BBeaear r NecessiecessititiesWith News from Congleton Town Council & Community Groups

Spring 2014

Railway StationFriends

A new Friends of Congleton Railway Station isin the process of setting up. The friends groupis looking to work with the station to improvethe planting and general appearance of thestation. Improvements are likely to includesome community mosaic artwork for thewalls, some new planters, usable cycle storageand overhaul the plant beds.

You can help create the mosaic art work forthe station by joining in FREE publicworkshops in the Electric Picture House,Cross Street, on Tuesday 8th, Wednesday 9thand Friday 11th April from 10am to 4pm andSaturday 12th April from 10am to 3pm.

To find out more or get involved contactGlen Williams on 01260 277384. A separategroup is looking at improving the canal towpath and access to the railway station by footand bike. For more information about thisgroup contact the Partnership Officer MikeSmith on 01260 270350, Ext 3.

Congleton is to have its own Artisan andVintage Market starting on Sunday 13 April.The Artisan style market will be set up in thepedestrian area from 10am - 3pm andpromises to be a fabulous monthly event forthe local community and visitors to thetown. The market will have a great mix ofstall holders selling top quality specialistfood, drink and producefrom local growers,producers and businessestogether with vintage,handmade and artisancrafts and products.

The pedestrian area will

be closed to traffic from 7am - 6pm for thesafety of the stall holders and market visitors.The much-longed for Artisan style market isbeing organised by City Markets, who run theretail markets in town on Tuesdays andSaturdays. For more information or to book astall tel 07739 529225 or check out the websitewwww.congletonartisanmarket.co.uk

Thousands are expected to flockto Congleton Park on Saturday31 May to see the Queen's

Commonwealth Baton. Congleton andManchester are the only two venues inthe North West to host a baton visit - soit's a great honour for the town and afabulous chance to showcase Congletonand our community!

The Baton celebrations will start at 11am andcontinue until 3pm over the three areas ofCongleton Park, Hankinson's Field andCongleton Leisure centre- the baton will remainat the Park for a couple of hours- so there'splenty of time to join in the festivities. Although

it will be a free event, entry will be by ticket onlyso look out for announcements in the localpress and at www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/sportFor safety reasons some local roads in theimmediate area may need to be closed totraffic. Residents and Businesses will get aletter explaining.

The baton relay is all about participation, sport,youth and getting behind Team England aheadof the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. AsBear Necessities went to print there were someexciting plans for activities and events in thePark, Hankinson's Field and the Leisure Centre.The event is being organised by Cheshire EastCouncil with the support of Congleton TownCouncil and Team Congleton.

Bear Necessities is produced byCongleton Town Council. The nextnewsletter will be delivered around7 July. All contributions should besent by 9 June to Jackie MacArthurat Congleton Town Hall, High StreetCongleton CW12 1BN,Tel 01260 270350 or emailjm@congletontowncouncil.co.uk

Congleton Artisan and Vintage Market

Queen's CommonwealthBaton to Visit Congleton!

Streetscape services for Congleton are nowmanaged by the Town Council. This makesthe Town Council responsible formaintaining green open spaces owned byCheshire East Council, planting andmaintenance of key areas such asroundabouts, Congleton Park and otherrecognised public open spaces, litter pickingand removal, emptying public litter and dogbins (at least 120 a day), cleaning MarketStreet and Market toilets, looking after 11play areas in Congleton and one in Breretonand grounds maintenance in Congleton

and the fiven e i g h b o u r i n gparishes.

The Town Councilhas invested innew equipmentto help the 11members of staffcarry out their

tasks. The next few months will be extra busyfor the team as in addition to their otherduties they will be helping prepare andclean-up after the town's festivities, plant andwater thousands of flowers as part of theBritain in Bloom campaign and prepare thetown for judging.

To contact the Town Council about any ofthe Streetscape Services:

1. Tel: 01260 270350, Extension 52. Email: rb@congletontowncouncil.co.uk3. Visit: www.congleton-tc.gov.uk

C= Conservative; LD = Liberal Democrat;I = Independent;IVC = Independent Voice of Congleton; UKIP = UK Independence Party

Know YourCouncillorCongleton is divided into two wards, East andWest. As a rough guide East Ward coversBuglawton, Bromley Farm, Mossley and LowerHeath. West Ward covers the Town Centre, WestHeath and Newcastle Road. Each ward isrepresented by 10 Councillors.All Councillors can be contacted through theTown Council and further details can be seen atwww.congleton-tc.gov.uk Your Councillorselected or co-opted to serve until May 2015 are:

Dawn Allen,C

Louise Bours,UKIP

Jean Parry,C

Gordon Baxendale,C

Amanda Martin,C

Neville Price,I

Robbie Brightwell,C

Denis Murphy,LD (Deputy Mayor)

Elizabeth Wardlaw,C

John Saville Crowther,IVC

Paul Bates,C

George Hayes, C (Mayor)

Bob Edwards,C (Council Leader)

Sally Ann Holland,C

David Brown,C (Deputy Leader)

Guy Brittain, C

Douglas Parker,C

Glen Williams,C

Rebecca Williams,C

Larry Barker,C

West WardCouncillors

East WardCouncillors

LOCAL PLAN FORCHESHIRE EASTAfter three years and over 36,000responses from members of the publicCheshire East Council has now approvedits Local Plan and has published aSubmission Version. The plan provides ablueprint for development in CheshireEast until 2030 and includes the final listof 37 proposed sites and nine strategiclocations for expansion. For Congletonthis includes the Link Road and talks of3,500 new homes in the area as well asnew employment opportunities.

The new Local Plan covers issues such ashow much employment land is neededand where it should be provided,protecting and improving important openareas and providing new ones, how manynew homes will be required and wherethey should be located, providing newtransport infrastructure including roads,cycle routes and footpaths and how towncentres and community facilities in theborough could be improved.

Local people, businesses andorganisations have until 5pm on the 25thApril to make any representationsregarding the legal compliance andsoundness of the Submission Version ofthe Local Plan. Any representations alongwith the Submission Version andassociated documents will be sent to theSecretary of State ready for publicexamination. Reference copies areavailable in the libraries at Crewe andMacclesfield Town Halls and on-line seewww.cheshireeast.gov.uk/planning

Lots to book throughCongleton TIC

You probably know that Congleton TouristInformation Centre, based on the ground floorof the Town Hall, is a fantastic place to find outabout local attractions, where to stay, where toeat and public transport information. You mayknow that it sells postcards, stamps, souvenirs,OS Maps, walking and cycling guides and localhistory books. But did you know that theTourist Information also sells discount ticketsfor Alton Towers, Chester Zoo, Blackpoolattractions, Gullivers Theme Parks, Legolandand Sealife Centre in Manchester, Blue Planetat Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, Nantwich,Bakewell and Tatton Shows and Shrewsbury,Southport and Harrogate Flower Shows? TheTIC can also book you tickets for performancesat Daneside Theatre, Buxton Opera House,Regent Theatre, Victoria Hall, New Vic Theatre,Crewe Lyceum, Clonter Opera and GawsworthHall Open Air Theatre.

The Tourist Information Centre is openMonday - Friday from 9am - 5pm and SummerSaturdays from 10am- 4pm. Tel 01260 271095.Save yourself time, effort and money bysupporting this important local service.

Congleton Town Council Takes On More Services

St Peters - A Georgian Churchin the Heart of Congleton

News In Brief...ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Residents are invited to an Annual TownMeeting in the Town Hall on Thursday 8th Mayat 7pm. This is an opportunity to hear aboutevents affecting Congleton and to pick up acopy of the Council’s Annual Report. It is not aCouncil Meeting. If Councillors choose toattend they do so as a resident.

WEEKDAY ROOMS AVAILABLE AT THE TOWN HALL During the weekends the Town Hall is oftenfully booked, but there is room for morebookings during the week. There’s a choice ofthree rooms which can be set in a variety ofstyles to cater for 2 to 25O people. Prices startat just £15 per hour. For more information seewww.congleton-tc.gov.uk or tel 270350, Ext 6.

MAYOR MAKING Will take place in the Town Hall on Thursday15th May starting at 7pm. The TownCouncillors will elect a councillor to serve asMayor for 2014-15. The usual protocol is for theDeputy Mayor to become Mayor the followingyear. This meeting is open to the public.

IMPROVED CYCLE/FOOTPATH Congleton Partnership is working with anumber of partners to get an improved saferoute for cyclist and walkers from the TownCentre to the Railway Station and beyond toBuglawton. Phase 1 was completed in Marchwith an improved path from Townsend Roadto the Thames Close (parallel to Park Lane)

SEED SWAP - ASTBURY MERECongleton Sustainability Group will beholding a Seed Swap day at Astbury Mere onSunday 27 April from 2pm – 4pm. It’s free tocome along – bring surplus plants and seedsand swap or sell. There will be refreshmentsand a chance to buy some Congleton AppleJuice – get it now while stocks last!

COMMUNITY CREDIT UNIONCongleton Community Credit Union is a localsavings and loan cooperative, regulated andapproved by The Financial Conduct Authority,for those who live or work in the CW12 area.

The organisation is run by a board ofvolunteer directors and all profits come backto members in an annual dividend. Memberssave what they can afford and can borrow upto three times the amount they have saved.Repayments are planned within your budgetso there is no risk of you being over stretchedand getting into a spiral of debt.

The collection point is staffed on a Saturdaymorning between 10-11am on the groundfloor of Congleton library. To find out moreyou can come to the collection point or ringGraham on 07504 184902.

Hankinson's FieldWill NOT Be Sold!

Cheshire East Council has confirmed that itis not, and has never had any intention tosell Hankinson's Field, in Congleton.Speculation and confusion arose followingan advert for the disposal of land andbuildings in the local press. Councillor DavidBrown, Deputy Leader of Cheshire East anda Town Councillor explained: "We willintroduce a sports leisure trust that willdeliver an enhanced sports offer,encompassing new leisure provision whilstensuring that Cheshire East Council retainsfreehold ownership of the land andbuildings. We are not and have never hadany intention to sell Hankinson's Field inCongleton. The public notice containsstatutory wording which can appearconfusing."

Leisure Centres, swimming pools and leisuredevelopment services that were run byCheshire East Council will be provided byEverybody Sport and Leisure Trust. CheshireEast has given the trust a lease on theproperty and associated land.

Ruby'sSensoryCentreUpdate

The volunteers behind Ruby's Fund areworking hard to transform its new premises inRoe Street, Congleton from a warehouse intoa Sensory Centre for children and youngpeople with additional needs and disabilities.The centre will offer a safe, stimulatingenvironment, giving individuals and groupsthe chance to explore and develop in aninclusive setting, which is also ideal fortherapy, relaxation, education, friendship andfun. An opening date will be announced inthe local press and via Ruby's Fund websitewww.rubysfund.co.uk

If you are interested in volunteering at thecentre or have a fundraising idea please emailinfo@rubysfund.co.uk

Work on the roof of St.Peter's started in Januaryand in spite of bad

weather andunexpecteda d d i t i o n a lstone andtimber work,the work ison course tobe finished atthe end ofApril. Raisingthe Roof is thefirst in a threephase projectcalled Key tothe Future.

The second phase - Letting in the Light - willinvolve restoring the cast iron windowframes and glass, and help conserve heat.Funds for this work have yet to be raised.

Phase three - Unlocking the Future for All willrealise a vision to sensitively update parts ofthe interior to improve provision, access andinclusiveness to ensure the building is openand sustainable.

St. Peter's has been described as arguablythe most important and complete Georgiantown church in Cheshire, of exceptionalarchitectural and art historical significance.You can visit this lovely church in the centreof Congleton on Saturdays from 10am - 2pmuntil the end of October and on Tuesdaysfrom 10am - 2pm until the end of July.Sunday morning worship takes place at10am.

The Tuesdays@Ten programme includesfamily history, informal services, talks andmusic - just call in! Students from Chetham'sSchool of Music will perform on May 6th.Programmes are available from the TouristInformation Centre, the Library, the Churchand the Parish office.

Jesus Christ Superstar is beingperformed at Daneside Theatre byTrinity Amateur Operatic Society fromTuesday 8 April until Saturday 12th April.

The rock opera by Andrew LloydWebber and Tim Rice tells the story ofthe final days of Jesus' life, largely fromthe Judas' perspective. It contains thefamous songs, 'I Don't Know How To LoveHim' , 'Everything's Alright' and 'Superstar'.

Performances are at 7.30pm and theticket prices range from £8–£12. Ticketsavailable from Mrs E Feriday, tel 276371or Congleton Tourist Information Centrein the Town Hall, tel 270195.

TTeeddddyy BBeeaarr''ss PPiiccnniicc

If you go down to Congleton Park onThursday June 19th you're sure for a bigsurprise! For that's the day the Teddy Bears -and their pre-school owners have theirpicnic! This free event is organised byCongleton Town Council and friends as partof tasty town week. Local youngsters areinvited to bring a picnic, teddy and an adultand join in some free fun including storytime, rhythm time, dancing, games, musicand a chance to meet some 'character bears'.The fun starts at 12.30 and finishes at 2.30pm– which is in plenty of time to pick up olderbrothers and sisters from school!

For more details, please check out ourwebsite: www.congleton-tc.gov.uk

Lots to See at theElectric Picture HouseCongleton's Electric Picture House has apacked summer programme of art anddrama! The Arts Centre in Cross Street,Congleton is open daily from Monday -Saturday from 10am - 5pm. Highlights ofthe coming months include:

An Exhibition of Paint, Print & Patternby Di Harding and Claire Harding: fromFriday 4 to Saturday 26 April

Trio Gitan - Evocative Eastern EuropeanFolk: Sat 5 April 7.30pm tickets £7

Transmutation Exhibition by Petra Lea: 2 to 17 May

Old Herbaeous, an unexpected lovestory: Thursday 8 May, tickets £8

John Wilkinson - solo exhibition: 23 May to 7 June

The Forest - group exhibition: 13 June to 12 July

Hard Times - an original production ofthe Charles Dickens Classic: 20 June at7.30pm, £9

For more information, tel 270908 orsee www.electricpicturehouse.com

Cool Down at the Pool!Congleton's Paddling Pool, in Park Road, willopen daily from 10am - 6pm from Saturday 24May until early September. The Paddling Poolis owned and managed by Congleton TownCouncil and has been enjoyed by the youngergeneration for decades! In 2013 the PaddlingPool was awarded a Little Gem Award byCheshire Community Action.

The Paddling Pool is designed for childrenaged 11 and under. A member of staff will bepresent, but all children must be accompaniedby a responsible adult. Car parking on theroads surrounding the Pool is time-limited andrestrictive. Daneside Theatre car park is private,so users are advised to walk, cycle, travel onthe bus or park in the Town Centre car parks.

Congleton Food& Drink FestivalSunday 15th June10.30am - 4.30pm, Town Centre

Now in its sixth year, Congleton's popularFood and Drink Festival promises to beanother great day in town where everyonecan enjoy top quality local and regionalproduce, a fantastic range of global streetfood, kids' activities, magic, music and streetentertainment – all creating a greatatmosphere and a fabulous day out foreveryone to enjoy.

Congleton Community Projectsand a volunteer team whichorganises the Festival selects thestalls on the quality of theingredients, production, locality,individuality and more thananything, passion for theirproduct. This year the team isinviting people with a passion formaking or baking, and a desire toset up their own business tospeak to them about the

possibilities of having a subsidised stall anduse of a professional kitchen to prepare foodfor sale on the day.

Last year Swan Bank and Mill Street inaddition to the High Street were closed totraffic to accommodate more stalls. Space inthe pedestrian area had reduced to enablemore shops and cafes to open and takeadvantage of the thousands of people whovisit the Festival. The closures were verysuccessful and will be repeated this yearwith even more activities on the road!

If you would like to join the Food and Drinkteam in pre-organisational work, sharingideas or just helping on the day call our newnumber 01260 270908 or 07833 742200.

Watch the press for more details, visit ourwebsite www.foodanddrinkfestival.net

April

3 CTC Planning Committee, 7pm4-26 Pattern, Print & Paint Exhibition - Electric Picture House4 Northern Soul & Motown, Lion and Swan, 8pm to

Midnight, £5 on the door 5 Know Your Blood Pressure, Bulls Head, 10am-12 noon

Rotary Club of Congleton 5 Trio Gitan, Gypsy Jazz Trio, Electric Picture House, tickets £75 Congleton Choral Society Concert, Town Hall, 7.30pm6 Museum Walk 'In search of Georgian Congleton' -

I.Doughty - 2pm8-12 Jesus Christ Superstar, Daneside, 7.30pm13 Sunday Market - Congleton Town Centre14 National Blood Service, Town Hall, 2-4pm, 5.30-7.30pm16 The Sandow Clowns, Town Hall, 11.30 & 2.00pm, £3.50

(under 2 free)17 CTC Full Council Meeting, Town Hall, 7pm18 GOOD FRIDAY - Churches Together Service Town Centre23-26 Congleton Players - Waiting For Godot,Daneside Theatre27 Seedling Swap, Astbury Mere Visitor Centre, 2pm27 Free Heart Start - Basic life support course, 10.30am -

1pm, tel 07931 748902

May

2 Night at The Opera- United Reform Church, 7pm, £15;£20 inc Cake & Wine reception

2-17 Transmutation, Solo Exhibition, Petra Lea, ElectricPicture House

4 Museum Walk - 'Ancient Places', I.Doughty, 2pm8 Annual Town Meeting, Town Hall, 7pm8 Free Heart Start - Basic life support course, 7pm,

tel 07931 7489028 Old Herbaceous, Electric Picture House10 With Brass & Voice, Sir Richard Arkwright's Masson Mill

Band, Town Hall, 7.30pm11 Artisan Market, Town Centre, 10am-3pm13 National Blood Service, Town Hall, 2-4pm, 5.30-7.30pm15 Mayor Making Ceremony, Town Hall, 7.00 to 9.30pm15-17 Selection of Grimms' Tales, Congleton Amateur Youth

Theatre, Daneside Theatre17 Astbury May Day, Astbury School20 Charles Dickens Classic 'Hard Times', Electric Picture Hse23 to 7 June, John Wilkinson Exhibition, Electric Picture Hse 24 Paddling pool opens for Summer season25 Film at Daneside, 7.00pm31 Air Training Corps Coffee Morning, Congleton Library31 Commonwealth Torch Relay, Congleton Park, 11-3.00pm

June

1 Museum Walk 'Pub Crawl through Time', L.Murgatroyd -2pm3 National Blood Service, Town Hall, 2-4pm, 5.30-7.30pm7 Primary Schools Music Event, Town Hall, 2.30 to 5.30pm8 Brass on the Grass - Congleton Park, 100 years of Bandstand10 Focal Point, Floral Demo by Jonathan Moseley,

Daneside Theatre 7.30pm15 Food and Drink Festival, Town Centre, 10.30 - 4.30pm15 Film at Daneside19 Teddy Bears Picnic- Congleton Park, 12.30 - 2.30pm19 National Blood Service, Town Hall, 2-4pm, 5.30-7.30pm20 Charles Dickens’ Hard Times, Electric Picture House,

7.30pm, £9 22 Lions Youth Brass Band - Congleton Park Bandstand24 Midsummer Sunset Walk - Rangers - Timbersbrook/

B.V.Way

Members of the public are welcome to attend Congleton TownCouncil (CTC) meetings, and may ask a question at full council.To do this you are requested to advise the Town Clerk in writingor by e-mail at least 7 working days before the day of meeting.Please note there could be items towards the end of the meet-ing, which by law, require the press and public to be excluded.For Daneside Theatre productions contact Congleton TouristInformation 01260 271095.For Congleton Town Council (CTC) contact 01260 270350. Formore events see www.congleton-tc.gov.uk

Get Prepared for

CongletonCarnival!

Carnival comes to town from 11th- 13thJuly - and there's still time for you to entera float, have a stall on the field, apply to beCarnival King or Queen or just plan for agreat weekend in Congleton!

The festivities will begin on Friday 11th Julywith 'Holler' musical event on Hankinson'sField with many top local acts. Tickets £5.Saturday is Carnival Day! The procession willstart at 11am from Bromley Road. Theprocession of floats, bands, dancers, peoplein fancy dress, vintage cars, bikes and muchmore will make its way through the townand to the Park where there will be stalls,food and drink, fair rides, entertainment andlots of fun for all ages! In the evening the

Party in the Park has some top tribute bandsfrom the 70s - tickets will be sold via theTourist Information Centre and at othervenues.

On Sunday Congleton will host 'It's aKnockout' in the Park. You can join in the funof watching teams tackling somechallenging obstacles with plenty of waterand foam involved - if you are interested inentering a team, please email your enquiryto glen1971@hotmail.co.uk

If you would like to join in the procession,have a stall at the Park, find out more aboutIt's a Knockout, be considered for CarnivalKing or Queen or offer your services to helpon the day or in advance please give yourname, address, contacts and details aboutyour idea to Congleton Tourist InformationCentre in Congleton Town Hall or emailcarnival@congletontowncouncil.co.uk orcheck out CongletonCarnival on facebook.

Celebrating 100 Yearsof Congleton BandstandA fantastic afternoon of music is beingplanned to celebrate the centenary of theopening of Congleton's Bandstand. Thefree 'Brass on the Grass' concert will take

place on Sunday, June 8 from 1-5pm. Theevent has been organised by Friends ofCongleton Park in conjunction withCongleton Town Council, Cheshire EastCouncil and Cheshire BordersIndependent. The line-up for theafternoon includes Rode Hall Brass Band,Macclesfield Silver Band, The Can't SingChoir, U3A Ukulele Band and Salt City JazzBand. Families are welcome to bring apicnic and make a day of it as the park isfilled with songs from yesteryear includingsome of the old wartime sing-a-longfavourites. There will be prizes for the bestfancy dressed who wears costumes fromthe era. Refreshments will be available.

During this visit they will be looking at communityparticipation, environmental responsibility andhorticultural achievements. Congleton will becompared to some major towns across the Country –such as Truro in Cornwall, Colwyn Bay in Wales, Perthin Scotland and Durham in the North East.

During the visit the judges will consider everything they see atthe key attractions and on route. Congleton in Bloom team islooking for as much support as possible for this competition andto make the town look its very best for our residents, workers

and visitors this summer. The route is stillbeing planned but is likely to include:HEATHVIEW, ASTBURY MERE, NEW LIFECHURCH, ST. MARY'S SCHOOL, CONGLETONPARK, RIVERSIDE BUSINESS CENTRE, TOWNCENTRE AND COMMUNITY GARDENS, andBROMLEY FARM COMMUNITY CENTRE.

Congleton in Bloom has achieved the topGOLD standard for the past three years.The In Bloom campaign is about continuousimprovement – as well as sustaining that improvement!

Congleton Railway Station: is lookingunloved! A brand new Friends ofCongleton Railway Station is being set upwith the aim of introducing some colourand care at the station. Funding has beenfound for some planting and permission isbeing sort to attach mosaic artwork.Collective muscle power is needed!

Area Litter Picks: The Town Council hasinvested in new litter pickers and hoopsand these are available for local groupsand organisations to borrow free ofcharge. Look out for dates of co-ordinated litter picks.

Friends of Congleton Park: have a tidy-up day on Saturday 6 April – meet atthe office behind the Pavilion at 10am

Growing and Planting Sunflowers: Aspart of our Going for Gold campaign wewill be planting up 100s of sunflowers –volunteers needed!

Repainting the Recycling Bears: Doesanyone have the time and skills to help?Bears located at the fairground site.

In Bloom Collection: At the Artisan Market,13 April – can you spare some time to help?

If you can help with any of thesetasks, please contact the In Bloomgroup on 01260 270350 or emailjm@congletontowncouncil.co.ukor via our Facebook page, Congletonin Bloom.

Congleton has the honour of representing the North West in the Britain in Bloom competition in2014. We are finalists through winning the North West in Bloom competition in 2013. The national

judges will visit Congleton for a three hour visit at the end of July/beginning of August.

Improvements over the pastcouple of years include:• New planted area at Capitol Walk • New footpath from Eaton Bank

estate to Congleton Park• Hanging baskets from shops and

flower towers in the town• New planting along the River Dane

Walkway• New rose garden and arches for the

Community Garden• New allotments at New Life Church.

Improvements already carriedout for this year:• Clearing/ weeding and planting 50

golden carpet roses and 500daffodils along by the bowling wallon West Road

• Planting roses and daffodils by theWelcome to Congleton signs

• Clearing and Planting the area atthe back of the Fairground Carpark

• Planting 43 new Rowan Trees atgateways to Congleton.

More help needed, please...