Raven Magazine 33 13/12/15 15:23 Page 1

No.33The Winter 2015 aven RThe quarterly magazine for the whole of Rainow

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

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The Parish Council would like to wish everyone a very.... Happy and Peaceful Christmas and New Year All the Best for 2016 IMPORTANT Civic Service 2015 We would ask car The Service was held at Holy Trinity Church on owners not to park Sunday 27th September. The Vicar, Steve near the two Rathbone, led the service and Over Alderley Brass entrances/exits to the Band accompanied the hymn singing. estate when snow is Among the guests were The Mayor of Cheshire forecast. Apart from East Cllr Hilda Gaddum, the Deputy Mayor of making it difficult for Macclesfield Cllr Alift Harewood-Jones, Bollington residents to get out it gives the snowplough a more Town Mayor Councillor Angela Williams, Mr David difficult task! If at all possible, please use your Rutley MP and Poynton Town Deputy Mayor Cllr drives not the road. Sandra Horsman. The Mayor of Rainow, Mr Bob Thank you for your co-operation. Langstaff, presented Mabel Lomas with flowers in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the Winter Gritting Community of Rainow (see photo on centre page). Highways will be filling the grit bins and, if the The boys and girls from Beavers, Cubs and Guides weather is particularly wintery, depositing 1 tonne attended along with Rose Queen Emily Stringer sacks of salt mix at strategic locations in the parish. and her attendants to make the morning even The sacks will be dropped on the verge as they are more special. and the salt can then be spread from the sack. We Once again the Council would like to say a big have asked for the usual distribution and hopefully thank you to all residents who joined in to help we will be well covered for this winter, but should make the Civic Service such a successful event – you have an emergency then the contact number we could not make this possible without your help. for Highways is Tel: 0300 123 5020 or see their Thank you to all members of the Women’s Institute, website at www.cheshireeasthighways.org.uk Mothers Union and church members who provided Please note that salt from the bins and sacks is for cakes and to all members of the Parish Council use on the road and pathways ONLY. who made the sandwiches.

Christmas Tree Please take a look at our fantastic Christmas tree in Trinity Gardens, (supplied by Mr and Mrs Hasler). A tree lighting and Christmas Carol ceremony was held on the 6th December with tea and cake provided by the church. Thank you to everyone who helped with the installation and decoration of the tree.

Community Pride Competition 2015 Our Chairman John Cantrell and Councillor Carole Harvey attended the 59th Community Pride FREE Trees Competition in Ellesmere Port organised by Cheshire Community Action (photo on centre The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) are offering pages). There was a large gathering of Civic FREE trees through their Ovo Energy 2015 tree Leaders including Parish Councillors, Competition planting programme. In total 95,000 trees across the Judges and enthusiasts who had travelled from all UK will be planted. parts of the County. Community Tree Planting Packs involve Rainow did extremely well collecting a number of communities being provided with saplings and tree awards. In the Best Kept Village (1,001-2,500 guards to maintain the trees throughout their growth category) we reached the final five with Audlem process. The sapling packs and guidance information winning overall. We were also RUNNER UP in the are being made available to community groups, category for Best Community Newsletter and schools, clubs, parish councils, parks for planting in received a “Little Gem” award for the pond at the publicly accessible spaces across the UK. bottom of Sugar Lane. For the best community If you would like to order the trees, please use the link initiative the village community bus was awarded a below and complete the booking form to place your order.

arish Council News £25 prize. Mr John Stagg was awarded Highly Commended as Community Champion (photo on http://book.tcv.org.uk/cgi-bin/event.cgi?id=324; centre pages). ran=144

2 P Cover photo by Colin Serridge

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Vandalism The Parish Council would ask everyone in the Welcome to community to keep vigilant. Please do notify the Police of any acts of vandalism to property. Please note the contact numbers are listed below. Police non-emergency contact number Tel: 101 Parish Council contact number: 01625 850532

Rainow Maps and Walks Booklet The Rainow walks booklet is now available at the new price of only £1! The If you would like a copy of the booklet or a map, also for £1, then please Raven contact Councillor Richard Balment.

Advertisers, request for…. Your Parish Councillors The Council are seeking advertisers to John Cantrell (Chairman) 422107 ensure the continuation of the newsletter. [email protected]

If you are interested in advertising, then Alan Brett (Vice Chairman) 576108 please contact Councillor Carole Harvey [email protected] for more details. Richard Balment 573625 Rural Broadband – Not-Spots [email protected] Please see the separate article in this issue of the Raven. Katherine Beswick 573809 [email protected] Private suppliers of fast broadband (eg Vispa) need local relays in prominent locations within communities Ken Butler 433168 (eg churches, tall building, lamp posts…) to make local [email protected] distribution easier. Any support or ideas that you could provide to help with planning or suggestions on locations Geoff Cooper 574878 would be gratefully received, this could be in the form of [email protected] letters written to your parish council supporting the introduction of the service and explaining why superfast Sue Frith 573802 broadband helps your community, or you may know [email protected] people willing to volunteer to host relays on their property. Any and all help to ensure Rainow is fully Nathan Gabbott 576755 covered by fast broadband will be welcomed. [email protected]

Annual Parish Meeting - 15th March 2016 Carole Harvey 573576 [email protected] This may seem a little in advance but, before we know it we will be working on our Spring Edition. Every year the Parish Mary Marsh 573508 Council holds an Annual Parish Meeting where all Rainow [email protected] Residents are welcome to come and raise any points they wish concerning life in the village and bring up any Adrian McGuinness 573408 suggestions they may have which could enhance the village. [email protected] It is important that Alan Taylor 575544 we know your views [email protected] so that we can act on your behalf Sarah Giller (Clerk) 850532 [email protected] so please do come along Cheshire East Councillor: Hilda Gaddum 01260 252456 Future Meetings and Dates for your diary 19th January 2016 16th February 2016 15th March 2016 (7.00 pm) – followed by the Annual Editorial Team for this issue: Parish Meeting 19th April 2016 Ian Brammer Sheila Brammer 19th May 2016 – Annual General Meeting Jim Kennelly Bob Langstaff All Meetings commence at 8.00 pm and are advertised on the Louise Leigh Raph Murray notice boards and the website. Design by Mel Wilcox (01625 576182)

“Items included in the Raven do not represent the views of the Parish Council”. 3

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Flog it!! Adam Partridge tells another good story!

dam Partridge brought his auctioneering skills and experience to the social event of the autumn at the end of September when Rainow ANSPCC and Mottram St Andrew Methodist Chapel worked together to produce an entertaining evening as a joint production. Mottram Village Hall with its first class facilities (including a well-manned bar!) was an excellent venue for what turned out to be a full house. After an excellent fish and chip supper from Foster’s of Alderley Edge, Adam kept his audience laughing as he drew on the more startling experiences from his career with would-be sellers and misguided bidders. After his well received talk, Adam needed no persuasion to hold an auction, ably assisted by Sue Frith and Jill Hilary. On this occasion the lots were all delightful embroideries from the hands of Ros Ford generously donated by her family. Bids from the audience flowed and the sale went along at Adam’s usual brisk pace. At the end of the evening the success was shown by the amount raised, with Rainow NSPCC’s share coming to £1,780. The many people who worked so hard behind the scenes to bring about this YOUR LOCAL SERVICE successful evening deserve special praise along with those who donated raffle prizes. The NSPCC and the Chapel would like to thank everyone who came to support the event and made it such an outstanding success. Keith Perriss Auctioneers assistant Sue Frith in action ith great regret the editors have to report the death of Keith Perriss in WNovember. Keith was a regular contributor to the Raven from its early days with articles and photographs and was also “Straggler” who devised many of the walks featured in the magazine and in the Rainow Walks Booklet. Like us, his fellow KRIV members will remember his meticulous attention to detail and his valued contribution to the life of the village.

Art Exhibition

"The awful weather in the last days of November didn't dampen the enthusiasm for the 7th Rainow Art Exhibition held in the Church Centre. A fabulous 21 local artists entered 86 works in the main exhibition with many other pictures and cards in the sale room. The organisers would like to thank all who took part in raising an amount in excess of £550 for Rainow Church. A WONDERFUL COMMUNITY EFFORT!!"

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The Churchwardens set out the vision Contact Liam Leicester on: Our Village Church for the future 07762 825537 or 01625 575604 [email protected] ur Vicar, Rev. Steve Rathbone, has recently been encouraging an ongoing debate about the relevance and role of the church in our community. His Opredecessor, Leslie Lewis, wrote, “Church life is never still – we move on from where we were.” Fulfilling these words the PCC (Parochial Church Council) has been considering various developments. Over the past year the possibility of changing the church’s interior has been explored – “re-ordering” in Church of England speak. The aim is to create a church which serves a vibrant community; beyond traditional worship; which could welcome the wider community by being able to accommodate a range of activities.For example, the recently installed audio visual system, which is particularly contributing to the Family Service, would be available for meetings, showing films and talks. The advantages of the reordering would be: N improved seating by replacing some of the uncomfortable pews with chairs N a more effective and efficient heating system N a level floor throughout and improved access N a more adaptable space to meet the needs of various community events. For example the Christmas Market, Art Exhibition and concerts. Entertaining this ambitious vision for the future of our church has only been possible following receipt of a substantial legacy. It is hoped that the latter will meet most of the substantial cost of the project. The final plan for redesigning is not something that can ultimately be decided at local level. We are dependent on the Church of England Diocesan Advisory Committee granting permission. Sensitivity Zach Wilcox to the church’s historical significance in Rainow and views of bodies such as The Gardening & Maintenance Victorian Society and English Heritage will need to be considered. If the first G Hedge Cutting,Trimming, stages of the project indicate it to be viable, proposed plans will be drawn up. Shaping and Reduction These plans will be on display in the church foyer early in 2016 for anyone to see. G Dry Stone Walling Feedback would be most welcome. G Tree Felling/Pruning “Church life is never still – we move on from where we were.” G Gutter Clearing Rev. Leslie Lewis,Vicar 1972-2002 & Replacement G Flag Laying, Patios Carole Harvey Telemarketing and Pointing G Fencing G Jet Washing New Business Development G Turfing and Lawn Care G Mole Catching Appointment Setting

Telephone Marketing 01625 474432 Mob : 07758 249587 22 Millers Meadow, Rainow, Macclesfield 01625 573576 [email protected] 8 Leat Place, Bollington 5

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Out of School – Autumn Term by Mark Bertinshaw, Headteacher

s well as working hard on academic subjects, one of our key development areas this year is to look at children’s health and wellbeing. There are three Abasic strands that we are aiming to develop. Over the year we would like more opportunities for children to be physically active, have a clearer focus Parsnip &Apple on healthy eating and also develop specific teaching about what constitutes a healthy lifestyle. ecipe of the Month Soup

R With these areas in mind, we recently put aside our usual curriculum and Ingredients focused on wellbeing for the whole week. Every day began with a ‘Wake up, 1 oz (25g) Butter shake up’ fast exercise dance session for all the children and staff. We also had 1 Onion many visitors during the week. These included art, sound and drama therapists, 2 Medium-size Parsnips a yoga teacher, a fitness instructor, a massage teacher, a dentist, nurses and 1 Cooking Apple paramedics and a PCSO amongst many other visitors. The teachers and other 1 Pint (600ml) Vegetable Stock volunteers taught specific sessions on such areas as relaxation, mindfulness 2 Chopped tbsp Parsley 1 and anti-bullying strategies. Perhaps the highlight for many of the children was /2 tsp Mixed Dried Herbs Salt & pepper the opportunity to create and try out their own healthy fruit and vegetable Milk to dilute as necessary smoothie recipes. Many thanks to the parents who supported us over an Method extremely memorable week. 1. Melt the butter in a large saucepan As part of the wellbeing week, we asked the children to think about elements of and sauté the vegetables and apple caring and looking after each other. For me, this comment in an eight year old child’s book sums up the week. until the onion is transparent. 2. Add the stock and herbs and bring to ‘Kindness is two people speaking to each other and saying “Do you want to be the boil. Simmer for 30 mins. friends?”. Kindness is made by someone helping someone else when they fall over 3. Blend in a liquidizer, adding milk if or hurt themselves. Kindness is like love, an essence in the air, it’s an emotion the soup seems too thick. you feel. Kindness chases you but you shouldn’t run away – you need kindness.’ 4. Reheat and adjust seasoning before School Choir success serving. The Rainow School choir had an amazing experience recently when they performed at Chester Cathedral’s Spirit of Christmas show in aid of the NeuroMuscular Centre. The choir were winners of a Cheshire wide competition to select a school to sing at the event and they competed against some large and prestigious schools with professional choir leaders and hi tech recording HarropRainow Fold Farm equipment. The recording of our choir, done in a classroom on an ipad by Mrs Tel: 01625 560085 Rudall and Mr Gratton, was selected as the winner and I am proud to say that we are the first Cheshire East school to ever win this! Somewhere very special... Their performance at the black tie event in the Cathedral was part of a massive fundraiser for the NeuroMuscular Centre and was hosted by Matthew Kelly and A Quintessentially English Experience, supported by many other stars of stage and screen. The children were brilliant. Delightful Award Winning In front of over a thousand guests, they conquered their nerves to give a 5 Star Guest Farmhouse and fantastic performance of ‘Ding Dong Merrily on High’ (or ‘Gloria’ as most of the Self-catering Cottage Accommodation children call it) and ‘Midnight’, a modern Christmas carol. Congratulations to all set in 20 acres with breathtaking the children on such a great performance. views over the Cheshire Plain. The run up to Christmas is a lovely time of year in a primary school. The We offer ’Cupcakes Galore’ - children’s decorations are up, the play rehearsals are in full swing and we are all looking forward to the Christmas lunch, parties and carol service in church. 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. Day & Residential Art Courses with our Resident Professional Artist. Gift Vouchers available and Corporate and Group Bookings welcome. www.harropfoldfarm.co.uk www.michaelmooreart.co.uk www.leahspantry.co.uk 6

Raven Magazine 33 13/12/15 17:29 Page 13 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

Over Alderley Brass Band been happening since the lead the way from the Civic Service autumn and we have put 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!

Making friends at Windyway!

Mabel Lomas receiving her community award from Mayor of Rainow, Bob Langstaff. Parish Councillor John Cantrell and Councillor Carole Harvey receive Rainow’s Community Action Award (see page 2)

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Award for Rainow Village Bus

ainow Village Bus has met with well-earned success in the Cheshire Community Action competition (see the RCouncil News) where the venture won a Community Initiative Award plus a £25 prize.

The award is recognition for the hard work and enterprise of the whole team in bringing the regular village bus service into being and then successfully running the scheduled service for the past year. Many people in Rainow have contributed to this success: in particular, the volunteers who drive the bus and those who carry out the many unseen administrative tasks deserve the credit. The team also benefited from the efforts of others who were instrumental in the start up process but have since moved on. Special thanks go to Mark Ewer who was a very active member of the original driver team, to Katherine Beswick who had a key role in setting up the administration process and to John Allen and Greig Nicol for their vital work in setting up the website (rainowvillagebus.com) and running it. cost down until the new vehicle is with us, we are going to avoid unnecessary journeys. This will mean that from January you will The new bus promised by the Department for Transport under have to book your seat rather than just turn up; this way we can their 2014 scheme has yet to materialise but we hope to have cut out any journeys which aren’t necessary. Arrangements for it in the spring of 2016. Meantime our much loved Mercedes groups to book the bus are unchanged. The leaflet you will have is having to cope with the effects of age and previous hard received with this Raven will give you more details. It also offers usage and is starting to cost us more in repairs. To keep the you the chance of a free trip!

Bollington Health & Leisure Unveils New State-of-the-Art Gym Facility ver the summer months the gym at Bollington Health & and Jacuzzi, over 50 weekly exercise classes, 2 competition Leisure has undergone a major refurbishment which has squash courts, a soft play area for children under 5’s, and beauty, Oresulted in it doubling in size, with much more equipment massage and sports therapy treatments. and a completely new layout. We would welcome you to come and view our new gym and Opening last month the new facility boasts an array of facilities at any point in the day, just pop in and we’ll show you contemporary cardio, free weights and resistance machines, what we have to offer. Plus don’t miss out on our fantastic 3 air conditioning, music system and a second brand new fitness months free membership offer when you take out a new or studio. The staff and all members at the centre are extremely existing annual membership before the end of December. proud of the new facilities and are looking forward to hosting For more information contact our friendly team on 01625 574 774 new fitness classes in the New Year including Boxercise and or visit www.bollingtonleisure.co.uk Pump It as well as more of your favourites like Kettlercise, Spinning and Pilates. We know it is hard to stick to a fitness regime especially with the cold winter months moving in, so what better way to get motivated with an amazing, modern gym, new classes and facilities to help keep you on track and combat the indulgent festive period. The centre has been serving the community since 1977 and continues to cater for all the health and fitness needs of the people of Bollington and surrounding area. An often unknown fact is that the centre operates as an independent charity and is managed by a volunteer Board of Management who have worked tirelessly alongside the centre staff to transform the centre into what it is today – which now provides swimming lessons for all ages and abilities, a health spa complete with sauna, steam room 14

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News from the Lamp and Candle It’s been a quiet time at the “Lamp”. Not a complaint, this is campaign against large retail just how we like it. shops. He’s even bought some It’s nice to see the Robin Hood doing so well under the Price camouflage trousers from family. I took myself to the bonfire event and I must say I the Army & Navy Store. haven’t seen a better bonfire since they used to have them on If you ask me he’s after a Billy Moss’s field. The Robin Hood Café is up and running now piece of Rainow action – by my calculation the first café in Rainow in about fifty (I’ve already had to remind him twice who is and who isn’t the years! Give it all the support you can! Raven correspondent) but to be fair to him he has taken on an important cause and he is prepared to give a copy of his final Still haven’t heard anything from the Parish Council about report to the Editor of the “Raven” for publication. This time my brilliant idea for sorting out motorists and cyclists he’s turned his attention to banks, and last week he went into speeding through the village. Mind you, like me they’re the District Bank on the corner of Chestergate to complain probably busy trying to work out how the speed warning sign that there were no seats, no counters and no assistants. He in Hurdsfield works. It says you’re driving at 15 miles per hour ended up in a heated argument with the manager and so SLOW DOWN! I keep passing it more and more slowly as I threatened to take his overdraft elsewhere. There is no doubt have a theory that if I get down to 5 miles per hour it’ll say though, that his campaign is taking off. He has already had a SPEED UP! letter from a Rainow resident. A few weeks ago the Mayor of Rainow paid us a surprise visit Dear Mr. Bickerdike, which is unusual for anybody on these dark nights but I Regarding your campaign for a better shopping experience I suspect he was in some kind of bother at home. A woman on would like to share with you the rather upsetting scenario I the bus told me that on Hallowe’en the Mayor had opened the had on a recent visit to the Sainsbury’s store in Macclesfield. door, peered out at two callers, told them he’d never seen such I reached the checkout and was delighted when the assistant gruesome masks in his life and shoved a double ration of offered me a wine-carrier. I imagined it would be a rather sweets into their hands. It turned out it wasn’t kids at all but handsome man in a suit with perhaps a napkin draped over a husband and wife whose car had broken down and who his arm. It turned out to be a kind of make-it-yourself wanted to use the telephone. Apparently the Mayor’s cardboard crate. explanation that it was very dark and the lady did have a So disappointing, pointed nose didn’t go down too well and words were Mrs. M.C., Friars Close. exchanged. I didn’t mention anything to him but I think the story must be right as he took pains to invite himself here for So you see there is genuine concern out there. To help next year’s Hallowe’en. Anyway, he’s taking his Mayoral Bickerdike I did some research for him while I was in duties very seriously He’s after a seat on the committee that’s Macclesfield with my cousin’s lad Graham. We went to Costa deciding on a third runway at Manchester Airport. Somebody Coffee in the Market Place. It is not called Costa for nothing. I mentioned to him that if it goes ahead they’ll stick a huge blue asked for a flat white and a ginger biscuit as they looked like light on top of White Nancy. The Mayor wants to fight this the cheapest things on the menu. While Graham was ordering move and I agree with him that a light would ruin the whole I had a good look round and tried to analyse my ‘shopping ambulance of the place. experience’ just like Bickerdike had asked. The place was clean, bright and comfortable in a plastic sort of way and the staff Kevin thinks the Mayor is ‘cool’ and is interested in being his smiled and said “thank you” a lot, which is a plus. The young agent and getting him a few gigs, whatever that means. Kevin’s lad making the coffee behind the counter had a black T-shirt seventeen now and has a haircut that looks like the line of grass on with the word BARISTA across the back. This puzzled me, up the middle of the track to the “Lamp & Candle”. When I as he looked far too young to be in the legal profession and I pointed this out to him he was delighted and now he wants to couldn’t help wondering why he had to have a part time job have his strip of hair dyed green. I’ve had a word with his serving in a café. Perhaps it’s because he can’t spell so well. mother. Kevin has a girlfriend now who is nice but a bit soppy for my liking. She was telling me she reads one romantic love As for the coffee I had a problem with that too, trying to dip a story after another. Now I know they’re at that awkward age ginger biscuit that turned out to be the size of a child’s face and I can be romantic myself at times but to my way of into a cup no bigger than a Lamp & Candle spittoon! All in all thinking you can’t keep going around kissing frogs, and if you not a good experience. Heaven knows what Bickerdike’s going lose a shoe at midnight then you’ve had too much to drink. to report after the Christmas rush! Miserable Bickerdike has gone a bit over the top in his Have a good one by the way, Landlord

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Father Christmas to Santa Claus: Green Man Changes to Red by Jim Kennelly

hristmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. In Catholic Europe, Christmas gift CBeyond that all bets are off; nobody knows the exact date giving is ascribed to St Nicholas, or year for the Nativity. the young Bishop of Myra (now in Turkey) during the 4th Century. The Romans were religiously omnivorous; eventually adopting Nicholas was dedicated to Christianity as the state religion. Formerly, Romans had the helping the poor, anonymously Saturnalia midwinter festival, anticipating new life with the gifting dowries to impoverished return of the light. A popular adopted god was Mithras, girls and nocturnally depositing product of a virgin birth, born on 25th December. These are coins or treats in the shoes of suggestions why the early Church set the feast of the Nativity children. St Nicholas is depicted on this date, aligning with traditions of their recent European as a bearded man, as were most converts. As a consequence, Christmas (originally from the clergy in Eastern Rite Churches, Middle East) has garnered cultural barnacles from various but neither old nor portly. He European winter festivals. wears bishop’s robes; often, but Bishop Nicholas not always, in red. St Nicholas is Christmas images are of snowy wintery weather. Snow on Sint Nikolaas in Dutch, Sankt 25th December is a given in Norway and Russia, but less so Nikolaus in German. More familiarly he is known as St Nick, in, say, Britain and France. This is due to the change from the Sinterklaas or Sankt Niklaus. Julian to the Gregorian calendar, reluctantly adopted by Britain in 1753; the Julian 25th December was equivalent to In USA areas with significant Dutch and German populations, 8th January now, a significantly colder period. How come we Sinterklaas/Sankt Niklaus was anglicised to Santa Claus do not celebrate Christmas Mud, Fog and Drizzle in Britain? during the 18th century and became a local folklore As with many things Cultural, the answer is DICKENS. alternative to Father Christmas. Clement Clarke Moore’s 1822 Charles Dickens was born in 1812 and 1810 to 1820 winters poem "The Night Before Christmas" gave Santa his were exceptionally cold; 1814 saw the last recorded Frost Fair reindeer-drawn magic sleigh and a sackfull of toys. The on the frozen Thames, so young Charles’ formative transformation to the current Santa Claus is yet incomplete; memories of snowy Christmastimes in southern England he is still called St Nicholas and is of miniature stature and permeated his later writings. dressed in fur.

The lack of Biblical justification for 25th December holiday In 19th century (plus the excessive feasting and drinking involved) posed depictions of problems for Protestants. The festival was branded pagan, or Father Christmas even worse, Papist. Christmas was banned in Civil War period or Santa Claus England by the Puritan-dominated Parliament and not he varies in recognised as a religious holiday by the Scottish Kirk. Indeed, height and until 1958 Christmas Day was nominally still a working day in weight, although Scotland. Disapproval of Christmas was responsible for the he is now emergence of Hogmanay as Scotland’s principal public holiday. generally shown as a white haired Justification of Christmas old man. He traditions in England cited the might be dressed spirit of the festival, personified as in the original Red of cheek and Red of coat “Nowell", "Sir Christemas" and colour green, but – Coca Cola’s Santa Claus “Lord Christemas”. Eventually he also in furs, or became Old Christmas or Father white, blue, Christmas. Associated with adult yellow and, increasingly, red clothes. By 1870 Thomas Nast is communal feasting and credited with visualising the definitive Santa Claus as a drinking, a muscular man in his larger-than-life, rotund and red-robed Merrymaker. This image prime, dressed in Green, was solidified worldwide by an immensely popular series of garlanded with holly, the paintings during the 1930’s by Haddon Sundblom for original Father Christmas does Coca-Cola adverts – it also helped that Santa’s red and white appear a pagan figure, along the livery was in the company’s colours. lines of the Green Man – perhaps those Puritans had a point after The British Father Christmas is reconciled with his all? The best depiction of the Dutch-American alter ego; he has changed into red and will traditional British Father answer both to Santa Claus or Father Christmas.We do Christmas is in Dickens’ hope, however, that he keeps his old suit handy – there are (Him Again!) A Christmas moves to recover the pre-commercial traditions of Christmas Carol as the jolly Ghost of Dreaming of a Green and who better to lead those celebrations than the original Christmas Present. (Father) Christmas Green Father Christmas?

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So near yet so far away! Beaver activities An update on the broadband situation Beavers report by Hilary Nicol and Graham Mellish by Karen Roberts

hilst the half of Rainow village served by the Bollington telephone exchange has e have had a very varied been successfully connected to Superfast broadband, the same cannot be said programme this term, which Wfor the half served by the Macclesfield exchange or for the outlying areas of the WI hope all the Beavers, both parish. Consequently, the luckier residents may receive broadband at up to 60 returning and new, have mbps but the remainder have to put up with speeds as low as 2 mbps. enjoyed. We kickstarted the activities Those of us who are working to get superfast broadband across the whole of Rainow with an evening of archery run by were encouraged to hear David Cameron say recently that he is committed to Peter Parker. With so many new introducing a legally enforceable universal service level for broadband. If this was set at members, this was an exciting way the minimum of 10 mbps, it would be good news for us but it doesn’t help immediately. for them to start their time in Beavers; it did, however, mean that the rest of Two local rural broadband events have taken place recently. An open day was the term had a lot to live up to. Over organised by Gawsworth Parish Council with Vispa Ltd, a company who are hoping to a few sessions, we worked towards deliver wireless broadband to villages not connected to the BT superfast network. Vispa the first Navigator badge. We learnt beam signals from mast to mast using line of sight and had set up a temporary mast on about maps and how to read them, Sutton Common near the BT tower. The signal was beamed into Gawsworth and as well as making the most of the delivered an impressive speed of 60 mbps to visitors’ devices. It might be possible to light evenings in September by going transmit a signal to Rainow via a repeater mast but a proper assessment could only be on a walk around Macclesfield done on the ground. In the same way as a satellite-delivered service, you are tied to the Forest. Other activities have included company and for anyone using a lot of data, the cost could be high.You can find out a games evening, a star gazing night more about Vispa and register at www.vispa.net/register; registering costs nothing and a British Isles themed night. Over and does not commit you to taking a service. the course of the term, the Beavers The second event was a meeting at which Cheshire East, Connecting Cheshire, BT and have been busy working towards Openreach were to give presentations. Most of the meeting was about what has been their Sports, Hobby and Collector achieved in Cheshire to date and it was not until the question and answer session at the badges and so we had a ‘show and end that the audience could raise any problems. David Rutley voiced his concerns and tell’ evening where they could talk to Hilda Gaddum specifically mentioned us in Rainow, but no solutions were offered on the the others about all the activities that day. It was very irritating to see ourselves described on the Connecting Cheshire map they had been taking part in. as "connected" ie in theory everyone in Rainow is now connected to the superfast network although there are 100+ properties too far away from the cabinet in Hurdsfield We have also had a number of to ever receive superfast speeds. However, we do feel that our predicament has been visitors this term: we had a visit from recognised and we are hopeful that our situation will be reconsidered. Bollington Balloons, when every child went home with their own very Unfortunately, no details were given at the meeting about the new systems that BT are special balloon creation; a talk about working on and although there are other private systems using different technologies life in Rainow during the war years that might be able to provide us with a high speed service, at the moment they are from Bob Langstaff; and a visit from unlikely to be as reliable or as economical as one brought to us through the fibre the RNLI who talked to the children network and the existing telephone system. about the service and how to keep We need to show that we think bringing superfast broadband to the whole of the village safe around water. is important for Rainow businesses, families and individuals, not just for now but into the future. Even if you have already registered, please add your name again. Registering We will be finishing the term with your interest by adding your name to the Openreach and Connecting Cheshire websites some fun games and party food, is the best way to show that we want this to happen. Please go to: the Expressions of before we take an extended break Interest page at www.superfast-openreach.co.uk and also www.connecting over December and the Christmas cheshire.org.uk/checkavailability period.

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Raven Magazine 33 13/12/15 16:27 Page 18

Raph Murray meets... Izzy Christiansen – Our International Footballer

s a member of the England National and Manchester City Women's football teams Isobel "Izzy" Christiansen is one of Athe top women’s footballers in the country. In 2015 she scored six times in the last seven games to help Man City Women's Super League team to a second-place finish and Champion’s League qualification. These performances were recognised with a call-up to the England senior squad where she scored on her debut in a Euro 2017 qualifier against Estonia with a superb half-volley from the edge of the penalty area. Although Izzy no longer lives in Rainow, she grew up in the village with her brother and sister and parents, Wendy and Niels, and started her football career as a member of the Rainow School Football team. No doubt many of her fellow team members, and opposing teams, will remember the experience of playing with and against Izzy. Since then, of course, Izzy's football career has continued its upward trajectory with her most recent success as a player with Man City and England National Women's teams. Several years ago, at the start of her international career with the under Izzy in Manchester City’s 23 England National team, Izzy's early success was featured in 1-0 league victory over Birmingham City Ladies the Raven (Issue 13, Winter 2010). Now 24, Izzy shares some of her thoughts on her career so far with the Raven. Birmingham was for the club to become fully professional; it didn't happen immediately because it was the beginning of a When did you start playing? new project. But I would say we/I turned professional around I started playing when I was about 6, having my older brother July last year. This season (the 2015 season) highlights our first always kicking a football around I was eager to join in. full season as a fully professional women's club, the first in the Do you remember your first football match – which team country.The difference it has made for my career has been (Rainow School?) – significant. Yes! On the green pitch, which seems minuscule now. I was very What was your path from that first game as a child to your fond of that team (Rainow School Team) and the boys who first international game? constituted it. We all got on so well and played some terrific A long, winding and bumpy path (a bit like the bridle track) that football at times! I now appreciate is part and parcel of being a professional sportsperson – I believe the way you handle difficulties defines you. Now playing at the top level both domestically and internationally is a reward for many years of hard work and balancing studying with training. What do you like most about football, your role in the team and how this has changed over the years? I like the different challenges it presents from game to game. Applying a game plan and seeing it work is rewarding as a player. My roles have always been similar due to my attributes, I'm a forward thinking midfielder and recently been compared on the Match of the Day equivalent as the female Frank Lampard, I'll take that! What's a 'typical' day as a Women's Super League/England International footballer? My day starts at 7:30 am, in to 'work' (training ground) for 8:15 am for breakfast. The mornings are mainly warm up drills in Izzy and the rest of the gym then on to the pitch, speed work, then what we call a the Rainow School football team pitch session which is around 1 hour 30 minutes working on Do you think football is easier now for girls / women to various team plays, scenarios, possession and individual participate in than when you were younger? training. Then lunch around 12:30 pm. Afternoons are strength Certainly yes, it is the fastest growing sport in the UK and the and conditioning in the gym. Finish around 3:30 pm three days opportunities for young children are so clear now that talent can't a week and around 1:30 pm the other four days. It's taken me be missed. some time to adjust to the lifestyle! Apart from playing football what do you enjoy doing in your When did you become a professional footballer? spare time? The plan at Manchester City when I moved there from Not a huge amount! I like to try and visit family as much as

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Raven Magazine 33 13/12/15 16:29 Page 19

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possible and escape the football bubble. A lot of the time it's a the importance of enjoying your sport and working hard if it case of doing things that aren't too strenuous to ensure I'm fresh starts to become serious. for the next day's training. Do you feel sport has given you more confidence in other Which team do you support? areas of life? Man United! I have to keep that quiet though. I think playing a team sport presents numerous social challenges. Being accountable for yourself and teammates as Who do you most admire in football? well as winning games is difficult. I think the successful teams Frank Lampard – ironically. are those that achieve a good balance of this. Perhaps after Do you enjoy other sports? my footballing career, I will be able to apply a lot I have learnt in Yes, I've tried throughout my career to keep in touch with other communication and dynamics to my next profession, whatever sports too. Coming from such an active sporty family I love the that may be. way I can head home and play tennis with my mum or go out on Do you get nervous before a big match and if so how do the bike. I played hockey at university in my first year and played you manage the nerves? squash and badminton when I could. Yeah! I always get nervous, but I always get told by my coach Do you enjoy travelling to compete? at City that nerves mean you're ready. Certainly. I've been to some amazing places with football – New Zealand, China, parts of Europe and hopefully many more! We visited Abu Dhabi during pre season this year and that was interesting too. It's not always easy while we are away to see the surroundings properly because of training and scheduling but you can still gauge the culture from the people in hotels and local surroundings. How can girls / women be encouraged to participate in more sports and what advice would you give to young girls wanting to try out football? We do a lot of appearances in schools, local communities and youth sports teams to try and help to inspire young girls and boys. I really enjoy this side of the role because it is something I valued, growing up. The impact of role models in sport nowadays will help to shape future stars. Advice I always give is highlighting

19 Raven Magazine 33 13/12/15 16:30 Page 20

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Raven Magazine 33 13/12/15 16:41 Page 22

Quay Players – Pleasure Postponed may be Pleasure Prolonged? An Ehcktor Explains

n this very magazine we reported preparations for the Quay players’ next masterpiece (The Raven passim). Enthused by the reaction to “Keep Smiling IThrough”, Carl Bewley retired into his scrivener’s garret and emerged swivel-eyed and triumphant with the script of “The Calling Card” in hand. This was a play on steroids: more actors, more dialogue, more red herrings than a Soviet trawler, more twists than a masonry bolt. What’s more, the production was scheduled to be early, on the boards before Christmas! We Quay Players pride ourselves on our professional delivery but we are amateur; the elephant in the room is Real Life. At various rehearsals, cast members would be absent due to the need to provide for family, mortgage and the taxman. The rehearsals were instructive, due to absences we doubled or tripled up on parts, so were immersed in the whole play.The substitutions were revealing; one male player, reading the part of a Noo Joisey gold-digging floosy with transparent relish, had clearly crossed the line into wish fulfilment. The structure of “The Calling Card”, with multiple characters interacting onstage and conversing in sequence, plus group dancing and singing, requires a level of choreography on a par with “Strictly Come Dancing”. We had not found enough full cast time to do it justice, so the performances have been postponed to our traditional March slot. The Quay Players will be ready: We have already have the words – we just need to perfect those moves. Moira McGonads Investigates: The Calling Card Rainow Institute 18th and 19th March 2016

Bollington Chamber Concerts – how do they work?

ollington Chamber Concerts is run by a volunteer committee are done by the committee which in addition to the three under the aegis of Bollington Arts Centre. We are not a mentioned are Gerald Coope, Susan Dale, Mary Halloran, Bsociety, so there are no members or elections. Anyone Audrey Meecham and Yvonne Singer. Jean Ransley, who helped interested in helping is very welcome to join the committee. to run the concerts for many years is now ex-officio, taking a We have been going for nearly thirty years and run five concerts well-deserved back seat and able to “just enjoy the music”. Over between September and April. We are blessed with a wonderful, the years she has shown exceptional judgement in choosing intimate space with a fabulous acoustic and have attracted the musicians and continues to help us with the selection. Donald highest quality chamber groups, often with international Judge has also recently joined our selection team. reputations.We have been, tongue-in-cheek, referred to as the There are others: Anne Armitage has been providing the most “Wigmore Hall of the North”! wonderful dinners for our musicians after they have rehearsed; The programme of concerts is decided by the committee – Joan Houlihan writes insightful reviews of our concerts; Nancy taking on board suggestions from our audiences. We have to Coupe, Deborah Roberts and Ann Tunwell give the musicians balance the programme, dates and availability of groups and, of overnight accommodation in their homes. course, our budget. We are grateful to the Arts Centre for hosting the concerts, but we still struggle financially because our musical There is a legacy of wonderful music evenings in Bollington aspirations are always bigger than our financial resources. The which we want to continue and to build upon. In 2016/17 season groups we like to bring to Bollington can cost from £1,000 up to we shall move to six concerts between September and April. £2,500 (and exceptionally, as much as £3,600). Typically we have This year we have introduced a strong educational element by audiences of around ninety so if you do the sums you can see sponsoring the Zelkova Quartet to work with young string players we have to raise funds by other means. Some generous from Macclesfield Music Centre. And a few years ago we started members of the audience like to part-sponsor a concert (for a a highly successful series of music appreciation classes given on special occasion perhaps); we make a bit of profit on the coffee Monday mornings by Diana Rosenthal. sales, and a few summers ago we ran a very successful We have an audience capacity of 120 and a major objective is to fund-raising supper with music (to be repeated on Saturday 25th get closer to filling the auditorium so please encourage your June 2016). friends. If you want more information, want to help or sponsor a The committee is chaired by Francis Graham-Smith, our concert (or one of the pieces) or have any suggestions, phone secretary is Jackie Murphy and Ken Singer is the treasurer. Jackie Murphy on 01625 576402 or just email us at There are many jobs, particularly on concert nights, and these [email protected],.

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What’s On in Rainow and Bollington December 2015 20 6.30 pm Carol Service Rainow Church 24 3.00 pm Carol Service Forest Chapel 24 11.00 pm Holy Communion Rainow Church 25 10.00 am Family Communion Rainow Church 25 12.00 - 3.00 pm Robin Hood Open for Christmas Day Robin Hood, Rainow 25 12.00 noon Christmas at White Nancy White Nancy with Bollington Brass Band 31 8.00 pm till late New Year’s Eve ‘Stars in their Eyes’ Karaoke Night Robin Hood, Rainow Fancy Dress of your favourite celebrity (optional) Hog Roast & Raffle. No admission after 11.30 pm JANUARY 2016 1 7.00 pm Robin Hood Pool Competition Robin Hood, Rainow 8 - 16 See Pantomime – Sleeping Beauty Arts Centre, Bollington (www.bollington Bollington Festival Players artscentre.org.uk) Tickets from [email protected] or 07776239613 for times 11 7.30 pm Rainow WI Rainow Institute – Travels around Europe - Ian Storer 22 7.30 pm Mothers Union Rainow Church Centre – New Year Party

30 8.00 pm Jazz at the Arts Centre Arts Centre, Bollington s On – The Wabash Jazzmen. £10

FEBRUARY 2016 8 7.30 pm Rainow WI Rainow Institute Shelterbox – a charity helping those in distress around the world. 12 2.00 pm Deadly Beauty Arts Centre, Bollington – the Darker History of Cosmetics. £7 13 8.00 pm Bollington Chamber Concerts Arts Centre, Bollington - The Solem Quartet. Tickets £15 01625 576402 or 574435 16 7.30 pm Mothers Union AGM & Social Time Rainow Church 27 9.30 am Schubert Mass in G Arts Centre, Bollington – a chance to sing and to join in a performance Cost TBC 27 8.00 pm Jazz at the Arts Centre Arts Centre, Bollington – The Magnificent Seven. £10

MARCH 2016 14 7.30 pm Rainow WI Rainow Institute Taffy Davies - Cartooning 15 7.30 pm Mothers Union Rainow Church Centre Talk by Margaret Tate 17 & 18 7.30 pm Quay Players Production Rainow Institute - “The Calling Card” 19 8.00 pm Bollington Chamber Concerts Arts Centre, Bollington – The Isimsiz Trio Tickets £15. 01625 576402 or 574435 26 8.00 pm Jazz at the Arts Centre Arts Centre, Bollington – Dave Mott’s Jazz Classics. £10

We have made this list as comprehensive as space permits and 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’

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Edinburgh Comes to Rainow

Photos and words by Keith Perriss

n an early misty morning overlooking Jenkin Chapel, a tortuous section of the Edinburgh Trial took place on The OCorkscrew. Spraying mud in all directions, wheel spinning cars and motorbikes, some with sidecars, slithered and struggled up a rock strewn and narrow muddy track that had amazingly once been a designated highway! With passengers bouncing frantically to keep the vehicles balanced, moving and on track, excitement for the spectator was guaranteed.

The Edinburgh Trial, organized by the Motorcycle Club, originated in 1904 for the privileged few with their new fangled motor vehicles.The original route was from London to Edinburgh.The event has morphed into many identities over the years and today is a day/night trial within the Peak District but with entries from far afield. Despite its location it is still ’The Edinburgh Trial’

The event takes place on the first weekend in October and is recommended as an exciting spectacle - but expect to get liberally sprayed with mud!

Raven Magazine 33 13/12/15 16:02 Page 7

The Friends of Rainow School Treasure Hunt

e’re going on a Bear Hunt. We’re going to catch a big one. We’re not Wscared…..What a beautiful day!”

‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ is a beautifully illustrated children’s book by Michael any will remember the World Rosen which relays the story of a young family trekking through forests, long wavy War One commemorative grass, muddy puddles and cool, clear streams in the hope of spotting a bear – a exhibition in Rainow in October great adventure for any child. The chance of spotting a bear in the UK is slim but M 2014, jointly organised by swop the hunt for treasure and the scenery for Rainow and you have the perfect way Rainovian and member of the Cheshire to bring this story to life. Combine this with the need for a school social fundraiser Villages Great War Society, Harry and a beautiful Sunday afternoon and you have Rainow’s answer to a best seller – Carlisle. The ideas which led to the The Friends of Rainow School Treasure Hunt! exhibition arose from a study carried On Sunday 20th September over 300 adults and children spent a sunny Sunday out by Harry of the names on the afternoon meandering through the countryside armed with treasure hunt clues and Rainow War Memorial. Harry extended maps, in the quest of spotting the many hidden yellow ducks or answering the list of his field of research and has now treasure hunt questions posed by Mrs Parker – year 6 teacher at Rainow School. published “For the Freedom of Us All – A Directory of War Memorials in Having compiled the routes, pinned duck pictures to dozens of trees and North-East Cheshire”. cleverly calculated a maths based quiz, Mr & Mrs Parker created a wonderful, interactive and educational treasure hunt fit for any aged child or adult. Thoroughly Harry Carlisle’s lovingly crafted work engaged and motivated, the children (with adults in tow) romped around the Rainow honours the fallen first as soldiers, with countryside, busily spotting ducks and clues with the support of the FRS fleet of regimental and service information, ‘Marshalls’ offering ice pops and sweets along the way. Although sugar provided a balanced with personal details of the well needed hit of energy, the final motivation was to submit the correct answers in men as young citizens. It is this fusion the hope of winning one of the well-stocked Family Hampers. Boasting donations of of the ordinary details of life in the early homemade breads, jams, chutneys and fruit cakes, fresh eggs and sweet treats plus 20th century, with the merciless rich blend coffees and decadent teas (not forgetting the well-deserved bottle of red precision of mass warfare which gives for the accompanying adult) the Family Hampers provided a great incentive for all. added poignancy to this important work. Meticulous research has Steadily the cheery walkers returned to the welcoming smell of bacon butties and corrected many errors and exclusions cheese toasties accompanied by a well-deserved cup of tea, coffee or cream topped not previously uncovered. hot chocolate. Gradually, energy was restored, the social began and prizes were distributed including a generous donation from parent Jim Hall of 2 VIP League “For the Freedom of Us All” covers all Game Football tickets. 32 towns and villages in North-east Cheshire including Rainow Treasure hunt winners Charlie Beswick (and friends) and the Bradley family were (Macclesfield is separately covered in thrilled with their family hampers whilst the Buckley family were delighted with the a companion work “Not Just a Name”) VIP football tickets. and is as valuable to family and local Through tickets, refreshments and raffle prizes, the event raised a total of £675 history researchers as it is to military which will contribute towards the children of Rainow School’s education. The FRS historians. At 668 pages in A4 Team would like to thank everyone who volunteered time at this event, donated softback format and modestly priced at prizes and refreshments and to all those who participated on the day. £20, the book includes hundreds of photographs and other details sourced from national, local and family archives. The Available from “Macclesfield Reflects” Robin Hood and Cheshire Villages Great War 9am - 4pm (Weds-Sun) NEW CAFE Society events, the book may be purchased from the author Serving Hot/Cold drinks (Telephone 01625 428331). Breakfasts, snacks and cakes More information can be found on the Pop in for a drink or a bite to eat in Macclesfield Reflects website: friendly cozy surroundings W OPEN http://macclesfieldreflects.org.uk/20 (Dogs welcome) NO 15/09/26/freedom-of-us-all/

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hallenges completed, the warmer, lighter, With the autumn came a smaller unit, as It s not summer months meant more outdoor activities - some of the Guides left over the summer, the ’ a very competitive (argumentative?) ‘Capture oldest girls due to school work commitments, all food for Cthe Flag’ evening following rounders, and a term two younger due to moving house (and one ending with making miniature dens and a committed to pantomime rehearsals!) It the Guides! sausage barbeque. happens like that sometimes. New challenges The highlight of began, with one group working to become the term was of ‘Confectioners’, learning (and practising) course ‘Fabfest’. various icing techniques, and the others I now have a discovering what is involved in planning a keyring tab party, when you are in charge (a lot!) One showing all the evening, after a little practice the week before, Guides dressed we went along the lane to find just how tricky up for their festival it is to send messages by Morse code, using evening- a present torches. Shouts of ‘Was that a dot or a as I had had to dash??’ ‘Do that again!’ and mutters of ‘Well miss it. Many that didn’t make sense’ showed that the skills thanks to Alison of people seen in films and television rapidly who joined Helen sending messages flashing across dark fields to enable the girls should not be underestimated! Add to that the to go. They all complications of surprised dog walkers obviously had a finding themselves in the middle of flashing great time. torches, holding torches of their own - it made

Brownies bring Friends by Brown Owl, Susan Norman

e restarted with renewed energy hopefully gain more members and look at activities from looking at endangered in September. As a Brownie how we could get more adult leadership. animals whilst creating our own web of WPack we had a number of Our new District Commissioner (DC) life and playing games and songs based decisions to make concerning visited us in October and we arranged on wildlife and rescue missions.We future Brownie membership, adult colourful invitations to pass onto our non have had an acting and drama skills leadership and activities and so we held Brownie friends for this evening and the evening and for Bonfire night Jess our our Brownie Pow Wow. DC also took part in our artist badge D of E helper organised a Guy Fawkes We planned to hold a Bring a Friend to collage activity. She was able to tell us of and gunpowder plot trail whilst we Brownies evening to advertise more a potential adult volunteer who had finished with making edible sparklers widely what we get up to and expressed her interest in helping at a and bonfires. Brownie Pack; contact was made and Our Bring a Friend to Brownies evening in Grace came to visit us a couple of weeks November was a very busy fun night with later. The Brownies and I are so delighted an additional seven young girls attending. that Grace has decided to join us and as We tried to give a taste of different she is a qualified leader from a Brownie Brownie activities and so we played two of Pack near Grimsby she has already the games the Brownies enjoyed most, helped make an impact by organising made savoury biscuits and a walking games and we have been able to run hedgehog craft as well as a hedgehog more than one activity in an evening. based team game. There was lots of fun, We have continued to work on our artist laughter and messiness and the girls all badge which requires an illustrated poem, went home tired but excited. Although we story or prayer and so we invited Lorna haven’t had any of the girls register for Riley (featured in a previous Raven Brownies through the website probably article) to come and talk through the because most were only six, but they can writing and publishing process of her own register any time now and would definitely book. To the amazement of the Brownies, have a place reserved for when they she has kindly offered to help get some of are seven. their work published through Christmas started early and we have CreateSpace.The Brownies have worked made our Christmas tree gift money bags hard on their writing and illustrations and and hanging reindeer decorations and our were truly inspired by Lorna; the book will last meeting was party time! Merry be available to purchase very soon, with Christmas and a Happy New Year to all money raised from the sales going our parent helpers and we look forward to towards the Brownie Pack funds – a good meeting any new Brownie members stocking filler! starting next year. To find out more about On other weeks we have held themed Brownies access www.girlguiding.org.uk

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Raven Magazine 33 13/12/15 16:14 Page 9

for a very confusing evening. The party planning group excelled themselves with their ‘pre Christmas’ party, with plenty of Gold Awards for Scouts food (of course) and even a piñata. We are making our usual leek and potato soup, ince our last article in September, allowing us to hold it there. A great hoping to raise money for Crisis at scouts have been very busy. Four fundraiser. Thanks to all the people who Christmas at the Rainow Christmas market, of our scouts, Andrew Renshaw, came on the night to buy food and drink to and buy at least one homeless person a Andrew Worth, Oliver Maher-Burns support us. meal and a more cheerful (and helpful) S and Sam Gibson all achieved the Christmas day than they would otherwise highest award in scouting, The Chief Gold Scouts have been learning to cook. They have. Our term ends with some Christmas Scout Award and attended a ceremony in received a cooking demonstration from a crafts and decorating food for the market, Warrington to receive their certificates. The professional chef and then had to repeat following our own visit to the Manchester boys have had to complete a number of the same recipe, Beef Stir Fry, the Christmas markets, which serves both as a challenges to complete and have worked following week. I know that the boys had starter to Christmas and, as we walk down, very hard. Well Done, boys! The leaders been busy during the week practising, a reminder of the realities of homelessness. aim for all their scouts to have achieved giving all the parents an evening off from this award by the time they leave scouts cooking tea. We would welcome any girls in the 10-13 and the award looks great on applications November’s programme included archery, age group; previous membership of Cubs or for work or college. Another success story knot night, survival skills night and the Brownies is definitely not necessary. Come was the Firework Evening at the Robin annual hike, usually to the chippy in along one week and see the different things Hood pub. Leaders would like to thank all Bolllington as a treat. you could do on your Wednesday evenings. the scouts and parents for their help, with a We promise it won’t all be food related! special mention to the Price family for Thanks to everyone for their support.

Up the Wall with the Cubs! Rainow Cubs report by Akela Sue Grimes

his term seems to have gone very RNLI with some films of the rescues quickly as we don’t seem to have and boats they use. The cubs tried on Thad many ‘normal’ meetings in the the waterproofs they have to wear. Institute! We have had two nights of Another evening out was a visit to wide games outside, one in the dark Awesome Walls Climbing Centre in which involved finding Leaders hiding in Stockport. I was amazed at how high a bushes to collect a code which meant few of the cubs went; the Instructors they could let a rocket off (closely were very patient and all the cubs, even supervised!) to show the spies were those who were very apprehensive, ready for collection! The Leaders said climbed much higher than they thought they enjoyed it as much as the Cubs as they would. My evening was made they regressed to their childhood! when a man, who was a Scout Leader After seeing an article in the in Manchester, came up to tell me that Macclesfield Express about the my Cubs were a credit to the Scouting Random Apple Company based in Movement! Again I was very pleased Rainow I thought it would be good to and proud of them at the visit them. They kindly opened up in the Remembrance Service; we had rapidly approaching darkness and practised marching at the previous allowed the Cubs to press their own meeting with an ex soldier and we had apples and make juice, which they nearly 100% attendance again. They delivered to the following meeting. looked smart and behaved and The Cubs also cooked delicious apple marched very well. fritters, bobbed for apples, tried to eat Usually at least one night a term donuts hanging down without using involves cooking food and this term we ˆ their hands and other apple themed had a Mexican themed night with each games. six cooking a different dish and all They had great fun and I can sampling them at the end. We finished recommend it for tiring children out! The Scout Association have changed all Our other trip was to the CBBC studio the badges (again) so to allow them to by playing Pinata, a traditional Mexican game, where they had to hit a ‘donkey’ in Media City. Nearly every Cub went gain the ones I had in stock we had a and we had to split into two tours and Creative Challenge night and they filled with sweets while blindfolded, very funny as you can imagine saw the Blue Peter, Newsround, made some wonderful pin art pictures Horrible Histories and News and involving their initials. Apparently one We have had two coach trips out this Weather studios. Everyone really cub was so proud of his creation he term, the first was to Jump Nation in enjoyed it. We then crossed the bridge took it to bed with him! Manchester which basically is a very over to the Imperial War Museum and We had an interesting talk from the large room filled with 139 trampolines! had a good wander round there.

9 Raven Magazine 33 13/12/15 16:16 Page 10

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Raven Magazine 33 13/12/15 16:17 Page 11

Windyway: A Sanctuary for Animals

by Bridget J Franklin

ixty years ago a family called Nall came her own, and as her parents aged one of the barns was converted for them, from Buxton to live at Windyway Head and Wendy and Frank moved into the house, with Wendy taking over the Farm. This farm lies just inside Rainow on running of the business. And when Wendy’s children grew up, first her son S Don, and then more recently her daughter Sally, now living with her husband Buxton Old Road, where it has stood for some 250 years or more. At one time it was an David in another converted barn on the site, became involved in the kennels inn as well as a farm, and in his book of 1810 too. A fourth generation has now joined the team; Sally’s youngest son Marriott describes how the road up from Peter. These generations are represented in the accompanying photograph Walker Barn leads to: taken in 1985, although Mr and Mrs Nall are no longer with us, and Frank (seated on the right) sadly died in 2010. ‘the eminence of Windyway-head containing, upon its bleak ridge, a public house Today the boarding kennels and cattery thrive, but Windyway is perhaps conveniently situated, poor as it is, for the even better known (and applauded) for the rescue work. The space for dogs, wants of the weary pedestrian’1. cats and rabbits, is always full, with a long list for those waiting to come in. At any one time there are in the region of 20 dogs and 20 cats waiting for The Nalls were neither farmers nor publicans, homes, plus a number of kittens, a dozen rabbits, and over 30 additional but intrinsically animal lovers, who over time cats living in the compound on a more or less permanent basis. These shaped the land and the buildings to suit the animals have ended up at Windyway for a variety of reasons: deliberately needs of the dogs, cats, ponies, rabbits and abandoned – a dog tied to a tree, or a cat dumped in a box; genuine strays other furred and feathered creatures who came or feral cats (often involving hours of patience to catch); allergy cases; those into their care. Now in its fourth generation, the needing a home through illness or death of their owner; those given up due family is still at Windyway, showing the same to a physical or behavioural problem; those not allowed in a new privately love and dedication to animals that started so rented house. The Windyway philosophy is that no animal is to be put down many years ago. unless it is irrecoverably ill or criminally dangerous, and that all animals will When the Nalls first came to Windyway, they have a home for life at Windyway if there is no alternative. These numbers, had only their household dogs and cats and the and the commitment to proper care, are both labour intensive and costly. ponies that belonged to their two teenage The family are assisted by two full time and two part time members of staff daughters. One of these daughters, Wendy, together with some 20-25 volunteers a week. There are also placements found a job at the boarding kennels at Wimberry available for work experience students from schools and colleges, and for Moss. When these kennels shut down, the Nalls people on the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. The costs amount to over bought the goodwill of the business, and £100,000 a year, with vet bills alone being an average of £4,000 a month. re-assembled the kennels and cat pens in the These costs are met largely by fund-raising activity, together with the barns at Windyway. Thus the boarding side of proceeds from the thriving charity shop in Chestergate, Macclesfield. 10 their enterprise began, but they had already years ago the Windyway Trust was set up to maximise the potential of these taken into their home one or two strays, and activities, which consist of fairs, stalls, donations in cash or kind, sponsor- soon word spread that this place might be a ship of animals, quizzes, collection tins in businesses and retail outlets, refuge for unwanted animals. This reputation supermarket food donation boxes, fun runs etc. The highlight of the year is was enhanced during the years of slum the annual Open Day in August, which includes a novelty dog show, and is a clearance when Windyway became designated chance for people to bring their rehomed dogs back to meet the family and as a place to which displaced dogs and cats staff, something which is always appreciated. It is also an opportunity for could be brought. Soon not only was the people to consider taking on one of the many dogs, cats and rabbits who available space outgrown but also new are forever waiting at Windyway. Puppies and kittens will always get homes, regulations were brought in, meaning that new but adopting an adult animal, even an old one, can be more rewarding as kennels had to be built. Meantime Wendy had one sees it relax and flourish in the surroundings of a domestic home. married Frank Dawber and started a family of 1Marriott, Rev. William (1810) The Antiquities of Lyme and its Vicinity p334. 11 Raven Magazine 33 13/12/15 17:33 Page 12

John Stagg receiving his dral (see page 6) Cheshire Community Champion Award l at Chester Cathe Rainow Schoo

On a normal day, picks, spades, saws and loppers are the tools of choice for the K.R.I.V. conservation team. Dinghies, wellies and waders were the order of the day when the team were recently clearing weed from the large pond at Burton Springs Farm. Rose Queen Emily Stringer and her attendants at the Civic Service

, Robin Westaway, Kate Torr and utley MP Jackie Robinson on raffle ticket duty athbone, David R arish Chairman Vicar Steve R at the NSPCC event fter Civic Service East Cheshire MayorJohn Cantrell Hilda Gadduma and P 12