Inside Poynton Issue 86

inside Issue 86

april - may 2020

p o y n t o n

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

inside poynton

What’s INSIDE this month

The last couple of weeks have been difficult for everyone and the future is looking just as uncertain. We want to reassure you that we are closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and have been following advice regarding the production of our magazines and the safety of our delivery team and readers. We’ve been advised that the virus will not live on printed matter, packages or letters for any length of time, so please don’t worry about handling this magazine!

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Poynton People

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St Martin’s Church

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Diary of a Geeky Knitter

As we go to print all event details are correct, but we assume that some will be postponed or cancelled, so please be sure to check before you go along to anything. And yes, I know travel is seriously off limits at the moment, but it won’t be forever, so we can use some of this enforced time at home to dream and plan!

16 Bring the Gym to You

It’s at times like this that we become acutely aware of the importance of supporting small and local businesses, shops, services and tradespeople.

Let’s buy local where we can, look out for our neighbours and all stick together as a community through this once-in-a-lifetime (we hope) situation.

11 Is Birdwatching For You?

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15 Beer & Book Club

20 In Touch 27 Growing Granny’s Bonnets

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32 The Walk 37 Real Life Motoring 43 Wild Adventures 44 Travel - USA 46 Recipe

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48 INSIDE Guide 55 Children’s Activities

Editor: Claire Hawker

Tel: 01625 879611 Inside Magazines, 352a Park Lane, Poynton, Cheshire SK12 1RL. email: info@insidemagazines.co.uk www.insidemagazines.co.uk

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 2020. Material from this magazine may not be reproduced without prior written permission from Inside Magazines Ltd.

56 Just 4 Kids

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57 Puzzles 59 Puzzle Solutions 61 Useful Numbers 62 Classified Index

Cover photo: Lady’s Incline in May by Gail Ashton

Don’t forget!

Copy deadline for the next issue is

Friday 8 May

poynton people

by Jenny Cooke

the history of bells and bell foundries going back to the 1200s.

Peter Dyson ‘The further you go, the more you see.

A church without a steeple and a bell hung in a tree’ Why does this old Poynton rhyme speak of the church bell hanging in a tree? Today we’re used to hearing the very English sound of bells pealing across Poynton, calling us to weddings, church services, or an event of national importance like a royal wedding.

They toll on Remembrance Sunday and sometimes for a funeral, when a leather pad is tied to one side of the clapper and the ring is half-muffled. At Poynton there is a group of bell ringers led by the tower captain, David Friend. They ring at St George’s on Sundays and Fridays is practice night. Peter Dyson has been 53 years a bell ringer and a member of the Poynton team for 49 years.

‘Years ago, at All Saints Church, Stand, Whitefield, I was in the choir singing at a wedding. It was very windy and one of the louvres in the tower was banging. The curate raced up the stairs to fix it and we rushed after him. Seeing eight ropes hanging silent in the bell chamber he let us toll a bell. We were hooked! So, he began a team of new bell ringers.’

Peter has rung bells ever since, both locally and nationally, entered competitions successfully with the Poynton St George’s team, written a book and studied

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Peter explains that part of the history of Poynton can be told through its bells, as can the three ways of making a bell sound. Today St Martin’s bell at Higher Poynton hangs outside and is swung by a rope.

It was cast in 1748 and hung in St Mary’s Chapel, which served Poynton Towers (the ‘big house’) and the Poynton villagers. It was demolished because it wasn’t big enough and St George’s Chapel was built in brick and timber on the site of the present-day church. There was no tower and so the bell was hung in an oak tree. Eventually this bell was taken to the school in what is now Poynton Centre. It hung in the belfry there and called children to lessons. Later still the bell was taken to St Martin’s.

In 1857, St George’s as it stands today was built, the tower and spire completed in 1887 and a ring of six bells installed. They hang from a wheel, pulled by bell ringers in the ringing chamber, up a level through the clock chamber, and through a full circle in the bell chamber above.

The third bell of Poynton came from Towers Yard where it rang to call the labourers to work – no watches in those days – and chimed as it was hit by a hammer. When the estate finally closed with an auction, the bell was bought by Jack Shrigley, stored in his garage, then in St George’s tower and is now at the Anson Engine Museum.

‘Some of the best ringing I’ve ever done is peal ringing,’ says Peter. ‘A peal can last for three hours, the team bond together and we can produce some really top-class ringing. Bell ringing’s an all-age activity and combines both physical skill and mental energy.’

So, if the bell-ringers hold an Open Morning it’s worth going along. www.poyntonbells.net

www.ringingworld.co.uk

St. Martin’s Church, Higher Poynton On a recent visit to a vintage market, whilst flicking through a 1969 book titled City Building Series (the Manchester edition, published by Studio Vista) I was pleasantly surprised to see a picture of one of Poynton’s most distinctive buildings, namely St. Martin’s Church on Shrigley Road North.

The back-cover blurb tells us that the book is a ‘comprehensive guide to Manchester’s rich architectural heritage’, with over two hundred buildings listed and pictured. It pleases me therefore that this particular church, which always catches my eye as I drive past when heading for the car-park at Nelson Pit, is featured. Written by Dennis Sharp, we learn that the building was built in 1965 and that the architect was called P F Smith.

Here’s what Mr Sharp had to say about the building: ‘St. Martin’s Church, occupying an open, somewhat formless site, successfully resolves the problem of the intimate village church without recourse to conventional clichés. The pleasant well-lit interior is almost domestic in scale. The cost limit of £5,500 imposed severe limitations on the design.’ (That’s just under £100,000 in today’s money, which seems a pretty reasonable amount to me.)

by Stuart Bolton

Most churches, of course, feature a steep and often imposing steeple but, no doubt due to the financial restrictions imposed by the brief, the architect came up with the idea of employing two contrasting roof pitches at different levels, with the raking verges to the higher level helping to create an understated alternative solution. On plan, the building is best described as a misshapen hexagon.

Sharp finishes off his short assessment with a look at the interior, ‘It is hoped that it may eventually be furnished by fittings designed by the architect.’

Whether that is the case, I have not been able to ascertain.

Today, the 55-year-old church building looks in remarkably good condition, especially when compared to other buildings constructed during that modernist 60s and 70s period (those that have survived, that is). The church is evidently much loved and well maintained. Although, judging by the moss that has started to take hold on the north-facing roof slope, the felted roof looks like it might be due for replacement soon with perhaps a smarter (GRP or single ply?) roof finish. But that’s a minor quibble on my part!

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Diary of a

Geeky Knitter

By now you should know that not much time passes before I simply have to have a go at the next thing which, more often than not, is craft related.

Surprise, surprise eh? And so, it was early into the new decade (have I wished you lovely readers a Happy New Year yet?) that I stumbled across the world of quilting.

‘Stumbled across’ isn’t quite the right term actually. After all, in my office at work one of the magazine titles that my team work on is Quilt Now, so I am aware of quilting and how amazingly impressive those crafters are who partake in this exquisite craft. But it was on Instagram, that fount of crafty inspiration, that I came across a quilted Millennium Falcon, and instantly had to find out how I could make one myself!

My fellow Star Wars fans out there will know of which legendary science fiction ship I am referring to (Kessel Run - 12 parsecs - iconic). Those of you who aren’t familiar with Star Wars, first I must insist you look up Star Wars: The Force Awakens or we can’t be friends any more, and second, just imagine a character or item from one of your favourite stories of all time, and put that into an impressive, intricate piece of sewing artwork.

Amazing!

Once I found this was a ‘thing’, I researched all that I needed to know to make my very own quilted Millennium Falcon. Foundation paper piecing was

the magical craft I needed to learn. Don’t worry, we won’t get technical now, but the best and fastest way I can think to describe this technique is colour-by-numbers with fabric and a sewing machine, and lots of satisfying paper ripping! Here you can see my finished creation - again, perhaps the non-Jedis reading this will be nonplussed by the grey blob in yellow, but I hope any Han Solo fans will be suitably impressed, as my husband is (a fellow Star Wars fan, of course) and so the Falcon hangs proudly on the wall in our home.

Once I learnt one technique, I was eager to learn more and so now I am making a cushion cover out of small hexagons, hand sewn together (English Paper Piecing, if you must know) out of Mickey Mouse fabric. I am nothing if not devoted to my personal Disney-Star Wars-Nerd brand, after all.

The fabric happened to be an Aldi purchase by the way! You crafters be sure to keep an eye out on those fabulous special buys.

Ok, you’ve twisted my arm - we can all still be friends even if you aren’t a Star Wars fan. Until next time, may the force be with you. jennythegeekyknitter@gmail.com www.thegeekyknitter.co.uk

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www.etsy.com/uk/shop/geeksgamesandknits

Is Birdwatching For You? How many species of birds can you identify in your garden or locality? The chances are that you can identify quite a few but sometimes you may look at a bird and momentarily wonder what it is.

You may also have joined in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch which has helped our understanding and enjoyment of local birds.

The celebrated sportswriter and nature lover Simon Barnes wrote a book a few years ago entitled ‘How to be a bad birdwatcher’. This is a light-hearted look at birdwatching, but the basic premise is that if you can identify a common bird such as a robin or swan, you are a birdwatcher without realising it! The likelihood is that most people are content to have a general interest in birds without owning a pair of binoculars.

Some would like to take this interest a bit further but haven’t got around to it or are not sure what to do.

Here are some ideas to share with you.

serious decline for a number of reasons. We need to maintain and improve the habitat we have left and try to prevent unnecessary destruction of ecosystems.

The RSPB and other similar organisations can only survive by members’ subscriptions and with the current state of nature the case for choosing a conservation organisation as a charity of choice has grown stronger.

You can join the RSPB online or, if you join at one of our nearest reserves such as Burton Mere Wetlands on the Wirral, your membership will contribute directly to the reserve. www.rspb.org.uk

Make your garden wildlife friendly There is plenty of information online and elsewhere to make your garden wildlife friendly. Suggestions include nest-boxes, bug homes, feeders, bird and insect-friendly plants, ponds, safe havens and good access for wildlife.

Join a conservation organisation The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds will probably spring to mind. The RSPB has evolved into a conservation organisation with the strapline of ‘Give Nature a Home.’ For as little as £5 a month for two people (£6 for a family) you get free access and parking to around 170 RSPB reserves plus regular magazines, offers etc. There is also a Young Explorers section that educates children on environmental matters (note for grandparents- a good option for a present!)

However, the real point here is the cause rather than the benefits. Far too many species including birds, butterflies and the rest of our fauna, are in

Attend local group meetings Whether you are a member of the RSPB or not, there is a choice of local groups that have regular meetings and outings. In our vicinity we have High Peak, Stockport and Macclesfield Groups. At High Peak we meet in Marple between September and May on the third Monday of the month at 7.30pm. Details are published in this magazine and on our website. We usually have between 40 and 70 people attending; our speakers are drawn from around the country and are chosen for their high quality. Annual membership is currently £10pa.

Explore your local environment There is a surprising number of bird species in our local area, more easily seen and heard in springtime and early summer. In 2019, 220 species were recorded in Derbyshire alone!

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Is Birdwatching For You? (continued)

Additional events for this spring A weekend walk will be held by High Peak RSPB as an introduction to finding birds by sight and sound on Sunday 26 April at 9.30am. We meet at Etherow Country Park and the walk lasts two to three hours.

If there is sufficient demand, a car trip to Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB reserve will be arranged on a suitable date. If you are interested in either of the above, we’d love to hear from you! (contact details below)

High Peak RSPB group has an outing once a month on a Sunday, usually to a reserve or similar area where interesting birds may be found. Car-sharing is arranged on the day. Other groups do the same and Stockport Group also run coach trips. Not everyone who comes along has a good knowledge of birds, but friendly, experienced members are on hand to identify different species, and where possible show them through a telescope.

In conclusion it doesn’t matter if you are a good or a bad birdwatcher, but it has never been more important and beneficial for all of us to connect with nature. After all, what is good for birds is good for us!

Email: highpeakgroup2@gmail.com Phone: (Secretary) 0161 427 0881 www.rspb.org.uk/groups/highpeak David Knass (Secretary, High Peak RSPB Group) Richard Stephenson (Leader, High Peak RSPB Group)

The Beer

and book club The Friends of Eddie Coyle by George V Higgins The last two meetings of The BBC have taken place at The Flute & Firkin, and most pleasant they have been too. This month’s book was written by George V Higgins, who was assistant District Attorney in Boston before becoming a defence attorney and then a full-time writer.

Described as ‘the poet of Boston sleaze’ he wrote over thirty books, this being his first. His others include a handful of ‘lowlife masterpieces’ constructed almost entirely of what has been described as ‘pitchperfect’ dialogue.

It is this dialogue which helped most of us race through the book at top speed, the outcome being that most of us viewed the book with both enjoyment and admiration.

The pattern of the book does take a little bit of getting used to, in that each chapter begins in a different place and usually with a different set of characters. This can sometimes make it quite difficult to follow.

As the piece wears on, however, we begin to work out how the characters relate to one another. We also get more drawn into this tight-knit world in which everyone seems to understand the rules of engagement, whether they’re a criminal, a barman, a policeman or a lawyer.

Reading the book can at times feel like reading a screenplay and this is testament to how the author brings his characters to life through the way they talk and the things they do. That said, there is not much depth to the characterisation and descriptions of people can be as minimal as ‘he was stocky’.

Although there are violent scenes in the book, they are described in an ordinary way. Again, it feels just a natural part of how the people in the book operate both individually and as a group.

Our Scottish contributor summed up the views of many in our group, describing the style as ‘economical but slick’, ‘drab and dreary but in a good way’, and ‘flat but underpinned by menace’.

A few comparisons were made during our discussion of the novel. Some talked of The Godfather and Goodfellas, one or two of Hill Street Blues and the works of Tarantino. But many of us agreed that this was something quite different to a lot of what we’d read previously, especially in its masterly use of dialogue.

The lack of pretence was another key aspect of the book for our group. The characters played their parts in what felt like a totally realistic manner. They themselves seemed under no illusions about who they were and the roles they played in this ‘interesting’ society. Everyone, it seemed, was living on the edge; the edge of criminality for some, the edge of life and death for others.

The irony of the title of the book was not lost on our members either. If you read the book yourself, you’ll also begin to wonder just who are the friends of Eddie Coyle?

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Bring the Gym to You! Every new health scare that doctors uncover seems to come with the standard, “…keep fit, lose weight and eat healthy foods to minimise the risk…” statement.

We know it’s true but finding time to get to the gym is difficult when our lives are so busy. So why not bring the gym to your home?

If you have an area that’s big enough for you to lie down in, with your arms stretched out to either side, with a few extra inches for good measure you’ve got enough space to do a workout at home. No matter what your initial fitness level, aims and budget are, you can start to exercise in the comfort of your own home.

Basic Fitness If you’re after basic fitness you can try a home HIIT session. All you need is a timer or smartphone app and a workout program - there are loads of videos on YouTube for every fitness level. HIIT or High Intensity Interval Training works on short bursts of exercise, up to about one minute, with rests of maybe 30 seconds in between. It gets your heart rate up and gives you a great workout in a very short space of time. Exercises range from simple marching on the spot, squats, and leg raises right through to advanced press-ups and handstands, but all doable in the space we mentioned earlier. An exercise mat might help for any lying-down exercises and a resistance band or small set of weights is a useful addition, but that’s about all you’ll need.

Three, 20-minute sessions per week and you’ll really start to see some results. Do it in the morning before breakfast for maximum fat-burning efficiency, and to set you up for the day.

Strength Building your strength can also be done at home.

Calisthenics is a form of training that uses your body weight instead of free weights. Each exercise has a series of progressions from easy to very hard. Take the simple press up as an example. Start doing them whilst standing and leaning against a wall. As you move your feet further from the wall it gets harder.

Eventually you’ll be able to do a full press up on the ground. Then try positioning your hands closer to your waistline so you are leaning forwards as you press up - it’s getting harder now. Then try leaning so far forwards your feet leave the floor - not for the faint hearted!

Other calisthenics exercises need some basic equipment. Dips will need a set of dip bars. Pull ups will need some pull up bars. But all of these are relatively cheap to purchase and take up minimal space when not in use.

What about exercise machines?

If you’re starting out, my advice is to avoid machines until you know what you like. You’ll probably only have enough space and cash for one, and they are not portable so once you’ve got something, you’re stuck with it. Build up your basic fitness and strength first and then decide what you want to do. Once your body starts to show some results you might even be tempted to venture down to the gym to take advantage of a wider range of equipment!

Be sensible Always be careful with your body. Seek professional advice before starting any exercise regime.

Make sure you’re working safely and within your capabilities. Start easy and work up to the harder progressions. If you have any signs of pain or discomfort, STOP! Rest, recover and assess the situation. Above all have fun getting fit and staying healthy.

Are you fed up with clutter?

Have you ever wished you had more space in your home so you can tidy up without throwing everything out? Well, the answer could be to make more use of the space you’ve already got, literally under your own roof.

For many homeowners, the loft is an underutilised area because it can be difficult and dangerous to reach.

Macclesfield based loft ladder installer, Access4Lofts, whose slogan is ‘Creating Space The Easy Way’ can change all that, often in less than a day.

Access4Lofts Macclesfield is owned by Barry Johnson. “I know how crucial storage space can be for large families” says Barry. “I also find that a large percentage of my clients are retired people looking for the safest access to their loft available.”

“Installing a loft ladder is quick and affordable. It’s less expensive than a garden shed, and it means you don’t have to store everything out of the house.”

Access4Lofts provides a free survey and quote service so you can find out what is achievable with

your loft area. For the full works, customers can get a retractable 3-section ladder, a new hatch and a floating floor over the loft insulation and lighting.

You might already have a ladder but it’s worth considering an upgrade: “The new ladders are springassisted and lighter so they’re much easier to use” he says. “They can also come with a safety handrail, there’s really no need for anyone to be struggling in and out of the loft anymore.”

Access4Lofts is an approved Which? Trusted trader which means they have been accessed by Which? and passed their stringent checks. For added confidence, Access4Lofts has full public liability insurance and all ladders and work carried out comes with a Lifetime Guarantee.

To find out how Barry can create more space for you and your family or to book a free survey and quote, visit www.access4lofts.co.uk/macclesfield or give Barry a call on 01625 839259

in touch

april - may 2020

your local community noticeboard

Anson Engine Museum Re-opens after Winter Break “We’ve lived in the area for years, the museum’s just down the road and we’ve never been” is a comment frequently heard when new visitors arrive, so why not check out one of the largest collections of engines in Europe? The Anson Engine Museum is now recognised as one of the country’s leading specialist museums, with over 250 gas and oil engines, many maintained in running order. The museum site also includes a working blacksmith’s smithy, a woodland craft area, café and a local history section with a giant scale model of Poynton (c1900).

The museum reopens from 10am to 4pm on Sundays and Mondays, starting on 12 and 13 April, until it closes again for winter on 25 October. There will be craft and steam demonstrations and special events each month see www.enginemuseum.org for more details.

On Friday 8 May the museum is joining the international celebration of peace commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Victory in Europe. At 3pm Winston Churchill’s speech will be played, the “Battle’s Over” will be piped and the WW2 Heroes will be toasted. On Sunday 10 May at 10.30am the Last Post will be played.

On both days there will be 1940s films showing in the museum’s cosy little cinema, there will be a WW2 display, particularly remembering the 35 Poynton folk who lost their lives, WW2 songs played over the tannoy system and the colliery bell will be rung, celebrating the peace and in memory of all WW2 Heroes.

POYNTON and DISTRICT ROTARY Poynton Rotary carried out their annual Christmas collection on two Saturdays in December outside Waitrose, Aldi and the Post Office. They are very grateful for the generosity of the Poynton public enabling them to raise the sum of £750 to support local charities and organisations.

This is just one of several local activities where funds are raised to help the local community and the main event of the year is Party in the Park held at Poynton Pool. This year it will be held on the 13 June so please put in your diaries and await further advertising with details on, acts and tickets, in the coming months.

Continued over

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THE GREAT BRITISH DOG WALK The Great British Dog Walk, a popular charity dog walk run by national charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, is back for a sixth year and is once more coming to beautiful Lyme Park, on Saturday 2 May 2020.

Hundreds of walkers of all ages, and dogs of all shapes and sizes, will be taking part to have fun, meet like-minded people and support Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, the charity that trains dogs to alert deaf people to important and life-saving sounds and help deaf people to leave loneliness behind. The walk is sponsored by Specsavers Audiologists, helping Hearing Dogs to raise more funds to transform the lives of deaf people.

On the day there are two walk options – either 5km or 8km routes, making it ideal for dog owners, families, single walkers, organised walking groups and those who simply want to meet lots of dogs and get a bit of exercise for a good cause. There will also be fun additional activities at the walk, including a demonstration by local Hearing Dog partnerships and information from the NT Lyme Park ranger team.

It costs around £40,000 to fully train and support a hearing dog for the duration of its life and Hearing Dogs for Deaf People receives no government funding so every walker will be helping to transform the lives of deaf people. Tickets are £10 in advance or £12 on the day. While sponsorship is encouraged to help Hearing Dogs train more life-changing dogs, it is not a requirement.

To sign-up to the Great British Dog Walk at Lyme Park, or for more information visit www.greatbritishdogwalk.org.

WORKER BEE MARKETS LAUNCH ARTISAN AWARDS Stockport’s only multi-centre artisan market organiser is launching the Worker Bee Artisan Awards.

Aimed at artisan micro-businesses who live, create and sell in SK postcodes, these awards offer cash prizes, handmade awards and mentorship to help them grow their businesses and develop their trade.

The judges for the awards, which will be open for nominations on 1 May, are MP for Cheadle, Mary Robinson, sponsor and local estate agent Ric Pickford, Stockport business owner Dylan Moore, Greater Manchester food blogger Keeley Watts and community champion and artist Natalie Kaciubskyj.

They have been hand-picked to judge the Awards by Worker Bee Markets’ owner and curator Clare Simpson, due to their connection with and support for these local markets which started in 2018 and have grown to now include six regular events and pop-ups (in Bramhall Village, Hazel Grove, Cheadle, Poynton, Marple Bridge and Reddish.)

The Awards, all named after the Worker Bee concept are as follows: Pollen Award offering marketing support for new businesses; Honeycomb Award offering up to £500 towards a piece of equipment to help a business grow; Beeswax Award to reward sustainability and green criteria; Beehive Award to reward the best stall layout. The Nectar Award celebrates the best-tasting produce or food. Traders and makers will vote for the best venue in the Beekeeper Award. The public can get involved too by voting for their favourite stall, who they think is the Bees’ Knees.

Winners will receive an award commissioned and handmade by their peers and a cheque for £100 each to help their business grow. More information on who can apply and how to apply at www.workerbeemarkets.wordpress.com Continued over

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Plant Lovers’ Paradise at Bramall Hall & Adlington Hall Sunday 5 April sees the popular Plant Hunters’ Fair return to Bramall Hall with a huge choice of quality, nursery-grown plants. At this time of year, there will be a brilliant line-up of nurseries attending who will come laden with flowering bulbs, early flowering perennials, shrubs and trees to provide instant colour and also lots of later flowering plants to get planted for colour into the summer and beyond. Now’s the time to think ahead and plan that dream border for your garden.

The Plant Fair is a fund-raising event for special projects at the hall and has proved hugely popular, rapidly gaining a reputation as the best specialist plant fair in the area offering a dazzling array of plants all for just £2 entry to the fair. The plant fair will open at the earlier time of 10am to 4pm on Sunday 5 April. For full details of nurseries attending please see www.planthuntersfairs.co.uk On Sunday 10 May, Adlington Hall, Macclesfield welcomes back Plant Hunters’ Fairs and this special event offers entry to the wonderful gardens and plant fair at the special rate of just £3 that’s half standard entry price! (children 15 years and under are free when accompanied by an adult).

The plant fair has become a magnet for plant lovers from near and far and Plant Hunters’ Fairs have pulled out all the stops to get a great line-up of 20 brilliant independent plant nurseries including RHS award winners to create a plant lover’s paradise.

At Adlington there are the beautiful gardens, woodland walks and parkland to explore. The bluebells should be at their best along with early flowering shrubs and trees. The 2,000-acre Estate contains parkland landscaped in the 18th century in the style of ‘Capability Brown’ complete with ha-ha. The Lime Avenue dating from 1688 is one of the oldest surviving in Britain and leads to a woodland wilderness with winding paths, temples, bridges and follies in a rococo manner. A path through the laburnum arcade leads into the formal rose garden, then on to the maze created in English Yew. The Father Tiber water garden provides a peaceful haven with its ponds, fountains and water cascade and the newly created parterre provides a colourful addition to the east wing. Other features include a large herbaceous border, rockeries, specimen trees, azaleas and rhododendrons.

The plant fair runs from 10am to 4pm on Sunday 10 May. There is lots of free parking and dogs on leads are very welcome. Please see www.planthuntersfairs.co.uk to find out which nurseries will be attending.

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Growing Granny’s Bonnets “Granny’s Bonnets” or columbine are easy to grow, reliable and tough perennials that have popped up in cottage gardens from time immemorial. The proper name, aquilegia, comes from the Latin for “eagle” from the resemblance of the shape of the flower to an eagle’s claw.

Most books will tell you to plant them in moist soil with a little shade. Most aquilegias will also sow themselves into the driest, hottest parts of your garden and be perfectly content although the flowers may not last so long.

There are diminutive types for the alpine garden and large, long-stemmed types for the border. All are easy to grow from seed, although named varieties might not always come true. Aquilegia are notoriously promiscuous and if you grow more than one type, they will cross with gay abandon producing mixed seedlings in a range of shapes and colours. If buying seed, you can sow in April outdoors and have good sized plants to plant out in Autumn. If saving your own seed, sow in trays in a cold frame as soon as the seed is ripe and plant these out in March the following year.

by Martin Blow

“McKenna Hybrid” plants flowering away in my parents’ garden all my young life. The large flowers with their long backward facing spurs were an irresistible delight to me.

These “long-spurred” types are the result of crossing two wild American types: chrysantha, with yellow flowers and caerulea with blue. Lots of colours including red, pink and purple, often in partnership with white are now available.

Other species from America worth growing from seed are the red and yellow skinnerii and canadensis.

I find these do appreciate a little more shade, more moisture in summer and better drainage in winter than some.

The European native vulgaris are the more traditional granny’s bonnets usually in purple. Lots of colours

You can also divide plants with care, but these divisions do take a while to root. Remember, all parts of the plants including the seeds are poisonous.

Aquilegias can be short-lived, going past their best after two or three years but I remember the same Continued over

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A search of a good seed catalogue or a specialist at a plant fair should be able to provide you with lots of different sizes, shapes and colours of Granny’s Bonnets to fill your early summer garden with these jolly, bright flowers.

and shapes of these are also available now including the double, spiky-flowered Barlow hybrids. Nora Barlow in red, white and green was the first but lots more single colours have been added to the range including the near-black Black Barlow and the greenish-white Green Apples.

For smaller plants Red Hobbit is a good choice as are the Winky Hybrids. The latter, unusually, has upward facing flowers.

For the alpine garden there are many tiny ones.

My favourite is the easy to grow but difficult to pronounce Aquilegia buergeriana Calimero with yellow and purple flowers on 10 to 15cm tall plants.

Janet and I run Special Perennials 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; The Dorothy Clive Garden, TF9 4EU on Sunday 12 & Monday 13 April; Cholmondeley Castle, Malpas SY14 8AH on Sunday 26 April; Adlington Hall, Macclesfield on Sunday 10 May; Carsington Water DE6 1ST on Monday 25 May. All gardens offer half price or better entry for these special events days.

Please see www.planthuntersfairs.co.uk for full details and last- minute updates.

www.specialperennials.com

Padley Gorge,

Higger Tor and the Derwent Valley Walk description: This circular walk follows the Derwent Valley before climbing, steeply at times, up through the stunning Padley Gorge and out on to the moors. The climbing continues up to Owler Tor on good paths before crossing the higher moorland to Higger Tor where the final climb is quite steep. The return circuit is mostly downhill, steep in parts and eventually returns to the Derwent Valley by the outskirts of Hathersage.

Starting point: Small lay-by on the left just before Leadmill Bridge on the B6001 half a mile SSE from Hathersage (SK 233806) Maps: Dark Peak Explorer OL1 and the White Peak Explorer OL24 1:25000 Walk a short way back from the lay-by and take the first track to the right, running alongside the left bank of the River Derwent and heading east. Stay on this track as far as the gate and footpath sign on the right. From here walk through the field and then along the river path, which can be muddy at times.

Eventually, this path divides (SK 241795) at the sign up to Grindleford Station and the left path is often very muddy, so take the middle route. After a short distance, the two paths merge as you head up a gradual climb through the woods, and then a slightly steeper section up to a gate in a wall. Beyond the gate there is a good drinks stop with rocky seats to enjoy views down the scenic Derwent Valley south.

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by Barry Wilson

Leave here passing over the railway bridge, and then bear right across a grassy pathway until you reach a wider track. Bear right along this route past houses and an old chapel. Before dropping down towards Grindleford Station, look out for sharp turn left up a wide and steep access road between some lovely houses. (SK 251788) At the top, go through the gate and begin a rocky ascent which stays above the gorge. Keep heading up and then along an undulating pathway of Gritstone slabs through this delightful conservation woodland section with the river deep in the gorge below; the rapids and small waterfalls are spectacular after a rainy spell. Ignore any signs to the left and after one mile you go through a gate at the top of the gorge and out into open countryside with views of our ultimate destination of Higger Tor to the north. This is a lovely resting point with rocks to sit on close to the stream by a wooden bridge; it is a very popular paddling and picnic spot for families on a busy holiday period.

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

stunning surprises. If you also look east, you can pick out Longshaw Hall in woodland, once used as a First World War hospital, and now has a small cafe, shop and picnic area, with car parks for other walks from the Longshaw Estate.

At the payment point, turn right and pass through the wooden gate. This leads up, over and between large Gritstone slabs which wind up to an amazing Gritstone tor. Follow the path round this prominent feature and head north to reach Over Owler Tor. Take care descending this high point on any one of the rocky paths down. From here you can see the higher rocky Higger Tor ahead and to the north east, the lower rocky Carl Wark, a site of an ancient settlement. Keep on this well trodden pathway towards the obvious climbing route on the left of Higger Tor; this is an easy ascent taking you round the left edge to reach the summit. On a windy day, there are plenty of rocks or gullies in which to take shelter and enjoy a well earned lunch break. There are stunning panoramic views towards Stanage Edge, Kinder and Mam Tor to the north and west, or east to Burbage Rocks and south to Froggatt Edge and the Derwent Valley cutting its wooded route towards Chatsworth.

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

Cross the road and beyond the fencing bear left and head across the moorland before going steeply downhill towards Hathersage. Take care on this descent before going through two wooden gates on to a wider track. As it bears right at the foot of this route, turn left at the fingerpost towards Mitchell Field (SK 247817). Keep to the left of this house and beyond it, and then look out for a signpost right, crossing a grassy area into a small wood, across a small stream and up to a stile into fields. Bear slightly right towards the next wall stile and then up the

gentle slope along the path to Scraperlow, a lovely house with large lawns and an interesting pub lamp over its side door. Follow their drive to the left of the lawns, through an automatic gate and eventually keep straight on where their drive bears left. (NB. The owners have been trying to alter this route around their land and it may now be completed, but it should still be easy to reach the next section) Keeping close to the wall on your right, the path soon drops down through a delightful wooded walk. In May, this woodland has a carpet of bluebells, punctuated by beds of white flowers. This path leads down to a wider track behind large houses before reaching the A6187 again.

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

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

Presented on behalf of Marple District Rambling Club; with over 350 members, the Club organises up to five graded walks every Thursday and up to four every Sunday, all led by volunteer members.

For further information, contact the Chairman, Sue Gilmore on 07775 620398, or the Membership Secretary, Claude Prime on 0161 483 8596 or visit www.marple-uk/community/ rambling to see the walks programme

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Real Life Motoring Ford Edge 2.0 TDCI ST-LINE: On A Carousel

With the Edge, Ford have come up with a design that allows this SUV to stand out from the crowd. In fact, one look at the 2.0 TDCI ST-Line on test confirms how successful Ford have been in giving this impressive SUV a link with the more sporting editions of the Focus, Puma et al, elsewhere in the range.

The ST-Line, MotorMartin’s preferred option, gives you Ford’s distinctive, sporting front grille devoid of the chrome that adorns others in the range, 20” ST-Line alloy wheels matched up to the Edge’s excellent Intelligent All Wheel Drive, there’s unique front, rear and side sports body styling with dark exterior detailing, black roof rails and the best bit? Dual fascia pass through exhausts with chrome exhaust tips, after all, nothing says sporting like a pair of twin exhausts. Ford have done a truly stunning job here.

Inside the Edge and the luxury/sporting theme continues with a cabin that offers up space, light, comfort and technology. There’s the de rigueur 10way power driver and passenger seat with memory in partial leather seats with perforated Dinamica inserts, variable heated front seats, a heated steering wheel (superb), ST-Line scuff plates and that rarest of commodities, space.

Ford have also been rather generous with the technology added as there’s Cruise Control with Collision Mitigation, Auto Stop/Start, an incredible B&O premium audio system with 360° sound system with 1,000 Watts of amplifier power, 12 high

by Martin Hall

performance speakers, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Ford’s wonderful SYNC 3 system. Indeed, Ford have confirmed that SYNC 3 integrates seamlessly with your smartphone, letting you control everything from phone calls and text messaging to music and satellite navigation - via the 8” touchscreen or simple voice commands. This combination of both creature comfort and bang up to date driving and entertainment tech easily allows the Edge to look down upon its competitors from above.

The mark of a good car though is a little harder to fathom when you begin to dig deep. Tech and comfort is, of course, important but the drive itself is where the money needs to have been spent, and fortunately Ford’s latest SUV can happily direct you towards the very place. Ford fans have always known about the sports handling and superior quality of road-holding that are part of the marque’s inbuilt DNA and will not be disappointed by the experience on offer by the Edge.

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Excellent turn in is telegraphed through the steering and directly to the driver whilst the sporting, yet compliant, suspension copes superbly with the unfortunate state of the roads across this green and pleasant land of ours. From the typically high SUV driving position, the view that you get across the landscape allows you to make decisions far earlier than you might previously have been used to. Braking earlier for traffic or difficult conditions, smoothing out your throttle movements for economy and comfort and maintaining momentum become your mantra, the more miles you experience in the Ford.

Take advantage of the technology hidden deep with the engine and 8-speed automatic transmission allowing you to access up to 41.5 mpg and CO2 of 176 g/km whilst the 2.0 TDCI 4-cylinder, turbocharged diesel power-plant offers up 238PS. This is not an engine that is going to be found wanting in any situation you might care to find.

The Ford Edge is a seriously impressive piece of kit that is excellent to drive and live with whilst also being superb to look at. That’s what it’s all about isn’t it?

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.

Wild Adventures & Weekend Escapes Wild swim at a secret river beach dappled by willows, seek out a lost castle hidden within an enchanted forest, then watch the sun set from an ancient hillfort with a picnic of local cheese, sourdough and cider.

Sounds perfect? A new compendium of adventures, from the best-selling, award-winning Wild Guide series will be published on 6 April, revealing the most exciting secret places in Central England, from forgotten pockets of the busy Midlands, to the iconic landscapes of the Peak District, Cotswolds, Welsh Borders and Lincolnshire Coast.

This new Wild Guide points you to over 800 incredible secret places and wild adventures - idyllic swims, ancient forests, lost ruins, secret valleys, amazing wildlife, easy scrambles and sacred places. But it’s not just about adventure and doing wild things – the book also details slow food and drink venues, cosy pubs, artisanal producers and rustic places to stay.

There’s a useful introduction to each area, detailing the natural history of the area as well as some suggestions for ‘a perfect weekend.’ As well as being packed with practical information including GPX co-ordinates and 23 maps this is a beautiful and inspiring book for the family seeking adventures in Britain’s hidden places.

The Authors Nikki Squires is an avid camper and photographer, and English teacher who runs her school’s bushcraft programme. Richard Clifford is a wild swimmer, triathlete, PE teacher and adventure leader. John Webster spent his formative years sea swimming and surfing in Pembrokeshire but now raises his two children, on a diet of wild adventures. They all live and work in the Midlands near Leicester and have wild camped, climbed, swum, and explored their way around the central areas of England.

Other Wild Guides are available for Scotland, Wales, Lakes & Dales, South West and South East. Also available as premium apps for iPhone and Android.

The Wild Guide is available at bookshops, online or at Wildthingspublishing.com www.wildthingspublishing.com/product/ wild-guide-central-england/

Featuring stunning photography and engaging travel writing, it’s the perfect guide for wild adventures and ultimate weekend escapes

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USA If there’s a country you can visit that offers practically every kind of holiday ‘under one roof’, then the USA is it.

In 2019, the USA was the fourth most popular country in the world visited by UK travellers and it’s easy to see why. You can visit on a short break or plan an exciting multi-centre trip, chase the sun, or hit the slopes. From mountains to deserts, gorgeous beaches to stunning National Parks, there is so much choice!

Live it up in the Big Apple No other city in the world is as iconic as New York and if you plan a city break here there will never be a dull moment! It’s a good idea to plan an itinerary in advance. Don’t be too strict about it, but as there’s so much to see and do, definitely have a list of highlights and priorities.

If you’re an art lover be sure to visit MoMA and the Guggenheim, if you’re a foodie, grab some pizza in Little Italy or visit Brooklyn for a lazy brunch. Decide which monuments and tourist attractions you most want to visit. For most, like the Empire State Building, you can book tickets in advance. The same with Broadway shows. Another great thing about New York is it’s bustling all year round. You can go in November and December to soak up the Christmas buzz (not to mention the shopping) or in the spring to enjoy the river cruises and rooftop bars.

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Family magic in Florida Another very popular tourist destination in the US is Florida, especially Orlando and the theme parks.

There are several different ways to ‘do’ Disney, and it can be a bit confusing, so it’s worth being as organised as possible. This is where I would suggest always speaking to a personal travel consultant who will be able to pull together all the logistics - flights, car hire, a great choice of villas or hotels, plus all your Park tickets.

For total Disney immersion, stay at one of their resorts. By doing this, you can pre-book restaurants and you can also get early entry to the parks and fast passes to skip the queues. Disney (and Universal) is a magical experience for the whole family and you can always combine it with a few days of ‘down time’ at the beach in Clearwater for example, making Florida the perfect choice for a family getaway.

For music lovers The home of Country and birthplace of rock ‘n roll, you can join a fantastic array of organised tours through America’s heartland. Combine a trip to Nashville with a stop in Memphis and then head down to New Orleans to soak up the jazz music and party vibes.

Be sure to visit the historic music studios that launched the careers of Elvis and Johnny Cash and the home of Country music, the Grand Ole Opry. You could always time your trip so that it fits in with the legendary festival, Mardi Gras in New Orleans or the Beale Street Music Festival in Memphis, and a lot of the tours include fantastic extras like cookery lessons and back-stage tours.

The great outdoors If you’re a wildlife and adventure lover then you’ll be in your element in the USA. America is renowned for its national parks and the wild landscapes of Utah, Arizona and California (to name a few) are seriously impressive!

I was lucky enough on a recent trip to visit both the Grand Canyon and Yosemite National Park and these stunning, imposing, landscapes certainly make you feel both little and lucky! If you enjoy active holidays then you can sign up for rock climbing, cycling and white-water rafting, or if you’re an adventure seeker splash out on a helicopter ride. This is an incredible way to see the sights of the Grand Canyon.

If you’re a winter sports fan, then America has some brilliant ski resorts too. The American Rockies are home to some of the best skiing anywhere. Aspen in Colorado, for example, is a great choice as it caters well for everyone from beginners to pros, plus has a great range of shops and lively après-ski venues.

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

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inside guide

april - may 2020

selected events in your area

WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL

Tuesday 7 April

Poynton Philatelic Society, We welcome our Guest Speaker Dr Barry Evans, who will be displaying his excellent collection of Universal Postal Union stamps and related items. It is a fascinating subject of worldwide postal protocols, down to the colour of the stamps.

Ron Phelps 01625 877643 The North Room, The Centre, Park Lane 7.30pm

Adlington WI Life, Laughter, Love and Survival by Gail Ashton.

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

WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL Poynton Local History Society. ‘The Canal Duke’ presentation by Bernard Dennis. Annual Membership of the society is £12 and guests are always welcome at £3 per visit. Tel: 01625 872068 St Pauls Community Room, Marley Road, Poynton, SK12 1LY 7.30pm

Thursday 2 April 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

Saturday 4 April Marple Choral Society. Brahms Requiem Advance tickets £12 or two for £20, £13 on the door, students £6. To reserve at advance price email: marplechoralsocietytickets@gmail.com Norbury Parish Church, Hazel Grove 7.30pm

Sunday 5 April Plant Hunters’ Fair. Huge choice of quality, nursery-grown plants. At this time of year, there will be a brilliant line-up of nurseries attending who will come laden with flowering bulbs, early flowering perennials, shrubs and trees to provide instant colour and also lots of later flowering plants to get planted for colour into the summer and beyond. Fund Raising Event for special projects at the Hall: £2 Entry to Plant Fair. Details at www.planthuntersfairs.co.uk Bramall Hall, Bramhall Park, off Hall Road, Bramhall, Stockport SK7 3NX. 10am to 4pm

WEDNESDAY 8 APRIL The Art Society North East Cheshire Stitching a casket was one of the ways that middle-class girls In the 17th century prepared for marriage. This lecture by Susan Kay-Williams, Chief Executive of the Royal School of Needlework, will examine some of these wonderful objects including how and when they were made, and the stories they depict. Potential new members welcome. To attend as a visitor (£8) please contact Maggie Schofield on 0161 427 9451 or email info@theartssocietynortheastcheshire.org.uk Brookdale Club, Bramhall 10.30am with coffee from 9.45am

Thursday 9 April Worth Probus. Brian Hallworth will speak to us about ‘Easter Folk’ Please contact Peter Owen on 01625 871574 or peterowen49@btinternet.com for further details.

St George’s Church Hall 2pm

Thursday 9 April The Family History Society of Cheshire, Bramhall Group A round trip with the seed man from Sale by Liz de Mercado. Samuel Ryder, the seed man, led an extraordinary life of success and engagement with his business ventures, community, family and pastimes.

Visitors very welcome, admission £2. For more information email bramhall@fhsc.org.uk United Reformed Church Hall, Bramhall SK7 2PE, 7.30pm

Thursday 9 April Poynton Home Gardeners Club Richard Hewitt, Senior Horticulturist at Chester Zoo will be speaking on The Conservation of Native Species, particularly at the zoo. Visitors welcome at £3. Further information from Elaine on 07742 165373 Royal British Legion Club, Georges Road West, Poynton, SK12 1JY 7.30pm

Tuesday 14 April

Saturday 18 April

East Cheshire Association of the National Trust. Lecture – Elizabeth Raffald – Suze Appleton Brookdale Club, Bridge Lane, Bramhall, Stockport, SK7 3AB 2pm

Bollington Chamber Concerts: The Carducci Quartet Beethoven - Op 18 no 4; Janacek - Kreutzer Sonata; Dvorak - Op 96 in F. ‘American’ Tickets £19 from www.bollingtonartscentre.co.uk/ carducci or 01625 576402 or 574435 Bollington Arts Centre 7.30pm

WEDNESDAY 15 APRIL Poynton Philatelic Society. Guest speaker Mr Norton Wragg will be displaying an unusual subject entitled Switzerland/Nachnahame/Railways. This is ideal for both railway and Switzerland collectors. Norton is an excellent researcher and his displays are always of interest.

Ron Phelps 01625 877643 The North Room, The Centre, Park Lane 7.30pm

Thursday 16 April Poynton Townswomen’s Guild. Liz McConnell speaks about The Funny Side of Pharmacy. Visitors welcome - £2 including coffee and biscuits. Contact: 01625 879087 Poynton Civic Hall 10am to 12noon

Thursday 16 April Wilmslow Guild Natural History Society. Brief AGM followed by Hedgehogs – a talk by Jan Miller from Withington Hedgehog Hospital. Visitors very welcome (£5) Details from Steve Osborne 01625 879087 or www.wilmslowguild.org The Guild, 1 Bourne St, Wilmslow SK9 5HD 7.30pm

FRIDAY 17 APRIL Stockport Historical Society. “Women’s Suffrage and the 1911 census in Ashton” by Alice Lock. 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 17, SATURDAY 18 & SUNDAY 19 APRIL Bramhall Art Society will be holding its 53rd Annual Exhibition. There is an open invitation to come along to view the work of the Society, with original paintings both framed and unframed available for purchase. Entrance is free and there is adjacent free parking. Opening hours are 10am to 6pm on Friday and Saturday and 10am to 5pm on Sunday. Tea, coffee and cakes will be served each day from 10 to 4pm, with all proceeds being donated to Beechwood Cancer Care. For regular updates go to www.Facebook.com/ bramhallartsociety Bramhall Village Club, Lumb Lane, Bramhall, SK7 1LR

Sunday 19 April Poynton Worker Bee Market. Family-friendly market with entertainment as well as local, handmade crafts, homeware, jewellery, fresh produce and international street food. Find hand-picked quality artisan goods right on your doorstep. Workerbeemarkets.wordpress.com Brookside Garden Centre, Macclesfield Rd, SK12 1BY 11am to 3pm

Monday 20 to Saturday 25 April Anything Goes A fabulous nautical musical by Cole Porter, featuring songs such as You’re the Top, It’s De-lovely, I Get a Kick Out of You and the show-stopping title song. Box office 0161 302 2302 Brookdale Theatre, Bridge Lane, Bramhall. Curtain up 7.30pm, Saturday Matinee 2.15pm

Tuesday 21 April Poynton U3A General Meeting Victor Crawford will give a talk on ‘North West Air Ambulance’ Entrance £1 including refreshments. For more information contact enquiries@poyntonu3a.org.uk Poynton Civic Centre, 2pm to 4pm

Wednesday 22 to Saturday 25 April Woodford Players Comedy Play – “The Magnificent Seven” Tickets £10 www.ticketsource.co.uk/woodfordplayers www.woodfordplayers.co.uk Woodford Community Centre, SK7 1PS

Saturday 25 April Poynton Ceilidhs Barber Band, caller Dave Ball. Traditional dancing to live music.

Tickets £9 on the door, cash only, under 16s are half price.

To reserve or purchase tickets in advance visit www.poyntonceilidh.co.uk Poynton Civic Hall 8pm until 11pm, doors open 7.45pm Continued over

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Inside Guide - March-April 2020 (continued)

Tuesday 28 April Macclesfield Group of the Family History Society of Cheshire.

What did he die of? Talk by Sylvia Dillon. Exploring causes of death and where you might find death records.

Admission £2 for members and £3 for non-members including refreshments. macclesfield@fhsc.org.uk.

Salvation Army Hall, Roe Street, Macclesfield, SK11 6XD 7.30pm

Saturday 2 May Cheshire Sinfonia – BEAUTIFUL MUSIC IN BRAMHALL. Mozart: Symphony No. 31 K.297 (Paris). Mozart: Exsultate Jubilate K.165. Mahler: Symphony No. 4 in G major Tickets: £12 (Full), £10 (concessions), £3 (students). Reserved tickets available in advance from 07967 852986 or at the door.

St Michael’s Parish Church, Robins Lane, Bramhall 7.30pm

Saturday 2 May The Great British Dog Walk, a fun-filled dog walk supporting national assistance dog charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. The event raises funds to help the charity train more dogs to alert deaf children and adults to important and lifesaving sounds and help them to leave loneliness behind.

Lyme Park, Disley SK12 2NR

Tuesday 5 May Adlington WI. Resolutions and Birthday Meeting with Cake and Fizz!

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 Karen Jones on 07753 123240 or email karenjonesf@gmail.com Adlington Village Hall, Mill Lane, Adlington SK10 4LF at 1.30pm.to 3.30pm

Keep in touch We’re only a very small team at INSIDE so we rely on you, the reader, to let us know what’s coming up in your area. We can’t guarantee to include everything we’re sent but if it’s local and community-based there’s every chance we will.

WEDNESDAY 6 MAY Poynton Local History Society ‘Vale Royal Abbey: A Failed Enterprise?’ A presentation by Tony Bostock. This is the last meeting before our summer break and will begin with a short AGM. Guests are always welcome to attend our talks at £3 per visit. Tel: 01625 872068 St Pauls Community Room, Marley Road, Poynton, SK12 1LY 7.30pm

Wednesday 6 May Simply Books presents a ‘Meet the Author’ event with the Canadian writer Emily St John Mandel in conversation about her international best-seller Station Eleven and her captivating new novel The Glass Hotel - a story about money, beauty and moral compromise.

Tickets: £8, to book call 0161 439 1436 or book online at www.simplybooks.info Simply Books, Bramhall 7.30pm

WEDNESDAY 6 MAY Poynton Philatelic Society Auction Night. Members are invited to bring along their unwanted items to be sold to the highest bidder. We have had auctions before but never for a whole night, so I hope that as many members will take part in this event.

Ron Phelps 01625 877643 The North Room, The Centre, Park Lane 7.30pm

Thursday 7 May 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

Friday 8 May Halle Chamber Concert Eight cellists from the Halle Orchestra will perform an evening of Latin music, to include pieces by Villa-Lobos, Lindemann and Sollima. Tickets £11 and £9 (concession).

Under 18s free. Available from Church Office (0161 439 1204), Thrift Shop, Simply Books (228 Moss Lane) and at the door. Refreshments included.

Bramhall Methodist Church 7.30pm

Email: info@insidemagazines.co.uk 50

Continued over

Inside Guide - March-April 2020 (continued)

Friday 8 May The Anson Engine Museum is joining the international celebration of peace commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Victory in Europe. At 3pm Winston Churchill’s speech will be played, the “Battles Over” will be piped and the WW2 Heroes will be toasted.

On Sunday 10th May at 10.30am the Last Post will be played. On both days there will be 1940 films showing in the museum’s cosy little cinema, there will be a WW2 display, particularly remembering the 35 Poynton folk who lost their lives, there will be WW2 songs played over the tannoy system and the colliery bell will be rung celebrating the peace and in memory of all WW2 Heroes.

Anson Engine Museum, Poynton

Sunday 10 May

Thursday 14 May Poynton Home Gardeners Club Jane Allison from Mayfield Nursery will be giving us an invite into their business with title ‘It’s a Family Affair’.

Further information from Elaine on 07742 165373 and visitors welcome at £3 Royal British Legion Club, Georges Road West, Poynton, SK12 1JY 7.30pm

Thursday 14 May Family History Society of Cheshire, Bramhall Group What I learned from Great Uncle John by Hazel Rugman A talk about the Reformatory System in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Visitors very welcome, admission £2 For more information email bramhall@fhsc.org.uk United Reformed Church Hall, Bramhall SK7 2PE, 7.30pm

The Anson Engine Museum – see above.

FRIDAY 15 MAY

Sunday 10 May

WEDNESDAY 13 MAY

Stockport Historical Society “A Short History of Stockport Sunday School”

By Judith Higgins.

(Followed by the AGM) 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

Arts Society North Cheshire John Francis talks about the 1930s where, against a backdrop of the Wall Street crash and a questioning of the success of the American dream, the WPA (Works Progress Administration) and the New Deal was created. The government initiatives meant employment for over eight million largely unskilled Americans and importantly 5,300 artists. Murals, painting, photography, graphic design all flourished. In this lecture we will explore some of the key artists at this time. Potential new members are welcome.

To attend as a visitor (£8) please contact Maggie Schofield on 0161 427 9451 or email info@theartssocietynortheastcheshire.org.uk.

Brookdale Club, Bramhall 10.30am, coffee from 9.45am

Stockport Symphony Orchestra Elgar: In the South Bridge: The Sea Vaughan Williams: Symphony no 2 “London” Conductors Robin Wallington and Omer Shteinhart For more information visit 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

Plant Hunters’ Fair. Half price entry to the Gardens & Plant Fair £3 (children under 15 Free) Details at www.planthuntersfairs.co.uk Adlington Hall, Mill Lane, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK10 4LF 10am to 4pm

Thursday 14 May Worth Probus. Gerry Davey will speak to us on ‘A Wartime Childhood in North Wales’. Please contact Peter Owen on 01625 871574 or peterowen49@btinternet.com for further details.

St George’s Church Hall 2pm

Stand out from the crowd with our paid INSIDE Guide listings.

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

Saturday 16 May

SATURDAY 16 MAY The Barnby Choir Summer Concert Mozart, Regina Coeli, Haydn, St Nicholas Mass Fauré, Requiem Advance booking advised or tickets at the door, £12, £10 concessions, £5 student. Phone 01625 520193 www.thebarnbychoir.co.uk United Reformed Church, Chapel Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 1PR 7.30pm

Thursday 18 May Poynton Townswomen’s Guild Heather Slater will talk to us about Living with the Saudi Royal Family Visitors are welcome - £2 including coffee and biscuits Contact: 01625 879087 Poynton Civic Hall 10am to 12noon

Tuesday 19 May Poynton U3A General Meeting John Taylor, BSc Herbal Medicine will give a talk on ‘Herbs for Health’ Entrance £1 including refreshments. For more information Contact enquiries@poyntonu3a.org.uk Poynton Civic Centre, 2pm to 4pm

WEDNESDAY 20 MAY Poynton Philatelic Society This evening is our Annual AGM, current officers will be either standing for re-election or offering posts to other members. An open discussion will take place to see if members have any requests for the forthcoming season. This will be followed by the presentation of the ‘Dyson Cup’.

Ron Phelps 01625 877643 The North Room, ‘The Centre’, Park Lane 7.30pm

Saturday 23 May Cheshire Sinfonia and Chorale BEAUTIFUL MUSIC IN BRAMHALL. Haydn: The Creation Tickets: £12 (Full), £10 (concessions), £3 (students), Reserved tickets available in advance from 01969 667033 or at the door.

St Michael’s Parish Church, Robins Lane, Bramhall 7.30pm

Tuesday 26 May Macclesfield Group of the Family History Society of Cheshire. Women of Macclesfield - short talks. Some you may have heard of and others may be new to you.

Open to the public, and admission is £2 for members and £3 for non-members including refreshments. For more details please contact macclesfield@fhsc.org.uk Salvation Army Hall, Roe Street, Macclesfield, SK11 6XD 7.30pm

Thursday 28 May Worth Probus Club. David Poppett will speak to us on ‘History of Christie Hospital’. Please contact Peter Owen on 01625 871574 or peterowen49@btinternet.com for further details.

St George’s Hall, 2pm

Children’s Activities

Things to do with pre-school kids

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

Kickstarters – Age 2-3 9.30-10.15am Age 3-4 10.30-11.15am A universe of pre-school football. Join the miniature recruits, enter the goaliverse, and earn the super power stickers.

Magical Babyballet classes for ‘Tiny dancers’ Tots 6-18mths, Tinies 18mths - 3 years, Movers 3-5 years

Civic Hall, off Park Lane, Poynton, SK12 1RB. Register on first day of attendance, all sessions pay as you go £6 Website: www.8-by8.co.uk Contact: 07853 273578

Classes everyday except Sunday Book in online at https://babyballet.co.uk/babyballet-school/ bramhall-poynton-disley-hazel-grove/ or contact Miss Betty bramhall@babyballet.co.uk We offer a 3 week trial for £15 Would be lovely if you could join us

tuesday Rhyme Time 10-11am Term time only, open to all preschool aged children and babies Pay per week. Please call 01625 87115, email pmcpreschool@ hotmail.co.uk Poynton Methodist Church Room 3, off Park Lane, opposite Poynton Civic Hall, next to Waitrose.

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

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

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

Methodist Who Let The Dads Out? 9.30-11am 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.

Rhymetime 2-2.30pm Poynton Library. No booking and no charge.

All babies/pre-schoolers welcome with parents/carers

Contact church office 871592.

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

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

Who Let the Dads Out? 9.30-11am 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 A universe of pre-school football. Join the miniature recruits, enter the goaliverse, and earn the super power stickers.

Poynton Sports Club, London Road, Poynton. Register on first day of attendance, all sessions pay as you go £6 Website: www.8-by-8.co.uk Contact: 07853 273578

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

55

56

quick crossword Across 1 Disguise, conceal (4) 3 Bewilder, stupefy (8) 8 Article of clothing (7) 9 Impression (5) 10 Board game (5) 11 Document, log (6) 13 Direction of this clue! (6) 15 Overpass (6) 18 Type of reptile (6) 20 Thick, impenetrable (5) 23 Nimble, lithe (5) 24 Scrutinise (7) 25 Won back (8) 26 Certificate, lease (4)

Down 1 Prestidigitator (8) 2 Tennis term (5) 4 Sixth planet from the sun (6) 5 Neglect, disregard (7) 6 Take to heart (4) 7 Population tally (6) 9 Membranous pouch (3) 12 Thwarted (8) 14 Pouring (7) 16 Peppery salad vegetable (6) 17 Laud, revere (6) 19 Imitate, caricature (3) 21 Sibling’s daughter (5) 22 Bazaar, carnival (4)

Solutions on page 59

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.

57

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puzzle solutions

Don’t forget! Secure your space Copy deadline for the next issue is Friday 8 May Tel: 01625 879611 email: info@insidemagazines.co.uk

59

useful numbers Churches

Local Government

Lostock Christian Fellowship

01625 260341

MP’s Constituency Office

01625 422848

Poynton Baptist Church

01625 859036

E. Cheshire Council Info Services

0300 123 5500

Poynton Christian Fellowship

01625 859170

Poynton Town Council

01625 872238

St Paul’s RC Church

01625 872606

Poynton Methodist Church

01625 871592

Poynton Parish Church

01625 879277

(St Georges with St Martin’s)

Pharmacists Well Pharmacy

01625 872214

L Rowland & Co

01625 873955

Police Station

Dentists Poynton Dental Surgery

01625 850828

Wish Dental Practice

01625 874667

Chester Rd Dental Care

01625 876900

Mydentist

01625 875 074

Doctors

(non-emergency)

101

Post Offices Poynton Post Office

01625 850262

Schools Lostock Hall Primary School

01625 383838

Priorslegh Medical Centre

01625 872299

Lower Park Primary School

01625 872560

McIlvride Medical Practice

01625 872134

St Paul’s RC Primary School

01625 877688

Poynton Clinic

01625 875618

Vernon Primary School

01625 872556

Worth Primary School

01625 875900

Poynton High School

01625 871811

Helplines Alcoholics Anonymous

0800 9177650

Al-Anon

02074 030888

Childline Crimestoppers RSPCA Samaritans Citizens Advice Bureau Directory Enquiries You & Yours Counselling

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

Hospitals

Transport Open Hands Transport

01625 878589

Traveline Bus & Train Information

0871 2002233

National Rail Enquiries

0345 748 4950

Manchester Airport

0808 169 7030

Utilities Electricity – Power Loss Gas – Emergency

105 0800 111 999

Water Floods

0345 672 3723

Macclesfield District General Hospital

01625 421000

Water Leaks

0800 330 033

Stepping Hill Hospital

0161 483 1010

Environment Agency Floodline

NHS Non-Emergency

111

Leisure Centre Poynton

01625 876442

Library Poynton Library

01625 374818

0345 988 1188

Keep in touch We’re only a very small team at INSIDE so we rely on you, the reader, to let us know what’s coming up in your area. We can’t guarantee to include everything we’re sent but if it’s local and community-based there’s every chance we will.

Email: info@insidemagazines.co.uk 61

classified index ACCOUNTANTS

Lloyd Piggott Chartered Accountants 22 Nolan James Chartered Accountants 17

BATHROOMS

Hazel Grove Bathroom Centre

BOOKSHOPS Simply Books

BUILDING SERVICES Creative Design & Build JS Services Whitehall Builders

CARE HOMES & SERVICES Alice Chilton

CARPETS & FLOORING The Wooden Floor Store

38 14 40 6 58 25

Safeclean 46 Kids Zone

CHIROPODISTS The Foot Clinic

CHIROPRACTORS The Back Clinic

CLEANING SERVICES Alice Chilton Cleaning

CLUBS & ENTERTAINMENT The Club

COMPUTER & INTERNET Mike Knibb SR Computers

DECORATORS Dean Wilson Philip Unsworth

DOG GROOMING Blue Finn

Castle Cleaning Will’s Driveway Cleaning

ELECTRICIANS

SCZ Electrical Services

FINANCIAL ADVISORS Stratagem Wealth

FIRES

Brilliant Fires

54

9 5

Adlington Retirement Living

GARAGE DOORS

GARDEN LANDSCAPING & MAINTENANCE

Dreamscape Gardens 28 NRG Garden Services 29 Robinsons Garden Maintenance 51 Carl Howard

42

HEARING SERVICES

Cheshire Hearing Centres 12

HOME IMPROVEMENT & PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

Access4Lofts 18 Cheshire Heat David Hanson Local Plumbing

Adlington Memorial Park

Inside Front Cover Brian Sharples & Son

Inside Back Cover

HAIR & BEAUTY

LOFT LADDERS & IMPROVEMENTS

PLUMBING & HEATING 42

FUNERAL SERVICES

12 34

ROOFING

Poynton Roofing

SECURITY

Crimeguard Security

STAIRCASE RENOVATIONS The Stair Shop

TAXIS

ASAPP Cars

TREE SERVICES

Harness Tree Care Swift Tree & Arboricultural Services

L&L UPVC Window and Kitchen Sprayers 19 Matt Finish 53 Prescott & Joule 41 Transform Your Kitchen 13

WINDOWS & CONSERVATORIES

LIGHTING

WINDOW & CONSERVATORY REPAIRS

29

LIT

LETTING AGENT

Please recycle

45 10

51

26 14

Lucy Allen Personal Travel Consultant 44

59 42 59 51

58

TRAVEL

Trevor Garner

KITCHENS

30

Keoghs Nicholls Lindsell & Harris 22 Manners Pimblett Back Cover

21

51

42 51 59

SOLICITORS / LEGAL SERVICES

Trevor Garner

JOINERY

51

RETIREMENT PROPERTY

29

Your Home From Home

62

14 39

Garolla 54 25

CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING CHILDCARE

DRIVEWAY & PATIO CLEANING

45 29

UPVC SPRAYING

L&L UPVC Window and Kitchen Sprayers 19

Pate & Lever Windows

WILLS

Harratts Legal Services

39 17

Cloudy2Clear 46 The Window Repair Centre 60

When you ‘ve finished with this magazine please recycle it