wilmslow.co.uk News

Wilmslow High School lift the Community Cup

2010-03-10T17:08:48+00:00

A five-a-side tournament hosted by Wilmslow Leisure Centre designed as a one-off event to engage with local teenagers has proved such a success that it has become an annual event. The Wilmslow Community Cup was sponsored by O2 Wilmslow, Cheshire Police and Premier Football Coaching. The sponsorship enabled the event to take place but needed the hard work and time offered by the organisers. The refereeing and organisation of the games was handled by volunteer members of Cheshire Police and Premier Football Coaching. Trophy and medal presentations were made by retired Swiss International Johann Vogel, who lives locally. There were a team of police officers from Wilmslow Neighbourhood Policing Team and also one from the Cheshire Fire Service, who took on five other teams of children from the different local areas. The final was a hard fought match between Wilmslow High Year 11's and Lacey Green, with full commitment from both sides. The final score was 10-3 to Wilmslow High School and Johann Vogel presented an award of an O2 Pay & Go mobile phone to the player of the tournament. Cheshire Police PCSO Suzi Williams said: "The aim of the competition was to get local kids to engage with the police and fire service, and football is a good way to do this. We also hope this will boost the self esteem and confidence of the young people and promote community integration." "We would like to thank Johann for giving up his free time and Jon Parker from O2 Wilmslow for donating £600 towards the cost of the event, Russ Burling at Premier Football Coaching for the excellent match organising and Wilmslow Police & Fire Brigade for all their hard work." The T-shirts were designed by a local graphic designer Ant Lewis Dowell and as part of the promotion of its new teen website 'Upbeat', the Constabulary provided funding for the tournament and t-shirts for the young people taking part. www.upbeat.uk.com, is aimed at 13-17 year olds and uses a variety of interactive videos, sound bites and online magazines as a way of conveying information and advice to the young people of Cheshire.    The site covers a variety of issues facing young people today from bullying, anti-social behaviour and drugs to personal and internet safety in a way that young people will find interesting and easy to read.    Photos: Top - Tournament Winners - Wilmslow High School Year 11’s. Middle - Tournament finalists and organisers.

Spruce up for public toilets

2010-03-10T15:10:10+00:00

Cheshire East Council is to spruce up a free public toilet in Wilmslow, by increasing its cleaning to twice a day. And, in a move to get better value for money, an underused pay-to-use public toilet nearby will close, saving council tax payers more than £17,000. Council-run free public toilets at Sainsbury’s car park, off South Drive, will get extra cleaning at no extra cost to taxpayers. The facility has a unisex disabled cubicle, four ladies' cubicles and a separate gents' with urinals and three cubicles. The pay-to-use unisex Automated Public Convenience (APC), in nearby Bank Square, Wilmslow, will close at the end of March. The single-cubicle "Tardis-style" APC toilet, which costs 20p to use, has been provided on contract by JC Decaux at a cost of £17,100 a year to Cheshire East council tax payers. However, an audit found that the facility, which has disabled access, was "significantly underused". Between August 2008 and July 2009, only 2,070 people used the toilet – at an average cost to taxpayers of £8.26 per visit. Councillor Rod Menlove, Cabinet member with responsibility for environmental services, said: "Cheshire East Council is determined to give value for money to council tax payers while maintaining quality services for the community. "Closing the underused automated toilet facility will save the local authority many thousands of pounds that can be spent more effectively on other council services for the public." Gareth Edwards, the council’s streetscape and bereavement services manager, said the extra cleaning of the South Drive toilets would not cost taxpayers more as the work will be done by current staff. He added: "The use of the APC facility was very light. The closure decision was made on the grounds of efficiency and value for money for the taxpayer." The contract for the APC toilet was established by the former Macclesfield Borough Council. This authority was replaced by the creation of the unitary Cheshire East Council last April.

An intriguing puzzler

2010-03-10T09:20:56+00:00

Wilmslow Guild Players’ next production is the intriguing puzzler "Take Away The Lady" which focuses on Matthew who, returning home from prison after serving fifteen years on the charge of having murdered his mother, finds his three sisters, his wife and his father waiting for him. Still protesting his innocence, his arrival prompts the question of who did kill Mother - scornful Celia, dotty Emma, cold Lavinia, flighty Gilda or even gentle Father? Accusations and hypotheses abound, but it takes an apparent suicide, and a good deal of amateur sleuthing, before the truth is revealed and the lady can be taken away. The play is written by Jimmie Chinn and is being directed by Grace Reed, a long standing member of the Guild Players and experienced director. "I chose to direct the play because I felt it was a bit different to the usual Who Dunnit, in that you have to work through the family to get to the solution” said Grace. "The final solution is only reached after tension in the family." "The way the play is written gave me the idea to present it in a different period to that suggested by the playwright," continued Grace. "I like to design my own sets and costumes for a play that I am directing to enable me to have control over the whole production." Grace is working with Marion Dean as assistant Director. "We are on the same wave length," she said, "and she has not only helped in the directing of the play but she has designed the artwork of the set and we have worked on the costumes together." The play runs from 24th to 27th March at Wilmslow Guild on Bourne Street. Tickets cost £5 and can be booked via online, by email or by calling 01625 520126. Photo caption: Emma, played by Caroline Lucas, considers the cards in Take Away The Lady.

Harmonising car parking charges

2010-03-09T17:11:34+00:00

In April 2009 Cheshire East Council took on the responsibility for car parking control across the whole of the borough. Prior to this there were 3 different car parking control policies in place, with considerable differences across the area of Cheshire East. With both businesses and shoppers having criticised these considerably different tariffs the council today confirmed a new strategy is in place to address this, but it will take some time to achieve commonality of control. The first stage of the strategy was to bring appropriate controls in Congleton which has now been achieved for both on and off street parking. Also, the anomaly of Sunday charging in Crewe and Nantwich has now been addressed. A Cheshire East spokesperson said "We are very aware that there are still differences across Cheshire East and we now wish to draw up a fair rationale for charging across all CEC pay and display car parks. In doing this we do have to recognise that there will be an impact on the budget. "No representations were received during the extensive budget consultation with regard to a common charging policy. The budget for 10/11 has now been set, and cannot now be changed. "In order to determine the rationale to bring fair and consistent charges across the area once and for all, a thorough exercise must be undertaken to establish what these charges should be. "It is the intention of Cheshire East Cabinet that any revised charges will be discussed and consulted on as part of the budget setting process for 2011/2012 and we do not envisage any increase. "In forming the new Council and bringing together 4 different policies for all services across the area, many differences and anomalies have been identified other than that of parking control. This council is committed to addressing all of these as soon as possible but clearly they cannot all be tackled at once."

Talented footballers required

2010-03-09T14:11:53+00:00

Wilmslow Town is looking for talented local players at all ages from Under 9’s upwards for the 2010/2011 season. Any players interested in representing a team where the emphasis is on competitive enjoyment and being part of a well-organised club should attend. Wilmslow Town Football Club, working in conjunction with Wilmslow Football Academy, is being established as one of the premier junior football clubs in the Wilmslow area. Wilmslow Town FC runs Under 18s, Under 15s, Under 14s, Under 13s, Under 12s, Under 11s, Under 10s and Under 9s teams, as well as a veterans team. Our junior sides play in the Timperley & District Junior Football League and the Stockport Metro League, and we are represented by our seniors in the Cheshire Veterans Football League . Younger players may be interested in joining the Wilmslow Football Academy (WFA). Since its launch in 2001, WFA has grown into one of the most popular coaching organisations in the area with it's main centre at Ashdene Primary School, Thoresway Road, Wilmslow held every Saturday morning from 10am until 12 noon. To sign-up for the trials, which are scheduled to take place over the weekend of 22nd/23rd May, visit the club website and complete the online registration form.

Wilmslow Prep sings along for National Sing Up Day

2010-03-09T05:09:40+00:00

The girls at Wilmslow Prep School recently participated in National Sing Up Day, part of the national "Singup" campaign, which was created to encourage children to sing at school. To celebrate the day Wilmslow Prep pupils undertook to raise money for a School Centenary Hymn Book by holding their own "Singathon". During the event, for which the girls had obtained sponsorship, pupils sang for up to 30 minutes and through their vocal efforts raised a total of £1,300. Wilmslow Prep has a strong musical tradition, with instrumental lessons and the school choir embedded firmly in the School’s everyday life. Commenting on the event, the School’s director of music, Janet Neilson, said: "Sing Up want to place singing at the heart of every school child's life because they believe singing can change lives and build stronger communities – a sentiment we certainly agree with at Wilmslow Prep!" The WPS Centenary Hymn Book will contain a selection of 100 favourite hymns for all the year and will hopefully be enjoyed for years to come.

Too many high street drinking sheds in Wilmslow?

2010-03-08T05:12:47+00:00

Small things can often have a big impact on the desirability of living in an area. Start up a few trendy restaurants and bars and a place can take off. It’s surprising more estate agents haven’t invested in such opportunities. But you need a good balance to make it really work for the whole community. Looking at the type of leisure entertainment places given planning permission in Wilmslow in recent years, we have seen a succession of what could be described as ‘corporate-cloned drinking sheds’ aimed primarily at young people, arrive in the centre. These tend to be large, noisy places where swilling down as many cut price drink promotions as possible is encouraged, to a background of giant sports TV screens. These giant screens actually guzzle up energy compared with smaller sets, yet they are being installed in large numbers. Big leisure companies who drive these developments have a lot of clout, but councils need to think about encouraging more of a balance. At the moment, in Wilmslow the only ‘choice’ is between corporate drinking sheds or restaurants, for eating only. We should be encouraging more interesting and intimate alternatives, like the time when several years ago the ‘Nose’ wine bar-restaurant on Water Lane was open. This later changed hands to become another Italian restaurant. The appeal of such places can add life and quality to a town. It is not just about shopping. From what I have read of the takeover of the No 15 wine bar and the Red Piano project in Alderley Edge, it looks like part of the same corporate licensing malaise council's so easily sign up to, that is unbalancing variety in our high street dining and drinking choices. No.15 was an institution and a unique venue. Too quiet for some, but very stylish in a calm, cosy way, with lovely antique fittings. If the new bar is anything like the Gusto restaurant the new owners also run in Alderley village, we can look forward to ear-splitting, dumb music, that diners and drinkers alike strain to talk over, no doubt with a few sport tv screens on the walls to add to the froth. Under the old Est Est Est brand, at least you could enjoy a civilised conversation in a stylish venue. It is time the Council thought harder about the type of 'clone style' venues it waves through licensing hearings and the effect of 'diminished choice' in social evenings this is actually leading to. With more venues we are actually getting less real choice. Many residents will remember the relaxed and stylish Nose Wine Bar and restaurant on Water lane that closed some years ago, only to be taken over by yet another pizza/pasta restaurant. As with my previous articles, the concerns raised are a personal perspective, not necessarily the official policy of the Wilmslow Trust, for which I am vice-chair. But we hope it will get more people thinking about genuine sustainability policies at a local level. If you would like to comment on these and other local environmental issues, do get in touch via the comment box below or via the Wilmslow Trust website. If you are interested in exploring other challenging environmental issues see my previous articles looking at the issues of: Struggling to deal with household waste Growth of “A” board pavement advertising Road traffic calming measures Too much speculative office development Street lighting

Rise to the challenge for Sport Relief 2010

2010-03-06T19:40:18+00:00

Sport Relief is back, and as one of the UK’s biggest fundraising events, it brings the entire nation together to get active, raise cash and change lives. The Sport Relief Weekend takes place from Friday 19th March to Sunday 21st March 2010. Since its launch in 2002, millions of people have taken part, helping to raise over £80 million. Sport Relief has a unique history of dedicated people doing extraordinary things to rise to the challenge, from David Walliams' astonishing swim across the English Channel, to Eddie Izzard's truly amazing marathon a day around the UK to Helen Skelton's six week paddle down the the River Amazon this year - breaking two world records on the way. And that’s not to mention the thousands of people who rise to the challenge by doing the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile to raise cash and help make the world of difference. All the money raised by the public is spent by Comic Relief to help transform the lives of poor and vulnerable people, both at home and across the world’s poorest countries. Sport Relief 2010 are highlighting the following three issues, which money raised will help to tackle - children who live on the streets or work in dangerous conditions, people affected by malaria and local UK projects. The Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile 2010 is a national event that will take place on Sunday, March 21, with our local sponsored run being held at Macclesfield Leisure Centre. Individuals, friends, families and companies are being urged to sign up and start training now for the big day. Those taking part can choose from a one, three or six-mile sponsored run. That means, there’s something for everyone on the big day from teeny-tots with their mums and dads, to super sprinters up against the clock. There will also be family activities for spectators to enjoy. Cheshire East Council is calling on people of all ages to get in shape for the annual charity run which will see a Cheshire East councillor donning his tracksuit and running shoes to help get the keep fit message across and of course raise money for a good cause. Councillor Andrew Knowles, Cabinet member with responsibility for health and wellbeing, who is getting in training to take part in the Sport Relief run in Macclesfield, said: "It’s all about getting more people to take regular exercise and having fun for a really worthwhile cause. "It’s for everyone. You don’t have to join an expensive gym, you don’t have to swim 30 miles – as long as you do a little bit, it’s possible to do this Sport Relief run and help change lives, including your own. Just walking more is fantastic for health." To sign up for the event log on to Sport Relief website, or, if you would like to get involved and help out, call Keith Rogers on 01625 504512. Steve Morris, store manager at Sainsbury’s on Alderley Road told me they have a number of events planned in Wilmslow for Sport Relief so we will be bringing you further details shortly. In the meantime Sainsbury's have helped to develop a range of must-have items for Sport Relief 2010 - including socks, wristband, waterbottle, bouncy ball and phone sock, which are now available in store. Photograph: Cheshire East Council sports development officer Andy Molyneux, Councillor Andrew Knowles, Macclesfield Leisure Centre manager Paul Carrington, Sainsbury’s Representative Sarah Holt and Cheshire East Council sports development officer Keith Rogers.

Review of local government to cost �15,000

2010-03-05T21:53:30+00:00

The Wilmslow Community Governance Review Sub-Committee have met to discuss the future of local government, as a result of the three separate petitions received in respect of community governance reviews for the Handforth, Wilmslow and Styal area. The first was received by the Council on September 21st 2009 calling for a Handforth Community Council. This was shortly followed on October 14th 2009 by a petition recommending that a Wilmslow and Handforth Town Council be established. The third petition was received by the Council on 14th January 2010 calling for the formation of a Styal Parish Council. The petitions were validated as having been signed by at least 10% of the electorate and on the recommendation of the Committee it has been agreed that the Community Governance Review will be extended to cover the whole of the unparished area of Wilmslow (i.e. the former Electoral Wards of Dean Row, Fulshaw, Handforth, Hough, Lacey Green, and Morley and Styal). Since February 2008 the power to take decisions about matters such as the creation of parishes and their electoral arrangements has been devolved from the Secretary of State and the Electoral Commission to principal Councils such as Cheshire East. In conducting this Review, the Council must assess the petitions and the proposals that they contain in terms of the following criteria and the key considerations: Community governance in the areas must be Reflective of the identities and interests of the community in that area Effective and convenient Key considerations The impact of community governance arrangements on community cohesion The size, population and boundaries of a local community or parish Parishes should reflect distinctive and recognisable communities of interest with their own sense of identity The degree to which the proposals offer a sense of place and identity for all residents The ability of the proposed authority to deliver quality services economically and efficiently providing users with a democratic voice The degree to which a parish council would be viable in terms of a unit of local government providing at least some local services that are convenient, easy to reach and accessible to local people The key element of the Review will be the consultation process. An initial list of consultees has been identified which includes: local political parties, associations of parish councils, Cheshire East Borough Councillors, petition organisers, the Primary Care Trust, NHS, local schools and various community groups and organisations. The Sub-Committee agreed that the initial stage of the consultation would comprise of three public meetings at the end of April, the meetings are to be held at 7.00 pm at venues in Wilmslow, Handforth and Styal respectively. An explanatory leaflet will also be produced, inviting a written response and a postal ballot of all electors in the area of the Review. Whilst the Review must take in to account the views of local people, it could make a recommendation which is different from that which the petitioners sought. For example it could conclude that the proposals were not in the interests of the wider local community or could impact negatively on community cohesion. Additional funding of £15,000 is to be requested to cover the cost of conducting the Community Governance Review. The next meeting of the Sub-Committee will be held on Tuesday, 23rd March with the Review to be completed by 20th September 2010, i.e. within twelve months of receipt of the first petition from the residents of Handforth.

Not famous or rich, just jobless

2010-03-04T19:20:47+00:00

Wilmslow resident Mark Shields, a very happily married man, has always provided for his family so when redundancy resulted in the loss of his £35,000 job, along with the car, pension, healthcare, laptop and phone it hit him very hard. Mark set himself a target of twelve weeks to get back into work, which he felt was possible. He then set himself a goal of six months, unfortunately he has just passed the twelve month stage. In December Mark took part in the filming of a documentary Famous, Rich and Jobless for the BBC which explores joblessness in Britain today and will be shown in two parts next week. The documentary follows the emotional journey of four celebrities for whom unemployment becomes a chilling reality. Actor Larry Lamb, from Gavin & Stacey and Eastenders, model turned mechanic Emma Parker Bowles, interior designer Meg Matthews and television gardener Diarmiud Gavin put unemployment in the spotlight by agreeing to swap their fame and fortune for a world of joblessness, job-hunting and surviving on the poverty line. With everything they value stripped away, some old clothes and just under £10 a day to live on, they spend eight days discovering what it’s really like to be jobless in the UK today. They are guided and assisted by Emma Harrison, founder of A4e, the largest employment agency in the world, and Craig Last, a former youth worker for the charity Centrepoint, who’s helped many homeless young people find jobs. The second part of the documentary sees the four celebrities continue to learn about the realities of unemployment as they move in with an unemployed buddy and try to encourage their new friends to go out and find work. Mark is joined by Larry Lamb who turns relationship counsellor and recruitment advisor, in an attempt to help get Mark out of his depression and back into employment. Mark said "You lose everything. I have a weekly budget, which we just cannot go over. All treats for my son have gone, how do you explain that to an 8 year old? "Before I knew where I was, I am in a life of benefits, a really viscious circle, and hard to take when I have so much pride. I saw an advert for the BBC regarding the filming of a programme about unemployment, and the issues which go along with it. We never knew there was a celebrity involved until 4 weeks before." The second part of Famous Rich and Jobless was filmed in December, over four days. Mark explained "We were in total shock when Larry Lamb knocked on the door, but he very soon became part of the family. Over the 4 days he also became a really good friend, and was a true father figure. "It was just so nice to have someone put their arm around me and say you’re doing well son. He spent time with my son Jack and treated me and my wife Maria to a take away. Larry has been fantastic, he gave me his number and said to call him if I feel down at any time or he can help. He also calls us on a regular basis, a truly fantastic man." Looking back at this experience Mark said; "I feel that as a family we have gained a more positive attitude, being involved in the documentary has picked us up when we needed it. It also gave me the piece of mind that I am not a scrounger and I am trying hard and one day I will get my job with the added benefits again. I only hope the programme gets enough publicity to further push my mission because all I want is a job and to get my life back." The first part of Famous, Rich and Jobless can be seen on Tuesday March 9th, BBC1 at 9pm with the second installment, featuring Mark Shields on the following evening, again at 9pm. We will be catching up with Mark after the show has been televised to hear his thoughts on the programme and how he feels those involved have helped him in his struggle to find a new job. Mark has attached his CV, just incase any one can help. Do let us know your thoughts on Famous, Rich and Jobless via the comment box below. I know Mark would love to hear them. Photos: Top: Emily Lawson, Martin Shields, Larry Lamb, Dominic Longmuir and Maria Shields. Middle: Larry Lamb, Diarmiud Gavin, Meg Matthews and Emma Parker Bowles.