 |
| Photo courtesy of Fiona Bruce MP/Middlewich Rail Link Campaign l to r: Mayor of Middlewich Bernice Walmsley, Fiona Bruce MP, Cllr Mike Parsons |
Our sister site at Middlewichstation.co.uk has the details.
MRLC WELCOMES NEW TRANSPORT BODY
WELCOME TO THE MIDDLEWICH DIARY. Please note that due to a change of URL certain 'blue links' on some Middlewich Diary entries do not work. These are being repaired as time allows. Apologies for the inconvenience.
INDEX
Friday, 21 June 2013
MRLC CAMPAIGN UPDATE JUNE 2013: CAMPAIGN GETS ANOTHER BOOST
Our sister site at Middlewichstation.co.uk has the details.
MRLC WELCOMES NEW TRANSPORT BODY
Thursday, 20 June 2013
FORMER MOCOCO CAFE TO BECOME STARTER FLATS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
The former MoCoCo cafe in Wheelock Street, which closed in 2012, is to be converted into bedsits for young people.
Middlewich Community Church, which owns the building, says that the plan, first revealed last year when the cafe closed, is for new flats which will give adults up to the age of 25 the chance to live independently, with help from support workers.
Here's the full statement from MCC:
MCC still owns MoCoCo and have no plans to sell.
We as a church have used this building for youth and community work for the last ten years. Our heart is to continue using the building for similar work. Planning permission has been granted to convert much of the building into bedsits for young people as starter homes.
Eight self-contained units will be available for young adults up to age 25. We will provide mentoring and support to help these young adults learn to live independently. We will have a live-in warden/caretaker and/or support workers to provide extra help and support as required.
As a church we have been quietly doing this type of work within the Middlewich Community on and off for many years.
Please be assured that no one has anything to fear from supported housing for young people.
This facility will be well managed by a mixture of paid and volunteer staff who want to help young people live locally in a safe and secure environment.
We are currently fundraising and hope to open by the end of the year.
One retail unit will be maintained at the front of the building, final use yet to be determined.
David Moore.
(reproduced with permission)
SEE ALSO: THE OLD CROSVILLE GARAGE
MOCOCO CAFE TO CLOSE
UPDATE (28th May 2014):
Work began on the conversion at the end of May 2014.
Here's a report from our friends at the
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 20th JUNE 2013
UPDATED 28th MAY 2014
UPDATE (28th May 2014):
Work began on the conversion at the end of May 2014.
Here's a report from our friends at the
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 20th JUNE 2013
UPDATED 28th MAY 2014
ROSE QUEEN 2013 PHOTOS NOW AVAILABLE
 |
| sg |
Photographs of the Rose Queen celebrations in Middlewich over the FAB Festival weekend are now available, together with portraits of those taking part.
The photographs are by the ever-dependable Cliff Astles, who was also the official photographer for this year's FAB Festival.
You can find the folder containing all the pictures, together with details of how to order them, from Cliff's photo site.
CLIFF ASTLES' PHOTOSITE.
SEE ALSO: MIDDLEWICH ROSE FETE 2013
WHISTON'S GARAGE EARLY 1970s
 |
| If you own the copyright on this image, or know who does, please let us know |
By this time Whiston's Garage had lost its memorable 'house-style', as seen here and taken on a corporate look, courtesy of the Ford Motor Co (still a dominating force in the district courtesy of Fords of Winsford, who even sponsor the local weather forecast on Granada TV)*.
The brick wall on the left belongs to the Chester Road Methodist Church, which still exists as 'Church House' and houses a computer and stationery business standing on the corner of Chester Road and St Michael's Way.
Middle right is one of those enduring symbols of 'old' Middlewich, a single decker Crosville Bus. Out of shot to the left of it is the former Whiston's radio department, by that time serving as a car showroom as part of the Ford franchise. This building can be seen in the background of this picture,
On the right can be seen part of the Victorian Red Lion pub (now an apartment block called 'Lion House') and to its left is the present day Acorn Surgery, a breakaway enterprise from Oaklands, the town's main doctors' surgery in St Ann's Walk. In 2014 preparations were being made for the practice to move from here to Lex House, adjacent to Middlewich Town Wharf. Ironically, this was the base for Middlewich's Doctors from 1967, after the Wheelock Street surgery down the road from here closed until the early 2000s when Oaklands in St Ann's Walk opened.
This building had a former life in the 1950s, in very much the same line of business, as the Cheshire County Council Clinic where babies were taken to be measured and weighed and issued with National Dried Milk and orange juice.
At that time the building, in common with all such NHS establishments of the period, reeked of a mixture of cigarette smoke, nappies and Dettol.
* Diane Russell (see comments below) tells us that the 'Ford' in Fords of Winsford is nothing to do with the Ford Motor Co as seen on Whiston's old signage. A look at the FOW site does indeed reveal that there doesn't seem to be any connection. They could have chosen a less confusing name, but they're obviously doing well if they can afford to sponsor Granada's weather forecasts. Many thanks to Diane for the info - Ed.
Sunday, 16 June 2013
RETURN OF THE SALT TOWN POETS (ARCHIVED)
ARCHIVED
Can it really be true?
The Salt Town Poets forced out of retirement to appear with the legendary Mr Les Barker?
The Salt Town Poets forced out of retirement to appear with the legendary Mr Les Barker?
Details (and some kind words from Liz Rosenfield) here:
FAB FESTIVAL: CHESHIRE FOLK EVENTS FOR SUNDAY (ARCHIVED)
ARCHIVED
Cheshire
Folk Sessions and Singarounds
Middlewich Festival
Weekend
SUNDAY
Boars
Head Sunday Afternoon
Hosts: FULL HOUSE our
friends from Chester, Raven Folk Club will kick off the afternoon session with a
set and singaround. Everyone welcome to join in, bring your instruments or just
come and listen.
1 p.m. In the bar!
Boars
Head Sunday Evening
Host: Liz Rosenfield End of
Festival Big Session, in the Boars Head bar, by tradition! Don’t think of going
to work Monday morning this could be a late one! Everyone welcome to join in.
Cheshire
Folk Concerts dates for your diaries.
Cheshire
Folk Concerts dates for your diaries.
·
·
Simon
Kempston Friday 6th September
The White Bear
·
Houghton
Weavers October date tbc
The White Bear
·
Martin
Simpson Concert and Master class Saturday
23rd November Goostrey Village Hall
All details www.cheshirefolk.com
Home
01606 834969
Mobile
07962531521
Friday, 14 June 2013
MIDDLEWICH FAB FESTIVAL 2013 (ARCHIVED)
ARCHIVED
+cr+Stuart+Barber.jpg) |
| The 2012 Festival Parade in Wheelock Street. This photograph by Stuart Barber won the Festival's annual photo competition. |
THE MIDDLEWICH FAB FESTIVAL 2013
Up to 15 venues host music and dance from lunchtime on Friday through to Sunday night. On the canalside and in the town centre, artists from around the UK (and beyond) perform to thousands of visitors each day.
Booking for artists and venues has begun and among those confirmed so far are:
- and many more!
- Spiers & Boden
- Seth Lakeman
- Dick Gaughan
- Greg Russell & Ciaran Algar
- Africa Entsha
- Woody Mann
- Mark Radcliffe & Foes
- Babajack
- Backyard Devils
- Blue Horyzon
- Clutching at Straws
- Fosbrooks
- Liverpool Shanty Kings
- Moulettes
- NE3FOLK
- The Peace Artistes
- Roving Crows
- My Sweet Patootie
- Dan Walsh & Christi Andropolis
- The Willows
- Les Barker
- The Salt Town Poets
- and many more!
Together with hundreds of canal boats and town centre setting, Middlewich FAB (Folk and Boat) Festival continues to provide a fabulous showcase of live entertainment each June - join us?
Like many events we rely on volunteer help so if you would like to get involved contact me.
Likewise if you have ideas or recommendations please let me know...
Likewise if you have ideas or recommendations please let me know...
Dave Thompson
(Middlewich Town Council Events Manager)
(Middlewich Town Council Events Manager)
HEADLINING: SETH LAKEMAN
LINKS:
 |
| The Middlewich Diary's masthead for June 2013, featuring a photo by Cliff Astles |
Follow the link to the excellent
CREWE GIGS
page for details of all the Main Stage and fringe events:
CREWE GIGS
CREWE GIGS
page for details of all the Main Stage and fringe events:
CREWE GIGS
Wednesday, 12 June 2013
MIDDLEWICH ROSE FETE 2013
Until as recently as last year the future of Middlewich's Rose Fete, a traditional local event revived by the Middlewich Community Association in the 1970s, looked to be in doubt.
When the original Folk and Boat Festival started in 1990 the Rose Fete continued to be held, often on the same weekend, and when Middlewich Town Council took on the organising of the re-christened 'FAB Festival' the opportunity arose to fully integrate the event into the festival weekend.
The Fete, however, still suffered from the effects of a lack of publicity over the preceeding few years until a new organising committee, working with some of the original organisers, was formed and the event given a much higher profile.
Now the Rose Queen and her retinue are an essential part of the FAB Festival and add another pleasing touch of Middlewich tradition to the weekend.
Organiser Carol Moore writes:
The Middlewich Rose Fete 2013 is on Saturday 15th June. The procession starts from Tesco's car park at 11am, parading down Wheelock Street and through the town to Market Field for the crowning ceremony from 11.30am.
It is going to be a fantastic event and we hope that you will all come along and make it a huge success for our children.
The chosen charity this year is the Guide Dogs.
Look forward to seeing you then!
Official FAB Festival photographer Cliff Astles will be on site during the Rose Fete and participants are reminded that he will be available to take photos both on the field and in the Town Hall.
Contact the Fete organisers for more details.
Tuesday, 11 June 2013
FAB FESTIVAL WEEKEND at MIDDLEWICH NARROWBOATS (ARCHIVED)
by Cliff Astles
In addition to being the OFFICIAL SPONSOR to this year's Festival Guide the firm will be offering many attractions for ALL of the family, with the NEW FAB STAGE for entertainers.
SALTY DOG BLUES BAND featuring SARA TYE and special guest TRISH WATT.
The weekend ends with the final OPEN MIKE SESSION, with songs and tunes from anyone who cares to perform.
THE CAJUN SPECIALS (website)
THE BOAT BAND (HARBOURTOWN RECORDS)
MIDDLEWICH NARROWBOATS (MIDDLEWICH DIRECTORY ENTRY)
RAILWAY BANNER MAKES ITS DEBUT
The Middlewich Rail Link Campaign's banner, funded by the Mid-Cheshire Rail Users' Association, makes its much-delayed debut this weeked at the Middlewich FAB Festival.
Our sister site, Middlewich Station, has the details:
RE-OPEN MIDDLEWICH STATION BANNER (MRLC WEBSITE LINK)
Sunday, 9 June 2013
MIDDLEWICH FAB FESTIVAL 2013: FESTIVAL GUIDE (ARCHIVED)
ARCHIVED
The 2013 Middlewich FAB Festival Guide is now available from outlets all over the town. This year's guide is sponsored by Middlewich Narrowboats. We'll be bringing you photos from past festivals (courtesy of Cliff Astles) and previews of this year's event over the next week, leading up to the start of the festival this Friday 14th June.
THE MIDDLEWICH DIRECTORY: MIDDLEWICH NARROWBOATS
MIDDLEWICH NARROWBOATS WEBSITE
FAB FESTIVAL DIARY ENTRY
MIDDLEWICH NARROWBOATS WEBSITE
FAB FESTIVAL DIARY ENTRY
Saturday, 8 June 2013
MIDDLEWICH 'GOOD NEIGHBOUR' SCHEME LAUNCH, JUNE 2013
by Dave Roberts
On Saturday 8th June in Ventnor Close yet another initiative came into being in this most community-minded of all small towns, as a pilot for the Middlewich Good Neighbours scheme was launched.
Councillors and officials came together with church leaders and representatives of local organisations to bring the idea to life, initially in the Bembridge Court/St Ann's Road area of the town.
The aim, according to Middlewich Town Council, is to create a 'time bank' with members of the scheme sharing their time and skills to mutually benefit one another. This will not only help people with their day to day lives, but also create an opportunity for skills and knowledge to be shared among the community and help those less able to help themselves to achieve their aims. It's another example of a local scheme designed to draw the people of Middlewich closer together.
The partnership behind this initiative includes representatives from Middlewich Vision, St Michael's, St Luke's and the Plus Dane Group.
The June sun shone down on the proceedings as the scheme was launched and photographer Cliff Astles was there to record the scene for posterity.
Pictured in Cliff's photo are, among others, Mayor of Middlewich Cllr Bernice Walmsley and her husband Bill, Congleton MP Fiona Bruce, Thia Hughes of St Michael's, Ceri Edwards from St Luke's and Suzanne Johns who chairs the Middlewich Vision Community Action Group.
On the left is Alison Roylance-White, Middlewich Vision's Action Plan Manager
Here's a link to Cliff's photo album with more photos of the launch: GOOD NEIGHBOURS LAUNCH
Facebook feedback:
Geraldine Williams...and there's so much going on in Middlewich. As an out-of-towner now I really appreciate how valuable a commodity 'The Diary' is in keeping people informed. Every town should have one....!
Dave Roberts Aw shucks...one does one's best.. I think it's wonderful how things have turned around in recent years and it's now the Keep Middlewich Miserable brigade which is out of step with everyone else.
Tuesday, 4 June 2013
Sunday, 2 June 2013
CORONATION CELEBRATIONS AT THE GREEN 1953
 |
| Photo courtesy of ANDREA DUFFY |
First published on the 15th December 2011 and republished on 2nd June 2013, the 60th anniversary of the Coronation
A souvenir from the heady days of the early 1950s, and in particular the day the Queen came to the throne. The people of The Green, Cledford, young and old, all want to be in the photo. Do you recognise any of them? Are you one of them? We'd be delighted to hear from you. Let's see if we can name as many people as possible for posterity. Of course, many of the people pictured here will actually be from Chadwick Road. Also getting into the picture on the right is a house which should by now, if everything had gone according to plan. be just a memory. But the pre-fabs of Middlewich live on, looking better than ever. They were supposed to be temporary structures, mass-produced to help overcome the country's chronic housing shortage, but were in fact so well built that many of them still survive all over the country.
And those houses in the background can be nowhere else than in Warmingham Lane Cross Lane
If you'd like to share this photo with friends and relations (and, we hope, help us in putting names to faces) you can download it by right-clicking anywhere on the photo. This will, in most web-browsers, bring up an option to 'save image as...' or something similar. You can then save the picture and print it. If you do share it, please tell everyone you found it on 'The Middlewich Diary'. Thank you.
SEE ALSO: ST ANN'S AVENUE CORONATION CELEBRATIONS 1953
Facebook feedback:
(JUNE 2013)
Robert Sheckleston The lady at the front with glasses is Mrs Hagen. I used to live across the road from her in Chadwick Road, and I also knew her husband who worked at RHM and her brother who worked there as well.
(DECEMBER 2011)
SEE ALSO: ST ANN'S AVENUE CORONATION CELEBRATIONS 1953
Facebook feedback:
(JUNE 2013)
Robert Sheckleston The lady at the front with glasses is Mrs Hagen. I used to live across the road from her in Chadwick Road, and I also knew her husband who worked at RHM and her brother who worked there as well.
(DECEMBER 2011)
- Rose Hamlett My nanna is on the photo, Margaret Siddall, she's just above the ER symbol.
Dave Roberts I can see the family resemblance. Does anyone know any of the others? I know one of them is Tom Duffy, Andrea's Dad.
- Andrea Astles My family still live on The Green, not sure they were there in '53. Will check though.
- Kerry-leigh Pitcher The lady in the white blouse with the wrist watch is my Nanna, Winnie Brown, who lived at number 7 Chadwick Road, and the lady with her arm on my Nan's shoulder is Mrs Haggan who lived next door !
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)