No.21The Winter 2012 aven RThe quarterly magazine for the whole of Rainow

G Village News

G Social Events

G Parish Council News

G Clubs & Societies

G School & Church

The Parish Council would like to wish everyone a very.... Happy and Peaceful Christmas and NewYear Very Best Wishes for 2013 FREE New Footpath Map Vandalism We are very pleased to announce that all households The Parish Council would ask everyone in the will receive one FREE copy of the new Rainow footpath community to keep vigilant. Please do notify the Police map with this issue of the Raven. The map has been of any acts of vandalism to your property as well as updated to reflect changes to the footpaths and other keeping the Parish Council involved by notifying the features shown on the map. The reverse of the map Clerk. The new contact numbers are listed below. We has been changed to provide information about Rainow would also remind you that if you see any damage to for the benefit of both residents and visitors. In place of local seats, fencing, bus shelters and so on, please the walk information on the previous map the Council contact the Clerk so that we can get repairs put in will also be producing a walks booklet to accompany place as soon as possible. If the item is not the the map; this will provide a greater range of walks and responsibility of the Parish Council, we can pass the make it easier to view the map and walk description at request on to the relevant authority. the same time. The walks booklet will be available for Police non-emergency contact number Tel: 101 purchase in the New Year and additional maps will also Homewatch contact number Tel: 01606 362725 be available for purchase. Parish Council contact number: 01625 850532 Winter Gritting E-News Highways should be filling the grit bins and depositing If you would like to join Rainow E-NEWS and get all the 1 tonne sacks of salt mix at strategic locations in the latest news and updates please email your address to parish to assist when the weather is particularly the Clerk at [email protected]. Agenda, minutes wintery. The sacks will be dropped on the verge as they and any notices are also available on the website for are and the salt can then be spread from the sack. We your information. have asked for the usual distribution at the top of Sugar Lane, top of Round Meadow near telephone kiosk, Civic Service Berristall Lane (should the bin not be filled), Tower Hill The Civic Service was once again a great success with and mid-point of Kiskill Lane. Hopefully we will be well Steve Rathbone providing, as ever, a splendid service. covered for this winter but, should you have an Over Alderley Brass Band accompanied the choir and emergency then the contact number for highways is congregation with the hymns. Among the guests were Tel: 0300 123 5020. This is manned 08.30 until 17.00 the Mayor of Cheshire East Councillor George Walton, Monday to Friday and outside these hours a message gives the option to be put through to contact the duty Bollington Town Mayor Cllr Ken Edwards, Mayor of officers for emergencies. Macclesfield Cllr Alift Harewood-Jones, Poynton Town Mayor Cllr Sandra Horsman, Cheshire East Councillor Please note that the salt from the bins and sacks Hilda Gaddum and David Rutley MP. are for use on the road and pathways ONLY. If you Representatives from Higher Hurdsfield and Pott need to salt your own drive then please get in your Shrigley Parish Councilsl also attended. The boys and own supply. girls from beavers, cubs, scouts, rainbows and Highways Improvements brownies along with the Rose Queen Emma Carter We are endeavouring to get Highways to improve the signage for Bull Hill and hopefully help to prevent HGVs from using the road. The Council are also looking at improvements to the Mount Pleasant Island with the help of Cheshire East Highways. The Council has now got agreement that the signage on Round Meadow is ridiculously over the top and will be replaced with some- thing more appropriate. With the co-operation from Members of the Public, Councillors and Highways we hope this will be replaced before Christmas.

Christmas Tree Rose Queen Emma Carter Mayor of Rainow Please take a look at our fantastic Christmas Tree this and her Rosebuds John Stagg and wife year in Trinity Gardens, supplied by Macclesfield Forest. Janet Unfortunately, due to cuts, we did not receive our usual and her attendants made the event even more free tree this year. For the second year running the special. Once again the Council would like to say a big Vicar held the tree lighting and Christmas Carol thank you to all villagers who joined in to help make ceremony on 2nd December. Tea and biscuits provided the Civic Service such a successful event – we could by the church were gratefully received. We would like to not make this possible without your help. A particular thank everyone who helped with the installation and thank you to all members of the Women's Institute who arish Council News decoration of the tree, with special thanks to Bill Bennet provided cakes and to all members of the Parish who supplies the electricity to light the tree and Peter Council who made the sandwiches. Nixon for his electrical expertise. Photographs of the event are available on our website.

P 2 Cover Photo: Dave Wilcox

Annual Parish Meeting – 8.30 pm 19th March 2013 This may seem a little in advance but, before we know it, we will be working on our spring issue. Every year the Parish Council holds an Annual Parish Meeting where all Welcome to Rainow Residents are welcome to come and meet Councillors and find out how they are working on your behalf. You can come and raise any points you wish concerning life in your village and any suggestions you may have which could enhance the village. It is important that the Parish Council knows your views so please do keep us informed. The Pleasance Garden We would like to thank John Stagg and David Hinkes for The their help over the years in making the Pleasance such a aven beautiful garden. wenty-one Rtoday! Well, it is Issue No 21 of the Raven, We are looking for volunteers to help keep the garden in good order. Are you interested in a little extra gardening and marking our first five years of publication. Looking would like to take this on in the spring? back to the first edition shows how much has Please contact the Clerk if you are interested. Tchanged in that time. The magazine is now much bigger, has a range of advertisements, usually has Advertising in the Raven more colour pictures, prints letters from readers and is run The Council are seeking advertisers to ensure the by a team of editors. The emphasis remains on providing a continuation of the newsletter. If you are interested in quality magazine with village news and views and with a advertising then please contact Cllr Carole Harvey. sensible balance between content and the advertisements we need for our finances. The most significant development over the last twelve months, however, has been the arrival of a much wider range of contributors – both writers and Your Parish Councillors photographers. Alan Taylor (Chairman) 575544 This edition sees contributions from several new adult [email protected] writers whilst last issue’s book review by a youngster has John Cantrell (Vice Chairman) 422107 stimulated more writing from primary school children. In this [email protected] issue we have our first contribution from someone at Richard Balment 573625 secondary school. All of these people have come forward [email protected] with their own ideas and the editorial team has been Alan Brett 576108 impressed by the quality of their writing and their readiness [email protected] to have a go at getting into print. After “encouragement” to Ken Butler 433168 put finger to keyboard, most found their efforts rewarding [email protected] and have come back again! We are confident that the Geoff Cooper 574878 outcome is a magazine appealing to more and more [email protected] people. Sue Frith 573802 [email protected] Now that so many more Rainow people are actively taking Carole Harvey 573576 part, it’s surely time for all our readers to think about putting [email protected] forward a contribution. No need to feel modest – just have Vivienne Law 575201 a go! Even a “Letter to the Editor could make a starting [email protected] point. You can put your ideas in through the Mary Marsh 573508 email address and we guarantee to give you [email protected] fair feedback and help if you want it. Pat Mellish 574523 [email protected] [email protected] Andrew Renshaw 574977 Competition for the Raven Cover! [email protected] There's a bottle waiting to be won for the Clerk: Sarah Giller 850532 photographer who comes up with a suitable cover [email protected] photo for the next Raven. Send in your entry before Cheshire East Councillor: [email protected] Hilda Gaddum 01260 252456 15th February 2013 to . Pictures should show somewhere identifiably within Beaujolais the parish and be suitable for the spring issue. ማሜምሞ

Future Meetings and Dates for your diary 18th December 2012 – Parish Council Meeting 8.00 pm 15th January 2013 – Parish Council Meeting 8.00 pm Editorial Team for this issue: 19th February 2013 – Parish Council Meeting 8.00 pm Ian Brammer Sheila Brammer 19th March 2013 – Parish Council Meeting 8.00 pm Bob Langstaff Louise Leigh 16th April 2013 – Parish Council Meeting 8.00 pm Jane Mellings Raph Murray 19th March 2013 – Annual Parish Meeting Andrew Renshaw Rosie Daniels 21st May 2013 – AGM Design by Mel Wilcox (01625 576182)

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Rainow Scoops John Cantrell and Carole Harvey pick up the plaque! New Cheshire Award

ot many people in Rainow know anything about Essar – the big Indian oil company – but the company has never- theless had an impact on us. Last year it bought Shell’s NStanlow Refinery, Britain’s second largest refinery which employs nearly a thousand people, mostly in Cheshire West. So how is this relevant to us? The answer lies in the fact that Shell’s legacy contained not only the refinery but the responsibility for the prestigious Community Pride Competition open to every village and small town in Cheshire which Shell ran for several years. Raven readers will remember that our most recent big successes in the Shell competition were celebrated on the cover of our Autumn issue three years ago when we won the Community Spirit Award (and when the Raven won its first award as Best Community Newspaper!) In that year’s competition we also picked up a Little Gem Award for the Pleasance Garden. Essar teamed up with Cheshire Life to keep this popular competition going and also kept the same standards for the The awards are a closely guarded secret until the night of the judging process. Judges visited us twice during the year and presentations and it was good that two of our Parish Councillors, were able to see the village as it really is, not specially made John Cantrell and Carole Harvey, were on hand to receive the over for the inspectors. This year the competition retained the awards. Both were needed as the giant plaque for the main Best Kept Village format but added a new award for the village award needed two to hold it! Local MPs David Rutley and showing the most improvement during the past year. Graham Evans were both at the ceremony to see Rainow take The good news is that Rainow scooped up this new award – that the awards and congratulate the councillors. of “Best Kept Village Improvement” – plus two further awards; a Winning the main award is down to the work of Parish second Community Newsletter award for the Raven and another Councillors and other volunteers whose hard work during the Little Gem Award for the Mill Pond and Waterfall. In our year has born fruit and to the efforts of householders with a pride population group we featured in the top five in Cheshire for the in their village. The plaque will become a familiar sight in the overall Best Kept Village Award, won in the end by Tattenhall. village alongside the commemorative plates which record past Out of fifty Cheshire villages, Rainow was the only one to walk awards but this time we will hold it for twelve months. Next year away with three awards. we try again for another big one!

If you go down to the woods today by Tina Hanak (Group Leader, Macclesfield RSPB Wildlife Explorers) tvery year Macclesfield RSPB Wildlife Explorers hold a Tree transmitted by a beetle. We don't know what the introduction of t Dressing event to remind children of the importance of trees Chalara will mean for our ash trees although the experience in Efor wildlife and in our history and culture. Children gather Denmark where 90% of their trees were affected makes it difficult natural materials; add clay and a healthy dose of imagination to feel optimistic. Nature often has a way of springing back – to decorate trees with mysterious faces, the figures of woodland some trees may develop resistance to Chalara and maybe sprites and all manner of creatures invented and real. forestry industry and public awareness will limit its spread in the This year’s event will be particularly poignant as trees have been wider countryside. hitting the headlines recently. Chalara fraxinea is a fungus that Perhaps the biggest lesson we can learn from this outbreak is causes Chalara dieback, a serious disease of ash trees that often that we should be questioning where the plants we buy are results in death of the tree. It is believed to have entered the sourced. If you have ever purchased a native tree from a garden country on plants imported from continental Europe although centre, you probably assumed that it was grown in a nursery in some outbreaks are proving more difficult to explain and the the UK. Imports of ash trees were stopped too long after the spread of fungal spores by other means is also being considered. disease was first reported here – we should encourage our Ash trees with their distinctive black buds are important trees of government to react more quickly and decisively in the face of our woodlands and hedgerows that support a wide range of such ecological threats. wildlife. They grow up to 100ft tall and can live for 200 years. Perhaps this should also serve as a timely reminder that we Even the timing of ash leaf burst is immortalised in folklore: shouldn't take our trees, woods and natural spaces for granted. Oak before ash – we're in for a splash Let's walk, play, explore and enjoy. We can't predict the changes Ash before oak – we're in for a soak tomorrow will bring to our landscape so we should make the most of it today. We have faced similar threats before – if you grew up in the sixties you will remember how Dutch Elm disease ravaged our For inspirational wildlife activities for children and young people countryside – but we can't make a direct comparison with the two please check out the website: www.macclesfieldrspb.org.uk. diseases as in Dutch Elm disease the fungus responsible was Follow the group on Twitter@Maccwildlife

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Swimmers raise £1300 for Children in Need HarropRainow Fold Farm Tel: 01625 560085 Rainow Yummy Mummies, Rainow Scrummy Mummies & Rainow Racers Somewhere very special... A Quintessentially English Experience, Delightful Award Winning 5 Star Guest Farmhouse and Self-catering Cottage Accommodation set in 20 acres with breathtaking views over the Cheshire Plain. We offer ’Cupcakes Galore’ - hands on cookery courses as well as a ‘Cornucopia of Canapés’ - hands on Canapé courses along with Cookery Demonstrations with Lunch or Dinner using the finest local ingredients led by our own Cordon Bleu trained Chef. Photo: - Megan Dixon, Jacqui Wood, Colette Simpson, Veronique Hudson, Stephanie Wood, Dale Unwin, Leonie Earley, Alison Sharp, Sally Stringer, Catherine Mather, Mark Nadin, Day & Residential Art Courses Sarah Dilworth, Emma Nadin, Matt Rogers, Vicky Brierley, Katherine Beswick, Laura Rogers with our Resident Professional Artist. & Ross Nadin Gift Vouchers available and Corporate and hen asked by Macclesfield and District Lions Charity Organisation to participate in their Children In Need Swimarathon our first thought was Group Bookings welcome. Wthere wasn't a chance we would allow anyone to see us in swimming www.harropfoldfarm.co.uk costumes! After further consideration and a little leg waxing we decided that the wonderful network of mums and dads at Rainow Primary School could assist in www.michaelmooreart.co.uk this event and one week later we had three teams of dedicated parents willing to www.leahspantry.co.uk support children less fortunate than ours. So, readily prepared, new swimming costumes purchased, muscles flexed and super fast goggles at the ready, the parents of Rainow and Puss Bank School entered the contest and swam to raise as much money as possible! Although not the fastest of all the teams entered we thoroughly enjoyed the event, identified some amazing swimmers and had great fun, raising over £1,300 to support Children in Need and Macclesfield Children's charities. Macclesfield and District Lions have been running this event for over 25 years, raising in excess of £6,000 each year to support Children in Need, in Macclesfield and throughout the UK. Although initially concerned about our swimming technique and being fearful of baring flesh (spray tan helped) nothing mattered when it came down to the number 1 cause – Children in Need! Thank you to everyone who YOUR LOCAL SERVICE participated and sponsored us in this event and to Macclesfield and District Lions Club for bringing us all together in a united, fun and truly worthy cause – we will be back next year to raise more!

Participants at the

Christmas Wreath

Workshoprun by Hazel Cantrell and Claire de Ruiter at the Institute at the end of November.

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Schools Poetry Rainow University Students ather than a junior book review we felt Graduation we should publish more of Rainow RSchool's budding authors. This by Mark Bertinshaw, Headteacher selection, written by Year 6 poets, was inspired by a collection of shoes.

Both of the dance shoes were doing jive and latin The running shoes were running and running some more The high heels strutted off to the prom Whilst the Converse all-stars break-danced on the floor.

By Rachel B

I walk around all day very term we try to provide a different learning experience for the children. Covered in mud, grumpy and tired, In Key Stage 2, previously known to many of you as the juniors, we have Eintroduced 'Rainow University' to enrich the school curriculum. In this Through damp forests and dusty weekly session we offer a range of wonderful and varied activities which towns. pupils can choose to do. All of the year five children take part in the Wider Opportunities music scheme where the school funds two music tutors to teach I have protection the children a wind or brass musical instrument and take part in an orchestra. People glance and look away The highlight of this course is a once in a lifetime opportunity to play with the Hallé Orchestra at the Bridgewater Hall. But I have a thick skin For other pupils in the juniors, we have offered the choice of some superb and And a hard soul. memorable learning experiences and we greatly appreciate the parents and other volunteers who give up their time to support these projects. By Callum R N A number of pupils went with Mr Gratton and Mrs Tobin to work in Rainow Institute, writing their own play linked to their Greek topic work in school. Until I spotted the delicate pair N Mr Norris developed the children's computing skills in designing their I was oblivious to the fact own amazing computer adventure games. Mrs Worth, helping out as a That elegance parent volunteer, made delicious treats in 'Cake and Bake'. Could perform N Miss Gerrity designed and made working puppets with the pupils to develop their technology skills. We also particularly enjoyed some I never knew wonderful fashion designing from children working with Mrs de Ruiter. That the shine of the shoe N My group, the outdoor explorers, planted bulbs, dug potatoes, made Could catch a crying child's dams, built dens and cooked sausages in the school woods. They developed their abilities to cooperate and work as a team as well as silence honing their hot dog By Maya D eating skills!

The final event was the formal graduation ceremony Rainow NSPCC which recognised the children's efforts in their hanks to all those who recently supported chosen field. If you feel that Tthe Italian Evening at Hurdsfield Cottage. you could offer a particular This event raised £850 whilst our annual skill, for example Punch and Mince Pies Morning in early needlework, sewing, December realised £980. woodworking etc, or if you Our next fund-raiser will be a Fashion Show would like to simply and Luncheon at the Hunting Lodge, Adlington support one of the above Hall on Wednesday 13th March 2013 activities alongside a supported by Park Lane Fashions, Clarins from member of staff, please John Lewis and Wendy Lloyd Jewellery. contact the school for Please contact Sue Frith (01625 573802) more details. or Lyn McCarthy (01625 427896).

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The Reading,Writing, Religion – and Ructions Bob Langstaff begins a series of articles on the turbulent development of education and religion in Rainow

Lima Farm played a big part in Rainow’s religious history

Part One: Consternation at Lima In Rainow, there were several devout and prominent he development of both schooling and religion in Methodists, amongst them the blacksmith Peter Barber, and Rainow is inextricably bound up with the part that the John Beard of Billinge, who was regarded as a senior – an ‘old village played in the establishment of Methodism in disciple’ of the religion. Among the villagers at this time was Macclesfield. The Methodist Church held sway over EdwardVisit toHampson, the who was born at Blue Boar Farm in 1739. T HisThreshing father, who Barn rented Lima Farm, was drowned whilst trying to the area for decades, and by the time the bitter battle near Leek for the hearts and minds of the villagers was properly cross a swollen stream, leaving twelve children. Edward joined, during the 1840s, the Anglican church had decided succeeded his father and struggled to look after his many that the only way to break the stranglehold of the powerful brothers and sisters. When Edward took possession of Lima Methodists in the village was through the founding of a there was no Methodism in the neighbourhood but he heard school and then a new church to replace its tottering that a Methodist preacher was about to visit Kettleshulme and Chapel-of-Ease, which stood at the top of Chapel Lane. went there out of curiosity. After the service was over he said in But the story begins a century earlier: jest to a woman he knew “I wonder whether these Methodists would come and give me a sermon?” The woman told the preacher what Hampson had said. Hampson was mortified On Friday 8th November 1745, at about mid-day, John Wesley when the preacher turned up at Lima on the following Sunday preached ‘near Maxfield’. This meeting – the beginning of with a substantial congregation in train. The bemused farmer, Methodism in Macclesfield – is traditionally said to have taken comforting himself that this would be the first and last time, place at Shrigley Fold, in the area of Swanscoe between allowed the preacher to go ahead, but at the close of the Higher Hurdsfield and Rainow. Thirty-six years later, when the service the preacher announced to his congregation that there first Methodist chapel was built in Rainow – “to be used by the would be another service there ‘next Lord’s Day’, and this was people called Methodists” – the religion already had a strong repeated again and again. hold in the surrounding villages and hamlets and amongst the lonely houses in the hills. The Methodists spread their word At about this time Hampson went to The Marsh, another through ‘preaching circuits’, and people in Adlington, Pott Rainow meeting place, to hear one of the country’s leading Shrigley, Bollington and particularly Kettleshulme, where Methodists, John Pawson. Following this he joined a small support was strong, gathered into “classes”, meeting in houses class at Blue Boar, his childhood home, where he was or listening to some itinerant preacher on a local hillside. converted and after which he allowed preaching to carry on at Before the local ‘classes’ began, and until the opening of the Lima for the next fourteen years. first Methodist chapel in Macclesfield, those Methodists wishing In the next issue, Part Two will tell the story of the to attend a formal service would have had to walk or ride to headstrong James Mellor and the founding of the first Stockport or even to Manchester. Methodist Chapel in the village.

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The Robin Hood Quiz Team Ꮳ - Wisdom or Useless Drivel?Ꮳ

by Jim Kennelly We do have all the Answers - but the trick is to match them to the Questions!

November Quiz Team - Lorraine Hilton, Simon Blackett, Jim Kennelly and Tim Grimes

s it the danger, the exotic travel or the unfettered admiration looking for something to do on a Tuesday night. of glamorous women that attracts us to the quiz team? Is it This involved home and away matches, in convivial company, Ithe sharp tailoring or the adrenalin surge? It might be any between teams of 4. Initially the format was terrifying; instead number of these, if you realise “any number” does include of the leisurely team discussion we were used to, each zero. member of the team must respond to individual questions Roll back to at least a year ago; various inhabitants of Rainow within 15 seconds to score 3 points, or elect to confer for one happily participated in quiz nights at the Rising Sun and the point. Receiving your first individual league question is Robin Hood; latterly exclusively at the Robin Hood. guaranteed to wipe your memory as effectively as Will Smith's Offspring were occasionally conscripted to bulk out the handy gizmo in Men in Black. regular teams or, even better, formed scratch teams to be At first it seemed we approached the league matches with the satisfyingly humiliated by their parents. dash and élan of Polish cavalry in 1939 – only to discover the To the casual observer, Pub Quiz questions test knowledge of opposition were panzer divisions. Following initial defeats the mildly interesting trivia; to regulars, they elicit erudite quiz league Blog started to refer to us as plucky Robin Hood, responses from a deep store of wisdom (or useless drivel, say assuring readers that the new team would register their first win the kids). Our kids insist that Pub Quizzes are best suited to sometime soon. people of a certain age taught by rote – particularly in Catholic We learned that the toss and seating position was frequently schools, as there appeared to be a suspicious leavening of critical. On a bad night you find that you could have answered questions that are ecclesiastical, Latin or both. Few questions all the questions posed to the opposition or to your adjacent relate to events that happened during the lifetime of any current teammate, but your own questions were uniformly stinkers. 20 year old. Whether by luck of the toss or by a cunning seating plan, we Nowadays, the educational system insists that students must registered our first League division C win, and then embarked work throughout the whole year, producing evidence of on a winning streak which took us to the top of the league with continuous application and progress. Our children don't realise only a few matches to go! Unfortunately we stuttered over the that we are survivors of an earlier regime; we had consigned last games and were pipped for the Division C title spot. swathes of facts to memory during sleepless nights in the week We were, however, promoted to division B for 2012-2013, a before an exam, to be regurgitated in semi-legible handwriting remarkable achievement for our first season. So this season in an examination hall. Such brinkmanship is not a useful life we are not quite playing the big boys yet, but they are clearly skill; in any proper adult job, they don't require you to wing it; well grown in the B league. who wants to cross a bridge designed by an engineer who did We certainly need a wider pool of players so we can cover it all from memory in the minimum time possible? Over the absences and put out an effective team for every match. So duration of an educational career the range of subjects funnels if you have a head full of fascinating trivia (or useless drivel, down, so for work purposes you eventually apply as the kids say) and want the opportunity to make use of it in encyclopaedic knowledge about almost nothing at all. Your a socially acceptable way, don't be shy – Rainow needs you! personal repository of hard won facts is of minimal use; A current passport might be handy as we do go as far as significant numbers of them relate to an extinct currency and Rushton Spencer in our travels. superseded systems of measurement. In most professional contexts, your knowledge of the power struggle between So congratulations and good luck to the Robin Hood quiz team Caesar and Pompey in first century BC Rome is marginal, at (perm 4 from the following): Phil Moss, Andrew Clark, Tony best. Wilkinson, Jim Kennelly, Simon Blackett, Roy Downey, Tim Grimes, Val Moss, Judy Wilkinson, Steve Back, Lorraine Hilton, However, these redundant facts hibernating in the lacunae of … (YOUR NAME HERE). the brain have an effect - they need to come out sometime. Hence the pub quiz has a therapeutic function to spring clean If we do get really good, there is wild talk of us challenging the the musty attic of memory; the number of pecks in a bushel?(a) “Lamp and Candle” in a derby match for the world The total of half-crowns needed to change a five pound championship of Rainow. Watch this space note?(b) We would have continued happily in this vein, until in Answers September 2011 Phil Moss decided that we needed something more hard core and announced that the Robin Hood would (a) There are 4 pecks in a bushel re-join the Macclesfield Quiz League after an absence of many (b) There were 40 half-crowns in five pounds years. Phil assembled a coalition of the willing and those 8

ovember came round again all too soon and we said goodbye to our Looking retiring President, Barbara Wilkinson, who is leaving the area to live near forward Nher daughter and family in Sussex. All our good wishes go with her together with our thanks for all her hard work and commitment to the WI to 2013 with over the years. Our branch in the village has prospered under her leadership and we now have over sixty members. The year ended on a happy, social note with our usual Christmas Party. We welcomed Jackie Richardson as our President again for the coming year together with the new Committee. The 2013 Programme offers much to interest everybody: talks include the Origin of Nursery Rhymes, the Samaritans Listener scheme in prison, the Pennine Dales with Ron Scholes, Bill Geldart talking about and showing his art, and Your Local Wild Life – a talk and photographs by David Tolliday.

new ones, particularly kayaking, when We were honoured to lead the procession very wet but exciting evenings were and the memories shared gave all reason Autumn enjoyed! The Scouts leaned that for both for contemplation. activities there were safety rules but that a We are looking forward to our night hike, with the Scouts great deal of fun could still be had. with the reward of a bag of chips at the by The Leaders We have extended our knowledge of DIY, end! working towards a badge. This term the We were very sorry to lose one of our Scouts were concentrating on learning Leaders, Matt Payne, this term because safety signs as well as furthering their of a job move to Oxford. Matt has been a knowledge of woodwork. They enjoyed a major contributor to Scouts for the last two chainsaw demonstration, but purely as years, bringing energy and enthusiasm, spectators! and he will be sadly missed. We always The Scouts thoroughly enjoyed Bonfire welcome adult help, whether as a regular Night. This was a celebration jointly with leader or on an occasional basis, so if Cubs. A rocket-based wide game was anyone is interested in helping our group followed by a walk up Big Low (many thrive and expand, please either speak to thanks to Andrew Renshaw for one of the Leaders on a Tuesday evening couts have been out and about as permission) with bonfire, fireworks and hot (we meet from 7.30 – 9.00 pm at the much as possible as the evenings dogs! Parents also joined in the fun and Church Centre and we usually start and draw in. The term started with a games. finish there even if the activity is Sbang with kayaking on the elsewhere) or contact jane.brett90 Bollington Canal and mountain As usual we were privileged to take part in @btinternet.com. Many thanks to all the biking in Macclesfield Forest. The Scouts the Remembrance Day Service both at people who continue to help us in all ways practised existing skills and learned many Church and at the War Memorial. – we could not do without you! Carole Harvey Telemarketing

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A Village Tail - by Muppet

e meet every day, at dawn, dusk and regularly after dark. Whatever the weather, and I really do Wmean whatever. Sometimes not a word is spoken by them or us; just a nod, and a sniff.

Our 2Legs all know each other, tho’ sometimes by our names Some of you reading this (cos’ they might not know it but we not their own. “Oh, I met Fudge's mum tonight.” Or “we went can read the Raven as well as shred it and hide it) need to get up Calrofold, across Annie's fields and back past Jake”. It's your 2Legs in check. Sheep muck might be 'mistaken' for choc hilarious; at our annual show (we let them have a fête too as chip cookies, though only when you're a pup. But our muck is an added attraction) they all have to try and remember each for bagging up and taking home. End of. But even I'm fed up of other's names! stepping round it, never mind the 2Legs who carry our work In fact, we're a common thread, a bond like a shared stick or home. ball, for most of the groups in Rainow. We unite the whole Before I go for a late night check on things, Dad always said I village, especially in the Robin Hood where all men are equal, was a babe magnet as a pup; so it’s time for a shout out to my even to us. bitc…. sorry girls; Twig, Annie, Holly, Poppy and Tuve. (But For we are the dogs of the village. And our owners, or 2Legs most of all to Twig) as we call them, share our homes. I finish with a question….. We have our own map of the village. There's Rabbit Field, Does the Landlord of the Lamp & Candle let us in? Charlie's Loop and Cattle Grid Leap. It changes too; in the Spring a 'run' field becomes 'lambs, lead' field. Editor's note: Muppet's 2Legs is Richard Stocker Reader’s Letter Zach Wilcox Readers can find the photo Glyn refers to Gardening & Maintenance by visiting www.theraven.com G Weekly Garden Maintenance G Dry Stone Walling r e Guard G Tree Felling To The Edito ainow Hom d upon the R g 2009) and G I stumble . 6. (Sprin Hedge Cutting aven No or you. Photo in R ames f te one of the n t of the G Gutter Clearing can comple & Replacement known" man stood ,on Joseph the righClulow The "un rdern k, on Ho G Flag Laying picture is my grandfatherd, we thin . He worke d Robinson n 1946 he marrie G Fencing ull Hill. I Farm near B om Dane Bent - Hilda's . ickford fr to Hilda P old are in the pho ack and Har brothers J ton most of their lives ed in Rush They farm d in Rainow th burie d. 01625 576182 and they are bo d, where they were marrie churchyar Mob : 07758 249587 58 Sugar Lane, Rainow Glyn Bradley 10

Part 1 Whatever happened to United? Rainow United Football Club 1947 - 52 Based on research by Bill Renard and exploration of the club minutes by Len Broster

nly the more mature residents of Rainow will remember Mrs. Lawton was to be paid for washing the strips at a rate of 1 that Rainow United existed – but it was one of the most 2/6 (12 /2 p) for 10 strips. Osuccessful sporting stories in our history. Founded in July On the field the club initially met with mixed fortunes. Bill says 1947, it maintained very formal written records and these that a number of good victories, mainly at home, were give a fascinating insight into Rainow as it was immediately after interspersed with some heavy defeats. All were played in the the Second World War. Many of the people named in the Macclesfield and District F.A. Senior League and whilst some of minutes of the club are no longer with us, but their descendants the opposition clubs mentioned in the first season are from and relatives are still around and will surely be fascinated to villages we still know (Over Peover, defeated 3-1, Prestbury, learn of the exploits of the club in that now distant time. Bill defeated 5-0) others have now disappeared (Barracks Fabrics, Renard has put together the detailed story of the club from defeated 3-2). At the matches it was not all rural tranquillity! A family photographs and from the club minutes of the time. Few minute of October 1948 reports that “Mr Lawton brought to the people will be better qualified to do this, as Bill's father became notice of the meeting the constant barracking from the bottom of Club Secretary and Bill himself appears as a four year old in the the field,” whilst six months' later another minute records that photo with this article! Was it significant the club name was “a letter has been received from the F.A. warning the club that adopted by a majority of just one vote? There is no record of the W. Broster had been reported for 'ungentlemanly conduct'.” alternatives proposed but perhaps the “City v. United” rivalry was The club clearly ran social activities in Rainow as well as playing as strong then as it is today! football; another minute tells us that the club had been The first question any of us ask today is “where on earth was approached for a subscription towards the cost of a new section the football pitch?” Minute 24 in the club records gives the of the War Memorial and had decided to contribute the profit answer. “Mr Leigh has permitted us to use the ground for trial from the January Dance £1 - 0 - 2d which Mr Lawton made up matches on August 9th and 16th.” Mr Leigh was Mr Thomas to £1 - 1 - 0! The club was also concerned to look after its Leigh of Chapel Lane Farm and the field concerned is now players as a 1950 minute records that 7/- (35p) was to be spent occupied by Millers Meadow; the annual rent was £4. Another on cigarettes and “sent to R. Boothby in hospital”. How Health important agreement gave the club permission to use the village & Safety rules have changed! Institute as a dressing room at a cost of five shillings (25p) a In the second part of the story (next Raven) we will find out match. about the team players from well-known Rainow families like the Other early records throw light on what life was like in post-war Brosters, Lawtons, Sharpleys, Wains and Belfields, as well as Britain. Minutes in 1948 recorded that the Strips Secretary had the Renards and hear all about the club's star player – England made an application for clothing coupons to the FA and then that international Ernie Toseland – dubbed “twinkle Toes” in the 84 coupons had arrived for the purchase of one dozen jerseys. national press!

Rainow United Football Club 1951 Back row, left to right: Referee, Shipley Broster Senior, Bill Broster, Bill Duke?, Shipley Broster Junior, Len Broster, George Renard Senior, John Drabble, Gerald Hewitt, Jim Lawton Front row, left to right: Tom Davies, Ernie Toseland,Alan Jackson,Arthur Pawley, Jim Edge? Small boy at front: Bill Renard (aged 4)

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Thee Case oof the 64 Crumbs by Rosie Daniels

Benson protested, saying he would trust these officers with his life (untrue, most were so senile he wouldn’t trust them with his groceries) but Widdershins, a pompous old man with a moustache of laughable proportions, interrupted him: he semi-darkness pressed against “I say, Benson, why were you going downstairs?” and the T the windows of the Institute and company turned to stare at him. Detective Cuthbert Benson surveyed the Benson’s heart sank. He had smelled mutiny in the ranks for a interior with unease. He had never been while, but he had never experienced any divergence from his one for mixing business with pleasure and the word – except from Dutch, of course, who undermined him at every first Christmas Party of the Rainow Police turn. Squadron violated this rule in the worst way; garish “What are you implying, Widdershins?” growled Benson. “That I paper chains dangled limply from the ceiling (did no am the thief? I didn’t hear you questioning my authority when I one else think chains at a police party were somewhat solved the Case of the Slightly Inconveniencing Vandalism last sinister?) and senior officers with blotchy faces laughed raucously year, or when I saved all your necks from the Car with the Worn over a bowl of sickly pink punch. There were even – horror of horrors Brake Pads.” He stepped up to Widdershins so they were nose to – conical party hats, which perched defiantly on every head, nose. “Remember who you’re working for, Constable,” he said quietly. tangling themselves in the streamers. “Now, I have a crime scene to investigate. Peters, with me.” And The squadron itself was a joke, reflected Benson. A spate of he descended the stairs. rather mean-spirited letters to Rainow’s most politically active * resident had brought them here, but the hate mail had left “What do you think, Detective?” asked Peters. She leant when their target did – no doubt in a first-class carriage. against the wall, watching him carefully. “So many crumbs…” she Bitterly, Benson thought of his previous post in Hurdsfield. Barely a murmured. night had gone by without, at the very least, a case of loitering “Not a pretty sight, is it?” agreed Benson, his sharp eyes with intent. Those were the days. He had been hailed as a analysing the scene. He straightened up suddenly and examined vigilante, maybe not the Batman but certainly the Commissioner the windows. “Exactly sixty-four crumbs to be precise. Look here, Gordon of the Macclesfield Area. Now look at him – chasing up a the door is ajar - very interesting. What’s this?” He handed resident for keeping their hedge too long was the most Peters the white fibres he had found on the floor. “Send these excitement to be expected. He looked with disdain at his to forensics. Very interesting… These footprints are most colleagues, all of whom had chosen to be here. It was an inch from mysterious. Almost… Cloven…” He sank into silence as he retirement! contemplated the clues. Covertly, he eyed the stairs next to the stage. Perhaps, if “That’s it!” he cried suddenly. “Peters, it’s so simple! I’m he kept his head down, he could to creep down there, squeeze surprised you didn’t see it yourself. When we take into account through a window and escape. Not exactly police etiquette, but that the thief certainly did not take the cake to eat it – who desperate times… He waited for a distraction (Constable would? Did you taste Dutch’s Halloween Flan?” his face contorted. Thomson’s impersonation of a steak pie had never been more “Not good. It’s clear that the cake was taken for another purpose welcome), but as he began to ease the door open, a scream altogether: intimidation. I saw it a thousand times in Hurdsfield. pierced the party atmosphere. What we have here is a gang, no doubt bent on spreading What now? he thought angrily. He had played ‘Pin the Nose on discontent through the force.” Peters opened her mouth to speak Rudolph’ twice, sampled the punch, which was as strong as aviation but he beat her to it: “What gang, no doubt you are about to ask. fuel. Surely – no, they couldn’t want another conga line? He turned The crumbs explain that. and saw Sergeant Dutch, a white-haired crone with whom Benson Sixty-four, such a perfect number, wouldn’t you agree? Sixty-four had an ongoing feud, standing at the head of the main stairs is the number of the Cow Lane Gang, who put cloven soles on their clutching a crumb-laden platter. The Institute fell silent as the shoes, as you can see. Peters – they can’t have gone far! Quickly!” constabulary cowered before Dutch’s fury. Benson sprang to the door and was about to leap through it “Someone,” she said with a shaking voice, “has eaten my when Peters spoke, “Quite brilliant, Detective, but I’m afraid you Christmas cake.” No one spoke. There was a pause in which missed the mark this time.” She took his arm and led him outside everyone, as one, thought so? “My Christmas cake,” continued Dutch, and to a nearby field. She scanned the herd of shivering sheep louder, “that I baked with these hands. MY Christmas cake –“ and pointed triumphantly to a particularly plump one. “There’s our Benson had had enough: “Calm yourself, Dutch! We’ll apprehend thief,” she said. the culprit, don’t worry.” He stepped into the room, ready to take “Don’t be a fool, Peters,” snapped Benson. “Think of the clues: charge. “Johnson, O’Hannigan. Call forensics. Peters, with me. The the slightly open door; the seemingly random crumbs; the –“ rest of you, spread out; search the area. The thief could still be “Wool?” interjected Peters, and seeing the truth sink in she at large.” He started towards the main stairs, followed by Peters, added gently, “Of course, the sheep could have meant to be a tall policewoman who had been transferred from Bollington, but intimidating.” before he had gone two steps, Dutch cut in: Benson nodded, cold air burning his lungs. “A sheep,” he whispered “Hold it, Benson. How do we know the thief isn’t with us here?” hoarsely. “I need a holiday.”

12

he recent theme for the Rainow Where Photographic Group Thank you Twas “Number” and Tessa Heyworth Rainow! is it? selected a range of Rainow landmark stones bearing a range of dates as her subject. Can you identify where each stone is?! The answers are given later in this issue of the Raven - and if you have something you can add (the names behind the initials or the origin of the date) we'd like to hear about it. You can email [email protected] or have a word with one of the 1 editors.

2 3 Charlotte & Shaun Burdock n behalf of Charlotte and Shaun I would like to thank everyone in the village who made their wedding day so extra special. They wanted their wedding day to be a village affair as they have both Olived in Rainow all their lives and are very attached to the Village and it certainly was! The big day dawned with beautiful weather, all the guests from afar had arrived safely and the day got better and better. With all the help and support from people in the 4 5 Village everything was perfect and the community feeling and atmosphere was remarked upon by guests. The whole day was everything and more Charlotte and Shaun wanted from their wedding day. May I give special thanks to Billy & Diane for the use of their field, Mike Bainbridge for the beautiful car, Andrew Downes for the car for the bridesmaids, Sue & David Stevenson for the hog roast, Sue Hadfield & David Nixon for organising all the catering, Debbie Pickford for her help with the wedding cake, Claire de Ruiter for her artistic work, Bobbie Bagshaw for a vast quantity of scones, Mick & Michelle Renshaw who 6 7 stepped in at the last minute with manpower when needed, Hazel Cantrell who 'dressed' Russell the horse for the occasion, Beryl Wilcox for her beautiful flower arrangements in Church, Steve for a lovely Service and the Bridesmaids, especially Stacey & Kerry for carrying out their duties so diligently, Best man Zach for all his hard work, Peter Nixon for all the electrics and saving the day by fixing the generator, Greig Nicol for the music, all the friends and well wishers who greeted them at Church, the people who let us pick flowers from their gardens, I could go on and on there were so many who helped in so many different ways, thank you Rainow, a wonderful place to live. 8 9 Sue Grimes

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The Green Gymnasts of Kerridge and Ingersley Vale

by Raphael Murray, KRIV volunteer Volunteers uncover a historic paved path

ou won't have seen them at the Olympics. You cutting, digging, lifting and lopping involved but there's also probably won't have seen them at your local gym but ample opportunity to practise the more constructive skills if you've been out and about in the country around involved in walling, hedge-laying, fencing etc. Most projects YKerridge or Ingersley Vale on a Friday you may well concern conservation and restoration of footpaths and public have seen them in action. They come in all shapes areas that without the work of the volunteers would simply and sizes, both young and not so young, both lads and not get done. For some projects, however, a contribution lassies. Some have escaped from paid employment, others towards costs of essential materials such as tea, coffee and choose to do this as an escape from their day job. The main biscuits is appreciated. Some of these funds are also used thing they have in common is a sense of humour. In view of for purchase and maintenance of tools and equipment. the number of stand-up (and sit-down) comedians among Projects for next year include restoring the 'Wedding steps' them the latter quality is essential. They are, of course, the and completion of work on the flagstone footpath to Ingersley. Kerridge Ridge and Ingersley Vale (KRIV) volunteers. However, if you are aware of a project that you feel might However, rather than treading a treadmill, running on the benefit from the work of the green gymnasts of Kerridge spot, twirling on parallel bars or somersaulting across the please contact John Stagg on 01625 572816. We can't floor, these gymnasts get their physical kicks from helping to promise that we'll be able to carry out all worthy projects, improve the countryside. This involves projects such as however for the health and fitness of the gymnasts and the clearing overgrown footpaths, re-laying long neglected good of the countryside we will do what we can. We may hedges, rebuilding dry stone walls that have fallen victim to even uncover the way to the Lamp and Candle. gravity or restoring stone steps that have ceased to provide a More information is also available on the KRIV website: firm footing. The physical effort arises from the sawing, http://www.kriv.org.uk/

Makes 18 to 24 toasts Ingredients Method 1 long slim French loaf 1. Pre-heat oven 220C /210C fan/gas mark 7. Softened butter for 2. Cut the loaf diagonally into 1/2 inch slices using spreading a sharp bread knife. 125g (4oz)packet soft 3. Thinly butter both sides of each slice, then spread cream cheese with herbs the cream cheese on one side. & garlic 4. Top each with a little grated cheese and a dusting 175g (6oz) Grated of paprika. Cheddar cheese 5. Arrange on baking trays and bake for 8-10 mins Cheesy Herb Little mild paprika or until melted and golden brown. ecipe of the Month

R Toasts – Nibbles to serve with Christmas drinks! 14

The

Ꮳ Robin Hood Food Served: Mon - Sat 12 - 2.30pm and 5.30 - 8.30pm Penny Lane Sun - 12 - 4pm Ꮳ Holiday Tues Night - Pie & a Pint £8.50 Ꮳ Thurs Night - Curry & Drink £7.95 Cottages Ꮳ Real Cask Ales Ꮳ 4 En Suite B&B Rooms N Two charming 18th-century stone cottages,

Ꮳ Pets A Warm Welcome recently refurbished to a high standard. and children T el: 01625 574060 N Long and shorts breaks available all year round. welcome www.robinhoodrainow.co.uk For more information call: 01625 410735 www.pennylaneholidaycottages.co.uk

A Busy Christmas-Time (to the tune of 'Jingle Bells')

Dashing round the town, running from shop to shop Snow is falling down, there is no time to stop Christmas grub to buy, presents by the score Your credit card is up to max, your poor old feet are sore

Chorus Christmas-time, Christmas-time, you're feeling rather stressed The Christmas cards need posting and the tree is still not dressed Christmas-time, Christmas-time, you really need a break You haven't bought the turkey yet or iced the Christmas cake

Now it's Christmas Eve, you'd really like a nap Christmas dinner's done, you wear a tired smile Some jobs you just can't leave, there's still some stuff to wrap. If everyone's had fun, then it's all been worthwhile A tie for Uncle Bob, for Gran a box of chocs The dishes are all washed, left-overs fill the fridge And Dad will be delighted with those singing Santa socks. You just sit down then someone says 'Let's walk up Kerridge Ridge'

Chorus Chorus Christmas Day, Christmas Day, the presents given out Christmas-time Christmas-time, a busy time of year You hope that you have chosen things they just can't live without We villagers of Rainow are still full of festive cheer Christmas Day, Christmas Day the dinner to prepare Christmas-time, Christmas-time, hope you have a ball And Gran has hit the sherry, now she's snoring in the chair From Cesterbridge to Charleshead - Merry Christmas to you all! by Judy Wilkinson

Broadband Update Your call will be answered as soon as possible by Raph Murray

uperfast broadband (SFB) has now been available to to your property. This will require installation of new equipment residents connected to the Stocks Lane telephone cabinet and may require alteration of existing wiring. It is also likely that Ssince September and those who have taken the opportunity different broadband subscription rates will apply. to upgrade their broadband connection are now benefiting Unfortunately or, in view of the teething problems encountered from much faster broadband speeds. This is particularly with the SFB upgrade, perhaps fortunately, residents connected beneficial when using services such as i-Player or Skype or to the telephone cabinet on Calrofold Lane or the junction of downloading large files. Residents who mainly use the internet Blaze Hill and Jumper Lane do not yet have the option to for e-mail or searches have less need for SFB. However, if they upgrade. The main reason for this is that, without public are paying for a standard broadband tariff promising up to 8 investment, BT do not consider that it is commercially viable to mbps they may be disappointed that BT (and other suppliers), upgrade these cabinets. As part of the Connecting Cheshire rather than using the availability of a fibre optic supply to the Project, Cheshire East Council is cautiously optimistic that these village to deliver their promised broadband speed, have instead other parts of Rainow could be included in the publicly funded required that residents wishing to get faster broadband have to deployment of improved broadband. However the timetable, the upgrade their broadband service. Therefore to benefit from the technology used and the areas to be upgraded are still to be faster broadband speeds available from fibre optic you will need agreed as part of discussion and negotiation with BT Openreach. to contact your broadband provider to arrange connection of SFB

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Thinking Brownies Drum Up a Busy of Others Programme! Beavers report by Richard Beswick by Brown Owl, Susan Norman

ince our last Raven article a lot has happened both Worldwide and Rainowwide.....the fabulous 2012 SOlympics and the very well organised (and slightly soggy) Rainow Fête. Within Beavers we've had some very busy and fun sessions; we've said goodbye to some of our Beavers and our parent helpers (thank you to Suzanne Tobin and Karen Roberts for all their help and support), welcomed some new Beavers and welcomed two new parent helpers, myself and Kerry Burdock. Rainow Fête as ever proved incredibly popular with the Beaver entrants for the Procession and subsequent Fancy Dress s we started the September term we decided to make the most of what day- Parade. As the theme was Alternative light hours were left before the clocks changed and the Brownies enjoyed an Sports (in line with the Olympics) we were autumn walk in the village gathering leaves and seeds and things of interest to inundated with Footballers, Swimmers, A make collages in their Sixes. We also took the opportunity to attend Wacky Surfers, Triathlon competitors and even Woods’ assault course, thankfully a dry evening after the days of torrential rain John McEnroe..."You cannot be serious". beforehand, and we were well prepared with wellies and waterproofs. We finished Everyone looked great and the Beavers the evening in the dark playing torch light games and toasting marshmallows. had really worked hard at their outfits. On another evening we enrolled three new Brownies who chose the theme of roller- We were back in September with energy, blades and skating and pizzas for the evening and who also completed their enthusiasm and ready to face some new Hostess badge minus the roller-blades and skates! Tea and coffee served by challenges and learn new things. We've Brownies to their parents on trays is a shaky business but always appreciated and had great fun making air powered car- the Brownies enjoy feeling grown up. On the same evening we also decided to balloons and straws – this caused great make cakes just to add more chaos to the proceedings. The following week we amusement as the cars hurtled around the held a ‘Rainow Brownies Got Talent’ evening judged by the leaders and parents Institute – decorated our boxes for Harvest and learnt new skills such as putting up a with buzzers in hand. We have an amazingly wide variety of talent within the tent. Harvest Festival gave the Beavers the Brownie Unit and our winner was Beatrix Haigh who sang beautifully. opportunity of thinking about others and For Halloween the Brownies dressed up in fancy dress and took part in a range of after decorating the boxes they were asked games and challenges organised by Monika that included apple bobbing, dress the to take them home to fill with non mummy which was very funny and a squirmy search creating lots of mess! In perishable items so that they could then be November we started World Traveller badge, speaking certain phrases and donated to a worthwhile cause. Another greetings in different languages; we made our own passports with stamps to show opportunity of thinking about others was which countries we had already visited and designed a postcard with message. the Remembrance Sunday service where, Kirsten showed the Brownies her New Zealand Passport so they could see the after practicising their marching skills the difference between it and a British Passport. previous Wednesday, the Beavers were able to reflect on those service men and We attended the Remembrance Day parade in Rainow with some of our other women who had fought in Wars, past & Brownies attending their own churches elsewhere. With the elections taking place present. There was a good attendance at the Institute we changed our venue to Hurdsfield Holy Trinity Church classroom from the Beavers and through the Service where we welcomed a new Brownie and we all experienced a workshop on African and procession to the Memorial they were drumming. It was great fun and very loud and the Brownies all received a certificate able to reflect on what the day means to of achievement at the end of the evening. us all. The remaining part of Autumn Term It is hard to believe we only have another three weeks before we break up for is being spent completing Badge work, Christmas and these weeks will be filled with Christmas craft, celebrating Games Nights and getting festive with Christmas crafts. The Beavers will be St Andrews Day with a Scottish theme and a Christmas party disco. attending the Toy Service at Church on As we have a successful Brownie and Guide Unit in Rainow our District 9th December where once more they can Commissioner is looking at the possibility of starting a Rainbow Unit, if any female think about those children whose aged 18 - 64 years is interested in training to become a leader and helping to set up Christmases are very different to their a unit please contact me? See www.girlguidinguk. own. We currently have vacancies for girls wishing to join Brownies. I can be contacted We return on 16th January and await our on 01260 223793 (Work) or 01260 223695 (Home) or by email schedule from Willow with anticipation. [email protected].

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Cubs go on Air Guides by Akela Sue Grimes and Baloo Michelle Renshaw Encounter Weather Problems by Jill and Helen

s for everyone, this summer's weather had a huge impact on our activities. Most disappointing of all Awas the decision, due to the state of the showground, to cancel the much anticipated 'Fabfest'. As this is usually held only every other year, the Guides who had just missed out last time had been really excited as they'd heard all about it from the others – hopefully, we don't have to wait another two years, e started this term with an hilarious evening trying Bodyzorbing. This as it is now being planned for next sum- involved rolling round the School field in large clear plastic balls; it was very mer. Fingers crossed! Wamusing to watch and great fun. Alas, the nights started to draw in so more of our meetings were inside. We turned to food and completed the Chefs Our usual term end activity – this year Badge. One week each Six cooked a main course; these varied from Chilli Chicken the task was to transport (unbroken) a Fajitas and Stir Fry Omelettes to Tuna & Sweetcorn burgers – six different dishes in fresh egg across the stream (and no all, which we all sampled. The following week we made a variety of desserts, carrying!) – became more difficult than equally tasty and popular. Quite a challenge with 32 Cubs! expected as again, due to the weather, For the next three weeks we split into smaller groups to enable the Cubs to benefit the stream was a wide, raging torrent. more from the various activities. In turn we went over to Astbury Mere to try wind- However, they all rose to the challenge surfing, went up to Teggs Nose to do some abseiling and also tried orienteering. and successfully transported their eggs, The weather was quite kind to us and the Cubs benefited from the smaller groups often a little damp, but complete. We and all did very well. finished with sausages on a barbecue Andrew Renshaw again kindly allowed us to climb Big Low for a bonfire and and a promise making for 5 Guides. fireworks with the Scouts. We all played a Wide game in the dark and were then This term has included the last of our joined by parents and siblings to go up to the bonfire and enjoyed hot dogs and Olympic themed evenings; a quiz and a drinks. Brazil themed evening, with cola float We have been away camping three times this year and all the new Cubs have drinks and shoeboxes decorated as achieved their 'Nights Away' Badge while some of the older Cubs are up to their Brazilian carnival floats. The highlight for '10 Nights Away' badge. Our final Camp of the year was also very exciting as we this term, for those who could make it, pitched our tents in the middle of Alton Towers. We were the youngest group as all was an evening at Awesome Walls indoor the others were Scouts and Guides but we kept up well, visiting Splash Landings till climbing centre in Stockport, where once late on the Saturday and then were up early packing up camp and getting in the again the Guides surprised us with the Park before it was open to the public. heights they could reach. I think the most popular outing this term was to the CBBC studios; nearly every As the year rolls round again, at the end Cub went and it was very interesting and fun. We split into two groups and were of November we are going to Manchester shown the different studios and had a go at presenting Newsround and the for the Christmas Markets – and then Weather. It seemed strange seeing such familiar things in real life. plan to have an evening peeling and Gauntlet Birds of Prey came and brought a variety of hawks, owls, a vulture and chopping to make our own soup this year ferret. They flew round the Institute returning for tasty looking chick legs and mice! for the Rainow version. Michelle and I were very proud of the Cubs on Remembrance Day as 29 out of 33 Cubs turned up to parade, looked smart and were very well behaved. The four who didn't attend had good reasons – one being in Australia!! We took part in all the District Cub Competitions this term; we were 'Runners Up' and got a Shield at Sports Day and won three events at the annual Swimming Gala. The winners Lulu’s Luscious (Matthew Warham, Jake Kilpatrick & Thomas C O N F E C T I O N S Roberts) are going to Warrington to represent the District in the County Gala. We are hoping to welcome some new Cubs Celebration Cakes & Biscuits for all Occasions from our long waiting list in the New Year Weddings N Birthdays N Anniversaries when some older Cubs go up to Scouts. Telephone : 01625 572377

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Raven Book Reviews More choices from some of Rainow’s book club members Anthony Horowitz The House of Silk

Bringing back to life Arthur Conan Doyle's much revered hero, Anthony Horowitz has forged in “the House of Silk” a loving pastiche of Sherlock Holmes' adventures, taking care not to rock the boat of an established franchise and creating an unerring facsimile of Conan Doyle's opus. The game, once more, is afoot. Holmes is dead. Watson, elderly and alone – "Two marriages, three children, seven grandchildren, a successful career in medicine and the Order of Merit" – sets out to recount one of their early escapades together, on a case so grotesque and deplorable he has had to consign his written account to his solicitors' vaults for 100 years. The usual cast assemble. Mrs Hudson is there with a plate of scones. Wiggins and the inauspicious Baker Street irregulars make an audacious appearance, as do the bungling Lestrade and imperious Mycroft. Of course, no Holmes adventure would be complete without at least a cameo appearance by the arch villain, Moriarty ("'I am a mathematician, Dr Watson … I am also what you would doubtless term a criminal'"), although his role is almost too cleverly integrated into the story and easily missed. The most redolent character, excepting Holmes and Watson, is 19th century London, with its fog, hansom cabs and the extremes of depraved opium dens, lavish grand houses and chilling poverty. Through a series of unfeasibly convoluted plots, counterplots and deductions, the opposing elements collide in a shocking and gruesome denouement, which the pipe smoking, Stradivarius playing detective deals with in his archetypal, world weary and knowing manner. Whilst registering that Anthony Horowitz lacks Conan Doyle's magisterial authority when it comes to chronicling Holmes's adventures, “The House of Silk” is a brilliant and engaging read with a sumptuous prose that both envelops and captivates the reader. It both teases and delights and is without doubt a fitting tribute to arguably one of the great British writers of our time who gave us the most prolific of all detectives.

Elizabeth Haynes Into the Darkest Corner

“Into The Darkest Corner” is a gripping psychological thriller that will have you racing to the end. The tale may be somewhat familiar, but it's her presentation and sharply defined characters that keeps the reader enthralled. After a brief but chilling introduction, which you will want to remember at all times, the core of the tale proceeds along two parallel tracks that alternate with each other throughout the book. Haynes uses alternating narratives to burrow into a harrowing story, which exposes the juxtaposition between two different manifestations of the main character: the woman we encounter in 2003 is far different from the one with whom we renew acquaintances in 2007. As a successful young professional in the northwest of England, Catherine Bailey has a full life: a job she loves and a close knit group of friends with whom she enjoys an active social life. When she meets the attractive and enigmatic Lee she seems to have it all – at least her envious girlfriends think so. “Isn't he just what we've all always wanted?” one of them asks her. Despite some alarm bells about the intensity of his attention towards her (“The world doesn't exist for him outside you,” comments one of her friends), Catherine is pulled increasingly deeper into the world he creates for them. However, the seemingly perfect Lee rapidly transforms into a dark and menacing presence. Manipulative and controlling, he grows more and more violent until he nearly kills her. But the real horror, she explains later, was that “nobody, not even my best friend, believed me.” Lee gets three years in prison and Catherine, now suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder and post traumatic stress disorder, moves to London to start a new life. We see with chilling and unnerving clarity how Catherine is reduced to moving through each day as a terrorized, insecure soul, wholly given over to a disorder which controls every facet of her existence. It is the detailed and elaborate description of this affliction which is so absorbing and horrifying in equal measure, capturing as it does not only Catherine's inner torment but also drawing the reader in on a profound and poignant level. Two things become evident as the alternating story lines develop: Catherine has somehow extricated herself from the relationship with Lee, and yet she is still in some danger from him. It is the resolution of both these situations, and Haynes' exquisitely paced and presented revelations, that maintains the intrigue and keeps you reading, reading and reading!

The Answers to Author joins the Raven Where is it? on Page 13 Budding 1 Clough House, (near the One n the last issue of the Raven we invited Rainow's teenagers to let us know House, on the Green Lane) Iwhat they would like to see more of in the Raven. The giveaway prize 2 Calrofold Barn offered was a bundle of Hot Vestry goodies including a CD and t-shirt. 3 Plunge Brook Rosie Daniels emailed us with a request for more stories in the magazine and backed up her idea by writing one herself! Not only has her initiative won 4 Rainow Low her the prize but her wish to see more stories is fulfilled in this issue as we 5 Mount Pleasant publish the tale she wrote on page 11. With her writing skills and interest in magazine work proved, we invited Rosie to join the editorial team of the 6 Bowerclough Farm, Hedgerow Raven and are delighted she has accepted. 7 Kerridge End We invite other Rainow young people to have a go at letting us know what 8 Kerridge End they want by writing to [email protected]. 9 Plunge Brook.

18

News from the Lamp and Candle Hello All. As promised, I invited the Mayor of Rainow to the Lamp to comes to common sense - be interviewed about his civic duties. Getting him here was a put it this way – if brains bit of a problem. The lady of the house thought that bringing was gunpowder, Kevin him in a tractor with a blanket over his head was not the wouldn’t have enough to proper way to treat a civic dignitary, so we had young Kevin blow his cap off. He couldn’t walk him here over the fields in the dark. The Mayor took it open a tin of luncheon meat never mind a village fête! all in good part, fine fellow that he is, and didn’t even There was an interesting article in the last Raven called “A complain when Kevin occasionally put a canvas bag over his pint of bitter please,” written by Mr. Hasler from the village. head so that he wouldn’t recognise certain turnings in the Well I must say hats off to this fine fellow. Although he’s a lanes. He even refused our offer to have his suit cleaned for bit misguided about the quality of some of the beers, the him. man is doing his best to promote pubs and the drinking of The regulars all gave him a good welcome. We asked him ale, and that’s fine by me. There was a good plug for the what the Mayor of Rainow did from day to day – whether Robin Hood and he even paid the Lamp and Candle a nice he had any audiences; did he open things, and what was the compliment, calling us “Stuck in a rut”. This is exactly the highlight of his year of office so far? Fascinating stuff, every- point I’ve been trying to get over for the past three years and one thought, except for miserable Bickerdike in the Best it’s comforting to know that there’s at least one person in the Room. He reckoned all the Mayor seemed to do was spend village who’s getting the message! So well done Mr. H! It’s his days going to Tesco with the Mayoress, mowing the lawn, not your fault that these new ‘breweries’ can’t use herring messing with cars and helping with the grandchildren. The roes and beech-bark grubs as finings any more, but I can, only audience he had been in was at the cinema. He’d opened and that makes all the difference. Keep up the good work the fête and attended the Civic Service in his full regalia but and call in for a gill of my best! that was about it for ceremony. The highlight of his year so After this ridiculous year of public jollity, I got my nephew, far had been winning a box of chocolates at the Harvest the other Kevin, to Google what big celebrations were due in Supper, though he was looking forward to switching the 2013. It seems that 2012 used up all the big celebrations for Christmas lights on in the village. Anyway, we all ignored the next ten years and all we have next year is the Bickerdike in the Best Room. He’s fancied himself as a bit of International Year of Water Co-operation and the a cut above ever since he went to Blackpool Illuminations two International Year of Quinoa. I’ve not the foggiest idea what years on the run. these things mean. At a guess I’d say that water co- What DID impress everyone was the Mayor’s outfit which operation means we all co-operate in complaining about how he kindly wore for us. His medal twinkled like a star and his much the supermarkets charge for bottled water, and I think red robe lit the place up. The Best Room hadn’t looked so Quinoa might be a card game similar to gin rummy or a bright since Billy Oakes poured a bag of red raddle over Peter name for one of those designer beers Mr. H. goes around Buckley in a fight over politics. The bar was a red mess for sampling. Any road up, they won’t be celebrated at the months and so was Peter Buckley, but he did well enough Lamp. It’s also the anniversary of the Battle of Agincourt out of it. He got Mrs. B. to make him a Red Indian costume and I hear that Rainow WI is going to stage a spectacular and won every Fancy Dress parade around Macclesfield for reconstruction on Billy Moss’s field on Fête Day. Can’t wait! the next two years. Off he’d go over the fields towards We’ll be spending a quiet festive season, though I’ll be on the Hurdsfield or Henbury or Gawsworth or somewhere and lookout for the lads in the bar trying to play another trick on sure enough he’d come back with a few bob, a jar of home- me. Last year, I nearly died when I heard carol singers at the made marmalade and a balloon. But I digress - we were inn door! I shot out with a bucket of water and only just pleased to have the Mayor of Rainow as our honoured guest missed the wind-up gramophone the lads had stuck outside and I opened a barrel of Withinlow Pale in his honour. A with Hark the Herald playing at full blast. I must admit I week later he was right as rain. felt a bit of a fool and should have realised it was a prank as Young Kevin was calling himself “Mayor’s Attendant” for the record was by the Philharmonia Orchestra, complete days afterwards and wanted to know why HE couldn’t be with organ and choir. Anyway, this year I’ve got a little Mayor himself in the near future. I had to tell him that the surprise of my own involving Musical Chairs and large sprigs Mayor had earned his stripes by serving the village for years of holly. on the Fête Committee and the Parish Council and that he THE STAFF AND REGULARS AT THE LAMP AND didn’t stand a chance. Don’t get me wrong; young Kevin’s a nice lad and very talented in his own way. He can stapple CANDLE WISH YOU A PLEASANT FESTIVE SEASON AND grunions as good as any man twice his size and I haven’t INVITE YOU ALL TO SPEND IT AT THE ROBIN HOOD. seen anyone triggle a beast’s leerins like Kevin since Percy Merry Christmas nearly everybody! Robinson and he’s been dead these forty years. But when it The Landlord. 19

Tw o for One by Waywiser

Looking towards Shutlingsloe from the Gritstone Trail

wo for one because you can follow the path down to Further Harrop Farm. the full walk or take a shorter route We are back in Rainow now, so it is our Tbetween the same start and finish path 19. points and you can decide which to For the shorter walk, turn right and do when you are part way. Start at the continue along the wall, ignoring the turn entrance to Hedgerow (Spuley Lane) to the right which goes steeply downhill and walk up the cart track for about a and continue to a tarmac drive. Here hundred yards before taking the turn right for about thirty yards then bear Gritstone Trail (path 28) to the left over a left through a stone squeeze stile and stile. Cross the fields following the continue through the trees, slightly yellow marker posts to the small stone uphill. Keep to the left until reaching an Hedgerow to Walk 16 : bridge over the Harrop Brook to enter old quarry at the brow of the hill where Sponds Hill Pott Shrigley parish; go uphill on path you bear right along a cart track until PS4 through a series of gates to arrive Map: Rainow Parish Paths and reaching Brink Farm and the road. Turn just below Berristall Hall. Continue uphill right (keeping a sharp eye open for cars OS 1:25,000 OL 24 The White Peak to the copse of trees ahead (now on taking the rat run to Kettleshulme) and Distance: about 4 or 6 miles path PS5) and follow the marker by the follow the road for about 200 yards to a 1 stone wall. Follow the obvious path by Time: about 4 hours (or 2 /2 hours dilapidated footpath sign pointing the trees, looking back from time to time for the shorter walk) downhill to the right (Rainow path 19), to enjoy the splendid views over opposite the track from Sponds Hill. Going: Good paths: one fairly Bollington and the Cheshire plain. The continuation for BOTH walks long climb; some muddy patches At the brow of the hill there is a choice: Follow the wall down to Further Harrop Start: Hedgerow For the full walk, go straight ahead Farm. Cross a ladder stile on the right following the cart track by the wall (PS6). and continue downhill. Here you will find On the horizon far ahead of you on the several newly fenced paddocks with a right is the Lyme Park boundary wall. footpath sign directing you between two Drop down to the tarmac road and turn of these down an old lane (path 22). After left on the road for about eighty yards passing through a farm gate cross the where there is a small lay-by and turn stream and bear left uphill to the gate right through the gate following the right above. From the gate pass along- side hand track (PS1 then PS23). Continue the remains of a stone wall following the to the North East, crossing a stile by a contour of the hill, then go slightly uphill gate; the track is obvious but can be to a gate entering Harrop Wood. Follow wet. When you reach the boundary wall the delightful woodland path along the it is worth spending a few minutes contour (wonderful displays of bluebells looking into Lyme Park to see if the deer in the spring) until descending to the left Berristall Hall and the wood from path 28 are around and catching sight of the and then going ahead through bushes Cage. Keeping the wall on your left go and over a stile to cross a stream at the to the brow of the hill, passing the brick bottom of a small valley. Turn left and go remnants of what looks like a failed downhill to a stile which drops down to water retaining scheme and at the brow the stream. Cross the stone slab bridge turn right heading South; you are now and continue with the stream on your back on the Gritstone Trail. Soon the right, going sharply upwards to another 1975 viewfinder table on Sponds Hill gate by a farmhouse (Bower Clough). appears on your left and is worth a visit Passing the house you reach the to get your bearings and to look out on Hedgerow track (officially path 21). the panorama. Continue downhill to the From here follow the track back to the Lookin g back to Bowstone Gate tarmac road; cross with care and take start point.

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What’s On in Rainow and Bollington DECEMBER 2012 16 3.00 pm Carols by Candlelight Jenkin Chapel 22 - Christmas Disco Robin Hood 23 6.30 pm Carol Service Rainow Church 24 3.00 pm Carol Service Forest Chapel 24 11.00 pm Midnight Communion Rainow Church 24 6.00 pm Carols around the Tree Rainow Church Centre with Bollington Brass Band 25 10.00 am Parish Communion Rainow Church 31 - New Year Disco Robin Hood JANUARY 2013 5, 6, 10 See website Pantomime - Cinderella Arts Centre, Bollington 11 & 12 for times Bollington Festival Players Tickets £9. Contact: 01625 875326. www.bollingtonartscentre.org.uk 13 8.00 pm Second Sunday Folk Club Arts Centre, Bollington Admission £2. Singers and players welcome to take part. 01625 574617 14 7.30 pm Rainow WI - Old Wives Tales Rainow Institute - Brian Hallworth 18 7.30 pm Mothers Union – New Year Party Rainow Church Centre 20 - 17 Sundays 2-4 and In the Gallery – Wildlife photography Arts Centre, Bollington Feb during events by Alan Saunders 26 8.00 pm Jazz at the Arts Centre Arts Centre, Bollington - Old Fashioned Love Band. £9 Book on 01625 574410 FEBRUARY 2013 1 8.00 pm Bolly Comedy Club Arts Centre, Bollington – Tickets £9.90 from www.bollingtonartscentre.org.uk s On 2 8.00 pm Bollington Chamber Concerts Arts Centre, Bollington – The Primrose Trio Tickets £14/£7 01625 576402 or 575287 10 8.00 pm Second Sunday Folk Club Arts Centre, Bollington 11 7.30 pm Rainow WI Rainow Institute Your Local Wildlife - David Tolliday Sunday School 19 7.30 pm Mothers Union AGM Rainow Church Centre 23 8.00 pm Jazz at the Arts Centre Arts Centre, Bollington - Dave Mott's Jazz Classics with Suzanne £9 Book on 01625 574410 24 to Sundays 2-4 and In the Gallery Arts Centre, Bollington 31 Mar during events - Paintings by Bollington artist Anna Barker MARCH 2013 1 8.00 pm Bolly Comedy Club Arts Centre, Bollington – Tickets £9.90 online from www.bollingtonartscentre.org.uk 9 8.00 pm Bollington Chamber Concerts Arts Centre, Bollington – The DanishBro Stringwnies Quartetat Tatton Tickets £14/£7 01625 576402 or 575287 10 8.00 pm Second Sunday Folk Club Arts Centre, Bollington 11 7.30 pm Rainow WI - A Mystery Shopper Rainow Institute 13 11.30 for 12.30 pm Rainow NSPCC Ladies Lunch and Fashion Show The Hunting Lodge, with Park Lane Fashions Adlington Hall Contact Sue Frith 01625 573802 or Lyn McCarthy 01625 427896 16 8.00 pm Lucy Ward award-winning folk singer Arts Centre, Bollington Tickets £9 on-line or on the door 17 2.30 & 5.00 pm Bollington Festival Music Theatre Arts Centre, Bollington - Woytek by Donald Judge Details 0161 225 4680 or website 19 7.30 pm Mothers Union Rainow Church Centre - Lenten Talk by Margaret Tate

30 8.00 pm Jazz at the Arts Centre Arts Centre, Bollington

- Amy Roberts and Friends. Tickets £9 01625 574410 ᒇ We have made this list as comprehensive as space permits & it is necessarily a selection of the events we know about. If you have anything planned that you would like us to list in the next issue, please call 01625 426059.

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