Inside Bramhall Issue 76

inside august - september 2019

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Issue 76

bramhall

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inside b r a m h a l l It’s July already, halfway through the year and a great time to take stock and set some goals for the next six months! 2019 is an exciting year for me – one daughter is getting married in September so there’s lots of shopping, planning and general anticipation in the air. Meanwhile, other daughter graduated in July and has moved to London to start her teaching career. So, we are now officially empty nesters, contemplating a house move and deciding what to do with the next phase of our lives!

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

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

What’s INSIDE this month 4 stockport’s giant leap 7 back in time scarecrow festival 8 simply books book club choice 11 tour of britain 12 inside people 15 Real Life Motoring 20 caribbean inspiration 23 In Touch 28 Puzzles 31 Big Butterfly Count 32 The Walk 34 Bollington Walking Festival 37 NGS Gardens 39 some like it hot 43 Mocktail Hour 20 47 Children’s Activities 48 Just 4 Kids 51 Rembrandt at Chatsworth 53 INSIDE Guide 57 make exercise are a real hiit 58 Diary of a Geeky Knitter 60 Puzzle Solutions

61 Useful Numbers 62 Classified Index

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Editor: Claire Hawker

Tel: 01625 879611

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Inside Magazines, 352a Park Lane, Poynton, Cheshire SK12 1RL. email: info@insidemagazines.co.uk www.insidemagazines.co.uk Bramall Hall by Claire Hawker

Copy deadline for the next issue: tuesday 10 sept

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

‘Back in Time’ Scarecrow Festival Following the enormous success of previous Scarecrow events, which have raised lots of money for Rotary supported charities, the Bramhall & Woodford Rotary Club invite you to come along to see the Back in Time Scarecrows around Bramhall village between 26 August and 14 September.

angularelbows@gmail.com or through www.bwrotary.org or the Facebook page Bramhall and Woodford Rotary. After that you have free rein to dress your scarecrow however you like but with the ‘Back in Time’ theme. Props are allowed. Or you can make your own scarecrow and enter the competition for just £10.

Billy Bow and Bella are inviting all their chums to come to Bramhall Village for a fun time. So, bring your own scarecrow, themed to go Back in Time, to join them in the village for judging on Saturday 14 September.

Judging will take place at various venues around the village with prizes to be won in various categories: The Village Square for schools, clubs and children’s organisations such as brownies, scouts; the forecourt of the Methodist church for family and individual entries; Tableaux for groups of Scarecrows and local shops and offices will be in situ.

Shops and businesses are being encouraged to display their scarecrows outside their premises for three weeks from 26 August for shoppers to enjoy and attract people to our lovely village centre.

If you wish you can get a creation kit for just £20 or re-enter last year’s model for £10. To create a Tableaux the costs are £35 two kits, £45 three kits and just £50 four kits. They can be obtained by contacting Maggie at This year will be a bit special because, at around midday, we will be able to welcome the final stage of the Tour Of Britain cycle race which will be coming through the Village. Billy Bow with Bella and the twins will be out waving to the riders as they pass by. Why not come and join them? But please be aware that there will be rolling road closures around the area for about 30 minutes before the race arrives. Free parking on the day thanks to Stockport MBC. There will be music and dance throughout the village from 11 am on the final Saturday including the Walthew House Steel Band, mystifying magicians, Bramhall School of Dancing, unicyclists and stilt walkers. Plus, there will be a trail for the kids to follow with a prize goody bag at the end.

Profits will go to Signpost Stockport for Carers, which provides free, confidential information and support to unwaged carers of all ages in the Stockport area, and other Rotary supported charities. www.bwrotary.org

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simply books book club choice We’re often asked in the shop to recommend ‘something funny’ – it’s a really tricky request. Humour, and what makes each of us raise a smile, is a very personal thing.

For me, however, Jonathan Coe is a very funny author and his latest book Middle England is truly a comedy for our times – a compelling state of the nation novel written with a masterfully satirical touch. Set against the backdrop of the last ten years or so Middle England takes in all kinds of seemingly unconnected moments from our recent history, culminating in that Referendum of June 2016 and the fall out (and falling out!) which has come to epitomise BREXIT. This is a brilliant comic critique of a divided country – told through the lives of a compelling cast of characters, combining top-class soap-opera storytelling and some very telling insights into what it means to be English. Don’t miss it!

Our favourite summer read this year is Sweet Sorrow by One Day author David Nicholls. Set over the course of one life-changing summer this is a bittersweet tragicomedy about the rocky road to adulthood and the searing explosion of first love. The novel is told in the voice of 38-year-old Charlie Lewis looking back at his 16-year-old self and the summer when he meets Fran Fisher and is smitten by the overpowering (and entirely unexpected) experience of love at first sight. Much against his better judgement Charlie discovers that the only way he can hope to win Fran over is by getting embroiled in an amdram production of Romeo and Juliet – in which Fran is to play the eponymous lead. This is a lovely book – lots of comic touches, but tender and sad too. David Nicholls joined us at Simply Books for a pre-publication launch of Sweet Sorrow, so we have a few signed copies of the book available. Oh, and if you haven’t read David’s earlier novels One Day and Us, they are both such a treat too!

And for the children… Ten Fat Sausages written by Michelle Robinson and illustrated by Tor Freeman is great fun. Ten Fat Sausages sizzling in the pan, decide to escape… if they can. Meet the brave bangers who refuse to be someone’s dinner, coming soon to a kitchen near you!

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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

Tour of Britain Final Stage in Greater Manchester

This September the world’s top teams and riders will be racing along roads near you in the OVO Energy Tour of Britain, the nation’s biggest and most prestigious professional bike race. It will be showcasing 120 of the world’s best cyclists across eight challenging stages, and best of all it’s free to attend.

almost 2,000 metres of climbing, including the famous climb of the Rake at Ramsbottom, before finishing on Deansgate in Manchester city centre.

This year’s finale will be the first stage of the OVO Energy Tour of Britain to finish in Manchester, home of British Cycling, since the opening leg of the first modern tour in 2004.

At the time of writing the final route and timings haven’t been confirmed, but we understand the race will come through Wilmslow, Bramhall, Hazel Grove, High Lane and on towards Marple and Romiley, so there’s bound to be somewhere near where you could go and watch!

Or you could head into Manchester to see the finale and who is crowned the overall winner of the OVO Energy Tour of Britain.

The race is returning to Greater Manchester for the first time in 15 years - all 10 of the city’s boroughs feature in the final stage on Saturday 14 September.

The final day of racing will see the peloton taking on a 165-kilometre route starting in Altrincham. Far from being a ceremonial end to the tour, stage eight includes

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inside people CLARE ARDERN

Clare Ardern was born in Ossett, West Yorkshire, in September 1973. She possesses most of the attributes of Virgo, her birth sign, is a maker of lists, a tidier, lover of order and an organiser.

Clare emphasises the need to stay abreast of changing trends in fashion and insists on using the best quality products for her clients. She is immensely proud of her talented team who are incredibly loyal and passionate about what they do.

Clients share confidences. One may be coping with bereavement or a personal life crisis, another may be excited by a new chapter opening in their life.

“I listen, console, cry and laugh with my clients. One thing I have never done is just “do hair.” I wouldn’t trade my job for the world. I’d like to thank every client for letting me be much more than a hair stylist.”

Clare attended Ossett High School and left at 16 to study hairdressing at Thomas Danby College. From her early teens her dream was to become a hairdresser. She was encouraged in her plans by her mother who, she later learned, had wanted to be a hairdresser herself but had been made to study a secretarial course by her father.

Clare is still a keen traveller. The family have always holidayed abroad and now she enjoys planning and organising their expeditions, deriving great pleasure from working out routes and finding unique, quirky places to stay. Recent they toured Tuscany and Elba and took a road trip to the west coast of America, the highlight of which was staying in a hotel overlooking the Grand canyon.

Clare is married to Phil. They have two daughters Lauryn and Brooke and a Yorkshire terrier called Rocky. Clare and Phil met in a Manchester night club, not long after a friend of hers had returned from working on cruise ships.

As soon as Clare saw the photographs, she knew she had to go too, and it kindled a wanderlust in her that has never died.

Her favourite music is 1980’s, especially Fleetwood Mac and not surprisingly her favourite reading is about travel.

She admits to being very tidy and hates mess and clutter.

She also dislikes Rap music with bad language, the kind of music her girls play frequently.

At 21 she left for London. Three weeks later she was working as a hairdresser for Steiner, sailing around the Caribbean and South America. She did however continue writing to Phil and on returning to England, it was Phil who met her at the airport to take her home.

Phil and Clare’s love developed, and she moved to Manchester, working alongside some amazing hairdressers, polishing her skills and achieving further qualifications. Eventually she fulfilled her lifelong ambition and bought her own salon in Hazel Grove. After 18 months she reorganised and renamed the business, “The Hair Boutique” which she has successfully run for ten years. Many of her clients followed her from previous salons and some have been with her over 20 years.

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One client now lives in Hong Kong, visits the UK frequently, and has her hair done by Clare on these visits.

As a thrifty Yorkshire lass, her pet hates are having to pay for carrier bags, parking and expensive cocktails.

She much prefers a large beer.

Her ambition, when her children are older, is to go with Phil and close friends on a back- packing holiday around the world.

Her heroine is Joanna Lumley who as well as being glamorous and funny is an intelligent and interesting woman.

Last word from Clare I’m a positive person. My cup is always half full. Remind yourself things could be worse. Fill your time with things you love doing and people whose company you enjoy.

by Ed Blundell

real life motoring

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Here at Uniquely Chic Furniture we source and sell quality pine, oak, vintage and shabby chic furniture.

We have a vast range of stock which changes constantly. New pieces arriving almost daily.

We also paint furniture. Our painting team are experts at transforming our furniture, or yours, into hand painted, individual, unique pieces. If you have a favourite or inherited piece that fits your space why not have it upcycled and uplifted in our workroom? We occasionally buy your furniture or sometimes we even do part exchanges, so why not pop in and see us, or email us.

As well as furniture, we also sell lighting, mirrors, shabby chic home accessories and gifts. New and returning customers always use the same two phrases when they visit...”Aladdin’s Cave” and “Treasure Trove”! We are open 6 days a week, including weekends. Come and visit us, you never know what you will find when you step through the door. @shabbychicuk Official stockists of Frenchic ecofriendly chalk paint and accessories.

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

CARIBBEAN INSPIRATION

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

in touch your local community noticeboard

august - september 2019

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

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

Finalists will be awarded a minimum of £250 up to a maximum of £1500!

Stockport County Community Foundation’s Adrian Rigby-Bates said: ‘We as a charity, were delighted to have been chosen as one of the 14 finalists taking place in the voting for the 2018 Community Awards which has not only helped to raise invaluable funds for our Mental Health Football and Multisport Project but also helped build awareness about the good work that we do.’

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

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

ART & CRAFT AT THE METHODIST CHURCH This group meets every Monday, from 9 September from 2pm to 4pm at Bramhall Methodist Church. The Art group has been established for several years but is always ready to welcome newcomers. Materials are available if you haven’t got your own supply. The Craft section have joined up with the Art Group and are now really getting their feet under the table. Either bring the craft you are working on and have the company of other crafters whilst you work, or you can take part in the craft that we are working on at the time. In September and October, for example, we will be learning jewellery making under expert tuition. All materials will be provided, and the jewellery made will be sold in November, proceeds being donated to the Royal British Legion. So why not come along and have a pleasurable afternoon with us. We make a cup of tea as well so there’s plenty of time for a chat.

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in touch - your local community noticeboard

HEADTEACHER AT GREENBANK RETIRES Much loved Headteacher Janet Lowe is to retire at the end of the year after 39 years’ service in two leading Stockport schools. Under Janet’s leadership Greenbank Preparatory School in Cheadle Hulme has won national awards for ecology, parental engagement and value for money.

The last 12 years, since Janet took the reins as Headteacher, have also seen the school roll increase at all age levels with a continuing expansion and rebuilding programme to create a modern multi-media learning environment with superb indoor and outdoor facilities.

Greenbank’s local, national and international charity work, notably with the Port Reitz Special School in Kenya, saw Janet win the Stockport Rotary Club’s Paul Harris special achievement award in 2015.

Before she joined Greenbank, Janet had worked for 27 years in Stockport Grammar School Junior Department, developing her own child centred philosophy. “Developing self-esteem is so important in the early years so you encourage, nurture, love, praise and teach the way children learn.”

She added: “The awards have been wonderful, but it has been so much more important to see confident, articulate, creative, expressive and happy children move on the next stage of their education and it’s the children I am going to miss most.”

Janet will continue to work part-time as an Inspector for the independent School’s Inspectorate and for Manchester Metropolitan University. She is happy to be handing over to former British Olympic squad canoeist, Malcolm Johnson who is moving from his role as Deputy Head at the neighbouring Cheadle Hulme School, to become Greenbank’s new Head in September.

Greenbank’s Chair of Trustees Phil Enstone said: “The role of Headteacher is fundamental to a school’s and its pupils’ success and Greenbank has been very lucky to have had such a marvellous professional and role model.

Pupils, parents, staff and Trustees will miss her very much but know her legacy will continue to flourish.”

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

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

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

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

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in touch - your local community noticeboard

Cricket club knocks ‘em for six with Bank Holiday Beerfest The Bank Holiday weekend sees Woodford Cricket Club holding its annual Beer Festival at its Moor Lane, Woodford ground. This will be the seventh year the club has held the event, which has grown in popularity.

There will be a minimum of 16 different real ales, including four from Bollington Brewery, which has supported the event since its inception with the provision of a bar, cooling equipment and help to set-up.

Non beer drinkers are catered for too, with a range of draft ciders and a gin bar. Wines will also be available by the glass and for the hungry, home cooked hot and cold fare will be available.

Club Chairman, Dave Williams said, “The Woodford Beer Festival has become an important part of the club calendar, not only in boosting much needed club funds, but also in helping us to play a wider role in the community and welcome people who might not otherwise go to a cricket club. There will be cricket played on both the Saturday and Sunday afternoons of the weekend. So please come and see us, enjoy some excellent beers and have a great time.”

Event timings are Friday 23 August 7pm to 11pm and Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 August 1pm to 11pm. Woodford Cricket club is on Moor Lane, Woodford SK7 1PW and can be reached by the 42B bus service which stops outside the ground.

BRAMHALL BEACH Fords Lane Church in Bramhall will be running Bramhall Beach this summer for the third year running. This popular summer event attracted over 500 children last year, as well as adults and many over 60s.

Events take place in a marquee so it’s great fun whatever the weather.

Bramhall Beach runs from 10 to 22 August, 10am to 4pm each day (excluding Sundays) On Saturday 17 Aug from 10am to 2pm the session will be a relaxed event specifically for families with children with additional needs. We will be open to the general public 2pm to 4pm that day.

The cost is £1 per child per day (includes a free gift). Bring a packed lunch and deck chair and stay as long as you like. Drinks and ice creams will be available at a small charge.

Bible stories, games and crafts will take place Tues to Thurs each week at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. We’re hoping to have Donkey Rides on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 from 10.30am to 3.30pm (there will be a charge) Tuesday 20 August: Over 60s special with fish and chips and bingo. £5 per person from 4.30pm to 6.30pm.

Wednesday 21 August: International Students’ night from 4.30pm onwards.

The marquee is available evenings and Sunday afternoons for party hire. Please email bookings@flec.org.uk for details. Free, good quality play sand will be available for collection from 4pm on Thursday 22 August.

More details at www.flec.org.uk

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

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

sudoku How to play Sudoku Fill in the grid so that each row, column and 3x3 box, contains the numbers 1 through to 9 with no repetition.

You don’t need to be a genius. These puzzles use logic alone.

Watch out! Sudoku is highly addictive.

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Solutions on page 60

Get out for the Count!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photo Credits: Butterfly Conservation

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

Ascent: 560 ft over 3 miles.

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

Maps: OS Explorer OL1 Dark Peak.

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

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

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

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

The Walk

towards a fence. The view has changed completely.

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

Note the pair of dragons guarding a fine gateway.

Turn left and left again onto the bridleway.

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

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

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

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

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

Climb the bank and walk diagonally across the field

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

Turn right and return to the car park.

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

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

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

By Michael Bradbury and Gordon Harris

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bollington Walking Festival Committee Photo by Terry Heathcote

National Garden Scheme

LATE SUMMER OPENINGS

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

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

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

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

Laskey Farm

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

by John Hinde www.ngs.org.uk

Mount Pleasant

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

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

Bee Lemon

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

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

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

Continued over

Fiery Fred

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

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

by Martin Blow > www.specialperennials.com

Twany King

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

by Kelly Taylor

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

Try infusing your drinks with fresh fruit and herbs.

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

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

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

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

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mocktails

Totally Tropical Tea-zinger

Savoury and spicy. The perfect pre-dinner mocktail.

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

Serves 2

Serves 1 but will scale up

The Perfect Virgin Bloody Mary

Ingredients

Ingredients

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Method

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

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

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

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

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

48

just 4 kids

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

by Stuart Bolton

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

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

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

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

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inside guide

august - september 2019

selected events in your area

Monday 5 August

Wednesday 28 August

Manchester Jazz £7 entry, enquiries 01663 763532 High Lane Conservative Club, Buxton Road, High Lane SK6 8DR 8pm

Simply Books Annual Picnic This year we have chosen to visit Saltaire (near Bradford) conceived as a ‘model village’ to house the workers at Salts Mill it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As well as Salts Mill itself (home to one of the largest David Hockney collections in the world) there’s a lovely park (with lots of picnic possibilities), a Heritage Trail, boat trips on the Leeds Liverpool Canal, and plenty of unusual shops/cafes. There’s even a bookshop too! If you want to find out more see www.saltairevillage.info £30 per person (this includes the coach, fees for our guide, a hot drink on arrival and cream tea in Salts Mill before we depart).

To book: call 0161 439 1436 or email events@simplybooks.info or book online at www.simplybooks.info

Wednesday 7 August ‘Coffee and Conversation’ at Simply Books. 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 at 11am) Simply Books, Bramhall 11am

Thursday 8 August Would you like to meet new friends? Thursday Group is a social group for unattached people of mature years, with several activities run by the members every week. These include walking, dancing, badminton, theatre and restaurant visits. For more info see www.thursdaygroup.co.uk or ring Bill on 07505 076838, or just come along to new members night on the first Thursday in each month where you will be met by group members.

The Bulls Head Pub, 30 Wilmslow Road, Handforth, SK9 3EW 8.30pm

Monday 2 September Manchester Jazz. £7 entry, enquiries 01663 763532 High Lane Conservative Club, Buxton Road, High Lane SK6 8DR 8pm

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

Saturday 24 August

Thursday 5 September

Poynton Show. A great day out for all the family.

See www.poyntonshow.co.uk for details and advance tickets.

Poynton Park from 8am

Would you like to meet new friends? Thursday Group is a social group for unattached people of mature years, with several activities run by the members every week. These include walking, dancing, badminton, theatre and restaurant visits.

For more info see www.thursdaygroup.co.uk or ring Bill on 07505 076838, or just come along to new members night on the first Thursday in each month where you will be met by group members.

The Bulls Head Pub, 30 Wilmslow Road, Handforth, SK9 3EW 8.30pm

Saturday 24 August Gifts, Crafts & Fashion Fair by “Mélange Markets” All enquiries to 07759883391 email: angela@pinkparrotonline.co.uk or fb.me/ melangemarkets United Reformed Church Hall, Robins Lane, Bramhall SK7 2EF 11am to 4pm

Tuesday 27 August Caffe e Conversazione at Simply Books. 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

stand out from the crowd

with our paid INSIDE Guide listings.

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

Continued over

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Saturday 7 & Sunday 8 September

Saturday 14 September

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

The Robins Singers would like to invite local singers to join them for a Singing Day. We will be singing extracts from Night of Miracles by John Peterson and The Peacemakers by Karl Jenkins. Further details may be obtained from sec.robins.singers@gmail.com Bramhall United Reformed Church, Robins Lane, Bramhall

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

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

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

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

Thursday 12 September Link Women’s Fellowship We begin our new programme of meetings with a visit from Joe Sambrook who will tell us about “The Life of a Market Trader.” All ladies are welcome to come and join us. You don’t have to be a member of our church - or any church for that matter - we will just be happy to meet you. Following the speaker, we have light refreshments and have time for a chat rounding off at about 4 to 4.30pm - and all this for only £2. We pride ourselves on friendship so you will be more than welcome.

Bramhall Methodist Church 2.30 pm

stand out from the crowd 54

Monday 16 September East Cheshire Alpine Garden Society meets with speaker David Charlton whose title is Flowers of the Pyrenees.

We have a book stall, plant quiz, plant raffle, and plants for sale.

Tea and coffee are served in the interval. £4 admission for visitors. A warm welcome awaits.

For more information contact Bob Worsley on 07808 974753 Wilmslow Preparatory School, Grove Avenue SK9 5EG 7.30pm prompt

Wednesday 18 September Lunchtime Concerts Irwell Baroque, Anna Rosa Mari/flute, Dewi Tudor Jones/violin, Peggy Nolan/cello, Pete Durrant/harpsichord Light lunches available from 12 noon. Concert performances commence at 1pm. Admission by Programme £6 Further Information: Tel. 01625 586713 Tel. 01625 584410 Tel. 01625 584367 www.alderleyedgemethodistchurch.com aemcchurchoffice@gmail.com Alderley Edge Methodist Church, Chapel Road, Alderley Edge SK9 7DU

Thursday 19 September Bramhall Christian Viewpoint Supper Evening Transmitting Hope with Speaker Rosemary Hack (nee Hall) Rosemary was born in Bramhall and attended local schools.

She, with her husband Michael has ministered in various places around the world (Middle East, Asia, Africa). She founded AIDSLink International in 2006 and also leads OM’s Justice Stream. Rosemary is passionate about tackling issues of injustice and oppression and believes that challenging some of the deep beliefs and theology that lie below the surface is a key part of this. To book a place telephone Sheila Salden 0161 440 9794 (price including supper £14) Deanwater Hotel, Woodford SK7 1RJ 7 for 7.30pm

with our paid INSIDE Guide listings.

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

Friday 20 September

Thursday 26 September

Stockport Historical Society “Bramhall on Old Postcards” by Ian Cameron Visitors very welcome Admission £3.

Further information from Tony Nightingale 0161 440 0570.

Stockport Sunday School, 96 Nangreave Road, SK2 6DQ (Next to Aquinas College) 7.45pm

Link Women’s Fellowship We look forward to an extremely interesting meeting when Heather Slater will be telling us about being “Nanny to the Saudi Royal Family”. We are a friendly group of ladies who are always ready to welcome any other ladies to come and join us. So why not come along? We round off our meetings about 4 to 4.30 with a cup of tea, a biscuit (or two) and a chat so it may be that you will find a new friend amongst us.

Bramhall Methodist Church 2.30pm

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

Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 September Artisan Route Open Day Featuring a collection of Alpaca Knitwear, ‘Perfect Fit’ Pima Cotton Tops, and Silk Scarves – All by Artisan Route.

Monday 10.30am to 4pm and Tuesday 10am to 1pm The Bridge Hotel (The Riverside Room), Prestbury

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

Saturday 28 September Gifts, Crafts & Fashion Fair by “Mélange Markets” All enquiries to 07759883391 email: angela@pinkparrotonline.co.uk or fb.me/melangemarkets United Reformed Church Hall, Robins Lane, Bramhall SK7 2EF 11am to 4pm

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

Email: info@insidemagazines.co.uk

Weds 25 to Sat 28 September NK Theatre Arts presents Boogie Nights Do you remember where you were the night Elvis died?

Well, tonight’s the night. Boogie Nights-The Musical tells the hilarious and heart-warming story of Roddy, a Jack-the-lad, whose life of birds, booze and boogie is about to be turned upside down.

Packed with all the greatest Disco classics Boogie Nights-The Musical will have the audience up on its feet doing The Bump and The Hustle, and funking along to the grooviest chart topping hits like ‘You Sexy Thing’,’ Y.M.C.A.’, ‘I Will Survive’, ‘In The Navy’, ‘Can You Feel The Force’, ‘I Love To Love’, ‘Boogie Wonderland’ and many more!

Tickets: £15/£12. 24hr Box Office 0333 666 3366 www.theforumtheatre.co.uk The Forum Theatre, Romiley, Stockport SK6 4EA 7.30pm

Copy deadline for the next issue:

Tuesday 10 September Tel: 01625 879611

by Claire Hawker

email: info@insidemagazines.co.uk

55

Make Exercise a Real HIIT Add some variety to your fitness regime When we think of the gym, we usually picture ourselves jogging on a treadmill, or pounding a crosstrainer, non-stop for 45 minutes. Some people love it, and get a real buzz from a session, but if you’re like me you’ll count every single second as you wait for the torture to stop. What if you could get more health benefits by doing just half the exercise? When I heard this was a possibility at the gym I attend, I couldn’t sign-up fast enough.

needs to expend a lot more energy. It can’t keep pace with your needs by simply burning easily accessible temporary carbohydrate stores, so it has to start burning fat. It also needs a lot more oxygen which is why you get out of breath. But this raises your body’s metabolism to a much higher level than simply jogging.

So, when you finish exercise, your body stays in this high-energy state for much longer burning even more calories.

Enter HIIT, High Intensity Interval Training (pronounced ‘hit’).

Your whole body has to work a lot harder to keep up with the exercise, especially your heart. In fact, HIIT strengthens your whole cardiovascular system. It’s also very good at reducing insulin resistance (one of the precursors to type 2 diabetes) which makes it much easier for your body to regulate your blood sugar, as well as helping to reduce high blood pressure, the risk of heart disease, cancer, obesity and more.

HIIT involves short periods, 30 seconds or so, of high intensity exercise followed by equally short rest periods which you repeat for around 20 to 30 minutes. The idea is to work as hard as you possibly can during each work session, then catch your breath, then repeat. At the end of the whole work out you should be totally exhausted.

At this point you might be thinking that the 45-minute gentle jog isn’t sounding so bad after all, but HIIT has a number of real advantages.

Each work period can be a different exercise. Some can be cardio; some can be strength exercises. This keeps the workout interesting (good if like me you are easily bored) and also gives you the twin benefits of improving fitness and building muscle.

High intensity exercise burns more calories and more fat. Because you are working flat out your body

HIIT is easily tailored to any fitness level. If you pop to your local gym, you’ll usually find beginner, intermediate and advanced level sessions. But if the gym really isn’t your thing, it’s easy to do a HIIT work out at home. There are lots of apps and videos to help you out.

Spending just 20 minutes, three times a week on HIIT will kick your health drive into top gear, so why not give High Intensity Interval Training a try?

by Mark O’Keefe

57

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Copy deadline for the next issue:

Tuesday 10 September Tel: 01625 879611 email: info@insidemagazines.co.uk

60

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

61

classified index ADULT EDUCATION 30

Metro Rod

36

Queensgate Glass

Spanish Classes

21

Pure Clean Drainage Solutions

38

KITCHEN RESPRAYING

BEAUTY Enhance Aesthetics

13

Simply Books

Greenbank Preparatory School

BUILDING SERVICES

Taylor Electrical

29

SCZ Electrical Services

Whitehall Builders

50

ESTATE AGENTS Mosley Jarman

6

Inside Back Cover

FIRES

Abney Court

25

FUNERAL SERVICES

Alice Chilton

45

Adlington Memorial Park

Fernlea

18

Hillbrook Grange

22

CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING Safeclean

36

CHIROPODY Suzanne Gaskell

13

CLEANING SERVICES Alice Chilton Cleaning Services

16

14

45

5

RETIREMENT PROPERTY

Uniquely Chic

17

SOLICITORS / LEGAL SERVICES McAlister Family Law

9

Mounteney Solicitors

46

The Stair Shop

42

TAXIS

FURNITURE 19

ASAPP Lynx

GARAGE DOORS

16 Inside Front Cover

Carrington Doors

46

TRAVEL

Garolla

35

Lucy Allen Personal Travel Consultant 20

GARDEN DESIGN & LANDSCAPING Creative Gardens & Driveways

Back Cover

Robinsons Garden Maintenance

Gary O Reilly

61

Hazel Grove Golf Club

Philip Unsworth

60

HEARING SERVICES

Stuart Ennis

40

Cheshire Hearing Centres

TREE SERVICES Swift Tree & Arboricultural Services 40

WINDOW & CONSERVATORY REPAIRS 55

GOLF CLUBS

DECORATORS

60

STAIRCASE RENOVATIONS

GARDEN MAINTENANCE

CLUBS & ENTERTAINMENT Bramhall Village Club

21

38

PLASTERERS

Adlington Retirement Living

Brilliant Fires

CARE HOMES & SERVICES

PATIOS

PJ McEvoy

ELECTRICIANS

BUILDING SOCIETIES

50

Pure Clean Drainage Solutions 35

JS Services

Vernon Building Society

49

ELECTRICAL SUPPLIES 8

41

Matt Finish

EDUCATION & TUITION

BOOK SHOPS

62

KITCHENS

DRAINAGE

Aquinas College

10

26

Cloudy 2 Clear

52

The Window Repair Centre

56