

One of my favourites are the fatter flower heads of Bee’s Lemon with yellow flowers that are greenish at first.

Pokers can be propagated by division after flowering, or in Kniphofia Nancy’s Red late spring from late flowering ones. Seed will be variable but does produce good plants – the colours may be a surprise! Sow on the surface of moist seed compost (do not bury the seed just press it lightly onto the surface) in late winter, in warmth such as a heated propagator, and transplant as soon as they are big enough to handle; then wait for the fireworks when they flower!

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Janet and I run Special Perennials, our website www.specialperennials.com is full of colour photos and growing tips. We sell at Plant Hunters’ Fairs throughout the season. Please see www.planthuntersfairs.co.uk We will be at Abbeywood Gardens, Delamere CW8 2HS on Sunday 18 August (£3 for garden & fair entry) and at the Dorothy Clive Garden, TF9 4EU (4 miles south of Bridgemere) on Sunday 25 and Monday 26 August (£4 for garden & fair entry). We are happy to bring orders to plant fairs for you to collect.

National Garden Scheme

LATE SUMMER OPENINGS

Peak season for garden openings is July, but there’s still plenty to see in August and September. Do look at the NGS booklet, website and app for full details – here’s a taster for you.

On 3 & 4 August, 21 Scafell Close in Stockport opens again in a blaze of colours. And all created on a really difficult shaped site.

Thorncar, at Appleton, is a real plantswoman’s garden and opens on 3 August, with plants for sale too.

Another plantswoman is the owner at 73 Hill Top Ave which opens on 4 August.

Laskey Farm

Laskey Farm, near Thelwall, always attracts large numbers, but is always worth a return visit because the skilled husband and wife owners are always adding extra things. A great garden, opening on 10 and 11 August.

Moving on to 7 & 8 September, Lane End Cottage, (conveniently just off the M6 motorway junction) has its second opening of the year.

first time, it is opening on 13 September, and with some really interesting trees and shrubs, should be well worth the trek across. Lots of plants for sale.

To close our Cheshire season, on 6 October, the Quinta Lovell Arboretum opens again, with its nationally recognised collection of trees. And it’s right next to a lovely pub for lunch or coffee!

Please note that two gardens due to open during this period and listed in our publications, Sycamore Cottage at Carrington and Trafford Hall near Chester, will NOT be opening due to unforeseen circumstances.

Cheshire and Wirral have nearly 80 gardens and its only possible to give a sample here. Apologies if we haven’t mentioned your favourite garden. Full details are available in the well-established yellow booklet available in garden centres, libraries etc or, in case of difficulty from johnhinde059@gmail.com, via the website (www.ngs.org.uk) , via the NGS app, or usually by simply putting the garden name into Google (other search engines are available!) followed by ‘NGS’.

If you are interested in opening your garden to help us raise money for our charities, (we will be donating about £3 million to our charities (based upon money raised in 2018), please contact us (you can use the email address above) and we will be happy to talk to you and if suitable, provide every help and support.

And the spectacular gardens of Mount Pleasant near Kelsall open again over the same weekend. See both the extensive gardens and the spectacular wildflower meadows, on a hill side looking over towards Wales.

Briarfield, at Burton on the Wirral, may be a bit farther west than readers normally travel, but it is one of Cheshire’s most spectacular gardens. This year, for the

by John Hinde www.ngs.org.uk

Mount Pleasant

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in touch your local community noticeboard

august - september 2019

THE HOMETOWN PADDLE By the time you read this, former Poynton resident Kevin Bell should have completed his epic 200-mile paddleboard journey, taking him by sea, estuary, river and canal from his new hometown of Abersoch to his old hometown, Poynton.

Many of you will know Kevin who was Chairman of Poynton Sports Club for a number of years. He played cricket for Poynton CC and coached Junior cricket. Alongside his varied career from ski bum to countryside ranger, estate agent, rustic woodworker, house builder, property developer and urban regenerator, Kevin enjoyed a parallel career writing for a range of water sports and other magazines.

In 2018 he moved to Abersoch with his wife, Sally, and took on the role of editor of Abersoch Life Magazine. He was always into water sports, first sailing then windsurfing, kayaking, canoeing and surfing, taking up stand up paddleboarding (SUP) with a vengeance in the last 10 to 15 years.

In winter, 2017, Kevin undertook the paddleboard commute (wearing business suit and brogues!) from Higher Poynton to Stoke-on-Trent raising over £2000 for The Pulmonary Fibrosis Trust & Cancer Research in memory of his and Sally’s fathers.

Following the news that his daughter had been given the all clear after a skin cancer operation, Kevin’s latest challenge is raising money for Cancer Research www.justgiving.com/fundraising/kevin-bell14

CANAL & RIVER TRUST TOWPATH REPAIRS Since last November, a group of about twelve local volunteers have been repairing the towpath in Poynton between bridge 13 and 14.

Each Friday morning, they work under the supervision of the Canal & River Trust, who provide all the tools required, motorised wheelbarrows, pickaxes, shovels and rakes. The group have now repaired the path up to bridge 14 and have started work on the section between the Marina and bridge 16. Following this, the intention is to repair the stretch of the Incline path which runs off Carleton Road onto the towpath which is extremely muddy in wet weather.

For this, Cheshire East Council have agreed to provide the gritstone to be used, The Canal & River Trust have kindly offered to lend us the tools and Poynton Town Council have provided some funding for additional materials.

Anyone interested in joining the group please contact Charles Gorst on lymewood@tiscali.co.uk

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in touch - your local community noticeboard

ANNUAL COMMUNITY AWARDS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS The annual Vernon Building Society Community Awards is open for applications to local Stockport not-for-profit groups. Over 7 years these awards have donated over £70,000 to worthy causes throughout the local community. Previous winners include Stockport County Community Foundation, Beechwood Cancer Care and Millie’s Trust.

This year the Vernon are again offering £10,000 to local not-for-profit organisations who dedicate themselves to supporting the local Stockport community. Applications opened on 1 July 2019 and will run until 17 August 2019. Once applications have been received, 14 organisations will be shortlisted as finalists in the Community awards. Finalists will be awarded a minimum of £250 up to a maximum of £1500!

Organisations can apply online via the Vernon Building Society website at www.thevernon.co.uk/apply or by filling out a paper application in one of their six local branches. Organisations must be based in, or benefit, the postcode areas SK1, SK2, SK3, SK4, SK5, SK6, SK7, SK8 or SK12. Applications supporting individuals or individual sponsorships, political activities, promotion of religious causes, activities that benefit animals or commercial enterprises won’t be considered.

To keep up to date with the Community Awards and receive occasional updates on the Vernon Building Society’s work in the community, savings product and interest rates, subscribe to their newsletter at www.thevernon.co.uk/newsletter.

CALLING ALL MEN – COME ALONG AND SING! If you are bored by the gym or feeling kicked into touch by football, why not try singing in a choir? Of course, joining a choir doesn’t prevent you from keeping up the activities you already enjoy, but it boosts mind and body in a unique way. Cheaper than therapy, healthier than the pub and more joyful than working out with weights, singing does you the power of good.

Poynton Male Voice Choir is a long- established group that attracts members from its host village, as well as Wilmslow, Macclesfield, Cheadle Hulme, Bramhall, Hazel Grove, and other Stockport districts to its Monday night rehearsals at Poynton Methodist Church. “It’s a wonderful social and creative activity,” says the Poynton choir chairman Donald Sykes. “Whatever science has to say about the benefits of being part of a choir, we simply enjoy the whole experience: how pieces as diverse as Elvis Presley favourites, songs from popular musicals and male voice classics can be developed for performance.” The choir has appeared at major concert halls, festivals, and has raised thousands of pounds for charity through regular local concerts. “We’ve also a full social programme and enjoy a pint together”, adds Donald.

Whether you are an experienced singer, or you want to try it, Poynton Male Voice Choir wants to hear from you. No auditions are necessary. A series of welcome events is planned, beginning with open rehearsals on Monday 16 and 23 September at 7.30pm at Poynton Methodist Church.

To find out more contact Donald Sykes (Choir Chairman) on 0161 456 4266 or Rob Ayerst (Choir Secretary) on 01625 829128.

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in touch - your local community noticeboard

LEGION BOWLERS ENJOY DAY OUT A great day at the Crown Green Bowlers Wembley was a complete success both on the green and at the chip shop on the way home. Especially happy were the team winners and best pair of the afternoon, Arthur Smith and Brenda McDonald.

Another social event has been arranged at The Legion on 22 November when the evening’s entertainment will be fronted

by Stockport’s premier live entertainer Andy Powell.

If you would like to be a part of a friendly and sociable bowling club, please telephone Arthur on 0161 491 6671.

POYNTON DISABLED SWIM WINS WAITROSE FUNDING Poynton Disabled Swim has recently been awarded a £528 donation from the Waitrose Green Disk, Community Matters scheme. Doreen – who has run the session at Poynton Leisure Centre for 30 years is delighted. The funding will be used for a range of new equipment that will improve the session greatly and allow her to continue to support those who attend. The private session provides exercise, socialisation and fun for over 30 local disabled residents, who come together once a week at the Leisure Centre’s pool. Some of those who attend the session have been coming for many years and are grateful for the hard work Doreen and the centre do to ensure the session continues to be available.

Poynton Leisure Centre and Doreen continue to focus on ensuring that the session remains free for all who attend. Leah, from Poynton’s branch of Waitrose, commented that it is one of the biggest amount of donations they have seen, and the support from customers was impressive.

Everybody Leisure are delighted that the session has received well-deserved funding and are now able to develop the session to make it even better for the local residents. The disabled swim session runs at Poynton Leisure Centre on Mondays from 12.30 to 1.30pm

For more information about Everybody Leisure’s available disability activities, please go to www.everybody.org.uk

BADMINTON CLUB NEEDS NEW MEMBERS Poynton Badminton Club is a friendly club with a team in the Stockport League and a good social side. We are looking to increase our membership and are offering a free September to new players of a reasonable standard.

We play on a Monday night on two courts starting on 2 September.

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Please contact Ann Tinson on 0161 292 2397 if you are interested in trying us out.

We play at the Civic Hall, Park Lane, Poynton.

Continued over

in touch - your local community noticeboard

TWINNING ASSOCIATION The Twinning Association of Poynton (TAP) has been busy expanding links between Poynton and the town of Haybes in the Ardennes region of France. We are establishing contacts between schools and sports groups; and welcomed two students from Haybes in June. They were hosted by Poynton families and attended Poynton High School and Stockport Grammar during their visit, which aims to help them improve their English. We hope that Poynton students will then be able to visit Haybes next year.

On Friday 11 October at 7.30pm we are holding a quiz at Poynton Royal British Legion.

Put the date in your diary and we hope to see you there - for more information please contact tapoynton@outlook.com

OPEN HANDS COMMUNITY TRANSPORT NEEDS VOLUNTEERS Open Hands Community Transport is an independent non profitable charity based in Poynton. We are a team of local volunteers who transport the residents of Poynton to medical appointments. Whether locally around the village or further afield to hospitals in Macclesfield, Congleton, Stockport, Manchester, Didsbury - wherever they have an appointment.

Our volunteers collect clients from their homes and drive them in their own cars to where they need to be, usually wait with them and then return them safely home. This service is essential to many Poynton residents. We only charge a small amount to cover the driver’s expenses and administration costs.

We have been helping the Poynton Community for nearly 40 years now and we are looking for more volunteer drivers. You can give as much or as little time as you can spare. Trips are only booked between 3 -5 days in advance so we can fit in around your commitments. We have a fantastic group of volunteers from all ages and backgrounds, but as we head towards the holiday period, we are finding it harder and harder to fill all the requests.

All we ask for is your time, we reimburse you for your petrol at the end of each month and there is no extra charge on your insurance as the work is voluntary, we just recommend you let them know. We carry out DBS checks for all our drivers at no expense to you.

Volunteering gives a positive impact on your own wellbeing. It doesn’t have to be a huge commitment and it is a great way to give something back to your community.

If you are interested in volunteering for Open Hands, please call the office on 01625 878589 and ask to speak to Adelle Johnson.

Don’t forget!

Copy deadline for the next issue is Tuesday 10 September Tel: 01625 879611 email: info@insidemagazines.co.uk

Secure your space now!

cown edge rocks Walk description: The gentle climb from Rowarth to the Cown Rocks plateau opens up splendid and extensive views of the Dark Peak, the Southern Pennines, the Manchester skyscape and the Cheshire Plain. This 5 mile walk is a gem and it is right on the doorstep.

Ascent: 560 ft over 3 miles.

Distance: 5 miles over varied terrain with easy climbs and descent.

Maps: OS Explorer OL1 Dark Peak.

New Mills Parish Paths published by New Mills Town Council. Map by Alan Browning Start: Rowarth car park (SK011892) Refreshments nearby: The Little Mill Inn, Hollinsmoor Road , Rowarth, High Peak SK22 1EB Tel: 01663 743178 www.thelittlemill.co.uk Exit right out of the car park and walk towards the idyllic hamlet of Rowarth. It is very hard to imagine that this tiny hamlet was a hive of activity in the 1700’s at

32

the start of the industrial revolution. It boasted six mills powered by the water extracted from the stream that runs through the hamlet. Walk past the workers cottages, note the date plaque “Drinkwater Buildings - 1812”. Pass to the left of Anderson House (SK012892) and yes it does look like a mill owner’s house should look.

Continue to the concrete roadway. Turn right and follow the road down to the ford. If the water is not too deep cross the ford or alternatively take the stile on the left, cross the bridge over the stream and then the stile to rejoin the roadway.

Continue up the hill passing to the left of Lower Harthill Farm. Look out for the rare breed pigs in the pens up to the left. Pass the Peak and Northern Footpath Society # 55 green footpath sign giving directions to Rowarth and Hayfield. Continue in front Higher Harthill Farm (SK018894) and then to a stile. Cross the stile and follow the right hand margin of the meadow to another stile. Cross the stile and follow the path over the moorland keeping the wall to the left. Pass through a gap in the wall and then over two more stiles onto the drive of Bullshaw Farm (SK024890).

The Walk

towards a fence. The view has changed completely.

The Manchester skyscape is before us, not just the city centre with its Beetham Tower and CIS Building but all of the Southern Pennine towns. - Bolton, Rochdale, Oldham and Ashton – and on a good day the transmitter on Winter Hill can be seen. Pass through a gap in the wall and about 20 metres to the left of a line of trees pick up a faint path across the plateau of Cown Edge Rocks to a stile (SK017915).

Note the pair of dragons guarding a fine gateway.

Turn left and left again onto the bridleway.

Continue along the bridleway bearing left at Matley Moor Farm (SK024895). Pass through two gates.

Immediately after the second gate take the gate on the right (SK021900). Walk over Matley Moor, go through the gate and turn right down the road (Pennine Bridleway). At the T junction take the stile directly opposite. Climb the path to stile at the junction with Monk’s Road and the Higher Plainstead Farm drive (SK023912). Turn left down the drive keeping to the right of Higher Plainstead Farm. Walk on to Rocks Farm (SK019914). Ignore a footpath sign to right. Continue into the farm yard and then take the signed path on the right. Go up the steps and then over the stile and climb diagonally up the hillside. Take your time on this ascent to take in the magnificent Dark Peak panorama.

There are not many places where you can view the Dark Peak in its entirety: Saddlewoth Moor, Black Hill, Bleaklow; Harry Hut and Lantern Pike in the foreground, the Kinder Plateau behind, South Head, Mount Famine, Chinley Churn Eccles Pike and distant hills further south.

On reaching the quarry (SK020917) the summit of the walk has been achieved. It is a little more than half way into the walk and is an excellent coffee, lunch stop or just an excuse to spend more time to take in the view.

Follow the path round to the left into a raised field.

Climb the bank and walk diagonally across the field

Cross into open moorland. The view has changed yet again. The Cheshire plain opens up: Alderley Edge, Frodsham and the Welsh Hills. Some say that with the sun shining it is possible to pick out Liverpool Cathedral. Continue to a double stile across a track (SK014910). Follow the way marker across the field and go over stile and immediately through a squeeze stile (SK013909). Start the descent heading straight on to a stile by a gateway (SK012905). Continue straight on following the pathway. Although this pathway is not marked on the map it descends down the spine of the spur. Eventually the path bears to the left to stile (SK012901). Cross the stile and take downhill path in the gulley to a footpath sign (SK013896). The hamlet of Rowarth and the car park now come into view. Take the stile to the right and continue downhill, pass to the right of the bungalow and onto the road (SK013893).

Turn right and return to the car park.

In memory of John Parker (1923 – 2010) – long standing club member who pioneered mid-week walks and was mentor to many who came to the pleasures of walking at a late stage in their lives.

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.

By Michael Bradbury and Gordon Harris

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Mocktail Hour No alcohol allowed? No problem. Enjoy a mocktail instead People don’t drink alcohol for many reasons: pregnancy, medication, religious reasons, designated driver status… or because they just don’t drink alcohol (like me!).

It used to bug me at social gatherings when people asked me what I wanted to drink, reeling off a whole list of possibilities: gin and tonic, vodka and orange, rum and coke, and I’d say, ‘Do you have anything non-alcoholic?’ and the choice would be tonic without the gin, orange without the vodka or coke without the rum!

I became adept at creating my own non-alcoholic drinks which felt ‘special’. Along the way I discovered that lots of my friends drink alcohol at parties because of the lack of alternatives! People who do drink alcohol would LOVE to have a non-alcoholic option too, and recently the mocktail (mock cocktail) has been gaining popularity.

Here’s how to turn any cocktail into a delicious mocktail and delight your non-alcohol-drinking friends.

The key element in most good mocktails is something sparkly. This elevates the drink and makes it feel more special than glass of juice. Any cocktail recipe which uses club soda, tonic water, ginger ale, or ginger beer will probably translate to a good mocktail. Some non-sparkly drinks translate well too. These tend to be the spicy ones like Bloody Marys, where you don’t miss the alcoholic component.

Flavour is everything. Mocktails should be special, so try something different.

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by Kelly Taylor

Start with the syrups. Buy good quality ones (Bottle Green cordials work brilliantly and come in a range of amazing flavours - I love Rhubarb and Ginger) or make your own, it’s simple. Combine one-part sugar (white or brown), honey or agave syrup, and one-part water with fresh fruit, herbs, or spices to add flavour. Simmer over medium heat until the mixture is completely liquid. Strain, cool and use to flavour your mocktails.

Try infusing your drinks with fresh fruit and herbs.

A bunch of mint or basil, or a sprig of lavender or rosemary takes a mocktail to the next level, as does fruit.

Layer on more flavour with the garnish. Dip the rims of glasses in flavoured salts or sugars, and use citrus slices, pineapple, olives or other fresh ingredients to add flavour and fragrance to your drink to make it a sensory experience. Cocktail umbrellas and decorative sparklers won’t add flavour, but they do make any drink look more celebratory.

Don’t forget the ice. Lots of ice. You can buy bags of it for a party if making it ahead of time is too much hassle.

Does every cocktail translate to a mocktail? Well no… drinks with only two ingredients don’t really work, because as previously stated, a rum and coke without the rum is just coke right? And I find the sweet ones can be a bit cloying for me and taste too ‘desserty’ but if you have a sweet tooth knock yourself out. My youngest loves a virgin pinacolada. And talking of children, making mocktails is a great summer holiday project the whole family can all enjoy! Have fun.

mocktails

Totally Tropical Tea-zinger

Savoury and spicy. The perfect pre-dinner mocktail.

A refreshing iced tea-based mocktail full of tropical flavour, with added zing from the ginger beer and fresh-squeezed orange juice.

Serves 2

Serves 1 but will scale up

The Perfect Virgin Bloody Mary

Ingredients

Ingredients

■■ 500 ml tomato juice ■■ Juice of 1 lemon ■■ 1 tsp fresh horseradish (more if you like it hot) ■■ Splash of Worcestershire sauce ■■ Celery salt ■■ White pepper ■■ Tabasco sauce

■■ Tropical fruit tea bag (use your favourite, Peach is lovely, or Mango and lychee...or mix them up a bit), brewed in 90ml water, then brought to room temperature and chilled.

■■ Splash of fruit syrup – something with tropical overtones.

■■ 60ml good quality ginger beer (try Fever Tree) ■■ 30ml fresh-squeezed orange juice, orange wedges and cocktail umbrella for garnish.

■■ You can scale up the ingredients but don’t scrimp on the teabags. You need all the flavour.

Method 1. Place plenty of crushed ice in a large glass jug.

Mix the tomato juice and lemon juice and pour it straight over the ice.

2. Add the horseradish, 3 shakes of Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco to taste. Then add a pinch of celery salt and white pepper. Stir until the outside of the jug feels cold, then strain the cocktail into 2 tall glasses.

Method

3. Top up with fresh ice, and garnish with a celery stick and olives or a lemon slice.

3. Garnish with an orange wedge, lychees on a cocktail stick, and cocktail umbrellas.

1. Put plenty of crushed ice into a tall glass.

2. Pour over the syrup; add the tea, ginger beer, Stir gently to combine.

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CARIBBEAN INSPIRATION

The period between September to Christmas always seems a long one and can be a bit depressing as the nights draw in. That’s why it’s a brilliant time to plan a getaway! Take yourself off to a tropical paradise, somewhere vibrant, somewhere magical. Somewhere like the Caribbean. The crystal blue seas, the white sand and the wonderful hospitality make this an irresistible part of the world.

Only certain islands are connected by direct flights from Manchester* but there is always the fantastic option of a cruise too and then you can visit several islands in the same trip.

Cancun, Mexico Attracting a slightly younger crowd, Cancun has a fantastic choice of nightlife. In fact, apart from the gorgeous beaches, it’s the main reason people go.

The Hotel Zone is ‘party central’ with glamorous pool parties, an abundance of bars and giant nightclubs open til dawn!

If you’re after some ‘down time’, you could enjoy the best of both worlds and stay a little further south in Playa del Carmen where you will find several beautiful all-inclusive resorts.

It’s a tough task deciding where to go, but at Not Just Travel we can help find the right island for you.

FOR PARTY PEOPLE Jamaica Jamaica has long had a reputation for colours and music and there are lots of nightlife hot spots to check out whilst you’re there. Rick’s Cafe in Negril for example is legendary. The perfect place to watch the sunset, this lively bar is particularly renowned for its high diving shows and live music.

There are lots of great festivals on the islands too like the Ocho Rios Jazz Festival or Reggae Sumfest, not forgetting Bob Marley’s Birthday Bash (dates vary).

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FOR FAMILIES Dominican Republic The Dominican Republic has a lot more on offer than you might realise; stunning national parks, vibrant cities

(Santo Domingo is the oldest city in the New World) and a wide choice of brilliant activities like zip lining and swimming with dolphins. It is also one of the more budget friendly islands so if you want to go long haul but not break the bank, it’s definitely worth considering.

Jamaica You might be surprised to know that Jamaica is considered the most ‘family friendly’ destination in the Caribbean. The developed infrastructure on the island makes travelling around Jamaica easy, ideal with kids in tow. There is a great choice of all-inclusive hotels that cater well for families. Beaches for example, the family arm of luxury resorts, Sandals, have two properties on the island both offering fantastic facilities for youngsters.

FOR ROMANCE St Lucia St Lucia has something of a mystical feel to it. One of the most picturesque islands in the Caribbean with its iconic Piton mountains, waterfalls and gorgeous palm fringed beaches. You will find an excellent choice of couples-only resorts on the island and lots of luxury activities such as helicopter rides and sunset sailing trips.

Antigua Antigua was voted the ‘Caribbean’s most romantic destination’ at the recent World Travel Awards, so how can you argue with that? This stunning island is understandably the leader in the weddings and honeymoon market, and I’ve had several clients stay there for their honeymoons. With miles of beautiful beaches, plus award winning spas and restaurants, Antigua offers everything you might need for a magical escape. *From Manchester you can fly direct to Antigua, Barbados, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Cancun, St Lucia and Tobago.

Lucy Allen Personal Travel Consultant Notjusttravel/waitingworld w: lucyallen.notjusttravel.com e: lucy.allen@notjusttravel.com p: 07512 784700

quick crossword Across 1 Nightclub act (7) 4 Creepy (5) 7 Detection system (5) 9 Principled (7) 10 Paralysis, apathy (7) 11 Monarch (5) 12 Tyrant (6) 14 Chaplain (6) 18 Plenty (5) 20 Scrawny, wasted (7) 22 Pouch worn with a kilt (7) 23 Five shillings (5) 24 Access (5) 25 Spiny anteater (7)

down 1 Transported (7) 2 Insignia (5) 3 Tropical bird (6) 4 Mistake (5) 5 Uniform (7) 6 Go inside (5) 8 Proportion (5) 13 Assistance (7) 15 Reason (5) 16 Ornamental musical passage (7) 17 Likelihood (6) 18 Passageway (5) 19 Ahead of time (5) 21 Shun (5)

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 58 41

real life motoring

MG3 Exclusive: Hammering Heart With the MG ZS SUV already a best seller it was always going to have a major influence on the styling of this new MG3, with the all new signature front grille and superb looking LED daytime running lights creating a distinctive and memorable silhouette that reflects the brand’s new-found confidence.

There’s a revised rear to the car that blends its subtly revised rear light clusters with a bold new bodywork crease that sweeps horizontally across the boot. If you put the bodywork changes together with the strong side profile, what you’ve got is a thoroughly modern and sporty looking city car and one that manages to stand out amongst the increasingly generic competition.

A myriad of thoroughly modern styling and design options allow you to make the car your own, a simple job to complete as you get six stunning body colours, eye-grabbing graphic packs, variable mirror caps and 16” diamond cut alloy wheels to decide between.

The ‘old’ MG3 has a decent interior with a decent level of kit but it’s not a patch on the 2018 version, a point clearly made as you make yourself comfortable in the easily adjustable, sporty feeling front seats, reach forward to the all new steering wheel and take in your

42

by Martin Hall

surroundings. An 8” colour touch screen dominates the centre of the console and includes the ever-impressive Apple CarPlayTM, DAB radio with USB, Bluetooth telephone and audio streaming. Air conditioning is taken care of by separate physical controls, whilst the vents themselves mirror those in the larger MG ZS and look all the better for it.

Under the bonnet the MG3 sports the same 1498cc 4-cylinder normally aspirated engine as before, putting out 105bhp @ 6000rpm and providing the driver with 101 ft/lb torque @ 4500rpm, you also get a combined mpg of up to 42.3mpg. This is certainly no bad thing as the engine’s reliability is already proven and MG are confident enough in the power plant and car as a whole, to offer a warranty that is fully transferable to future owners and lasts for up to 7 years or 80,000 miles, whichever comes first.

What’s always been one of the major plus points with the MG3 is the car’s handling prowess, especially as its ability to slay a twisting country back lane provides a link to the past and MG’s of old. Keep the revs in the upper reaches of the engines range, leave the gearshift in third and you have the ideal opportunity to see what the MG can do once town driving and traffic

have been left behind in its wake. The engine may well have ‘only’ 105bhp but that is more than enough when it’s powering an unladen weight of just 1,200kg as a 0-60mph time of 10.4s and a top speed of 108mph testify.

Stick cruise control at 60mph, sit back and enjoy the feeling of space on offer from the well- appointed interior and the views through the expanses of glass that surround you. After all, this is a car that does long journeys on straight and dull A roads and motorways just as easily as it does twists and turns.

The MG3 offers the discerning driver a modern city car for not much money. Starting at £9,495 for the basic Explore edition and rising to £12,795 for the top of the range Exclusive. You are not going to get the same mix of fun, practicality, technology and feeling from anywhere else and that is something to be admired and embraced. Congratulations MG. Where will you go?

inside guide

august - september 2019

selected events in your area

Tuesday 6 August

Saturday 24 August

Adlington WI. From Start to Finish – Belle Vue with speaker Peter Heaton. Pop in to see us and be sure of a warm welcome, good company, a drink and a slice of homemade cake! More info from Jackie Shaw 01625 266251 or email adlingtonwi@gmail.com Adlington Village Hall, Mill Lane, Adlington SK10 4LF 1.30 to 3.30pm

North Cheshire Photographic Society are the judges for the Annual Poynton Show Photographic Competition and will be showing some of our photographs too. We’ll be in the Creative Hobbies tent, so come along and have a chat; we’re always looking for new members and likeminded people.

See www.ncps.org.uk for information about North Cheshire Photographic Society.

Thursday 8 August

Tuesday 3 September

Worth Probus Club. Eric McConnell will speak to us on ‘Whisky Galore and a Whole Lot More.’ Please contact Peter Owen on 01625 871574 or peterowen49@btinternet.com for further details.

St George’s Church Hall 2pm

Adlington WI. ‘Our Doris’ – a WI local author story with book signings – speaker Charles Heathcote. Pop in to see us and be sure of a warm welcome, good company, a drink and a slice of homemade cake! More info from Jackie Shaw 01625 266251 or email adlingtonwi@gmail.com Adlington Village Hall, Mill Lane, Adlington SK10 4LF 7.30pm

Thursday 8 August 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

Tuesday 20 August Poynton U3A. Chief Petty Officer, Gary Wenn will talk on the subject of ‘The Great Moon Hoax’ Entrance £1 including refreshments. For more information Contact enquiries@poyntonu3a.org.uk.

Poynton Civic Centre 2pm to 4pm

Thursday 22 August Worth Probus Club. Nicky Patterson will speak to us on ‘Air Traffic Control.’ Please contact Peter Owen on 01625 871574 or peterowen49@btinternet.com for further details.

St George’s Church Hall 2pm

Saturday 24 August Poynton Show A great day out for all the family. See www.poyntonshow.co.uk for details and advance tickets.

Poynton Park from 8am

Wednesday 4 September Simply Books presents…’Meet The Author’ event with awardwinning Scots writer Mary Poulson-Ellis Venue: Simply Books Tickets £8 To book: call 0161 439 1436 or email events@simplybooks.info Simply Books, Bramhall 7.30pm

Wednesday 4 September Poynton Local History Society We begin the new season with a presentation by Trevor Williams entitled ‘Little Moreton Hall: A True Survivor’. Annual Membership of the Society is £12. Guests are always welcome at £3 per visit. Tel: 01625 872068 St Pauls Community Room. Marley Road, Poynton, SK12 1LY 7.30pm

Wednesday 4 September Poynton Philatelic Society Our first meeting of the new season is a member’s night where members are requested to show their Recent Acquisitions followed by our ever-popular Auction.

Ron Phelps 01625 877643.

Poynton Community Centre, Park Lane 7.30pm

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with our paid INSIDE Guide listings.

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

Continued over

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Thursday 5 September

Thursday 12 September

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

Worth Probus Club. Pete Turner will speak to us on ‘Science of Misdirection.’ Please contact Peter Owen on 01625 871574 orpeterowen49@btinternet.com for further details.

St. George’s Hall, 2pm

Saturday 7 & Sunday 8 September Mind Body Spirit Event 50 + Exhibitors including 30 + workshops, talks and demonstrations of mediumship - all included in the entrance fee of £3.50 (concs £4) full or 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

Tuesday 10 September North Cheshire Photographic Society Social Open Evening The new season for NCPS starts with an open evening and social event for anyone interested in photography and image making. If you have any photographic questions or just want to meet people with the same interest come along to this evening and have a chat. More information about our syllabus for the year will be available, as well as photos to view and topics to discuss. A very informal night Poynton Civic Centre 8pm to 10pm

Tuesday 10 September East Cheshire Association of the National Trust Lecture – The Liverpool Cow-Keepers - a Family History – Dave Joy, Brookdale Club Bridge Lane, Bramhall, Stockport, SK7 3AB 2pm

Tuesday 10 September Simply Books present a Book Signing with new Children’s Laureate Cressida Cowell launching Knock Three Times the third book in her best-selling The Wizards of Once series.

Venue: Simply Books. For more information and to pre-order Cressida’s new book call 0161 439 1436 or email events@simplybooks.info Simply Books, Bramhall 4pm

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Thursday 12 September Poynton Home Gardeners Club Our speaker will be TV personality David Domoney, seen on Love your garden, with Alan Titchmarsh. With over 40 years’ experience in horticulture his talk will be entitled The Living Garden, sharing his passion for the garden and the many creatures that reside within it. So, come on this captivating journey of discovery to find out more about the secret life of your own garden. For tickets contact Elaine on 01625 871603.

Royal British Legion Club, Georges Road West, Poynton, SK12 1JY 7.30pm

Tuesday 17 September Poynton U3A Dr Craig Horner will give a talk on ‘Early Motoring in the North West’.

Entrance £1 including refreshments. For more information contact enquiries@poyntonu3a.org.uk Poynton Civic Centre, 2pm to 4pm

Tuesday 17 September An Introduction to Digital Processing Two of North Cheshire Photographic Society’s members share their knowledge on processing images using Lightroom, Photoshop CC and Photoshop Elements. All welcome.

Poynton Civic Centre 8pm

Wednesday 18 September Poynton Philatelic Society For our next meeting we welcome our guest speaker Mr Graham Winters. He will be displaying his collecting interest ‘Aspects of Ceylon’. This is a fascinating display covering the early period of this Island country now called Sri Lanka.

Ron Phelps 01625 877643 Poynton Community Centre, Park Lane 7.30pm

Friday 20 September Stockport Historical Society “Bramhall on Old Postcards” by Ian Cameron 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 Continued over

Saturday 21 September Bollington Chamber Concerts, Heath Quartet This is our first concert of the season. The Heath have a brilliant international reputation. Beethoven Quartet op 18 no. 1, Ravel Quartet F major, Tippet Quartet no 3 Tickets £19, £2 students and recipients of means tested benefits. Book online at www.bollingtonartscentre. co.uk/Heath or phone 01625 576402/574435 Bollington Arts Centre, 7.30pm

Tuesday 24 September Sports Illustrated North Cheshire Photographic Society welcomes Roger Evans to our club night. Roger will chart his journey as an accredited sports photographer from early film days to current times with photographs, technical info and tricks and tips.

Poynton Civic Centre 8pm

Wednesday 25 September Simply Books presents writer and journalist Anna Pasternak talking about her book Untitled: The Real Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor To book: call 0161 439 1436 or email events@simplybooks.info St Michael’s Church, Bramhall, SK7 2PG 7.30pm

Weds 25 to Sat 28 September NK Theatre Arts presents Boogie Nights Packed with all the greatest Disco classics Boogie Nights-The Musical will have the audience up on its feet doing The Bump and The Hustle, and funking along to the grooviest chart topping hits like ‘You Sexy Thing’,’ Y.M.C.A.’, ‘I Will Survive’, ‘In The Navy’, ‘Can You Feel The Force’, ‘I Love To Love’, ‘Boogie Wonderland’ and many more! Tickets: £15/£12 24hr Box Office 0333 666 3366 www.theforumtheatre.co.uk The Forum Theatre, Romiley, Stockport SK6 4EA 7.30pm

Don’t forget!

Thursday 26 September

email: info@insidemagazines.co.uk

Worth Probus Club. Rob Mason will speak to us on ‘Comedy Folk Music Part 2.’ Please contact Peter Owen on 01625 871574 or peterowen49@btinternet.com for further details.

St George’s Hall 2pm

stand out from the crowd

with our paid INSIDE Guide listings.

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

48

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

Copy deadline for the next issue:

Tuesday 10 September Tel: 01625 879611

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Rembrandt at Chatsworth House My girlfriend and I recently visited Chatsworth House.

Whilst taking a tour around the house my attention was drawn in particular to the Rembrandt painting they have on show there. The 17th century portrait doesn’t have an authorised title as such but over the years it has become known to Rembrandt experts as ‘King Uzziah Stricken with Leprosy.’

Rembrandt van Rijn (1606 – 1669), King Uzziah Stricken with Leprosy, 103 x 79cm, oil on panel, c. 1639

King Uzziah is thought to have reigned in the Kingdom of Judah between the years of 783-742 BC. The story goes (from the Book of Chronicles) that the King was banished from Jehovah’s temple and struck down with leprosy for overreaching his position and presuming to burn incense at the altar, a privilege strictly reserved for priests.

When painting such historical or biblical figures Rembrandt would often use members of the public and instruct them to dress in suitable attire and wear appropriate accessories – his studio housing an array of outfits and artefacts for such purposes. In fact, he sometimes used himself as a model and assumed the ‘role’ of a given subject. On this occasion the artist

appears to have used a sickly old bearded man with a harsh skin condition; some art historians have even speculated that he may have been a local rabbi.

The small chapel where the portrait is hung is one of the stately home’s darker interiors (of those rooms that the public is permitted to enter, that is) – a conscious effort evidently being made to protect some of the other light-sensitive artworks within the same space. As I squinted in front of the painting to try and get a better look, one of the guides there noticed my interest and shone a torch light onto the painting so that more of its fine detail became visible. How grateful I was. The rendering of the glistening jewellery and the sheen of the fabrics, along with the texture of the sitter’s pockmarked complexion – warts, scabs and all – were really something to behold (my, did his face look sore).

Then the guide told me an insightful anecdote, which I am happy to share with you.

Apparently, when the Duke died – the guide didn’t say which Duke exactly but I presume she meant the 11th Duke of Devonshire, who passed away in 2004 – the Cavendish family had to pay death duties on their inheritance and the bill must have come to a fair sum of money. Rather than dip into the Estate’s family coffers, their legal representatives suggested to the Inland Revenue that they accept one of the family’s prized artworks as payment in lieu. That’s fine, replied the Revenue, as long as it’s one of your Rembrandt pieces – the Chatsworth Estate owning three Rembrandt artworks at the time (though the guide failed to mention if these were all paintings, or whether the other two were etchings, drawings or whatever).

The Inland Revenue promptly sent their designated art expert along to view the three works with one eye on their respective values; with the specific intention of selecting one that would presumably meet the cost of the death duties. Whatever the figure was, the Revenue’s representative selected one of the other Chatsworth Rembrandts (not the Uzziah portrait) – one which they felt would recuperate roughly the equivalent of the outstanding sum. So, before long, everything Continued over

by Stuart Bolton

51

Rembrandt at Chatsworth House was signed, sealed, delivered, and the death duties were subsequently written off. Everybody was happy.

Well, when I say everybody… It turns out that, not long after, the Revenue’s newly-acquired Rembrandt was taken to one of the country’s foremost auction houses for a valuation and their experts found that the piece was not an original Rembrandt after all.

Oops! The Cavendish family had, fortunately for them, managed to pay off the outstanding debt simply by parting with a work of art that the family themselves (and I’m not sure how many generations this goes back) had either been duped or ill-advised into purchasing in the first place.

It goes without saying that there is no suggestion that the present-day family had any idea about the authenticity of the piece they parted company with. But one can only imagine the Inland Revenue art expert’s walk of shame into work the day after the news broke.

Diary of a geeky knitter Just when I think I’ve been chugging along with all the crafts and hobbies that I could ever be content with, I stumble across something more! Or two more things even...but that is part of the beauty of knowing what you are interested in and being open to new and fun experiences. I can’t imagine I will ever be bored, if only I was at the age I could retire and enjoy them all fully right now!

Earlier this month, I finally plucked up the courage to submit an article to an online hub for (nerdy) film, tv, and more entertainment, and I was delighted to have that article accepted! If you’re not a fan of Pokemon, or in fact even aware of what that is, don’t worry yourself with the content of the article. I can still brag a little! The fact is, it’s a website that I’ve admired for a long time and really fancied writing for.

I’ve written before about making sure you step out of your comfort zone to push your boundaries and enjoy new experiences. Life’s too short to waste these chances and opportunities to enjoy your interests to new levels, so don’t be afraid to be selective in what you pursue - enjoy what you do every day, as much as you can.

I’m writing this not long after having come home from the second pleasant surprise and creative experience I introduced at the top of this article. The Hat Works in Stockport ran a ‘Drinks & Drawing’ event in midJune, in which a life drawing class based around their extensive collection of fascinating hats was held; and

a bar that sold exceptionally good and well-priced wine was open. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening, and something completely different to what I usually do in an evening (read ‘knit and watch tv’). I confess that I was a little disappointed to find out that the models were in fact fully dressed (I amused myself with the thought of traditional life drawing models in naught but an historical head piece) but it was fun to challenge myself with a new craft. Even if my talent steadily deteriorated the more wine I consumed, it seemed like that was half the fun! What are hobbies, if not a bit of fun and escape from the everyday?

If you want to take a look at the website I now write for, check out www.whatculture.com - fans of Disney and Marvel, I promise you this will be your new favourite website! And keep an eye out on www.stockport.gov.uk/topic/hat-works for future events that could broaden your horizons too.

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

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Children’s Activities

Things to do with pre-school kids

Monday

Playaway 9.30-11.30am Poynton Baptist Church. Contact 01625 859036

tuesday Rhyme Time 10-11am Term time only, open to all preschool aged children and babies.

Come and join in the fun of rhyme, music and song.

Expand your social network and meet new parents.

Pay per week, no termly commitment. Please call 01625 87115, email pmcpreschool@hotmail.co.uk or visit www.poyntonmethodistpreschool.co.uk Poynton Methodist Church Room 3, off Park Lane, opposite Poynton Civic Hall, next to Waitrose

friday Rugbytots (For Boys & Girls 2 to 5yrs old) The World’s favourite Rugby Play programme, Coached by an award winning coach.

Building confidence, Social Skills, Coordination, Teamwork, Colours, Numbers, Shapes and much, much more!

Sessions: 2-3 ½ yrs (10:15am, 10.55am & 12.30pm) 3 ½ -5 yrs (9:20am & 11:35am) at the Civic Hall, Off Park Lane, Poynton, SK12 1RB. Term time only. Find out more at www.rugbytots.co.uk or contact Alick on 0345 313 6720 or Email alick@rugbytots.co.uk Free tasters subject to availability.

Saturday

Wednesday Bright Stars Toddler Group 9.30-11.00am Term time only, St Georges Church, Poynton. For more information contact Joe Hadfield 01625 879277 or email youth@poyntonparishchurch.org Pre-School Dance 2-2.30pm Term time only. St Martin’s Church Hall, Shrigley Road North, Higher Poynton. All children welcome from age 18 months.

Contact 07903 727763 or email missstephanie1@hotmail.co.uk Rhymetime 2-2.30pm Poynton Library. No booking and no charge. All babies/preschoolers welcome with parents/carers

Thursday Parent & Toddler Group 9.30-11.30am Term time only, Poynton Methodist Church. For more information contact the church office on 01625 871592 Rhyme Time 10.30am Poynton Library. No booking necessary and no charge. All babies and toddlers welcome with parents/carers. Contact 01625 374818 Kickstarters – Age 2-3 9.30-10.15am Age 3-4 10.30-11.15am A world of pre-school football with a superhero twist. Join the miniature recruits, enter the goaliverse, and earn the super power stickers.

Civic Hall, off Park Lane, Poynton, SK12 1RB. Register on first day of attendance, all sessions pay as you go £5.

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

Methodist Who Let The Dads Out? 9-11am 4th Saturday each month for dads and grandads with their children aged 0-7. £2 per family which includes toast for Dad and healthy snacks and juice for children. Just turn up.

Contact church office 871592.

Who Let the Dads Out? 9.30am-11am Second Saturday of the month during term time, St Georges Church Hall, Poynton. For dads, grandads and other male carers and their children aged 0-7 years. £2.50 per family which includes bacon butty and coffee for the dads and toast & juice for the children. For more information contact Joe Hadfield 01625 879277 or email youth@poyntonparishchurch.org Kickstarters – Age 2-3yrs 9.30-10.15am Age 3-4yrs 10.30-11.15am See Thursday. Poynton Sports Club, London Road, Poynton Website: www.kickstartersfootball.co.uk Contact: 07853 273578.

sunday Richmond Rovers JFC Young Ballerz 18 months - 5 years. For more information email youngballerz@richmondroversjfc.co.uk Or ring 07411 632114.

Website: www.kickstartersfootball.co.uk Contact: 07853 273578

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

Answers: wallpaper, brushes, stepladder, paste bucket, scissors, paint Extra letter answer: roller

56

just 4 kids

puzzle solutions

58

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

NO FIX NO FEE

Mike Knibb 01625 267422

07956 134900

useful numbers

Leisure Centre

Churches

Library

Lostock Christian Fellowship Poynton Baptist Church Poynton Christian Fellowship St Paul’s RC Church Poynton Methodist Church Poynton Parish Church (St Georges with St Martin’s)

01625 260341 01625 859036 01625 859170 01625 872606 01625 871592 01625 879277

01625 850828 01625 874667 01625 876900 01625 875 074

01625 872299 01625 872134 01625 875618

Helplines Alcoholics Anonymous Al-Anon Childline Crimestoppers RSPCA Samaritans Citizens Advice Bureau Directory Enquiries You & Yours Counselling

0800 9177650 02074 030888 0800 1111 0800 555111 0300 1234999 116 123 03444 111 444 118 500 01625 874225

Local Government MP’s Constituency Office E. Cheshire Council Info Services Poynton Town Council

01625 422848 0300 123 5500 01625 872238

Well Pharmacy L Rowland & Co

01625 872214 01625 873955

Police Station (non-emergency)

101

Poynton Post Office

01625 850262

Schools Lostock Hall Primary School Lower Park Primary School St Paul’s RC Primary School Vernon Primary School Worth Primary School Poynton High School

01625 383838 01625 872560 01625 877688 01625 872556 01625 875900 01625 871811

transport Open Hands Transport Traveline Bus & Train Information National Rail Enquiries Manchester Airport

01625 878589 0871 2002233 0345 748 4950 0808 169 7030

Utilities

Hospitals Macclesfield District General Hospital Stepping Hill Hospital NHS Non-Emergency

01625 374818

Post Offices

Doctors Priorslegh Medical Centre McIlvride Medical Practice Poynton Clinic

Poynton Library

01625 876442

Pharmacists

Dentists Poynton Dental Surgery Wish Dental Practice Chester Rd Dental Care Mydentist

Poynton

01625 421000 0161 483 1010 111

Electricity – Power Loss Gas – Emergency Water Floods Water Leaks Environment Agency Floodline

105 0800 111 999 0345 672 3723 0800 330 033 0345 988 1188

61

classified index ACCOUNTANTS Lloyd Piggott

DRIVEWAY CLEANING 14

Nolan James Chartered Accountants 25

EDUCATION & TUITION

ADULT EDUCATION

Nigel Burin

Aquinas College

40

ELECTRICIANS

Spanish Classes

48

SCZ Electrical Services

Hazel Grove Bathroom Centre

49 13

BUILDING SERVICES JS Services

30

Whitehall Builders

59

BUILDING SOCIETIES Vernon Building Society

26

CARE HOMES & SERVICES Abney Court Alice Chilton

36 25

CARPETS & FLOORING Carpet Creations

5

CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING Safeclean

57

CHILDCARE Kids Zone

55

CHIROPRACTORS The Back Clinic

13

CLEANING SERVICES Alice Chilton Cleaning

49 6

Mike Knibb

59

SR Computers

58

DRAINAGE 18

59

Pure Clean Drainage Solutions

18

PLUMBING & HEATING 58

David Hanson

52

RECRUITMENT 9

GEC Cleaning

47

RETIREMENT property 17

Adlington Retirement Living

21

FUNERAL SERVICES

ROOFING

Adlington Memorial Park

Inside Front Cover

Poynton Roofing

GARAGE DOORS

Crimeguard Security

61

Unicorn Security Systems

10

Garolla

43

GARDEN MAINTENANCE NRG Garden Services

20

Robinsons Garden Maintenance

58

GARDENING The Easy Gardening Company

39

Hazel Grove Golf Club

29

SECURITY

SOLICITORS / LEGAL SERVICES Keoghs Nicholls Lindsell & Harris Manners Pimblett

14

Back Cover

McAlister Family Law

22

The Stair Shop

44

TAXIS

HAIR & BEAUTY Carl Howard

49

Enhance Aesthetics

13

ASAPP Cars Lynx

39 Inside back cover

TRAVEL

HEARING SERVICES Cheshire Hearing Centres

57

STAIRCASE RENOVATIONS

GOLF CLUBS

50

HOME IMPROVEMENT & PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

Lucy Allen Personal Travel Consultant 38

TREE SERVICES 59

JOINERY

Harness Tree Care

WINDOWS & CONSERVATORIES

Kitchens of Poynton

35

WINDOW & CONSERVATORY REPAIRS

Matt Finish

52

KITCHENS

47

Swift Tree & Arboricultural Services 20

59

Trevor Garner

COMPUTER & INTERNET

Pure Clean Drainage Solutions

Brilliant Fires

Trevor Garner

CLUBS & EVENTS Poynton Show

Stratagem Wealth

Dean Wilson

PATIOS 59

FIRES

BOOKSHOPS Simply Books

PAINTING & DECORATING 55

FINANCIAL ADVISORS

BATHROOMS

62

Wills Driveway Cleaning

Pate & Lever Windows

10

Cloudy 2 Clear

47

The Window Repair Centre

60