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Art Fair Cheshire gets under way tomorrow (Thur Sept 26) showcasing the region’s finest artistic talent.

The event, in aid of East Cheshire Hospice, runs until Thursday Oct 3 at Macclesfield Town Hall.

Artists donate a percentage of sales to the charity. Admission is free and a pop-up café serves refreshments.

The exhibition features original art and sculptures, paintings, prints, jewellery, photography, ceramics and willow weaving.

The event includes work created by the next generation of budding artists, strengthening community links.

Mixed media artist Rebecca Clitheroe who is giving a talk at Art Fair Cheshire.

Youngsters part of the Hospice’s child bereavement services have submitted work made within their sessions, including framed artworks and 3D.

Meanwhile, pupils from Fallibroome Academy and Macclesfield College have submitted works based on a brief of ‘memory.’

Hospice community and events fundraiser Claire Gorton said: “Art Fair Cheshire is a great team effort, involving volunteers, art lovers and sponsors.

“This year’s event is going to be fantastic and I’d encourage people to visit and support the Hospice.”

The talks schedule is:

Sat Sept 28 11.30 am: Mixed media artist Rebecca Clitheroe explores Hidden Histories of buildings/landmarks.

2 pm: Steph Janson turns wool tops, yarns and fabrics into landscapes.

Steph Janson who appears at Art Fair Cheshire.

Sun Sept 29: 11.30 am: Painter Peter Davis talks about themes in his urban landscapes and portraits.

2 pm: Patty Callaghan demonstrates the world of papier mache art.

The exhibition is curated by Jess Flewitt, Anne Riordan and Sue Roberts. This is mainly in the large Assembly gallery upstairs in the town hall.

The biennial event, which celebrates its 25^th anniversary this year, has raised around £450,000 for the Hospice.

Grandmother Anna Rains came up with the idea of staging the first exhibition. In 1998, she chaired a fundraising appeal to mark the Hospice’s 10^th anniversary.

The art exhibition was an important fundraiser for the creation of the Sunflower Centre which has developed into one of the most modern health care centres in the region.

Appropriately, Anna and her original trail-blazing fundraisers attended the reopening of the refurbished centre, now known as the Sunflower Living Well Centre, in April.

The Art Fair sponsored by AstraZeneca, opens from 10.30 am until 4 pm daily. For more details visit www.theartfair.org.uk

The world of virtual reality has arrived at East Cheshire Hospice as new technology further aids staff and patients.

The Hospice has been loaned three VR headsets by Macclesfield and District General Hospital.

The fully immersive 360-degree vision will further enhance training and therapy.

Conor Stubbs, Head of IT, said: “The headsets have a range of apps which can be used for simulated clinical-based training. This might include medicine management and how to physically move and handle patients.

“This enables our Practice Education Facilitator to deliver training to clinical staff in new ways.

“The headsets allow hands-on physical interaction with objects in a room so a more hands on experience of learning and an engaging way of delivering training.

IT staff demonstrate the VR headsets

“The headsets are linked to an iPad so people can see what is happening on the headsets, making it easier to share with others during group training and also for nurses supporting service users with VR.

“We’ve always had plans for VR in our digital strategy but the generous loan from the Hospital means we’ve been able to fast forward our adoption.

“We’re also hoping to roll out VR to patients and service users. For example, they could be used for child therapy services allowing young people to use the headsets for relaxation, interactive games and mindfulness content.

“Those who use our dementia and outpatient services can enjoy relaxing scenes, whether in a garden, by the beach or re-visiting their favourite places.

“It’s an exciting project with lots of possibilities and patients and staff will always be at the heart of our plans.”

The Hospice introduced smart technology earlier this year when the Sunflower Living Well Centre reopened after extensive refurbishment.

* A Folk Night in aid of East Cheshire Hospice is a sell-out.

Acts will play audience favourites at Prestbury Village Club on Friday, September 27 (8 pm).

Organiser Mike Fairhurst is bass player with Now and Then. Singer guitarist Chris Hearn and folk duo Mike and John will also perform.

Mike Fairhurst said: “It’s a fun evening and our group will hand out song sheets, encouraging guests to have a good sing song.

“This is the fourth year it has been in aid of the Hospice.”

Regulars at Alfred’s Bar and Dine are becoming film and television quiz buffs.

Monthly quizzes at the town centre venue have raised more than £1,500 so far for East Cheshire Hospice.

Cult American television sitcom Friends was the theme for the latest quiz as customers tested their knowledge on six young adults living in Manhattan.

Disney films, Harry Potter and Gavin and Stacey have been other themes at the fun nights.

Alfred’s deputy manager Craig Trodden.

The quiz master is Liv Poole, who owns the Quizzly Bears, and there are prizes for the winners.

The next quiz is on Tuesday, August 6, with music, film and television from the 2000s decade as the theme.

To reserve a place call 01625 420010 or message on social media. Entry is £2 per person or £10 for a table of up to six.

General manager Louise Anderson said: “A lot of our customers have a connection with the Hospice through family or friends, so we’re delighted to help out in this way.

“The Hospice is a great local charity which is why we’re doing what we can to support it. The quizzes have been really popular and we’d like to thank everyone for their support.”

Follow Alfreds, located at Park Green, on their socials to keep up to date with future quizzes.

Golfer Liz Stott is the latest member of her family to undertake a tough sporting challenge.

Husband Chris has sailed across the Atlantic, while sons Andrew and James have also pushed themselves to the limit with their own tests of endurance.

Chris with sons James (left) and Andrew on their Atlantic adventure.

Not to be outdone, Liz played 72 holes of golf on the longest day to raise funds for East Cheshire Hospice.

Liz teed off at 6 am on Friday June 21 and sank her final putt 13 hours later.

Friend Celia Stanley, who works in the lottery team at the Hospice, played the last of four rounds with Liz who walked the course.

Other members of The Tytherington Club who either caddied or played alongside Liz were Jill Hone, Jane Ambler, Beth Attwell, Sue Hunter, Fiona Weems, Kath Lees, Anne Dutoy and Marg Jordan.

The transatlantic crew with Chris Stott (second from left) and Bryan Hammond (far right).

Liz donated £5 to the charity for every lost golf ball meaning an additional £30. The Tytherington club team gave £200, one of many donations.

Sporting activity runs in her family. On the longest day three years ago, son Andrew cycled from his home in Southampton to Macclesfield, while younger brother James completed his first ironman in Barcelona last year.

Meanwhile, Chris is almost home after sailing with their two sons from Bermuda, where Andrew lives, to the Azores.

Liz on the 18^th green at The Tytherington Club.

Chris is bringing home the boat on which he and five others, including Bryan Hammond, from Macclesfield, sailed from Gran Canaria to St Lucia – the shortest transatlantic westward crossing – last November.

Liz, from Prestbury, said: “I come from a family who aren’t afraid to take on a challenge, though mine wasn’t quite as adventurous as theirs.

“I suppose I wanted to do my own challenge and raise some money while doing it. The Hospice is very special in our community.  I won’t be the only one who’s had friends and family who’ve been cared for there, so it was an easy decision to raise the money for the Hospice.”

Liz Stott with her supporters. 

“I want to thank The Tytherington Club for their support, including the loan of buggies, my friends for keeping me going and everyone who donated.

“It was a memorable day, even though it was exhausting.”

Liz with Fiona Weems (left) and Beth Attwell.

Ian Shoreman, Tytherington’s club director, said: “We’re all extremely proud of what Liz has done. Playing 72 holes on a difficult course is a long walk, requiring lots of effort for a great cause.”

* To donate visit www.justgiving.com/page/liz-stott-72holes