Inside Poynton Issue 70

inside poynton august - september 2017

magazines

Issue 70

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

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inside p o y n t o n

Well, here we are again at the height of summer and what a fabulous one it’s turning out to be. Working in publishing it can feel as though time is running away as we’re always working to deadlines months in advance of publication dates. Before we’ve sent the summer issues to print, people are already contacting us with information about Christmas! So, I’m always mindful of making the most of the lovely, bright early mornings and long, light evenings.

What’s INSIDE this month 4 Poynton People 7 anything’s possible with an e-bike 11 Diary of a Geeky Knitter 12 heleniums 15 NGS Gardens photo competition

Following my comments last time about what makes INSIDE Magazines a bit different I should take a moment to say a big thank you to all the people who contribute editorial features. One of the most popular is The Walk and, thanks to Marple Ramblers and Poynton Ramblers, there’s always a new walk to try.

Special thanks also to Graham Beech who has kept us up to date with the NGS Charity Garden Openings for many years.

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Finally – please keep the ‘Reader’s photos’ coming – we’ve already printed fabulous images on some of our titles. Whatever the season or occasion, send them in and we’ll file them away for the same time next year!

49 Crossword

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23 notes from the orient express 28 the book group recommends 31 a great family pub 32 the walk 37 In Touch

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45 Just 4 Kids 46 Children’s Activities 53 Inside Guide 57 Puzzle Solutions 59 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 Ann & Liz with their E-bikes by Garth Aspinall.

Copy deadline for the next issue: tue 12 sept

Inside Poynton is produced by Inside Magazines Ltd. We cannot be held responsible for views expressed by contributors or any advert content, including errors or omissions, or endorse companies, products or services that appear in this magazine. We endeavour to ensure that all local information given in this magazine is accurate, but we cannot always guarantee this. © Copyright Inside Magazines Ltd 2017. 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

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been used to. It was adaptable to everyone, not just the young and super-fit, but also for people wanting to deal with injuries, back pain and ageing. She qualified with the Body Control Pilates Association in 2003 and since then it has taken over as the main focus of her work.

She now teaches 15 classes a week.

poynton people

ruth partington Body Control Pilates Teacher Over the past 14 years Ruth has taught Pilates successfully to all ages, abilities and levels of fitness in Poynton and Macclesfield.

‘I didn’t start out in the fitness industry. I knew I enjoyed working with people so initially I trained as a nurse at Charing Cross Hospital in London. Then adventure beckoned so I travelled to New Zealand and specialised in cardio-thoracic nursing in Auckland.’

It was during her stay in New Zealand, a great outdoors country, that Ruth became interested in fitness. Once back home she gradually phased out her nursing career and gained further qualifications. These included teaching weight training, exercise to music and personal training. She also worked in health club management and instructor education.

‘Looking back I realise I’ve moved from nursing people when they’re ill to helping people improve their health.

My nursing background has been useful. It helps me to understand the implications of my clients’ medical issues and how best to help them through exercise.

Safety is very important to me and I always check everyone’s health history before they join my classes. I also offer a free taster class so I can gauge a safe level from where each person can begin.’

Ruth discovered Pilates in 1998, when it first began to appear on the UK fitness scene. It was something slightly different from ‘going for the burn’ they’d all

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‘I like the intelligent approach of Pilates. It works the body as a whole unit and uses the connection between mind and body. Most days clients tell me how Pilates has helped them reduce aches and pains, feel better in themselves or just have more energy for gardening.’

When Ruth was originally looking for a local venue her search led her to the Methodist Church Hall, then to St George’s Church Hall and most recently to Poynton Sports Club. ‘Poynton seems such a close-knit community and I’ve been made to feel very welcome,’ she says.

Ruth explains that Pilates is an exercise method developed by Joseph Pilates in 1920s. He famously said, ‘It is the mind that builds the body’. Pilates is designed to give a person a stronger, healthier body by improving strength, flexibility, alignment and posture. It also aims to focus the mind, improve body awareness and reduce tension.

‘One of the main needs of people today, I find, is to be able to deal with stress. Pilates really helps and it’s one of the reasons I start most of my classes with some relaxation. Throughout the class we focus on correct breathing, coordination and good alignment. My clients tell me that by the end of a class they get up off the mat feeling calm, energised and sometimes taller!’

Pilates trains people to keep moving, have a better quality of life, increase mental well-being and have a sense of achievement. ‘And that,’ says Ruth, ‘is why I find my job so satisfying!’

Ruth Partington – a qualified Body Control Pilates teacher since 2003; Member of The Register of Exercise Professionals. CONTACT for bookings and more information: Email: ruth@rppilates.co.uk Phone: 07976 621069 www.rppilates.co.uk

by Jenny Cooke

anything’s possible...

with an e-bike

A few years ago, electric bikes (or e-bikes) were almost unheard of on English soil, but today it’s a different story. There are now numerous e-bike models on the market and more and more people are enjoying the benefits of this 21st century phenomenon. E-bikes are almost undistinguishable from a traditional bike and chances are you have seen quite a few such bikes in your own locality without actually realising it. Liz Hatherall and Ann Aspinall (pictured on our front cover) have now been riding e-bikes for about six years and haven’t regretted their purchases for one moment. In this article, they give us the benefit of their knowledge and considerable experience.

So what is an e-bike? Put simply, it’s a pedal cycle that also has a small electric motor and battery fitted to

help propel it. These latter two components are almost always involved in one form or another and largely account for the additional weight of this type of bike.

A simple switch enables you to choose at any time (depending on the terrain) just how much support you require. Assistance is typically provided in three or four increments – no support, eco (low) support, standard support and high support. More sophisticated e-bikes also have a ‘walk’ mode that means you don’t need to push the bike along yourself, which is especially useful if you need to get it up a ramp.

Key to the practicality of the e-bike is the battery. The battery is typically charged overnight and can give you a range of up to sixty miles, but in practice its range will ultimately depend on the level of assistance you routinely require. For a long journey, a second battery, carried in your pannier is definitely a good idea.

E-bikes come in all shapes and sizes to suit different kinds of terrain and a myriad of personal needs, and can be enjoyed by all ages. They come with differing technical characteristics and can cost between £500 and £4,000. As a rough guide, avoid the low-end Chinese products and be prepared to pay £2,000 min. for a quality product. With so many manufacturers, models, technical specifications and schools of thought around, it’s very important that you do your research and that you consult with a specialist dealer before Continued over

by Garth Aspinall

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you make your purchase. The ideal bike will feel comfortable for you and will enable you to do all the things that you have been dreaming about.

Once you have decided that the investment is worthwhile, the quest for your ideal bike can be great fun and it’s likely that you will become as knowledgeable and enthusiastic about e-bikes as others are about their camera, car, caravan or mobile home.

But most important of all, when you have finally made your purchase you will discover a whole new lifestyle and perhaps, a new and exciting world.

Liz and Ann (both the ‘wrong side of 70’) have provided some really interesting insights into the benefits of owning an e-bike. In the last five years, they have pottered about the local area, completed many a shopping trip, enjoyed numerous day trips and, just for the record, have cycled over 5000 kilometres with five ‘Grand Tours’ across six European countries.

Ann bought her bike initially to keep up with her husband (yours truly), I still have an ordinary bike and now play ‘catch-up’ - especially on the hills! The Scottish Highlands for her are a possibility. For me?

Well. I’m not so sure.

An e-bike is a great way to do your local shopping.

Panniers or specifically designed bags can accommodate a reasonable amount of shopping.

Whether you are visiting your local supermarket or a European city, you will encounter no parking problems.

Perhaps you could dispense with your costly second car!

A good bike-rack towed behind your car can carry two or more bikes and makes it possible to reach all manner of destinations for the start of your ride. This could be a parking spot in Alderley Edge close to the quieter Cheshire lanes or the car park at the start of the Tissington Trail.

With a little experience, you could plan an adventure trip, in the UK or abroad. There are wonderful routes, all very well sign-posted, in France, Germany and Austria. And if you are fortunate enough to own a campervan or mobile home, take your bikes with you and you will enjoy even greater flexibility.

Hiring an e-bike is an important first step in your decision-making process. It will help you decide whether you enjoy the activity. Surf the internet to find out where you can hire. You can, for example hire at Parsley Hay or Ashbourne, the beginning and end points of the Tissington Trail.

Liz and Ann have provided some useful hints and observations – in no particular order of importance – to think about if you are considering the purchase of an e-bike.

Cycling is not only pleasurable, but is recognised as a generally safe, low impact form of exercise that is kind to knees, hips and feet. An e-bike enables you to continue cycling when you are older. In fact, if walking is a problem, an e-bike could become your preferred way of getting out and about.

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However, whilst hiring a bike is helpful, you should also take the opportunity to test a range of bikes to find the best one for you. Visiting one of the major cycle exhibitions would be an interesting and time-saving way to explore and test all options.

Don’t forget the Cycle to Work scheme which provides for subsidised purchase. We have a friend who cycles to the station, takes a train to Congleton and cycles at the other end to work, without once breaking into a sweat.

If you feel inspired to find out more, google ‘e-bike’ and you will discover a wealth of information on the internet. Alternatively, you can email anaspinall@hotmail.com - Ann & Liz will try to answer any queries you might have.

Diary of a geeky knitter Knitting in public On 10 June this year, the (knitting and crochet) world picked up their needles (and hooks) and went outside to knit, on what is the annual celebration of the best hobby in the world – Worldwide Knit in Public Day. For me, every day is knit-in-public-day, but it’s always wonderful to see so many people get giddy with the new-found ‘permission’ to whip their needles out on the bus and in coffee shops.

I actually did my bit for the celebration the day before, when I visited Alderley Edge School for Girls to do a lunchtime masterclass on knitting! A student at the school emailed me to ask if I would come in to do a talk on why knitting is great, in the hopes that it would drum-up interest amongst the students as she wanted to promote her knitting club – good on her! I hosted a short presentation on why I think knitting is brilliant – creative, fun, good for mental health, charity and political activism– and then we had a go at learning casting on and knitting. At least half of the girls who turned up were full of questions and eager to learn the stitches, which I felt (hope) means the talk went well.

I certainly got a cracking lunch out of the day, so I’d say it was a job well done! If anyone reading is keen to learn to knit themselves, I’m sorry to write that I’m

not actually available to do regular talks, however I did tell the girls that YouTube is a MARVEL for learning new hobbies (I 100% learned how to crochet through YouTube alone) so fire up that smartphone and get cracking, and as always whizz me an email if you want a starting point.

Wedding bells In other news, I’ve had my sewing machine running just as fast as my knitting needles in anticipation of two of my best friends’ weddings this summer. I always seem to set myself crafting challenges and I wanted to sew a dress for the wedding, and ideally wear a matching knitted cardigan. The dress was finalised two days before, and the cardigan was finished in the taxi on the way to the ceremony (I kid not), fuelled by a breakfast Bucks Fizz. I was delighted with the result, and smugly told any stranger who said I had a nice dress on exactly where I got it – ‘Cher Tricoteuse Geeky’ (thanks Google Translate). I’m not saying I am in a rush to repeat this, but it was a great feeling – that, and seeing two people I love be married, of course.

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

Heleniums - My Favourite Plant The great garden writer Christopher Lloyd, when asked what his favourite flower was, replied: “the one I’m looking at now”. It’s that way with me with Heleniums; all are beautiful, all are equally easy to grow and all do a great job in the border, be it a 15-inch edger to a 6-footer at the back.

Heleniums come in all shades and variations of yellow, orange and red. The only thing to remember is that Heleniums need good sunlight to obtain the best colours.

The short varieties are usually earlier to flower and with dead heading will go on longest. Probably the best is the 2ft tall Mardi Gras with its jolly masses of flower and a strong constitution. Also, highly recommended is the bright red Red Army and Fata Morgana.

Mid height Heleniums (3ft tall) are great for the middle or back of borders (depending on the size of border).

The most popular is Sahin’s Early Flowerer but a better choice is the magnificent El Dorado with very large golden yellow flowers. Hot Lava is a brand new one that is later to flower but very bushy.

Tall varieties (4-6ft) might need a stake in an exposed site but I rarely need to resort to this as the stems are very thick and strong. Amber is the best of newer varieties with masses of flower on upright plants.

Heleniums mix well with lots of garden plants. I particularly like them with grasses in late summer – short moor grasses (Molinia) or taller Silver Grass (Miscanthus) and Feather Grass (Pennisetum). Monarda (Bergamot) and Phlox make great companions as all require similar growing conditions.

The common name, Sneezeweed, comes from the use of dried and powdered leaves as medicinal snuff to cure colds and bronchitis. Don’t try this at home! Heleniums are toxic and harmful if ingested. In Germany, they are called Sonnenbraut –or Sun Brides; far more romantic!

All Heleniums are a great source of nectar for bees and butterflies which will flock to the flowers with glee.

Gardeners often think of Heleniums as late-flowering, adding colour to the August and September garden, but with careful selection of varieties and regular dead heading and watering, you can have Heleniums in bloom from mid-June until the beginning of November without having to resort to forcing plants in a greenhouse.

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by Martin Blow > www.specialperennials.com

There are a few simple rules to follow to get the best out of heleniums: water whenever dry even in spring or autumn; deadhead short varieties regularly; cut down the stems to just above the ground in winter and only divide or move them in spring not autumn. Follow these and Heleniums should come back each year to brighten up your summer and autumn garden.

Janet and I run Special Perennials, website www.specialperennials.com We attend Plant Hunters’ Fairs and will be at the wonderful Henbury Hall Garden, Macclesfield on Sunday 17 September with entry to this lovely rarely open 12-acre garden and plant fair only £2.50; For full details of these and other Plant Hunters’ Fairs please see www.planthuntersfairs.co.uk We are happy to bring orders to plant fairs for you to collect.

EARLY AUTUMN GARDENS TO VISIT, PHOTOS TO TAKE... AND PRIZES TO WIN! This year marks the 90th anniversary of the National Garden Scheme and this is being celebrated with a photography competition. The competition runs until the1st September 2017 and the winners will be announced in mid-September, so there’s no time to lose.

To enter, just take a photo in a National Garden Scheme garden. To find out which gardens are open near you, use the Garden Finder section on the NGS web site: www.ngs.org.uk.

All entries must be submitted through the National Garden Scheme email address ngscomp@ngs.org.uk or via the relevant section of the website, ngs.org.uk/ photo which also includes full terms and conditions and further information.

COMPETITION CATEGORIES AND PRIZES Best Overall: Amateur Category – A tour of Mary Berry’s garden with four friends Best Overall: Professional Category – Signed copy of a Mary Berry cookbook Celebrating National Garden Scheme gardens: A book bundle from the National Garden Scheme, including a signed copy of Mary Berry’s latest cook book.

BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine ‘Fantastic Flowers’: £500-worth of STIHL cordless garden tools or accessories of the winner’s choice.

Best Gardens for Health photo: A Spa day – details later.

What happens to the winning photos?

Winners of the competition will also have their images displayed at an event for the National Garden Scheme in October at the Garden Museum.

PHOTOGENIC GARDENS IN EARLY AUTUMN There’s a good choice of gardens to visit in August and September, many in the area covered by this magazine.

Don’t forget your camera, take some great photos and send us your best shots!

Arley Hall - Northwich CW9 6NA. Opening for NGS: Sunday 6 August (11am - 5pm).

Admission £8, child £3.50. Refreshments available.

One of Britain’s finest gardens, Arley has been lovingly created by the same family over 550yrs and is famous for its double herbaceous border, thought to be the oldest in Europe, avenue of ilex columns, walled garden, pleached lime avenue and Victorian Rootree.

A garden of great atmosphere, interest and vitality throughout the seasons.

Clover Bank Organic Farm - North Rode, Congleton, CW12 2NX. Open: Saturday 5 August, Sunday 6 August (11am - 4pm).

Admission £5, children free. Home-made teas.

This garden, with spectacular views to the Pennines, is complemented by a stunning modern house above a large pond with bridge and surrounding plantings of roses and dahlias. Herbaceous borders, raised vegetable beds, marginal and wetland planting and woodland. Wild rose, soft fruit hedging and fruit trees, and a large wild flower area. Shady area with new water feature and underplanting.

Dunham Massey – Altrincham, WA14 4SJ. Opening for National Garden Scheme: Sunday 17 September (11am - 5.30pm).

Admission £8.60, child £4.30.

Richly planted borders packed with colour and texture, sweeping lawns, majestic trees and shady woodland all await your discovery. Colourful, scent-filled Rose Continued over

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Garden. Water features, C18 Orangery, rare Victorian Bark House. National Trust.

73 Hill Top Avenue – Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, SK8 7HZ Open: Sunday 6 August (2 - 6pm). Admission £3.50, children free.

Tea. Well-stocked plantswoman’s garden with a wide range of sun-loving herbaceous plants, shrub and climbing roses, many clematis varieties, pond and damp area, shade-loving woodland plants and some unusual trees and shrubs, in an originally designed, long and narrow garden.

Well House

crammed with dahlias of all shapes, sizes and colours, and complemented by climbers, soft perennials and bedding plants. An absolute riot of early autumn colour.

21 Scafell Close - High Lane, Stockport SK6 8JA. Open: Saturday 5 August, Sunday 6 August (1 - 4.30pm). Admission £3, children free. Light refreshments.

A third acre landscaped suburban garden with colour-themed annuals bordering the lawn. A statue of the Kinder Ram is set in a heather garden, passing into vegetables, soft fruits and fruit trees. Returning perennial pathway leads to the fishpond and terraced garden with modern water feature and patio planting.

Finally. visit the blue front garden.

Hill Top Avenue

39 Osborne Street - Bredbury, Stockport, SK6 2DA. Open: Saturday 9 September, Sunday 10 September (1 - 5pm). Admission £4, children free. Light refreshments.

This dahliaholic’s garden contains over 350 dahlias in 150+ varieties, mostly of exhibition standard. Shapely lawns are surrounded by deep flower beds that are

WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO? Readers of this magazine will be familiar with the National Garden Scheme and the ways it generates income from admissions at the garden gate, plant sales, tea and cakes – and an increasing number of other activities that supporting charities in the caring and nursing sectors. And if you have been inspired by your visits, how about opening your own garden as part of the National Garden Scheme? Contact John Hinde, County Organiser on 0151 353 0032 or john.hinde@maylands.com for further information.

IT’S GOODBYE FROM ME! This is my last article for this excellent magazine. I’ve enjoyed publicising the splendid charitable work of The National Garden Scheme and, at the same time, introducing readers to the pleasurable occupation of garden visiting, but it’s now time for somebody else to have a go.

The search is on!

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Osbourne Street

by Graham Beech www.ngs.org.uk

Jake’s perspective Hi again all! Hope you’re all well? Here’s the action from the last few months!

“Make me Happy” A while back my dad was celebrating his birthday so I very kindly decided to take him to the restaurant which me and my mum had been hanging our noses over for months - you got it - Pizza Express. However, when we say that we were treating him to it that also meant ‘treating him’ with the bill at the end (he was chuffed).

Coincidentally, the day we took him was National Happiness Day so with my Yorkshire blood I couldn’t resist checking up on any deals that may be on. Of course, there was one. The deal was if you said, “make me happy” to your waiter you got free dough balls. I unfortunately forgot to inform my mum about this so when my dad said to the very attractive young waitress “make me happy” she was none too happy. Neither was the waitress. She may be scarred for life. Oh well, at the end of the day we got our free dough balls. From there everything went smoothly - apart from the dodgy looks that my parents were exchanging.

Spooky Continuing the theme of restaurants with another meal for dad’s birthday: it was a dark chilly night when all of us squeezed into Nana’s little car and set off to the Fisherman’s Rest in Birkdale. The second I arrived I was filled with a sense of déjà vu which sent a shiver sprinting down my spine. I had definitely been there before; even the aroma of the place was familiar. I later discovered that “The Mexico” ran to ground close to there in 1886, killing 14 of its crew. The very place where I sat in the pub to eat my burger and chips was where they had laid the fishermen to rest. It’s a good job I didn’t tell this story to my mates when we were sleeping in the tent for the first camp of the year.

The first camp of the year It was that sweltering hot weekend in June, now a distant memory, so I got two mates together to have a sleepover in the tent. Football, chippy tea, movie on iPad, midnight trampolining… Last time I had a tent sleepover it didn’t go so smoothly because Crazy Chris was “haunted” by the ghost of the old woman with the axe whose shadow crept onto the inner tent. We knocked up the oldies at 2.30 in the morning. That was fun!

Btw here is a pic of me and my uncle Dan who recently won best supporting actor for the North West Theatre Awards at the Royal Exchange in Manchester. Speaking of acting I must tell you about Poynton High School’s ‘Play in a Week’ next time... break a leg!

by Jake Crossley

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time for a change We know that many of our readers have visited the lovely Park House B & B on more than one occasion.

With this in mind Howard and Mary would like to offer something a little different for your next visit.

Their new offer gives you the chance to choose your room (on a first come first served basis) and includes complimentary Afternoon Tea on arrival with a superb Full Breakfast all at the discounted rate of ÂŁ70 for two people. Breakfast at Park House is an experience in itself - choose from delights such as compote of apricot & cinnamon, locally sourced James Alpe Clitheroe pork sausage and smoked bacon, or Omelette Arnold Bennett - a light and creamy omelette, filled with smoked haddock and Lancashire cheese.

There are several great places to eat nearby including the fabulous La Locanda where hosts Cinzia and Maurizio are happy to offer Park House guests a discount of 20% on any food from the full a la Carte menu (minimum 2 courses) with a complimentary glass of Prosecco.

This offer is available Monday to Friday until the end of November 2017.

by Howard & Mary

NOTES FROM THE ORIENT EXPRESS iconic Belmond Hotel Cipriani plus tickets to the Grand Ball.

A work of art in itself and a true Art Deco icon, the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train offers one of the most celebrated and romantic journeys in the world. Adventure and style are all intimately bound in journeys that crisscross Europe, rolling through sublime scenery to some of the continent’s most alluring cities.

Delightful vintage cabins, gastronomic cuisine and lively onboard entertainment make a journey on this luxury train one of the world’s finest travel experiences.

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express can be experienced many ways, from one-way train journeys between great European cities to inclusive tours with luxurious accommodation included. Our Belmond British Pullman carriages, which have day car seating, will carry you in style between London and the channel (and vice versa), where you will be escorted by our hostesses on to luxury coaches for your shuttle service before boarding the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in France.

Lavish costumes, stunning entertainment, worldclass cuisine - a grand masquerade ball in Venice is a sensational experience. Make it unforgettable with this one-off journey. Combine your trip aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express with a two-night stay at the

Passengers will be able to travel from London or Paris to Berlin, and vice versa, boarding the train at any of those stops to either enjoy the whole journey or a section of it.

LIFE ON BOARD The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express cars are the original 1920s models. Each cabin has a washbasin, hot and cold water, towels, bathrobes and slippers. Many cabins have adjoining doors and can be converted to ‘Cabin Suites’.

WC’s are located at either or both ends of each sleeping car.

DINING The three restaurant cars offer a truly magical dining experience, from scenic lunches to romantic dinners. The Etoile du Nord restaurant car is resplendent with its wonderful floral marquetry, the Côte d’Azur features stunning Lalique glass panels and the black lacquer decoration in L’Oriental strikes an exotic note.

BOUTIQUE Commemorate your journey with a wonderful memento from our collection of specially created monogrammed gifts.

CHAMPAGNE BAR Sample the finest Champagne in our exclusive bar. Art Deco interiors and Lalique glassware conjure the romance and glamour of the Roaring Twenties.

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THE BAR CAR A glamorous setting for pre-dinner drinks and cocktails with your fellow guests, or a nightcap before retiring to your cabin. Enjoy the evocative sound of the baby grand piano, played by our resident pianist.

NEW SUITES FOR 2018 Experience new levels of luxury aboard the world’s most famous train. Three new ‘Grand Suite’ cabins will be launching in 2018. Step aboard, and be the first to experience these indulgent hideaways.

ISTANBUL SUITE Opulence and romance abound, with hand-carved timber, embossed leather and exaggerated metal details. Embroidered pillows and rugs echo of the Grand Bazaar.

VENICE SUITE Silk, woven fabrics, glass lamps and Venetian furniture reflect grand Italian Baroque and renaissance design.

PARIS SUITE Light and classic, this chic suite draws on the French capital’s grand architecture with flourishes of haute couture.

INCLUDES ■■ Exclusive car or boat transfers between station and city centre accommodation (or vice versa) at the start and end of your train journey

■■ Check-in at your hotel/kerbside meet and greet as appropriate ■■ Guaranteed table of two at guest’s preferred sitting time and dining car, or the choice to dine privately in the suite ■■ Complimentary alternative “A la Carte” menu during lunch or dinner ■■ Private dining for lunch or dinner in guests suite if preferred ■■ Complimentary “A la Carte” celebration breakfast in the suite (to be pre-ordered the day before) ■■ Complimentary caviar on arrival and free-flow champagne served throughout in the suite ■■ Bespoke amenities and complimentary designer bathrobes ■■ Those travelling on Belmond British Pullman will enjoy a private coupe.

I can personally recommend this fantastic way of travelling through Europe and would love to share my experiences with you.

I take appointments here at Travel by Design of Alderley Edge and would love to help you to organise the trip of a lifetime.

Hope to see you soon, call 01625 584195.

PS. Look out for the new film due out in 2017 with Kenneth Branagh!

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by Kristina Hulme > travelbydesigngroup.com

LAWLER & CO OPENS POYNTON OFFICE Lawler & Co, a bespoke, independent estate agency with prominent branches located in Marple and Hazel Grove, will open shortly on Park Lane. Keep an eye out for the official launch in Poynton - we hope as many people as possible will pop in so we can introduce ourselves.

The Poynton office will be run by managing director, Leigh Lawler, who grew up in Poynton and is now raising his own family here. As local people know, once you experience the area, it’s very difficult to find anywhere else to match up to it!

Why trust us with your move?

Modern, proactive marketing techniques are combined with a strong emphasis on customer service. Our teams are ranked number 1 in both locations where we

currently operate and we are excited to bring our level of service to the local area. To read our current reviews, visit the independent review site www.allagents.co.uk/ lawler-and-co/ We provide a fresh approach to buying and selling property in Marple, Hazel Grove and the surrounding areas and look forward to enjoying the same selling success in Poynton.

If you are considering a move, please call into one of our friendly offices or telephone your local branch and we can arrange for Leigh to visit your home and provide pre-sale marketing advice plus a free, no obligation valuation. We can have your property up and running within 24 hours of instruction!

the book group recommends His Bloody Project by Graeme Macrae Burnet was shortlisted for the Man Booker prize in 2016. It opens with a preface telling us that what follows is a collection of documents relating to a murder trial that Burnet found while researching his family history in the Inverness Highland Archive Centre. The defendant was Roddy Macrae, a 17 year old boy living in a remote crofting community, who, on an August day in 1869, beat the local constable Lachlan Mackenzie and two other people to death.

The first part is Roddy’s account, written at his lawyers request while awaiting trial. Articulate and unworldly, considered by his schoolteacher as exceptionally intelligent, he confesses his guilt from the start. He states his desire to rid the world of Mackenzie who, invested with the power to keep the community in check, makes the Macrae family’s life a misery. There then follow witness statements from other Culduie residents, medical reports, and an extract from the work of (real) pioneering criminologist who says “Culduie would seem a kind of paradise… were it not for the sloth and ignorance of its inhabitants” The descriptions of the crofting community, scratching a living from ungenerous soil, at the mercy of the laird, the church, and the weather are fascinatingly done. Stoicism and occasional outbursts of violence seem the only possible responses to a world in which they have no power at all.

This is a fiendishly clever tale, bringing an extraordinary historical period into focus, with multiple unreliable perspectives keeping us wondering throughout; fascinating and very well worth reading.

A Tale for the Time Being by American-Japanese author Ruth Ozeki, is a very different story.

16 year-old Nao, pronounced “now” has recently moved back to Japan from America where her father was sacked from his job as a computer programmer. Shunned by a society in which they no longer feel at home her father reads western philosophy, constructs origami insects and makes failed suicide attempts. Her mother absents herself completely while Nao is bullied by sadistic schoolmates culminating in a fake funeral, a near rape and humiliating online abuse. Before she ends it all Nao plans to document the life of her great grandmother, a Buddhist nun who has lived more than a century.

The story starts more than a decade later as Ruth, a Japanese American novelist walks on a beach in British Columbia. She finds a barnacle studded plastic bag protecting a Hello Kitty lunchbox, possible debris from the devastating 2011 tsunami. Inside are some old letters and the diary of Nao. Trying to discover if the schoolgirl killed herself, perished in the tsunami, or still lives, Ruth begins an increasingly desperate search.

Exploring grand themes, Ozeki uses the relationship between author and schoolgirl to bring together past and present, fact and fiction, quantum physics and Schrodinger’s cat! But she also expertly chronicles the detail the love and pain of family life, its small hurts and comforts.

A very different read, but worthy, we thought, of its Booker shortlisting

28

A Great Family Pub

visit the spring gardens, marple bridge

If you’re looking for good food, award-winning beer and somewhere that the whole family (and the dog) are welcome, why not take a drive to Marple Bridge?

The Spring Gardens is in a great location, surrounded by green belt land and country parks including Brabyns and Etherow Country Park – both lovely places for a day or afternoon out in the school holidays. With a large car park to the rear encompassing a bowling green and large decked area, plus a huge beer garden with woodland beyond, this is a perfect place for lunch or an early evening meal with the family.

Martin & Samantha Wood from the multi awardwinning Hope Inn/Fool Hardy Ales Micro Brewery in Stockport purchased The Spring Gardens in December 2016. There followed a full makeover from the cellar right through the pub including a brand new catering kitchen.

Chef. Martin and Samantha were both adamant that they wanted all the food prepared fresh daily to make sure it’s always at its best, with the Fool Hardy Steak & Ale Pie soon becoming a very popular signature dish.

Children are catered for too with real home-cooked food rather than something from the freezer!

The Spring Gardens is a long-term plan for this energetic couple. Work has already started on the lovely, large beer garden and more improvements will follow. They also host classic VW meets, live music, beer tastings, brewery tours and many other events throughout the year. It’s well worth a visit - let us know what you think! www.springgardenssk6.co.uk

The Spring Gardens reopened in March 2016 - there’s a new bright and light feel about the place with a very relaxed atmosphere. It now boasts eight cask ales, four of which are brewed by Martin at the Fool Hardy Ales brewery based in the basement of The Hope Inn, as well as Craft Keg, Traditional Cider, Continental Draught and Bottled Beers, speciality Gins and Vodkas, an extensive Wine List plus much, much more.

The food side of things is completely new too, with all the food being freshly prepared every day by our Head

31

Walk from Over Haddon

through Lathkill and Bradford Dales Distance: 8 miles Walk description: Starting in Over Haddon, this circular walk goes along both Lathkill and Bradford Dales, two picturesque short river valleys that eventually join the River Wye near Rowsley. It goes through Alport, stays below Youlgreave and then follows the Limestone Way as far as Cales Dale, when it veers away down into Lathkill Dale and back to Over Haddon. It has two fairly steep ascents out of each Dale, and one steep descent down steps.

Starting point: A6 to Buxton, on towards Bakewell. Shortly after Ashford in the Water, turn right up Crowhill Lane. At the T junction, turn left as far as the B5055. Turn right and follow the signs to Over Haddon, turning left off the B5055. The walk starts from the main car park in Over Haddon where there are toilets. (SK203664) Map: OS Explorer Map for the White Peak, OL24.

Follow Main Street, across from the car park, and walk through this small former lead mining village with magnificent views south over Lathkill Dale. Its most famous son is Maurice Oldfield, former head of MI6, and believed to be the inspiration for John le Carre’s George Smiley, is buried in the churchyard here. Water provision for all limestone villages is a big problem and the wells are blessed each June by the traditional well

32

dressing, located down a side road at the east of the village, just before the Lathkill Hotel.

Take the squeeze stile and small gate past the Hotel, and veer right diagonally across a few fields until you reach a stretch along the edge of the Dale. At the far end of this section, look back and enjoy the views down into Lathkill Dale, with its trout fishing pools dammed up by low weirs. As you reach the next field, take the path down along the right edge, not straight on; it ends in a short sloping section which can be tricky when wet, goes through a new gate, and reaches the Conksbury Road bridge. This ancient bridge lies below Conksbury, the site of a medieval village.

Turn right down over the bridge and up the “Quiet Lane” as far as the path to Alport, in about 100 yards on the left. This path stays along the foot of the sloping fields and woodland, with a fence/hedgerow to your left separating you from the now wide Dale bottom, with its marshland and wildlife. Cross a small track and continue below the sloping fields, beneath Raper Lodge (SK214651) on your right. The path reaches the quiet hamlet of Alport where the Lathkill and the Bradford rivers join, affording power for a village mill at one time. The old sandstone houses, with their climbing roses and honeysuckle covered garden walls are a picture in summer.

Cross the road by the bridge and head right past the former red telephone kiosk, now housing a defibrillator.

Follow the footpath sign on the left here and head

into Bradford Dale. (SK221645) The clear pathway interchanges between stone track and grassy paths alongside a very small Bradford river. Keep straight on where a little stone footbridge leads up to the hamlet of Bradford. Go past the seat nestling under the limestone crag before reaching a sharp right turn towards the cluster of houses next to the road heading for Youlgreave. Cross the road and take the path, now the Limestone Way, along the right hand edge of the River Bradford (SK213640) This lovely grassy section below Youlgreave has a series of seats on its banks, providing good picnic stops. In a dammed pool along here, is the village “outdoor swimming pool!” Youlgreave, another former lead mining village, apparently is the most mis-spelt place name in the UK. The local council spells it as Youlgrave on its signs, and the OS maps insert the “e”. Look online to see the array of names it has been called.

The Walk On the next sharp right bend, cross to a short grassy path up to a minor road. (SK198642) The stone stile lifts you to road level where you go left for a short distance, then right, joining a field path diagonally upwards. Beyond a short wooded section, look to veer right away from the walled woodland on your left and the path leads gently up to a gate. Here the Limestone way follows a short narrow section to a road by Moor Lane car park. Go left along the road and where it meets Back Lane, cross over into a field path. Crossing two stone stiles, this clear but long section reaches Low Moor Wood, skirts to the right of Calling Low farm and downhill toward Cales Dale, giving magnificent views north.

Take care on the steep flight of limestone steps, full of fossils, down into Cales Dale. Leave the Limestone Way and head right down to Sheepwash Bridge. Turn right back down a long stretch of Lathkill Dale, passing an abandoned mill, old millstone wheels, and enjoy this Nature Reserve with its busy bird life and abundant variety of plants. On reaching the road, turn left for the final pull up to Over Haddon (SK203662) with a welcome tea room on the left, before getting back to the car park.

At the end of this section, go through a wall, cross over the river and then take a right turn on to a good wide pathway. The Dale is narrow at first but widens where there are ponds behind a series of dams and weirs.

Eventually a stone bridge crosses the river pools at the site of a former mill, and the Limestone Way heads up a steady climb, zig-zagging through the woodland before straightening out towards a road from Middleton to Youlgreave. Go right round the sharp right bend and follow the road past Lomberdale Hall for almost half a mile.

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

For further information contact the Chairman, Sue Gilmore on 07775 620398, or the Membership Secretary, Claude Prime on 0161 4838596, or visit www.marple-uk/ community/rambling to see the walks programme.

By Barry Wilson > Marple District Rambling Club

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in touch your local community noticeboard august - september 2017

SUPERB PARTY IN THE PARK Poynton & District Rotary Club are very pleased to say that the popular Party In The Park” charity musical spectacular, held in June, was an overwhelming success. Over 3,000 people attended and the feedback received by the club has been wonderful and really encouraging.

The fabulous line up of performers included: ■■ Gordon Hendricks as Elvis; Grand Champion of the Collingwood Elvis Festival ■■ Local band, Monkey Harris; UK Britpop /Indie themes.

■■ Vernon Building Society Poynton Brass Band; NW champions 2016.

■■ Georgia Holland; classics in swing, jazz, and easy listening music.

■■ Leroy Lurve Entertainer Extraordinaire ■■ Caithlin, Adalaide, Luis and Megan - four very talented young performers ■■ Niamh Carding took the soprano lead for the finale

This was a ‘not for profit’ event, so the good news is that all surplus/profits from the concert will go to charities supported by Poynton and District Rotary Club.

FLU CLINICS IN POYNTON McIlvride Medical Practice If you are over 65 or are eligible for the Flu Vaccine please contact the surgery if you do not already have an appointment. Further information is available on our website.

■■ Saturday 23 September 8.30am to 12.30pm ■■ Wednesday 4 October 1.30pm to 5.30pm ■■ Saturday 14 October 8.30am to 12.30pm Priorslegh Medical Practice No appointment necessary ■■ Saturday 23 September 9am to 12 noon ■■ Saturday 30 September 9am to 12 noon ■■ Saturday 14 October 9am to 12 noon Continued over

37

in touch - your local community noticeboard

THE NORTH WEST’S LEADING ENSEMBLE St George’s Singers ended their Diamond Anniversary season with another sell-out concert at Gorton Monastery and a review of their performance of Verdi requiem that described them as able to “stand at least alongside the Hallé Choir as the north west’s leading ensemble”. That is quite a journey for a self-funded choir that started 60 years ago as a local choir of 23 singers based at St George’s Church, Poynton.

As this magazine goes to press the choir will be completing its anniversary celebrations with a tour to Costa Rica, renewing old friendships with choirs and introducing audiences there to concerts of English music ranging from madrigals to jazz (and taking full advantage of the tourist attractions such a beautiful country has to offer!)

The choir is already preparing for the new 2017-18 season which is going to be their busiest ever, beginning with four concerts before Christmas. Even before the season starts they will be performing by invitation at Chetham’s new venue, The Stoller Hall on 20 August, with Stockport Symphony Orchestra in Beethoven Choral Fantasy.

On 21 October they will be back at The Stoller Hall performing Rachmaninov Vespers in a concert for Chetham’s Russian October 1917-2017 season. This concert also includes John Tavener’s hauntingly beautiful ‘Song for Athene’ which readers may remember from the funeral of Princess Diana.

In December there will of course be the ever popular traditional family friendly Carols and Brass by Candlelight, and just two days later the choir will be at The Bridgewater Hall performing in John Rutter’s Christmas Festival with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and The King’s Singers.

Full details of these and all the other events in the new season can be found in the season’s brochure which is now available at Poynton Civic Hall. St George’s Singers always welcomes enquiries from singers who are interested in joining them to perform great music in great venues. If that’s you, please ring the secretary Jacqui on 01625 875437 to arrange a few visits to rehearsals and to hear more about how to join the choir.

AUTUMN WEA CLASSES Disley WEA branch has another interesting programme from September with classes in Disley and Macclesfield.

Courses include The Literature and Social History of Mrs Gaskell, Archaeology, Birdwatching and Art History, with Saturday Schools on Alexander Technique, History and Psychology.

For more details or to find out how to book or enrol please see our leaflet in libraries, or ring the secretary Rosemary Broadhurst on 01625 877255. All day schools must be booked through the branch but class enrolment, which will ensure you have a place, is at enrolonline.wea.org.uk or ring 0300 303 3464.

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in touch - your local community noticeboard

THANK YOU FROM HEADWAY Sue Watkins, Manager of the Headway shop on Park Lane, would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to Just Sing Choir for the fantastic concert at the Methodist church which raised £1400 for Headway. This was greatly appreciated and will help people and their families after brain injury.

SUMMER READING CHALLENGE AND LIBRARY ACTIVITIES Come down to Poynton Library this summer to sign up for our annual Reading Challenge. This year the theme is Animal Agents. Read the books and catch the crooks! Visit the library four times and read six library books to earn stickers to complete the pictures and solve the clues in your folder. All those who complete the challenge will receive a special certificate and medal. Ends 9 September. Contact the library or call in to book a place on our other summer events.

Thursday 3 August - Lego Club Special ‘Lego holidays.’ £1 per child. Booking essential 2.30pm to 4pm Wednesday 9 August - Jeremy Strong’s 100 mile per hour dog with storyteller John Kirk 10am. FREE but booking essential (sponsored by Poynton Town Council) Tuesday 15 August - Pattern Beats for coders and musicmakers with SHIFT. Free. Advance booking essential. 1pm to 2pm and 2.30pm to 3.30pm Friday 18 August - Fun Science chemical/electrical extravaganza. Free but booking essential (sponsored by Poynton Town Council) 10am to 11am and 11.30am to 12.30pm Thursday 24 August - Giant Games - family drop in event. Free, no need to book, 2pm to 4pm

NEW PLAY AREA FOR THE HOLLIES Children at The Hollies preschool, on Hazelbadge Road, have been enjoying their new play area over the past few weeks. The committee, staff, children and parents have all worked extremely hard to help raise the money to finance this project. They have held fundraising balls, sponsored toddles, staff sponsored runs and the children have designed their own Christmas cards. Support has also been received from the local Round Table, Ladies Circle and Rotary groups.

The Hollies Pre-School is a committee run charitable organisation. All committee members are volunteers, and the pre-school has been running for 40 years – starting as a small group in a scout hut, before the move to its current premises on Hazelbadge Road eight years ago. The pre-school, which is open five days a week, offers a number of different clubs for children.

www.theholliespreschool.co.uk Continued over

39

in touch - your local community noticeboard

POYNTON VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE (PVIP) With the help of local resident Ivan Wood, Macclesfield Eye Society has recently set up a social and support group for local residents who have impaired sight. Macclesfield Eye Society was formed in 1875 as a charity to serve the needs of blind and partially sighted people, and now provides services across the whole of East Cheshire, including Poynton, Wilmslow, Congleton and Macclesfield.

This new support group will help members affected by sight loss to develop their confidence through meeting others in the group to share their experience and knowledge of living with sight loss, as well as hearing from guest speakers covering topics such as specialist equipment including electronic visual aids, financial advice, local services and developments.

In addition, we will plan a range of social activities within Poynton, as well as going further afield with coach and boat trips, and we can also link into activities already taking place through Macclesfield Eye Society, such as walking groups, events and exhibitions. Initially we will be meeting monthly, the next meeting is on 8 August at the Royal British Legion Poynton at 1.30pm.

Please email Ivan Wood ivancjwood02@gmail.com for more details. For further information on services provided by Macclesfield Eye Society please telephone 01625 422602, email info@macclesfieldeyesociety.org.uk or visit our website www.macclesfieldeyesociety

WANT TO PLAY BADMINTON? Poynton Badminton club plays at Poynton Civic Hall, Park Lane, and is looking for new members with some experience. The club meets on Mondays at 8pm starting 4 September. Come and enjoy the experience. Your first month will be free. For more information contact Ann and Trevor Tinson on 0161 292 2397 or email PoyntonBadders@hotmail.com

DO YOU HAVE THE AMBITION TO SUCCEED? For budding entrepreneurs in the local community, a local initiative, Enterprising Macclesfield, is offering free support to get them on the right track to success.

Enterprising Macclesfield was launched by the Make it Macclesfield team, to provide free advice and valuable support to anyone in the local area wanting to set up or grow their own social or commercial enterprise.

A strong network of experienced coaches and local advisory partners act as a sounding board for entrepreneurs, providing them with the skills and knowledge they need to develop their business.

The external support and impartial view on offer has already proved to be hugely beneficial for many organisations, giving access to support from local advisory partners in areas such as accountancy, law and marketing.

If you have a business idea or your business needs support, you can register your interest with the team at Enterprising Macclesfield by applying online at www.enterprisingmacclesfield.co.uk or emailing info@enterprisingmacclesfield.co.uk

40

Tackling Bogus Doorstep Callers Unfortunately, criminals often target the elderly and vulnerable in our communities. To tackle these scams Cheshire East Council has developed a scheme to help protect vulnerable people from bogus callers and workmen.

The scheme hopes to protect people by directing the ‘caller’ to the address of a nominated neighbour, relative or friend. The scheme works by the vulnerable person being given a specially developed card that they hold up to a window or door which advises any unidentified or unexpected caller to go to the address of the nominated person who will check the callers’ identity and if they are genuine return with them and supervise the visit to make sure that nothing untoward takes place; they will remain there until the caller has left. There is also the option to use a ‘nominated telephone number’ of a trusted person.

The card removes the need for the occupant to enter into conversation with the caller, with the idea being that a genuine person will understand the reasons for following the instructions. The scheme will help limit the opportunity for doorstep callers to con their way into homes or persuade residents to have unnecessary home improvements.

The nominated neighbour is chosen freely by the householder, they will be given simple and clear guidance on what action they should take with different kinds of callers and who to contact to report any incidents.

It’s a common sense (and importantly cost effective) approach to tackling an increasing type of crime and certainly worth all councils considering, to help keep the most vulnerable in our communities safer. Call 03454 040506 for more information.

Karen Perry, Founder alice chilton In-Home Care Services Limited www.alicechilton.com

43

45

Answers: caravan awning, folding table, bunk beds, water barrel, parasol, gas cylinder.

Extra letter answer: towbar

just 4 kids

Children’s Activities Things to do with pre-school kids

Monday

Friday

Poynton Methodist Preschool 9-3pm, Extended Hours Available.

Monday to Friday, Term Time. Off Park Lane, opposite Poynton Civic Hall.

Wiggle Tots Group 9.15 - 11.15am Term Time only. St Paul’s Pre-School, Marley Road, Poynton, SK12 1LY. Maximum 25 children per session, £2 per family. Contact: Clare 01625 858222 or email stpaulspspoynton@gmail.com

Dedicated, caring, highly qualified, experienced staff and superbly spacious indoor and outdoor facilities. Free first session.

Offering the 30hrs Extended Free Entitlement Funding. Please call 01625 871115, email pmcpreschool@hotmail.co.uk or visit our website at poyntonmethodistpreschool.co.uk

Rugbytots (For Boys & Girls 2 to 5yrs old) Come and have lots of FUN at the World’s favourite Rugby Play programme! Building confidence, Social Skills, Coordination, Teamwork, Colours, Numbers, Shapes and much, much more!

St. Paul’s Catholic Pre-School 9-3pm Open Monday – Friday Term Time only. Marley Road, Poynton.

A caring and stimulating environment, open to all. Please call ahead from more information – 01625 858222

Sessions: 2-3 ½ yrs (10:15 am and 11am) 3 ½ -5 yrs (9:20am & 11:40am) at the Civic Hall, Off Park Lane, Poynton, SK12 1RB. Term time only. Contact Alick for a FREE TASTER SESSION (subject to availability) on 07961 045330 or Email alick@rugbytots.co.uk website; www.rugbytots.co.uk

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

Saturday

Garden Club 3.30-4.00pm Term time only. For preschool aged children. Come and join us in Poynton Methodist Preschool garden to enjoy the fun of gardening, play and social time. Tea & Coffee available. No termly commitment Contact 01625 871115 or email pmcpreschool@hotmail.co.uk

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

Wednesday

Poynton Leisure Centre. For more information contact: Jo Sewart jo.sewart@richmondroversjfc.co.uk mobile: 07733 076 264 or Pete Hayward phayward03@gmail.com mobile: 07867 306 356.

Bright Stars Toddler Group 9.30-11.00am Term time only, St Georges Church, Poynton. For more information contact Sarah Williams 01625 876889 Pre-School Dance 2-2.30pm Term time only. St Martin’s Church Hall, Shrigley Road North, Higher Poynton. All children welcome from age 18 months. Contact 07903 727763 or email missstephanie1@hotmail.co.uk

Thursday Parent & Toddler Group 9.30-11.30am Term time only, Poynton Methodist Church. For more information contact the church office on 01625 871592 Stay & Play 10-11.30am Term time only, Poynton Children’s Centre, Clumber Road.

Contact 01625 383090 or email poyntonchildrenscentreadmin@ cheshireeast.gov.uk Rhyme Time 10.30am Poynton Library. No booking necessary and no charge. All babies and toddlers welcome with parents/carers. Contact 01625 374818

46

Footy Fun – football for boys and girls 2pm-3pm for Y1. 3pm-4pm for Preschool & Reception

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

Contact church office 871592.

Who Let the Dads Out? 9.30am-11am Second Saturday of the month during term time, St Georges Church Hall, Poynton. For dads, grandads and other male carers and their children aged 0-7 years. £2.50 per family which includes a bacon butty & coffee for the dads and toast & juice for the children.

Contacts Sarah Williams on 01625 879277 or email families@poyntonparishchurch.org

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

quick crossword Across 7. Lingerie (13) 8. Stirrer (8) 9. Jaw (4) 10. Room for Two? (4,3) 12. Normal (5) 14. Put On (5) 16. North Sea Rig (3,4) 19. Amir ____ (4) 20. Detail (8) 22. Dictatorial (13)

down 1. Stake (4) 2. Enzyme (6) 3. Child’s Wheels! (7) 4. Discovered (5) 5. Paper Screen (6) 6. White Flakes (8) 11. Energy Measurement (4-4) 13. Hairy (7) 15. Blasé (4,2) 17. Battle Shout (3,3) 18. Worship (5) 21. Tolerate (4)

How to play Sudoku

sudoku

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

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

Watch out! Sudoku is highly addictive.

Solutions on page 56 49

inside guide

august - september 2017

selected events in your area

Thursday 3 August

Tuesday 15 August

Printed Silk Lanterns Inspired by the shape of India’s Taj Mahal and Indian paisley shawls, you can create your own pattern, print onto silk and produce a beautiful flickeringly lit lantern. Family drop-in. £5 per person Silk Museum, Macclesfield 1.30pm to 3.30pm

Poynton U3A General Meeting Geoff Keeling will speak on Milestones in Forensic Science.

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

Thursday 3 August

Thursday 17 August

Indian Storytelling with Peter Chand Peter’s parents migrated to Britain from the Punjab region in the 1950’s, and though he was born in the Midlands, Peter grew up using Punjabi as his first language. He combines these two cultures seamlessly to tell stories full of life, wisdom, and humour. £5 per person, to book contact 01625 612045 or pay on the door Silk Museum, Macclesfield 7pm to 9pm

Poynton Morning Townswomen’s Guild Informal members’ coffee get-together.

The Kingfisher, Poynton 10.30am

Thursday 3 August

Monday 21 August Mart Rodger Manchester Jazz £6 entry, enquiries 01663 763532 Poynton British Legion, Georges Rd. Poynton, 7.30pm

Would you like to meet new friends?

Are you over 50 and single? Thursday Group is a friendship group for men and women, 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 Mike on 07860 396286, or just come along to new members night on the first Thursday in each month at 8-30 pm, where you will be met by group members at The Bulls Head Pub in Handforth, 30 Wilmslow Road, SK9 3EW.

THURSDAY 24 August

Saturday 5 August

Hazel Grove Allotments open their gates to welcome visitors Come in and dig a root of potatoes, then stroll around the plots hunting for giant bugs. Buy lovely fresh produce, preserves and home baking, then sit back and relax whilst you enjoy a cuppa and a cake and all in the middle of Hazel Grove! Access for wheelchairs and mobility scooters is via the School Street entrance. If you are interested in keeping an allotment, why not put your name on our short waiting list whilst you are visiting. Admission 50p, children free.

Entrances on School Street and Chester Road, Hazel Grove 1pm to 4pm

Commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele Exhibition To be held at the Salvation Army, Community Hall, Roe Street, Macclesfield SK11 6XD Entrance facing Wellington Street.

THURSDAY 10 August Worth Probus Club. John Doughty will speak to us on ‘Noted for Fresh Air and Fun ‘ Please contact Peter Owen on 01625871574 or peterowen49@btinternet.com for further details.

St. George’s Church Hall 2pm

Worth Probus Club Peter Kirk will speak to us on African Game Park.

Please contact Peter Owen on 01625 871574 or peterowen49@btinternet.com for further details.

St. George’s Church Hall 2pm

Saturday 26 August Poynton Show The popular annual horticultural and agricultural show!

Poynton Park, Poynton SK12 1BS 8am to 5pm

Sunday 3 September

Continued over

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

53

Tuesday 5 September

Sunday 17 September

North Cheshire Photographic Society Going Solo - Jane Lines returns to give a presentation primarily about taking photographs in the Camargue, Languedoc in the South of France and will include some other competition images. Non-members £5 on the door www.ncps.org.uk Poynton Civic Centre 7.30pm for 8pm start

Plant Hunters’ Fair Autumn is the perfect time to plant, ready for next year’s bloom. The nursery folk will be more than happy to give you the benefit of their experience in planting and caring for the plants you buy so you can get the best from them. With entry at just £2.50 (half the normal entry price) for the Gardens and Plant Fair it is a great chance to enjoy the changing season at the wonderful Henbury Hall Garden. For full details of the venue and the nurseries attending please see www.planthuntersfairs.co.uk Henbury Hall Gardens, Henbury, Macclesfield, SK11 9PJ 10am to 5pm

Wednesday 6 September Poynton Philatelic Society Our guest speaker Mr Jeremy Meal, will be displaying his interest in ‘World Postal Mechanisation’, this is a very colourful display covering the continued modernisation of the postal system, the ‘Industrial Revolution’ of the post in order to cope with the increased demand for the postal system.

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

Thursday 7 September Would you like to meet new friends?

Are you over 50 and single? Thursday Group is a friendship group for men and women, 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 Mike on 07860 396286, or just come along to new members night on the first Thursday in each month at 8-30 pm, where you will be met by group members at The Bulls Head Pub in Handforth, 30 Wilmslow Road, SK9 3EW

Sunday 10 September Brookdale Club Open Day Everybody welcome to visit and see all the facilities and activities on offer.

Brookdale Club, Bridge Lane, Bramhall 10am to 2pm

Tuesday 12 September E Cheshire National Trust Lecture Shakespeare and Being Human - David Seddon.

Brookdale Club, Bridge Lane, Stockport, SK7 3AB. 2pm

THURSDAY 14 September Worth Probus Club Liz McConnell will speak to us on The Funny Side of Pharmacy.

Please contact Peter Owen on 01625 871574 or peterowen49@btinternet.com for further details.

54

17 September to 10 November Threadmill textile and embroidery group exhibition “The Silk Route and Beyond” The exhibits are based on the incredible journey taken in medieval times by merchants from Europe. Goods such as coal, glass and wool were taken through many countries across Asia to the eastern edge of China from where the merchants brought back to Europe the rare and luxurious treasure, silk.

Silk Mill, Park Street, Macclesfield

Monday 18 September Mart Rodger Manchester Jazz £6 entry, enquiries 01663 763532 Poynton British Legion, Georges Rd, Poynton 7.30pm

Tuesday 19 September North Cheshire Photographic Society Robert Millin – Confessions of a Competition Addict. Hear how Robert, from Wigan 10 Photography Club, has become a highly successful photographer through being hooked on entering photographic competitions. Non-members £5 on the door. www.ncps.org.uk Poynton Civic Centre 7.30pm for 8pm start

Tuesday 19 September Poynton U3A General Meeting Matthew Martin will give a talk entitled Tax Care and Toy Boys. Entrance £1 including refreshments. For more information contact enquiries@poyntonu3a.org.uk or visit www.poyntonu3a.org.uk Main Hall, Poynton Civic Centre 2pm to 4pm

stand out from the crowd

with our paid INSIDE Guide listings.

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

Wednesday 20 September Poynton Philatelic Society This evening’s event starts off with an Auction, where members can dispose of their unwanted items and purchase new ones to fill those gaps. Followed by members displaying their recent acquisitions Ron Phelps 01625 877643 North Room, Poynton Community Centre, Park Lane 7.30pm

Thursday 21 September Poynton Morning Townswomen’s Guild Louise Campbell - The Dog’s Trust. Contact Kath on 0161 456 5299 Poynton Civic Hall 10am to 12 noon

Tuesday 26 September E Cheshire National Trust Association A Penny’s Worth’ with Penny Dean OBE. Brookdale Club, Bridge Lane, Stockport 2pm

Tuesday 26 September North Cheshire Photographic Society Colin Jarvis – A Personal Photographic Journey to an MA in Photography. Colin is a professional landscape photographer who has worked as a photographer and educator for many years. Colin will describe the influences directing the development of his photographic career and rounds off with some images from the photographic workshops he now runs.

Non-members £5 on the door www.ncps.org.uk Poynton Civic Centre 7.30pm for 8pm start

THURSDAY 28 September Worth Probus Club Eric McConnell will speak to us on A Scotsman Abroad’ Please contact Peter Owen on 01625 871574 or peterowen49@btinternet.com for further details.

St George’s Church Hall 2pm

Thurs 28 to Sat 30 September NK Theatre Arts presents Sweet Charity With a score full of big numbers (Big Spender, Rhythm of Life, If My Friends Could See Me Now) this Broadway classic will be brought roaring into Romiley this Autumn as SWEET CHARITY plays The Forum Theatre in Stockport for three nights. Ticket Price: £10 - £12* *booking fee applies Box Office: 0333 666 3366 The Forum Theatre, Romiley 7.30pm

don’t forget!

Copy deadline for the next issue is

Tuesday 12 September

Call 01625 879611 or email info@insidemagazines.co.uk to secure your space.

55

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

01625 267422

56

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useful numbers

Leisure Centre

Churches

Library

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

01625 260728 01625 859036 01625 859170 01625 872606 01625 871592 01625 879277

01625 850828 01625 874667 01625 876900 01625 875 074

01625 872299 01625 872134 01625 875618

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

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

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

01625 374818

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

01625 422848 0300 123 5500 01625 872238

Well Pharmacy L Rowland & Co

01625 872214 01625 873955

Police Station (non-emergency)

101

Post Offices

Doctors Priorslegh Medical Centre McIlvride Medical Practice Poynton Clinic

Poynton Library

01625 876442

Pharmacists

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

Poynton

01625 421000 0161 483 1010 111

Poynton Post Office

01625 850262

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

01625 383838 01625 872560 01625 383040 01625 872556 01625 875900 01625 871811

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

01625 878589 0871 2002233 0345 748 4950

Utilities Electricity – Power Loss Gas – Emergency Water Mains Environment Agency Floodline

0800 195 4141 0800 111 999 0845 746 2200 0845 988 1188

59

classified index ACCOUNTANTS

DOG WALKING

Lloyd Piggott Chartered Accountants 22 Making Tax Digital 13 Nolan James Chartered Accountants 21

Waggles Walks

ADULT EDUCATION Practical Philosophy The Cheadle College Wilmslow Guild

27 10 41

BOOKSHOPS Simply Books

29 25 50 58

CAR DEALERSHIP Halliwell Jones

9 43

CARPETS & FLOORING Carpet Creations

5

CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING Safeclean

18

CHILDCARE Brook House Farm Nursery & Preschool Kids Zone The Hollies

44 47 52

CHIROPRACTORS Poynton Chiropractic

6

Wills Driveway Cleaning

Lawler & Co

KITCHENS

56

CLUBS & ENTERTAINMENT Poynton British Legion Poynton Show

48 17

COMPUTER & INTERNET Mike Knibb

56

DELICATESSEN The Cheshire Smokehouse

51

56 60 50 20

JOINERY

CLEANING SERVICES

Matt Finish

55 50 60 52 57

LOFT LADDERS More Than Loft Ladders

58

OVEN CLEANING Eco Dazzle

57

PAINTING & DECORATING Dean Wilson Kathy Shaw

59

David Hanson Metro Plumb

55 18

Spring Gardens The Hope Inn

30 30

ROOFING Poynton Roofing

60

Crimeguard Security

60

SOFT FURNISHINGS 36 36 6

HOTELS & HOLIDAY RENTALS Magpie Cottages Park House B&B

Garth Aspinall

SECURITY 29

HOME IMPROVEMENT & PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

Poynton Christian Fellowship

Inside Front Cover Diamond Home Support

14 50

HAIR & BEAUTY

K&J Home Maintenance Trevor Garner

6

PUBS 26

GUITAR & UKULELE CLASSES

Carl Howard Hidden Gem The Cut

Park Lane Physiotherapy

PLUMBING & HEATING 57 52

GARDEN MAINTENANCE & LAWN CARE NRG Garden Services Robinsons Garden Maintenance

29

PIANO TUITION 34

ELECTRICIANS Maddocks SCZ Electrical Services

Pest in Peace

PHYSIOTHERAPY 14

DRIVEWAY CLEANING

D C Joinery Ken Wood & Son Trevor Garner Woodvine Designs

CHURCHES

62

Pure Clean Drainage Solutions

Poynton Music School

CARE HOMES & SERVICES Alice Chilton

DRAINAGE

ESTATE AGENTS

BUILDING SERVICES JS Services Ken Wood & Son Whitehall Builders

PEST CONTROL 50

50 60

Kathy Shaw

60

SOLICITORS / LEGAL SERVICES Manners Pimblett Back Cover Slater & Gordon Inside Back Cover

SPORTS & FITNESS Poynton Dippers Swimming Club 42 Poynton Fitness 29 Richmond Rovers Football Club 3 4 & 47

STAIRCASE RENOVATIONS The Stair Shop

36

TREE SERVICES Swift Tree & Arboricultural Services 14

TRAVEL Travel by Design

23

WILLS East Cheshire Wills

21

WINDOWS & CONSERVATORIES Pate & Lever Windows

48

WINDOW & CONSERVATORY REPAIRS The Window Repair Centre Window Geeks

61 52