The Villages Mag - Edition 1 2024 : simplebooklet.com

Remember to tell our advertisers you found them in The Villages Mag!Welcome to the inaugural 2024 issue of the January Villages Mag. You might be perusing these pages amidst the festive cheer, possibly whilst enjoying some leftover turkey, or like many of us, eagerly anticipating the return to our usual routines post-holidays. The days between Christmas and New Year often bring a peculiar sense of limbo, a time of reection and anticipation.As we usher in the New Year, it represents not just a change in the calendar, but a renewal of spirit and an awakening of aspirations. The New Year shines as a beacon of hope, symbolising innite opportunities for new beginnings and fresh starts. It's an occasion where we look back on our past experiences, learning from both challenges and successes, to pave the way for a future rich in possibilities. This season of renewal ignites a shared optimism, urging us to leave behind past grievances and step forward into the transformative promise of change.Embracing the New Year means setting new objectives, exploring diverse paths, or simply adopting a fresh perspective. The rst day of January is more than a mere date; it's a moment of deep introspection and ambition, an opportunity to align ourselves with our core values and dreams. As we watch the reworks illuminate the night sky, they not only brighten the darkness but also our collective hopes and dreams, symbolising that each year oers a blank canvas awaiting our unique touch. With this revitalised energy, let's step into 2024, ready to craft our narratives with optimism and determination, one day at a time.Happy New Year to all our readers! May this year bring you joy, success, and fullment. KatyNavigate your inner landscape 8In your home 14Holmes Chapel Parish Council 16From the bar, with Rich 20Our local heritage 24Christmas & New Year walks 30Holmes Chapel Christmas Fair 34Patient Participation Group 42Sandbach Women & Girls Rugby 52From the archive, Congleton 56Bridging The Gap Mind Matters 60Days Out & Meals Out reviews 64From the archives, Middlewich 70Safe Spaces Holmes Chapel 74Ready Reference 78Welcome & ContentsContact The Villages MagKaty O’Regankaty@archpublications.comDavid Crawforddavid@archpublications.comFor all enquires & bookingsCall or Whatsapp 01477 518 252Visit archpublications.comBusiness InsightsScan to Listen & Subscribearchpublications.com/podcastArch Publications Charity Partner 2024, visit www.BTG-mindmatters.org

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6Osteopathy is recognised by the NHS. It is a gentle form of hands-on physical therapy, suitable for people of all ages.ELIZABETH R. ELANDERTel. 07801 662280 or 01270 820555 to book or to find out more.Osteopaths are highly trained to diagnose and manage a wide range of medical conditions, including injuries and degenerative or inflammatory disorders.Your Holmes Chapel OsteopathOur Spectralis 4D scanner allows early detection of Eye DiseaseColoured Overlay AssessmentsCustom Made FramesCommunity urgent, eye care services (CUES)Diabetic retinal screeningsGlaucoma monitoring01606 836582info@catsopticians.co.ukcatsopticians.co.uk30-32 Wheelock Street,Middlewich, CW10 9AGWe are a family-run independent opticians, passionate about providing the best in eyehealth care!Mercury Roof Conversions Ltd.www.conservatoryroofconversions.com01477 500977 / 07519 891394email: mercurywarmroof@gmail.comConservatory too COLD in WINTER?(and too HOT in SUMMER?)We can replace your old conservatory roof with an attractive new fully insulated, tiled and plastered roof, pre-fabricated in our production facility to enable speedy on-site installation.An improvement that reallycan add value to your home!• Building regulations compliant• Vaulted roof shape retained• Improves U-value to 0.15 wmk• Reduces noise and glareWe are a family-run company with 30+ years combined experience inconservatories & roof conversions. Contact us today for your free, no obligation quotation:

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8Personal journalling oers a quiet sanctuary to explore your innermost thoughts, feelings and experiences. Let a book and a pen or your ngers and a keyboard help unravel the complexities within your head and achieve positive emotional wellbeing. What a brilliant way to start a new year!What is Personal Journalling?As we’ve read in previous articles, there are many ways to journal, and personal journalling concentrates on self-expression. In other words, it’s all about you. Whether using a journal to record daily experiences, dreams and aspirations or to recognise your deepest fears and desires, the blank pages serve as a private space where your voice is unltered, free from judgement, and entirely your own. The dynamic nature of the process makes it a perfect channel for self-discovery, personal growth and emotional balance.The Benets of Personal Journalling• Self-Expression: creating a safe haven to articulate your thoughts and feelings without restraint is liberating and encourages self-acceptance.• Self-Discovery: recording your experiences and reecting on your words reveals patterns and highlights areas for growth that might otherwise go unnoticed.• Emotional Balance: releasing pent-up emotions onto your journal Navigating your inner landscapeAnna Woolliscroft@JournallingWithAnnapages creates a space for emotional release that is hugely satisfying and cleansing.• Stress Relief: putting your thoughts on paper is a simple but eective method in helping you navigate stressors and challenges more clearly.• Enhanced Problem Solving: stepping back and objectively assessing situations leads to innovative problem-solving and reveals dierent perspectives.A Short ExerciseFind a quiet corner where you can sit undisturbed. Begin your journalling session by writing a ‘stream of consciousness’ entry, allowing your thoughts to ow freely. Focus on your feelings, experiences and observations as a reection of 2023 and your expectations of 2024.If you’re struggling, think about a challenge or a success from the past 12 months that triggered a strong emotion. How did you feel during that moment? How do you feel now? What behaviours and actions helped you overcome the challenge or achieve success? Read your words and note the insights you have gained.Every word in a personal journal is evidence of your growth and capacity to understand and embrace yourself fully. Use a personal journal to write your future story with authenticity and a clear purpose.Two main reasons people do not journal are because they don’t know where to start or don’t have time. Question prompts and visual cues can help by providing a place to begin a thought process to expand and contemplate. Dedicate ve minutes each day to the process, and if you nd that it improves your mood, outlook or outcome in some way, look at how to increase your time because it’s working.

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10Webb House Furnishers acquisition of a historic building in Nantwich has infused new life into one of the town’s most iconic structures. The newly established Pepper Street store, once the home of Bratt’s represents a signicant development in the town’s commercial landscape.This expansion marks Webb House second retail location in Nantwich, complementing the rst shop on Mill Street, opened in 1994 by Howard and Joan Webb. The original location, encompassing three oors and 10,000 square feet, has served the community well over the years. The addition of the Pepper Street store further extends their reach, adding an impressive 7,000 square feet of retail space. This expansion not only broadens the range of products oered but also enhances the shopping experience for their customers.The Pepper Street store, with its three-oor layout and accessible lift, is a testament to the Webb family’s commitment to traditional, comfort-oriented furniture. This new location boasts a collection of esteemed brands like Stressless, G-Plan, Parker Knoll, Celebrity and Sherborne, oering a variety of reclining furniture, lift & rise recliners, and adjustable beds. Known for their exceptional customer service and aftercare, Webb House continues to uphold these standards at their new location.The opening of the Pepper Street store is the culmination of the Webb family’s dedication and passion. Howard, Joan and Neil have carefully selected the inventory, while Rebecca, with her expertise in interior design, has beautifully arranged the showroom. Her skill in selecting accessories and soft furnishings, available for purchase, adds an extra layer of appeal to the store. Howard and Joan bring nearly fty years of industry experience to the Pepper Street location, oering invaluable guidance to customers seeking both comfort and style in their furniture choices.Adding to their charm as an independent family-run business, Webb House is part of a national buying group. This membership provides them with the competitive edge often associated with larger national companies, allowing them to oer a wide range of products at competitive prices.The spacious Pepper Street location, focusing on comfort furniture, enables the Mill Street shop to expand its contemporary furniture oerings. The Mill Street store is poised to oer a range of modern and stylish furnishings. Rebecca’s growing prominence in the interior design community, bolstered by her popular Instagram account ‘Insidenumber5’, ensures that customers will nd a carefully curated selection of fashionable sofas, chairs, dining sets, and an extensive variety of beds and bedroom furniture. This blend of traditional and contemporary, coupled with a commitment to quality and customer service, positions Webb House as a cornerstone of style and comfort in Nantwich.

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11signicant development in the town’s commercial landscape.complementing the rst shop on Mill Street, opened in 1994 by Howard and Joan Webb. The original location, encompassing three oors and 10,000 square feet, has served the community well over the years. The addition of the Pepper Street store further extends their reach, adding an impressive 7,000 square oered but also enhances the shopping experience for their customers.The Pepper Street store, with its three-oor layout and accessible lift, is a Stressless, G-Plan, Parker Knoll, Celebrity and Sherborne, oering a variety exceptional customer service and aftercare, Webb House continues to uphold dedication and passion. Howard, Joan and Neil have carefully selected the inventory, while Rebecca, with her expertise in interior design, has beautifully available for purchase, adds an extra layer of appeal to the store. Howard and Joan bring nearly fty years of industry experience to the Pepper Street location, oering invaluable guidance to customers seeking both comfort and is part of a national buying group. This membership provides them with the competitive edge often associated with larger national companies, allowing them to oer a wide range of products at competitive prices.Mill Street shop to expand its contemporary furniture oerings. The Mill Street store is poised to oer a range of modern and stylish furnishings. Rebecca’s popular Instagram account ‘Insidenumber5’, ensures that customers will nd extensive variety of beds and bedroom furniture. This blend of traditional and contemporary, coupled with a commitment to quality and customer service,

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12Bespoke ServiceBuilt-In-FurnitureCupboards · StorageWindow Frames · SillsKitchens Fitted or Face LiftsSkirting Boards · ArchitravesWooden DeckingDoor HangingPicture Framing · Bespoke Service · Art Framing Photo Framing · Box Frames Tray Frames · Display FramesSB CARPENTRY& FRAMINGCall Steve on 07753 160072 sbcarpentryframing sbcarpentryandframingNo job toobig or small!DOMESTIC · COMMERCIAL · INDUSTRIAL REWIRES · NEW INSTALLSINSPECTION & TESTINGCCTV · SMART HOME INTEGRATIONFULLY INSUREDLocal family business offering consultation for indoor & outdoor electrical projects. Working with you every step of the process until completion.FULLY APPROVED ELECTRICIANFullyWiredCheshire07989 174875info@fully-wired.co.uk01606 212 232Unit 4, Midbrook Way, Middlewich, CW10 0GRwww.rokplumbingsupplies.co.ukWe oer a wide range of products for all budgetsBathroom Design serviceFull supply and t installationsOpen to the Public and TradeFree and friendly advice!Over 40 years experience

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13We oer a wide range of products for all budgetsFull supply and t installations0345 222 8 2224 The Clock Tower,Manor, Lane,Holmes Chapel,Cheshire,CW4 8DJinfo@evolvefamilylaw.co.ukwww.evolvefamilylaw.co.ukEvolve Family Law is a law firm like no other.See our five star reviews on Trustpilot & Google ReviewsWhat we can help you with:• Divorce• Matrimonial finances• Arrangements regarding your children• Mediation support• Pre-nuptial, post-nuptial, and cohabitation agreements• Wills• Probate• Lasting powers of attorneyWhy we are different• We provide city center expertise at a fraction of the price.• We offer fixed fees for many of the services we provide. You can find our prices on our website.• We consistently provide sensible and practical guidance.• While we are based in the North West, we serve clients throughout the county.• Our clients can contact us 24/7.Who we are:Our founders, Louise and Robin, are former partners with leading family law firms in the North West and are nationally recognised experts.All of our solicitors are highly experienced specialists in their respective fields.

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14Interiors for 2024 will certainly not be about reinventing the wheel, But it will see a return of some old favourites.There are no right or wrong things to do says Maxine Scott from the Design House, its more often that our clients have some great ideas, but they don’t know how to either execute them or simply just don’t have the condence to nish a room o with the extras.If often helps for us to get involved from day one o a design and we can be on hand to ensure that the installation of a design runs smoothly.In 2023, we’ve seen a return of the dado rail and panelling painted in Victorian nishes and colours. Even introducing some wallpapers into these panels.We’ve seen a great introduction of modern panelling. In a range of colour options and designs of timber panels, these have been a real practical element of design for many modern homes, with In your home,2024 trends The Design House by Interior Motivestheir acoustic attributes and maintenance free properties.Certainly, there’s a move away from the ‘Greys’ and move into the more neutral world of earthy tones and beiges, you could say it’s a modern Scandi vibe that is still lling the air.We are seeing a return to some old friends in the design of furniture. Walnut is returning in a modern way with the hints of gold or bronze tments.The soft textures of boucle fabrics will continue to be a popular edition to many homes in 2024. We have seen some great sofas design and soft furnishings made using these textured fabrics.We are seeing a big move towards our client’s incorporating sofas in L shaped designs into their homes or having units that have a chaise. Its all about family entertaining and comfort.We know from experience that a lot of people may not be moving in 2024 with the increased rates of mortgages. Staying put and improving could be a big trend and we’re fully stocked and ready to help our client’s with their needs.

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16The Parish Council wants to Reclaim our Pavements!One of the priorities of the Parish Council for the next 4 years is to ensure the pavements around the village are safe and easy for pedestrians to use.We receive many complaints from residents about footpaths and accessibility, with overgrown hedges being a major culprit.What does this mean in practise?We are surveying footpaths throughout the village and noting down the following:1. Overgrown hedges which are reducing the footpath width.2. Weeds/Grass invading the footpath.3. Streetlights obscured by vegetation.4. Issues that might aect disabled users getting around the village.Where we come across problems, we will be writing to the owners responsible and asking them to work with us to deal with the issue. Often this will be the house owner but could sometimes be Cheshire East Council or other bodies. What can you do to help?1. If you have a hedge on your Holmes Chapel Parish Council newsboundary bordering a footpath, please make sure that it is cut back to your boundary every year to prevent problems for pedestrians.2. Report overgrown hedges, weed intrusion, light issues or problems for disabled users to the Parish Council. You can do this by emailing the Clerk with the location and problem: clerk@holmeschapelparishcouncil.gov.uk (a photograph would also be useful)What can’t we do! 1. We cannot resurface pavements – that is Cheshire East Council’s responsibility. However, if there are specic obstacles for people using wheelchairs or pushchairs such as an absence of a dropped kerb then please let us know and we can raise it with Cheshire East Council.2. We cannot provide resources to trim your hedge.This is a long-term project. It won’t happen overnight, but our hope is that we can all work together to ‘Reclaim our Pavements’ and improve the safety of pedestrians using them.Thank you for your cooperation and support!Holmes Chapel Community Centre celebrates 8 Years!On 28th November 2015, the Holmes Chapel Community Centre opened! Owned by the Parish Council and run by Everybody Health & Leisure, the Community Centre is a vital asset for the village and has gone from strength to strength over the last 8 years. Representatives from the Parish Council were delighted to celebrate these 8 years with Everybody Health & Leisure.Our oce is generally open 9am to 12 noon,01477 533 934 | 07484 904 899Environment and Communities Committee on 9th MTFS 90 Strategic Leisure Review and following

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17Holmes Chapelwww.samdaleandson.co.uk 01477 532258 The forge Maccleseld Rd, Holmes Chapel CW4 7NGLike and share our Facebook pageFollow us on InstagramJanuary 2024 Craft classes at Dales!Classes include all materials and refreshments . Classes being added all the time! Please follow us on Facebook for the latest info on pinned post! All classes do require booking - you can do that in store or online at www.samdaleandson.co.uk Wednesday 3rd Craft & Natter 11:00-12:30 £3Saturday 6th Decorate your own money bank 1:00-2:00 £5 Craft & Natter 2:30-4pm £3Tuesday 9th Intro to crochet 10:00-12:00 £20 Beginners crochet 12:30-2:30 £20Wednesday 10th Craft & Natter 11:00-12:30 £3Thursday 11th Introduction to crochet 12:30-2:30 £20 limited spacesSaturday 13th Decorate your own money bank 11:00-12:00 £5Monday 15th Beginners crochet 12:30-2:30Wednesday 17th Craft & Natter 11:00-12:30 £3Thursday 18th Introduction to Quilting 1:00-3:00 £20Saturday 20th Craft & Natter 11:00-12:30 £34. Issues that might aect disabled specic obstacles for people using wheelchairs or Contacting the Parish CouncilOur oce is generally open 9am to 12 noon,Tuesday to Friday mornings.Clerk of the Council, Holmes Chapel Parish Council, 1 Church Walk, Holmes Chapel, Cheshire. CW4 7AZ01477 533 934 | 07484 904 899clerk@holmeschapelparishcouncil.gov.ukwww.holmeschapelparishcouncil.gov.ukCheshire East Council Strategic Leisure ReviewFurther to the decision of Cheshire East Council’s Environment and Communities Committee on 9th November to undertake a public consultation on achieving the budget savings proposals under the MTFS 90 Strategic Leisure Review and following the required consultation with the Members of that committee as to content, please note that this consultation is now live and can be accessed via the link: surveys.cheshireeast.gov.uk/s/Strategic_Leisure_Review_Consultation_2023/The consultation will run for 6 weeks closing at midnight on Sunday 7th January 2024.Happy New Year!The Parish Council wishes all our residents a very Happy New Year and our best wishes for a joyful 2024!

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20It’s the rst article of 2024, and as I’ve done in the past, I’m going to take this as an opportunity to review the past 12 months of life as a bar owner.Without getting too morose, I have to acknowledge it’s been another dicult year for us here at the Emp and Bottle Bank. Liam’s unexpected passing in June, hit our close little team hugely, and it still does. Characters like him are few and far between - not a day goes by without him and his family being in our thoughts. Personally, has impacted me particularly signicantly this Christmas, reminding me of my own loss 4 years ago... and while it seems like I’ve lost far too many good friends over the past year, we must keep going... to which point, I am so very very proud of how my team have coped, how they have all developed... how they have been there for each other this year. They embody everything I wanted to create with the bars, I could not have wished for any more from any of them, and I am so lucky they choose to stand behind my bars every day.It’s thanks to them that we’ve been able to do a few new things this year. Holmes Chapel has been exposed to 2 amazing Queens at the Bottle Bank’s very rst drag night. Out of all the events we’ve done, I’ve never had so many people get in touch directly to express how brilliant a time they had! Look out From the bar, with RichRich, The Beer Emporium Bottle Bankfor more of them over the next 12 months, and even if you don’t think it’s your bag, give it a whirl, I reckon you’ll love it! We’ve done more private events than ever before, which has led to us creating a whole new side arm for hosted bars and self-serve parties. Our coee has gone down so well, I’ve broken 2 roasters this year by working them too hard! I have a good tingle about how that will pan out over the next year, so ngers crossed. The team at the Emp have revitalised the bar, new paintwork, more streamlined processes and more beer lines... The Craft Beer Trail that Della was instrumental in creating was so well received by the town, I wouldn’t be surprised if it came back bigger and better!Overall, I think it’s fair to say that 2023 has been a mixed bag but as is always the case, we’ll keep going in our inimitable style nding, recommending and serving you the best drinks we possibly can.Until next time, thank you for your amazing support, and I’ll hopefully see you at the bar.

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22Plus personalisedcards, gis & books.Greetings cards,knitting yarn, patterns, toys & gis.Search Molly’s Direct on Ebay & EtsyWe also do AVONContact me for a brochureTel: 07711 459224chris.pinion@route56.co.ukFree delivery within two miles of Holmes Chapel• Wetrooms & Walk-in showers• 12 month installation warranty• Slip resistant ooring• Comfort toilets & bidets• Waterproof wall panelling• Grab bars & shower seats• Discounts for over 60’s and ex-military personnel• Family-run company since 1998• Walk-in bathsCall for our friendly advice, free survey and quoteinfo@ahminstallations.co.uk www.ahminstallations.co.uk*Terms and conditions apply, visit our website for more details.01477 518221Bathing a problem? We can helpFREE*Mirrored cabinet or high raised toilet with any full bathroom installationAHM is rated Excellent

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24The Carvers are an interesting family who resided at Cranage Hall for almost three decades from 1900. The Cranage estate of 165 acres had been in the Armitstead family for almost a hundred years and Lawrence Armitstead had employed Lewis Wyatt to design a new Hall which was completed in 1829. When Lawrence’s daughter Agnes died without heirs in 1877, the house was rented to a succession of tenants until the Carvers took the lease in 1900 at a cost of £1000 (£100,000 today) and an annual rent of £300 (£30,000 today).The Carver family could trace its lineage back to the 15th century in Wakeeld, Yorkshire and had prospered as general carriers to the fast-growing railway companies. They had diversied into textile manufacture, purchasing Hollins Mill in Marple in 1859 from its founders, the Walmsley’s.The Carver family at that time comprised William and his wife Kate, four sons - Alan, Oswald (known as Waldo), Guy and Basil, and a daughter, Alison. They became generous benefactors to the communities of both Cranage and Marple. William had the building, then known as the Cranage Club on Knutsford Road, constructed in 1907, for his family and employees, but it subsequently became Cranage Village Hall, widely used as a community facility. The Carvers enjoyed the privileges Our local history, Cranage HallHolmes Chapel u3a Local Historyof country life on the Cranage Hall estate, employing around twenty house sta and gardeners plus three horse grooms. By 1920 William was able to purchase the freehold of the Hall and 695 acres of land from the Armitsteads for £33,655 (£3.5 million today)WW1 had a devastating impact on the family. Oswald was wounded at Gallipoli 1915, subsequently succumbing to his injuries; his brother Basil was killed in action in 1916. Alan and Guy also served in the Army through the war. One wing of the hall was also used as a convalescent home for injured ocers.The Carver family were heavily involved in the communities of Cranage and Holmes Chapel, taking part in many charitable activities, opening an orphanage, raising funds, supporting the war eort and participating in the Horticultural Society, the Scouts and the Holmes Chapel cricket team. Despite these good works, Mr. Carver was unable to persuade Holmes Chapel Parish Council to give him access to the village’s piped water supply, due to concerns about high usage at the Hall.Their daughter, Alison, against expectations, married the Rev. Dick Shepherd of St Martins in the Field, London, at St Luke’s in Holmes Chapel in 1915, the village being decked with ags and bunting. Village residents were invited to the reception at the Hall. Dick Shepherd’s father was Chaplain to King George V. and the wedding was conducted by Cosmo Lang, then Archbishop of Canterbury. Upon Dick’s early death in 1937, he was buried in the cloisters of Canterbury Cathedral.Waldo had married Betty Hobart and they had two sons, John and Richard. In widowhood, Betty took her boys on holiday to Switzerland where she met the then Major Bernard Montgomery, later to nd fame in North Africa during WW II. They were married in1927, but sadly Betty died from septicaemia in 1937. Her son Richard served under Monty during the war and John was also a serving ocer.The Carvers’ cotton business declined in the late 1920s, the mill in Marple closing and the Hall and estate oered at auction in 1927. It sold in multiple lots for much less than its purchase price. The local health board acquired the Hall and surrounding grounds for use as a mental hospital, which opened in 1932. It continued in this role until closure in 1981. It is now the Cranage Hall Hotel.

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30It’s great to get outside to stretch those legs whether it’s that odd time between Christmas and New year when you don’t know what day it or blowing the cobwebs away and getting some fresh air with friends on New Years Day. Here are 10 of my favourite child friendly walksThe Cloud in Congleton This relatively short walk is really rewarding in terms of the wonderful views. Ascending from the Timbersbrook Car Park gives you quite a workout in climbing the 136 steps up the steep side of the hill and then further up Bosley Hill but it’s worth it. Amazing views and to encourage those little legs there is a nish line trig point to touch. Park at Timberbrook picnic area carpark CW12 3PP. Christmas & New Year walks in CheshireJenny,Days Out and Meals Out ReviewsTeggs noseA brilliant 4km walk with views. From the visitors centre head up past the old quarry with the quarry equipment display. At Teggs Nose summit there are amazing views across Maccleseld Forest. The path loops back down taking you to the reservoir and the dam. Please note Teggs Nose cafe is closed. Marbury Country ParkAt Marbury Country park you can wander along the mere with views over the water to the church at Great Budworth, or explore the arboretum and community orchard. Plus there is a great newly built play area and there is usually a coee van by the park too. Parking is £1.50 for 3 hours. The Whitegate Way Once the site of a historic rail link for Cheshire’s salt industry, the Whitegate Way is at, wide and straight, making it perfect for little cyclists, walkers and wheelchair users. Stretching for 10km from the heart of Winsford to Cuddington, the Way oers o road easy walking for all ages. Halfway along the old railway line is the main access point where you’ll nd a large free car park (CW7 2QE), toilets and a cafe.The Wizard Walk in Alderley EdgeEvery time we walk here, we nd a new route to take. Choose between the Miners Ramble which takes to to an old mine or the Donkey Trek leads you down into the valley and back up a big climb. The Wizard Wonder takes you to the icon view point where you can look over the Cheshire plains. There is a new and improved wooden assault course perfect for little climbers and explorers.The former sand quarry, at Astbury, oers a gentle past the watersports centre. The path is wide and at so perfect for bikes and scooters too. GG’s Coee Hub the road to The Little Cow Shed for a coee, avoured you will nd a great playground and Maccleseld that will take you Further along the ridge you will nd down along the river to nd a very

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31a nish line trig point to touch. Park amazing views across Maccleseld Forest. The path there is usually a coee van by the park too. Parking is salt industry, the Whitegate Way is at, wide and heart of Winsford to Cuddington, the Way oers o railway line is the main access point where you’ll nd Every time we walk here, we nd a new route to take. The Wizard cafe serves drinks, cakes and snacks with plenty of outdoor seating. Parking is free if a National Trust member. Astbury Mere Country ParkThe former sand quarry, at Astbury, oers a gentle stroll around the lake. Its about 1.5km round, going past the watersports centre. The path is wide and at so perfect for bikes and scooters too. GG’s Coee Hub is open every day serving drinks, ice cream and cakes just by the carpark CW12 4FP. Car Parking is 60p for up to 2 hours. Brereton Heath Local Nature ReserveThe heath is an easy circular walk, with suitable paths for little ones to take their new scooters or bikes they got for Christmas. There is an Elf Hunt over Christmas so pick up a map from near the visitor centre to locate them all. You can also feed the ducks and pop over the road to The Little Cow Shed for a coee, avoured milk or ice cream. Delemere ForestThere are plenty of options within the 2,400 acres of forest at Delemere. Either walking or on bikes.If you climb up to Old Pale (3km), you can see spectacular views. There’s also the Blakemere trail (5.8km) and Linmere trail (3.4km). Or grab the Zog trail activity pack for £4 from the forest information point and collect the golden stars as your explore. Parking is £9 for 3 hours. Chester WallsThe city walls are the oldest, longest and most complete in Britain, parts of which are almost 2000 years old. Walking the complete circuit (2.9km) gives amazing views down into the city and gives a fantastic insight into Chester’s long history. We park at Watergate Street Car Park CH1 4JH. At the Water tower you can actually go down some steps and you will nd a great playground and large grassy area. You can come down from the walls for a bite to eat at one of the many cafes in Chester.. White NancyThe White Nancy Circular Walk is a fantastic route northeast of Maccleseld that will take you uphill along Kerridge Ridge to visit White Nancy, a commemorative site to the victory at the Battle of Waterloo. Along the trail, you will be able to explore the area around the monument and take in the breathtaking views of the surrounding Cheshire landscape. Further along the ridge you will nd another trig before heading back down along the river to nd a very pretty waterfall. We park along Lord Street in Bollington SK10 5BN

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33.C.YOUR HOMEVALUEDWe have a decade of experience in the Cheshire & South Manchester property industry & we will inspect your property with a wealth of local knowledge to help you during the exciting home buying process. We provide objective & comprehensive survey reports & expert advice for all types of residential properties. Properties come in all shapes & sizes, which is why we oer a range of surveys to t your needs including: All levels of the RICS Home Surveys including HomeBuyer Reports & Building Surveys Private Valuations including Help to Buy Redemption, Probate & Capital GainsWe are not aliated with any lending institutions or estate agencies. We are only here for you! Buying a house can be stressful, so our focus is only on you and your future home.RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) qualiedIndependent Surveyor & Registered ValuerDavid Harrison AssocRICS 01477 406004 07863 735479 david@harrison-surveying.co.uk www.harrison-surveying.co.ukTalk to David fromHarrison Residential Surveyingtoday to help you decide what type ofsurvey would best suit you & your circumstances.Scan me

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35Platinum: Gold:Silver:Fundraising, payments and donations will be processed and administered by the National Funding Scheme (Charity No: 1149800), operating as DONATE. Texts will be charged at your standard network rate. For Terms & Conditions, see www.easydonate.org. You must be aged 16 or over to use this service and have permission from the bill payer before sending a text message.• Each entry costs £5• Texts are charged at standard network rate• Your mobile number is your ticket number• You may send multiple texts for multiple entries• The proceeds of the draw will be split equally between The Partnership and the Santa Sleigh Fund• Winners drawn on January 8th, 2024TEXT Hcpdraw TO 70970WIN £250!Enter our prize draw to win one of three cash prizes - £250, £100 or £50Photo Credit: Jenny from Days Out And Meals Out

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42Hello and welcome to the rst PPG article of the New Year. Thanks to those who’ve mailed in with expressions of interest in joining the panel, it’s denitely a worthy way to spend a few hours a year.Having seen the start of the annual peak in illnesses, the surgery has been able to see and treat more patients than ever before. In the rst week of December, there were nearly 900 medical requests being logged via the online triage system. This was up nearly 10% on the week before in November. The same time Patient Participation Group Rich JepsonHolmes Chapel Health Centre PPGlast year saw the system overwhelmed, and ultimately turned o - a testament to how eectively the team are now working with it. If you do not have the ability to get online, or don’t have anyone to help ll it in yourself, then the reception team will log the call for you - just please remember you may not get the same level of privacy as doing it yourself.With more than 13,000 patients on the Health Centre books, going online really is the best and fastest way to get seen by the right medical professional. Your healthcare request will be seen, reviewed and signposted the same day, with urgent needs being dealt with as quickly as necessary. Similarly, if you have a general question or query, by logging it as an admin request you’ll get a response much faster than if you went down to the surgery to ask in person. It also means you wouldn’t be exposed to the many bugs that are going around the village at their time of year! This leads nicely onto an issue that does need your support, and that is car parking. We know we are limited in the village for car parking facilities, however if you choose to park in a space reserved for sta, or block someone in, then chances are you will delay a GP in getting into the surgery to see patients, or more seriously, stop a health care worker from potentially getting to a seriously ill patient at home. Please think about what’s around you, is this a marked bay, should I park here, before you leave your car.Lastly, I think this is also a good time to remind you that the GP’s are not the only ones who are able to administer health care services at the Health Centre. They are supported not just by the oce, administration and back oce teams, but by an entire clinical support team that includes Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Practice Nurses, First Contact Physicians, Social Prescribers, Clinical Pharmacists, Paramedics, Mental Health Practitioners, Health Care Assistants, GP Registrars, and Physician Associates. These health care professionals work under the supervision of the GP’s, and will be the people responding to your needs when your request has been triaged.

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NEW YEAR – NEW YOUFor inial enquiries or to book aFREE EAR HEALTH CHECKplease contact us on:Middlewich 01606 259 646 | info@middlewichhearing.comHolmes Chapel 01477 533 620 | info@holmeschapelhearing.comWe oer a price match guarantee on our hearing systemsOur wax removal service is currently the cheapest in the area at £25 per earWe have the latest, most high-tech equipment and hearing aids availableParking is available on the doorstep of both clinicsWe include a 5 year manufacturer warranty with all hearing systems on top of our FREE lifeme aercare serviceRental systems are now available for prices as low as £25 per monthHome visits are availableOur aercare includes more benets than competors (such as unlimited service appointments and wax removal)We are open every weekday and will be exible withappointment mesWe have been established since 2010 and our sta all live and have grown up locally10 reasons to trust us with your hearing

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46THE BOTTLE Bank24-26 London Road Kitchen updateWe’ll be having a few weeks o food vendors in the new year so that we can launch our own food menu. A short menu featuring deli snacks, cheese, and meets that will pair perfectly with our incredible range of wine, beers & cocktails. Going forward, we will be hosting food vendors every two weeks.Foodie FridaySunshine Street food CaribbeanJan 26thDry-AnuaryNew year alcohol-free range including gin, beer, wine, and a huge range of soft drinks and mock-tails. Pop in to keep going out, whilst sticking to your resolutions!Coee MorningsWe’re open from 10am Thursday-Sunday serving up our rich-roasted range of coee, tea and other hot drinks. All of our coee is roasted in house by Rich himself, our tea is sourced from Tea from the Manor in Holmes Chapel, and our hot chocolate is made from belgian chocolate drops.Join us for ‘work away from home’ every Thursday and Friday, and get any coee with our cake of the week for just £5.Check

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48GARDENFully QualiﬁedHonest & FriendlyGarden & Estate Services20 Years ExperienceDomestic & CommercialLandscaping & MaintenanceHEDGES TREES LAWNSWEED FENCING TURFCALL RICH ON07487 723745OR CALL01260 642371Need a Podiatrist or Physio?For information on all our services visit: restorephysio.co.ukFor information on all our services visit: restorephysio.co.ukHolmes Chapel PodiatryHolmes Chapel PodiatryNail SurgeryCallus/Corn removalBiomechanicsIngrown toenailsVerruca treatmentDiabetic assessmentWoundcare management advice Vascular assessments Restore PhysiotherapyRestore PhysiotherapyBack PainNeck PainInjury managementPost operative careSports Rehabilitation/MassagePilates AssessmentPain ManagementAcupunctureBook your appointment todayBook your appointment today01477 668 59701477 668 597Book your appointment todayBook your appointment today01477 549 94901477 549 949

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50PlastererBryan TurnerLocal, time served & skilledInternal Plastering Walls & CeilingsExternalRenderingImprove the look of your home07803448954OPENING HOURS MONDAY-WEDNESDAY 9-6THURSDAY 9-8 FRIDAY 9-7 SAT 730-2BOOKINGSESSENTIALCard payments acceptedPlease call for out of hours appointmentsBookings can be made via the websiteTRADITIONAL BARBERING FUSED WITHMODERN PRECISION TECHNIQUES.HAIRCUTS £14HAIRCUT & BEARD £20SKINFADE £17SKIN FADE & BEARD £22CHURCH WALK, HOLMES CHAPEL07845 999673WWW.TRYMBARBERS.CO.UKKIDS CUT £13OAP £12BEARD TRIM £8DELUXE BEARD £15MONDAY-WEDNESDAYOAP RATES £10FARRALL DRYCLEANERSFARRALL DRYCLEANERS& LAUNDRY SERVICES& LAUNDRY SERVICESDRY CLEANINGDRY CLEANINGLAUNDRY SERVICESLAUNDRY SERVICESIRONING SERVICESIRONING SERVICESDUVET WASHDUVET WASHBRIDAL CAREBRIDAL CARECURTAIN CARECURTAIN CAREFREE COLLECTION & DELIVERY AVAILABLEFREE COLLECTION & DELIVERY AVAILABLE01477 544011 01477 544011 LONDON RD, HOLMES CHAPELLONDON RD, HOLMES CHAPELAccredited level 3 qualifications in: Adult resuscitation (CPR)Burns and scaldsChoking adultCommunication and casualty careDefibrillator prompts and how to respondDefibrillator pad placementMinor and severe bleedingRole of the first aider (including knowledge of health and safety regulations)SeizuresShockUnresponsive adultBe safe in your business or homeContact Marcus for more information onboxingcpr@gmail.com07944 064 363

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52Sandbach Rugby club has always had a thriving membership of players and supporters. From it’s mini and juniors, starting at 18 months old with didi rugby classes, all the way up to senior men’s rugby and the many generations of players who have put in performances for Sandbach over the years. Sandbach is truly the place for sporting action for everyone. With contact, touch and walking rugby on oer, there really is a team for everyone at Bradwall Rd. One section that has been missing however was the Women and Girls sides. Women and Girls rugby is the fastest growing sport in the country, and you can see why with all the developments in professional and International contacts for Women. Sandbach RUFC want part of the action! This isn’t the rst time Sandbach Sandbach Women & Girls RugbyRos Wigginshave hosted full teams of female athletes at their Bradwall Rd home. Unfortunately the last eort was stopped in its tracks in 2020, but the Women and Girls of Sandbach RUFC are back up and running, and looking for new players to join the ranks and be part of history as they build teams in every age grade along with a full Women’s squad. Now is the time for the Women and Girls section to take the lime light and be given the opportunity to grow, develop and thrive! With the full support of the club as a whole, and in collaboration with Sandbach High-school, this is the next step for the club to truly provide for the whole Sandbach community. Direct of Rugby, Andrew Bird says: “Part of our strategic review was to enhance the provision for Women and Girls rugby at SRUFC and we are delighted to see the game growing organically both at the rugby club and also locally at Sandbach HS. To have weekly sessions led by an experienced coach in Rei is fantastic, we are excited about the coming months when hopefully we can play a format of the game in the green and red shirt”With lead coach Rei adds “It’s been an absolute pleasure getting the W&G sessions up and running at Sandbach. We’ve got a really wonderful group of people getting better at rugby every week. It’s a fun and encouraging place to be. The goal is for there to be a dedicated space for young girls to get stuck into rugby, and we are on the right track.”With girls from the age of 11 through to 18 catered for, along with an over 18s side coming together too, there are a growing number of female athletes taking to the pitches on a weekly basis, learning new skills, and forming rm friendships. All age groups (u12s, u14s, u16s and u18s) along with the women’s team are looking for new players. No experience is needed as our coaches will work on all the skills you need with you, tness level is no issue either - everyone who comes has a place on the team - rugby really is a sport for everyone! If you would like to join in the fun, sessions run on a Wednesday evening at 6pm at Sandbach Rugby Club.

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54 Cedar & Oak Joinery + Handyman + Property Maintenance + Shepherd HutsI would like to introduce myself, im Peter from Cedar & Oak based in Goostrey. I oﬀer joinery, handyman, property maintenance and shepherd huts.I am happy to look at both big and small jobs ranging from doors, shelving, mirror hanging, built in furniture, gates, garden structures, sheds, silicon sealing, window repairs and all other manner of joinery and handyman type jobs. Please Google “Cedar and Oak Shepherd Huts” for reviews of my work. Call or Message : 07834 356337www.cedarandoak.co.ukWorkshop - The Old Fuel Depot, Twemlow Lane, Twemlow, CW4 8GJWE REMOVE ANYTHING...Furniture, appliances, pianos,sofas, beds, wardrobes, DIY wasteand all rubbish removedWE CLEAR-OUT ANYWHERE...Homes, oﬃces, shops, garages,gardens, los etcwww.monsterjunk.com

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55Plumley Moor Road, Plumley, Cheshire, WA16 9SD | Tel: 01565 722315 www.visitplumleys.co.uk | info@visitplumleys.co.uk Garden | Gi | Coee Shop @Plumleys @plumleyscafe visit.plumleys Situated just outside the market town of Knutsford, Plumleys is a family owned and run plant and garden centre. We oer plenty of ideas and inspiraon to help you get the most from your garden, whatever me of year. We have a well stocked garden shop oering all you need to keep your garden in p top condion from the brand leaders in garden products. In our lovely new gi shop we have plenty of gi ideas for family and friends, be they gardeners or not. Our Cafe is parcularly popular, serving hearty homemade food in relaxed comfortable surroundings. Enjoy brunch, lunch or our homemade cakes and bakes in front of wood burning stoves on inclement days or outside on our lovely sun terrace when the weather is a lile kinder.

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56Congleton, before the Charter The grant of a town charter in 1272 was something special. Ocial market status attracted traders and buyers from far and wide. So how did medieval townspeople usually refer to their surroundings? Features of the environment acquire names which are very telling. Even 750 years ago many were already centuries old. Let’s take a circular sweep.Approaching from the west along the wriggly river Dane, the term Somerford has lasted over a thousand years. From the language of Old English, it meant a water-crossing (ford) usable in summer. Before any farming or settlement, land had to be cleared. A ‘rode’ meant just that (in Old English ‘rodu’). This occurs in Rode Heath toward Alsager and closer to home North Rode, spelt Rodo at the time of Domesday Book in 1086. Convenient to Somerford was Smethwick, a very practical reference to its role as a village (wick) of the metal-working smiths.Around 1262, just before Congleton’s Charter was awarded, Hulme Waleld was known as Wallefeld et Hulm. In the Old Scandinavian language a ’hulme’ was a usefully drier patch of land in otherwise marshy ground. Occurring as either ‘hulme’ or ‘holm’ this word-description is quite widespread. Waleld itself had pleasanter connotations… ‘open country by a spring’. Turning eastward, in the 11th From the archives, CongletonA selection of local history articles, by Julie Elizabeth Smalleycentury lay a farmstead or estate then known just as Riseton, possibly notable for where rushes (rysc) grew. Later on the Spencer family claimed rights and it became Rushton Spencer.To the south lies Astbury. A clue to its relative importance is contained within its very name - ‘eastern manor or stronghold’. In Old English ‘newbold’ described new buildings – hence the later Newbold Astbury. However, not everything lasted. Here was the site of a Deserted Medieval Village.Along with several ‘Moss’ names the picture coming into view is a once wet and swampy one. With the mists of time comes mystery too. The origin of Bridestones is unclear. Did they mean bird-shaped stones? Possibly. And Congleton itself? Recorded as Cogeltone in 1086, it had become Congulton in the 13th century. Was this ‘tun’ or estate identied as being on ‘a round-topped hill’, or ‘by the river-bend’? One of the most ancient names borne locally – Celtic in origin - is that of the river Dane. It probably meant simply ‘trickling stream’.People, their speech, landscapes they inhabited… In this Charter Year of curiosity about the local past, place-names prove intriguing!John WhitehurstWhat links a son of Congleton, a quest for knowledge of the natural world (hallmark of the 18th century)… plus a host of intricate inventions? Well, it’s ‘only’ a matter of time. In 75 years one particular person managed to combine absolute opposites, exploring and measuring not just minutes - but beyond millennia. His extraordinary life-work had national impact on science and industry.So, who was Congleton’s curious son? His name was John Whitehurst , born in this town in 1713. During his boyhood from his home in Cheshire he would venture eagerly into Derbyshire’s dramatic geological landscapes. Fascination with rocks and minerals was gaining ground, not least because of all the excavating of mines, exploration of cave systems, and building of canals beginning to happen then. Whitehurst was passionately interested.At 23 he left for Derby to work in the clock-making family business of his uncle James Whitehurst. He’d learnt this trade in Congleton from his father (also John Whitehurst). All kinds of novel variations were designed and constructed. Not just timepieces: precision instrument-making was also his forte…

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barometers, compasses, miner’s dials, balances, thermometers, even a night watchman’s clock or ‘noctuary’. His creations struck the hours in churches, country houses, stables and factories. Springing from that early specialist training in Congleton, it was he who turned Derby into a clock-making centre of excellence, to last for generations.That takes care of the minutes… but what about the other end of the spectrum - millions of years? Whitehurst collected eld data, theorising on how rock strata were deposited. His resulting volume An Enquiry into the Original State and Formation of the Earth – eye-poppingly monumental in both subject and title - was published in 1778.Whitehurst was appointed as one of the ocials at the Royal Mint in 1774. In 1779 he was elected Fellow of the Royal Society. Along the way there were many famous connections cemented. Benjamin Franklin was one. He was also the oldest, and much revered member, of that famed discussion group known as the Lunar SocietyBack in Congleton clock-making continued, no doubt more modestly. Exactly two hundred years ago on the High Street Edward Drakeford, John Drakeford, and Charles Johnson were listed as ‘Watch and Clock Makers’ in 1822. Peter Leadbetter meanwhile traded on Mill Street. No mention is made of the illustrious Whitehurst family. Their good name was carried on elsewhere as Smith of Derby. A true Georgian gent, the legacy of John Whitehurst FRS was immense . Isn’t his story denitely worth a moment?For Congleton’s good healthWhat links Congleton Park with… a curious set of symbols, a message of health, and ancient Greece - all via a once highly useful public service? To nd out we need to visit Victorian times.People then loved the idea of symbolic meanings for owers and plants - a kind of unspoken code. It was a way to express desires, emotions, gratitude, praise, or even rejections. Careful choice of plant material was vital! Not sure what everything might mean? Little books of ower vocabularies were printed, beautifully decorated, and given as gifts. Much of this is still well-known today. Think of the signicance of red roses (love) or poppies (remembrance), and the term ‘extending the olive branch’ code-words for peace. Around the same time, a heavier issue to confront was the demon drink. Hoping to dilute the taste for alcohol was the national temperance movement, which was determined to protect society with safer beverages. That included clean water and access to it. One practical outcome was the public drinking fountain. Oddly these two very dierent trends came together in a handy combination… 1887 was the ftieth year of Queen Victoria’s reign. To mark this Golden Jubilee towns acquired memorial drinking fountains. (If not then, often ten years later at the Diamond one.) These functional structures were also ultra-elaborate. So what better way to reect the fashion and feelings of the times than to cleverly work in some of the ‘hidden’ language of owers?Congleton was the lucky recipient of a stylish model. Plumbed in to the town’s water supply and topped with a gas-lit lantern it was a dual-purpose drinking station - intended for both horse and human. Initially it was set at a street intersection by Swan Bank. The monument’s tall upright bar features what is described now as just ‘oral relief’. A closer look though reveals the delicate forms resemble… leaves and fruits of the olive. Also here, just below four curly cup-holders are moulded acanthus leaves, a favourite architectural motif of classical Greeks and Romans, representing themes of rebirth and immortality. Hence anyone refreshing themselves would be visually reminded of the wholesome virtues of peacefulness, life-giving water and healing… and ne art.The fountain today sits in Congleton Park.If you would like to discover more of Congleton’s history, you can read all the published articles online at editions.beartownvoice.com

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60An Open LetterA few years ago I wasn’t able to leave my house at all due to severe anxiety and depression, since my recovery and the inception of BTG I’ve spoken at numerous public events about the work the charity is doing to save lives.99.9% of the time my story is well received. It’s impactful because it’s scarily relatable both to those who have struggled themselves and those who don’t “get it” yet. My life was everything it was meant to be, I was “normal”, thriving, winning at life. I’d never struggled with my mental health. What started as feeling a bit worried and down about things spiralled rapidly out of my control and nearly killed me. If it happened to me, it could happen to you.I have to balance the importance of creating awareness of BTG with my own mental health and sanity. So I just tell my story, it’s my truth and despite the fact I’ve told it hundreds of times, there’s words that still burn my throat like acid and tears regularly stab at the back of my eyes. Because when you tell a story from memory, you’re asking your brain to go back to that place to retrieve it.If you ever see / hear me talk, I hope you understand that as I speak to a silent audience about the night I stood on a bridge, my voice might be the only audible sound in the Should we censor mental h****h?Bridging The GapMind Mattersroom, but I can still hear the lorries thundering below and feel the rain on my face.When I talk about Alistair and Faith, I imagine my own family, it physically hurts my chest as I think of my little boy, my mum, every person that’s known and cared about me, and how my story could have ended so dierently, just another statistic, a result of a failing healthcare system.In my story there’s always a part where I joke about not being able to get bread, usually people laugh a little, and in that moment time slows down, I can still feel the crush in my chest as I stand in front of my door, the world spinning, sinking to the oor unable to move, breathe or see, and realising that my own mind was completely broken. Seconds feel like minutes, so i pause, focus, breathe and as the laughs die down I snap back into the room, moving on to talk about medication and trying to join a gym for the rst time.Talking about it is at best unpleasant and at worst agonising, I re-live some of the most painful and terrifying experiences of my life whilst stood in a room full of strangers. I’m asking my mind to go back to a place where it was nearly lost. Paying a visit to the parts of my memory where the demons ruled, and hoping they never nd a way to follow me back into the present.I remember after one of the rst talks I’d given, someone got in touch to say that me using the word suicide was triggering to them so I should leave it out… I made a mental note and used “end my life” instead.Then someone said that talking about the way in which I planned to “end my life” was triggering to them, so I should leave that out too… So I just skipped that bit. Then someone else said that me talking about the struggle a parent faces after losing a child to suicide was triggering, so I needed to use dierent words… And I realised, that if you hear someone stand up and speak so vulnerably about nearly killing themselves, about losing a friend, about how they’re trying to stop hundreds of people dying, and your rst thought is about yourself, that you are triggered by the words used, then you might just be part of the problem.So let me clarify. This isn’t about you. It’s not even about me anymore, telling this story does nothing to help me. It’s for those people stood at the edge feeling a bit down and worried for the rst time, unsure what’s oensive, or upsetting or triggering. But then it suering and dying should make you feel uneasy in head. Trust me when I say, no one nds my words Censoring the things that we nd unpleasant doesn’t use your time and eort to maybe

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61so dierently, just another statistic, a result of a failing door, the world spinning, sinking to the oor unable to medication and trying to join a gym for the rst time.hoping they never nd a way to follow me back into I remember after one of the rst talks I’d given, was triggering, so I needed to use dierent words… hundreds of people dying, and your rst thought is a bit down and worried for the rst time, unsure what’s happening in their head and how to take the next step forward. It’s for every person hanging on the edge, hoping someone is coming pull them up and help them across. It’s for the people who’ve already fallen.I could censor my story so much that it won’t be oensive, or upsetting or triggering. But then it wouldn’t be my story. My story should be triggering Hearing about people suering and dying should make you feel uneasy in your seat. Suicide is horrendous for everyone, and I don’t even discuss the gory details of it, the things people are willing to do to get away from the demons in their head. Trust me when I say, no one nds my words harder to hear than me.Censoring the things that we nd unpleasant doesn’t make them go away. Mental illness loves isolation, darkness, embarrassment. We need to shine the light on it, have more unashamed open conversations about its unpleasantries. Give it nowhere to hide.Going forward I’ll be giving a disclaimer that if any part of my story is uncomfortable listening, complaints and suggestions can me made to the NHS talking therapies service, they’ll respond to enquiries any time between 6 and 12 months.Or alternatively you can listen, imagine the person talking is someone you care deeply about, sit with every painful unpleasant emotion that it evokes, and then do something.Make a donation to BTG, raise awareness of the importance of early intervention services, understand what preliminary signs of mental ill health can look like and how to get the right support, lobby your MP for more goverment funding, support crisis helplines, ask your employers to take mental health seriously, start your own charity if you feel so inclined, just use your time and eort to maybe help save someone’s life not censor mine.Take a look at www.BTG-mindmatters.org to complete an application.Do you or someone you know need support with their mental health?Bridging the Gap, Mind Matters was founded in 2020 by Vicky and is now managed by herself and a committee of trustees. They employ the professional services of local therapists and personal trainers to provide the Respite Programme to individuals who are struggling with mental health.About Us

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62MS Construction &Landscaping All joinery work undertaken, garden landscaping, general garden maintenance, windows, guttering, construction, bathrooms & kitchens.No job too big or small.Call for a no obligationally free quotation.07743 003137Fully Qualified Joiner Call Alan Lewis for your FREE no obligation quotation:01477 533 667 or 07970 806 451safeclean32@aol.comBased inHOLMESCHAPELYOUR LOCAL SPECIALIST CLEANING & RESTORATION SERVICEwww.tileandstonemedic.co.ukWe use safe, natural & eﬀective products to clean your soft furnishings & hard surfaces in your home & commercial premisesCarpet, upholstery, leather, curtains & rugs. Stain protection treatments. Spot, stain & odour removal.TILE, STONE & GROUT CLEANING & RE-SEALING Marble • Limestone • Travertine • PorcelainKarndean • Amtico • Quarry • Slate • VictorianPatio and Driveway cleaningTarmac RenovationShanty Farm, Byley CW10 9NG01606 832874www.lowesfarmshop.comEverything you would expect from our farm shop.Also on the farm...FIELD SMITHS Premium country clothingFOUR OAKS DIRECT Quality plants at great pricesFRAME Picture framing studioGIFTED Beautiful gifts for all occasionsCHESHIRE WARDROBE BOUTIQUE Aﬀordable fashion for women of all agesTASCHE KEYS NAILS & BEAUTY Beauty Salon and Training Academy INGLEDEW THERAPY Hypnotherapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy & Practical CoachingH, DAVIDSON BUTCHERS Quality meatBREAKFASTS, BRUNCHES, LUNCHES, TEAS,COFFEE, CAKES & AFTERNOON TEASPlus, a wide range of home-grown seasonal veg and local suppliers such as Chatwins pies & cakes; & Jo’s cakes.Freshly picked just for you

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64It was my sister in laws big 40th birthday, so she was after a special place to celebrate with her friends. It was an easy decision when wanting a place a little bit dierent and that extra bit special. Chimichangos, with its fabulous decor and equally fabulous food, stands out on Middlewich’s high street as a great place to eat.We attended for a mid week meal. It’s a cute little place that doesn’t have a lot of tables. This isn’t a bad thing as it adds to the ambience, but you do have to make sure you book because of it.The small and cosy atmosphere got lled with laughter with our group, as we do like to have a giggle. The fact that we were all donning massive sombreros while sat at the table did add to our jokes. A cheeky mid week cocktail was the perfect start to our celebration, and at Chimichangos, they have a fab selection to choose from.It’s hard to know where to start when describing the food. It’s a Days Out & Meals Out reviewsJenny,Days Out and Meals Out Reviewsplace that prides itself on everything being made in house. With such bold and interesting avours. If you like things spicy, then you won’t be disappointed. Their chilli beef packs a punch.The starters selection is impressive with homemade nachos (none of that opening a packet of crisps), street tacos, prosecco battered haloumi, spicy squid or chicken wings are to name a few. There is a starter to suit every taste.The mains equally have a great selection. I personally went for the chilli beef enchiladas. It was gorgeous, and my sides of garlic mushrooms & spicy rice complimented it perfectly. All the mains come with a choice of 2 sides & you can choose your lling too. So whether it’s a Burrito, Chimichanga, or a Quesadilla or after, you can then choose between nine dierent llings, including beef, chicken, and a few veggie options.Their avours are amazing. You could never say it’s bland, that’s for sure. If you don’t like spice, they do have milder options. Watch out, though, as the portions are massive.Most of us managed squeezed in a pudding. The classic Mexican desert of churros is what a lot of us ordered. There is also sweet nachos and a homemade chocolate fudge cake to choose from.The children menu looks great too. They have an option to join in on their own mini Mexican burrito or they can play it save with chicken chunks or pizza. The kids menu is served till 7pm so its makes the perfect place to come for a family meal. Its a great place to introduce your kids to new and interesting cuisine.• Yummy Mexican food, cocktails and sombreros• Pre book your table• 11 Wheelock St, Cheshire, Middlewich CW10 9AG You can nd more reviews on my Facebook page & Instagram, search ‘Days Out and Meals Out’

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66This Mindfulness practice will help you to avoid any self-judgment or negative rumination about your preparations for the ‘perfect Christmas’ and create a foundation of self-compassionate, exible space—something that is missing for many of us at this time of year!Choose a quiet space, with your body in a comfortable, alert posture.Take in a few slow, deep breaths and then read the three instructions cards in order, or, record them or have someone read them to you.Pause between each stage & simply notice what comes up in your mind and body as you put your attention on the words (and underlying meaning) of each practice.Just allow yourself to observe what shows up, and if your mind goes into its loops of rumination, just gently come back to the practice and the self-compassionate intentions.1. Retro Wishes – Send Your Past & Present Self Kindly Best WishesSilence you inner criticMike HollandMind Being You• Make a wish for your ten-year old self…• Now make a wish for your twenty-something self…• Now make a wish for yourself today…Pause and reect on what you notice around giving kind wishes to yourself at various stages of your life.Any points in your life that are easier or harder to create self-kindness?2. Choose an Act of Self-Care• Think of a simple act of self-care or self-compassion that you could take today that doesn’t take too long & is neither selsh nor self-indulgent?• Observe with a ‘beginners curious mind’ what insights you get when you think of what you might do to take care of yourself today.• Does your ruminating mind immediately throw up any obstacles?Any “well, but’s …”?Are you comfortable to “thank” your mind for sharing these, and do the self-compassionate act anyway?3. Change the Record – Note how often you criticise yourself instead of praising yourself:• For the rest of your day, without self-judgement and regardless of where you are in it, notice the number of self-criticisms and the number of self-compassionate encouragements you give yourself.• Make a positive intention to change the record to focus on self-compassionate encouragements instead.Perhaps your self-compassionate act for today would be to actually do what this last instruction suggests — just keeping a note of how often you criticise yourself as opposed to encouraging yourself.Reect on this for a moment… Just this simple act of keeping an actual note somewhere – even on the palm of your hand is, itself, an act of self-compassion.Taking this time for yourself, especially at this time of the year, and being honest and willing to pay attention this closely to yourself is a great act of self-compassion.We don’t often give ourselves this much time out of our busy lives.Instead of ticking o all of our seasonal tasks, perhaps we can instead, focus on our relationship with ourselves?

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68Choosing the right ﬂooring can seem overwhelming with so much choice available. Whether it’s for living space, kitchens, bathrooms, conservatories or stairs, our Design Service can help guide you on what will work best. We can advise you on the best products and prices for solid ﬂoors, vinyl, laminate and carpets.Preparaon · Levelling · RestoraonVinyl’s · Wood · Parquet · Laminate · CarpetsG-Floors & Wall Cladding Services Ltd · www.g-ﬂoorservices.comPlease call for a free quote: 01477 551325H & DSATELLITE AND AERIALS01606 841 4320775 696 2878TV Aerial/Freesat/Satellite Installs & RepairsTV System Fault Finding & DiagnosisTV System Set UP Additional SocketsLOCAL, FRIENDLY & RELIABLE SERVICEFOR A FREE NO OBLIGATIONQUOTE, CALL DAVE & HELENwww.hdaerials.co.uk07814 557 616southcheshiredigital.comcreate@southcheshiredigital.com

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70Salt-TownTAKE one old, unassuming farm in Middlewich, add an entrepreneur, a dash of disguise, maybe a touch of mystery… and what have we got? An unusual origin-story of fame and fortune. It involved literally ground-breaking technology and today forms a vital part of Middlewich heritage.Of course we are talking salt. The property was Newton Farm - just south-east of the town, tucked in between the Trent & Mersey canal and Sanderson’s Brook. Cutting right across was the railway line. Its elds also lay close to the route of a Roman road. So how did this prove a geological gem?As is well known salt extraction here dates from as far back as the Iron Age, through Roman and medieval phases. Yet all these had to rely on either easy-to-reach springs or wells that were not too deep below ground. That changed in the nineteenth century with precision engineering (and unbelievably brave labourers).The secret speculator? Stockport engineer George Lomas Murgatroyd. In 1888/9 he was particularly keen to purchase Newton Farm. Probably on a hunch. Denitely ‘under cover’. Whatever made him choose this rural spot it was in earnest expectation of nding that lucrative liquid: brine. The risk paid o. His team did From the archives, Middlewich A selection of local history articles, by Julie Elizabeth Smalleystrike beds of rock salt. El Dorado! Murgatroyd’s was to become a major saltworks for domestic and export production, forever linked with Middlewich. Yet the practical realities are hard to imagine. Digging those exploratory rst shafts hundreds of feet down through the earth… tunnelling to locate brine streams? Daring and dangerous work. In addition, the men were deliberately disorientated so as to lose sense of direction. No insider information given out!Late in 1894 the pioneering life of George Lomas Murgatroyd was cut short at age 44. Then and since brine operations were not only about salt but associated chemicals. The legacy is mixed. Townsfolk in Middlewich and elsewhere had to tolerate thick airs blackened with smoke, few trees - and seldom any absolutely clean washing.Cross-Quarter DayFor our forebears in dark midwinter, Christmas season didn’t signal the end of bright events. February brought its own festivities. Quite a lot were associated with animals, candles and light.Most people are grateful that early spring days visibly lengthen. Vital for rural communities like Middlewich… it meant fresh pasture and grazing. Marking welcome progress around the agricultural calendar was February 2nd - a ‘cross-quarter day’, exactly halfway between winter solstice and spring equinox. On this date candles were blessed in churches and lit in homes for the Christian festival of Candlemas. Er, Groundhog Day, anyone? Clear weather, indicated by a small creature’s shadow, was traditionally not a good sign. Further wintry conditions were forecast!On a more commercial level Victorian Middlewich held three Cattle Fairs each year. February’s was the opener, followed by more events in April and October. These noisy aairs were on the last Tuesday of the month. Some localities far bigger than Middlewich managed fortnightly ones. Hard to imagine now but the population here throughout the 19th century was always fewer than 1500 souls.Besides cattle, all sorts of livestock were bought and sold, including sheep, swine and horse - essential for farmers, however not always so popular with householders! Also on Tuesdays but held each week was the Market Day. Even as long ago as 1914 things were gradually changing, with local ocials in Middlewich observing ‘The market day is on Tuesday, heritage, today opposite Harbutt’s Field is a scenic the season 3300 gallons of milk are required daily, the heritage? Well, George was world-famous for slaying was reputedly quite signicant though, because its dragon was a baby-eater. Help!community it presides over. Here, the Venables decisively with the troubling issue. He didn’t waste set on the said dragon, when rst braces approach! His public-The crest comprises a shlike, blue-winged dragon (or ‘wyvern’) become brighter the legend is quite tting. Legend? Or… do we really

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71elds also lay close to the route of a Denitely ‘under cover’. Whatever nding that lucrative liquid: brine. The risk paid o. His team did those exploratory rst shafts hundreds of feet down February 2nd - a ‘cross-quarter day’, exactly halfway between winter solstice and spring equinox. On this These noisy aairs were on the last Tuesday of the managed fortnightly ones. Hard to imagine now but were gradually changing, with local ocials in Middlewich observing ‘The market day is on Tuesday, but is hardly ever attended.’ Remnants of that custom lingered on until fairly recently.Still on a dairy theme, and with added hidden heritage, today opposite Harbutt’s Field is a scenic waterside location with modern low-rise residences. In 1872, a branch factory of the English Condensed Milk Company opened here, spread over three acres of land by the Trent & Mersey Canal.Two years later an account claimed…“In the height of the season 3300 gallons of milk are required daily, the estimated product of about 1000 cows. Two hundred cases of condensed milk are produced per day (each case containing four dozen tins… In the summer about twelve tons of crystal sugar are used weekly, and eight tons in the winter. The farmers deliver the milk at the factory every morning, and in the summer twice daily…”. Queues stretched to Pepper Street. Later it became Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Co. and then part of Nestle, shutting down permanently in 1931 - not without community outcry. By 1939 the site was producing crimped silken fabric as British Crepe. Now instead it hosts houses… hopefully brightly lit.Dragon SlayingApril brings Eastertime, and also St George’s Day. Yes… but how does this relate to Middlewich’s heritage? Well, George was world-famous for slaying dragons. So?Remarkably, there was once a time when this very town was plagued by its own fearsome creature. A dragon, no less. The criminal-at-large lurked in the mossy ponds and marshes of Moston - just far enough not to be actually seen very often. Risk to the public was reputedly quite signicant though, because its appetite was not limited to distressed damsels. No, our home-grown version happily consumed “all such persons as he laid holde on”. Even more odious, this dragon was a baby-eater. Help!If ever Middlewich needed an action hero it was now, or thereabouts. (Legend is rarely precise about dates, but we are talking c.16th century.)Nobility obliges a protective function to the community it presides over. Here, the Venables family held this aristocratic honour. So, like St George himself, it fell to one Thomas Venables to deal decisively with the troubling issue. He didn’t waste time. “… hearing tell of, considering the pitiful and daylie destruction of the people without recovery, not regarding his own life, did in his own persona valientlie courageiouslie set on the said dragon, when rst shot him through with an arrow, and afterwards with other weapons manfullie slew him, at which instant the said dragon was devouring of a child.”Thomas clearly took a belt-and-braces approach! His public-spirited act became legendary locally. Incorporated onto the Venables family coat-of-arms was a heraldic crest to remind future generations of its heroic lineage. The crest comprises a shlike, blue-winged dragon (or ‘wyvern’) whose body is pierced by a golden arrow just as it is about to swallow a fair-haired child. The creature’s image is set against the blue-and-white banded Venables shield. St Michael’s Church guards this heraldic screen, dated 1632.Moston indeed has a Dragon’s Lane. Ground there is prone to water-logging - the landscape features Moston Long Flash. This narrow lake continues to lengthen as a result of underground brine runs. Did the dragon dwell here? Unlikely. The lake didn’t appear until the 19th century.It’s the classic, symbolic battle of good and light, triumphing over evil and darkness, re-interpreted for time and place. As April days become brighter the legend is quite tting. Legend? Or… do we really have valiant Thomas Venables to thank for keeping us dragon-free?If you would like to discover more of Middlewich’s history, you can read all the published articles online at editions.golocalmiddlewich.com

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74In 2023 The Villages Mag was proud to support the Holmes Chapel Partnership in launching a Safe Space scheme in Holmes Chapel, following the success of similar local projects in rst Congleton, and then Sandbach.The scheme oers young and vulnerable people a safe retreat when out and about in the village. If anyone feels threatened, intimidated or in need of adult support they can seek refuge in locations with the Safe Space logo in their window.The scheme started with just four locations but quickly grew so there are now 11 in total.The locations are: A Stroke of Magic, Bottle Bank, Everybody Community Centre, Holmes Chapel Library, Holmes Gifts & Interiors, Holmes Sweet Home, Miola, Morrisons, Phil Davies Butcher, Sam Dales and Sandwiches Direct.Safe Spaces Holmes ChapelHolmes Chapel PartnershipSoon after having their window sticker on display, Sam Dales were able to put the scheme into action. Amanda Maddock from the shop said, “We were really pleased to be able to be of some small help recently when a lady who wasn’t familiar with Holmes Chapel found herself with no phone battery and needed to nd a way to get home. A very kind, helpful couple had stopped to help and get her a coee. They were able to bring her to our Safe Space where we charged the ladies phone and helped to nd train times before the couple helped her to the station.” Any commercial premises which have public liability insurance and are open to the public can be part of the scheme. If that’s you and you’d like to become a Safe Space and help make Holmes Chapel a safer place for all, please email info@hcpartnership.org.uk and let us know.

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AccountingBruce Marshall & Co 49TCS Management 18Aerials, Satellite, TV & InternetH&D Satellite & Aerial Services 68ArchitectWild Goose Architecture 39Bike MaintenanceBike Bench 28Buildings, Maintenance & DevelopmentAccess4Lofts - Crewe 26Ahm Installations 22AM Skip Hire 21Bryan Turner 50Dawn Drives 54Europlas (PVCu) 29Holmes Chapel Roong Services 75Mercury Roof Conversions 6MS Construction & Landscaping 62Prestige Roong Cheshire 15TTL Property Maintenance 39Business ServicesEast Cheshire Chamber 76Leaet Team 58SC Digital 68Carpentry & Handyman ServicesCedar & Oak 54SB Carpentry and Framing 12Carpets & Flooring Fitter Ashley Flooring and Interiors 18G-Floor Services 68Holmes Chapel Carpets & Flooring 2Unlimited Carpets & Flooring 9CleaningClear Gutter Cleaning Cheshire 23CSW Exterior Cleaning 45Safeclean 62Farralls Dry Cleaners 50Community, Education, Classes & ClubsByley Primary School 27Holmes Chapel Comprehensive 37Holmes Chapel Parish Council 1, 16, 17Crafts, Gifts & RetailLowes Farm 62Molly's Direct 22Plumley Garden Centre 55Sam Dale & Son 17The Shoptting Shop 44Decorators & Interior DesignInside and out 36Mike Percival Painters and decorator 21Electrical Retailers & RepairBryan's Domestic Appliance Services 32ElectriciansFully Wired 12Estate Agents & PropertyHarrison Residential Surveying 33McCarthy Stone 25The Old Fuel Depot 36EventsClonter 67Food & DrinkBeer Emporium Bottle Bank 46, 47Bidlea Dairy 48Halton Farms The Milk Shack 72Furniture & Home DecorationsThe Design House 63Webb House 10, 11Garages, Sheds & Garden BuildingsGarolla 32GardeningAlan Bethell 59Andy Garden Maintenance 58Anything for the garden 48Carbutts Turf 69CSW Gardening Serivces 45Hassall Landscapes 38OJT Tree Services 53RSC 32Sandbach Mowers & Repairs 75Hair & BeautyTRYM 50Health & FitnessActive Fitness 36Back to Health 58Box CPR 50Elizabeth Elander 6Holmes Chapel Podiatry 48Love Light Healing 69Jewellery DesignerBespoke by Baskerville 65Kitchens, Bedrooms & BathroomsKW Kitchens 69M6 Bed Warehouse 19ROK Plumbing Supplies 12Legal & Financial ServicesDane Valley Financial services 51Evolve Family Law 13JP Goldman 5PK Finance 79Thornycroft Solicitors 73LocksmithsLockforce Mid & South Cheshire 18Motoring, MOT & Vehicle SalesAutoLink Motor Repair Services 26HC MOT & Services 3Hopley Tyres 7Newton's MOT & Service Centre 40, 41Opticians & Hearing AidsCATs Optician 6Congleton Hearing Centre 28Holmes Chapel Hearing Centre 43Plumbing, Heating & Boiler ServicesJAC Plumbing 40W Heat 80PrintersThe Print Room 38Removal Services & Household ClearanceMonster Junk 54Sewing, Dressmaking & AlterationsSew Something 22Windows, Doors & ConservatoriesHolmes Chapel Windows & Rooine 44MS Windows & Doors 21All adverts are printed in good faith. Whilst all reasonable care is taken to ensure the accuracy of the information in this magazine, the publishers also accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of statements and opinions expressed by contributors or advertisers, for any loss arising from non-publication of any advertisements for the contents of the advert the services provided by the advertisers or for any errors or omissions in either the editorials or the advertisement published.01477 518 252 | thevillagesmag.com | Remember to tell our advertisers you found them in The Villages MagReady Reference

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79PK Finance is a trading name of Just Mortgages Direct Ltd, which is an appointed representative of The Openwork Partnership, a trading style of Openwork Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial CO3 3LD Registered in England & Wales No 2412345.For a no obligation appointment at a time and locationto suit you, call us on 01477 668000 or email info@pkﬁnance.co.ukMortgage & Protection AdviceYOUR HOME / PROPERTY MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE.*Some Buy to Let and Let to Buy mortgages are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority First time buyers House purchases Remortgages Capital raising Self employed Let to buy * Help to buy Shared ownership & equity Self build Debt consolidation Buy to let * Life insurance Critical illness cover Income protection Buildings & contents Accident sickness & unemployment