Category: Community

Breeding farm animals runs in the Gilman family and so does raising funds for East Cheshire Hospice.

They have raised more than £11,000 for the charity in just over two years through pumpkin mazes and lambing live events.

They own Pye Ash Farm, in Bosley, where face painting sessions have proved as popular with children as cattle and sheep.

Three generations work on a farm family owned since the 1930s.

From left, friends Lizzie Jones, Martha Gilman and Jemma Long with Pippy and Scrappy.

James’ father Joe – now almost 90 – still keeps an eye on what is going on at the farm and helps with car parking at seasonal events.

James is one of the country’s top sheepdog trainers and held trials for charity last year. The accomplished dog handler has represented England many times.

Indeed, in 2007 he won One Man and His Dog, a popular BBC television series.

James developed an interest 40 years ago when he bought his first dog Jill for £5. The sheepdogs he now trains are eighth generation.

Farm team members (from left) James Gilman, Lizzie Jones, Lizzie Clark, Kiera Bradley, Jane Gilman, Ash Imber and George Gilman.

Daughter Martha said: “Dad takes great pride in breeding and owning dogs and his lessons for local farmers and handlers are extremely popular.

“He just got the bug for sheepdog training and it became his passion, along with running the farm.

“We have 500 sheep of different breeds, 100 head of Hereford cows, pigs, chickens, ducks, turkeys and around 10 sheepdogs at any one time.”

James Gilman and sheepdog Harry.

Bees are also part of life. James’ wife Jane is a beekeeper, a hobby she combines with teaching in Wincle and helping train dogs.

Martha and brother George will get involved at events, while George’s fiancée Liz is a vet which is useful. Their friend Jemma Long is a willing helper.

Martha said: “East Cheshire is our nearest hospice and close to the hearts of a lot of people we know.

“We’ve raised more than £14,000 for charity, mostly for the Hospice, from donations, including for face painting.

Farm workers (from left, back) Olivia Wain, Martha Gilman, Winnie Bullock, Sarah Nixon, Grace Gibbs. Front, Jane Gilman, Lizzie Clark, Kiera Bradley, James Gilman, Paige Jepson.

“The TV show brought sheepdog competition to the public attention. It involves how well the dog and handler work together getting sheep through gates.”

Pye Ash Farm will host sheepdog trials in August next year and their next event is a Pumpkin Maze this October. Visit pyeashfarm.co.uk.

Caring Carl Lamptey is the pride of Cheshire!

Modest Carl will not admit it since he is too busy fundraising, but he deserves the accolade for amazing service to the community.

Carl Lamptey at the Local Hero awards at Cottons Hotel and Spa.

The Macclesfield dad is overwhelmed after scooping two awards recognising his dedication.

Carl won Cheshire’s Silk 106.9 Pride of Cheshire prize at the Local Hero 2023 Awards, days after receiving a civic award from Macclesfield mayor Cllr Fiona Wilson.

His Team Rainbow has raised more than £70,000 for East Cheshire Hospice where wife Sarah died of breast cancer in 2014, aged 36.

Carl Lamptey with his Silk 106.9 award. 

He supports many causes, including appeals by the radio station. He also helped a boy with a brain tumour get his wish for an Apple tablet.

Carl said: “It all began when Sarah started holding parties to raise funds and basically I’ve continued her legacy. I’ve not stopped fundraising because that’s what she wanted to do.

“I know the community are going to give, because they’re awesome. During lockdown I asked footballers to donate and they didn’t, so I turned to the community and the rest is history. They just nailed it.

“It’s nice to get recognition, but I don’t do it for awards. When Sarah passed I got so many messages from people I didn’t know and realised we’re in a good area with good people who care.

“I know we’ve got a good community, so that’s why I keep doing what I’m doing and the Hospice has been at the heart of my fundraising.”

Disco fever swept Tytherington High School as a bingo night hit the jackpot for East Cheshire Hospice.

Organisers What Women Want raised a record £13,500 from the sell-out event which attracted more than 300 party goers.

It took the total raised by the five voluntary fundraisers to £393,000 since the group was set up 13 years ago.

Disco bingo has been a big hit since the fun nights began with players quite literally entering into the spirit of the occasion. No one went thirsty with the infamous barrows of donated booze raffled off.

The WWW group – Julie Barnes, Jo Millward, Jill Harding, Elaine Burgess and Jayne Carter – are prolific fundraisers with their balls, bingo nights and fashion shows.

Sarah Dale (centre) from the Hospice with What Women Want fundraisers (from left) Jo Millward, Julie Barnes, Jayne Carter and Elaine Burgess.

They have also undertaken individual challenges to raise funds. Jill is a health care assistant at the Hospice where her mum Mary was a patient.

Jayne, the group chair, said: “Our latest bingo didn’t disappoint. It was our biggest yet and the lucky ones who got tickets dug deep to help us raise a fantastic amount.

“We’re overwhelmed at the continued generosity from our supporters. They are truly amazing. We’d also like to thank the fabulous bar staff and volunteers who worked so hard to make the night a huge success.”

Funds raised are used to buy specific items to benefit Hospice patients. The two cars used by the Hospice @Home nurses were bought thanks to donations from the WWW women.

Volunteer knitters have put Easter Humpties back together again as part a new fundraising campaign.

The cute colourful characters are on sale for £2, with all proceeds going to East Cheshire Hospice.

Inside are mouth-watering creme eggs donated by businesses.

More than 1,300 humpties and chicks have been made, with more than half created by the handiwork of tireless volunteer Angela Roberts.

The Easter treats are available at King’s School, Upton Priory and Bollinbrook, the same primary schools which sold them last year.

They can also be bought from the Hospice reception (9 am to 7 pm); its shops in Poynton and Handforth, Prestbury Pharmacy and Quality Dry Cleaners in Tytherington.

Community fundraiser Claire Gorton with an Easter Humpty.

Community fundraiser Claire Gorton said: “Once again our fantastic knitters have risen to the challenge. Some knit for us all year round and attaching the sparkly hair can be a little tricky.”

Companies which have donated eggs are Anthony Collins Solicitors; BNI Silk; C3 Sales and Consulting; STD Transport; Surface Technology International and Thorneycroft Solicitors.

Claire said: “It makes a huge difference for the Hospice not to have to buy the creme eggs, meaning every penny from each Humpty sold goes directly towards providing vital end-of-life support for those in our community.

“Last year the humpties were so popular I was constantly popping back to schools with extra deliveries. The kids were desperate to see what different colour combinations they could find within each batch.”

Other handmade Easter decorations, priced from £2, are also available from the Hospice reception.