TheNo.8 Autumn 2009Raven The quarterly magazine for the whole of

G Village News G Social Events G Parish Council News G Clubs & Societies G School & Church

Congratulations to the Best Kept Village team he Parish Council is delighted by the success of the team in winning ’s Community Spirit award and is supporting the team as it takes Rainow forward into the regional finals of Tthe Calor Village of the Year Competition. What this achievement means and information about the competitions appears later in this issue. Please, everyone, help the team to keep Rainow at the top of the league!

Footpaths & Map Board Local Area Partnerships (LAPs) You will soon start to see The LAP is the new body which links our local numbers corresponding to area to the new Cheshire East authority. There are the numbers on the 7 LAPs across Cheshire East; ours is known as Rainow Parish Paths Map the LAP and consists of 17 Town and appearing on the Parish Councils plus the unparished area of waymarks and footpath Macclesfield Town. The stated aims of the LAP signs throughout Rainow are: so that you can now be sure that you are on the A more effective and coordinated approach G correct path. Thank you to to tackling local needs. all the volunteers who are Improved engagement with citizens. G putting these in place. More responsive local management of services. G The new map board is Enhanced community governance. G now in place by the Trinity Enhanced community leadership role for G Garden and has been elected councillors. much admired by walkers Value for money. G and residents alike. The map and frame were paid for The membership of the LAP is still being finalised from the Rural Access Grant provided by Cheshire but presently consists of representatives of the Community Action and put in place by two of our Police, Fire and Rescue Service, Cheshire Peaks Councillors. & Plains Housing Trust, Town and Parish Remembrance Day Councils, Peak District NPA, Central & Eastern The Remembrance Day parade will be on Sunday, Cheshire Primary Care Trust, Cheshire 8 November this year. The procession will leave the Community Action, local schools (not private at Church at approximately 10.40 a.m. and return after present), the commercial sector, the voluntary a short service at the War Memorial. Traffic will be sector and a number of Cheshire East stopped during the two minutes silence at 11.00 a.m. Councillors. Harold Davenport who is a Cheshire East Councillor chairs the meeting. A number of Auditors Report local priority areas have been set up; clean The Council is pleased to announce that they have streets, getting children off the streets and rural received a clean report from the external and internal crime. Rainow Parish Council Chairman, Ken auditors for the year to 31 March 2009. Notice of Butler, has now attended the third of these conclusion of audit and right to inspect the annual assemblies and says that although it is early days return will be available on the notice boards and it would be fair to say progress is being made on website shortly. a number of initiatives. Ken reports that there is a good feeling about these meetings and the Highways Update coordinated approach to issues appears to be Councillors and Highways are aware of problems with working. Minutes of meetings should appear on the drainage on Sugar Lane since the resurfacing. the Cheshire East web site in the near future. Highways are in discussions with the Contractor. We also continue to chase Highways for action on potholes on Ravenhoe Lane and Stocks Lane. Civic Service We are also trying to get support from the Cheshire By the time the Raven appears, the second Civic Association of Local Service will have taken place on September 27 Councils for continuing with a large number of invited visitors. The Council the 30 mph signs to thank all the volunteers who provided cakes and include the rest of the sandwiches and prepared the school in readiness village. We are pushing for the service. for action on cutting Advertising in the Raven down motorcycle noise The Council are seeking advertisers to ensure the on Buxton Road and on continuation of the Raven. The income from the B5470. advertisements is key to the financing of the At last the official signs magazine, as the contribution from the Parish have appeared on Bull council is necessarily limited. If you would like to Hill to deter drivers of arish Council News advertise, or know a business which could, then larger commercial please contact Cllr Ian Brammer for more details. vehicles.

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Other Matters We have been trying to get the bin in the Pleasance replaced for some time now; this has happened but in the wrong place! The bin in the lay-by on Lidgetts Lane Welcome to will be replaced at some point over the next six months. (Unfortunately it was set on fire 3 times!).

Cheshire Wild Life Friendly Gardens Awards Cheshire Wildlife Trust is running a scheme to encourage everyone with a garden, no matter how small, to make it a haven for wildlife. Some of us already have a garden like this, not always intentionally! There will be bronze, silver and gold awards and plaques to all winners. There is even an award for a miniature wildlife garden in a The planter and winners of this award could see their garden aven on show at Tatton Park next year. All the details are on ur readersR know that Rainow is a great place to live. the website for Cheshire Wildlife Trust. Now not only we can boast that it is the village in OCheshire with the greatest community spirit but we E-News have independent confirmation of this by the expert If you would like to join Rainow E-NEWS and get all the judges of the Cheshire Community Pride Competition latest news and updates please email your address to (see the article which follows on Rainow’s success in this the Clerk at [email protected]. Agenda, minutes competition). The competition rules stress that “it is not and any notices are also available on the web site for about pretty window boxes and the village green”. Well, your information. we may not have a village green, we don’t have a bank or a shop and with our industrial history we aren’t the Dog Fouling pretty-pretty sort of village which features on Cotswold We continue to receive complaints calendars. But what we do have is a better place to live, about dog fouling on footpaths and taking account of what is on offer to everyone in the grass verges. It is OK to use the community. The judges looked for well-balanced, litterbins for dog waste. Please, enterprising, caring villages and communities that make please pick up your dog’s waste the most of local opportunities. They looked at a whole and keep our village a clean and range of activities in the village from the part local healthy place to live in.Thank you. businesses play to the facilities and services for young and older people, conservation and energy saving initiatives and communications – how people find out about what is going on. Future Council Meetings So what influenced the favourable decision? 20th October - Parish Council Meeting 8.00 p.m. The presence of the Church and Rainow School with all 17th November - Parish Council Meeting 8.00 p.m. their related activities, the existence of the Institute and 15th December - Parish Council Meeting 8.00 p.m. the facilities provided by the pubs all played a part. Certainly the Church Fete, the Scarecrow Fortnight and the Jazz Festival had an impact; certainly the village websites, the Church Magazine and, to blow our own trumpet, the Raven helped paint a picture of effective Your Parish Councillors efforts to keep everyone informed about what is happening. Carrying out the Parish Plan investigation Ken Butler (Chair) 433168 work had an impact – we were one of the earliest Mary Marsh (Deputy) 573508 villages to complete a plan and definitely one with a Ian Brammer 426059 professional approach and one which set great value on Alan Brett 576108 getting views from everyone. But at least as important were the visibility of the regular activities of all the young John Cantrell 422107 people’s groups (including the pre-school children), the Geoff Cooper 574878 meetings of the W.I, the way new residents are Vivienne Law 575201 welcomed with a cake, the emphasis on older people’s John Leigh 574327 welfare, the contribution of the villagers in supporting John Stagg 572816 charities, not forgetting Rainow NSPCC. So the Alan Taylor 575544 “hardware” of the village was relevant but the actions of Wendy Vernon 572812 all the people who make Rainow what it is were the crucial factors in the decision. Take a bow, all those Judy Wilkinson 614650 volunteers and everyone whose efforts have been Clerk: Sarah Giller 850532 recognised! And keep going to the National Final! [email protected] Borough Councillor for Rainow Editorial Team: Ian Brammer (01625 426059) Harold Davenport 01663 763986 Bob Langstaff (01625 573761) County Councillor for Rainow Tony Nicol (01625 421297) Sylvia Roberts 01625 575306 Design by Mel Wilcox (01625 576182)

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Rainow wins Cheshire Award! Now for the Nationals!

ainow has won the prestigious Community Spirit Competition for the whole of Cheshire. At the award ceremony on 24 September at RNorthwich, the team from Rainow collected a splendid plaque to be Restricted Byways put up in the village and the congratulations of the defeated finalists. The competition is an important part of Cheshire’s Community Pride – What are they? Competition, which has several elements including the Best Kept Village, a Countryside and Wildlife Award and Community Safety Award. Rainow was highly commended in the Community Spirit element last year and the team built on the experience this gave. Nevertheless, we have continued to compete for the Best Kept Village element of the prize again (no result yet, fingers crossed) and have achieved success in the past as the awards plaques opposite the church confirm. The judges for the award were impressed by the vibrancy they observed in Rainow and the way everybody seemed to get involved with what was going on. Of course, it helped that they came during the buzz of the Scarecrow Fortnight but it was the overall impression that counted. Seeing the volunteers serving tea in the Church Centre and the readiness of people in ince 2006 you may have seen signs like the village to talk to and help visitors was another plus point. The quality of Sthese on paths all over England and there the communications available in the village – the website, the Raven, the are lots in the Peak District. We have only Church Magazine and all the general exchange of views also played a part. one in Rainow but it’s an important route as it runs along Oakenbank Lane from Smithy Although the judges weren’t looking for a pretty- pretty village, the work of Lane to Lima Clough. the Best Kept Village team in encouraging everyone to keep the village looking cared for and in getting flowers around the place made an Byways like this one came into being because impression. The team (Liz Lawson, Val Taylor, Pam Dobson, Cathie Fallon of the impact of motor vehicles using and Pearl Taylor-Hannell) are keen to point out that “it wasn’t just us” but unsuitable tracks for recreational off-roading. they certainly were the catalyst in getting the rest of us to play our part. Before we had 4 x 4s it was simple – we had footpaths and bridleways. A footpath was a The icing on the cake was the award of a Little Gem certificate for the right of way on foot only and a bridleway had Pleasance Garden - thanks largely to the excellent work of Dave Hinks. right of way on foot and on horseback. But now the law is more complicated. There are Within days of the presentation of the award, the team were again in action byways open to all traffic (BOATS), which are representing Rainow in the regional finals of the Calor National Village of legally open to all traffic including the Year Competition. On the 28 September the judges for the national “mechanically propelled” vehicles even though competition came to see what the village offers on the bigger stage. they are defined as routes used mainly on foot The Raven went to press before the event but the affair had already been or horseback. But the restricted byway is a planned by a wider team of volunteers working against time after the result right of way on foot, on horseback on a bike or of the Cheshire Competition. any other “non-mechanically propelled vehicle In our next issue we’ll tell you how the plans actually worked out – and such as a horse-drawn carriage.” maybe we’ll also have an idea of how Rainow fared in the North West So now you know – it’s not for motorbikes or regional Finals! 4 x 4 s.

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Meet the Out of School Councillors by Mark Bertinshaw Name: GEOFF COOPER he end of the Summer term was busy as usual. Time on Council: 5 years TThe children (and Born: Rainow in March 1949 parents) greatly enjoyed the school barbecue, Star Sign: Aries especially the worm Interests include: Aviation, charming. The winning pair Self Taught Banjo managed to coax over eighty worms from their pitch! Home: Common Barn Farm We also said farewell to a Family: Jenny & Ian, Brett & Greg and group of outstanding pupils Grand Children as well as to Mrs Amis who began her well deserved Occupation: Farming retirement. Mrs Amis will Mrs. Amis heads for retirement Hobbies: have taught many of your Pub Quizzes, children over the years and will be greatly missed by all for her kindness and Country & dedication. Western We have been very pleased to welcome twenty five new pupils to our school. Music, They have settled very well into the Reception class and they are delighted to Classic Cars have the opportunity to use their new outdoor play area which includes a The photo of playhouse, stage and sandpit amongst other additions. Geoff was Finally, this October, Rainow School will be celebrating twenty-five years on its taken on his current site. We would like to commemorate this with a week of special activities farm with in school. If you have any memories of either of the old schools or recall the day Lamaload that school opened, we would greatly appreciate it if you would write a short in the note and drop it into school so that we can share it with the children. background.

Trinity Garden changes will benefit WI by Mary Meecham s anyone pausing in the village may have noticed, things are happening Ain the Trinity Garden. Rainow WI was thrilled recently to be successful in winning a grant of £1100 through the “Grassroots” scheme for the renovation and replanting of the community garden. The grant came through Cheshire Community Action, which operates the Grassroots grant scheme locally on behalf of the national initiative to support community activities and projects of all sorts. The scheme was publicised earlier this year by the Parish Council who helped with the application. Louise Baylis at work with her team Louise Baylis has been commissioned to draw up a new plan for the garden and months of 2010. So by next summer we planning and the carrying out of the has just started work. The project will be should all be able to get an idea of what major work and we thank her for her carried out in stages through the autumn the mature New Trinity Garden will look help. The new garden will be a real asset and into next year. The first job will be like. to the village, something for both the pruning or removal of some of the residents and passers-by to enjoy. So The dedicated band of WI gardeners has overgrown trees and shrubs and a when you go by, please look over the really struggled during the last year or journey to the compost heap for wall, have a chat if we are working, and two to keep some of the more everything else which is past its best. admire the results of many people’s aggressive weeds and plants under Establishing the new layout and endeavours. We are proud that our control, so is eagerly looking forward to importing fresh soil will follow, just in time community in general and the WI in more effective tending of the renewed to get spring-flowering bulbs into the particular were chosen for the award garden. We are fortunate to have “bones” of the new garden, filling in with which has enabled us to make a real Louise’s expertise at hand, both for the instant colour to cheer up the early improvement to the village centre.

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Rainow Church Fete & Scarecrow Fortnight Billy and Diane Moss’s field collecting the Oldfield Trophy (first local), was full of action through- Ralph Murray the Forbes Trophy (first out the afternoon with a veteran), Kirstin Bailey the WI Trophy great variety of stalls. (first lady), Seonaid Murray the Spearing Rainow School dancers Trophy (first local lady); George Moss entertained the crowd and and Rebecca Torr were first in their local band Hot Vestry under 11 age groups. “Beau”, Ashley gave a lively Stainton’s dog won the Best in Show. performance throughout the afternoon. Alan Brett As always, the village scarecrow turned train driver to competition was hotly contested with a provide fun for the large entry all round the village. The youngest with his new theme was “advertisements” and the layout. The tug of war winning entry “The Famous Grouse” teams attracted came, appropriately, from Gill Bird! partisan (and very Runner up was Steve Rathbone with, vocal) support and also appropriately, “Angel Delight” and The Robin Hood L Simon and Judy Bradshaw came in third adies put their backs intoclose it! battles resulted in wins for Picture :John Harvey The Rainow Pullers (ladies) and The with Yellow Page’s “Fly fishing by Rainow Volunteers. In the marquee the J.R.Hartley”. Michael and Hazel erhaps by divine intervention, on July usual excellent teas were provided and Greenall’s “Have a break, have a Kit-kat” 18 the skies cleared and a big crowd P this was the venue for the many indoor was voted first choice by the visiting enjoyed the annual Church Fete. competitions. public. (Pictures in Raven’s Eye View The afternoon began with the procession centre spread). led by Rose Queen Rachel Carter and Reuben Halsey won the fancy dress her attendants together with the visiting competition for the second year running At the end of yet another successful Rose Queens. A succession of colourful and the Millennium Cup for Sporting event, the profits amounted to over floats followed the Davyhulme Scout Achievement went to Lorraine Moss. The £3,500. This sum will be divided between Band into the arena and the 2009 Mayor, Kerridge Climb attracted a strong entry the MAST Appeal, Church equipment, Mrs. Janet Norman, arrived in style in a with Simon Bailey winning the Jubilee village Youth Organisations and the classic MG Magnette. Trophy (first overall), Callum Murray Older People’s Welfare.

Haymaking at Dane Bent HarropRainow Fold Farm Tel: 01625 560085

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An Evacuee in Rainow

Above : Harry Shaw Haymaking at Calrow Fold Farm

two slept at the top and one at the Calrow Fold was a lovely place to stay. t this time of the anniversary of bottom. Unfortunately one of the girls wet I had quite a chintzy bedroom. I the outbreak of the Second the bed, not a pleasant experience for remember a china swan on the window AWorld War it is timely to publish any of us. Another strange thing was they sill; what I wasn’t very happy about was in the “Raven” the account of Pat only had dining chairs for the family, so that there wasn’t any electricity so that oil Rogers who now lives on the Fylde, that we had to stand at the table during lamps were the only means of lighting the and who sent us her memories of her meal times. This situation made me house. There was a candle in my time as a child evacuee in Rainow. giggle. I was only eight after all! bedroom, but for safety reasons this was At that time Pat was eight year old extinguished once I was in bed. I was a Patricia Lees, from Manchester. My Mum visited me at the end of the first very nervous child, and terrified of the Pat opens her story… week which incidentally was the only dark. When the Shaw’s left the house to week I was to spend in Pott Shrigley. My do the evening milking this was quite an “I remember standing on the platform of Mum quickly gathered up my belongings ordeal for me even though I had the London Road Station, Manchester, along not forgetting my gas mask and label and assurance of the oil lamp. I used to curl with many other children waiting some- whisked me back to the Billeting Officer, up in a large plush chair, cover my head, what impatiently for the train to take us to who then took us by car to Calrow Fold and pray that they wouldn’t be away too Macclesfield. We were evacuees. Farm, which lay along Calrofold Lane in long. Rainow. I thought it must look a bit like I thought this was to be the start of a Switzerland, and some months later, To be continued in the next issue. great adventure as I stood with my case, when the snow arrived, it really did. gas mask around my neck and identification label attached to a The farmer and his wife, Harry and Ellen buttonhole on my coat. I was so excited Shaw didn’t have any children of their that I was barely aware of my poor Mum, own but they were very kind to me, not in along with all the other Mums crying as a touchy-feely way, just in a caring way. the steam train started to pull away, and I always addressed them as Mr. and Mrs. then I was crying. Shaw, that’s how they liked it. I made friends with the two children from a farm I remember arriving at a church hall on Calrofold Lane, Lynette and Jimmy where a number of ladies greeted us and Ford, and when the snow arrived we had gave us all a large block of chocolate. a wonderful time. My uncle Norman Mine didn’t last very long, but it certainly made me a super sledge, unfortunately it helped to stop the tears. There was quite arrived just one day too late, but I still a lot of confusion as to who was going played with it well into spring on the where. Two girls and I from my class at grassy slopes. Green End Primary School were selected to go together to a farm cottage I attended Rainow Wesleyan School in at Pott Shrigley. The cottage had only two the village – attended being the operative bedrooms; the couple who lived there word. I can’t remember doing very much with their son who was about two years in the way of lessons, but I was elected to old occupied one of the bedrooms, whilst be the story teller for the class when the we three evacuees shared the second teacher, whose name escapes me, was one. There was just one single bed, so busy elsewhere, which was very often.

7 ilkinson er, Barbara W ramm a B vey show off theird onwares Sheil ole Har and Car . ore the locusts.I. stalldescende bef the W Dogs spo tted before the Dog Show . The Raven’ s Eye View

. The Green s done all’s Kit-K at men p with visito rove d most po rs. pular John Cantrell shows how it’

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Steve Rathbone Gill Bir ’s angels deligh d’s Winnin ted the judges g Fowl (second place) n’ s Eye View

R J.R.Hartley end ebuil the L t af s his sear awson ter the July rain ’s bear sur with 3r ch on Sugar L global challen d p vive , rize. ane d the ge.

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x q h e Jazz

Cate Wood, Suzy Shackleton and Claire Sutton Some potential supporters, too, for her efforts in providing help were hesitant about stumping up throughout the week-end and Luke How was it for tickets in advance for what was and Lulu Holland, who cleared an unknown quantity – would the their barn for the jazz picnic on the bands be good, would the weather Sunday, played a big part in for you? be alright? But from the first gig it making that day so successful. was clear the support was there Will there be another Rainow Jazz and the event became a sell-out nce the dust had settled, that Festival? Maybe once every two as the jazz enthusiasts rolled in. was the question we asked the years? Well the ice has been The bands were certainly good organisers of Rainow’s first Jazz broken – but more hardy O enough. One listed its forthcoming Festival. The answer was, swimmers are needed to join the engagements as “Ronnie Scott’s, “it was hard work but great fun!” It was pioneers in the water. The original Rainow, Glastonbury!” The certainly great fun for anyone who team can be persuaded to set to weather didn’t hamper events – went to any of the events but all the work again, but only if more like- even the Jazz Picnic day turned hard work fell on the shoulders of the minded people will come forward out dry - and somehow people organisers – particularly Cate Wood, to take on some of the work. If you were packed into the venues. Ruth Parker, Suzy Shackleton and were hesitant before this year’s Claire Sutton. In the final analysis, the organisers event proved that “we can” but just broke even, but only because now have the confidence to join in, The idea of launching a jazz event in the Festival was run with tight cost then get in touch with one of the Rainow first crystallised only in controls and because some people original team (via the Raven if you February this year and none of those supported the event by providing like) involved had any experience of free or reduced price services. running an event like this. The hard The organisers also want feedback Being able to have the work began immediately; finding the from people who went to the communications provided by bands, finding the venues, seeking events or who have ideas on what Janhill Properties helped, as did sponsors, designing a website and could have been done differently. the support of all the sponsors and promotional material, working out the A final word from one of the team advertisers in the programme, ticket prices and finding outlets to sell “it was the most expensive and particularly the Rainow-based tickets. exhausting party I’ve ever run!” businesses Moorland Adventure Before the event, experienced jazz and Boxtots. Karen, the landlady buffs said that achieving a financial of the Robin Hood, came in break-even would be a considerable for special praise achievement for the organisers. As the week-end of the Festival approached and ticket sales were slow, the worries grew; the organisers had no grant and any shortfall would have to be made good from their own pockets. Financial pressures combined with all the worries any organiser of an event has – will the performers turn up on time, will enough people come or will we be swamped, will the venues be good enough, where will people stay overnight?

Sax tuition at the school

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Success for Rainow Artists Recipe of the Month acclesfield solicitors Jobling MGowler launched their first art Helen Bennett’s competition earlier this year in conjunction with the Three Shires Textile Pasta with Festival. The theme was “silk” and the Tuna and Anchovies winner of the prestigious Best Textile category was Rainow’s talented felt (Serves 3 – 4) artist Suzy Shackleton with her exhibit “Mulberry Forest”. Regrettably, the work is too subtly coloured to reproduce here in black and white, but the fact that it was sold almost immediately tells how deeply appealing the artwork is.

Highly Commended in the same category was Claire de Ruiter’s exquisite creation entitled “The Memory Keeper’s Shoes”. Also prominently featured throughout the Three Shires Very quick to make; has saved my life Textile Festival in Macclesfield Town Hall was Claire’s now-famous installation, more than once! Doubled – up will Journeys, in which the life-size dry stone serve a crowd. wall is actually made of felt. Ingredients

Top: The Memory Keeper’s Shoes 350g penne or other tubular pasta by Claire De Ruiter 4 tablespoons olive oil 50g butter Left: Suzy Shackleton 198g can tuna, drained 47g can anchovy fillets Computer & I.T. Solutions Salt and Pepper for home or office To garnish - 2 x 15ml sp. finely chopped parsley Commonside Farm Ecton Avenue, Buxton Road, Macclesfield Optional extras, added to taste SK10 1RB Thinly sliced olives Contact STUART [email protected] Chopped flesh of plum tomatoes or lightly grilled cherry tomatoes 01625 669750 or 07770315443 Pinch of chilli flakes

Method

1. Cook pasta. A few minutes before it is “al dente” make the sauce.

2.Heat oil and butter in saucepan and add tuna and anchovies. Mash together with a fork and cook until well heated. (Add any “extras”)

3.Season – salt may not be needed but use plenty of freshly ground black pepper.

4. Drain pasta, mix in the sauce and sprinkle with parsley.

5. Serve immediately. Do not be Richard Buckley T/A Travelbreeze, Higher Fold Farm, Rainow Road, Macclesfield tempted to add parmesan cheese.

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Further (in)Experiences of a New Farmer by Andrew Renshaw of the Rainow Countryside Group

n this, my second year of farming, some small degree of agricultural Iknowledge is being acquired. The feeling of being a fish out of water (or should it be a sheep out of pasture) is not quite as pronounced as it was last year. With this greater experience comes an increasing respect for the judgement and tenacity of those who farm for their livelihood. One of the difficult areas of judgement is when to make hay.

Much depends on the weather of course. pass, the most difficult and most likely to must be carefully adjusted to operate A period of fine weather for five or six cause damage, is made with the mower properly. A case of “if all else fails, read days will allow grass to be cut, tedded against the field edge. This requires some the instructions”. This also has two rotors several times, baled and carted. Easily judgement. If the mower is too close to but these have spring loaded tines which stated, but this summer there has been the edge, steering away causes the lift and stir the grass. In the ‘tedding’ very little such opportunity. However I was mower to swing closer. Once in that position, the machine is adjusted for wide able to use my new drum-mower in July manner a situation somehow arose where rows for maximum drying but a ‘rowing- to cut two fields, which made about 600 to go forward or to reverse would cause up’ position gives a higher but narrower small bales. The mower, which is on the damage with the mower firmly against a row for the baler to pick up. Tedding is 3-point hitch behind the tractor, swings to dry stone wall. Looking furtively around, usually done several times and, as the its operating position to the right of the hoping this incompetence was not being grass dries, there develops a rustling tractor viewed from the rear. It leaves the observed, I could only proceed. The wall sound from the grass in the rotors more or cut grass in a row with clear margins at against which the mower rested, obligingly less proportional to the state of dryness. either side which correspond more or less moved a little, luckily without falling, with Sound judgement is required to gauge the to the tractor wheels on subsequent just a bit of red paint left upon it to tell the state of readiness of the grass. For hay it passes. So as to run the tractor as much tale. On the mower two rotating drums should be somewhat drier than for as possible on these clear margins, the carry the cutting blades which are better haylage and, as the year progresses, first cut in a field is made with the tractor suited to cutting grass than stone. I it loses its nutritive value and becomes against the field edge and running in an discovered this having hit a large ‘stalky’. Several types of grass and weeds anti-clockwise direction. This runs the coping-stone hidden in the grass. The can be found in meadows, some grass tractor on uncut grass with the mower noise was indescribable but when my types such a brome being unpalatable to towards the centre of the field. heart returned to something like a normal stock. Subsequent passes are made in a clock- rate I found the blades somewhat worn wise direction running on the clear areas, but, to my astonishment, intact. Having made some big bales recently, thus generating another row. After four or haymaking is finished for this year at Back so such passes it becomes impossible to To help the grass to dry to make either the o’th’ Crofts and with a lot of helpers but mow the corners properly so the mower is conventional small hay bales or for the big with much hindrance from the weather raised at the ends and some of the mown wrapped haylage bales, a ‘haybob’ is this has been reasonably successful. To grass is run over to get to the next row used. This somewhat ‘Heath Robinson’ all those who helped and advised my when the mower is lowered. The last looking device is actually very effective but grateful thanks!

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The Plotters by John Cantrell

chance conversation between two the veg is proving to be of very high friends resulted in an arrangement quality and plentiful. Our arrangement Ato share a plot of earth, some hard has worked well, resulting in a good days work and hopefully supply of vegetables for our families to vegetables that taste out of this world! share for the coming winter! Meet the Plotters: John Cantrell (left) As a result of climate change, I think and Andrew de Ruiter. For 2009 we that growing your own vegetables will started modestly, growing potatoes, become a practice that most families onions, parsnips, beetroot, carrots, will do as a normal routine. For those cabbage, broccoli and broad beans. people who do not have their own plot We grew our vegetables using organic of land or people who have land but principles and using methods and good lack time or experience, sharecropping practices from a book by Brian Furner could well provide an ideal route. called Good Crops From Your Allotment. For 2010 Andrew and I hope to compile As much as growing vegetables, our a scheme to bring more plotters plan was to see how sharecropping together! worked. And now that autumn has arrived and we are harvesting our crop,

Out & About with the Cubs by Sue Grimes

Don’t look behind you boys! Stuck in the mud - who cares! hinking back to the Summer, our the city by a witch looking for ghosts and Sue Hadfield A bewitching various activities went very well and then stayed at the Youth Hostel. for running the bar so well. guide! with a particular favourite being the The next day we went to the Crocky T It is now back to holding the majority snorkelling at Beech Hall. It was the Trail which was also great fun. (It is a of meetings inside, although we one I liked best too – the only noise sort of assault course with slides, have already visited Urban 51 being the occasional bubble bursting to obstacles and rides) at Macclesfield Leisure the surface… bliss!! At Astbury Water Back at home, we dressed up as 118 Centre, which involved Park we could have done with a little 118 for the fete and won second prize. a number of more wind for some of the sailing, but I Our Barn Dance on the same evening challenges was impressed by how quickly the Cubs was, as before, a great success, even and new skills. learnt the ropes and disappeared off though the weather wasn’t very kind to across the lake by themselves. One of our targets this us. We raised around £1,400 and gave term is to gain our Chefs We enjoyed our weekend in Chester; Rainow NSPCC £500. A big thank you Badge. we went to the Zoo, were shown round to Luke and Lulu Holland for their Barn Carole Harvey Telemarketing

New Business Development

Appointment Setting

Telephone Marketing

22 Millers Meadow, Rainow, Macclesfield 01625 573576 [email protected]

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A personal and reliable Painting and FAMILY BUTCHERS Decorating service, Palmerston Street, by a local, experienced Studio/Gallery@Kerridge End craftsman. Tel: 01625 572202 FOR FREE ESTIMATES CALL Cesterbridge Cottage Kerridge End Rainow 114 Wellington Road, 01625-821783 Bollington Telephone: 01625 612478 or 07954 326863 Tel: 01625 573172 54 Sugar Lane, Rainow, Macclesfield, 5 Fountain Place, Poynton www.janeosmond.net Cheshire. SK10 5UJ Tel: 01625 872154 JOHN LEIGH (PLUMBING) Plumbing & Heating Engineer

Oil & Gas N Gas Safe Registered Kerridge End Holiday Cottages 2 Hough Close, Rainow, Rainow's Only 5 Star Self Catering Holiday Cottages Cheshire's Only Green Tourism Silver Award winning Cottages Macclesfield, Cheshire SK10 5UN N The Hayloft sleeps 6 N The Coach House sleeps 4 N The Stables sleeps 2 For details of each cottage see: Telephone: Home (01625) 574327 www.kerridgeendholidaycottages.co.uk Email enquiries: [email protected] Mobile: 07885 819031 Telephone enquiries: 01625 424220

ROY McCARTHY Coaches for every occasion 35 - 70 Seaters Please call us for our 2009 brochure with details of our holiday tours and day excursions

Tel: Macclesfield (01625) 425060 www.roymccarthycoaches.co.uk THE COACH DEPOT N SNAPE ROAD N MACCLESFIELD

Common Barn Holiday Cottages

Wellington Road, Bollington SK10 5JR G For jazz G For comedy G For chamber music For your FREE copy G For professional & amateur email us at: [email protected] Self Catering Holiday Cottages and B&B in the Peak District situated on a traditional theatre productions working sheep farm, ideally located for G For talks exploring the magnificent scenery. We enjoy G For art exhibitions excellent open countryside with far-reaching views over the Cheshire Plain. We have 5 G For poetry readings To advertise in this space B&B rooms, plus 2 self catering holiday G For rehearsal space cottages in tastefully converted stone barns. We also run a tea shop on the farm, open daily. G For classes G For hire call Ian Brammer on For more details please visit: For more information visit our website: www.commonbarnfarm.co.uk www.bollingtonartscentre.org.uk 01625 426059 or 01625 574878 or ring 573863 14

What’s On in Rainow and Bollington OCTOBER 2009 3 8.00pm Jazz at the Arts Centre Bollington Arts Centre Richard Leach’s Seven Stars of Jazz £8 Ring 01625 574410 7 10.00pm Bridgend Centre - Longer Walk Bridgend Centre, Ribbon of History Revisited 5-6 miles Bollington 7 7.00pm Rainow NSPCC Clothes Swap Evening Cesterbridge House, Tickets £3.50 to include wine/coffee. Kerridge End, Rainow Contact Sheila Brammer 01625 426059 9 7.30pm Ploughman’s Harvest Supper Rainow Church Centre Adults £6, children £3 Tel: 01625 420197 9 7.30pm The Derbyshire Houdini Bollington Arts Centre £5 & £3 pay on the door 12 7.30pm Rainow WI Open Meeting Rainow Institute Pollyanna Pickering – Land of the Sleeping Dragon. Visitors welcome 14 10.30am Bridgend Centre - Easy Walk Bridgend Centre, in conjunction with Age Concern. About 2 miles Bollington 20 7.30pm Mothers Union Rainow Church Centre Country Houses & Gardens – Malcolm Whithers 21 10.30am Bridgend Centre - Moderate Walk Bridgend Centre, led by Macclesfield Rangers – about 3 miles Bollington 23 8.00pm The Mikron Theatre -Tales of the Thames Bollington Arts Centre Tickets £9/£8 Tel. 01625 574687 24 8.00am Bollington Chamber Concerts Bollington Arts Centre, The Navarra Quartet s On Tickets £12/£6 Tel. 01625 560355 or 575287 28 10.30am Bridgend Centre - Easy Walk Bridgend Centre, in conjunction with Age Concern. About 2 miles Bollington 31 11.00 - 4.00pm Craft Fair Bollington Arts Centre NOVEMBER 2009 1 2.00pm The Tin Cup – For everyone aged 5 to 105! Bollington Arts Centre Kristin Hurst movement, masks puppets & music. Tickets £8/£5, families of 4 £22. Tel. 01625 573413 4 10.00am Bridgend Centre - Longer Walk Bridgend Centre, Bee Happy Trail 5-6 miles Bollington 6 8.00pm Bolly Comedy Club - Tel. 01625 560774 Bollington Arts Centre 7 8.00pm Jazz at the Arts Centre Bollington Arts Centre Harlem Hot Stompers £8 Ring 01625 574410 9 7.30pm Rainow WI - AGM followed by cheese and wine Rainow Institute 11 10.30am Bridgend Centre - Easy Walk Bridgend Centre, in conjunction with Age Concern. About 2 miles Bollington 13 7.30pm Mothers Union Christmas Crafts Workshop Rainow Church Centre Claire de Ruiter 20 8.00pm Rainow Pre-School’s “Gifts Galore Evening” Rainow Institute An array of stalls. £3.50 incl. Glass of wine. Contact Katherine Beswick 01625 573809 21 8.00pm Bollington Chamber Concerts Bollington Arts Centre The Solstice String Quartet £12/£6 Tel. 01625 560355 or 575287 DECEMBER 2009 11 7.30 - 11.00pm Christmas Disco Party Dance Rainow Institute Tickets £10 to include supper. Contact John Stagg 01625 572816 12 11.00 - 4.00pm Christmas Market Rainow Church Centre Contact John Stagg 01625 572816 14 7.30pm Rainow WI - Christmas Party Rainow Institute

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.

15 What’

Walks for All; Rambles in Rainow by Waywiser This is one of the classic Rainow walks – walk along the road for about 50 yards even though some of it is in Higher until you are about to pass Redway Hurdsfield and some in Kerridge! It takes House (the two houses here were once you through delightful wooded paths on the Redway Inn). Look for the signpost for the west side of Kerridge and brings you and follow the ridged back via the climb to White Nancy and the concrete road upwards to the brow. Here dramatic ridge of Kerridge Hill. there is another sign (The ) Park in Calrofold Lane (making sure you pointing up and to the right ascending a leave room for the milk tanker to pass). rough stony track. Ahead you see the Alternatively take the bus to Kerridge End black tip of White Nancy rising above the or Kerridge Road. hillside. Start by walking down the main B5470 Soon you can take a welcome breather towards Macclesfield to its junction with on the stone slabs by the monument. Is it Kerridge Road. Turn right and follow a monument for the Battle of Waterloo? Kerridge Road to a point where a track Or simply the former summer house of bears to the left down a farm track sign- the Ingersley Hall gentry? Either way it is posted to Lower Swanscoe Farm. This is a splendid view point. To the north the path HH4 and it has very recently been whole of Bollington is spread out below diverted to the east of Lower Swanscoe you with the Adelphi Mill on the left and and Swanscoe Farms. Clarence Mill rising just beyond the canal. To the east is Ingersley Hall. Now we are Just before the farm gate to Lower back on a Rainow path (90) and keeping Walk 4: Kerridge View Swanscoe Farm turn right through a to the Saddle of Kerridge you soon come Map: Rainow Parish Paths wooden kissing gate to cross the field by to views of Rainow very like those you get the plentiful new marker posts up to the from the air. Distance: approx 3 miles (4.8 km) tarmac drive. Turn left out of the wooden about 130m gate and after 30 yards leave the tarmac On the right Bridge Quarry is visible with Ascent: the white and yellow spread of the Astra Going: Good tracks, some road by turning right through a new gate leading along the contour of the hill. At the Zeneca pharmaceutical production walking, with one steepish climb and next gate go to the right onto a raised buildings beyond. Keep straight on at the one muddy spot trackway. This leads along a leafy lane to stile and pass the trig point at the highest point (313 m). Soon the track becomes Time: 2 hours join a stony track at a farm gate (often very muddy here). Endon Hall will be rougher down through the remains of a Calrofold Start and Finish: seen down to the left, then the track leads small quarry before taking a steady down- Lane, Rainow to Endon House. Continue straight ahead ward run to meet Lidgett’s Lane and the with Endon House on your left, along a B5470 on the left. Turn right to get back to Footpath numbers relate to the Rainow Calrofold Lane. Parish Paths map. paved track (Bo26) which soon passes a gate to become a tarmac lane leading Route to Lower Swanscoe past the cottages of Cheshire View. Just before the lane drops down into Oak Lane, Kerridge, keep your eyes peeled for the sign pointing to the right between the last cottages. This looks like someone’s private path but you will soon see the familiar Yellow Cheshire Footpath sign on a large stone set in the middle of the path. Continue along a delightful paved path running below the cottage gardens to reach the tarmac road in front of the Redway cottages. Through the tall and potentially leg-breaking stone stile, turn right and

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Turn right here Approaching Redway cottages Rainow from Kerridge Ridge 16