THE MIDDLEWICH CHARITY SHIELD 2019

The Middlewich Charity Shield

Always the very first Middlewich Event of every year, the Annual Middlewich New Year's Day Treasure Hunt is competed for come rain or shine by hung-over Middlewichians, and the prize, since 1992 at least,  has been  the much-coveted Middlewich Charity Shield.

Traditionally the team which wins the shield each year sets the questions for the following year and in 2019 this honour has fallen to 2018 winners WHOT+1

2018 Winners WHOT+1

In 2017 Melody Smith  volunteered - for one year only - to set the questions for the  Treasure Hunt. 

During the time she spent organising the 2017 event, Melody managed to put together a brief history of the event, which can be found by scrolling down the page.

We're still interested to find out more about the history of the Middlewich Treasure Hunt. 

The earliest date on the shield, which is  dedicated to the memory of Christina Wakefield, is 1992 when, as can be seen from the list of winners below, 'R&P Jackson' were the victors.

But did this epic New Year trawl around the town actually start before 1992? 

The Middlewich Diary would love to hear more of the history of this cherished Middlewich Institution.

If you can help, please email us at:

middlewichdiary@aol.com

or visit our dedicated Facebook Group at

MIDDLEWICH CHARITY SHIELD FACEBOOK GROUP

(administered by MELODY SMITH and DAVE ROBERTS))

The list of past winners makes interesting reading. 

The term 'usual suspects' springs to mind, with names like 'Poniznik + Bruce, 'S Bailey & T Hough' , 'Bic's Team', 'The Shaws', 'Stitched Up' and many others making up a virtual 'Who's Who' of the Great and Good in Middlewich.

If you were a member of one of these illustrious teams and have memories - happy or otherwise - of taking part in the Treasure Hunt, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

The Boar's Head Hotel in Kinderton Street - starting point for the Treasure Hunt every year

MIDDLEWICH CHARITY SHIELD WINNERS SINCE 1992

1992 R&P Jackson

1993 M&C Lowe, R&P Jackson

1994 Poniznik + Bruce

1995 Worthington family

1996 Wood 'n' Teas

1997 Worthington family

1998 S Bailey & T Hough

1999 Plonkers 2

2000 Year 2K

2001 Plonkers 2

2002 The Shaws

2003 Whott

2004 The Shaws

2005 The Young Ones

2006 Whott

2007 Hough & Bailey

2008 Middlewich Masons

2009 Stitched Up

2010 Otherwise Engaged

2011 Bics Team

2012 Dirty Monkeys

2013 Dave DE & Dozy Kids

2014 Chips

2015 DE & Dave

2016 (no name supplied)
2017 Chubby's Christmas Chickens
2018 WHOT+1

Dave Roberts

Editor


HISTORY OF THE EVENT

by Melody Smith

The New Year's Day Treasure Hunt, with its prize, the Middlewich Charity Shield, was started in 1992 by Terry and Christina Wakefield, who used to run a disco and catering company  and were actively raising funds for local causes and charities in Middlewich.

Tragically, in 1993, a year which proved to be very difficult for Terry and his family, Christine had a fatal fall in her home.

As a mark of respect, and a reflection of her work in the community, Terry dedicated the recently established shield to Christina's memory.

He continued to run the treasure hunt until 1998 when he left Middlewich and moved to the Wirral to enjoy a new life with his current wife.

I recently spoke to Terry by telephone, and he was very pleased to hear that the tradition has stayed strong in Middlewich and that the annual event has continued to be an institution within the community.

He still has links here and visits occasionally.

His daughter has requested that, when the shield is full and needs replacing, she would like to keep it.

FURTHER DETAILS OF THE 2018 COMPETITION CAN BE FOUND ON OUR

DEDICATED FACEBOOK PAGE AND IN THIS DIARY ENTRY

SEE ALSO: MIDDLEWICH CHARITY SHIELD 2018

First published 1st January 2018
Re-published 27th December 2018
and 1st January 2019