TheNo.17 Winter 2011 aven RThe quarterly magazine for the whole of

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

The Parish Council would like to wish everyone a very.... Happy and Peaceful Christmas and New Year Very BestWishes for 2012 Winter Gritting Signage We have asked that the bins already in place at We are endeavouring to get Highways to improve the Rainow Primary School, Chapel Lane near Millers signage for Bull Hill and hopefully prevent HGVs from Meadow, the stone bin on Lidgetts Lane, Millers using the road. Meadow (near Spinney), Sugar Lane at the junction Community Pride Competition Hough Close and on Berristall Lane be kept filled. Rainow has received the “Little Gem” award in this Highways are also depositing 1/2 tonne sacks of salt year’s competition for Trinity Gardens and Highly mix at strategic locations in the parish to assist when Commended for the Raven newsletter. the weather is particularly wintery. They will be dropped on the verge as they are and the salt can be spread Civic Service from the sack. We have asked for sacks at the top of The Civic Service was once again a great success Sugar Lane, top of Round Meadow near telephone with Steve Rathbone providing, as ever, a splendid kiosk, Berristall Lane (should the bin not be filled), service. Brass Band accompanied the Tower Hill and mid-point of Kiskill Lane. In addition, choir and congregation with the hymns. Amongst the Tom Briggs will continue to salt Round Meadow, Millers guests were the Mayor of East Roger West, Meadow and Sugar Lane. We have also asked town Mayor Cllr Graham Hibbert, Cllr Harold whether Stocks Lane could be added to the gritting list Davenport , Mayor of Martin Hardy, so hopefully we will be well covered this winter. Please Town Mayor Bryan Lewis, Councillor Hilda Gaddum, David Rutley MP and note that the salt from bins and sacks is for use on the Graham Evans MP. road and pathways only. If you need to salt your own drive then please get in your own supply. Cheshire East Mayor Roger West Speed Indicator Device (SID) and Poynton Town We are nearly in a position to begin deployment of the Mayor Bryan Lewis SID. The police are completing arrangements for its deployment with us and with a number of our neighbouring villages who want to be a part of this scheme. The deployment may be accompanied by a mobile camera initially. The Fire Service and Cheshire Peaks and Plains have allocated some funding towards the cost of the scheme. In Rainow the SID will be deployed along the B5470. Advertisers for the Raven The Council are seeking more advertisers to help Rose Queen Amy ensure the continuation of the newsletter. If you are and Lady interested in advertising then please contact: Ian in Waiting Rachel Brammer for more details ([email protected]). and her Rose Buds E-News Representatives from If you would like to join Rainow E-NEWS and get all Parish Council and Parish Council also the latest news and updates please email your attended. The boys and girls from Beavers, Cubs, address to the Clerk at [email protected]. Scouts, Brownies and Guides along with the Rose Agenda, minutes and any notices are also available on Queen Amy Warrington and her attendants made the the website for your information. event even more special. Vandalism Once again the Council would like to say a big thank The Parish Council would ask everyone in the you to all villagers who joined in to help make the Civic community to keep vigilant. Please do notify the Police Service such a successful event - we could not make of any acts of vandalism to your property as well as this possible without your help. Particularly thank you to all members of the Women’s Institute who provided keeping the Parish Council involved by notifying the cakes and to all members of the Parish Council who Clerk. We would also remind you that if you see any made the sandwiches. damage to local seats, fencing, bus shelters and so on, please contact the Clerk so that we can get repairs Brownies, put in place as soon as possible. If the item is not the Cubs responsibility of the Parish Council, we can pass the and request on to the relevant authority. Scouts arriving

arish Council News Police non-emergency contact number Tel: 101 at Homewatch contact number Tel: 01606 362725 Rainow Parish Council contact number Tel: 01625 850532 School

P 2 Photos of the event are available on the village website

Christmas Tree Please take a look out for our Christmas Tree this year, supplied free by Cheshire East Council. Unfortunately, due to cuts, this is likely to be the last year we will receive our free Welcome to tree. At the suggestion of the vicar we organised a last minute tree lighting and Christmas Carol service on 4th December. Tea and cake provided by the church. If this proves successful we hope to carry on with this tradition. We would like to thank everyone who has helped with the installation, especially Bill Bennett who not only helped to put up the lights, but also supplies the electricity to power them. Silk FM Local Hero Award 2011 The awards ceremony was held at the end of November to The recognise the Local Heroes in our community. The Parish Council nominated a number of local residents including aven Isobel Christiansen for the Keith Alexander award. This oday’s twentyR four page Raven owes part of its award recognises sporting inspiration and is in memory of success to the Big Lottery Fund which generously the late Keith Alexander. Congratulations to Isobel for Tgave us support for twelve months to enable us to add winning the accolade (see report later in the Raven). more wildlife articles and colour pictures in the centre Annual Parish Meeting - 8.30 pm 20th March 2012 spread. The support from the Fund ends with this issue but This may seem a little early, but before we know it we will be the money which helped us expand the magazine has also working on our March Newsletter. Every year the Parish been instrumental in persuading more advertisers to come Council holds an Annual Parish Meeting where all Rainow forward and taken us closer to financial self-sufficiency. Residents are welcome to come and meet Councillors and To continue with the larger and - readers tell us - better find out how they are working on your behalf. You can come magazine we need to maintain our advertising base and and raise any points you wish, concerning life in your village. further develop it. Our advertising rates are the same as We also welcome any suggestions you may have for the they were when we began, four years ago, and are enhancement of village life. attractive but we depend on our readers to encourage existing advertisers to remain with us and to seek out new Precept Arrangements and Requirements for 2012/13 advertisers for us. If we can add just a modest number of Cheshire East Council is due to fix its Tax Base for the accounts we can continue with the magazine we have financial year 2012/13 by Resolution on 15th December. The Tax Base for our Parish/Town Council area is likely to become accustomed to since the spring of this year. be £593.64. Our precept request for this year will be Please do your best to keep the Raven flying high! unchanged at £10,000 and therefore would result in a Band The Raven goes to every household in Rainow without D Council Tax of £16.85. charge and that will continue to be the case in the future. More people from outside the area, particularly parents of children who attend Rainow School and Pre-school, are now asking for copies and they are asked to pay £1.00 a Your Parish Councillors copy which helps to keep the costs down for those who Ken Butler (Chairman) 433168 support us through the Rainow precept. [email protected] The Raven remains a vehicle for everyone in and around Alan Taylor (Vice Chairman) 575544 Rainow to put in their two-penn’orth and we want more [email protected] letters, articles and photos. The Village Forum provides Richard Balment 573625 space for moans and brickbats as well as praise so let’s [email protected] have your contribution! Alan Brett 576108 [email protected] Editorial Team for this issue: John Cantrell 422107 [email protected] Ian Brammer Sheila Brammer Kate Kilpatrick Bob Langstaff Geoff Cooper 574878 Louise Leigh Jane Mellings [email protected] Raph Murray Andrew Renshaw Sue Frith 573802 Design by Mel Wilcox (01625 576182) [email protected] Carole Harvey 573576 [email protected] Vivienne Law 575201 Future Meetings - All members of the public are welcome [email protected] Mary Marsh 573508 20th December 2011 21st February 2012 [email protected] 17th January 2012 Pat Mellish 574523 All Parish Meetings commence at 8.00 pm at Rainow Institute [email protected] Andrew Renshaw 574977 Dates for your diary [email protected] Clerk: Sarah Giller 850532 20th March 2012 - Parish Council Meeting - 7.00 pm [email protected] 20th March 2012 - Annual Parish Council Meeting - 8.30 pm

Cover Photo: Mike Lynch 3

Royal Oak for Rainow!

n November the WI held a coffee morning at Rainow Church Centre to Imark the planting of the 105 trees awarded to the village by the Woodland Trust’s Community Tree planting scheme. This event arose out Foolproof of Rainow WI’s support for the UK-wide project “Women Reaching Women” which is raising awareness of the ecipe of the Month Mince Pie consequences of climate change and of R Pastry the serious effect it has on the lives of Ingredients women in the developing world. In 14 oz Plain Flour many countries climate change is 2 oz Cornflour producing a devastating lack of water in 2 oz Caster Sugar some areas and unpredictable flooding in others. That may not be happening 1/2 oz Baking Powder here but trees have a key role in 5 oz Lard reducing CO2 in the atmosphere - hence 5 oz Hard Margarine Rainow WI’s support for the project. 1 2 /2 fl oz Boiling Water The new planting means that not only are they replacing felled trees but Method promoting an increase overall. WI Rose Queen Amy Warrington plants member Ann Lewis approached the 1. Mix the dry ingredients together and the commemorative oak tree rub in the fats. Woodland Trust to gain their support for tree planting in Rainow and with help 2. Mix with the boiling water. from John Stagg invited local landowners to take part in the scheme. There was 3. Chill in fridge overnight and divide an excellent response and as a result new trees are being planted in eight into four before rolling out thinly. places throughout the village. The trees are very small at present and are 4. Use to make mince pies in your protected by spirals and canes generously provided by KRIV and the Parish usual way. Council. For the coffee morning Mary Meecham created a display to illustrate the 5. Bake in hot oven (200 degrees). kinds of tree being planted and the locations chosen. 6. Makes about 36 mince pies. One special oak tree, grown from seed from one of the Royal Estates, was planted in Rainow Churchyard by Rainow Rose Queen Amy Warrington (photo) to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Hopefully Amy and the other children of the village will be able to watch this tree and the birch, ash, rowan and cherry trees planted elsewhere in Rainow grow to maturity. Zach Wilcox Gardening & Maintenance Meet the Councillors Name: SUE FRITH G Weekly Garden Maintenance Time on Council: First year G Dry Stone Walling Born: Macclesfield G Tree Felling Home: Stocks Lane, Rainow Family: Husband - Paul, daughters Natalie and Gabbi. G Hedge Cutting Occupation: Customer Care at Macclesfield Hospital. G Gutter Clearing Involved with Multiplastics Europe based in . & Replacement Chairman of Rainow NSPCC Flag Laying Hobbies and interests: Travel, fitness, drama and local G community. G Fencing My life in Rainow started in 1976 when I joined Rainow Players, G Snow Clearing the local drama group. Paul and I then purchased our first house in Rainow for just under £11,000 and got married in the same year 1977 - how times have changed! My vision for the future of Rainow is to take us back a few years and enjoy our village, be proud of our village and maintain our village standards. It is so lovely to meet people old and young who actually love to be here, want to be here and see a future for the 01625 576182 village of Rainow. We have great community spirit and have lots of dedicated people who Mob : 07758 249587 have a great interest in village life and wish to maintain our unique originality and history, that is why our village is so special. 58 Sugar Lane, Rainow I am very proud to represent Rainow as one of your new councillors.

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Family countdown to a merry local -time Jane Mellings reportsChristmas on her survey ooking for something new to do over the Christmas holidays? Earlier this month we polled 50 or so local families asking them to share their favourite local Christmas experiences and suggestions with us. LWe've digested the replies we got into the little list on this page from which there is, hopefully, something for everyone! Obviously ideas of 'local' differ widely, and our suggestions in fact span a radius of 20 or so miles. Therefore we've used local bias as our reason to rank and listed our favourite ten suggestions in reverse of their proximity to the Rainow Christmas tree.

JJs Sensory Play Centre – 3 miles 1 Manchester Christmas Markets – 19 miles 6 Open every day until 21st December the Manchester If you have babies and toddlers in need of a 'multi- Christmas markets have become a pre-christmas treat for sensory' treat, then a visit to the Sensory Play Centre many Rainow families, where the bright lights and bustle are on Snape Road comes highly recommended, especially a marked change from village life. Wooden chalets line the if the weather is horrible. JJs has just enjoyed a streets, selling a huge range of European and local produce. refurbishment, and it too is playing host to Father Details of locations and opening times can be found at Christmas (every day from Tuesday 20th December).This www.manchester.gov.uk/info/500004/events/5289/ is certainly one to pre-book. www.jjsplaycentre.co.uk manchester_christmas_markets/1

Carols Round the Tree - Bollington – 3 miles 7 Lots of our polled families reminisced about carol 2 Castleton – 16 miles singing in Bollington on Christmas Eve. Wrap up warm Castleton has a very magical atmosphere at Christmas- and be at the Town Hall by 6pm, to be accompanied by the time when its streets are lined with Christmas trees making Brass Band and LOTS of other people. Look for photos on it perfect for a late afternoon family visit; “We go for a glass www.flikr.com under Bollington Carols of mulled wine/hot chocolate in the Three Roofs Cafe (opposite the main car park) and then wander down the Christingle Celebration, Hurdsfield – 2 miles main high street”, enthused one of our polled families. 8 On Christmas Eve, at 4pm, Holy Trinity Church, There's a Santa's grotto too, plus carols by candlelight in Hurdsfield run a service especially for children. both the Treak Cliff and Peak Caverns. Details can be found One contributor described it as a “lovely reflective at: www.visitcastleton.co.uk/christmas-2011-c44.html pause in the often crazy goings on of Christmas Eve; it's a very special moment when all the children hold their lit The Pantomime at Buxton Opera House – 11 miles Christingles”. www.hthmacc.com 3 A trip to the panto is a staple part of lots of family Christmases and lots of those polled recommended a trip to Buxton. This year’s production of Snow White and the Seven 9 Yellow Teapot Café – 1.5 miles Dwarfs runs until the 1st January, with matinees most days for Keep things very local with a wholesome walk up to little ones that can't muster an evening showing. CBeebies fans the café at Common Barn Farm on Smith Lane. will be excited to know that Mr Bloom (aka Ben Faulks) stars as One contributor quite simply described “One of my nicest Muddles! www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk/whats-on/snow- memories of Christmas is getting together a few families white-the-seven-dwarfs. If something nearer to home is more your thing then the Bollington Festival Players are also doing and having a snowy walk up the teapot café for a mince Snow White, from Saturday 7th January. pie and hot chocolate (with cream and marshmallows)”. www.bollingtonartscentre.org.uk Check www.yellowteapotcafe.co.uk for opening times.

4 The Chestnut Centre – 11 miles White Nancy on Christmas Day – 1 mile (on foot!) Father Christmas will be in residence at the Chestnut 10 Leave the turkey roasting, Centre conservation and wildlife park just outside Chapel- drag the children from their en-le-Frith every day until the 24th. Described by one family toys and have a good stomp up to as 'very magical' and a 'must see' it's advisable to book White Nancy on Christmas ahead for Santa. Hopefully the owls and otters will be more morning. This informal singalong, obliging! www.chestnutcentre.co.uk accompanied by Bollington Brass Band, seems to be growing year-on-year and usually kicks off Brookside Miniature Railway – 7 miles around 11.30 am. It comes highly 5 What small boy or girl doesn't enjoy a ride on a real recommended from many of the steam train? The very child-friendly railway is families we asked, but in the words situated at the Brookside Garden Centre in Poynton, of one “Don't forget bubbly for the where there's also a Santa's Grotto everyday until the grown-ups and some goodies for 24th. www.klondyke.co.uk/santa039s-grotto-38 the little ones”.

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Tw o speed Rainow in 2012 by Raph Murray for the Rainow Broadband Action Group

hether it is for work, business, keeping in touch with As well as making your current use of the internet easier, faster family and friends, shopping, education or simply and more reliable, fibre optic broadband will enable new ways Wentertainment, access to the internet is for many people of using the internet as new services and applications take an increasingly important part of daily life. As we move advantage of faster download speeds. BT OpenReach is the towards 2012, however, it appears that Rainow will have two company responsible for providing the fibre optic upgrade to speed access to the internet. The central part of the village will telephone exchanges and roadside cabinets. The final link, ie have access to fibre-optic based superfast broadband allowing from the roadside cabinet to your premises, will continue to be rapid download of large files, photographs, videos, etc, whereas a copper cable. Once this infrastructure is in place, currently the more outlying parts of the village will continue to have, at scheduled for 31st December 2011, it will then be available to least initially, comparatively slow and uncertain access to the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) such as BT, Plusnet, TalkTalk,

internet. This means that while the central part of the village will Orange, Sky, Orange, O2, and the Post Office to provide fibre have download speeds of more than 20 Mb, the typical down- optic broadband to your home. Initial providers of fibre optic load speed in the more outlying parts of the village will be broadband may, however, be limited to BT and Plusnet. To around 2 Mb. To check if you can get fibre optic broadband log enable you to select the broadband package that is most on to: http://www.productsandservices.bt.com and select appropriate for your needs, use of a broadband comparison the broadband option. The reason for this digital divide is that it website such as http://www.broadbandchoices.co.uk is is not economically viable for the large telecoms providers to recommended. Another option may be to simply upgrade your provide fast broadband to small numbers of remote residents. current copper- based broadband to fibre optic-based broad- This problem has been recognised by Cheshire East Council band. The good news is that depending on which broadband who are working with Cheshire West and Council and package you have at the moment you may be able to upgrade the telecoms providers to extend fast broadband to more to fibre optic broadband at no extra cost. However, there will be remote residents and businesses using advanced copper- a need for a telecoms engineer to visit your house or premises based, wireless or satellite technologies. and install the necessary equipment. Again, depending on Meanwhile for those who will have access to superfast broad- which ISP you choose, there may be an upfront cost of band, what difference will it make, when will it be available, who installation or this may be included in the overall cost of the will provide it, what will it involve and how much will it cost? package. Happy surfing!

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Memoirs of a Rainow Man -

The Joseph MottramPartMemoir Three - life in Rainow in the 1870’s e rejoin Joseph at a turning point in his story. At the time of his father’s death in 1893, Joseph was 29 years old and carrying Won a business as a general carrier and coal merchant whilst helping with the family shop at End. Now he takes on more!

After my father’s death I went thoroughly into the When the day arrived for the Guardians to meet the shop keeping business, adding that of Corn Dealer and three candidates had to be in attendance in an also Baker. The baking business I did myself for some ante-room, their names being read out in order: years and got quite proficient and could have sold David Lomas, Overseer, ; David Ford, Farmer, more bread than I could possibly make. Naturally Ingersley; Joseph Mottram, Shopkeeper, Rainow. with constant use my oven got worn out which I did Then each name was voted on by the Members present, not get replaced having too much on hand. Miss Gaskell being present to support the claim of her My father, for about three years before his death, candidate D. Ford. Presently the result was made was Registrar of Births and Deaths for the Rainow known to us as follows: George Lomas - 6 votes; David Sub-district which embraced a very wide area. I was Ford - none, Joseph Mottram - 18 votes. You can imagine Deputy Registrar at the time of his death which the consternation caused – it was a bewildering plunged me into the whole of that business. I had surprise to all and not the least to myself. So ended to carry on as best I could with the help of my my campaign into the world of Registration which I youngest sister until a successor was appointed. successfully carried on for thirty-five years being At that time the Macclesfield Board of Guardians blessed with good health and strength which was had the power to recommend a suitable candidate. severely tested throughout all the years as it My mother was wishful that I should offer myself entailed a great amount of walking in all weather over as a candidate but I felt reluctant, fully some of the highest hills. expecting to have some very influential opposition, Joseph recounts many of his experiences during his time as which proved very correct. I had two opponents to Registrar including dealing with the births and deaths of the substantial number of Belgian refugees “dumped in my district” contend with who were well fortified with powerful during the First World War, many of whom spoke no English. influence behind them, one with no less a personage The work of Registration was very exacting and required than the lady of the manor Miss Gaskell of Ingersley Hall and the other one had a good half of all your wits and forethought centred on the records the district in his favour. My chances of success to be inserted into the Register Books which were at began to look very remote as the other two opponents any time subject to inspection from Registration were canvassing for all they were worth. I did a Inspectors sent from Somerset House, London. Many little myself, calling on an old gentlemen, a Member untruthful statements are at times presented to you of the Board. I did not know the man but was by unscrupulous people to protect their own personal explaining my purpose while he stood listening and interests. You always had to be on the alert to detect studying me from head to foot. “Na lad” he said “tha any attempt at fraud. I have been congratulated on should let thi breeches dahn a bit – tha looks ta different occasions by both Coroner and Police in cases young fert th’ job but awl see abite it”. This filled of deaths which called for the strictest investigation. my order for any more canvassing. Joseph Mottram

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Busy Beavers by Angela Barlow

his term has been a busy one for the Beavers. It started with them making the most of the remaining light by going out for a short work in the village Tand learning much about the nature around them as they searched for various leaves, seeds and berries. This event was the final part, for many of the Beavers, in gaining their Outdoor Challenge badge, having completed the rest of the activities during the summer term. Unfortunately, due to the weather Friends of and the lack of light, the rest of the term has been spent inside, but this has not Rainow School stopped the colony from being active. Over a series of evenings the Beavers learnt about aeroplanes, made paper planes and shared their own experiences of flying with the rest of the group. This Successes led to the Institute’s transformation into the inside of an aeroplane and they were by John , Chairman FRS all taken on a (very quick) journey to Paris, by our guest and air hostess for the evening, Jackie Ward; after the obligatory safety talk, drinks and snacks were served on board and before long we had all landed safely at our destination. he Autumn Term has seen three Tsuccessful FRS Events. Other sessions included an evening of fitness activities, including team games, balance and coordination exercises and a short keep-fit routine. The Beavers We ran the second Bag 2 School also learnt about the importance of eating healthily and its role in their general Collection, which raised £110. This fitness. is an important event because the scheme promotes the benefits of The group are always very creative and this term has been no different. They recycling old clothing and textiles. produced a harvest picture that was put on display at the church for the Harvest Check out the website Festival. They also created some very imaginative bonfire and firework pictures. www.bag2school.com. There will As always when glitter is involved, there was as much on the floor and tables as be another collection at Easter. there was on the artwork. If the floor of my car was anything to go by, the streets around the village must have sparkled that night with trails leading away from Fizz Fashions made a welcome the Institute. return to School in November, an enjoyable evening saw us raise in The Beavers also took part in some experiments over a couple of evenings, the region of £400. learning about acids and alkalis, as well as carrying out their own chromatography experiment. The term and 2011 closed with our ever-popular Christmas Fair. Within the community, the Beavers attended the Civic Service and the Thankfully this year the snow Remembrance Service and took part in the parades. Everyone who attended stayed away and we enjoyed was a credit to the group. another successful Fair as our We have had some new members join us this term and they have fitted in and pictures will show! participated well. There have also been lots of badges gained, a just reward for We are already looking forward to a group of active boys and girls. Next term the group will be preparing hard for 2012, dates for your diary include their annual pantomime. the Chilli and Quiz night on 24th February at School, and the Parents (past and present) Party Night on 28th April at Rainow Institute. Rainow Pre-School I look forward to welcoming you all the perfect start at both of these events. In the meantime, on behalf of everyone associated with The Based in the beautiful village of Rainow, our friendly creative pre-school provides 1 Friends Of Rainow School, I wish sessional daycare for up to 24 children aged 2 /2 - 5, you all a very Merry Christmas and most of whom go on to the acclaimed a Happy and Peaceful New Year. Rainow Primary School. We offer: G qualified, well organised and supportive staff

G free places for all 3-5 year olds

G excellent resources for hands-on, imaginative play

G a happy, safe environment, including a new outdoor space and allotment

G opportunities for active parental involvement

To talk about a place for your child, contact Rainow Pre-School on 01625 574069 or visit www.rainow-preschool.org.uk

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Rainow School gets involved! by Mark Bertinshaw, Headteacher

his half term, Rainow pupils have had fun contributing Tto two national fundraising projects, both of which support children less fortunate than themselves.

Children in Need Day The Children in Need day this Seven Stars year was extremely memorable. The pupils and staff enjoyed performing the Mr Gratton Groove for Rainow School Dance in the school playground before the morning bell. It was his term, Rainow School was visited by Ofsted, the schools quite a surprise for many inspection service. The inspecting team gave an extremely parents and there were a Tpositive final report to the school. The inspectors looked in number of parental toes great depth at all aspects of school life and importantly, tapping as they began to join there was no aspect of the school’s work which was judged to in. The end result was a be anything less than good. great deal of fun for the The opening paragraph of the report provides an excellent children (and the staff!). summary of the inspectors’ findings: The Pudsey Bear in the ‘This is a good school. Outstanding care, guidance and support playground was full of lots for its pupils lie at the heart of all of its work. Its engagement of loose change and the with parents and carers is excellent and its involvement with amount raised was over £200 for this worthwhile charity. outside agencies promotes pupils’ wellbeing very well. The governance of the school also is of the highest order and the Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child school is highly regarded in the local community for the The children and parents have been amazingly contribution that it makes. Pupils respond to this high quality generous in putting together 65 shoeboxes which were provision with exemplary behaviour and high attendance.’ picked up by the Samaritan’s Purse Operation Overall there were seven areas where the school’s work was Christmas Child team. The shoeboxes were made with judged to be outstanding. These included the care for the pupils great care and were crammed with small toys and in school, children’s excellent behaviour and attendance, the assorted gifts as well as more mundane items such as way that the school works with other partnerships, the school’s combs and toothbrushes. The boxes will be taken to engagement with parents and carers and the effectiveness of less fortunate children throughout Eastern Europe and the school governors. The inspector also agreed with the into Africa. I know that many of the pupils will have been school’s own evaluation of two areas to focus on and further involved in putting the boxes together and I believe that develop in the future. this personal approach genuinely makes our children The lead inspector of the Ofsted team, David Halford, wrote a think about the children who will receive them. thank you letter to the children after the inspection. The start of the letter sums up his perceptions and feelings about our school. ‘Dear Pupils My colleagues and I really enjoyed our recent visit to your school. Thank you for making us so welcome and for looking after us so well.You were very helpful in lessons when we asked you to explain what you were doing and you were also very friendly around the school. Rainow School is a good school, with some really interesting work taking place. The staff care for you outstandingly well and make sure you feel safe and secure.Your Headteacher and his staff manage the school well, with excellent help from your governors, and we feel that it has outstanding links with your parents and carers. We also think that your behaviour is excellent too and so is your attendance. So we think you must enjoy coming to school too! I shall remember the welly walk with Reception, the big calculations with Year 3 and 4, the Year 6 writing, the band practice in the hall, and the excellent topic books that you have made.’ Ofsted play an important role in the development of the school, however they have now left us for a while and the Christmas festivities are ready to completely take over.

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News from the Lamp and Candle More Hello again. resort to eating cheese from goats?! Mrs. K. kindly offered to put some syrup of figs in a vinegar bottle. “That should keep Certain people in the village are the ladies moving”, I said, but my humorous aside fell on trying to find the Lamp & deaf ears – the team was actually warming to the task, even Candle by stealth. I know this though one of the visitors can’t eat porcelain mushrooms, because I received a letter from which is not surprising as, according to the letter, the poor someone describing herself as old girl suffers from couscous which I believe is highly ‘a member of a prominent contagious and can even be fatal. ladies-only reading group’. (published in your last issue). Our little team then tackled the request for ‘a private dining The writer would like to bring room’. Even the Best Room is not big enough for twelve ladies her group of “a dozen ladies” from the reading group as well as four from the ‘Lamp’. We for lunch in “the only licensed premises in our village”. There decided we could clear out the old barn if we moved the are three things wrong with this – the Lamp & Candle has manure heap and shored up the gable end a bit. The old never had more than half a dozen ladies within its walls at milking parlour door on two barrels would make an ideal any one time; we don’t do lunches, and the licence for the long table but seating sixteen women when there are only “Lamp” was last renewed in 1912. eight chairs in the whole place presented a problem. We decided we could use small kegs plus the milking stool with a It all strikes me as an attempt to have a good nosey around cushion on it. Things were going well and we began tackling this forgotten corner of Rainow, and I said as much at the the thorny problem of the letter writer’s request for a ‘good emergency meeting I called to discuss the letter. It was then map with clear directions’. We’d just approved the idea that that I began to get some grief from the ladies of the Tatting the Rainow ladies should all be asked to wear wellies and be Circle who thought that I should ‘open up a bit’ and try to guided over the fields blindfolded and holding a long rope, be kind to those who can’t go out for a glass of a night. I when devastating news came in. Mrs K’s son had been to tried to persuade them, by carefully reasoned argument, the Cosy Cafe in Bollington and had seen all these certificates that the Lamp and Candle is a man’s pub and we don’t on the walls – apparently if you are catering you have to want Cheshire Set ladies making comments about the lack have certificates for buttering bread, doing the washing up of curtains and getting all sniffy because our copies of and all kinds of things. We had a quick whip round to see Picture Post are not as up to date as those in the expensive what we had between us and we could only come up with restaurants in Macclesfield. The pub walls are whitewashed certificates for 25 yards breast stroke, City and Guilds every fifteen years, the ashtrays are emptied as soon as they Metalwork Part One, and a premium bond. But all was well are full, and the spittoons are cleaned out every single that ended well. At the same time as the Lamp & Candle Monday, and that’s good enough for me. And anyway, why ladies came to the conclusion that the visit could not go don’t they go to those people in the village who are always ahead, news reached us that the Robin Hood had reopened! opening their houses up and serving sandwiches with slices of cucumber so thin you could put them in a pair of specs I am now able to reassure the anonymous writer and her and read the Daily Mail through them no problem. twelve sisters that we have kept a note of all the plans we made to welcome them into our little hostelry and they may However, these sound arguments cut no ice with the ladies. wish to ask us again, say in twenty years’ time. At least the So I began to formulate some plans (much against my better letter from a “ladies-only” group proves my contention that judgement, I might tell you). I sat down with a couple of the anti-male attitudes are endemic in the village. I rest my ladies, two lads from the Tap Room and Mrs. Kenyon who case. does our catering for special events at the Lamp such as the Poacher’s Suppers; the Shin-Kicking Club Annual Dinner This talk of catering is making us all look forward to the and the Christmas Lunch. We scratched our heads trying to Lamp & Candle Christmas Supper. Mr. Kenyon has got fed decipher this strange letter from the upper reaches of Rainow up with what he calls ‘Tasteless Tesco Turkeys’ so this year society. It asked for copies of our menu. We can’t do menus he is preparing a fresh one for us. He proudly announced in as there are some letters missing from my John Bull Printing the Tap Room last night that he has plucked it himself and Outfit, but we agreed we could put a blackboard up. They even stuffed it himself! All Mrs. Kenyon will need to do is kill also asked if we could do a fig, rocket and goat’s cheese it and put it in the oven. salad. It turns out that rocket is a kind of sour lettuce but A good festive season to you all Good God! who in this day and age is so poor they have to The Landlord.

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Summat Sensible? by Andrew Renshaw

The New Year at the Arts Centre by Jean Ransley n the ‘Lamp and Candle’ the editor of the ‘Raven’ sprawled somnolently in his favourite chair, legs outstretched towards the blazing fire, the dregs of a Ipint of Diabolicale at his elbow. His battered hat shaded his august visage. mongst our usual fare of jazz, folk, Opening one eye, spying one of his lesser scribes, he said in portentous comedy, drama, chamber music, tones “Can’t yer write summat sensible fer once” Intimidated, the lowly scribe children’s music theatre and art began “Well it’s very difficult…..” trailing off into a downcast silence. exhibitions there are some events A meaningful glance at the empty glass unnoticed, the editor rose to his feet. Anext year which are “one-offs” and His normal dignified bearing then enlivened by a series of rapid hops, one foot worthy of a special mention. to the other, punctuated by piteous cries, the hat falling to the floor. Thinking On 5th February Frank Walker is the performance was obviously in supplication for contributions to the next presenting “Boz”, a celebration of the 200th Diabolicale, the scribe, eager to curry favour, threw a thrip’ny bit into the hat. anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens Come to think of it, there had been a smell of burning….. Wandering (he was born on 7th February 1812). Frank’s homeward the poor scribe, his mind befuddled by Diabolicale, wondered research is immaculate and with his acting why, in the present mad, sound-bitten, wishful thinking world, anyone could gifts you can be sure that he will breathe possibly be required to be sensible. Obviously what was wanted was a new life into one of our greatest novelists portentous article on the Euro zone financial crisis, elucidating its solution, and the wonderful characters he created. thus saving the zone from its folly, casting glory on the Parish Council and its We are holding a ceilidh on the 17th of the wonderful magazine the ‘Raven’. But thinking of the Euro zone brought to month – making full use of our newly- mind a dreadful vision of headless chickens. Setting his sights somewhat extended hall with its sprung floor, and the lower, with the clouds of Diabolicale lifting, our scribe thought ‘chickens’ following night the very talented and funny (complete with heads) an easier subject. Richard Kelly will bring the latest version of his show From Here to Absurdity. The Incredible Inedible Hen 9th March sees Bernard and Carole Selby A wonderful and sensible creature the hen! Superior to humans in many ways, tell (and show) the story of Bernard’s epic never acting self-destructively, just pursuing their own interests, laying and 1300-mile bike ride from St Malo to Cadiz – reproducing. a ride which resulted in him raising more Comparisons are said to be odious, but many years ago a comparison was than £4000 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society. made between an average hen of 2kg and a notional average woman of 60kg, On 5th May Macclesfield-born professional thirty times the hen’s weight. opera singer Susan Gorton is talking about For such a woman to match a hen’s fecundity she would have to produce babies her experiences singing in major houses like totalling about ten times her bodyweight each year. In nine months a woman Glyndebourne, the Royal Opera House, the produces a baby of about 6% of her bodyweight but by laying two eggs of 60g, Lyric Theatre Chicago and many other the hen does this in two days. In doing this a hen would need to eat about 120g prestigious venues. Russell Lomas, will of food per day which should include 18g protein, 4g fat, 60g carbohydrate and accompany her in a selection of operatic 10g minerals, mostly calcium. arias and lighter songs. The human equivalent of this diet is about 500g protein, 120g fat and 2kg of The 19th sees the first visit of young carbohydrates. Meat contains 20-25% protein and potatoes 20% carbohydrate, students from Chetham’s School in so about 2kg of meat, 2kg potatoes and 2kg of cereal would be eaten per day. Manchester playing string quartets – it’s And better not forget 10 kg of cheese for the calcium. The calorific value of that possible that they may return in a few years’ lot is about three times the requirement of a man doing very heavy work. time as they begin their professional careers! Under ideal conditions the very best laying hens can lay in excess of 300 eggs For more information about these and the per year and to produce such bulk from the diet is astonishing. Thinking of these other 26 events scheduled between January 300 eggs as 25 dozen is perhaps more illustrative of the magnitude of the feat. and July, please visit our website (address Only the modern hybrid layers bred for the purpose can produce at this level and below) or pick up a brochure. (Does anyone performance falls off rapidly after one or two seasons. These hens, scrawny know where I can leave some in Rainow?) creatures under their feathers, are not at all suitable as table birds; such is the If all else fails, ring me on 01625 575287. degree of specialization. Just as specialised are the plump white breasted table I’ll look forward to welcoming you to birds widely sold. But the rearing of these is considered by some as something Bollington. of a horror story. www.bollingtonartscentre.org.uk 11

tting for a special ceremonyd dicate Izzy Christiansen and her parents at the dens was the se g’s Trinity Gar na Lain Local Hero Awards (see article on p.15) on 4th Decemberemo whenry of theIan newand crib U was rewde Photo by kind permission of Cheshire’s Silk 106.9 to the m rah and son And and www.michaelrichardsphotography.co.uk daughter Debo

Rainow NSPCC ladies hard at work producing Mayor Caroline Armitt switched Christmas wreaths for their Punch & Mince Pies event on the Christmas lights and vicar Steve Rathbone held the service of dedication followed by carol singing by the large crowd of onlookers

Walkers enjoying lunch at eek College ds' at L North End Farm on the Rainow NSPCC s and ever upwar d g wall Scavenger Hunt Cubs go 'onwar on climbin

12 This full colour page has been created through a grant from the Big Lottery Fund

Raven’s Eye View

hristmas is on us and we Cfelt we should put the spotlight on people at this time of year. Lots of things have

Ann Lewis and John Stagg relax in the been happening since the Rainow sunshine after the planting of the autumn and we have put oak tree (see report) together a few examples of what everyone has been up to since the last Raven flew out. If you are a keen photographer we’d like to see more of your work so keep the pictures coming!

Mary Meecham with her display at the WI Tree Planting Opening Ceremony

Charlotte Grimes and Shaun Burdock have just become engaged!

Parish Council Chairman Ken Butler with Councillor Harold Davenport at the Civic Service

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Raven Book Reviews More choices from some of Rainow’s book club members

S.J.Watson Before I Go to Sleep

This harrowing and ultimately menacing tale which depicts the fragmented and scattered consciousness of one woman and her fight with amnesia poses some disturbing and searching questions about the very foundation upon which everyday lives are built. Every morning when Christine wakes up, she is unable to recognize the man asleep next to her in bed, or even herself when she looks in the mirror. Every night when she falls asleep, her memory is erased; she is only able to remember the events in her life for one day. With the help of Dr. Nash, Christine hopes to unlock her memories, however in doing so, she enters a world of dark secrets, conspiracies and paranoia which leads her to question and suspect everyone around her and the fragile web of trust and safety she had begun to establish steadily disintegrates around her. Understanding the key to her amnesia involves revealing the traumatic events which led to her profound and devastating memory loss, which in turn entails the discovery that the narrative she has been presented with and begun to adopt as her own, may also be nebulous and flawed. Through reading Christine’s journal entries, this novel enthrallingly and subtly conveys the repetitive and deeply frustrating nature of her existence, in which she is only able to capture and recollect strands of her past at any one time, as though catching glimpses of single details of a painting or reading isolated fragments of a story whilst the rest is concealed in impenetrable darkness. The complex and dynamic nature of memory processes, particularly following psychological trauma, underpins this novel and whilst it may not always be factually correct, the resulting story is an addictive and compelling drama which depicts the oppressive hopelessness of profound amnesia and leads the reader step-by-step towards its terrifying inception.

Sarah Winman When God was a Rabbit

This entrancingly touching and enigmatic novel is a narrative of stories revolving around a group of close family and friends, written from the perspective of the youngest family member Elly. The tender and fiercely protective relationship between Elly and her brother, Joe, rests at the heart of the book, their alliance being forged when Elly discloses to him that she has been sexually abused by their neighbour. Joe declares he will find her a “proper friend” and gives her a Belgian hare who she names “God” and who remains a personified and tangible speaking presence throughout her life, even after it dies, a kind of spiritual guide for Elly. As well as the speaking hare, there are a number of surreal occurrences scattered throughout the text such as Elly’s quirky friend, Jenny Penny, and another character’s death- day forecast. In the bonus material at the back of the book, Winman describes these incidents as deliberately ‘implausible’ and her juxtaposition of them against historical events such as Princess Diana’s death and the fall of the Twin Towers emphasises the implausibility of life. Whilst unusual and surprising, the lovingly crafted characters and movingly realistic plot, render this book an emotive and poignant story, inherent to which is the perennial question, “why do bad things happen to good people?”. Through a torrent of seemingly never-ending misfortunes, as well as everyday tribulations and individual sadnesses, related consistently by the quiet, observant Elly, the fundamental resilience and capacity of human love and affection abides. This book is by turns achingly sad, gently satirical and humorously whimsical, whilst the believable characters whom one cannot help but care about, capture those pathos-laden moments which make up the fabric of everyday life.

Jon Ronson The Psychopath Test

“This is a story about madness”, reads the title page of this book and through a description of Jon Ronson’s journalistic escapades, the reader has a glimpse into the world of psychiatry and its, often murky and possibly shameful, past. Combining humour, curiosity and investigative incision, Ronson poses some provocative and serious questions about how society defines normality and meets some of the people who categorise and quantify mental illness and some who vehemently oppose them. The primary subject of Ronson’s book is psychopaths - the unfortunate souls who suffer from “insanity without delusion,” as French psychiatrist Philippe Pinel first labeled the disorder. The book’s sleuthing takes flight when Ronson makes two important connections: with the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (or DSM-IV-TR) and with Brian Daniels, a Scientologist who is interested in using him to help debunk psychiatry. He is introduced by Mr. Daniels to a mental patient whom the book calls Tony, and who is supposedly confined to the Broadmoor psychiatric hospital, because he faked psychopathy and cannot unfake it. In his quest to uncover the “truth” about psychopathy, the book then rambles from stop to stop, casting about for separate interviewees, one of whom is Bob Hare, the creator of the “Psychopathy Checklist”. Although lacking any explicit purpose other than to explore the world of madness, “The Psychopath Test” remains compelling reading, not least because it exposes some of the morbidly fascinating aspects of human behaviour, which the psychiatric community attempt to categorise and explain. Though it’s never clear where Ronson will end up - or even, really, what he’s trying to find out - he’s such an appealing tour guide, it doesn’t really matter. Ultimately, Ronson comes up with a persuasive argument that the psychopath checklist and DSM-IV are dangerous weapons. If more and more fine-tuned mental disturbances can be diagnosed as legitimate, not only are individual eccentricities and quirks in danger of being pigeon-holed and judged, but the implications for society may be even more dangerous, with drug companies thriving and children being labelled and medicated at increasingly young ages. Ronson, it seems, is trying to warn readers about the dangers of finding madness in every human eccentricity, but the abrupt rhetorical shift presents an argument far too ambitious to make in the few brief chapters he allows.

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Silk FM Local Hero Award 2011 HarropRainow Fold Farm Tel: 01625 560085

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 by kind permission of Cheshire’s Silk 106.9 and www.michaelrichardsphotography.co.uk Day & Residential Art Courses he awards ceremony was held on Domestically, after spells with with our Resident Professional Artist. Friday 18th November at Manchester United and Everton Ladies, Gift Vouchers available and Corporate and Macclesfield Town Football Club to Izzy joined Birmingham City Ladies and T Group Bookings welcome. recognise the Local Heroes in our has had a successful first season in the community. The Parish Council Women’s Super League, finishing www.harropfoldfarm.co.uk nominated a number of local residents, second to first placed Arsenal Ladies as including Isobel Christiansen, for the well as runners up in the League Cup www.michaelmooreart.co.uk Keith Alexander award. This award where Izzy scored in the final. www.leahspantry.co.uk recognises sporting inspiration and is in The Women’s Super League consists of memory of the late Keith Alexander. eight teams and holds out the prospect Congratulations to Isobel for winning the of qualification for the UEFA Women’s accolade. Champions League, it has the backing of Isobel (Izzy) is currently studying a sports ESPN TV and is expected to raise the degree course at Birmingham University, profile of the women’s game in England. combining her studies with training as Izzy has been selected again for the well as playing for the University Ladies national under 23 team and is with the football team. Izzy has represented squad at a training camp this November England at the under 23 level and was a and will also be involved in a friendly member of the team that beat Germany against Germany again. Her ambition at 2-1 in October 2010. club level is to continue to perform for YOUR LOCAL SERVICE Izzy’s international footballing career has Birmingham City Ladies and improve on taken her round the world, the highlight 2nd place next season. Internationally, of which was England winning the 2009 her ambition is to be selected for the full European Women’s Championship senior team. beating Sweden in the final.

Rainow Village Forum TAKEAWAY Parking at Night Some readers have asked us to point out NOW OPEN that when parking on the main road in Rainow through the village it is best to park on the same side of the road as overtaking traffic Fish, Chips and Mushy Peas so that rear reflectors can be picked up by All just approaching headlights. £6.50 Available Mon - Sat 12 - 2:30pm If you have something you want to share and 5:30 - 8:30pm with other people in the village – helpful comments, moans or suggestions, tell the Only from The editors on [email protected] Robin Hood

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Guides Autumn full of Surprises for defy the weather! Brownies by Jill and Helen by Brown Owl, Susan Norman

ince our May walk, the not-so-good hat a packed autumn term Brownies were awestruck by her Summer saw us involved in some we’ve had at Brownies and campfire blanket and it created a great Smore rather damp outdoor activities, one that’s also been full of centrepiece to the campfire circle and not least serving strawberries and surprises. September hopefully will inspire the Brownies to cream and fruit kebabs at the fête. We W started with a French- make their own when they move on to also, as usual, served teas at the Rainow themed evening as a final goodbye to Guides. The evening finished with 5 run - some runners said they made a Millie Juif as she flew up to Guides. toasting marshmallows as the lights point of running here because of the teas! The Brownies took part in a famous were dimmed – what an atmosphere. Our end of term Summer challenge was French landmark challenge, made to make and sail miniature rafts, with To celebrate Bonfire Night we had a Can-Can girl puppets and also dances prizes for the quickest, the best designed Guy Fawkes Treasure Hunt around and tasted French food. We had one and, the real challenge, the driest cargo. The Institute where they solved clues final evening outside before the nights The evening was to have ended with hot to find the items needed to make their drew in and went on a penny walk, dogs by the river, but an empty gas edible sparklers. Once made it was a which took us through the village cylinder saw us back at the Institute joy to see their faces as they lanes before welcoming the Guides. heating them through. Not so ‘Prepared’ experienced tasty explosions, pops after all! Three more new Brownies were also and crackles in their mouths. This was The Autumn Term continued the wet welcomed into the Unit. There are followed with creating pictures of theme with a night visit to the Nature plenty of spaces to take in more girls firework “sky-scrapes” using blow Reserve at Lower Moss Wood. The at present, so if your daughter is aged painting techniques. Having had so ranger there, Ray, opened our eyes and 7 –10 years we would love you to join much food activities we decided it was ears to life in the woods - including owl in our Brownie Adventures (see time to feed the wildlife instead and calls, rabbit warrens (with bathrooms), contact details below). In November I an evening was spent making bird toads and weeing squirrels. The rest of was pleasantly surprised to receive cakes and garlands. There were a lot the time has largely been taken up with separate offers from two wonderfully of unfavourable comments from the patrol groups completing their chosen perceptive parents, Kirsten Cummings Brownies about lard and I didn’t dare ‘Go For It’ challenges, with a variety of and Monika Pollard, who have both tell them that their grandparents may activities selected and organised by the volunteered to help at Brownies on a have eaten it spread on hot toast as girls themselves, including biscuit making, chocolate tasting and making smoothies regular basis. I am also pleased to dripping – how times have changed (a definite preference for food-based report they will be considering training with healthy living! as leaders in the New Year. This will activities became apparent) as well as No term would be complete without allow the Brownie Pack to take part in creating jewellery, masks and printing. playing old and new games and as more adventurous activities, widen We also practised signalling Morse Code we approach Christmas we have also their experiences as well as accept on a night walk. An international flavour started our craftwork badge, sewing more girls into the Unit. X Factor competition also revealed some Christmas stockings and decorating unsuspected talents among the girls – We haven taken part in various family with sequins and jewels & making and especially from the judges! church services and it has been their own facemasks ready for their Finally, our year comes full circle with our pleasing to see the support by masked ball party. visit to the Manchester Christmas Markets Brownies increase as we attend each and our youngest member making her Thank you to all the parents who one as a Brownie Unit. Guide promise. support the Brownie Unit in many During the last term we have had a ways and to the Brownies who keep couple of guest visitors helping the coming every week. We wish Brownies with their badge work and everyone a Healthy, Happy Christmas other activities. Lisa Cash, the and New Year and look forward to the Community Support Officer, and her new term. Anyone who wants to know colleague gave an in-depth talk to more about joining Brownies or going help them gain their Crime Prevention on the waiting list can Badge. The following week activities contact me on: included a quiz, designing awareness posters and acting out crime 01260 223793 (Work) prevention situations to complete and or 01260 223695 consolidate the information. All the (Home). Brownies gained their badges. We Brown Owl, also welcomed Tricia Wilson from Broken Cross District Guiding Susan Norman Campfire Circle to help teach the Brownies Campfire songs. The

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Full House for Cubs Autumn by Akela Sue Grimes with the Scouts by The Leaders

e were delighted to welcome a number of new Scouts this term Wand they have all thrown them- selves whole heartedly into the Group and will be valuable members. One of the highlights has been karting near Buxton. We were glad to get there in the end as we had previously been defeated by the track being flooded! The Scouts were divided into teams and after full instruction took part in an endurance race. Very exciting as it took place after dark! Another excellent evening was a Bonfire night celebration jointly with Cubs. After a wide game the bonfire was lit at the The successful Bird Box Makers top of Rainow Low (with the owner’s kind permission) and hot dogs were enjoyed. his has seemed a very busy term, food for our cooking night. As part of Parents joined in and it was even dry! we are currently full, with 30 boys her warrant training Michelle planned The Group had its AGM (jointly with Cubs and girls and nearly 100% the cooking of six different recipes so T and Beavers) and it was a good attendance every week. Despite each Cub had a go at cooking some- opportunity to review the past year and to the dark evenings we have managed thing. Everyone then tried each dish, hear future plans. Quite clearly all the to get out for various activities. Early all delicious. Pre-School did say that groups in Rainow are going from strength on in the term the whole pack visited they could still smell them the next to strength. Millets in Macclesfield and were set morning!! As we go to press we look forward to various challenges such as dressing On Remembrance Sunday I think we the mannequins for hikes in the hills, what has become our annual Master Chef had the best turnout of Cubs ever. competition. In their patrols the Scouts the desert and the Artic. The Cubs A representative from District HQ were given permission to get whatever plan and then cook and present a meal attended and was very impressed by which is tasted and judged by an impartial they thought they needed; it was a bit how smart they looked and by their like Supermarket Dash! We also had adjudicator from the district committee. behaviour and marching; a credit to It has become one of the Scouts’ favourite to ‘pitch’ a tent inside the shop. Other their leaders, she said. outings included going to ‘Upper activities! Limits’ at Leek College for an evening We went to District Sports Day where We were proud to take part in the of climbing and caving and Skate City the Cubs gained their Athlete Badge Remembrance Sunday Church Parade at Hazel Grove to gain the Skater and also came away with a Shield. both in Church and at the Memorial. Badge. Later in the term we entered a team in An essential part of scouting life. the District Swimming Gala and did Christmas activities will be upon us shortly. At the beginning of November we very well, winning two cups. The two We have a party and Christmas crafts played a wide game in the dark winners, Mathew Wareham and planned! hunting for Rocket ‘parts’ which were Calum Roberts, then went to exchanged for a real rocket to let off. Warrington to swim in the County Gala As always, many thanks to all those We then climbed Big Low for a and helped Macclesfield & parents, carers and other adults who have bonfire, fireworks and hot dogs with come second overall. helped over the past few months. the Scouts. Our new Cubs were then The rest of the term is taken up with enrolled on an evening I think they will Christmas activities and a coach trip remember. May I thank Andrew to Congleton Gang Show. Renshaw for so generously allowing This is a traditional show put Institute News us on his land and helping us and on by the Scout and Guide especially Mick and Michelle Renshaw Movements which for organising it all. they produce "Back in October the Rainow Institute When inside the Cubs made some every held another of its weekend market amazing bird houses, key racks and two fundraisers. Though poorly attended, bookends for their DIY Badge. They years. the stall holders still managed to turn learnt how to use tools properly and a profit and The Institute gained some May I just valuable funds. safely due to the large number of thank Sharon parents that helped over two Greenall for all her Tim Robinson's Cafe du Soleil, on evenings. I was impressed by how help as sadly due to the other hand, did a roaring trade, much got done and how good it was. work commitments she has with over 50 covers for the all day For the first time we chose Mexican to finish at Christmas. breakfast". 58 Sugar Lane, Rainow 17

Rainow What’s in a Name? by Roy Leigh - Bound in Stone

by Raph Murray

he Boundary Commission for England is currently conducting a review of TParliamentary constituency boundaries. The initial proposals envisage that the Macclesfield constituency boundary will be revised. However, there are no plans to redraw the boundary for Rainow Civil Parish. One reason for this may be that the Rainow Parish boundary is quite literally set in stone. Some of the stones marking the boundary of the Parish date from the 19th century and are still visible today, eg on Buxton Road near Eddisbury Hall, near Windyways, on Crooked Yard Lane and at s a boy I was told the story of how Jenkin Chapel got its name. Sowcar Farm. Others, however, have long since I’m sure many Rainow people were told the same or a similar disappeared. Until, that is, the detective work of A story. Tom Swailes, one of the KRIV (Kerridge Ridge and Ingersley Vale) volunteers, uncovered a long Local people decided to hold a meeting to discuss the possibility of lost stone marking the boundary between building a chapel to serve the local community. They were so enthusiastic Kerridge, Bollington and Rainow. Tom noticed that it was decided to have there and then. One young man was one of the Boundary Stones recorded on the 1881 told to take off his hat and use it to collect all the donations. As the hat got OS map was no longer recorded on the current fuller, he got more excited and was dancing up and down, shaking his hat OS map. However, a careful search showed that to make the coins clink together. When asked how much he’d collected it was still in place, embedded flat in the ground, he said that he didn’t know, but the money was ‘’ a’jinkin and a’jenkin ‘’ in at a field boundary below White Nancy. A bit of his hat. The phrase stuck in people’s minds, and when the chapel was spade work revealed that the stone was still intact built it was called Jenkin Chapel. and it has now been restored to its rightful position by the KRIV volunteers. A nice story, but even at the time I thought it rather unlikely. Years later when reading about the origins of English surnames, an alternative This discovery reinforces the boundary of Rainow source for the word ‘Jenkin’ suggested itself. Parish and provides a reminder of a time when these boundaries were quite contentious and it When people began to adopt surnames, they often took their father’s was considered important to mark the boundary name. Therefore you get surnames like Wilson, Tomson and Johnson. in stone. At a total length of more than 17 miles, When there was more than one son, the youngest would often use the marking the full length of the Rainow boundary in word ‘kin’ meaning ‘little’ to distinguish themselves from their brothers. stone would have been quite an undertaking. It is Hence you get Wilkinson [Will’s little son], Tomkinson [Tom’s little son] not surprising, therefore, that most of the and Johnkinson – soon corrupted to Jenkinson - meaning John’s little boundary stones were used to mark the son. Since Jenkin Chapel is dedicated to St. John the Baptist, I suspect boundary of Rainow with its western neighbours. the name just means ‘John’s little chapel’ although I would be interested if anyone else has other ideas. Any Ideas? You can contact Roy through the Raven email (new address is [email protected]) with your suggestions. The editors have done some research themselves and found other ideas about how Jenkin Chapel came by its name. One rather prosaic version is that Jenkin was the name of a local farming family, another more exciting idea links the name to a “fiery Welsh preacher” who came regularly to preach at a horse fair held annually at the spot. Yet another version sees the name linked to a trader from Ruthin named Jenkin with the track-marking stone at the spot identified as Jenkin’s Cross. It is certain that the church was built in 1733 with locally collected funds and the tower was added in 1755. The building is recognised by English Heritage as a Grade ll* listed building. The benefice is combined with Rainow Church and Forest Chapel. Jenkin Chapel is surrounded by some of the best walking in the Rainow area and has featured in several of the Raven’s walk pages.

18

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On the road to reclaiming the Corkscrew by Raph Murray

he road that connects Smith Lane, near Blue Boar Farm, with Hooleyhey Lane, Tnear Jenkin Chapel, is officially known as Bank Lane and overall is about 1 mile long. However, there is a steep, twisting section about 200 yards long above Springs Farm which is more commonly known as the Corkscrew. This lane is part of an ancient packhorse trade route from Chester to Chesterfield for commodities such as salt. Although it used to be open to all traffic it was one of the first places in the country to have a Traffic Regulation Order. The current status of this road is that no vehicles are allowed except for access to houses and farms adjoining the road and through traffic of all vehicles is prohibited.

Over the years the Corkscrew part of the lane has become more reclaiming ease of access for users. The photograph of part of and more overgrown with the centre of the road turning into a the track shows the overgrown vegetation, the layer of mud and stream bed. This made it more and more difficult for walkers and sediment and the virtual stream in the centre of the road before horse riders to negotiate the steep, narrow and now very slippery the volunteers started work. track. This increasing problem with access was recognised by Now the bracken bordering the track has been cut back, the layer the Parish Council who had asked East Cheshire Highways for of mud has been removed to expose the surface of the road and help to improve the condition of the road (Raven No 16, Autumn the drainage at the side of the road has been restored. Although 2011). Not surprisingly this was not a priority road improvement. there is still a lot of work to do the benefits are already clear. However, former Parish councillor and KRIV (Kerridge Ridge and Indeed one user has already commented that it is wider, drier Ingersley Vale) volunteer, John Stagg, felt that this was a project and much easier to negotiate. The KRIV volunteers are a group where the KRIV volunteers could make a difference. of like minded individuals working to help maintain the local Accordingly, after a survey of the site with one of the current countryside in and around Bollington and Rainow and their work Parish councillors, Andrew Renshaw, about 15 KRIV volunteers, on the Corkscrew is just one example of the work that they carry ably supported for the day by Steve Rathbone, arrived at the top out in the area. of the corkscrew on Friday 4th November to make a start on

Christmas Events at TheRobin Hood Saturday 17th - CHRISTMAS DISCO Thursday 22nd - Purists Party with DJ Dave Friday 23rd - Christmas Karaoke Sunday 18th - Quiz Night Night Monday 19th - Meat Raffle - win a Saturday 24th - CHRISTMAS EVE Set on the cusp of the Peak £20 voucher for a local Saturday 25th - CHRISTMAS DAY District park, The Robin Hood butchers just in time for Open 12-2 is a friendly, relaxed local pub Xmas Sunday 26th - BOXING DAY offering real Ales, Beers,Wines Tuesday 20th - A visit from Father Food served 12-4 and Spirits and traditional pub Afternoon Christmas/Kids Party Tuesday 27th - Pie Night fayre. Family and dog friendly. Tuesday 20th - Carol Singing & Thursday 29th - Curry Night Tel: 01625 574060 Christmas Evening Saturday 31st - NYE Party and Disco Pie Night - Free entry and Tom: 07837 369912 Wednesday 21st - Christmas Quiz Night complimentary buffet robinhoodrainow.co.uk - lots of prizes to be won

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ᒇ 22 water voles. water Cheshire Wildlife Trust, Natural England and rECOrd, the local local the rECOrd, and England Natural Trust, Wildlife Cheshire

fungi, hedgehog, lichens, small heath butterfly, song thrush and thrush song butterfly, heath small lichens, hedgehog, fungi, Authority with representatives from the relevant County Councils, County relevant the from representatives with Authority

list includes bats, brown hare, common toad, dunnock, grassland dunnock, toad, common hare, brown bats, includes list the survey and review of sites. The partnership is led by the Local the by led is partnership The sites. of review and survey the

organisms, whose numbers have declined in the British isles. The isles. British the in declined have numbers whose organisms, and in Cheshire the Local W Local the Cheshire in and ildlife Site Partnership co-ordinates Partnership Site ildlife

species already found, and reporting on the presence of various of presence the on reporting and found, already species Counties throughout Britain differ in how the sites are monitored are sites the how in differ Britain throughout Counties

producing a habitat map, monitoring and updating the list of plant of list the updating and monitoring map, habitat a producing Scientific Interest or SSSI’ or Interest Scientific s are controlled by the government. the by controlled are s

Society . Resurveying includes checking the boundaries and and boundaries the checking includes Resurveying . which are recognised in the planning system, while Sites of Sites while system, planning the in recognised are which

five trained volunteers from the L the from volunteers trained five yme Natural History Recording History Natural yme species or habitat types and in England are non-statutory sites non-statutory are England in and types habitat or species

the panel partnership in early 2013. 2013. early in partnership panel the The work is being done by done being is work The Local W Local ildlife Sites are areas that contain interesting or rare or interesting contain that areas are Sites ildlife

of the rest of the site will be completed, ready to be scrutinised by scrutinised be to ready completed, be will site the of rest the of

no less than twelve Local Wildlife Sites in the parish of Rainow. of parish the in Sites Wildlife Local twelve than less no from the landowners by the Cheshire Wildlife Trust, the resurvey the Trust, Wildlife Cheshire the by landowners the from

Cheshire West and Chester, Halton and Warrington and there are there and Warrington and Halton Chester, and West Cheshire parish boundary. In 2012, once permission has been obtained been has permission once 2012, In boundary. parish

over 770 Local Wildlife Trusts Sites across Cheshire East, Cheshire across Sites Trusts Wildlife Local 770 over in Waulkmill Wood and one property on the Rainow side of the of side Rainow the on property one and Wood Waulkmill in

these sites and the Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Interest. Scientific Special of Sites the and sites these There are There Ridge at the Bollington end of the ridge has taken place as well as well as place taken has ridge the of end Bollington the at Ridge

Sites”. The new name may help to clear up the confusion between confusion the up clear to help may name new The Sites”. biological surveying of part of the easterly facing side of Kerridge of side facing easterly the of part of surveying biological

Sites of Biological Importance have been re-named “Local Wildlife “Local re-named been have Importance Biological of Sites Ridge Local W Local Ridge ildlife Site is due for a repeat survey repeat a for due is Site ildlife . During 2011, During .

but now you don’t have to remember the term because recently because term the remember to have don’t you now but n rie outesfo h hsieWllf rs.Kerridge Trust. Wildlife Cheshire the from volunteers trained and

biodiversity records office. The surveys are undertaken by staff by undertaken are surveys The office. records biodiversity The initials stand for Site of Biological Importance Biological of Site for stand initials The What’s an SBI? an What’s

Sites Rainow Wildlife ÇÇÇ by Rachel Hunter Rachel by Ç

same spirit but with a dif a with but spirit same ferent spirit. Kampai! spirit. ferent your cards by the cut-off date, and they will all be delivered, no delivered, be all will they and date, cut-off the by cards your

where the traditions of Japan and the UK combine—in the combine—in UK the and Japan of traditions the where the auspicious dragon. dragon. auspicious the Y ou write in your message and post and message your in write ou

chestnuts. Adults enjoy sake in liberal quantities, and this is this and quantities, liberal in sake enjoy Adults chestnuts. year according to the Chinese zodiac, which this year will be will year this which zodiac, Chinese the to according year

pounded rice (mochi) around a core of sweet beans or or beans sweet of core a around (mochi) rice pounded New Year cards—postcards printed with a picture of the coming the of picture a with printed cards—postcards Year New

and moulded into shapes (dip into wasabi and soy sauce), and sauce), soy and wasabi into (dip shapes into moulded and It unfolds like this. Sometime in early December you buy your buy you December early in Sometime this. like unfolds It

the food, especially kamaboko: white fish pounded into a paste a into pounded fish white kamaboko: especially food, the Year, not Christmas, is the biggie here. here. biggie the is Christmas, not Year, New course of But

allowed to drink in small quantities on New New on quantities small in drink to allowed Y ’s morning; and morning; ’s ear

for the new year from older relatives”; sake, which children are children which sake, relatives”; older from year new the for

you go out. out. go you

is what it’s really about: Otoshidama, “kind of like pocket money pocket like of “kind Otoshidama, about: really it’s what is

a crime to refuse a freebie, you bring lots of pockets whenever pockets of lots bring you freebie, a refuse to crime a

, and this, apparently, this, and , ear Y New about likes she what am, I than

messages of goodwill at every turn. If, like me, you consider it it consider you me, like If, turn. every at goodwill of messages

s more plugged in plugged more s who’ Hannah, daughter my asked just I’ve

now ’tis the season to be handed tissues bearing commercial bearing tissues handed be to season the ’tis now

.” .” year coming the in you on counting am I . ear Y New McDonald’s. Japan is the free tissue capital of the world, and world, the of capital tissue free the is Japan McDonald’s.

the ones I’d been given at the station entrance and in front of front in and entrance station the at given been I’d ones the neighborhood and people at the office: “Congratulations on the on “Congratulations office: the at people and neighborhood

f at a shop entrance to add to add to entrance shop a at f staf smiley red-robed by tissues working year begins. You greet acquaintances in the the in acquaintances greet You begins. year working

there are all the tissues. Yesterday I was handed a pack of of pack a handed was I Yesterday tissues. the all are there replaced by shamisen music, and after several days, the the days, several after and music, shamisen by replaced

cake,” containing sponge, cream, and more sponge. And then And sponge. more and cream, sponge, containing cake,” Once the shops open again you find that the carols have been have carols the that find you again open shops the Once

time of the year you can buy chickens whole—and “Christmas whole—and chickens buy can you year the of time

which you tie to a tree or frame around the shrine. shrine. the around frame or tree a to tie you which

main meal on Christmas Day will be roast chicken—the only chicken—the roast be will Day Christmas on meal main

return for omikuji, or random fortunes written on strips of paper, of strips on written fortunes random or omikuji, for return

houses and deposit presents. So far, so familiar. But then the then But familiar. so far, So presents. deposit and houses

visit a shrine or temple, where you can make a small offering in offering small a make can you where temple, or shrine a visit

Christmas will somehow overcome the lack of chimneys to visit to chimneys of lack the overcome somehow will Christmas

other goodies. Konbu seaweed, anyone? At some point you point some At anyone? seaweed, Konbu goodies. other

through the air. Christmas cards line the shelves. Father shelves. the line cards Christmas air. the through

sea-bream, herring roe, rice cakes, sweet rolled omelette, and omelette, rolled sweet cakes, rice roe, herring sea-bream, festive trees adorn every department store and carols waft carols and store department every adorn trees festive

and do no cooking for the next few days. Typically you enjoy you Typically days. few next the for cooking no do and T

but not entirely, quite unlike an English one. Already Already one. English an unlike quite entirely, not but

You prepare special food for the New Year so that you can relax can you that so Year New the for food special prepare You

machine tea, the Christmas season in Japan is almost, is Japan in season Christmas the tea, machine

monks huddled round a brazier. brazier. a round huddled monks o paraphrase Douglas Adams’ observation on vending- on observation Adams’ Douglas paraphrase o

out to peek at the small local one last year all I saw was a few a was saw I all year last one local small the at peek to out

thar barrels thar then). At the larger temples crowds gather, but when I ventured I when but gather, crowds temples larger the At then).

There’s sake in them in sake There’s before you reach nirvana (won’t be getting there any time soon, time any there getting be (won’t nirvana reach you before

They toll 108 times, one for every temptation to overcome to temptation every for one times, 108 toll They

temples begin to toll, jarring your sleep until around 4.00 am. 4.00 around until sleep your jarring toll, to begin temples

Sometime before midnight on New Year’s Eve the bells in the in bells the Eve Year’s New on midnight before Sometime

inclination to foot the bill. the foot to inclination

good and cheap, which is fortunate as my manager has little little has manager my as fortunate is which cheap, and good

yet not a restaurant). The food and drink at these places is places these at drink and food The restaurant). a not yet

go to happen at an izakaya (a pub yet not a pub, a restaurant a pub, a not yet pub (a izakaya an at happen to go

each office or school that you have dealings with. The ones I ones The with. dealings have you that school or office each

Then you attend bonenkai, or “year-forgetting parties,” one for one parties,” “year-forgetting or bonenkai, attend you Then

2012—year of the dragon the of 2012—year

later, and how the post office manages to pull it off I don’t know. don’t I off it pull to manages office post the how and later,

worthy of Father Christmas himself, albeit happening a week a happening albeit himself, Christmas Father of worthy

matter where in the country you live, on 1st January. It’s a feat a It’s January. 1st on live, you country the in where matter

in Japan Man Our

by Geoff Tozer Geoff

What’s On in Rainow and Bollington DECEMBER 2011 18 3.00 pm Carols by Candlelight Jenkin Chapel 24 3.00 pm Carol Service Forest Chapel 25 10.00 am Parish Communion Rainow Church 25 12 noon Christmas at White Nancy White Nancy with Bollington Brass Band JANUARY 2012 7, 8 See website for Pantomime – Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Bollington Arts Centre and 11 times Bollington Festival Players. Tickets £8,or special family rates. Contact: 01625 875326 www. bollingtonartscentre.org.uk 8 8.00 pm Second Sunday Folk Club Bollington Arts Centre Admission £2 Singers and players welcome to take part 9 7.30 pm Rainow WI - Cup Cakes & Canapés Rainow Institute Leah Stevenson 15 2.30 - 4.30 pm Bollington Festival Theatre Production Bollington Arts Centre Rehearsals begin 20 7.30 pm Mothers Union - New Year Party Rainow Church Centre 22 - 19 Sundays 2 - 4 In the Gallery - David Lunt Bollington Arts Centre Feb and during events – selected paintings 2008 to 2012 FEBRUARY 2012 3 8.00 pm Bolly Comedy Club Bollington Arts Centre Info from www. bollingtonartscentre.org.uk 4 8.00 pm Bollington Chamber Concerts Bollington Arts Centre The Barbirolli Quartet Tickets £14/£7 01625 560355 or 575287

5 7.00 pm Boz – a celebration of the 200th anniversary Bollington Arts Centre s On of the birth of Charles Dickens – Frank Walker. £5/£4 pay at door 12 8.00 pm Second Sunday Folk Club Bollington Arts Centre 13 7.30 pm Rainow WI - Macclesfield Canal – Tim Boddington Rainow Institute 17 8.00 pm Ceilidh - with local band Maplewood Bollington Arts Centre (bar open 7.30 pm) Tickets reserved in advance from Jan 1st Tel: 01625 573413 or 575060 18 8.00 pm From Here to Absurdity Bollington Arts Centre – Richard Kelly & Friends in Review. Tickets £9 from 01625 575287 21 7.30 pm Mothers Union Rainow Church Centre AGM followed by favourite hymns 24 TBA Friends of Rainow School - Chilli & Quiz Night Rainow School 25 9.30 am - 4.30 pm Singing Day (discover Cherubini’s Requiem) Bollington Arts Centre Book your place and get details 01625 261933 MARCH 2012 2 8.00 pm Bolly Comedy Club Bollington Arts Centre Tickets £9 onlineBrownies from at www.bollingtonartscentre.org.ukTatton 3 8.00 pm Bollington Chamber Concerts - The Wu Quartet Bollington Arts Centre Tickets £14/£7 01625 560355 or 575287 12 7.30 pm Rainow WI Rainow Institute Trekking in Nepal – Gwen 14 11.30 - 12.30 pm Rainow NSPCC Ladies Lunch The Hunting Lodge with Arabella Fashion Show Adlington Hall Tickets £23 Contact Sue Frith 01625 573802 14-17 TBA Bollington Festival Players Bollington Arts Centre Spring Production Details 01625 875326 18 8.00 pm Second Sunday Folk Club Bollington Arts Centr 20 7.30 pm Mothers Union – Lenten Talk by Margaret Tate Rainow Church Centre 25 2.30 and 5.00 pm Bollington Festival Music Theatre Bollington Arts Centre Visit www.fun.to/bfmt or call 0161 225 4680

30 8.00 pm “Totally Tina” – an evening of rock music Bollington Arts Centre

(over 18s only). Tickets £10 01625 573945 or 575076 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.

23 What’

Walk 12 Map: Rainow Parish Paths Autumn Circular (recommended) and/or OS 1:25,000 et off from the Robin Hood (now re- a metalled track (metalled tracks are not OL 24 The White Peak Sopened under new management) the well-defined on the Rainow Parish map) Distance: About 4km last remaining pub in the village (USE and joining the Gritstone Trail for a Time: about 1.5 - 2 hours IT OR LOSE IT). Walk up the main road moment. Follow this track down through towards the Old Chapel (1875) then cross Horden farm and its acolytes. Ascent: about 200m the road carefully to enter the drive to As you leave the small cluster of buildings Good tracks, can be a bit Going: Yearns Low Cottage (1873), doubling leave the metalled track, branching to your muddy back on yourself onto footpath 73. Over left, through a gate and along another the stone stile by the gate and heading Start/Finish: Robin Hood green track (65) above Gulshaw Hollow. along the field fence towards Thornsett The main Macclesfield to Buxton Road Farm. can be seen across this steep ravine. This is the home of Colin Pickford, former The track runs down to the stream before Rainow councillor and champion sheep- Vale Royal and after passing the farm dog breeder, trainer and competitor. So entrance turn sharp left through a new you are likely to meet sheep hereabouts – gate on path 66 (get your kicks here) and indeed anywhere on this walk. The above the farm. Cross a couple of fields soils of Rainow are thin and acidic, sitting before emerging onto another track ford- as they do on gritstone, so don’t provide ing a stream and turning up to your right. much except pasture and that mainly for Follow round a building on your left and sheep. A hard living for sure but without then shortly bear right up through fields to the sheep these hills would be densely join path 67. scrubby and not green and rolling. Away to your right the traffic on the A537 Follow path 73 until a farm gate to your thunders by but you are alone with the left and then head round the farm and sheep and the curlew. Look to your left over another stone stile. Descend through and see the edge of Ely Brow and follow the field to the track (72) where you a good path down to a small stream double back sharp right over a cattle grid. which is, I think, the parish boundary. The Follow the track back towards the road. path here becomes MF (Macclesfield Below the farm after about 200m, enter Forest) 14 which you then follow to the the field over a wooden stile on your left wood above Lamaload reservoir. and descend towards the river Dean (74). At the wood sharp left over a wooden stile Over a tall wooden stile and across a on MF 15. Watch out for the poor (relatively) newly installed wooden bridge. drainage before the path reaches a stone Take care to take the left hand fork in the stile. Here straight ahead keeping the path (69) (“the path less travelled”) strange looking wooden post on your right towards a house above you on your left down a lovely grassy track to another and then on through a stone gate and left wood above the river Dean. through a wooden gate to Lamaload road, Descend steeply back to the parish emerging by a cattle grid. If there are boundary at the river directly below the interesting looking pigs in the field they dam and then passing the Water are harmless... Treatment Works (WTW) on your left on ridge over the 78. Looking back on the b At the road sharp left and then River Dean immediately continue ahead (right off the Turn left over a small stream at the back road over a stone stile) on path 69 up of the semi-detached (!) houses and up a through a field and through a gap, bearing steep hill. Follow up and again up to left over a wooden stile. Then steeply Yearns Low Farm (recently extended). rising up the field to a couple of wooden Pass the farm on your left and continue stiles close together....Pause here (to get until meeting the crossing path 77 (take a breath) and look back where you have diversion to the right here if you wish to come from as well as up and down the visit the Common Barn café for tea and Dean valley and along Ker Ridge. Reflect cake!) Follow the track round and up past on how privileged you are...even though Yearns Low (who knows what was buried you may be worrying about whether you here?). As you crest the track you’ll be have a job or whether you can afford the rewarded with splendid views of the rent/mortgage/next energy bill/car repair Cheshire Plain with the Welsh hills (you can’t)...remember that this walk is beyond and the Jodrell Bank Radio T he Hordern Farm buildin free (at the moment)...and push on. gs seen fr Telescope in the foreground. Buxton Road om . The path runs Continue on the left side of the high dry Then down to the road, turn left and to the between the buildin gs. stone wall until reaching a high wooden pub! stile over the wall. Continue diagonally

FP* refers to footpath across the field (still on 69) until reaching by Plodder numbers on Rainow Parish Paths Map ᒇ

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