the saxon feb 2014
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Sandbach news, sport and leisureTRANSCRIPT
SAXONSandbach news, sport and leisure Feb 2014 FREE
thesaxon.orgthe WHAT’S ON - p9
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LAURA’S MISSIONSandbach mum takes on gruelling challenge inspired by brave sonA SANDBACH mum is on a fundraising mission inspired by the bravery of her son. Laura Cwiklinski is taking on six gruelling challenges to thank the surgeons who saved the life of her son Lewis, after he was born with half a heart. Laura, who has already raised £10,000, vowed to take on the challenge in the hope that new research will help secure a brighter future for Lewis. Laura, of Bradwall Road, was six months pregnant when doctors delivered the devastating news her unborn baby was seriously ill. They diagnosed Lewis, now six, with hypoplastic left heart
syndrome, meaning the left side of his heart was completely under-developed. It would leave him unable to pump oxygen properly round his body. Laura, 28, said: “The doctors told me it was a fatal condition without surgical intervention within a couple of days, if not hours, of his birth. I was heartbroken.
“They said ‘children don’t survive this’ and advised me to have a termination. “It was a massive shock. But even a 1% chance of survival was good enough for
me.” And despite many set-backs and operations, with constant treatment Lewis has managed to pull through, and is now a
happy pupil at Offley Primary. But the family now face a decision on the next steps and are awaiting the advice of hospital consultants. Laura has set herself a huge mission to raise £20,000 for the British Heart Foundation. She has already completed a 5.25-mile open water swim at Lake Coniston, the Tough Mudder challenge and the winter Tough Guy challenge. She will next take on the Liverpool Half Marathon in March, the London Marathon in April and a 62-mile bike race from London to Brighton in June. • To donate visit www.justgiving.com/TheBigSix.
DEVOTED: Laura with son Lewis
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DIARY DATES - p9
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As a regular user of the M6, and a Sandbach resident, I’m absolutely delighted the improvements will start this year. The design looks complicated and I would love to talk to the person, or team responsible for it; in the UK we are excellent at designing road junctions that are absolutely dreadful. I sometimes think they are all done on a drawing board, or fag packet, and do not concentrate on the main objective which is, and can only be, traffic flow. Drivers would do it better. I hope everything works out, it can only be better than it is today. - Graeme Coyne
SPORT - p11
@NWmwaypolicevehicle seized on the M6 near Sandbach for no insurance (7th seizure so far today) occupants en route to United game - may be a bit late
@Gate8_CFCReports that Juan Mata has chained himself to railings at Sandbach Services, refusing to go any further, have yet to be substantiated. #mata
@leftyleft1Lovely day in Sandbach today. St Mary’s looking good.
@HallAnnieGood to get out for a Sat early morning run while visiting family in #Sandbach - so quiet, with just a few runners out. Now to keep it up!
@lucy_cooksonHad such a good day on a pub crawl round sandbach today even better that the hubby won £141 on the fruit machine #newshoesforwifey
Talk to drivers about plansfor the M6
re: Junction 17Good news - and long overdue! Compared with so many other junctions it’s amazing that J17 was designed in its present layout in the first place. This improvement will be well worth the inevitable period of disruption. - H. B. Eales
Well worth it
LETTERS
I feel I must take issue with a number of articles in the Saxon recently bemoaning the new developments planned for Sandbach. Surely it can only be a good thing that the town is growing. It will mean a more vibrant town centre and a bigger population brings with it big economic benefits. I can understand some of the concerns about the ‘infrastructure’ being unable to cope, but I feel that this is an easy catch all excuse to shout down any new development. The fact is that the infrastructure will expand to cope with the changes, as they have done in every town up and down the country. For instance work is about to start on improving the motorway junction. If the demand is there for more services then market forces will eventually catch up. I’m not saying there won’t be short term problems, but the benefits far outweigh the negatives. - David Colcough
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SANDBACH motorists are being urged not to abuse the town’s parking availability. A new study by Cheshire East Council, in partnership with the town council and the ‘No 2 Parking Charges’ group says there is enough parking space in the town if it is used responsibly. Rather than making significant changes to control measures, drivers will be encouraged to adapt their parking behaviour to make best use of the spaces available. Sandbach Councillor Barry Moran explained: “The review found that many short stay spaces on Scotch Common and in Green, Welles and Bold Streets, were being filled by long stay parkers. “Analysis showed that more than 30 per cent of vehicles using the limited stay waiting bays were staying all day.
“While on Scotch Common, nearly half the vehicles were staying all day. “Clearly this has the effect of reducing space for shoppers and short stay visitors to the town, hurting our retail prospects. “We don’t want to wave a big stick in terms of enforcement, but we do want to actively
encourage drivers to park in the most appropriate places for the benefit of all
visitors to Sandbach. “Drivers staying all day should be using Westfields, Chapel Street or Lower Brookhouse Drive Car Parks.” The review has led to new signage being installed to assist drivers. Cllr David Topping added: “What has become clear is that the town is adequately served.” • What do you think? Email [email protected].
Parking under the spotlight
“We don’t want to wave a big stick in terms of
enforcement’ - Clr Moran
A real page turnerSANDBACH School is hosting an ‘Extreme Reading’ competition and is inviting the town to join in. All Sandbach primary schools are being invited to participate as are both secondary schools. The invitation also extends to anyone living or working in Sandbach. The most inventive
photographs will be included in an Extreme Reading calendar, which will be on sale from September 2014. The competition will end with a presentation on World Book Day (March 6), and a talk from author, Bryony Pearce. The closing date is February 26. Visit www.sandbachschool.org for details.
BETCHTON Parish Council has been discussing concerns about the deteriorating condition of the A533 – the main road between Sandbach and Rode Heath.
Cheshire East Councillor John Wray also reported on safety issues at the New Inn crossroads and the council discussed possible remedies such as traffic lights and ‘slow’ signs.
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Road safety on the agenda
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FIREFIGHTERS rescused a dog from a canal in Sandbach on January 22. A fire engine and Line Rescue Unit were called out to the incident on Betchton Road at around 12.30pm. Crews used a ladder in the lock as one firefighter climbed down using safety equipment to get the animal onto dry land.
THE former Charles Church office on Middlewich Road in Sandbach could be developed into retirement apartments. Developers McCarthy & Stone, who have acquired an interest in the site, are looking to shape plans for ‘high-quality retirement living accommodation’. Spokesman Steve Secker said: “We’re keen to develop a scheme which positively contributes to the local community both through the high-quality, attractive design and the increase in local housing choice the development would bring.” A public exhibition on the scheme will take place later this month.
THE Friends of Sandbach Station said they were thrilled to win the Most Improved Station award at the Cheshire Best Kept Stations competition. As the group was formed only last year, the award represents a great achievement. Chairman Jenny Baker said: “In a lot of ways it was a coincidence of three things coming together – the tripling of the size of the car park, the painting of the station buildings and FOSS adding a bit of colour with plants. “We started from a very low base, having been cited as a ‘grot spot’. “My main thanks go to our stalwart volunteers, who meet on the first Saturday of each month to do whatever’s necessary to keep the station
looking good. “People may not realise the problems we sometimes have. “During the very hot weather last summer, when we had no means of watering the plants, volunteers were carrying cans of water across a main road, down a flight of steps and through a car park. “Thankfully this is now sorted as Northern Rail have installed an outside tap for us. “There are still a lot of things about which we get complaints – access to the Manchester platform being the main one, followed by transport from the station into Sandbach itself. “Access is a difficult one, but we’re campaigning as hard as we can, with MP Fiona Bruce on board.” To volunteer call 01270 750123.
SANDBACH MP Fiona Bruce has visited sixth form students from Sandbach High School and Sixth Form College to talk political history. Year 13 historians discussed the British political system, current affairs and twentieth century history with the MP. Mrs Bruce said “Their questions were invariably interesting and showed a clear knowledge of current affairs.”
YOUNG rugby players from Sandbach put their culinary skills to the test last month to raise more than £1,800 for their club. Sandbach RUFC’S under-15s squad split into teams to cook with two local restaurant chefs. One team worked with Cafe Symphony chef Andy Milner and the other with the Chimney House Hotel’s head chef Eugene. Each team cooked a three-course meal for around 30-40 diners, who paid what thought they were worth.
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Sat Feb 8 - Sandbach Farmers MarketOn The Cobble 9am - 1.30pmValentine Delights
Tues Feb 11 - St Mary’s Chruch FellowshipSt Mary’s Church Hall, 7.30pmTalk ‘Wills and Powers of Attorney’ by Amy Norman
Fri Feb 14 - South East Cheshire Ornithological SocietyEttiley Heath Church Community Centre, Elton Road, 7.30pmTalk ‘In the Blink of an Eye’ by Mike LeachCall Derek Owen on 01270 650766
Sat Feb 15 - Police SurgerySandbach Library, 11am to 1pmTalk to local PCSO Suzanne Green
Sat Feb 15 - Live Music and Hot Pot SupperThe Wesley Centre, Sandbach, 6.30pmWith music from harmony group RockerfellersTickets are £5 or £12 Family Ticket
Sat Feb15 - Holmes Chapel Music SocietyHolmes Chapel Leisure Centre, 8pm
Brodsky String Quartet featuring the music of Wolf, Puccini, Zemlinsky, BeethovenTickets £14. Call 01477 537769
Sat Feb 15 - Quiz Night and SupperSt Mary’s Church Hall, 6.30pmTickets £6.50 including tea/coffee
Mon Feb 17 - Elworth Flower ClubBradwall Village Hall, 7.30pmDemonstration ‘Inspired by Texture’ by Natalie StanyerTickets £4.50. Call 01477 544166
Tues Feb 18 - Foden’s Band Patrons Concert
Sandbach School, 7.30pmOpen to patrons only (People can join at the concert)Call Mark Wilkinson on 07740 354106
Sat Feb 22 - Sandbach Crosses MarketMarket Square, 9am to 1.30pmArtisan style marketStalls available from Pete Turner on 01270 600820
Sat Feb 22 - Tudor NightSandbach Town HallIn Aid of the Mayor’s Charity
Mon Feb 24 - Coffee MorningElworth Cricket Club, 10am - 12noonHome produce and bric-a-brac. In aid of the St Luke’s Hospice Sandbach Support GroupAdmission £1.50
Tues Feb 25 - ConcertSt Mary’s Church Hall, 7pmSandbach Concert Series presents Tango 5Including spotlight on local young musiciansTickets £8.50 adults, £3 children
Wed Feb 26 - Rotary Club of SandbachMarket Tavern, 12.30pmRotarian Raj Panddy talks about his experiences in starting his businesses
Tues Mar 4 - Sandbach History SocietySandbach Library, 8pmTalk ‘An Evening with Allan Littlemore’Tickets £3. Call Aileen Thompson on 01270 760810
Sat Mar 8 - Sandbach Farmers MarketOn The Cobbles, 9am to 1.30pmPancake tossing competition
Sun Mar 9 - Sunday LunchMasonic Hall, Sandbach, 12.30pm for 1pmIn aid of the St Luke’s Hospice Sandbach Support GroupTickets £12
Tues Mar 11 - St Mary’s Church FellowshipSt Mary’s Church Hall, 7.30pmTalk ‘Holy Communion’ and AGM
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CONTEMPORARY R and B duo Shell Deliah perform at The Glasshouse in Sandbach on Friday March 7. Singer Michelle Harris (pictured) and musician Alex Dopierala will be playing at the
Crewe Road venue from 9pm. Entry is free. Music fans can also catch the duo at The Box in Crewe on Friday February 14, supporting Manchester reggea outfit Jeramiah Ferrari.
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ESTABLISHED in 2010, the Sandbach Concert Series has gone from strength to strength, and in 2014 brings international stars to the town for the first time. Tango 5 is the first ensemble to play at St Mary’s Church Hall on February 26 and is made up of some of the finest musicians in the north of England alongside international Bandoneon player Santiago Cimadeville. Born in Buenos Aires, Cimadeville performed for many years as a guitarist with several bands before switching to playing classical music on the piano at the Consevatorio Municipal Manuel de Falla. If you enjoy the music on
Strictly Come Dancing when they do the tango then you will love Tango 5. Two members of the group will be holding workshops in the area before the concert with members of the Congleton Youth Orchestra, The Love Music Trust String Symphonia and local instrumentalist who will work on a piece of music to perform at the night’s concert. Tickets for the show are £8.50 (adults) and are available at Demeter Wholefoods and Bramwells Opticians in Sandbach as well as on the door. The evening starts at 7pm with young musicians and an art exhibition. For more details visit www.sandbach-concert-series.co.uk.
Time to Tango
R and B from Cheshire duo
Unplugged at the JunctionTHE Cycle Junction in Sandbach is staging a series of accoustic gigs. The store on the Zan Industrial Park in Wheelock is hosting unplugged gigs on the last Thursday of every month. On March 27 the featured featured artists are Jonathan Tarplee and Hayley Strangelove.
April 24 sees Fatea Award winning Jo Bywater and Darren Poyzer, while on May 29 will be Rebecca Cullen and guest. Tickets, which must be bought before the night and are not available on the door, are £5 from The Cycle Junction. Doors open at 7.30pm for an 8pm start.
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SANDBACH High School pupil Rowan Cheshire has her sights set on Olympic glory after being selected to compete at this month’s Winter Games. Rowan has been named in the Great Britain squad for the half-pipe skiing competition in the Russian resort of Sochi, alongside Yorkshire’s Emma Lonsdale. And with the British skiers and snowboarders knowing they
must deliver at least one medal to justify funding of more than £1.5m, Cheshire is confident she can play her part. She said: “I am so happy to be selected, but it’s not sunk in yet. It’s all a bit of a blur. “It is an exciting time for me, although there are a few nerves as well, but I’m sure it will become real when we pick up
our Olympic kit. “Since the sport was accepted into the Games a couple of years ago, it has been my dream to be part of the Olympics because I’ve grown up watching it.” (pics courtesy of gbfreeski.com)
Rowan for goldSANDBACH United will be hosting a sportsman’s dinner at Crewe Alexandra on March 28. The guest speaker for the evening is former footballer John Hartson. After a successful playing career at Luton, Arsenal, West Ham, Wimbledon, Coventry City, Celtic and West Bromich Albion, Hartson is now a high profile pundit on radio and TV. The former centre forward was also capped 51 times playing for Wales. His most famous victory though was that of beating cancer, which alone is a remarkable story. Accompanying on the evening will be comedian Jimmy Bright. Tickets are £40 and include a three course meal. Call Ian Dolman on 07711 776 344 or email [email protected]. Event and table sponsorship are also available. • Sandbach United face a home tie in the Crewe and District FA Cup against AFC Alsager on February 8, and host Malpas in the leagure on February 15.
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FILLING THE GAPSSANDBACH RUFC are looking to climb up the league table this month as they try to build on a recent improvement in form. Manager Stuart Battersby told The Saxon: “It has been a difficult season so far, there’s no two ways about it. “We are victims of our own success in that we have lost a couple of important players to
other clubs. “That has left us with some gaps in the side, particularly in the front row. “It’s a matter of scouting around for players and promoting from within the club. “There is certainly new talent coming through but you do tend to get gaps in certain positions and it is perhaps a little early for some of them to
make the step up. “It’s a question of waiting for the props to come off the production line. “That said, the team have been improving recently as they showed against the Old Halesonians, who are a really good side. “There is a lot we can do on the training ground.” Sandbach face Scunthorpe
away on February 8, followed by a home clash with South Leicester on the 15th and a trip to Sutton Coldfield on March 1 - all teams currently above them in the league. But Battersby remained upbeat: “It’s difficult at the moment but these are all teams that we are capable of beating, as we showed last season.”