Month: February 2021

There is one question quiz hosts Paul Morrissey and Mark Watson cannot answer.

When will East Cheshire Hospice quiz teams finally meet up again without the aid of Zoom?

It is 16 months since the last quiz at Marlborough Primary School where it was always a social event as much as a test of general knowledge.

Organisers have held six virtual quizzes since during the pandemic, raising an impressive £7,471 online. The next quiz is on Friday, March 5.

The ECH quiz team have raised more than £38,000 for the Hospice in seven years when Paul and Mark have been firing the questions.

The last quiz drew 89 teams with contestants dotted all over the country.

Quiz masters Paul Morrissey (left) and Mark Watson.

Paul said: “It’s good that people can take part from anywhere, but where we lose out is we can’t hold raffles and sell beer like we do at the face-to-face quizzes. So being able to raise the same amount of money is a challenge.

“It’s about striking the right balance with questions. We don’t want them too hard because there’s a range of different people, particularly at the Hospice quizzes.

“People enjoy the face-to-face get-togethers as much for the crack as the quiz itself.  We do try to push the social side and encourage people to have a good time.”

Paul, who was a Hospice trustee for seven years and is now a vice president, is retired from AstraZeneca where he spent more than 30 years.

He is a quiz veteran like Mark who runs the Macclesfield Quiz League and they are team-mates for the Nags Head ‘B’.

Past quiz host Dave Robinson helps with music rounds at the school events, while the tireless Alison Brammer is co-organiser. Nik Kalka usually runs the bar and now helps with technology. Community Fundraiser Carley Macey co-ordinates for the Hospice.

Quiz bar team (from left) Rick Cohen, Nik Kalka and Mike Kemp.

Mark said: “I’ve got a good memory for facts which frankly aren’t much use anywhere else. Questions which don’t do me the slightest good in real life work really well in this forum!”

“I’ve known Paul a long time – fellow Manchester City supporter – and we get on well and pull each other’s leg. Hopefully, we provide some entertainment.”

Mark retired as a Police Inspector in 2012 and is co-ordinator for the charity Cheshire Crimebeat. He was awarded the MBE for services to community policing, having worked closely on Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities for many years.

 

To join the next quiz on Friday March 5th, go to https://www.eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/virtual-quiz

Claire Gorton will never forget the day she started her new job at East Cheshire Hospice.

Her arrival last month coincided with the announcement of the latest national lockdown.

It was not the news Claire and the fundraising team she had just joined wanted to hear, especially after such a frustrating year for the charity.

Claire, who is Community Fundraising Assistant, said: “The new lockdown came just as I started and in my first week it should have been our Christmas tree collection which was postponed unfortunately.

“It’s a difficult time to fundraise, but also such an important time to be fundraising. It’s going to be a challenge but that’s also exciting.

“There are plenty of ways people can fundraise without coming together. Supporters are getting more creative and adapting because of the way things are and coming up with fresh ideas.”

Claire Gorton with some of her ceramics.

Claire, from Nether Alderley, had her job interview last March with her appointment delayed by Covid-19.

Her previous job as a technical demonstrator at Quarry Bank involved explaining the cotton mill’s role in the Industrial Revolution.

She said:  “It was very interesting, I learned a lot there and it was a nice place to work. I demonstrated the old machinery for hand spinning and weaving, cotton processing and the spinning mule.

“I fell in love with storytelling and engaging the visitors, but fancied a new challenge. I saw the job advertised and enjoy talking to the public and felt it’d be exciting to get people engaged in raising money for the Hospice.”

Claire already had links with the charity, her mum Pat inspiring her to join its memory walks, while a close family friend was cared for at the Hospice.

Claire said: “I’ve been to the Hospice in a visiting capacity as well, so have that understanding of what it means to patients and their families at quite difficult times.”

Meanwhile, older brother Rob is undertaking a series of fundraising challenges, including a Hospice trek to the Sahara in November.

Claire has a degree in design crafts with ceramics her speciality.

She said:  “I’ve had a small business making and selling ceramics in my spare time since I graduated from university in 2016.

“I have a little shed on the family farm where I make my ceramics which I normally sell at places like the Treacle Market,  but that’s cancelled at the moment so I’ve been selling online.”

Claire Gorton in front the kiln in her shed with her ceramics.