WINCHAM WORD Edition 2 – 2019 to cover May, June and July 2019 From Wincham Parish Council Delivered free to every home & business in Wincham News and information about our village and close neighbours Stunning blossom all around Wincham – lovely time of year. Contents Page Description 3 & 4 Ongoing issues and updates 5 CRTA – Cheshire Rural Touring Arts 6 & 7 Frank Smith 8 Wincham, Pickmere & District Astronomy Group 9 Orpheus – CRTA Wincham 10 & 11 Public Rights of Way in Wincham 12 Wincham Author Helen Morgan 13 St John’s Church 14 & 15 Wincham War Memorial 16, 17 & 18 FoAM 19 Wincham Community Centre update 20, 21 & 22 Wincham History continues by Janet Boyd 23 Daffodils and Badgers 24 Vehicle Idling Law 25, 26, 27, Up and Coming Events 28, 29 & 30 31 & 32 Activities in the Community Centre 33 PCSO Diana Wiggins 20322 34 Wincham Parish Council Meetings 35 Pickmere and Wincham Methodist Church 36 General Information and Advertising 37, 38 & 39 Useful Information and Contacts 40 Wincham Parish Councillors and Parish Clerk Information Page 2 Ongoing issues and updates PURDAH This edition of the Wincham Word has to be a bit different from usual. At the moment we are in Purdah – the pre-election period. Specifically the time between the announcement of an election and the final election results which affects civil servants (but not candidates). The time period prevents central and local government from making announcements about any new or controversial government initiatives (such as modernisation initiatives or administrative and legislative changes) which could be seen to be advantageous to any candidates or parties in the forthcoming election. Where a court determines that actual advantage has been given to a candidate, this may amount to a breach of Section 2 of the Local Government Act 1986. GENERAL ADVERTISING IN THE VILLAGE If you wish to put up A-Frames or banners around the village please contact Naomi, our Parish Clerk, first. Please do not attach general event posters to the railings. Please use the Public Noticeboard at Rayners Corner for these (using the magnets provided – not sticky tape or glue as it damages the surface of the notice board). Please don’t remove the magnets either, please leave them for other people to use. WINCHAM AND THE JET ENGINE – YOUR HELP PLEASE. We know that between 1940-1949, there was testing and making of Jet Engines in Wincham. At the time, this was very secretive but we are now wanting to honour Wincham’s amazing involvement in Aviation History. Did you work there, did any of your family members work there, have you any photos of the site or have you some interesting anecdotes to share? Please do get in touch with us [email protected]. We would love to hear from you. Page 3 Ongoing issues and updates LINNARDS LANE AND CHAPEL STREET PLAYING FIELDS Every month, the Parish Councillors take it in turn to inspect the playing fields and complete a RoSPA form. If however you see something in the Playing Fields that you feel needs urgent attention, please contact our Parish Clerk, Naomi Morris, as soon as possible (0161 926 8645 - [email protected]). Our new picnic benches, seats and games table have arrived, just in time for the Easter Holidays. The new roundabout is on order (to replace the current sand-pit). We hope to have it in situ in readiness for the summer. Page 4 CRTA WINCHAM CRTA - What's that? You may have seen banners around the village advertising CRTA events, and many of you will have attended them. But just what does CRTA mean? CRTA is one of thirty-three Rural Touring Schemes across the UK. The project delivers high quality professional theatre, dance, music and children's shows over two seasons each year to Cheshire's rural communities. The events are made possible by volunteers in those communities, who promote and organise them. The project is supported with government investment by Arts Council England, with additional financial support from Cheshire West and East Councils. In short, here in Wincham, we get the chance to see quality, professional productions at reasonable prices - no need to travel to the big city, and a chance to enjoy a night out with friends and family or rub shoulders with other local people. Seating is often arranged around tables - if you would like to book a table or would like to team up with others and make new friends, just let the organiser know when you book. Page 5 Frank Smith Wincham Parish Council mourns the loss of our former colleague and friend, Frank Smith, a long serving and dedicated Parish Councillor, with the interests of the village close to his heart. He will be missed by current and former Parish Councillors, and also by other societies with whom he was involved, including the Rotary Club for over 40 years. He was recognised as a Paul Harris Fellow by the Northwich Vale Royal Rotary Club – a great honour. He had a keen interest in environmental issues and an extensive knowledge of flora and fauna. Any problems or Issues affecting the lake at Pickmere, or the flashes and he would be the first to offer advice and strong opinions to protect the environment. He was involved in judging gardening competitions and Many other activities for the good of the village and the Cllr Smith received the Rotary Northwich area. Club’s Paul Harris Fellowship for the fourth time (2015) in the form of a Double Sapphire Fellowship. Page 6 Frank Smith Frank was granted the Freedom of the Village of Wincham in November 2016 When I joined the Parish Council 10 years ago, he was very welcoming and helped me settle in quickly to the customs and rules of Parish Council business. Frank has been missed in the last couple of years being absent with his failing health, and we will miss him in the future. Kenton Barker Vice Chairman – Wincham Parish Council Frank receives his award , ‘The Freedom of Wincham’ from Parish Council Chairman Ian Parr - 2016 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Public Rights of Way in Wincham Pickmere boardwalk The Pickmere Lake boardwalk, which lies within the parish of Wincham, has been repaired. Barbed wire Please take care on the permissive footpath on the opposite side of the lake, as there is barbed wire from an old fence concealed in the undergrowth at the side of the path. We suggest you keep to the path, keep dogs on a lead and supervise children when using this path. New access to Trent and Mersey Canal We are delighted to note that there is now a gate and stepped access from the canal bridge on Wincham Lane to the Trent and Mersey Canal towpath. It had not been possible to access the canal safely at this point for a number of years since the demolition of the derelict Wincham Inn on the other side of the road. Page 10 Public Rights of Way in Wincham David Hewitt from Thor tells us that the company decided to install the steps whilst working on land adjacent to the canal, having noticed that people were finding their way down a steep and muddy slope to reach the canal bank. The steps are a great asset to Wincham's network of Public Rights of Way and towpaths. Thor has also cleared a section of Public Right of Way by the footbridge over the canal and laid chippings to improve the surface. Many thanks to Thor for these improvements. Fancy a tidy-up? Some of our Public Rights of Way, in particular the footpath from Wincham Lane to the back of Thor's site, are in need of a litter-pick. This particular route should be looking good at this time of year, as it is planted with apple trees and shrubs, but it's not at its best! If you would like to help to clean up here or elsewhere in the village, please contact Sue on 01565 734366 to equip yourself for the task. Footpath highlights Our rural footpaths change with the seasons. Whilst hundreds of snowdrops graced the footpath from Earles Lane to the top of the lake earlier this year, a current highlight is the marsh marigolds by the Pickmere Lake boardwalk. Page 11 Wincham Resident Helen Morgan celebrates book launch Wincham resident Helen Morgan is celebrating the launch of the first of her series of books written for children – and parents! Whilst the inspiration for Helen's stories came from her own son and daughter, she wanted to focus on situations which parents could relate to – including the familiar trials and tribulations of getting ready for school in the morning. 'Mum, I Can't Find My Toothbrush!' - the title of Helen's first publication – will be a familiar cry in many homes. Helen grew up in Wincham and moved back here with her young family, as she wanted them to grow up in the environment she had enjoyed as a child and to attend the village school. Helen says 'I've always felt I had a book in me. About three years ago, I decided that if I didn't do it, I would always regret it.’ But Helen told no-one of her mission, not even her family, snatching half an hour here or there to write and only revealing her secret when her books had been accepted by Pegasus Publishers. 'I wanted to show my children what you can do when you work hard and believe in something' says Helen. The book is beautifully illustrated by family friend Shelley Roe from Davenham.