Category: Community

Friendly banter between pub regulars ended in a challenge match at pool with East Cheshire Hospice emerging the overall winners.

Decorator Tim Lyne and window cleaner Tim Larson were having a joke over a pint at the Brewers Arms, Macclesfield, about their abilities at the pool table.

There was only one way of finding out who had the best cueing skills so two teams were set up, each with eight players.

From left, landlord Dave Wrench and captains Tim Lyne and Tim Larson.

The team led by window cleaner Tim came out on top, with pub landlord Dave Wrench acting as referee.

Regulars sponsored the teams and donated raffle prizes, resulting in a £659 donation to the Hospice. The pub was already a supporter of the charity through its weekly prize draw.

Regulars Hannah Hewitt and Tim Lyne.

Regular Hannah Hewitt, nee Friel, whose husband Simon is a barman at the pub, said: “The two Tims were having a joke with a bit of winding up going on.

“It was Tim Larson’s idea to raise money for charity from the challenge. Everyone was up for doing it, especially as a lot of people at the pub have had family and friends treated by the Hospice over the years.

“The game should have taken place a couple of years ago, but because of Covid was delayed for a long time.”

Art Fair Cheshire returns soon, encouraging emerging artists and paying tribute to the rich textile heritage of Macclesfield and beyond.

Familiar artistic favourites will also be showcasing their work at the biennial event which runs from Thursday, May 26, until Sunday, June 5, in the grand surroundings of Macclesfield Town Hall.

Browsing exhibits at the 2019 Art Fair Cheshire.

As ever, exhibiting artists will kindly donate 40 per cent of their profits to East Cheshire Hospice with proceeds dedicated to its art therapy unit.

More than 80 artists will exhibit work in three galleries every day between 10.30 am and 5 pm.

Browsing exhibits at the 2019 Art Fair Cheshire.

Art Fair Co-Chair Georgie Johnson said: “For the first time there’ll be a gallery of Emerging Contemporary Artists who’ve been specially selected to take part in the event.

“By giving a platform to emerging artists, the event hopes to ignite curiosity, spark conversation and introduce unique investment opportunities for both first-time buyers and the more experienced collectors who come along.

“Art Fair Cheshire felt that this was the year to introduce a dedicated gallery space of emerging artists in order to play a part in nurturing the amazing artistic talent that Cheshire and the surrounding area has to offer.”

The three galleries are –

• Assembly, featuring original art and sculptures from more than 40 artists.
• Capesthorne, with jewellery, photography, glassware, ceramics, millinery, willow weaving, plus paintings and prints.
• Emerging Gallery, featuring 11 new and emerging artists. From textiles and mixed media to ceramics and photography, it presents new and stimulating work from upcoming talent.

Emerging Artist Curator Amy Stevenson said: “The new exhibition will be held in the ground floor Silk Room and will pay homage to the rich textile heritage of Macclesfield and the surrounding Cheshire district.

The last Art Fair Cheshire took place in 2019.

“It’ll explore the work of 11 artists whose practice is rooted in textiles, or connects to the subject of textiles through themes and processes such as pattern, layering, collage, etching and impasto.

“It’ll showcase an outstanding group of emerging artists from the North West and include a wide range of contemporary practices visitors may not have come across before.

“Our two other galleries will feature artists both familiar and new and we’re sure there’ll be something for everyone to enjoy and buy.”

Art Fair Cheshire is brought to you in partnership with Little Greene Paint and Paper and AstraZeneca. For information visit www.theartfair.org.uk

Music legend Noel Gallagher hit the right notes for East Cheshire Hospice by donating one of his treasured possessions.

His platinum disc for the iconic Oasis album Definitely Maybe was sold at auction for £3,750, with proceeds going to the charity.

Oasis fan Neil Bromley, from Prestbury, generously bought the collectors’ item at a party night held by Team Rainbow which raised a record £11,200.

The fundraising group – also known as Sarah’s Army – is a legacy to Carl’s Lamptey’s late wife Sarah who died in the Hospice in 2014.

From left, Joe Corrigan, Neil Bromley with the platinum disc and Carl Lamptey.

She was 36 and had breast cancer and more than £65,000 has been raised in her memory.

Noel is friends with ex-Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Corrigan, a keen Hospice supporter, and donated the disc when he heard about the charity’s financial plight during Covid-19.

Carl, from Macclesfield, said: “Joe has been an amazing supporter and helped us get the disc. We’d also like to thank Noel for being so humble and kind and taking it off his wall at his studio in London when he heard about the charity’s situation.

“The party night in December almost didn’t go ahead because of Covid, yet we raised more than ever.  A special thanks also to Linda Longdon at Broken Cross Club for her amazing support.”

Carl is now planning an 80s night there in May as part of the group’s fundraising campaign.

Definitely Maybe, released in 1994, was the group’s debut studio album and received wide critical acclaim.

Growing a moustache is always a hairy experience for pilates teacher Mark Leah.

That is because he usually gets a look of horror from family and friends when he unveils his latest design.

They will be relieved Mark is staying clean shaven until he launches his next Movember charity challenge.

It will be his 10th successive year during which time he has raised more than £10,000 for East Cheshire Hospice.

A few of  Mark Leah’s many appearances.  

Mark, from Macclesfield, said: “It’s good fun for little work for a local charity and people are so generous. At the end of the day it’s only a moustache and it’s not as though I’m doing anything too strenuous.

“The moustache is a nuisance to be honest and it’s great to be able to shave it off afterwards. My wife Margaret is much happier once it’s gone.”

Mark often keeps his black moustache well into December for effect at Christmas parties, a move that invariably tops up his fundraising.

He has just presented a cheque to the Hospice for £830 from his latest effort.

The most he raised was £1,369 in 2019 before lockdowns and face masks which hide his moustache from pilates students at Trinity House physiotherapy practice where he is based.

Mark said: “People forgot I was growing a moustache, so it was a bit of nightmare. I then found a really good mask with a Mexican moustache, but unfortunately it scared too many people who said it was putting them off.

“I change my moustache every week if possible. It’s been bright red but the dye wouldn’t wash out of the bed sheets for weeks. I’ve also had it in stripes, with chunks cut out and even got a hairdresser to turn it into a bat shape once.

“I judge it on the reaction of my daughter Gemma and son Jamie. If they say ‘dad you can’t go out like that’ I know it’s daft enough and I’ve got an effect.”

Mark took part in memory walks with his late father Frank while father-in-law George Calnun died in the Hospice in 2009. He said: “The Hospice were fantastic and we’ll always be grateful.”

Mark’s most bizarre fundraiser was a walk backwards from Arighi Bianchi to the Cat and Fiddle pub.

* To sponsor him visit justgiving.com/fundraising/Mark-Leah-Movember2021

Art work by the Silktown Stitchers has pride of place at East Cheshire Hospice. The group dedicated the colourful hanging to the memory of Jill Rowbotham, a much-loved member who died of cancer in March 2020.

David Rowbotham and Alison Bettles with the art work by the Silktown Stitchers.

Her husband David was present at the hand over, along with Alison Bettles, chair of the Silktown Stitchers. The 30-strong group meet on the second Thursday of each month at the youth centre in Prestbury.

The theme for the creation was ‘haven’ to show the link between the security homes provided during lockdown and isolation and the support the Hospice offers families during their most difficult times.

Alison said: “The hanging was created when members couldn’t meet due to Covid restrictions. We chose haven as a theme, but decided not to put a name to it so members could interpret it as they wished.

“Our group has a particular interest in embroidery, but encompasses all aspects of textile art. Visitors are welcome and our meetings comprise a mixture of speakers, stitch and chat afternoons and social events.”

The hanging was the first major project for the Stitchers since it became an independent stitch group following the withdrawal of branch support by the Embroiderers Guild.

* For more information email Alison at alisonenb@hotmail.com.

The display is located in a popular meeting room at the Hospice.

The memory of Macclesfield Parish FC stalwart Col Smith lives on through an annual football match. Two teams he managed and played for – Parish FC and St Peter’s which are part of the same club – met in a friendly match at the Moss Rose. Parish FC came out on top 3-2, with a £320 donation made to East Cheshire Hospice from a collection.

Col, of Higher Hurdsfield, died of cancer in March last year, aged 52.

Col Smith, who was a patient at East Cheshire Hospice.

He fought illness for 10 years but still remained involved in the club, part of the South Manchester and Cheshire Christian Football League. Col was a team leader at McDonald’s and a member of Bollington Life Church.

Parish FC manager David Mayers said: “We want to contribute towards society and not just play football. “The Hospice is a wonderful charity and they did a great job of looking after Col who was a real Christian man and passionate about his football.

“He inspired so many through his friendship, love for the game and deep Christian faith and is missed terribly.”

David Mayers (left) and Ryan Cawley from Macclesfield Parish FC with Hospice Community Fundraiser Carley Macey.

The final delivery made by postman Robin Emery before retirement was a giant cheque for East Cheshire Hospice. The donation of more than £2,000 was his kind parting gift to the charity after 28 years on his  rounds in Macclesfield where he was a familiar face.

Robin’s final patch for the last eight years of his career was Gawsworth where he even held a farewell party to thank villagers for their friendship and support. Robin, of Hurdsfield, said: “For me the last eight years were probably the most enjoyable. Delivering in Gawsworth was a match made in heaven. The villagers and I just gelled, so it was almost a pleasure to go to work every day.

Robin Emery outside Gawsworth community shop with East Cheshire Hospice fundraiser Claire Gorton (far right) and villagers Elsa West and Russell Burgess.

“I hosted a party with more than 150 invited guests and was overwhelmed with the support I was given.

“It wasn’t my first choice of career. I joined thinking it was a stop gap and I’d be there for six months and then some 28 years later I was still there!”

Party guests were invited to make a donation to the Hospice instead of retirement presents. Gawsworth villagers had earlier raised about £1,400 when Robin sportingly turned up for work in fancy dress as part of a charity initiative among postal colleagues.  Robin is still making plans for his retirement, but it will include more golf at Macclesfield Golf Club where he is a member.

Waving farewell…Robin Emery who has retired after 28 years as a postman. Picture courtesy of Paul Woods.

He said: “I was 66 in August and it’s nice to have a lie-in after all those early mornings of getting up at 4.30 am and being in the sorting office at Jordangate at 5.30 am. I’d then walk nine or 10 miles a day on delivery.

“I felt it was the right time to call it a day, although I’ll miss the day-to-day contact with work colleagues and the village, but otherwise I’ve no regrets about retiring.

“I have no personal connection with the Hospice, but everyone around Macclesfield and the wider community really appreciates it.

“It’s based in Macclesfield and everyone has heard of it and knows what a fantastic job they do, so I wanted to put any funds raised towards the Hospice.”

Judy Kelly was a proud grandma when Milly and Eve Farrer set up a cake stall outside her home. The girls raised £217 for East Cheshire Hospice where Judy has been a volunteer for almost 21 years.

Eve (left) and Milly present a cheque to Hospice community fundraiser Carley Macey.

Her granddaughters were on a week-long visit from their Birmingham home during the school holidays when they decided to help the Hospice.

Milly (10) baked cakes, while 14-year-old Eve organised a raffle with 20 prizes which raised £73 towards the total.

Judy said: “Milly loves cooking and has her own recipe book of cakes she makes.  Friends and neighbours were so generous and kept coming forward with raffle prizes.

Milly (left) and Eve at the cake stall outside their grandma’s home.

“We were amazed by the success of the afternoon and the girls were so pleased. It was a bit worrying because Milly had made a lot of cakes and I thought what if no-one comes, but we sold them all in two hours.

“Milly had posted flyers and the next day wrote thank you notes to all friends and neighbours who had supported them.”

Judy is soon hoping to return to her long-serving voluntary role on the Hospice reception. Covid-19 also prevented her and fellow volunteers from helping display flowers on the ward, a role she has done for 10 years.

She said: “Not being able to volunteer has been awful and I’ve hated it. During that time I have, though, been fundraising by painting greetings cards and selling them to friends, donating the proceeds to the Hospice.”