Inside Bramhall April-May Issue 74

inside april - may 2019

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Issue 74

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In my Feb-March ramblings I was musing about how I like to stay positive and anticipate what’s ahead rather than wallowing in the January blues. Now, as if by magic, here we are in late March and it’s a beautiful Spring day! Blue sky, a bit of warmth from the sun and people smiling as they walk around, instead of scurrying along, heads bowed against the wind and rain. It’s so refreshing, even as an early-bird, to wake up in daylight.

This is a lovely time of year to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. There’s always a new walk to try in every issue of INSIDE, and often a suggestion for a day out or two, as well as all the events listed in the INSIDE Guide. Also, remember we’re always on the lookout for good local photos for the cover, so if anything catches your eye when you’re strolling around, snap it on your phone and send it in.

With Spring in the air, you might feel moved to get a few jobs done around the house and garden. Where better to look for someone to help with your project than in your local magazine?

Happy reading.

What’s INSIDE this month 4 simply books book club choice 7 Duck Race 8 Anson Engine Museum

11 DIscover Victoria Baths 15 In Touch 20 Recipe 24 Diary of a Geeky Knitter 27 fabulous phlox 36 28 NGS Springtime Openings 31 The Ivy comes to manchester 34 travel - greece & croatia 36 The Walk 39 the house that George Best built 43 Dogfest 44 Puzzles 20 48 Declutter your life 51 Bollington Festival

55 Children’s Activities 56 Just 4 Kids

59 INSIDE Guide 66 Puzzle Solutions

69 Useful Numbers 70 Classified Index

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Editor: Claire Hawker

Tel: 01625 879611

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Inside Magazines, 352a Park Lane, Poynton, Cheshire SK12 1RL. email: info@insidemagazines.co.uk www.insidemagazines.co.uk Ducks in a Row by Michael Lacey.

Copy deadline for the next issue: Wednesday 8 May

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Inside Bramhall is produced by Inside Magazines Ltd. We cannot be held responsible for views expressed by contributors or any advert content, including errors or omissions, or endorse companies, products or services that appear in this magazine. We endeavour to ensure that all local information given in this magazine is accurate, but we cannot always guarantee this. © Copyright Inside Magazines Ltd 2019. Material from this magazine may not be reproduced without prior written permission from Inside Magazines Ltd.

Design and artwork by Spring Creative | www.spring-creative.co.uk | 01925 714203

simply books book club choice Julian Barnes’ new novel The Only Story opens with a question:

Would you rather love the more, and suffer the more; or love the less and suffer the less?

And in many ways the tale that follows is an exploration and reflection on this central proposition. In characteristically spare and elegant prose, Barnes narrates the story of a love affair between Paul and (the much older) Susan – starting in the 1960’s and spanning a period of 30 or more years. First love has lifelong consequences, but Paul doesn’t understand or foresee any of that at nineteen. At nineteen, he’s proud of the fact that his relationship flies in the face of social convention.

But as the years pass, the demands that love places on Paul becomes far greater and more complex than he could possibly have anticipated. This is a sad and often beautiful tale – sharply observed and carefully crafted in Julian Barnes’ customary style, and with a fascination with the ‘slipperiness’ of memory that carries echoes of his Booker Prize-winning The Sense of An Ending. Such a pleasure to read!

My other choice - The Melody by Jim Crace - is by another consummate stylist. Alfred Busi, famed in his town for his music and songs, is mourning the recent death of his wife and quietly living out his days in the villa he has always called home. Then, one night, Busi is attacked by a creature he disturbs as it raids the contents of his larder.

Busi is convinced that what assaulted him was no animal but a child - and this belief soon fans the flames of an old rumour about an ancient race of people living outside the town, and a new controversy sparked by hostility to the town’s paupers. The people have had enough – it’s time these feral wastrels were dealt with…

The Melody has the feel of a fable for our times. Unsettling – and at times quite otherworldly – this is a poignant and subtle story about human nature and will stay with you long after you turn the final page.

And for the children…with Easter in mind Hop Little Bunnies by Martha Mumford and illustrated by Laura Hughes is a delightful lift the flap picture book based on the popular nursey rhyme Sleeping Bunnies. A perfect Easter gift… and much longer lasting than chocolate!

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

Duck Race and Family Fun Day

Where does the time go? I can’t believe it’s nearly a year since the last fabulously sunny fun day in Bramhall Park.

On Sunday 19 May, Bramhall And Woodford Rotary Club is once again organising this event and everyone’s keeping their fingers crossed for a repeat of the weather!

Last year, hundreds of families turned up on the day many of whom used the increasingly popular DUCK BUS Park & Ride service. This year we will have three (yes, three!) free buses running throughout the day between Bramhall Village (Pizza Express) and the Park plus Hazel Grove High School via Stockport Rugby Club. A new route will run from Church Road, Cheadle Hulme with parking available at the two local schools.

This year will be bigger and better than ever. Entry is still free but please enter a duck in a race for just a pound.

The Club is very pleased to announce that Redrow Homes, currently creating the Woodford Garden Village, have once again agreed to sponsor this event along with Bramhall-based businesses Prestbury Travel, Nisa Local and Leighton Snow Estate Agents. Thanks are also due to Stockport MBC for their support. www.bwrotary.org

Track the buses with the app on our website, then look out for the yellow DUCK BUS and jump on board. Please use the buses if you can, but if you do come in a vehicle, please park carefully and respectfully. Extra parking will also be available at Linney Road Scout Hut. The fun starts at 11am, with a variety of duck races to watch. Local celebrities and businesses get involved in the speciality races by decorating large plastic ducks, which go beak to beak in the river. As well as Duck Racing, with some fabulous prizes for the winners, there will be many sideshows, a bouncy castle, games, singers, dancing groups and craft stalls. The Dave Egerton Big Band will be performing in the walled garden and there will be much more, including ferret racing and the rideon train.

The money raised will be shared between Beechwood Cancer Care and the Together Trust, both well-known local charities doing fantastic work, and other charities supported by the Rotary Club.

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ANSON ENGINE MUSEUm CRAFT & DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMME 2019 In advance of the new season, a very successful Craft Day was held at Poynton’s Anson Engine Museum in February. It was primarily the monthly meeting of the Cheshire branch of the Association of Pole Lathe Turners and Green Woodworkers (Wood Bodgers) and, together with friends and guests, 20 people attended. The team were engaged on a number of activities including pottery, blacksmithing, pole lathe turning, seat making, and spoon, bowl and scoop carving. It was also the first time the recently-finished wood shed, complete with a period wood burner, was put to use.

The engine and local history museum re-opens on Easter Sunday and the following timetable details when steam and craft demonstrations will be taking place.

21 & 22 April

Easter opening, craft and steam demonstrations

5 & 6 May

Stott Engine running, craft and steam demonstrations

26 & 27 May

Craft and steam demonstrations

16 June Fathers’ Day craft and steam demonstrations 26 June

Midsummer Mingle, BBQ, Mirlees Reunion and Social Day

22 July

Craft and steam demonstrations

25 & 26 August

Stott Engine running, craft and steam demonstrations

22 September

Craft and steam demonstrations

26 & 27 October ‘Turn the Clocks Back’ closing

weekend, craft and steam demonstrations 31 December

New Year’s Eve in Steam and Stott Engine running, weather permitting

In addition to these dates the museum is open each Friday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm until the end of October.

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www.enginemuseum.org

Discover Victoria Baths Manchester’s Water Palace When it opened in 1906, Victoria Baths on Hathersage Road, Manchester, was described as “the most splendid municipal bathing institution in the country” and “a water palace of which every citizen of Manchester can be proud.”

Not only did the building provide spacious and extensive facilities for swimming, bathing and leisure, it was built of the highest quality materials with many period decorative features: beautiful stained glass, rich terracotta, sumptuous tiles and amazing mosaic floors.

Victoria Baths served the people of central Manchester for 87 years and was regarded with universal affection.

So, when Manchester City Council decided it had to close Victoria Baths in 1993, there was, unsurprisingly, a vigorous reaction in the local community.

The campaign to try and prevent closure of the Baths became the Friends of Victoria Baths and a charitable trust - the Victoria Baths Trust - was set up with the aim of fully restoring the building and bringing the Turkish Baths and at least one of the swimming pools back into public use. This goal is still some way off, but in the meantime, a visit to this wonderful building is well worthwhile.

A Visit to Victoria Baths We were lucky enough to squeeze in a visit last September, on a gloriously sunny Wednesday, just before it closed in October for its winter break.

By Garth Aspinall

Our guided tour lasted about an hour, starting with a brief introduction to the history. We visited the Aeratone (Jacuzzi) room. We studied displays of photographs and stories about the many colourful and well-known characters that had used the Victoria Baths. We climbed up elegant, tiled stairways. We visited the three impressive swimming pools, each dominated by amazing stained-glass windows, as well as 64 individual wash baths. We saw the Superintendent’s living quarters and learned much about his daily life and duties. He was responsible for all of Manchester’s baths. Our tour finished with a visit to the Turkish Bath Suite which was reached via a tasteful meeting room, adorned with yet another exquisite stainedglass window – arguably, the jewel in the crown.

On completion of the tour, we enjoyed some liquid refreshment and cakes in the attractive Tea Room.

There is also a shop offering a range of souvenirs and craft items, many made by local artists.

Victoria Baths is beautiful - a great testament to Edwardian architecture, and it merits a visit for this reason alone. That’s why it won BBC Two’s first Restoration programme. That’s also why Victoria Baths has been host to numerous television programmes, including Cold Feet, Peaky Blinders, Who Let The Dogs Out, Life On Mars, Prime Suspect and many more. But equally fascinating is its accompanying social history, depicting a time when females and males were afforded separate facilities and when males themselves were segregated into first and Continued over

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second-class groups. As you walk round this large building, you get a sense of just how much restorative effort is still required. This building is very much a work in progress, and you can only admire the enthusiasm of its many volunteers.

The Year Ahead 2019 promises to be an interesting year – more information about the following opportunities is available on the website.

Open Days Usually the second Sunday of the month from April to November, when the admission price enables you to self-tour the building and provides entry to any special event or activity that might be taking place. Guided tours are available every Wednesday afternoon - pay at the door, or book in advance.

Group Tours are available midweek, tailored to meet the needs of social groups, schools and colleges.

Be Involved Anyone can volunteer at Victoria Baths, no matter what your skills, experience or background. For most roles all you need is enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.

You can also join the VB History Group or donate items to the archive representing the rich history of Victoria Baths and other baths and wash houses. The collections are housed in a temperature and humidity-controlled environment, with items stored in acid free boxes, inserts, tissue paper or fabric. The Trust welcomes memories from any period of the Baths’ life, especially older ones, before they are forever lost. Photographs, objects, newspaper clippings and relevant documents of any description are welcome.

There is also a Family History group with an interest in researching family and local history and ancestry links.

New members are welcome, and help will be given by experienced members of the group. Just phone the main number to find out details of the next meeting.

Victoria Baths also welcomes proposals from Artists, Artist Groups, organisations and arts students who would like to make use of the building for their work.

Past uses have included research projects, performance, theatre, experimental work, exhibitions and site related installations.

Offer Financial Support Venue Hire Victoria Baths provides a unique, unforgettable setting for a wide range of events. Wedding receptions, photoshoots, staff training events, food and drink festivals, and a great variety of arts performances and exhibitions have worked exceptionally well here. There are many different spaces and backdrops, from the grandeur of the Gala Pool and 1st Class entrance to the more modest Females Pool and Superintendent’s Flat.

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There are many restoration projects yet to be undertaken and there will be many appeals. Details of these can be found on the website or in regular newsletters. Donations are always very welcome.

Victoria Baths, Hathersage Road, Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester, M13 0FE Tel: 0161 224 2020 www.victoriabaths.org.uk

in touch your local community noticeboard april - may 2019

Something different from St George’s Singers St George’s Singers go on tour every year and this year they will be heading to Belgium where they will sing in historic churches and cathedrals in Bruges, Ghent and Brussels.

Soon after they return, they will be presenting their summer concert at their “home” church, St George’s Poynton on 8 June at 7.30pm.

SGS are known for their versatility with a repertoire ranging from Early Music to contemporary, from classical to jazz and from a capella part songs to symphonic works, but the music chosen for their tours includes an even wider range with a selection of items in a lighter vein.

For their summer concert in Poynton they have chosen to bring their tour music to a home audience with a programme of more than twenty pieces ranging from choruses from Handel’s Messiah to Teddy Bear’s Picnic and everything in between (and including some items that will be familiar to other singing Poyntoners!).

Full details will be published on the choir’s website. Tickets are £12, £10 concessions, with £2 students and children with reductions for group bookings, and can be booked by phone 01663 764012, email to tickets@st-georges-singers.org.uk or online at www.st-georges-singers.org.uk.

The choir’s final concert at the Bridgewater Hall on 5 July is by invitation from Chetham’s School of Music to perform with their choir and amazing orchestra to perform Mahler’s huge Symphony of a Thousand. Tickets will be on sale from the Bridgewater Hall Box Office 0161 907 9000.

ART AND CRAFT MONDAYS AT BRAMHALL METHODIST CHURCH Our well-established Art group has recently welcomed craft people to join them on Monday afternoons at 2pm.

You might like to come along and take up your paint brushes again, or materials could be provided to see whether you’ve still got your artistic touch. We are also trying to encourage people to bring along their craft projects and work on them in pleasant, welcoming circumstances. The crafting is a new project and we are offering Quilling lessons to give this aspect a bit of a boost – again all materials will be provided.

So, we are inviting you to join us and get out of the house for a bit of company… we won’t bite! There’s a welcome cuppa as well … and all for only £2.

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in touch - your local community noticeboard

Curtain Call for Henbury Hall We are really pleased to confirm that the highly popular plant fair at Henbury Hall will go ahead for one last time this year on Friday 28 and Saturday 29 June and that this is the final opening of the garden before the hall and gardens move into new ownership. So, we encourage all garden lovers to make the most of this opportunity to come along and explore this treasure.

Entry to the lovely 12-acre gardens and plant fair is only ÂŁ3. Henbury Hall is a hidden gem in the heart of the rolling north Cheshire countryside, set in an undulating landscape and surrounding two magnificent lakes, the gardens contain many fine trees and shrubs including some rare specimens as well as more intimate spaces such as the walled garden.

The plant fair features highly respected specialist nurseries with a great range of perennials, alpines, shrubs, trees, rare species and old heritage varieties. The fair is open from 10am-5pm and there is lots of free parking.

Homemade refreshments and light lunches will be available. Dogs on leads welcome. The gardens are two miles west of Macclesfield on the A537, (SK11 9PJ for Satnav).

Full details from www.planthuntersfairs.co.uk

ADLINGTON WI Meet like-minded enthusiastic women in the area and make a difference locally. Adlington WI meets on the first Tuesday of the month to hear an excellent speaker, as well as offering craft classes, table tennis, Mah Jong, lunch outings and more throughout the month.

Pop in to see us and be sure of a warm welcome, good company, a drink and a slice of homemade cake!

We meet on the first Tuesday of every month, cost is ÂŁ2. For details of upcoming speakers, look at the INSIDE Guide.

If you would like to know more about joining the Adlington branch of the WI please contact either the President, Rosemary Murray, on 0161 439 1632, rosemurray2001@aol.com or the Secretary, Jackie Shaw, on 01625 266251, adlingtonwi@gmail.com Adlington Village Hall, SK10 4LF 1.30 to 3.30pm

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INTRODUCING ADLINGTON RETIREMENT LIVING Make a move into retirement living and keep your independence Adlington Retirement Living represents a new way of thinking about retirement living; it’s about choosing the way you want to live, totally independent and worry free.

Their developments give you the opportunity to socialise with neighbours, participate in the varied programme of community activities, enjoy a freshly cooked meal in the table service restaurant, treat yourself to a new hairstyle in the salon, unwind in the Therapy Room, enjoy the landscaped gardens, have friends and family stay over in the Guest Suite... and you can always just close the door and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of your apartment.

The choice is yours, and here’s a few reasons why it’s one of the wisest moves you could make.

Where quality living combines with independence Every Adlington apartment is designed to fulfil two essential requirements: a level of community that enhances your way of life, and thoughtfully designed apartments that help to maintain your independence.

Built from quality materials and finishes throughout, your apartment conforms to the highest safety standards that include smoke and fire detectors. It’s not only safe, but also secure, as you have an audio and visual security entrance system as standard, allowing you to see who’s calling before letting them in.

Every detail has been thoughtfully considered All Adlington apartments feature a modern kitchen complete with fully integrated appliances and contemporary units. Quality carpets are fitted throughout and most apartments have a patio or balcony. There’s also a fully tiled shower room and/or bathroom, and in select apartments you’ll have an en-suite shower too. And, whether it’s a one, two or three bedroom apartment, the master bedroom features fitted wardrobes.

There’s a varied programme of communal activities, ranging from craft demonstrations and exercise classes in the Activities Studio, to informal get-togethers arranged by your neighbours and management team.

You can enjoy a freshly-cooked breakfast and delicious three-course lunchtime meal, served at your table in the restaurant. There’s no need to go out to have your hair done either: just book into the hair salon.

Taking care of your independence As we grow older, we may need more assistance to maintain our independence, and that’s something you’ll find at an Adlington development. Before moving in, Adlington ensure that all health and personal needs are clearly understood and that, as those requirements change, so too will the level of care on offer, available through a package tailored to meet your precise needs.

Every apartment has 24-hour on-site support, providing assistance and peace of mind. And in later life, should additional care support be needed, the team are on hand to help find a suitable care package for your individual needs.

Helping you make the move

Privacy and community: the best of both worlds

The thought of moving home can be challenging, that’s why Adlington offer a moving made easy service. From helping to de-clutter before your move, through to providing you with a Personal Clerk to look after all the issues that come with changing your address, Adlington are on hand to help. They even provide a complimentary handyman to help to get your new apartment looking just the way you like it.

An Adlington apartment gives you the privacy needed to just get away from the hustle and bustle of modern-day life. Outside your door, however, you’ve access to shared facilities that generate a true spirit of community.

Stylish apartment, community, location: An Adlington development is the perfect choice if you wish to live an independent, worry free lifestyle in a contemporary and secure environment.

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Spinach and Feta Frittata

Method

Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 15 minutes Serves: 4 to 6

Ingredients ■■ 2 tablespoons olive oil ■■ 1 medium shallot, finely chopped (about 2 tablespoons) ■■ 1 medium clove garlic, finely chopped (about 1 teaspoon) ■■ 1 (5-ounce) bag baby spinach ■■ 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh flat-leaved parsley or basil.

■■ Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper ■■ 10 eggs, beaten ■■ 1/4 cup milk ■■ 3/4 cup (about 3.5 ounces) crumbled feta

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1. Preheat the grill. Heat olive oil in an 8-inch pan over a medium high heat. Add chopped shallots and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until beginning to soften. Add garlic and continue to cook for a further two minutes until softened.

2. Add spinach and parsley (or basil) and cook, tossing often until spinach is fully wilted and any water released by the spinach has cooked off.

Season to taste with salt and pepper.

3. In a large bowl, beat eggs and milk with a whisk until mixed together. Don’t over-beat.

Add feta, and season with salt and pepper. Pour egg mixture over spinach then gently stir with a spatula to release the spinach from the bottom of the pan so that the eggs are in direct contact with the surface of the pan, so they cook quickly.

4. Cook until the eggs are almost totally set (this takes 10 to 12 minutes), reducing heat to prevent burning. Place pan under the grill for a couple of minutes, until the top is set as well, keeping a close eye on it so it does not burn.

5. To release the frittata from the pan, loosen edges with a spatula. Place a dinner plate over pan, and holding plate firmly flip the pan over so the frittata releases onto the plate. Serve warm.

Celebrating 30 years in the Hearing Industry Highly trained hearing aid audiologist David Roche celebrates 30 years in the hearing industry this May. David set up Cheshire Hearing Centres as a dedicated high street independent centre offering daily clinics Monday to Friday with evening and Saturday appointments by arrangement. Through their head office in Bramhall, the business has earned an outstanding reputation for excellent customer service and client satisfaction. Over the years David has helped thousands of clients, including one or two well-known faces, enjoy normal conversation even in noisy places Cheshire Hearing Centres pride themselves on their independence - this means they are truly able to recommend what is right for the client regardless of the manufacturer. By offering a no-obligation trial on all instruments, they can assist clients in overcoming any initial concerns and help them discover what modern digital hearing aids can do for them.

Being independent allows Cheshire Hearing Centres to introduce the very latest technology to their clients first.

Even David with his years of experience is getting quite excited over the latest development from Audibel.

Via® AI is the world’s first Healthable hearing aid to provide both superior sound quality and the ability to track body and brain health. Featuring integrated sensors and artificial intelligence, Via AI is the first-ever hearing aid with fall detection and alert capability. It also translates 27 languages instantly, has Amazon Alexa connectivity, voiceto-text transcription, and much more – the list is long!

David is extremely approachable, he is more than happy to discuss specific concerns you may have over your hearing or the problems experienced by a loved

one. Even if you haven’t purchased a hearing aid from Cheshire Hearing Centres, they are still more than happy to provide you with a six-monthly check-up service, free of charge.

One vital part of the service they offer is Clinical Ear Care - more commonly known as wax removal. Many GP surgeries no longer offer this service and the wait for an appointment at a health centre can be up to six weeks. Cheshire Hearing Centres have developed a reputation as one of the leading companies in this field by investing in hospital quality ENT equipment to provide microsuction, irrigation and instrumentation procedures. They were one of the first practices to introduce video otoscopy (where you can see inside your ear) before, during and after the wax removal procedure. All staff are graduates of the NHS Clinical Ear Care Centre of Excellence in Rotherham.

Their fees, £40 for one ear £60 for both, are based on there being a successful outcome – there is no charge if a client needed to come back a second or third time, client comfort and safety is paramount.

To celebrate David’s milestone, Cheshire Hearing Centres will be holding two Open days on Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th May, where you can either have a full hearing assessment and demonstration of the latest Via hearing instruments, or just pop in for an informal chat about any hearing concerns.

If you are unable to make it to the Bramhall centre, you don’t have to miss out as they will be offering the same opportunities on a home visit basis. Contact them on 0800 970 8850.

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

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

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

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

They didn’t disappoint!

Welcomed

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

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

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Fabulous Phlox Border phlox are old fashioned plants with a bright new future as gardeners switch to perennials with great scent, hardy disposition and minimal care requirements.

They can give years and years of service in the herbaceous or mixed border and provide a wonderful, scented summer display. The ideal site is sunny, with rich, well-dug soil and perhaps a little late afternoon shade to protect them from the extremes of summer heat. In practice they get full sun or light shade in my garden and do pretty well in either.

Phlox make good cut flowers – cut in the morning and remove the lower leaves.

At the end of the season cut down the stems to ground level and put them in the council green waste bin rather than the compost heap to avoid carrying any pests or diseases from season to season.

Border phlox are incredibly hardy and start to show new growth in February. The new leaves are often attractively coloured but only a few varieties maintain these coloured leaves into summer, the others gradually turn green. Good coloured leaf types include Starfire and Blue Paradise. Variegated phlox have lovely white and green or cream, red and green leaves throughout the summer to compliment the flowers.

Enriching the soil with compost dug into the top 1ft of soil will do wonders for the plants. I find the chalk in mushroom compost helps to reduce mildew problems.

I always give my phlox a good dressing with a wellbalanced fertiliser like Growmore in spring followed by blood, fish and bone in mid-summer. Also give the plants some space if possible, to improve air circulation; plant border phlox about 2ft apart.

Water the ground not the plant and try and use water at air temperature (say from a water butt, or a can filled a few hours before) rather than an icy blast from a hosepipe.

by Martin Blow > www.specialperennials.com

There are 100’s of varieties to choose from and often it’s the old, heritage varieties that are new to our nursery range as they are “rediscovered,” growing in happy neglect in an old garden. In recent years we have reintroduced the old German varieties Sternhimmel (Starry Sky) and Lavendelwolke (Lavender Cloud) to go with Monte Cristallo and Kirchenfürst plus a new English variety raised by Terry Dagley and named Maude Stella Dagley, as well as promoting old English varieties such as Elizabeth Arden, Bright Eyes, Border Gem and White Admiral.

Once you’ve grown border phlox you will be hooked by the beauty of the flowers and the heady scent on a summer’s evening.

Janet and I run Special Perennials, our website is full of colour photos and growing tips. We sell by mail order and at Plant Hunters’ Fairs throughout the season. Please see www.planthuntersfairs.co.uk Locally we will be at the Plant Hunters’ Fairs at Bramall Hall on Sunday 7 April and at Adlington Hall, Macclesfield on Sunday 12 May (£3 for garden & fair entry). We are happy to bring orders to plant fairs for you to collect.

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National Garden Scheme

Spring Openings 2019

At the time of writing, we have all just experienced a lovely, generally warm and sunny February. What a contrast to last year, when we were battening down the hatches ready for the Beast from the East.

Come rain or shine, though, gardeners continue to garden, and garden visitors continue to want to get out to visit. As usual, our early gardens have now completed their ‘Snowdrop Openings’ and already, with the early warmth, we can see some of the magnolias opening!

At the National Garden Scheme in Cheshire and Wirral, having completed a near-record fundraising campaign during last year (2018), we are looking forward to doing it all over again. Let’s see if we can whet your appetites for what is to come.

Brook Cottage

If you can reach the Wirral (conveniently just off the M53, Jn 4) the well-established Poulton Hall, with its literary themes and gardens designed specifically for children is opening on Saturday 20 and Sunday 22 April. Sunday 21 April also sees one of a number of openings by All Fours Farm, set right alongside Curbishley’s Roses, so you can visit and spoil yourself with an Easter present!

Long Acre, Bunbury, another longstanding opener welcomes us on Sunday 28 April. On 4 and 5 May, the spectacular Mount Pleasant opens, with views across to Wales and the Cheshire Plain.

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by John Hinde www.ngs.org.uk

NOTE: REGRETABBLY, MANLEY KNOLL, SCHEDULED TO OPEN ON 5 MAY, WILL NOT BE OPENING DUE TO ONGOING WORKS TAKING PLACE AT THE PROPERTY. Brooke Cottage, home of designer Barrie and wife Melany Davy will welcome visitors again after its refreshing last year: it features on the cover of our current Cheshire booklet.

We have a new garden for you on Sunday 19 May, Hall Lane Farm in Daresbury. Originally designed by leading designer, Arabella Lennox Boyd for the Daresbury family, it’s now in the capable hands of the Bibby family and their garden team.

Cheriton, Alderley Edge opens on 26 May, establishing itself as a favourite, whilst 10 Statham Ave, Lymm will no doubt dazzle visitors with its exuberant, structured planting!

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

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

THE IVY COMES TO MANCHESTER What a lovely email to receive - would I like to review and feature one of the most exciting restaurant openings in Manchester? I didn’t take much persuading!

Located in the heart of Manchester, The Ivy Spinningfields, set across four fabulous floors, offers Mancunians a totally new dining experience. The restaurant, the largest to open in the UK in 2018, features a ground floor brasserie, first floor private dining room, an opulent Asian bar and restaurant on the second floor and a sumptuous roof garden featuring fire pits and lush foliage on the top floor.

From the minute you are greeted at the door, you know the evening is going to a good one. The stylishly-attired staff greet and escort you everywhere you go in a very friendly, courteous but not over-formal manner. Any concerns we had about dining in an empty restaurant on a Tuesday evening were soon dispelled. We’d walked down from Piccadilly, passing many deserted bars and eateries, but The Ivy had a buzz about it as good as you’d expect at the weekend.

Our evening started with a cocktail in the first ever Ivy Asia – a glamorous bar and restaurant, serving Asianinspired cocktails alongside dishes such as Wagyu beef with truffle sauce, salmon fillet teriyaki, and avocado, crispy tofu, lime and ginger dressing. The entire floor is illuminated with a show-stopping green, semiprecious stone flooring, set against a striking antique gold mirrored bar, gold-gilt ceiling and luxurious Asian fabrics. It was a stunning setting to enjoy our unusual and delicious cocktails!

We’d opted to dine in the traditional Ivy brasserie, open all day, seven days a week, serving ‘modern British classics’ to suit all occasions. If I chose to criticise anything, I’d say the tables are quite close together so if you’re a couple, sitting alongside a table of four or six, it’s not what you’d call an intimate dining experience.

But to be honest, the buzzy feel of the place is what made it for me, so this wasn’t an issue - I’d choose this atmosphere any day over the very formal, superattentive service you sometimes encounter when you’re out for a ‘special’ meal!

The menu is extensive and wide-ranging; we eventually settled on starters of Roasted Scallops with grilled chorizo and roasted butternut squash, and Smoked Salmon and Crab with dark rye bread.

Both were sensational. For main course, I was slightly disappointed with the classic Ivy Shepherd’s Pie if I’m honest – nothing wrong with it, just not a very inspired choice on my part. In contrast the Monkfish and Prawn Curry with jasmine rice and sweet potato crisps was an absolute winner; it was fragrant and sublime. The cheeseboard was awesome and ample to share but obviously we had a dessert each and the proverbial icing on the cake for me was the Apple Tart Fine with vanilla ice cream and Calvados flambé, an elegant and totally delicious way to round off the meal.

For variety, for quirkiness, for delicious and reasonablypriced food in unique surroundings, The Ivy Spinningfields would be hard to beat.

Tel: 0161 503 3222 www.theivymanchester.com

By Claire Hawker

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greece & croatia island hopping Lots of Brits visit the beautiful Greek islands every summer. With the crystal blue waters, idyllic storybook villages and fantastic cuisine it’s no wonder. But did you know, there are actually 200 islands and we only go to a handful? You can of course, pick one island and stay there, just chilling in the sun and Greece does cater well for families with lots of well-equipped, entertaining resorts. Or you could take to the waves and enjoy some Greek island hopping.

Island hopping in the Aegean is a special holiday experience. Such a romantic idea, this is the perfect option for people who’d like to see a wider crosssection of Greece and have a bit of an adventure whilst on holiday.

From cosmopolitan, luxurious islands to the quieter and more traditional, you can explore the diversity by booking on one of the major cruise ships, or you could go for a smaller more sophisticated yacht option or indeed a catamaran. There is a style and a ship for everyone.

Each company will offer its own itinerary but here, in my opinion, are some islands you must not miss:

Crete One of the major Greek destinations, Crete is a fantastic starting off point as it’s well connected to lots of the other islands. Ships and speedboats connect Crete to the popular islands in the Cyclades and Dedocanese.

Don’t forget to enjoy Crete itself though. With wild, natural beauty, thousands of years of culture and

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history, and some fantastic nightlife (for the party people), Crete offers something for everyone.

Santorini Probably winning the award for most breath-taking island in Greece, Santorini is ‘romance central.’

Best known for its iconic architecture, ancient vineyards and volcanic landscape, Santorini offers a sophisticated island stay. You can enjoy some epic sunsets in Santorini, and be sure to visit the town of Oia, one of the most picturesque places in Greece with some wonderful restaurants and boutiques.

Mykonos Party all day and all night in Mykonos at some of the most unique and energetic venues in Europe; beach bars, clubs, drag shows, VIP parties, it’s all here! You can dance from sunrise to sunset - you get the idea!

Mykonos also offers great shopping and is listed along with St Tropez and Porto Cervo, guaranteeing a superb shopping spree. You will find lots of designer labels here alongside trendy clothing boutiques.

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

Another equally beautiful option for your summer break, is Croatia.

Fast becoming a real holiday ‘hot spot’ Croatia offers lots of interesting cities to visit, brimming with history and, like Greece, also has a number of beautiful islands to explore. The Dalmatian Coast is a sailor’s paradise and the islands are also a wonderful place to go snorkelling and diving.

A suggestion for a week’s stay would be to start in the vibrant city of Split, go overnight to Korcula, then travel down the Peljesac Peninsula wine roads to Dubrovnik.

Dubrovnik’s stunning old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the setting for King’s Landing in the popular TV series ‘Game of Thrones’. The city has a booming gastro scene offering lots of wonderful seafood and Croatian wine, and each year fantastic new places are opening. In July and August, you can enjoy the Dubrovnik Summer Festival when the city is full of musicians, actors, folk dancers and art exhibitions.

At Not Just Travel we work with all the leading suppliers and therefore offer a fantastic choice of properties in Greece and Croatia. We can organise everything from villas to B&Bs, family hotels to luxury honeymoon resorts. We also work with all the major cruise companies and boating suppliers so can help find the perfect island-hopping trip for you.

The ‘season’ in Greece and Croatia goes on until early October so there is still time to book your beautiful escape. Based in Cheadle and open 7 days a week, we have some brilliant special offers available so hope to speak to you soon. Booking with a personal travel consultant, saves you a lot of hassle, offers you peace of mind and all your holidays are financially protected.

Alderley Edge Walk description: An easy circular walk starting from the NT car park next to the Wizard Inn. It follows good woodland pathways out along the top of the Edge, with great views north, before heading west down gentler pathways towards Nether Alderley. The route follows country lanes, before crossing farm fields back on to the top of the Edge.

Distance: 5 miles Map: OS Explorer 268 Wilmslow, Macclesfield and Congleton Start: National Trust Car Park next to the Wizard Inn (SJ 860773) Travelling from the north, use the A555/A34 link to Alderley Edge village. Go through the main street as far as a small roundabout on the Macclesfield junction. Turn left up the B5087, climbing on to the Edge; in less than a mile, the car park is just beyond the Wizard Inn on your left.

Toilets available in the car park.

Leave the car park by a gate opposite the toilets, cut across the field and turn right after the swing gate on to a wide walking track. When you reach a junction of pathways, turn left through the gate and follow the good path slightly uphill until you reach a sandstone outcrop and former copper mine workings. This Triassic sandstone is a remnant of desert conditions from about 220 million years ago. Notice the rounded and quite large pebbles embedded in the rock, thought to have been carried by occasional river floods in the desert.

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by Barry Wilson, Marple District Rambling Club

Copper mining on the Edge dates back to the Bronze Age and later Roman times, but most was mined from the late 17th until the early 20th Century. The views north and east extend over the Pennines and nearer hills of Werneth Low and Marple Ridge.

The main path doubles back round to the left of this outcrop, eventually reaching the Beacon Mound, dating back to the Spanish Armada. Continue west beyond the Beacon but keep to the higher path next to a wall. This takes you along the edge of a field before arriving at a further rocky outcrop, with further stunning views north.

Just past this rocky area, go slightly left then immediately right down some steps to a lower path through woodland. Walking below the sandstone edge and heading left, pause to look at the layers of sandstone showing remnants of windblown sand dunes. Soon you reach the well-known Wizard’s Well with inscriptions above it. Not long after this point, veer left up a path which leads you away from the downhill track. A gentle climb brings you to the back of houses, so follow this narrow path where you reach an access road. Go left down the hill to the main Macclesfield road.

Walk down hill to the right for 400 yards or so and look out for a path marker leading between the houses on the left. The narrow pathway takes you to a stile next to the rear garden wall of a new house. Cross the stile and bear right to a further stile. This leads you down a fenced pathway to another access road. (SJ 847776) Bear right down the road between some stunning

properties, but look out for another marked pathway on the left in less than 400 yards. Take this clear path behind the houses going due south; there are a series of gates between the fields before you slope down across a slippery footbridge and on to Artists Lane.

A good stopping place with seats is at the bottom of Artists Lane and across the former busy Congleton road.

(SJ 844769) Return across the road and walk back up Artists Lane until you come to a footpath marker pointing right.

This takes you behind more cottages and round a field before reaching a stile and short fenced track. A final stile brings you out on to the cobbled surface of Bradford Lane. Go left up the gentle hill until you reach a wide private road and bridleway on the right. Bear right along this good track through woodland and past a very old stone cottage before reaching a well marked pathway on the left. Go through the kissing gate and head north behind a large walled garden of Hayman’s Farm before breaking out on to a field track.

This heads up to woodland, where you go right and follow the edge of the wood which has a private fishing pond in what appears to be a former quarry or mine.

Looking behind you, there are stunning views across the Cheshire Plain.

Head along the path round the wood and then up to further kissing gates, along field edges until you reach a huge mansion on your right. The path leads you out on to their driveway and through to the access road.

The Walk

Follow the lane past some stables and then bear left into Finlow Hill Wood and along a marked pathway which can be a bit muddy at times. This reaches the Macclesfield road, so cross with care down to the track opposite. In a few yards, take the path on the left, eventually crossing on awkward stile before a driveway to the stunning mansion on the right. Take the path along their left fence between trees until you arrive at a junction of pathways. Go through the gate and turn immediately left between a wire fence and hedgerow.

This brings you out on the first track we followed from the car park. Go left through the gate and you will arrive at the small gate across the field and back to the cars. Either the rustic cafe or the Wizard Inn is worth visiting for welcome refreshment.

Marple District Rambling Club organises up to nine walks each week on Thursdays and Sundays. For more information, either ring our Chairman, Sue Gilmore on 07775 620398, or our Membership Secretary, Claude Prime on 0161 483 8596.

Alternatively, you could visit our website on www.marpleramblers.org to learn more about our Club’s programme of walks, socials and walking holidays.

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The House that George Best Built

Illustration by Stephen Millership

It’s hard to believe, as you drive past there today, that the house situated on the corner of Moor Lane and Blossoms Lane, at the point where Bramhall becomes Woodford, was once the most talked about house in the country.

Towards the end of the 1960s Manchester United superstar George Best decided it was time for him to move out of his digs in Chorlton and into his own home. He approached Bramhall-based architect Frazer Crane to design a house for him that was to be built on that plot of land.

Best moved into his new house in October 1970. It had cost him £35,000 (just over half a million in today’s money). The house quickly became a hot topic of conversation, not least because many observers felt the house looked like a public convenience, primarily because of the white glazed-brick which adorned its exterior.

The News of the World ran a competition to name the house and the £10 prize was won by Miss E. Bardsley for her suggestion, ‘Que Sera’. Best chose the name because it reminded him of his maternal grandfather, George Withers. He explained at the time, ‘Grandad Withers was my hero when I was a boy in Belfast.

I remember one time Grandad Withers took me on holiday when ‘Que Sera, Sera’ was the big hit song. It seemed to be played everywhere we went, and ever since I’ve always associated it with him.’

A few months after moving in, Best put on a lavish house-warming party, which the Daily Express bought

by Stuart Bolton

the rights to. Over a hundred guests were invited, many of them famous celebrities such as Bob Monkhouse, Ronnie Corbett, Tommy Trinder (who quipped at the time, “I remember this place when it was the Odeon”), Lionel Blair and Swedish actress Yutte Stensgaard.

A week after the party, the Daily Mirror featured on its front-page a report (later unfounded) about an anonymous caller contacting Cheshire police claiming that officers had used a police car to collect fresh supplies of drink from The Smithy, a local pub on Grove Lane in Cheadle Hulme.

Not long after moving in, the house was to bring a multitude of problems for its first-time buyer. Best later recalled, ‘I would have got more privacy if I’d bought a giant goldfish bowl and lived in that. You’d get groups of tourists outside and if I just walked down to the local paper shop, I’d have thirty people following me and asking for autographs. It was so bad that I had to keep the curtains closed all the time.’ Some of these unwanted visitors also used to take ‘souvenirs’ with them, such as pieces of turf off the front lawn or goldfish out of the fishpond.

Like something out of ‘Thunderbirds’ the house included a range of remote-control gadgets, even though the technology was often not fit for purpose.

Best later reflected, ‘Everything was push-button. The bathroom had a sunken bath that was so large that the water tank couldn’t fill it higher than three-inches. I had a television set that disappeared into the chimney. I had a console beside the bed that controlled everything.

All I had to do was press a button and I could open and close the garage door, the front door, operate the Continued over

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television, and the stereo, open and close the curtains, which was all well and good until I found out that when an aeroplane flew overhead, it set off the whole system.’

Within a couple of years Best had had enough. In July 1972 he put the house up for sale and moved back in with his landlady, Mrs Fullaway. Three months later the house was sold for £40,000 to Irish haulier Patrick O’Dwyer, who commented at the time, ‘It’s a dream come true.’

The current owner is Harry Yeung, co-partner of the Yang Sing restaurant in Chinatown, who has lived in the house for nearly twenty years. Yeung bought the property in 1999 from Wendy Hird for £400,000. Mrs Hird had lived there with her late husband Bill since 1993. The Hirds had bought the house for £200,000 and, surprisingly, when they purchased the house the details neglected to mention the identity of its original owner. The Hirds only found out the name of its famous former resident from a local taxi driver shortly after they’d moved in, which begs the question: where had the Hirds been living up until then, on Mars?

Not much is known about the owners immediately prior to the Hirds, but during their occupation the swimming pool had had its water pipes filled with concrete during one apparent fit of rage. The white glazed-brick which had so defined the look of the house had gone too. In fact, when the Hirds first moved in they discovered the discarded bricks piled-up at the bottom of the disused pond.

The house today is barely recognisable from how it looked in the Seventies. The glaring white bricks have been replaced by a more common brick, the roof has been pitched, and there are metal railings surrounding the property, accompanied by a dense privet hedge which provides the property with something that was sadly missing when George Best first moved in – privacy.

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For more about the locations in and around Manchester connected with George Best, please see ‘Trailing George Best’ (Pitch Publishing) written

by Stuart Bolton and Paul Collier.

dogs) will showcase their extraordinary talents which transform people’s lives.

The ultimate summer festival for dogs returns for 2019 with a bonanza of shows, displays and activities!

DogFest, the UK’s biggest and best day out for dogs, their families and animal lovers of all ages is back - with even more for next year! Now entering its sixth year, DogFest will take place in the grounds of Tatton Park on 15 to 16 June.

The events once again promise a packed schedule of celebrity appearances and expert talks, jaw-dropping dog displays, educational sessions and fun, have-a-go activities. Everything is geared towards celebrating the amazing bond between dogs and people and promoting animal welfare. All this plus great live music sets, cool street food and shopping galore for pooches and people alike.

National treasure and presenter of Crufts’ TV coverage, Clare Balding stars for the first time at DogFest. Famed for her love of dogs, she’ll headline on the main stage with anecdotes from her life – and those of her fourlegged friends. Clare will lead the Great Dog Walk where she’ll chat to people all around the course and she’ll also award prizes at the acclaimed Fun Dog Show.

TV’s Supervet, Professor Noel Fitzpatrick, known globally for his ground-breaking work will front a special interactive feature for younger visitors. The world- leading orthopaedic-neuro veterinary surgeon will open The Great Dog Walk and deliver an insightful talk for fans purchasing VIP tickets.

Then there’s fun all the way with dog dancing - where astonishing sequences to rival Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers can be seen.

Dog Diving is one of the biggest crowd pleasers at the festival: furry volunteers line up to leap into a massive aqua sports pool, while brand new this year is Fido’s Lido, a giant paddling pool for pups and people alike!

Also new for 2019 is the Big Dog Dig, where pups can catch the scent of buried goodies and scrabble away to their heart’s content to get to the loot!

A ‘just for fun’ dog show will crown the ‘happiest dog, ‘the one with the waggiest tail’ and so on through to the ‘Best in Show’.

DogFest’s guest experts are always a major draw and the weekend will be packed with talks, demonstrations and Q&A sessions on animal health and welfare, veterinary developments, dietary requirements, behavioural psychology and much more.

Visitors can soak up the festival vibe throughout the show, with artisan food and coffee vans, gin-tastic bars and other wonderful food and drink stalls. Finally, DogFest’s Shopping Village is a must-see destination for serious retail therapy with food, fashion and fripperies, for man and beast alike.

Further information on all shows can be found at www.dog-fest.co.uk Tickets are available from dogfest.seetickets.com/content/ticket-options and the hotline 0871 220 0260.

A-listers of the furry variety will be in evidence at the Dogs of Instagram Hound Hangout, whilst on DogFest’s famous main stage, some well-known faces will host mass participation activities with hundreds of dogs and their owners all coming together.

The Activity Arena will show back-to-back canine entertainment with jaw-dropping stunts and routines from the UK’s most skilful dog display teams. These super-talented animals leap through rings of fire, hurtle down zip wires, sniff out contraband and much more.

Other Dogs with Jobs (such as rescue and assistance

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quick crossword Across 3 Worthless dog (3) 7 Beat to separate the corn (6) 8 Ran away to marry (6) 9 Crab claw (6) 10 Supplying with weapons (6) 11 Blood-curdling (5-8) 13 Saying something with wry humour (6-2-5) 18 Gentle walk (6) 19 Sherlock ______ (6) 20 Played at Wimbledon (6) 21 Package (6) 22 Distress call (3)

down 1 Small shellfish (6) 2 Signalling light (6) 3 Devoid of personality (13) 4 Bonds between people (13) 5 Official, decorous (6) 6 ______ and McCartney (6) 11 Perch, squat (3) 12 ___ Wan - TV fashion stylist (3) 14 Discount store (6) 15 Floor, terra firma (6) 16 Mrs. Bill Clinton (6) 17 Hole to poke your shoelaces through (6)

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.

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Solutions on page 66

Declutter Your Life If you can’t lay your hands on items you need because they’re buried under piles of junk; if you’re constantly moving items from one pile to a new ‘temporary’ pile; if you find yourself thinking, “I can’t throw this away, it might come in useful one day,” you’re probably a clutter-victim.

You could tune into the new Netflix series ‘Tidying Up with Marie Kondo,’ in which expert declutterer Marie will teach you how to transform your home into a permanently clear and clutter-free space with the incredible Japanese KonMari Method. Her method is based on a ‘once-cleaned, never-messy-again’ approach.

If that’s a bit too extreme, but you are ready to have a good sort out and spring clean, the following tips might help you.

■■ Deal with one room at a time and the task will seem less daunting. Stick with that room until it’s finished.

■■ Choose a nice day and take the room contents outside. Psychologically it’s easier to sort and let go if you’re one step removed. It’s also less likely that the clutter will make it back inside the house!

■■ Sort everything into three piles - label them dump, donate and keep. Be realistic: if the item in question hasn’t been used for over a year it is unlikely you will ever use it.

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■■ Deal with the dump and donate piles. Do this before anything comes back into the house. It’s much harder to mess up your good work if the stuff is physically gone.

■■ Sort and label - place the remaining items in clearlylabelled boxes. Make sure there is a temporary box to house items which really belong in another room.

As each room is sorted those items can be replaced, and other misplaced items can be housed there, while the de-cluttering process continues.

■■ The maxim ‘A place for everything and everything in its place’ is a good one. As you return the items you’re keeping to the room, keep small items in clear plastic boxes and store them in cupboards or wardrobes.

■■ To keep on top of things, instigate a ‘one thing in: one thing out’ rule in future. It will make you think twice about acquiring something if you know something else must go.

■■ Finally, once a week, take two bags and go through your home. One bag is for rubbish, the other for items in the wrong place. When you’ve finished throw the rubbish away and replace the misplaced items.

Follow these small steps and in a relatively short space of time you will be enjoying a calm and clutter-free environment.

By Claire Hawker

BOLLINGTON FESTIVAL RETURNS THIS MAY Of course, any festival needs its attractions and over the years this wonderful spectacle has featured a huge range of entertainment, artists and celebrities, from a Victorian helter-skelter and the town’s own Calendar Boys to Professor Robert Winston and former Church of England envoy Terry Waite (a Bollingtonian by birth).

Bollington’s heritage is closely tied to the Industrial Revolution (its population quadrupled to over 4,500 between 1801 and 1851) and to this day its mills still play a vital role in the community. Dominating the skyline, their cotton-producing days may be long gone but they provide a livelihood for many thriving businesses and some stylish accommodation for hundreds of local residents.

We associate certain places with specific people: Bristol with Brunel, Stratford with Shakespeare. For Bollington you’d be hard pressed to find someone who contributed more than Dr John Coope. The estimable GP supported his community in many ways, not least through the creation of the Bollington Festival, which swings into action once again this year between 10th and 27th May. ‘Dr John’, who passed away on Christmas Day 2005, set out in the Swinging 60s to revitalise Bollington’s community spirit by promoting various social, music and arts projects. This led to the inaugural Festival in 1964, which featured the somewhat mechanical-sounding ‘Dance to two Beat Groups’, a bowls tournament and a horticultural show, with tickets priced at a very accessible four shillings.

Since then the event has resurfaced many times at irregular intervals, more recently every 4 to 7 years with the last Festival being held in 2014. Organised by a committee of volunteers, each event has tended to outstrip the last and invariably galvanises the entire community of what is affectionately known as ‘Happy Valley’.

by Andrew Thorp

Given the town’s history, it’s no surprise that science and industry have been represented at past festivals; this year sees the return of the popular SciBar, hosted by two visiting professors. However, in accordance with Dr Coope’s original vision, the Festival remains a predominantly arts-focused event.

Festival Chairman, Jon Beck, heads an impressive team of volunteers who have made this year’s Festival possible.

“My first official involvement in the Festival was back in 2009 when I trod the boards in a production of The Importance of Being Earnest. Judging by my reviews I’m confident I’ll make a greater contribution this year! But to be honest the stars of the show are the artists, committee members, volunteers and fund-raisers who put their heart and soul into this extraordinary event.”

Looking ahead to this year’s event, Jon cites a quote that Dr Coope included in his chairman’s message way back in 1964. “Perhaps we can hope that when our present itself becomes a page of history, it may also be worth remembering.”

Given the longevity of the Bollington Festival and the memories it invariably creates, it seems that the good doctor’s vision will be fulfilled once again in 2019.

For an overview of the incredibly packed and diverse programme, and to book tickets, visit www.bollingtonfestival.org.uk

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Children’s Activities

Things to do with pre-school kids Toddler Group 10-11.30am Cheadle Hulme United Reformed Church, Swann Lane. £1 per child including refreshments. Contact Alison Stevens 01625 877180.

Monday Story Time 11-11.30am Bramhall Library. Telephone 0161 217 6009

Tuesday Active Angels 10-11.30am - Term time only Free play and songs including puppets and musical instruments and parachute fun also. Healthy snacks and refreshments for children and hot and cold beverages for adults. St Michael & All Angels Parish Church, Bramhall. Contact Karina: 07969633654 or Karina_lemmon@live.co.uk Story Time 2-2.30pm Cheadle Hulme Library. Telephone 0161 217 6009.

Wednesday BMC Baby Chat 10.00-11.15am Term-time only. Bramhall Methodist Church, Bramhall Lane South.

Come and join us every Wednesday morning for a chat, tea/coffee and biscuits and the opportunity to meet other mums, grandparents and carers with young babies in the Bramhall area. There’s a small charge of £1 per adult. For further details please call 0161 439 1204.

Little Fishes Toddler Group for under 5’s - 10-11.30am Term-time only, Bramhall Methodist Church, Bramhall Lane South.

For more information contact the church office on 0161 439 1204 or email office@bramhallmethodists.org.uk NCT (National Childbirth Trust) 10-11.30am St Michael & All Angels Parish Church, Bramhall. Contact Tracy Howe on 0161 477 3252

saturday Who Let the Dads Out? 10-11.30am Every 3rd Saturday of the month, Bramhall Methodist Church.

A play session for dads, grandads and male carers and their pre-school aged children. Messy play, games, a room full of toys, followed by bacon butties, tea and coffee for dads, and drinks and biscuits for the children. For further details and dates please contact Richard@bramhallmethodists.org.uk

Sunday Messy Church. Second Sunday of every month 4-6pm Bramhall Methodist Church, Bramhall Lane South.

See Inside Guide or call 0161 439 1204.

thursday Little Lambs Baby & Toddler Group 10-11.30am Term time only, Bramhall Baptist Church, Woodford Road.

Toys, refreshments and song time. Suggested donation of £1.50 per family. Just turn up or for more information email bramhallbaptistchurch@gmail.com

friday Baby Massage & Yoga – morning Bramhall Library Children’s Centre. Combined class run by The Baby Massage Company & Honeychild Baby Yoga. Email babylovesmassage@live.co.uk or call Kate on 07866 468245 for class times and to book (necessary).

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

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

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

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S D I K 4 JUST

inside guide

april - may 2019

selected events in your area

Monday 1 April – Saturday 6 April

Thursday 4 April

Poynton Players presents Spygame, A Comedy Thriller by Bettine Manktelow Prospective contestants for a TV reality show gather in a country house, aiming to win a large cash prize, but only if they survive the rigours of the ultimate Spygame. Why were they chosen? Why can’t they leave? Why all the secrecy?

Will they get out alive?

Book tickets online www.poyntonplayers.co.uk or phone 0333 6663399 Poynton Theatre, Georges Road West, Poynton, SK12 1JY

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

Tuesday 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

Adlington WI The Gaskells and Gardens with speaker Jackie Tucker 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 1.30pm to 3.30pm

Wednesday 3 April Coffee and Conversation Join Andrew for half-an-hour of lively conversation about books in the news. Hear what’s happening in the shop and pick up suggestions for a few ‘good reads’! Price: £2.50 (towards your coffee and homemade cake!) (Coffee and Conversation usually takes place on the FIRST Wednesday of each month, so we’ll be meeting again on 7 May) Simply Books, Bramhall 11am

Thursday 4 April LINK Women’s Fellowship I’m a lousy cook and even worse baker so perhaps I’d better come to this meeting when Suze Appleton tells us about Elizabeth Raffold - Manchester’s 18th Century Domestic Goddess. So, if you’re in the same boat as me, why not come along and hear about her - it can only improve things.

All ladies welcome to join us - £2 includes a cup of tea and biscuit.

Bramhall Methodist Church (Bramhall Village Centre) 2.30pm

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Thursday 4 April

Friday 5 April Café y Conversacion A conversation group for anyone interested in improving their Spanish! Join us for informal Spanish conversation over coffee and cake with local Spanish teacher Liz Wilson. £5 (includes refreshments) (Cafe y Conversacion meets at 11am on the first Friday of each month) Simply Books, Bramhall 11am

Saturday 6 April Thorn Grove Bowling Club Free open day for New and Experienced bowlers. Please wear flat shoes or trainers. Bowls and light refreshments provided.

Any questions ring Chris on 0161 440 0051 Behind the play area on Thorn Grove, off Woods Lane, Cheadle Hulme, 1pm to 5.30pm

Saturday 6 to Saturday 13 April Wilmslow Green Room Theatre presents The Playboy of the Western World by J M Synge. This classic Irish play from 1907 is a favourite to this day for its drama, wit and whimsy.

To book tickets Tel: 01625 540933 www.wgrsoc.org.uk Enquiries: mail@wgrsoc.org.uk Wilmslow Green Room Theatre, Chapel Lane, Wilmslow, 7.45pm Continued over

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Saturday 6 April

Wednesday 10 April

Cheshire Sinfonia - Beautiful Music in Bramhall.

Beethoven - Egmont Overture; Berlioz - Les Nuits d’été; Schumann - Symphony No. 1 in B flat major, Op 36, (Spring) Tickets: £12 (Full), £10 (concessions), £3 (students) Reserved tickets available in advance from 07967 852986 or at the door.

St Michael and All Angels Parish Church, Robins Lane, Bramhall 7.30pm

The Arts Society North East Cheshire Food and Art Through the Ages by Tasha Marks, food historian and artist. A whistle-stop tour of the history of food as artistic medium; starting with 16th century sugar sculpture and venturing all the way up to 3D dessert printing and beyond.

Potential new members are welcome. To attend as a visitor please contact Maggie Schofield on 0161 427 9451 or info@theartssocietynortheastcheshire.org.uk The Brookdale, Bramhall 10.30am with coffee from 9.45am

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

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

Wednesday 10 April Craft and Chatter. A fortnightly get together for crafters of all kinds, card making, quilting, collage, embroidery, sewing and any other interests you might have. Bring your own project and enjoy good crafting company with a cuppa and cake, lots of friendly chatter and the opportunity to learn from each other. Contact Chrissie 0161 439 8262 for further details. £2 donation requested.

Dean Row Chapel Hall, Adlington Road, SK9 2BX 2pm

Thursday 11 April The Family History Society of Cheshire, Bramhall Group Historical Research using British Newspapers by Denise Bates.

Newspapers have become an indispensable resource for anyone who is interested in the past, delivering new insights into the society, events and values of bygone times. Admission charge £2. For further details please email bramhall@fhsc.org.uk for further details. All visitors are most welcome.

United Reformed Church Hall, Bramhall SK7 2PE 7.30pm

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

by Dr Benjamin Wilcock. Visitors very welcome, admission £3.

Further information from Tony Nightingale 0161 440 0570 Stockport Sunday School, Nangreave Road, SK2 6DQ (Next to Aquinas College) 7.45pm

Friday 12 to Sunday 14 April Bramhall Art Society 52nd Annual Exhibition.

Original paintings both framed and unframed available for purchase. Entrance free and adjacent free parking. Tea, coffee, biscuits and cakes from 10am to 4pm, with all proceeds being donated to St Ann’s Hospice. Regular updates at Facebook. com/bramhallartsociety Bramhall Village Club, Lumb Lane, Bramhall, SK7 1LR Fri 7 Sat 10am to 6pm, Sun 10am to 5pm

Saturday 13 April Wilmslow Symphony Orchestra Dvorak’s very popular and much-loved cello concerto in B minor. Our soloist is Simon Turner, co-principal cello of the Halle. Also, the brass section is playing two pieces by Gabrieli - Canzon Septimi Toni no 2 and Sonata pian e forte. Tickets £12, concessions £10 and under 18 £2 from ticket secretary 01925 756144, Bang and Olufsen or Therapy, Wilmslow, via www.wilmsloworchestra.co.uk or at the door.

Evans Hall, Wilmslow Leisure Centre 7.45pm

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Sunday 14 April

Monday 29 April to Saturday 4 May

Textile Society’s Annual Manchester Antique & Vintage Textile Fair 2019 Admission £7, Members and Students £5. Profits from our London and Manchester fairs support the Textile Society’s student bursaries and museum awards. For more information www.textilesociety.org.uk The Armitage Centre, Moseley Road, Fallowfield, M14 6HE 10am to 4.30pm

Sweet Charity A musical capturing the rhythm and fun of the 1960’s.

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

Thursday 18 April

Caffe e Conversazione Join us for informal Italian conversation over coffee and cake with local Italian teacher Giulia Shepherd. £5 includes refreshments) (Caffe e Conversazione usually takes place on the last Tuesday of each month) Simply Books, Bramhall 11am

Just as you go into Macclesfield on the Silk Road there’s a large, imposing, black and white building displaying an array of absolutely beautiful, individual, furniture items. Come and find out what goes on behind the facade at Arighi Bianchi. All ladies will be made most welcome. Enjoy a cup of tea and a chat and possibly make new friends.

Bramhall Methodist Church (Bramhall Village Centre) 2.30pm

Thursday 18 April Bramhall U3A John Wallace will explain some of the local place names.

Email enquiries@bramhallu3a.org.uk or Tel: 0161 440 0447 United Reformed Church, Robins Lane, Bramhall, 2pm, Doors open 1.30pm

Friday 19 April Harmony ’96 Annual performance of Handel’s Messiah, conductor Angela Rowley. £5 on the door, for more information ring 0161 440 9091. All proceeds to Rowley Projects sponsoring university students in Kenya www.rowleyprojects.com Bramhall Baptist Church, Woodford Road, SK7 2PB 7pm

Wednesday 24 April Craft & Chatter see 10 April for details

Saturday 27 April Macclesfield Male Voice Choir annual Gala Concert.

They are in fine voice and have been working hard under the direction of their talented Welsh Musical Director Robert Owens, accompanied by the prize-winning Ukrainian pianist Tatyana Goncharuk.

The 60 - strong choir will be singing a programme to suit everyone and will be joined by a guest soloist. Tickets are £14 from www.macclesfieldmvc.org.uk or call 01625 584820, or from any choir member.

Fallibroome Academy, 7.30pm

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Tuesday 30 April

Thursday 2 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

Tuesday 7 May Adlington WI. Resolutions and Birthday meeting, with cakes and fizz!

Pop in to see us and be sure of a warm welcome and good company. 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 8 May Craft & Chatter see 10 April for details

Wednesday 8 May The Arts Society North East Cheshire Dame Zaha Hadid was one of the most distinguished and awarded architects in the world before her untimely death in 2016. This lecture by Anthea Streeter will show Zaha’s completed works around the world in breath-taking images Potential new members are welcome. To attend as a visitor please contact Maggie Schofield on 0161 427 9451 or info@theartssocietynortheastcheshire.org.uk Brookdale Club, Bramhall 10.30am with coffee from 9.45am Continued over

Thursday 9 May

Thursday 16 May

The Family History Society of Cheshire, Bramhall Group FANY and SOE from WW1 to Present by Sandra Webb. The story of the women of the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry Corps and their extraordinary connection with the Special Operations Executive.

Admission charge £2. For further details please email bramhall@fhsc.org.uk for further details. All visitors are most welcome.

United Reformed Church Hall, Bramhall SK7 2PE. 7.30pm

Come and get some tips from Kate Perry who will be talking about Lomax Hanging Baskets. As usual we will be having a cup of tea and biscuit in the afternoon and there’s plenty of time to welcome you to our gathering as we have a bit of a natter. All ladies will be made most welcome.

Bramhall Methodist Church (Bramhall Village Centre) 2.30pm

Saturday 11 May Chelford Embroiderers’ Guild De-stash Event & Sales Day Your unloved and unwanted textile treasure could become someone else’s perfect missing item.

Free Entry. Refreshments available To book a sales table (£10) email: chelfordnorthcheshirechair@embroiderersguild.co.uk Chelford Village Hall, SK11 9FZ 10.30am to 3pm

Sunday 12 May 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

Tuesday 14 to Saturday 18 May Sister Act Bollington Light Opera Group present the musical based on the hit movie.

Music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Glenn Slater, book by Bill and Cheri Steinkellner, and additional book material by Douglas Carter Beane. Tickets: £12, Concessions £10 (restrictions apply) Call: 01625 431038 Email: blogbookings@aol.com Bollington Civic Hall 7.30pm Matinee on 18th only at 2pm

Thursday 16 May Bramhall U3A John Walley will tell the George Formby Story Email to enquiries@bramhallu3a.org.uk or Telephone 0161 440 0447 United Reformed Church, Robins Lane, Bramhall 2pm, doors open 1.30pm

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Friday 17 May Stockport Historical Society Annual General Meeting followed by “The Clayton Hall Story”, presented by Beryl Poole. Visitors very welcome Admission £3.

Further information from Tony Nightingale 0161 440 0570.

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

Sunday 19 May Stockport Symphony Orchestra A summer matinee concert with something for everyone!

Milhaud Le Boeuf sur le Toit, Woolfenden Oboe concerto: soloist Simon Beesley, Beethoven Symphony No. 5 Conductors Anna Hartmann and Laurent Zufferey www.stockportsymphony.co.uk, tickets available at box office, online or on the door.

Stockport Town Hall 3pm

Monday 20 May to Saturday 25 May Poynton Players present Straight and Narrow. Presented by special arrangement with Samuel French Ltd. Book tickets online www.poyntonplayers.co.uk or phone 0333 6663399 Poynton Theatre, Georges Road West, Poynton, SK12 1JY

Wednesday 22 May Craft & Chatter see 10 April for details

THURSDAY 23 MAY Bramhall Christian Viewpoint Supper Evening Ruth Cox will be our guest speaker and will be sharing her faith and work with local charity Just Life. As Centre Manager of this organisation, working with single adults living in unsupported temporary accommodation, she has been challenged and inspired in equal measure by working alongside the ‘hidden homeless’ community. Price £12 including supper - to book a place ring Sheila Salden 0161 440 9794 The Deanwater Hotel, Woodford, SK7 1RL 7pm for 7.30pm

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

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Saturday 25 May Cheshire Chorale and Cheshire Sinfonia – Beautiful Music in Bramhall.

J S Bach - Brandenburg Concerto No 1 in F major BWV 1046; Blackford - Mirror of Perfection; Handel - Coronation Anthems.

Tickets: £12 (Full), £10 (concessions), £3 (students) Reserved tickets available in advance from 01969 667033 or at the door.

St Michael and All Angels Parish Church, Robins Lane, Bramhall 7.30pm

Sat 25 to Sun 26 May Mickey’s Big Day Out presented by NK Theatre Arts Get ready for that special Disney Magic delivered in NK’s unique way and join us for Mickey Mouse’s great adventure during MICKEY’S BIG DAY OUT! Featuring Mickey and Minnie and a host of Disney heroes and villains including some of the most memorable Disney songs of all time. Why not dress up as your favourite Disney Character, meet the characters after the show and join Mickey on his big day out!

Tickets: £9/£8 / Family of 4 £30 24hr Box Office 0333 666 3366 www.theforumtheatre.co.uk The Forum Theatre, Romiley, Stockport SK6 4EA 2pm

Thursday 30 May Melanie Latham will demonstrate chutney making at our meeting. You’ll be most welcome to join our Ladies’ Link meeting and share a cup of tea with us.

Bramhall Methodist Church (Bramhall Village Centre) 2.30pm

Fri 31 May & Sat 1 June Movie Music & More Poynton Gilbert & Sullivan Society Spring Concert Tickets will be available from tickets@poyntongands.co.uk or 01625 876394 Also, from Mates DIY on Park Lane or on the door. £10 for adults and £5 for 16 and under.

Poynton Legion, George’s Road West 7.30pm

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

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

puzzle solutions

useful numbers Churches Baptist Church Christ Church, Woodford Bramhall Christian Fellowship Evangelical Church Methodist Church Roman Catholic Church of St Vincent de Paul St Michael & All Angels United Reformed Church

Police (non-emergency) 0161 317 2702 0161 439 2286 0161 440 9132 0161 439 3103 0161 439 1204 0161 440 0889 0161 439 3989 0161 439 4807

0161 426 5850 0161 426 9700 07548 098 258 0161 439 3322

Helplines Alcoholics Anonymous Al-Anon CALL Listening Line Childline Citizens Advice Bureau Crimestoppers Directory Enquiries National Dementia Helpline RSPCA Samaritans The Wellspring, Stockport

0800 917 7650 02074 030888 0800 132 2737 0800 1111 03444 111 444 0800 555111 118 500 0300 222 1122 0300 1234999 116 123 0161 477 6344

Hospitals Stepping Hill Hospital NHS Non-Emergency

0161 856 9973 0161 856 9770 101

Post Offices Bramhall Sorting Office Maple Road Post Office Parkside Post Office Hazel Grove Post Office

0843 903 3213 0161 439 4100 0161 439 4006 0161 483 2332

Schools

Doctors Bramhall Health Centre Bramhall Park Medical Centre Bramhall Park Cancellation Line The Village Surgery

Bramhall & Woodford Police Cheadle Heath Police Station (non-emergency)

0161 483 1010 111

Bramhall High School Ladybrook Primary School Moss Hey Primary School Nevill Road Infants Nevill Road Juniors Infants Juniors Pownall Green Primary School Queensgate Primary School

0161 439 8045 0161 439 8444 0161 439 5114 0161 439 4817 0161 439 4598 0161 439 4817 0161 439 4598 0161 439 1105 0161 439 3330

Travel Traveline Bus & Train Information National Rail Enquiries Manchester Airport

0871 200 2233 0345 748 4950 0808 169 7030

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

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

Leisure Centre Bramhall

0161 439 8128

Libraries Bramhall Library Stockport Central Library

0161 217 6009 0161 474 4530

Local Government Stockport MBC Mary Robinson MP

0161 480 4949 0161 672 6855

69

classified index ADULT EDUCATION Wilmslow Guild

47

ACCOUNTANTS AXT Accountants

60

Greenbank Preparatory School

4 54

ESTATE AGENTS

Whitehall Builders

58

Mosley Jarman

Vernon Building Society

42

CAR LEASING Britannia Car Leasing

32

Inside Back Cover

Brilliant Fires Adlington Memorial Park All In Stone

Alice Chilton

45

Robinsons Relocation

Hillbrook Grange

61

GARAGE DOORS Carrington Doors

58

CHIROPODY Suzanne Gaskell

45

Alice Chilton Cleaning Services

17

CLUBS & ENTERTAINMENT Bramhall Village Club

63

46

DECORATORS Gary O Reilly

69

Philip Unsworth

40

Stuart Ennis

35

DRAINAGE

67

5 14

Pure Clean Drainage Solutions

57

PJ McEvoy

40

BPF Plumbing & Heating

50

retirement property 49

Adlington Retirement Living

18

SECURITY SERVICES 50

City Lock & Safe Ltd

67

SOLICITORS / LEGAL SERVICES

Creative Gardens & Driveways

Back Cover Greenthumb

26

Lawnkeeper

29

Robinsons Garden Maintenance

66

McAlister Family Law 6 Mounteney Solicitors 25 Slater & Gordon Inside Front Cover

STAIRCASE RENOVATIONS The Stair Shop

22

52

68

TRAVEL Lucy Allen Personal Travel Consultant

HOME IMPROVEMENT & PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

38

TAXIS Lynx

HEARING SERVICES

ICAN Handyman Services

67

PLUMBING & HEATING

GARDEN DESIGN & LANDSCAPING

Cheshire Hearing Centres

More Than Loft Ladders

PLASTERERS

GARDEN MAINTENANCE & LAWN CARE

CLEANING SERVICES

City Lock & Safe Ltd

PATIOS

FURNITURE REMOVAL

CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING

52

LOFT LADDERS

FURNITURE

CARE HOMES & SERVICES

Safeclean

52

FUNERAL SERVICES 35

Matt Finish

LOCKSMITH SERVICES

FIRES

CANDLES Scent A Peace

46

ELECTRICIANS

JS Services

13 41 30 21

KITCHEN RESPRAYING

ELECTRICAL SUPPLIES

SCZ Electrical Services

BUILDING SOCIETIES

9 10

Taylor Electrical

BUILDING SERVICES

70

Dream Doors Queensgate Glass Splashbacks The Granite & Marble Shop Transform Your Kitchen

Mathnasium

BOOK SHOPS Simply Books

KITCHENS

Bramhall Driveway & Patio Cleaning 17

EDUCATION & TUITION 25

BEAUTY Absolutely Gorgeous Nails

DRIVEWAYS

34

TREE SERVICES Swift Tree & Arboricultural Services 17

Metro Rod

53

Pure Clean Drainage Solutions

57

WINDOW & CONSERVATORY REPAIRS Cloudy 2 Clear

53

The Window Repair Centre

64