The Bell , Macefen & Bradley Parish Magazine

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2021

Welcome

Writing this in mid-January, it already feels like a lot has happened in 2021. I hope that you are staying safe, enjoying some fresh air (maybe even a snowman?), and are able to look ahead to brighter days in the Spring. The theme of snow has drifted into the February/March magazine, along with the usual sprinkling of wildlife, local enterprise and community news, advice and resources. An interesting mix of items and contributors is always welcome, so if there is something you’d like to share please send it across – by 19th March – for the next issue. Thank you Take care, Juliet 01948 820343; [email protected]

Local contacts Parish Chairman, David Young OBE 01948 861461; [email protected] Parish Clerk, Wendy Kay 0790339996; [email protected] Ward Councillor, Rachel Williams 01948 860627; [email protected] Eddisbury MP, Edward Timpson 01829 733243; [email protected] Local police, PCSO Jon Hurst Calls to 101 (non-urgent); jonathan.hurst@.pnn.police.uk

Report It To report any Council-related issues or to track progress, visit: www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/contact-us/report-it/report-it.aspx Alternatively, you can use the reporting App, and log a report in four simple steps: 1) Pinpoint the location on the map; 2) Take a photo of the fault; 3) Select a category and provide more information; 4) Submit Search for ‘Cheshire West and ’ in your Apple/android app store.

TM&B Parish Meeting

Another year and another lockdown but a Happy New Year to you all nevertheless! The only business I have to report is to make you aware of the Council’s current waste management consultation. If you wish to give your views on how it manages recycling and waste services then please do so online at: https://participatenow.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/waste- strategy-consultation, before 18 March. I do hope this finds you all well during this rather depressing period, but if you need help that cannot be offered by neighbours then please do not hesitate to ask. The next Parish Meeting will be held on Monday 26 April at 7 pm and at this rate it may well be conducted remotely again on Zoom. In the meantime, as they say, stay safe. David Young OBE, Chairman (01948 861461)

Home Watch Local coordinator for TM&B, Steve Egan: [email protected] – note new e-mail address. If you are not yet registered, you are encouraged to contact Steven directly to receive his Home Watch e-mail updates.

Community helplines Live Well in West Cheshire (information on local services and support): https://livewell.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/ Malpas Food Hub: 01948 860627 / www.facebook.com/MalpasFoodBank. Local urgent mental health helpline (Cheshire NHS): 0800 145 6485 (open 24/7) MIND helpline: 0300 123 3011; Age UK Cheshire: 01606 881 660

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1 Police Community Support

PCSO for and Malpas PCSO Jonathan Hurst [email protected] Beat Manager Rural South, PC Steve Gardner [email protected] Dragon Hall Police Station, Whitchurch Road, , Tattenhall CH3 9DU Tel: 101 (non-emergency); Facebook: Tattenhall & Malpas Police; Twitter: ThallMalpasPol; Web: cheshire.police.uk/a/your-area/cheshire/ cheshire-west-and-chester/tattenhall-and-malpas/

Please note – due to the current COVID-19 restrictions all face-to-face police surgeries and meetings are postponed until further notice.

COVID vaccine fraud As of 7 January 2021, Action Fraud had received 57 reports from members of the public who had been sent text messages claiming to be from the NHS, offering them the opportunity to sign up for coronavirus vaccinations. Pauline Smith, Head of Action Fraud, said: “Remember, the vaccine is only available on the NHS and is free of charge. The NHS will never ask you for details about your bank account or to pay for the vaccine. If you receive an email, text message or phone call purporting to be from the NHS and you are asked to provide financial details, this is a scam.”

Protect yourself: You can only be contacted by the NHS, your employer, a local GP surgery or pharmacy, to receive your vaccination. Remember, the vaccinations are free of charge and you will not be asked for a payment. Also, the NHS will never arrive unannounced at your home to administer the vaccine, or ask for documents to prove your identity, such as a passport or utility bills. If you receive a call you believe to be fraudulent, hang up. If you are suspicious about an email you have received, forward it to [email protected]. Suspicious text messages should be forwarded to the number 7726. If you believe you are the victim of a fraud, please report this to Action Fraud as soon as possible on 0300 123 2040 or at www.actionfraud.police.uk. 2 Winter driving: advice from Cheshire police Even experienced motorists can struggle while driving in UK winter conditions. So, before the worst of the weather hits, now is a good time to step back and think about how you drive. Don’t drive too close It’s harder to stop when there’s surface water, ice or snow on the ground. Focus on maintaining several car lengths between you and the vehicle in front – and ignore any drivers behind you that might try and ‘pressure’ you to close the gap. Gears and acceleration Using a higher gear and slower speed in slippery conditions helps tyres gain more traction and allows you to maintain more control over your vehicle. If you encounter deep flood water and have no alternative route, keep your car in a low gear and the revs of the engine up – this helps maintain momentum when travelling through the water. Poor visibility Turn your sidelights or headlights on and slow right down, driving well away from the car in front. If there is a safe place to pull in, you might want to wait for things to improve. Keep your windows clear It’s tempting to set off when your windows still have snow or ice on them. However, not only is this unsafe, it is illegal! Use an ice scraper and de-icer to clear your windows. Winter emergency kit You might want to keep the following in your car during the winter: blankets, a torch, a shovel, water, ice-scraper and de-icer, boots, reflective clothing and a mobile phone charger. A word about black ice Black ice gets its name because it is so transparent that it looks like the rest of the road. As black ice is difficult to spot, you should take extra care when driving in freezing temperatures by driving slowly and keeping a safe distance between your vehicle and others. If you do hit ice on the road, 3 tips to remember are: 1. Keep your hands on the steering wheel; take your foot off the accelerator. 2. Don’t slam on the brakes, remain calm and let your vehicle pass over the ice. 3. Steer gently into the skid, e.g. if the rear of your car is sliding to the left, then you should also steer to the left 3 St Chad’s Church News A letter from Archdeacon Mike Gilbertson Dear Friends, I am writing this message to you in the season of Epiphany – these weeks after Christmas when the church celebrates how Jesus came to be the Saviour of the world. Epiphany begins on 6 January when we remember the wise men coming from far away to bring gifts to the infant Jesus – showing that he came to bring God’s love for all nations. It’s also a time of year when Christians reflect on their calling today to make the love of Christ known in their communities. Of course, just at the moment, life feels very hard, as we work our way through a third Covid lockdown. Vaccinations are on their way, and the amazing staff in the NHS are working wonders, but for many it still feels a dark time. So the Epiphany theme of the light of Jesus Christ shining out in love and justice is really something to hold on to this year. During Rev’d Veronica’s absence, two very active local retired ministers, Alex Sanders and Mike Rogers, have been providing support to the three parishes, especially at Marbury and Tushingham. Alex and Mike will be stepping back from this role at Easter because of other commitments, though they will still be expecting to help out on a more occasional basis. We are hugely grateful to them for all they have done at this challenging time. As Alex and Mike step back, their place will be taken by Karen Andrews, currently the curate at St Philip’s, . Karen will be seconded to work alongside the churchwardens and lay ministers in the benefice. Just as Alex and Mike have been, Karen is an additional resource for the parishes, and I hope very much that you will welcome Karen when she arrives around Easter time. I pray that despite illness and lockdowns, the three parishes will continue to bless the local communities they serve, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. An Epiphany prayer: God of all mercy your Son proclaimed good news to the poor, release to the captives, and freedom to the oppressed: anoint us with your Holy Spirit and set all your people free to praise you in Christ our Lord. Amen. Archdeacon Mike 4 A word from Rev Mike Rogers… In my mind, patience is inextricably linked with waiting. But how do you feel about waiting for the important things of life – for world peace or the end of the COVID pandemic? You might think that you can play no part in hastening such matters as these. But I would venture to suggest that you are wrong. The Prophet Isaiah reminds us that ‘…for my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways’ (Isaiah 55:8) and this serves to prompt us that, in the great scheme of things, God’s time and our time are different. As far as I am aware, God has no calendar nor does he have a clock. Instead, God has a plan of which we are each a part and in which we each have a part to play. And if you do no more in your waiting than remember before God those who are in need or less fortunate than yourself, then you will have contributed to that plan. Remember, God’s time is not our time. With every blessing, Mike

Temporary suspension of services at St Chad’s Following the latest lockdown, all three parishes in the benefice – Marbury, Tushingham and Whitewell – have decided to suspend public worship for January and February, restarting, if conditions allow, on Sunday 7th March. During this time, you may wish to join in with the community at St Boniface Church, Bunbury, who continue to post services on their YouTube channel, Bunbury Church Online, at 10.30 am each Sunday (for viewing at any time).

In memory of… Olga Latta Richards, aged 96; Martin Gordon, aged 30; Elsie Lee, aged 102; Edna Ruth Johnson, aged 97 years; and Edie Walker, aged 99 years – for whom funeral services have taken place during December and January. Our thoughts and prayers remain with their families and friends. The Lord Jesus says, ‘Today you will be with me in Paradise.’ Luke 23.43

Church Wardens Mr P Moore Dutton Mr A Dawson Tel: 1948 664292 / 07970417772 Tel: 01948 820305 / 07436072278 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]

Marbury, Tushingham and Whitewell benefice website: www.parishmag.org

5 Dabbler or diver? Dipping into the world of ducks We care for many wetland nature reserves across our region of Cheshire and Wirral, and our HQ at Bickley Hall Farm is a haven for ducks. The number of birds you see on rivers and lakes increases during the winter as many come to the UK to escape colder weather on the continent. They are all able to live in the same area because they feed in different ways – dabbling or diving. Shoveler duck Dabblers feed near the water’s surface or tip up and stick their tails in the air to feed just under the surface. Their legs are in the middle of their body, which means they can easily walk around on land. The four most common dabblers that you’ll see in the UK are mallards, teals, Male and female goosanders shovelers and wigeons. Divers tend to live on deeper water, diving down under the water to find food. Their legs are further back on their bodies to help them dive down deep. Three of the most common divers are tufted ducks, pochards and goosanders.

Rediscovering the Lost Words Did you know that some of our words for things in nature have been taken out of the Oxford Junior Dictionary because they’re no longer used enough by our children? Beautiful words like otter, acorn and kingfisher? To help the situation, author Rob Macfarlane wrote a book called The Lost Words so that more children can learn about these special things. CWT has been helping children, families and schools in Cheshire to rediscover the Lost Words. During December this included a series of highly successful free online sessions with Rob Macfarlane and illustrator Jackie Morris who joined CWT to talk about writing wildlife poems and using art to depict wildlife. www.cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk

 To the Christmas litterpickers of Bradley Lane. Good work. You are Superstars!  6 Beasties & Botanicals: ‘A wild and wonderful journey’

My journey began 3 years ago when my youngest daughter started nursery. I inherited a small amount of freedom and yearned for an outlet for my creative juices. I began to experiment with lino printing, but struggled to find the right grade of paper and soon found myself researching papermaking. As an artist, I have always had a passion for paper. I trawled the internet, read books and then began the experimental process... in my kitchen! It was messy, time consuming and I nearly gave up, but fascination got the better of me. My husband made a frame and deckle for me to use and I worked to refine the paper with various techniques – over time I felt I had almost mastered the age-old art of papermaking. I loved the texture; the paper was so tactile. I soon plucked up the courage to sell my paper and I set up an online shop. Throughout my journey I have maintained that Beasties & Botanicals would be kind to the environment Cheryl in her workshop – I use recycled paper and rainwater to make my pulp. I forage for natural materials like petals and leaves to add to my paper and I use pinecones, alder cones, acorns and elderberries plus many more weird and wonderful fruits of nature to create my own natural dyes to colour my papers. My packaging is all biodegradable and recycled – I am proud to say that my footprint is low. Just one year after starting to sell my paper I now operate from a small workshop in Tushingham. I have a diverse customer base ranging from fellow crafters and artists, wedding planners, bookbinders and a growing number of letter writers. It seems that during the Covid crisis, people are reverting back to handwritten letters to maintain contact with friends and loved ones. My online sales are increasing and I now have customers around the world. I feel extremely fortunate to be able to do what I love for a living and I am bursting with new ideas! If you are intrigued and would like to pop by to peruse my paper, you are more than welcome. BeastiesBotanicals.etsy.com Instagram – @cheryllangley76 7

Headmistress Mrs Shephard writes, “Although many of our whole-school Christmas events could not take place this year, the staff worked incredibly hard to find ways to allow as many activities as possible to go ahead in a Covid-secure way – they have been amazing – truly innovative and creative!” This included spirited performances of ‘Whoops-A-Daisy Angel’ (Class 1) and

‘Prickly Hay’ (Class 2), which were shared with parents through a video link.

Mrs Shephard also reports, “I will be retiring at the end of the summer term 2021. By the time I retire, officially August 2021, I will have completed 22 years in the teaching profession and 10 years at Tushingham. The special memories filled with laughter, friendship, love and joy I will take with me are too many

to count. Tushingham School will always have a special place in my heart.” Term was unable to begin as planned on Tuesday 5th January due to the national lockdown. Home learning activities are once again being provided, with additional support available to vulnerable and key worker children.

To read Mrs Shephard’s newsletters in full, please visit the school website

at: https://www.tushingham.cheshire.sch.uk

News from ‘Friends of Tushingham (FoT)’ A message from Gemma Topping, new Chair of FoT: “As with so many plans this year, the Tushingham School Christmas Fair sadly could not take place. Instead, FoT ran a couple of remote fundraising initiatives during the Autumn term to raise much needed funds for our school. The Christmas Raffle was a huge success, with a fantastic £1,040 raised. Thank you to all the local families and businesses who donated prizes and purchased tickets. Secondly, the staff and children helped us to create a unique Tushingham School tea towel with their very own self-portraits! Every single child’s drawing was featured, along with those of the staff. The tea towels were sold in the run up to Christmas, generating a further £400 and we hope brought a smile to anyone lucky enough to receive one as a Christmas gift.

Thanks to everyone for their continued support during these challenging times.”

8 A tale of three schools

For such a small area, Tushingham, Macefen & Bradley has had more than its fair share of educational establishments over the years. In addition to the present Tushingham Primary School (and its forerunner, Macefen School), Maesfen Hall played host to no fewer than three schools during WW2. In July 1940, the Hall was leased to St Joseph’s Academy of Blackheath, London (now part of St Matthew Academy), which sought safety from the heavy raids on London until September 1942. Tenancy was then taken by the Czech0slovak Government in exile, who ran a State Boarding School there for primary-age refugees. The children quickly became part of the community and even celebrated VE Day at Maesfen. After their departure in July 1945, Rector of Tushingham Rev Elias Morris Jones, and then Rev RH Duncan, ran a boys’ boarding school which transferred to Cloverley Hall near Whitchurch in 1948. Of the three, the story of St Joseph’s Academy is perhaps best documented. In September 1939, the school of 180 pupils was evacuated to a private house in Bexhill-on-Sea. However, it was clear that Bexhill would not remain a safe retreat for long, and the lease of a ‘fairly large mansion’ in Cheshire was obtained in case of emergency. This was Maesfen Hall, and following bombing raids in London in mid-1940, 70 pupils were transferred to continue their education at Maesfen. A member of the school party recollected: “Maesfen Hall received its first batch of boys from St Joseph’s in August 1940. This small number had all the fun to themselves until the great bombing of London began. On the morning of 13th September 1943, a large number of boys made the journey to Maesfen in charabancs and were joyfully received by their companions already in residence… “…During our first winter at Maesfen, there was no electricity. The pressure lamps were not a serious attack on the darkness and there was a good deal of loud thinking, which proved very useful. [The lighting issue was remedied when an electric generating plant was purchased and installed by Brother Alexis.] “…One classroom boasted a stove. During the cold days of winter a roaring fire made this class the haunt of all who wished to survive the northern blasts… “The school functioned successfully at Maesfen until September 1942, and good examination results were obtained with 9 out of 10 candidates passing the Oxford School Certificate very creditably.” With thanks to Peter Moore Dutton for supply of documents and letters 9

Winter at Maesfen Hall