The quarterly magazine for the whole of Rainow

The
Raven
No.17 Winter 2011
The quarterly magazine for the whole of
Rainow
l Village News l Social Events l Parish Council News l Clubs & Societies l School & Church
Parish Council News
The Parish Council would like to wish everyone a very....
Happy and Peaceful Christmas and New Year
Very BestWishes for 2012
Winter Gritting
We have asked that the bins already in place at
Rainow Primary School, Chapel Lane near Millers
Meadow, the stone bin on Lidgetts Lane, Millers
Meadow (near Spinney), Sugar Lane at the junction
Hough Close and on Berristall Lane be kept filled.
Highways are also depositing 1/2 tonne sacks of salt
mix at strategic locations in the parish to assist when
the weather is particularly wintery. They will be dropped
on the verge as they are and the salt can be spread
from the sack. We have asked for sacks at the top of
Sugar Lane, top of Round Meadow near telephone
kiosk, Berristall Lane (should the bin not be filled),
Tower Hill and mid-point of Kiskill Lane. In addition,
Tom Briggs will continue to salt Round Meadow, Millers
Meadow and Sugar Lane. We have also asked
whether Stocks Lane could be added to the gritting list
so hopefully we will be well covered this winter. Please
note that the salt from bins and sacks is for use on the
road and pathways only. If you need to salt your own
drive then please get in your own supply.
Signage
We are endeavouring to get Highways to improve the
signage for Bull Hill and hopefully prevent HGVs from
using the road.
Community Pride Competition
Rainow has received the “Little Gem” award in this
year’s competition for Trinity Gardens and Highly
Commended for the Raven newsletter.
Civic Service
The Civic Service was once again a great success
with Steve Rathbone providing, as ever, a splendid
service. Over Alderley Brass Band accompanied the
choir and congregation with the hymns. Amongst the
guests were the Mayor of Cheshire East Roger West,
Bollington town Mayor Cllr Graham Hibbert, Cllr Harold
Davenport Disley, Mayor of Macclesfield Martin Hardy,
Poynton Town Mayor Bryan Lewis, Cheshire East
Councillor Hilda Gaddum, David Rutley MP and
Graham Evans MP.
Cheshire East
Mayor Roger West
and Poynton Town
Mayor Bryan Lewis
Speed Indicator Device (SID)
We are nearly in a position to begin deployment of the
SID. The police are completing arrangements for its
deployment with us and with a number of our
neighbouring villages who want to be a part of this
scheme. The deployment may be accompanied by a
mobile camera initially. The Fire Service and Cheshire
Peaks and Plains have allocated some funding
towards the cost of the scheme. In Rainow the SID will
be deployed along the B5470.
Advertisers for the Raven
The Council are seeking more advertisers to help
ensure the continuation of the newsletter. If you are
interested in advertising then please contact: Ian
Brammer for more details ([email protected]).
E-News
If you would like to join Rainow E-NEWS and get all
the latest news and updates please email your
address to the Clerk at [email protected].
Agenda, minutes and any notices are also available on
the website for your information.
Vandalism
The Parish Council would ask everyone in the
community to keep vigilant. Please do notify the Police
of any acts of vandalism to your property as well as
keeping the Parish Council involved by notifying the
Clerk. We would also remind you that if you see any
damage to local seats, fencing, bus shelters and so
on, please contact the Clerk so that we can get repairs
put in place as soon as possible. If the item is not the
responsibility of the Parish Council, we can pass the
request on to the relevant authority.
Police non-emergency contact number Tel: 101
Homewatch contact number Tel: 01606 362725
Parish Council contact number Tel: 01625 850532
2
Rose Queen Amy
Warrington and Lady
in Waiting Rachel
and her Rose Buds
Representatives from Higher Hurdsfield
Parish Council and Pott Shrigley Parish Council also
attended. The boys and girls from Beavers, Cubs,
Scouts, Brownies and Guides along with the Rose
Queen Amy Warrington and her attendants made the
event even more special.
Once again the Council would like to say a big thank
you to all villagers who joined in to help make the Civic
Service such a successful event - we could not make
this possible without your help. Particularly thank you
to all members of the Women’s Institute who provided
cakes and to all members of the Parish Council who
made the sandwiches.
Brownies,
Cubs
and
Scouts
arriving
at
Rainow
School
Photos of the event are available on the village website
Christmas Tree
Please take a look out for our Christmas Tree this year,
supplied free by Cheshire East Council. Unfortunately, due to
cuts, this is likely to be the last year we will receive our free
tree. At the suggestion of the vicar we organised a last
minute tree lighting and Christmas Carol service on 4th
December. Tea and cake provided by the church. If this
proves successful we hope to carry on with this tradition.
We would like to thank everyone who has helped with the
installation, especially Bill Bennett who not only helped to put
up the lights, but also supplies the electricity to power them.
Silk FM Local Hero Award 2011
The awards ceremony was held at the end of November to
recognise the Local Heroes in our community. The Parish
Council nominated a number of local residents including
Isobel Christiansen for the Keith Alexander award. This
award recognises sporting inspiration and is in memory of
the late Keith Alexander. Congratulations to Isobel for
winning the accolade (see report later in the Raven).
Annual Parish Meeting - 8.30 pm 20th March 2012
This may seem a little early, but before we know it we will be
working on our March Newsletter. Every year the Parish
Council holds an Annual Parish Meeting where all Rainow
Residents are welcome to come and meet Councillors and
find out how they are working on your behalf. You can come
and raise any points you wish, concerning life in your village.
We also welcome any suggestions you may have for the
enhancement of village life.
Precept Arrangements and Requirements for 2012/13
Cheshire East Council is due to fix its Tax Base for the
financial year 2012/13 by Resolution on 15th December.
The Tax Base for our Parish/Town Council area is likely to
be £593.64. Our precept request for this year will be
unchanged at £10,000 and therefore would result in a Band
D Council Tax of £16.85.
Your Parish Councillors
Ken Butler (Chairman)
[email protected]
Alan Taylor (Vice Chairman)
[email protected]
Richard Balment
[email protected]
Alan Brett
[email protected]
John Cantrell
[email protected]
Geoff Cooper
[email protected]
Sue Frith
[email protected]
Carole Harvey
[email protected]
Vivienne Law
[email protected]
Mary Marsh
[email protected]
Pat Mellish
[email protected]
Andrew Renshaw
[email protected]
Clerk: Sarah Giller
[email protected]
Cover Photo: Mike Lynch
433168
575544
573625
Welcome to
The
T
Raven
oday’s twenty four page Raven owes part of its
success to the Big Lottery Fund which generously
gave us support for twelve months to enable us to add
more wildlife articles and colour pictures in the centre
spread. The support from the Fund ends with this issue but
the money which helped us expand the magazine has also
been instrumental in persuading more advertisers to come
forward and taken us closer to financial self-sufficiency.
To continue with the larger and - readers tell us - better
magazine we need to maintain our advertising base and
further develop it. Our advertising rates are the same as
they were when we began, four years ago, and are
attractive but we depend on our readers to encourage
existing advertisers to remain with us and to seek out new
advertisers for us. If we can add just a modest number of
accounts we can continue with the magazine we have
become accustomed to since the spring of this year.
Please do your best to keep the Raven flying high!
The Raven goes to every household in Rainow without
charge and that will continue to be the case in the future.
More people from outside the area, particularly parents of
children who attend Rainow School and Pre-school, are
now asking for copies and they are asked to pay £1.00 a
copy which helps to keep the costs down for those who
support us through the Rainow precept.
The Raven remains a vehicle for everyone in and around
Rainow to put in their two-penn’orth and we want more
letters, articles and photos. The Village Forum provides
space for moans and brickbats as well as praise so let’s
have your contribution!
576108
Editorial Team for this issue:
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574878
573802
Ian Brammer
Kate Kilpatrick
Louise Leigh
Raph Murray
Sheila Brammer
Bob Langstaff
Jane Mellings
Andrew Renshaw
Design by Mel Wilcox (01625 576182)
573576
575201
Future Meetings
573508
574523
20th December 2011
21st February 2012
17th January 2012
All Parish Meetings commence at 8.00 pm at Rainow Institute
574977
Dates for your diary
850532
20th March 2012 - Parish Council Meeting - 7.00 pm
20th March 2012 - Annual Parish Council Meeting - 8.30 pm
-
All members of the public are welcome
3
Recipe of the Month
Royal Oak for Rainow!
I
Foolproof
Mince Pie
Pastry
Ingredients
14 oz Plain Flour
2 oz Cornflour
2 oz Caster Sugar
1/2 oz Baking Powder
5 oz Lard
5 oz Hard Margarine
2 1/2 fl oz Boiling Water
Method
1. Mix the dry ingredients together and
rub in the fats.
2. Mix with the boiling water.
3. Chill in fridge overnight and divide
into four before rolling out thinly.
4. Use to make mince pies in your
usual way.
5. Bake in hot oven (200 degrees).
6. Makes about 36 mince pies.
Zac h W i l c ox
Gardening & Maintenance
One special oak tree, grown from seed from one of the Royal Estates, was
planted in Rainow Churchyard by Rainow Rose Queen Amy Warrington (photo)
to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Hopefully Amy and the other
children of the village will be able to watch this tree and the birch, ash, rowan
and cherry trees planted elsewhere in Rainow grow to maturity.
Meet the Councillors
l
Weekly Garden Maintenance
l
Dry Stone Walling
l
Born: Macclesfield
Tree Felling
Home: Stocks Lane, Rainow
l
Hedge Cutting
Family: Husband - Paul, daughters Natalie and Gabbi.
l
Gutter Clearing
& Replacement
l
Flag Laying
l
Fencing
l
Snow Clearing
01625 576182
Mob : 0 7 7 5 8 2 4 9 5 8 7
58 Sugar Lane, R a i n o w
4
n November the WI held a coffee
morning at Rainow Church Centre to
mark the planting of the 105 trees
awarded to the village by the
Woodland Trust’s Community Tree
planting scheme. This event arose out
of Rainow WI’s support for the UK-wide
project “Women Reaching Women”
which is raising awareness of the
consequences of climate change and of
the serious effect it has on the lives of
women in the developing world. In
many countries climate change is
producing a devastating lack of water in
some areas and unpredictable flooding
in others. That may not be happening
here but trees have a key role in
reducing CO2 in the atmosphere - hence
Rainow WI’s support for the project.
The new planting means that not only
are they replacing felled trees but
promoting an increase overall. WI
Rose Queen Amy Warrington plants
member Ann Lewis approached the
the commemorative oak tree
Woodland Trust to gain their support for
tree planting in Rainow and with help
from John Stagg invited local landowners to take part in the scheme. There was
an excellent response and as a result new trees are being planted in eight
places throughout the village. The trees are very small at present and are
protected by spirals and canes generously provided by KRIV and the Parish
Council. For the coffee morning Mary Meecham created a display to illustrate the
kinds of tree being planted and the locations chosen.
Name: SUE FRITH
Time on Council: First year
Occupation: Customer Care at Macclesfield Hospital.
Involved with Multiplastics Europe based in Northwich.
Chairman of Rainow NSPCC
Hobbies and interests: Travel, fitness, drama and local
community.
My life in Rainow started in 1976 when I joined Rainow Players,
the local drama group. Paul and I then purchased our first house in Rainow for just under
£11,000 and got married in the same year 1977 - how times have changed!
My vision for the future of Rainow is to take us back a few years and enjoy our village,
be proud of our village and maintain our village standards. It is so lovely to meet people
old and young who actually love to be here, want to be here and see a future for the
village of Rainow. We have great community spirit and have lots of dedicated people who
have a great interest in village life and wish to maintain our unique originality and history,
that is why our village is so special.
I am very proud to represent Rainow as one of your new councillors.
Family countdown
to a merry localChristmas-time
Jane Mellings reports on her survey
L
ooking for something new to do over the Christmas holidays? Earlier this month we polled 50 or so
local families asking them to share their favourite local Christmas experiences and suggestions with us.
We've digested the replies we got into the little list on this page from which there is, hopefully, something
for everyone! Obviously ideas of 'local' differ widely, and our suggestions in fact span a radius of 20 or so
miles. Therefore we've used local bias as our reason to rank and listed our favourite ten suggestions in reverse
of their proximity to the Rainow Christmas tree.
JJs Sensory Play Centre – 3 miles
If you have babies and toddlers in need of a 'multisensory' treat, then a visit to the Sensory Play Centre
on Snape Road comes highly recommended, especially
if the weather is horrible. JJs has just enjoyed a
refurbishment, and it too is playing host to Father
Christmas (every day from Tuesday 20th December).This
is certainly one to pre-book. www.jjsplaycentre.co.uk
1
6
2
Carols Round the Tree - Bollington – 3 miles
Lots of our polled families reminisced about carol
singing in Bollington on Christmas Eve. Wrap up warm
and be at the Town Hall by 6pm, to be accompanied by the
Brass Band and LOTS of other people. Look for photos on
www.flikr.com under Bollington Carols
Manchester Christmas Markets – 19 miles
Open every day until 21st December the Manchester
Christmas markets have become a pre-christmas treat for
many Rainow families, where the bright lights and bustle are
a marked change from village life. Wooden chalets line the
streets, selling a huge range of European and local produce.
Details of locations and opening times can be found at
www.manchester.gov.uk/info/500004/events/5289/
manchester_christmas_markets/1
7
Castleton – 16 miles
Castleton has a very magical atmosphere at Christmastime when its streets are lined with Christmas trees making
it perfect for a late afternoon family visit; “We go for a glass
of mulled wine/hot chocolate in the Three Roofs Cafe
(opposite the main car park) and then wander down the
main high street”, enthused one of our polled families.
There's a Santa's grotto too, plus carols by candlelight in
both the Treak Cliff and Peak Caverns. Details can be found
at: www.visitcastleton.co.uk/christmas-2011-c44.html
3
The Pantomime at Buxton Opera House – 11 miles
A trip to the panto is a staple part of lots of family
Christmases and lots of those polled recommended a trip to
Buxton. This year’s production of Snow White and the Seven
Dwarfs runs until the 1st January, with matinees most days for
little ones that can't muster an evening showing. CBeebies fans
will be excited to know that Mr Bloom (aka Ben Faulks) stars as
Muddles! www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk/whats-on/snowwhite-the-seven-dwarfs. If something nearer to home is more
your thing then the Bollington Festival Players are also doing
Snow White, from Saturday 7th January.
www.bollingtonartscentre.org.uk
4
The Chestnut Centre – 11 miles
Father Christmas will be in residence at the Chestnut
Centre conservation and wildlife park just outside Chapelen-le-Frith every day until the 24th. Described by one family
as 'very magical' and a 'must see' it's advisable to book
ahead for Santa. Hopefully the owls and otters will be more
obliging! www.chestnutcentre.co.uk
Brookside Miniature Railway – 7 miles
What small boy or girl doesn't enjoy a ride on a real
steam train? The very child-friendly railway is
situated at the Brookside Garden Centre in Poynton,
where there's also a Santa's Grotto everyday until the
24th. www.klondyke.co.uk/santa039s-grotto-38
5
Christingle Celebration, Hurdsfield – 2 miles
On Christmas Eve, at 4pm, Holy Trinity Church,
Hurdsfield run a service especially for children.
One contributor described it as a “lovely reflective
pause in the often crazy goings on of Christmas Eve; it's
a very special moment when all the children hold their lit
Christingles”. www.hthmacc.com
8
Yellow Teapot Café – 1.5 miles
Keep things very local with a wholesome walk up to
the café at Common Barn Farm on Smith Lane.
One contributor quite simply described “One of my nicest
memories of Christmas is getting together a few families
and having a snowy walk up the teapot café for a mince
pie and hot chocolate (with cream and marshmallows)”.
Check www.yellowteapotcafe.co.uk for opening times.
9
White Nancy on Christmas Day – 1 mile (on foot!)
Leave the turkey roasting,
drag the children from their
toys and have a good stomp up to
White Nancy on Christmas
morning. This informal singalong,
accompanied by Bollington Brass
Band, seems to be growing
year-on-year and usually kicks off
around 11.30 am. It comes highly
recommended from many of the
families we asked, but in the words
of one “Don't forget bubbly for the
grown-ups and some goodies for
the little ones”.
10
5
Two speed Rainow in 2012
by Raph Murray for the Rainow Broadband Action Group
W
hether it is for work, business, keeping in touch with
family and friends, shopping, education or simply
entertainment, access to the internet is for many people
an increasingly important part of daily life. As we move
towards 2012, however, it appears that Rainow will have two
speed access to the internet. The central part of the village will
have access to fibre-optic based superfast broadband allowing
rapid download of large files, photographs, videos, etc, whereas
the more outlying parts of the village will continue to have, at
least initially, comparatively slow and uncertain access to the
internet. This means that while the central part of the village will
have download speeds of more than 20 Mb, the typical download speed in the more outlying parts of the village will be
around 2 Mb. To check if you can get fibre optic broadband log
on to: http://www.productsandservices.bt.com and select
the broadband option. The reason for this digital divide is that it
is not economically viable for the large telecoms providers to
provide fast broadband to small numbers of remote residents.
This problem has been recognised by Cheshire East Council
who are working with Cheshire West and Chester Council and
the telecoms providers to extend fast broadband to more
remote residents and businesses using advanced copperbased, wireless or satellite technologies.
Meanwhile for those who will have access to superfast broadband, what difference will it make, when will it be available, who
will provide it, what will it involve and how much will it cost?
As well as making your current use of the internet easier, faster
and more reliable, fibre optic broadband will enable new ways
of using the internet as new services and applications take
advantage of faster download speeds. BT OpenReach is the
company responsible for providing the fibre optic upgrade to
telephone exchanges and roadside cabinets. The final link, ie
from the roadside cabinet to your premises, will continue to be
a copper cable. Once this infrastructure is in place, currently
scheduled for 31st December 2011, it will then be available to
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) such as BT, Plusnet, TalkTalk,
Orange, Sky, Orange, O2, and the Post Office to provide fibre
optic broadband to your home. Initial providers of fibre optic
broadband may, however, be limited to BT and Plusnet. To
enable you to select the broadband package that is most
appropriate for your needs, use of a broadband comparison
website such as http://www.broadbandchoices.co.uk is
recommended. Another option may be to simply upgrade your
current copper- based broadband to fibre optic-based broadband. The good news is that depending on which broadband
package you have at the moment you may be able to upgrade
to fibre optic broadband at no extra cost. However, there will be
a need for a telecoms engineer to visit your house or premises
and install the necessary equipment. Again, depending on
which ISP you choose, there may be an upfront cost of
installation or this may be included in the overall cost of the
package. Happy surfing!
Kerridge End Holiday Cottages
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u The Hayloft sleeps 6 u The Coach House sleeps 4 u The Stables sleeps 2
For details of each cottage see:
www.kerridgeendholidaycottages.co.uk
Email : [email protected] Tel : 01625 424220
Winners of North West Tourism for All Award 2009
Tim Robinson
Unit 3
Riverside Works
Forge Road
Whaley Bridge
Derbyshire
SK23 7HY
River side Engineer ing
Classic Car
Tel/Fax: 01663 719641
6
Ser vicing and Repair
Modern car servicing & diagnostics also available
Memoirs of a Rainow Man Part Three
The Joseph Mottram Memoir - life in Rainow in the 1870’s
W
e rejoin Joseph at a turning point in his story. At the time of his
father’s death in 1893, Joseph was 29 years old and carrying
on a business as a general carrier and coal merchant whilst
helping with the family shop at Kerridge End.
Now he takes on more!
After my father’s death I went thoroughly into the
When the day arrived for the Guardians to meet the
shop keeping business, adding that of Corn Dealer and
three candidates had to be in attendance in an
also Baker. The baking business I did myself for some
ante-room, their names being read out in order:
years and got quite proficient and could have sold
David Lomas, Overseer, Kettleshulme; David Ford, Farmer,
more bread than I could possibly make. Naturally
Ingersley; Joseph Mottram, Shopkeeper, Rainow.
with constant use my oven got worn out which I did
Then each name was voted on by the Members present,
not get replaced having too much on hand.
Miss Gaskell being present to support the claim of her
My father, for about three years before his death,
candidate D. Ford. Presently the result was made
was Registrar of Births and Deaths for the Rainow
known to us as follows: George Lomas - 6 votes; David
Sub-district which embraced a very wide area. I was
Ford - none, Joseph Mottram - 18 votes. You can imagine
Deputy Registrar at the time of his death which
the consternation caused – it was a bewildering
plunged me into the whole of that business. I had
surprise to all and not the least to myself. So ended
to carry on as best I could with the help of my
my campaign into the world of Registration which I
youngest sister until a successor was appointed.
successfully carried on for thirty-five years being
At that time the Macclesfield Board of Guardians
blessed with good health and strength which was
had the power to recommend a suitable candidate.
severely tested throughout all the years as it
My mother was wishful that I should offer myself
entailed a great amount of walking in all weather over
as a candidate but I felt reluctant, fully
some of the highest hills.
expecting to have some very influential opposition,
Joseph recounts many of his experiences during his time as
which proved very correct. I had two opponents to
Registrar including dealing with the births and deaths of the
contend with who were well fortified with powerful
substantial number of Belgian refugees “dumped in my district”
influence behind them, one with no less a personage
than the lady of the manor Miss Gaskell of
during the First World War, many of whom spoke no English.
The work of Registration was very exacting and required
Ingersley Hall and the other one had a good half of
all your wits and forethought centred on the records
the district in his favour. My chances of success
to be inserted into the Register Books which were at
began to look very remote as the other two opponents
any time subject to inspection from Registration
were canvassing for all they were worth. I did a
Inspectors sent from Somerset House, London. Many
little myself, calling on an old gentlemen, a Member
untruthful statements are at times presented to you
of the Board. I did not know the man but was
by unscrupulous people to protect their own personal
explaining my purpose while he stood listening and
interests. You always had to be on the alert to detect
studying me from head to foot. “Na lad” he said “tha
any attempt at fraud. I have been congratulated on
should let thi breeches dahn a bit – tha looks ta
different occasions by both Coroner and Police in cases
young fert th’ job but awl see abite it”. This filled
of deaths which called for the strictest investigation.
my order for any more canvassing.
Joseph Mottram
7
Busy Beavers
by Angela Barlow
T
Friends of
Rainow School
Successes
by John Kelsall, Chairman FRS
he Autumn Term has seen three
successful FRS Events.
T
We ran the second Bag 2 School
Collection, which raised £110. This
is an important event because the
scheme promotes the benefits of
recycling old clothing and textiles.
Check out the website
www.bag2school.com. There will
be another collection at Easter.
Fizz Fashions made a welcome
return to School in November, an
enjoyable evening saw us raise in
the region of £400.
The term and 2011 closed with our
ever-popular Christmas Fair.
Thankfully this year the snow
stayed away and we enjoyed
another successful Fair as our
pictures will show!
We are already looking forward to
2012, dates for your diary include
the Chilli and Quiz night on 24th
February at School, and the
Parents (past and present) Party
Night on 28th April at Rainow
Institute.
I look forward to welcoming you all
at both of these events.
In the meantime, on behalf of
everyone associated with The
Friends Of Rainow School, I wish
you all a very Merry Christmas and
a Happy and Peaceful New Year.
his term has been a busy one for the Beavers. It started with them making
the most of the remaining light by going out for a short work in the village
and learning much about the nature around them as they searched for
various leaves, seeds and berries. This event was the final part, for many of
the Beavers, in gaining their Outdoor Challenge badge, having completed the
rest of the activities during the summer term. Unfortunately, due to the weather
and the lack of light, the rest of the term has been spent inside, but this has not
stopped the colony from being active.
Over a series of evenings the Beavers learnt about aeroplanes, made paper
planes and shared their own experiences of flying with the rest of the group. This
led to the Institute’s transformation into the inside of an aeroplane and they were
all taken on a (very quick) journey to Paris, by our guest and air hostess for the
evening, Jackie Ward; after the obligatory safety talk, drinks and snacks were
served on board and before long we had all landed safely at our destination.
Other sessions included an evening of fitness activities, including team games,
balance and coordination exercises and a short keep-fit routine. The Beavers
also learnt about the importance of eating healthily and its role in their general
fitness.
The group are always very creative and this term has been no different. They
produced a harvest picture that was put on display at the church for the Harvest
Festival. They also created some very imaginative bonfire and firework pictures.
As always when glitter is involved, there was as much on the floor and tables as
there was on the artwork. If the floor of my car was anything to go by, the streets
around the village must have sparkled that night with trails leading away from
the Institute.
The Beavers also took part in some experiments over a couple of evenings,
learning about acids and alkalis, as well as carrying out their own
chromatography experiment.
Within the community, the Beavers attended the Civic Service and the
Remembrance Service and took part in the parades. Everyone who attended
was a credit to the group.
We have had some new members join us this term and they have fitted in and
participated well. There have also been lots of badges gained, a just reward for
a group of active boys and girls. Next term the group will be preparing hard for
their annual pantomime.
Rainow Pre-School
the perfect start
Based in the beautiful village of Rainow, our friendly creative pre-school provides
sessional daycare for up to 24 children aged 21/2 - 5,
most of whom go on to the acclaimed
Rainow Primary School. We offer:
l qualified, well organised and supportive staff
l free places for all 3-5 year olds
l excellent resources for hands-on, imaginative play
l a happy, safe environment, including a new
outdoor space and allotment
l opportunities for active parental involvement
To talk about a place for your child, contact
Rainow Pre-School on 01625 574069
or visit www.rainow-preschool.org.uk
8
Rainow School
gets involved!
by Mark Bertinshaw, Headteacher
T
his half term, Rainow pupils have had fun contributing
to two national fundraising projects, both of which
support children less fortunate than themselves.
Children in Need Day
Seven Stars
for Rainow School
T
his term, Rainow School was visited by Ofsted, the schools
inspection service. The inspecting team gave an extremely
positive final report to the school. The inspectors looked in
great depth at all aspects of school life and importantly,
there was no aspect of the school’s work which was judged to
be anything less than good.
The opening paragraph of the report provides an excellent
summary of the inspectors’ findings:
‘This is a good school. Outstanding care, guidance and support
for its pupils lie at the heart of all of its work. Its engagement
with parents and carers is excellent and its involvement with
outside agencies promotes pupils’ wellbeing very well. The
governance of the school also is of the highest order and the
school is highly regarded in the local community for the
contribution that it makes. Pupils respond to this high quality
provision with exemplary behaviour and high attendance.’
Overall there were seven areas where the school’s work was
judged to be outstanding. These included the care for the pupils
in school, children’s excellent behaviour and attendance, the
way that the school works with other partnerships, the school’s
engagement with parents and carers and the effectiveness of
the school governors. The inspector also agreed with the
school’s own evaluation of two areas to focus on and further
develop in the future.
The lead inspector of the Ofsted team, David Halford, wrote a
thank you letter to the children after the inspection. The start of
the letter sums up his perceptions and feelings about our
school.
The Children in Need day this
year was extremely memorable.
The pupils and staff enjoyed
performing the Mr Gratton Groove
Dance in the school playground
before the morning bell. It was
quite a surprise for many
parents and there were a
number of parental toes
tapping as they began to join
in. The end result was a
great deal of fun for the
children (and the staff!).
The Pudsey Bear in the
playground was full of lots
of loose change and the
amount raised was over £200 for this worthwhile charity.
Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child
The children and parents have been amazingly
generous in putting together 65 shoeboxes which were
picked up by the Samaritan’s Purse Operation
Christmas Child team. The shoeboxes were made with
great care and were crammed with small toys and
assorted gifts as well as more mundane items such as
combs and toothbrushes. The boxes will be taken to
less fortunate children throughout Eastern Europe and
into Africa. I know that many of the pupils will have been
involved in putting the boxes together and I believe that
this personal approach genuinely makes our children
think about the children who will receive them.
‘Dear Pupils
My colleagues and I really enjoyed our recent visit to your
school. Thank you for making us so welcome and for looking
after us so well. You were very helpful in lessons when we
asked you to explain what you were doing and you were also
very friendly around the school. Rainow School is a good
school, with some really interesting work taking place. The staff
care for you outstandingly well and make sure you feel safe and
secure.Your Headteacher and his staff manage the school well,
with excellent help from your governors, and we feel that it has
outstanding links with your parents and carers. We also think
that your behaviour is excellent too and so is your attendance.
So we think you must enjoy coming to school too! I shall
remember the welly walk with Reception, the big calculations
with Year 3 and 4, the Year 6 writing, the band practice in the
hall, and the excellent topic books that you have made.’
Ofsted play an important role in the development of the school,
however they have now left us for a while and the Christmas
festivities are ready to completely take over.
9
More
News from the
Hello again.
Certain people in the village are
trying to find the Lamp &
Candle by stealth. I know this
because I received a letter from
someone describing herself as
‘a member of a prominent
ladies-only reading group’.
(published in your last issue).
The writer would like to bring
her group of “a dozen ladies”
for lunch in “the only licensed premises in our village”. There
are three things wrong with this – the Lamp & Candle has
never had more than half a dozen ladies within its walls at
any one time; we don’t do lunches, and the licence for the
“Lamp” was last renewed in 1912.
It all strikes me as an attempt to have a good nosey around
this forgotten corner of Rainow, and I said as much at the
emergency meeting I called to discuss the letter. It was then
that I began to get some grief from the ladies of the Tatting
Circle who thought that I should ‘open up a bit’ and try to
be kind to those who can’t go out for a glass of a night. I
tried to persuade them, by carefully reasoned argument,
that the Lamp and Candle is a man’s pub and we don’t
want Cheshire Set ladies making comments about the lack
of curtains and getting all sniffy because our copies of
Picture Post are not as up to date as those in the expensive
restaurants in Macclesfield. The pub walls are whitewashed
every fifteen years, the ashtrays are emptied as soon as they
are full, and the spittoons are cleaned out every single
Monday, and that’s good enough for me. And anyway, why
don’t they go to those people in the village who are always
opening their houses up and serving sandwiches with slices
of cucumber so thin you could put them in a pair of specs
and read the Daily Mail through them no problem.
However, these sound arguments cut no ice with the ladies.
So I began to formulate some plans (much against my better
judgement, I might tell you). I sat down with a couple of the
ladies, two lads from the Tap Room and Mrs. Kenyon who
does our catering for special events at the Lamp such as the
Poacher’s Suppers; the Shin-Kicking Club Annual Dinner
and the Christmas Lunch. We scratched our heads trying to
decipher this strange letter from the upper reaches of Rainow
society. It asked for copies of our menu. We can’t do menus
as there are some letters missing from my John Bull Printing
Outfit, but we agreed we could put a blackboard up. They
also asked if we could do a fig, rocket and goat’s cheese
salad. It turns out that rocket is a kind of sour lettuce but
Good God! who in this day and age is so poor they have to
10
Lamp and Candle
resort to eating cheese from goats?! Mrs. K. kindly offered to
put some syrup of figs in a vinegar bottle. “That should keep
the ladies moving”, I said, but my humorous aside fell on
deaf ears – the team was actually warming to the task, even
though one of the visitors can’t eat porcelain mushrooms,
which is not surprising as, according to the letter, the poor
old girl suffers from couscous which I believe is highly
contagious and can even be fatal.
Our little team then tackled the request for ‘a private dining
room’. Even the Best Room is not big enough for twelve ladies
from the reading group as well as four from the ‘Lamp’. We
decided we could clear out the old barn if we moved the
manure heap and shored up the gable end a bit. The old
milking parlour door on two barrels would make an ideal
long table but seating sixteen women when there are only
eight chairs in the whole place presented a problem. We
decided we could use small kegs plus the milking stool with a
cushion on it. Things were going well and we began tackling
the thorny problem of the letter writer’s request for a ‘good
map with clear directions’. We’d just approved the idea that
the Rainow ladies should all be asked to wear wellies and be
guided over the fields blindfolded and holding a long rope,
when devastating news came in. Mrs K’s son had been to
the Cosy Cafe in Bollington and had seen all these certificates
on the walls – apparently if you are catering you have to
have certificates for buttering bread, doing the washing up
and all kinds of things. We had a quick whip round to see
what we had between us and we could only come up with
certificates for 25 yards breast stroke, City and Guilds
Metalwork Part One, and a premium bond. But all was well
that ended well. At the same time as the Lamp & Candle
ladies came to the conclusion that the visit could not go
ahead, news reached us that the Robin Hood had reopened!
I am now able to reassure the anonymous writer and her
twelve sisters that we have kept a note of all the plans we
made to welcome them into our little hostelry and they may
wish to ask us again, say in twenty years’ time. At least the
letter from a “ladies-only” group proves my contention that
anti-male attitudes are endemic in the village. I rest my
case.
This talk of catering is making us all look forward to the
Lamp & Candle Christmas Supper. Mr. Kenyon has got fed
up with what he calls ‘Tasteless Tesco Turkeys’ so this year
he is preparing a fresh one for us. He proudly announced in
the Tap Room last night that he has plucked it himself and
even stuffed it himself! All Mrs. Kenyon will need to do is kill
it and put it in the oven.
A good festive season to you all
The Landlord.
Summat Sensible?
by Andrew Renshaw
The New Year
at the
Arts Centre
I
n the ‘Lamp and Candle’ the editor of the ‘Raven’ sprawled somnolently in
his favourite chair, legs outstretched towards the blazing fire, the dregs of a
pint of Diabolicale at his elbow. His battered hat shaded his august visage.
Opening one eye, spying one of his lesser scribes, he said in portentous
tones “Can’t yer write summat sensible fer once” Intimidated, the lowly scribe
began “Well it’s very difficult…..” trailing off into a downcast silence.
A meaningful glance at the empty glass unnoticed, the editor rose to his feet.
His normal dignified bearing then enlivened by a series of rapid hops, one foot
to the other, punctuated by piteous cries, the hat falling to the floor. Thinking
the performance was obviously in supplication for contributions to the next
Diabolicale, the scribe, eager to curry favour, threw a thrip’ny bit into the hat.
Come to think of it, there had been a smell of burning….. Wandering
homeward the poor scribe, his mind befuddled by Diabolicale, wondered
why, in the present mad, sound-bitten, wishful thinking world, anyone could
possibly be required to be sensible. Obviously what was wanted was a
portentous article on the Euro zone financial crisis, elucidating its solution,
thus saving the zone from its folly, casting glory on the Parish Council and its
wonderful magazine the ‘Raven’. But thinking of the Euro zone brought to
mind a dreadful vision of headless chickens. Setting his sights somewhat
lower, with the clouds of Diabolicale lifting, our scribe thought ‘chickens’
(complete with heads) an easier subject.
The Incredible Inedible Hen
A wonderful and sensible creature the hen! Superior to humans in many ways,
never acting self-destructively, just pursuing their own interests, laying and
reproducing.
by Jean Ransley
A
mongst our usual fare of jazz, folk,
comedy, drama, chamber music,
children’s music theatre and art
exhibitions there are some events
next year which are “one-offs” and
worthy of a special mention.
On 5th February Frank Walker is
presenting “Boz”, a celebration of the 200th
anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens
(he was born on 7th February 1812). Frank’s
research is immaculate and with his acting
gifts you can be sure that he will breathe
new life into one of our greatest novelists
and the wonderful characters he created.
We are holding a ceilidh on the 17th of the
month – making full use of our newlyextended hall with its sprung floor, and the
following night the very talented and funny
Richard Kelly will bring the latest version of
his show From Here to Absurdity.
For such a woman to match a hen’s fecundity she would have to produce babies
totalling about ten times her bodyweight each year. In nine months a woman
produces a baby of about 6% of her bodyweight but by laying two eggs of 60g,
the hen does this in two days. In doing this a hen would need to eat about 120g
of food per day which should include 18g protein, 4g fat, 60g carbohydrate and
10g minerals, mostly calcium.
9th March sees Bernard and Carole Selby
tell (and show) the story of Bernard’s epic
1300-mile bike ride from St Malo to Cadiz –
a ride which resulted in him raising more
than £4000 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society.
On 5th May Macclesfield-born professional
opera singer Susan Gorton is talking about
her experiences singing in major houses like
Glyndebourne, the Royal Opera House, the
Lyric Theatre Chicago and many other
prestigious venues. Russell Lomas, will
accompany her in a selection of operatic
arias and lighter songs.
The human equivalent of this diet is about 500g protein, 120g fat and 2kg of
carbohydrates. Meat contains 20-25% protein and potatoes 20% carbohydrate,
so about 2kg of meat, 2kg potatoes and 2kg of cereal would be eaten per day.
And better not forget 10 kg of cheese for the calcium. The calorific value of that
lot is about three times the requirement of a man doing very heavy work.
The 19th sees the first visit of young
students from Chetham’s School in
Manchester playing string quartets – it’s
possible that they may return in a few years’
time as they begin their professional careers!
Under ideal conditions the very best laying hens can lay in excess of 300 eggs
per year and to produce such bulk from the diet is astonishing. Thinking of these
300 eggs as 25 dozen is perhaps more illustrative of the magnitude of the feat.
Only the modern hybrid layers bred for the purpose can produce at this level and
performance falls off rapidly after one or two seasons. These hens, scrawny
creatures under their feathers, are not at all suitable as table birds; such is the
degree of specialization. Just as specialised are the plump white breasted table
birds widely sold. But the rearing of these is considered by some as something
of a horror story.
For more information about these and the
other 26 events scheduled between January
and July, please visit our website (address
below) or pick up a brochure. (Does anyone
know where I can leave some in Rainow?)
If all else fails, ring me on 01625 575287.
I’ll look forward to welcoming you to
Bollington.
Comparisons are said to be odious, but many years ago a comparison was
made between an average hen of 2kg and a notional average woman of 60kg,
thirty times the hen’s weight.
www.bollingtonartscentre.org.uk
11
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12
Izzy Christiansen and her parents at the
Local Hero Awards (see article on p.15)
Photo by kind permission of Cheshire’s Silk 106.9
and www.michaelrichardsphotography.co.uk
Rainow NSPCC ladies hard at work producing
Christmas wreaths for their Punch & Mince Pies event
Mayor Caroline Armitt switched
on the Christmas lights and vicar
Steve Rathbone held the service of
dedication followed by carol singing
by the large crowd of onlookers
ollege
t Leek C
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s
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ever up
ards and
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ing wall
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Cubs
on climb
Walkers enjoying lunch at
North End Farm on the Rainow NSPCC
Scavenger Hunt
This full colour page has been created through a grant from the Big Lottery Fund
Raven’s
Eye View
C
Ann Lewis and John Stagg relax in the
Rainow sunshine after the planting of the
oak tree (see report)
hristmas is on us and we
felt we should put the
spotlight on people at this time
of year. Lots of things have
been happening since the
autumn and we have put
together a few examples of what
everyone has been up to since
the last Raven flew out. If you
are a keen photographer we’d
like to see more of
your work so keep
the pictures coming!
Mary Meecham with her display at the WI Tree
Planting Opening Ceremony
Charlotte Grimes and Shaun Burdock
have just become engaged!
Parish Council Chairman
Ken Butler with Councillor Harold
Davenport at the Civic Service
13
Raven Book Reviews
S.J.Watson
More choices from some of Rainow’s book club members
Before I Go to Sleep
This harrowing and ultimately menacing tale which depicts the fragmented and scattered consciousness
of one woman and her fight with amnesia poses some disturbing and searching questions about the very
foundation upon which everyday lives are built. Every morning when Christine wakes up, she is unable to
recognize the man asleep next to her in bed, or even herself when she looks in the mirror. Every night
when she falls asleep, her memory is erased; she is only able to remember the events in her life for one
day. With the help of Dr. Nash, Christine hopes to unlock her memories, however in doing so, she enters a
world of dark secrets, conspiracies and paranoia which leads her to question and suspect everyone
around her and the fragile web of trust and safety she had begun to establish steadily disintegrates
around her. Understanding the key to her amnesia involves revealing the traumatic events which led to her
profound and devastating memory loss, which in turn entails the discovery that the narrative she has been
presented with and begun to adopt as her own, may also be nebulous and flawed. Through reading
Christine’s journal entries, this novel enthrallingly and subtly conveys the repetitive and deeply frustrating nature of her existence,
in which she is only able to capture and recollect strands of her past at any one time, as though catching glimpses of single details
of a painting or reading isolated fragments of a story whilst the rest is concealed in impenetrable darkness. The complex and
dynamic nature of memory processes, particularly following psychological trauma, underpins this novel and whilst it may not
always be factually correct, the resulting story is an addictive and compelling drama which depicts the oppressive hopelessness of
profound amnesia and leads the reader step-by-step towards its terrifying inception.
Sarah Winman
When God was a Rabbit
This entrancingly touching and enigmatic novel is a narrative of stories revolving around a group of close
family and friends, written from the perspective of the youngest family member Elly. The tender and
fiercely protective relationship between Elly and her brother, Joe, rests at the heart of the book, their
alliance being forged when Elly discloses to him that she has been sexually abused by their neighbour.
Joe declares he will find her a “proper friend” and gives her a Belgian hare who she names “God” and
who remains a personified and tangible speaking presence throughout her life, even after it dies, a kind
of spiritual guide for Elly. As well as the speaking hare, there are a number of surreal occurrences
scattered throughout the text such as Elly’s quirky friend, Jenny Penny, and another character’s deathday
forecast. In the bonus material at the back of the book, Winman describes these incidents as deliberately
‘implausible’ and her juxtaposition of them against historical events such as Princess Diana’s death and
the fall of the Twin Towers emphasises the implausibility of life. Whilst unusual and surprising, the lovingly
crafted characters and movingly realistic plot, render this book an emotive and poignant story, inherent to which is the perennial
question, “why do bad things happen to good people?”. Through a torrent of seemingly never-ending misfortunes, as well as
everyday tribulations and individual sadnesses, related consistently by the quiet, observant Elly, the fundamental resilience and
capacity of human love and affection abides. This book is by turns achingly sad, gently satirical and humorously whimsical, whilst
the believable characters whom one cannot help but care about, capture those pathos-laden moments which make up the fabric
of everyday life.
Jon Ronson
The Psychopath Test
“This is a story about madness”, reads the title page of this book and through a description of Jon
Ronson’s journalistic escapades, the reader has a glimpse into the world of psychiatry and its, often
murky and possibly shameful, past. Combining humour, curiosity and investigative incision, Ronson
poses some provocative and serious questions about how society defines normality and meets some of
the people who categorise and quantify mental illness and some who vehemently oppose them. The
primary subject of Ronson’s book is psychopaths - the unfortunate souls who suffer from “insanity without
delusion,” as French psychiatrist Philippe Pinel first labeled the disorder. The book’s sleuthing takes flight
when Ronson makes two important connections: with the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders (or DSM-IV-TR) and with Brian Daniels, a Scientologist who is interested in
using him to help debunk psychiatry. He is introduced by Mr. Daniels to a mental patient whom the book
calls Tony, and who is supposedly confined to the Broadmoor psychiatric hospital, because he faked
psychopathy and cannot unfake it. In his quest to uncover the “truth” about psychopathy, the book then rambles from stop to
stop, casting about for separate interviewees, one of whom is Bob Hare, the creator of the “Psychopathy Checklist”. Although
lacking any explicit purpose other than to explore the world of madness, “The Psychopath Test” remains compelling reading, not
least because it exposes some of the morbidly fascinating aspects of human behaviour, which the psychiatric community attempt
to categorise and explain. Though it’s never clear where Ronson will end up - or even, really, what he’s trying to find out - he’s
such an appealing tour guide, it doesn’t really matter. Ultimately, Ronson comes up with a persuasive argument that the
psychopath checklist and DSM-IV are dangerous weapons. If more and more fine-tuned mental disturbances can be diagnosed
as legitimate, not only are individual eccentricities and quirks in danger of being pigeon-holed and judged, but the implications for
society may be even more dangerous, with drug companies thriving and children being labelled and medicated at increasingly
young ages. Ronson, it seems, is trying to warn readers about the dangers of finding madness in every human eccentricity, but
the abrupt rhetorical shift presents an argument far too ambitious to make in the few brief chapters he allows.
14
Silk FM Local Hero Award 2011
Harrop Fold Farm
Rainow
Tel: 01625 560085
Somewhere very special...
A Quintessentially English Experience,
Delightful Award Winning
5 Star Guest Farmhouse and
Self-catering Cottage Accommodation
set in 20 acres with breathtaking
views over the Cheshire Plain.
We offer ’Cupcakes Galore’ hands on cookery courses as well as a
‘Cornucopia of Canapés’ hands on Canapé courses along with
Cookery Demonstrations with Lunch or
Dinner using the finest local ingredients
led by our own Cordon Bleu trained Chef.
Photo by kind permission of Cheshire’s Silk 106.9 and www.michaelrichardsphotography.co.uk
T
he awards ceremony was held on
Friday 18th November at
Macclesfield Town Football Club to
recognise the Local Heroes in our
community. The Parish Council
nominated a number of local residents,
including Isobel Christiansen, for the
Keith Alexander award. This award
recognises sporting inspiration and is in
memory of the late Keith Alexander.
Congratulations to Isobel for winning the
accolade.
Isobel (Izzy) is currently studying a sports
degree course at Birmingham University,
combining her studies with training as
well as playing for the University Ladies
football team. Izzy has represented
England at the under 23 level and was a
member of the team that beat Germany
2-1 in October 2010.
Izzy’s international footballing career has
taken her round the world, the highlight
of which was England winning the 2009
European Women’s Championship
beating Sweden in the final.
Rainow Village
Forum
Parking at Night
Some readers have asked us to point out
that when parking on the main road
through the village it is best to park on the
same side of the road as overtaking traffic
so that rear reflectors can be picked up by
approaching headlights.
If you have something you want to share
with other people in the village – helpful
comments, moans or suggestions, tell the
editors on [email protected]
Domestically, after spells with
Manchester United and Everton Ladies,
Izzy joined Birmingham City Ladies and
has had a successful first season in the
Women’s Super League, finishing
second to first placed Arsenal Ladies as
well as runners up in the League Cup
where Izzy scored in the final.
Day & Residential Art Courses
with our Resident Professional Artist.
Gift Vouchers available and Corporate and
Group Bookings welcome.
www.harropfoldfarm.co.uk
www.michaelmooreart.co.uk
www.leahspantry.co.uk
The Women’s Super League consists of
eight teams and holds out the prospect
of qualification for the UEFA Women’s
Champions League, it has the backing of
ESPN TV and is expected to raise the
profile of the women’s game in England.
Izzy has been selected again for the
national under 23 team and is with the
squad at a training camp this November
and will also be involved in a friendly
against Germany again. Her ambition at
club level is to continue to perform for
Birmingham City Ladies and improve on
2nd place next season. Internationally,
her ambition is to be selected for the full
senior team.
YOUR L OCAL S ERVICE
TAKEAWAY
N
E
P
O
W
NO
in Rainow
Fish, Chips and Mushy Peas
All just £6.50
Available Mon - Sat 12 - 2:30pm
and 5:30 - 8:30pm
Only from
The
Robin Hood
15
5
Guides
defy the weather!
Autumn full of Surprises for
Brownies
by Jill and Helen
by Brown Owl, Susan Norman
S
ince our May walk, the not-so-good
Summer saw us involved in some
more rather damp outdoor activities,
not least serving strawberries and
cream and fruit kebabs at the fête. We
also, as usual, served teas at the Rainow
5 run - some runners said they made a
point of running here because of the teas!
Our end of term Summer challenge was
to make and sail miniature rafts, with
prizes for the quickest, the best designed
and, the real challenge, the driest cargo.
The evening was to have ended with hot
dogs by the river, but an empty gas
cylinder saw us back at the Institute
heating them through. Not so ‘Prepared’
after all!
The Autumn Term continued the wet
theme with a night visit to the Nature
Reserve at Lower Moss Wood. The
ranger there, Ray, opened our eyes and
ears to life in the woods - including owl
calls, rabbit warrens (with bathrooms),
toads and weeing squirrels. The rest of
the time has largely been taken up with
patrol groups completing their chosen
‘Go For It’ challenges, with a variety of
activities selected and organised by the
girls themselves, including biscuit making,
chocolate tasting and making smoothies
(a definite preference for food-based
activities became apparent) as well as
creating jewellery, masks and printing.
We also practised signalling Morse Code
on a night walk. An international flavour
X Factor competition also revealed some
unsuspected talents among the girls –
and especially from the judges!
Finally, our year comes full circle with our
visit to the Manchester Christmas Markets
and our youngest member making her
Guide promise.
W
hat a packed autumn term
we’ve had at Brownies and
one that’s also been full of
surprises. September
started with a Frenchthemed evening as a final goodbye to
Millie Juif as she flew up to Guides.
The Brownies took part in a famous
French landmark challenge, made
Can-Can girl puppets and also dances
and tasted French food. We had one
final evening outside before the nights
drew in and went on a penny walk,
which took us through the village
lanes before welcoming the Guides.
Three more new Brownies were also
welcomed into the Unit. There are
plenty of spaces to take in more girls
at present, so if your daughter is aged
7 –10 years we would love you to join
in our Brownie Adventures (see
contact details below). In November I
was pleasantly surprised to receive
separate offers from two wonderfully
perceptive parents, Kirsten Cummings
and Monika Pollard, who have both
volunteered to help at Brownies on a
regular basis. I am also pleased to
report they will be considering training
as leaders in the New Year. This will
allow the Brownie Pack to take part in
more adventurous activities, widen
their experiences as well as accept
more girls into the Unit.
We haven taken part in various family
church services and it has been
pleasing to see the support by
Brownies increase as we attend each
one as a Brownie Unit.
During the last term we have had a
couple of guest visitors helping the
Brownies with their badge work and
other activities. Lisa Cash, the
Community Support Officer, and her
colleague gave an in-depth talk to
help them gain their Crime Prevention
Badge. The following week activities
included a quiz, designing awareness
posters and acting out crime
prevention situations to complete and
consolidate the information. All the
Brownies gained their badges. We
also welcomed Tricia Wilson from
Broken Cross District Guiding
Campfire Circle to help teach the
Brownies Campfire songs. The
16
Brownies were awestruck by her
campfire blanket and it created a great
centrepiece to the campfire circle and
hopefully will inspire the Brownies to
make their own when they move on to
Guides. The evening finished with
toasting marshmallows as the lights
were dimmed – what an atmosphere.
To celebrate Bonfire Night we had a
Guy Fawkes Treasure Hunt around
The Institute where they solved clues
to find the items needed to make their
edible sparklers. Once made it was a
joy to see their faces as they
experienced tasty explosions, pops
and crackles in their mouths. This was
followed with creating pictures of
firework “sky-scrapes” using blow
painting techniques. Having had so
much food activities we decided it was
time to feed the wildlife instead and
an evening was spent making bird
cakes and garlands. There were a lot
of unfavourable comments from the
Brownies about lard and I didn’t dare
tell them that their grandparents may
have eaten it spread on hot toast as
dripping – how times have changed
with healthy living!
No term would be complete without
playing old and new games and as
we approach Christmas we have also
started our craftwork badge, sewing
Christmas stockings and decorating
with sequins and jewels & making
their own facemasks ready for their
masked ball party.
Thank you to all the parents who
support the Brownie Unit in many
ways and to the Brownies who keep
coming every week. We wish
everyone a Healthy, Happy Christmas
and New Year and look forward to the
new term. Anyone who wants to know
more about joining Brownies or going
on the waiting list can
contact me on:
01260 223793 (Work)
or 01260 223695
(Home).
Brown Owl,
Susan Norman
Full House for Cubs
by Akela Sue Grimes
Autumn
with the Scouts
by The Leaders
W
The successful Bird Box Makers
T
his has seemed a very busy term,
we are currently full, with 30 boys
and girls and nearly 100%
attendance every week. Despite
the dark evenings we have managed
to get out for various activities. Early
on in the term the whole pack visited
Millets in Macclesfield and were set
various challenges such as dressing
the mannequins for hikes in the hills,
the desert and the Artic. The Cubs
were given permission to get whatever
they thought they needed; it was a bit
like Supermarket Dash! We also had
to ‘pitch’ a tent inside the shop. Other
outings included going to ‘Upper
Limits’ at Leek College for an evening
of climbing and caving and Skate City
at Hazel Grove to gain the Skater
Badge.
At the beginning of November we
played a wide game in the dark
hunting for Rocket ‘parts’ which were
exchanged for a real rocket to let off.
We then climbed Big Low for a
bonfire, fireworks and hot dogs with
the Scouts. Our new Cubs were then
enrolled on an evening I think they will
remember. May I thank Andrew
Renshaw for so generously allowing
us on his land and helping us and
especially Mick and Michelle Renshaw
for organising it all.
When inside the Cubs made some
amazing bird houses, key racks and
bookends for their DIY Badge. They
learnt how to use tools properly and
safely due to the large number of
parents that helped over two
evenings. I was impressed by how
much got done and how good it was.
For the first time we chose Mexican
food for our cooking night. As part of
her warrant training Michelle planned
the cooking of six different recipes so
each Cub had a go at cooking something. Everyone then tried each dish,
all delicious. Pre-School did say that
they could still smell them the next
morning!!
On Remembrance Sunday I think we
had the best turnout of Cubs ever.
A representative from District HQ
attended and was very impressed by
how smart they looked and by their
behaviour and marching; a credit to
their leaders, she said.
We went to District Sports Day where
the Cubs gained their Athlete Badge
and also came away with a Shield.
Later in the term we entered a team in
the District Swimming Gala and did
very well, winning two cups. The two
winners, Mathew Wareham and
Calum Roberts, then went to
Warrington to swim in the County Gala
and helped Macclesfield & Congleton
come second overall.
The rest of the term is taken up with
Christmas activities and a coach trip
to Congleton Gang Show.
This is a traditional show put
on by the Scout and Guide
Movements which
they produce
every
two
years.
May I just
thank Sharon
Greenall for all her
help as sadly due to
work commitments she has
to finish at Christmas.
e were delighted to welcome a
number of new Scouts this term
and they have all thrown themselves whole heartedly into the
Group and will be valuable members.
One of the highlights has been karting
near Buxton. We were glad to get there in
the end as we had previously been
defeated by the track being flooded! The
Scouts were divided into teams and after
full instruction took part in an endurance
race. Very exciting as it took place after
dark! Another excellent evening was a
Bonfire night celebration jointly with Cubs.
After a wide game the bonfire was lit at the
top of Rainow Low (with the owner’s kind
permission) and hot dogs were enjoyed.
Parents joined in and it was even dry!
The Group had its AGM (jointly with Cubs
and Beavers) and it was a good
opportunity to review the past year and to
hear future plans. Quite clearly all the
groups in Rainow are going from strength
to strength.
As we go to press we look forward to
what has become our annual Master Chef
competition. In their patrols the Scouts
plan and then cook and present a meal
which is tasted and judged by an impartial
adjudicator from the district committee.
It has become one of the Scouts’ favourite
activities!
We were proud to take part in the
Remembrance Sunday Church Parade
both in Church and at the Memorial.
An essential part of scouting life.
Christmas activities will be upon us shortly.
We have a party and Christmas crafts
planned!
As always, many thanks to all those
parents, carers and other adults who have
helped over the past few months.
Institute News
"Back in October the Rainow Institute
held another of its weekend market
fundraisers. Though poorly attended,
the stall holders still managed to turn
a profit and The Institute gained some
valuable funds.
Tim Robinson's Cafe du Soleil, on
the other hand, did a roaring trade,
with over 50 covers for the all day
breakfast".
58 Sugar Lane, R a i n o w
17
What’s in a Name?
Rainow
by Roy Leigh
-
Bound in Stone
by Raph Murray
T
he Boundary Commission for England is
currently conducting a review of
Parliamentary constituency boundaries.
The initial proposals envisage that the
Macclesfield constituency boundary will be
revised. However, there are no plans to redraw
the boundary for Rainow Civil Parish. One reason
for this may be that the Rainow Parish boundary
is quite literally set in stone. Some of the stones
marking the boundary of the Parish date from the
19th century and are still visible today, eg on
Buxton Road near Eddisbury Hall, near
Windyways, on Crooked Yard Lane and at
Sowcar Farm. Others, however, have long since
disappeared. Until, that is, the detective work of
Tom Swailes, one of the KRIV (Kerridge Ridge
and Ingersley Vale) volunteers, uncovered a long
lost stone marking the boundary between
Kerridge, Bollington and Rainow. Tom noticed that
one of the Boundary Stones recorded on the 1881
OS map was no longer recorded on the current
OS map. However, a careful search showed that
it was still in place, embedded flat in the ground,
at a field boundary below White Nancy. A bit of
spade work revealed that the stone was still intact
and it has now been restored to its rightful
position by the KRIV volunteers.
This discovery reinforces the boundary of Rainow
Parish and provides a reminder of a time when
these boundaries were quite contentious and it
was considered important to mark the boundary
in stone. At a total length of more than 17 miles,
marking the full length of the Rainow boundary in
stone would have been quite an undertaking. It is
not surprising, therefore, that most of the
boundary stones were used to mark the
boundary of Rainow with its western neighbours.
A
s a boy I was told the story of how Jenkin Chapel got its name.
I’m sure many Rainow people were told the same or a similar
story.
Local people decided to hold a meeting to discuss the possibility of
building a chapel to serve the local community. They were so enthusiastic
it was decided to have a collection there and then. One young man was
told to take off his hat and use it to collect all the donations. As the hat got
fuller, he got more excited and was dancing up and down, shaking his hat
to make the coins clink together. When asked how much he’d collected
he said that he didn’t know, but the money was ‘’ a’jinkin and a’jenkin ‘’ in
his hat. The phrase stuck in people’s minds, and when the chapel was
built it was called Jenkin Chapel.
A nice story, but even at the time I thought it rather unlikely. Years later
when reading about the origins of English surnames, an alternative
source for the word ‘Jenkin’ suggested itself.
When people began to adopt surnames, they often took their father’s
name. Therefore you get surnames like Wilson, Tomson and Johnson.
When there was more than one son, the youngest would often use the
word ‘kin’ meaning ‘little’ to distinguish themselves from their brothers.
Hence you get Wilkinson [Will’s little son], Tomkinson [Tom’s little son]
and Johnkinson – soon corrupted to Jenkinson - meaning John’s little
son. Since Jenkin Chapel is dedicated to St. John the Baptist, I suspect
the name just means ‘John’s little chapel’ although I would be interested if
anyone else has other ideas.
Any Ideas?
You can contact Roy through the Raven email (new address is
[email protected]) with your suggestions. The editors have done
some research themselves and found other ideas about how Jenkin
Chapel came by its name. One rather prosaic version is that Jenkin was
the name of a local farming family, another more exciting idea links the
name to a “fiery Welsh preacher” who came regularly to preach at a
horse fair held annually at the spot. Yet another version sees the name
linked to a trader from Ruthin named Jenkin with the track-marking stone
at the spot identified as Jenkin’s Cross.
It is certain that the church was built in 1733 with locally collected funds
and the tower was added in 1755. The building is recognised by English
Heritage as a Grade ll* listed building. The benefice is combined with
Rainow Church and Forest Chapel.
Jenkin Chapel is surrounded by some of the best walking in the Rainow
area and has featured in several of the Raven’s walk pages.
18
Studio/Gallery@Kerridge End
Cesterbridge Cottage Kerridge End Rainow
Telephone: 01625 612478
www.janeosmond.net
Carole Harvey Telemarketing
New Business Development
Appointment Setting
Telephone Marketing
22 Millers Meadow, Rainow, Macclesfield
01625 573576
[email protected]
Computer & I.T. Solutions
for home or office
Commonside Farm
Ecton Avenue, Buxton Road, Macclesfield
SK10 1RB
Contact STUART [email protected]
01625 669750 or 07770315443
19
On the road
to reclaiming
the Corkscrew
by Raph Murray
T
he road that connects Smith Lane, near
Blue Boar Farm, with Hooleyhey Lane,
near Jenkin Chapel, is officially known as
Bank Lane and overall is about 1 mile long.
However, there is a steep, twisting section about
200 yards long above Burton Springs Farm which
is more commonly known as the Corkscrew. This
lane is part of an ancient packhorse trade route
from Chester to Chesterfield for commodities such
as salt. Although it used to be open to all traffic it
was one of the first places in the country to have a
Traffic Regulation Order. The current status of this
road is that no vehicles are allowed except for
access to houses and farms adjoining the road
and through traffic of all vehicles is prohibited.
Over the years the Corkscrew part of the lane has become more
and more overgrown with the centre of the road turning into a
stream bed. This made it more and more difficult for walkers and
horse riders to negotiate the steep, narrow and now very slippery
track. This increasing problem with access was recognised by
the Parish Council who had asked East Cheshire Highways for
help to improve the condition of the road (Raven No 16, Autumn
2011). Not surprisingly this was not a priority road improvement.
However, former Parish councillor and KRIV (Kerridge Ridge and
Ingersley Vale) volunteer, John Stagg, felt that this was a project
where the KRIV volunteers could make a difference.
Accordingly, after a survey of the site with one of the current
Parish councillors, Andrew Renshaw, about 15 KRIV volunteers,
ably supported for the day by Steve Rathbone, arrived at the top
of the corkscrew on Friday 4th November to make a start on
reclaiming ease of access for users. The photograph of part of
the track shows the overgrown vegetation, the layer of mud and
sediment and the virtual stream in the centre of the road before
the volunteers started work.
Now the bracken bordering the track has been cut back, the layer
of mud has been removed to expose the surface of the road and
the drainage at the side of the road has been restored. Although
there is still a lot of work to do the benefits are already clear.
Indeed one user has already commented that it is wider, drier
and much easier to negotiate. The KRIV volunteers are a group
of like minded individuals working to help maintain the local
countryside in and around Bollington and Rainow and their work
on the Corkscrew is just one example of the work that they carry
out in the area.
Christmas Events at TheRobin Hood
Saturday
Set on the cusp of the Peak
District park, The Robin Hood
is a friendly, relaxed local pub
offering real Ales, Beers,Wines
and Spirits and traditional pub
fayre. Family and dog friendly.
Tel: 01625 574060
Tom: 07837 369912
robinhoodrainow.co.uk
20
17th - CHRISTMAS DISCO
with DJ Dave
18th - Quiz Night
Sunday
Monday
19th - Meat Raffle - win a
£20 voucher for a local
butchers just in time for
Xmas
Tuesday
20th - A visit from Father
Christmas/Kids Party
Afternoon
Tuesday
20th - Carol Singing &
Christmas Evening
Pie Night
Wednesday 21st - Christmas Quiz Night
- lots of prizes to be won
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Saturday
Sunday
Tuesday
Thursday
Saturday
22nd - Purists Party
23rd - Christmas Karaoke
Night
24th - CHRISTMAS EVE
25th - CHRISTMAS DAY
Open 12-2
26th - BOXING DAY
Food served 12-4
27th - Pie Night
29th - Curry Night
31st - NYE Party and Disco
- Free entry and
complimentary buffet
HEATING OIL
BEST SERVICE
AT COMPETITIVE PRICES
FARM & COMMERCIAL FUELS
LOGS & HEAT LOGS
É WIRRAL FUELS
01244 - 851200
D U N K I R K E S TAT E , D U N K I R K , C H E S T E R ,
CHESHIRE CH1 6LZ
creative
For all your
needs.
FAMILY BUTCHERS
Palmerston Street,
Bollington
Tel: 01625 572202
No job too small
- ads, brochures,
business cards,
catalogues and
websites
114 Wellington Road,
Bollington
Tel: 01625 573172
5 Fountain Place, Poynton
Tel: 01625 872154
Wellington Road, Bollington SK10 5JR
l
For jazz l For comedy
l For chamber music
l For professional & amateur
theatre productions
l For talks
l For art exhibitions
l For poetry readings
l For rehearsal space
l For classes l For hire
For more information visit our website:
www.bollingtonartscentre.org.uk
or ring 573863
The Yellow Teapot Café
Homemade scones
Delicious sandwiches
Homemade pies
Large selection of cakes
“Follow the yellow teapot signs!”
Open 10am – 5pm Wed, Sat & Sun
Common Barn Farm, Smith Lane, Rainow
Te l : 0 1 6 2 5 5 7 4 8 7 8
Photography
Design&
Illustration
Please get in touch with
Mel & Dave Wilcox
Tel: 01625 560500
[email protected]
[email protected]
Your local doorstep
Delivery Service
u Milk
u Organic Milk
u Free Range Eggs
u Orange Juice
u Cream
W B Moss & Son
Hough Hole Farm
Rainow
Tel: 573320
ROY McCARTHY
Coaches for every occasion
35 - 70 Seaters
Please call us for our 2012 brochure
with details of our holiday tours
and day excursions
Tel: Macclesfield (01625) 425060
www.roymccarthycoaches.co.uk
THE COACH DEPOT u SNAPE ROAD u MACCLESFIELD
21
Our Man in Japan
by Geoff Tozer
matter where in the country you live, on 1st January. It’s a feat
worthy of Father Christmas himself, albeit happening a week
later, and how the post office manages to pull it off I don’t know.
2012—year of the dragon
Then you attend bonenkai, or “year-forgetting parties,” one for
each office or school that you have dealings with. The ones I
go to happen at an izakaya (a pub yet not a pub, a restaurant
yet not a restaurant). The food and drink at these places is
good and cheap, which is fortunate as my manager has little
inclination to foot the bill.
There’s sake in them
thar barrels
T
o paraphrase Douglas Adams’ observation on vendingmachine tea, the Christmas season in Japan is almost,
but not entirely, quite unlike an English one. Already
festive trees adorn every department store and carols waft
through the air. Christmas cards line the shelves. Father
Christmas will somehow overcome the lack of chimneys to visit
houses and deposit presents. So far, so familiar. But then the
main meal on Christmas Day will be roast chicken—the only
time of the year you can buy chickens whole—and “Christmas
cake,” containing sponge, cream, and more sponge. And then
there are all the tissues. Yesterday I was handed a pack of
tissues by red-robed smiley staff at a shop entrance to add to
the ones I’d been given at the station entrance and in front of
McDonald’s. Japan is the free tissue capital of the world, and
now ’tis the season to be handed tissues bearing commercial
messages of goodwill at every turn. If, like me, you consider it
a crime to refuse a freebie, you bring lots of pockets whenever
you go out.
But of course New Year, not Christmas, is the biggie here.
It unfolds like this. Sometime in early December you buy your
New Year cards—postcards printed with a picture of the coming
year according to the Chinese zodiac, which this year will be
the auspicious dragon. You write in your message and post
your cards by the cut-off date, and they will all be delivered, no
Sometime before midnight on New Year’s Eve the bells in the
temples begin to toll, jarring your sleep until around 4.00 am.
They toll 108 times, one for every temptation to overcome
before you reach nirvana (won’t be getting there any time soon,
then). At the larger temples crowds gather, but when I ventured
out to peek at the small local one last year all I saw was a few
monks huddled round a brazier.
You prepare special food for the New Year so that you can relax
and do no cooking for the next few days. Typically you enjoy
sea-bream, herring roe, rice cakes, sweet rolled omelette, and
other goodies. Konbu seaweed, anyone? At some point you
visit a shrine or temple, where you can make a small offering in
return for omikuji, or random fortunes written on strips of paper,
which you tie to a tree or frame around the shrine.
Once the shops open again you find that the carols have been
replaced by shamisen music, and after several days, the
working year begins. You greet acquaintances in the
neighborhood and people at the office: “Congratulations on the
New Year. I am counting on you in the coming year.”
I’ve just asked my daughter Hannah, who’s more plugged in
than I am, what she likes about New Year, and this, apparently,
is what it’s really about: Otoshidama, “kind of like pocket money
for the new year from older relatives”; sake, which children are
allowed to drink in small quantities on New Year’s morning; and
the food, especially kamaboko: white fish pounded into a paste
and moulded into shapes (dip into wasabi and soy sauce), and
pounded rice (mochi) around a core of sweet beans or
chestnuts. Adults enjoy sake in liberal quantities, and this is
where the traditions of Japan and the UK combine—in the
same spirit but with a different spirit. Kampai!
G G G ÁRainow Wildlife Sites
What’s an SBI? The initials stand for Site of Biological Importance
but now you don’t have to remember the term because recently
Sites of Biological Importance have been re-named “Local Wildlife
Sites”. The new name may help to clear up the confusion between
these sites and the Sites of Special Scientific Interest. There are
over 770 Local Wildlife Trusts Sites across Cheshire East,
Cheshire West and Chester, Halton and Warrington and there are
no less than twelve Local Wildlife Sites in the parish of Rainow.
Local Wildlife Sites are areas that contain interesting or rare
species or habitat types and in England are non-statutory sites
which are recognised in the planning system, while Sites of
Scientific Interest or SSSI’s are controlled by the government.
Counties throughout Britain differ in how the sites are monitored
and in Cheshire the Local Wildlife Site Partnership co-ordinates
the survey and review of sites. The partnership is led by the Local
Authority with representatives from the relevant County Councils,
Cheshire Wildlife Trust, Natural England and rECOrd, the local
22
by Rachel Hunter
GÁ
biodiversity records office. The surveys are undertaken by staff
and trained volunteers from the Cheshire Wildlife Trust. Kerridge
Ridge Local Wildlife Site is due for a repeat survey. During 2011,
biological surveying of part of the easterly facing side of Kerridge
Ridge at the Bollington end of the ridge has taken place as well as
in Waulkmill Wood and one property on the Rainow side of the
parish boundary. In 2012, once permission has been obtained
from the landowners by the Cheshire Wildlife Trust, the resurvey
of the rest of the site will be completed, ready to be scrutinised by
the panel partnership in early 2013. The work is being done by
five trained volunteers from the Lyme Natural History Recording
Society. Resurveying includes checking the boundaries and
producing a habitat map, monitoring and updating the list of plant
species already found, and reporting on the presence of various
organisms, whose numbers have declined in the British isles. The
list includes bats, brown hare, common toad, dunnock, grassland
fungi, hedgehog, lichens, small heath butterfly, song thrush and
water voles.
What’s On
What’s On in Rainow and Bollington
DECEMBER 2011
18
24
25
25
3.00 pm
3.00 pm
10.00 am
12 noon
Carols by Candlelight
Carol Service
Parish Communion
Christmas at White Nancy
with Bollington Brass Band
Jenkin Chapel
Forest Chapel
Rainow Church
White Nancy
JANUARY 2012
7, 8
and 11
8
9
15
20
22 - 19
Feb
See website for
times
Pantomime – Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Bollington Arts Centre
Bollington Festival Players.
Tickets £8,or special family rates.
Contact: 01625 875326 www. bollingtonartscentre.org.uk
8.00 pm
Second Sunday Folk Club
Bollington Arts Centre
Admission £2 Singers and players welcome to take part
Rainow Institute
7.30 pm
Rainow WI - Cup Cakes & Canapés
Leah Stevenson
2.30 - 4.30 pm
Bollington Festival Theatre Production
Bollington Arts Centre
Rehearsals begin
7.30 pm
Mothers Union - New Year Party
Rainow Church Centre
Sundays 2 - 4
In the Gallery - David Lunt
Bollington Arts Centre
and during events – selected paintings 2008 to 2012
FEBRUARY 2012
3
8.00 pm
4
8.00 pm
5
7.00 pm
12
8.00 pm
13
17
7.30 pm
Rainow WI - Macclesfield Canal – Tim Boddington
8.00 pm
Ceilidh - with local band Maplewood
(bar open 7.30 pm) Tickets reserved in advance from Jan 1st
Tel: 01625 573413 or 575060
8.00 pm
From Here to Absurdity
– Richard Kelly & Friends in Review.
Tickets £9 from 01625 575287
7.30 pm
Mothers Union
AGM followed by favourite hymns
TBA
Friends of Rainow School - Chilli & Quiz Night
9.30 am - 4.30 pm Singing Day (discover Cherubini’s Requiem)
Book your place and get details 01625 261933
18
21
24
25
Bolly Comedy Club
Info from www. bollingtonartscentre.org.uk
Bollington Chamber Concerts
The Barbirolli Quartet
Tickets £14/£7 01625 560355 or 575287
Boz – a celebration of the 200th anniversary
of the birth of Charles Dickens
– Frank Walker. £5/£4 pay at door
Second Sunday Folk Club
Bollington Arts Centre
Bollington Arts Centre
Bollington Arts Centre
Bollington Arts Centre
Rainow Institute
Bollington Arts Centre
Bollington Arts Centre
Rainow Church Centre
Rainow School
Bollington Arts Centre
MARCH 2012
2
3
12
14
14-17
18
20
25
30
8.00 pm
Bolly Comedy Club
Tatton
atwww.bollingtonartscentre.org.uk
Brownies
Tickets £9 online
from
8.00 pm
Bollington Chamber Concerts - The Wu Quartet
Tickets £14/£7 01625 560355 or 575287
7.30 pm
Rainow WI
Trekking in Nepal – Gwen Sproston
11.30 - 12.30 pm Rainow NSPCC Ladies Lunch
with Arabella Fashion Show
Tickets £23 Contact Sue Frith 01625 573802
TBA
Bollington Festival Players
Spring Production
Details 01625 875326
8.00 pm
Second Sunday Folk Club
7.30 pm
Mothers Union – Lenten Talk by Margaret Tate
2.30 and 5.00 pm Bollington Festival Music Theatre
Visit www.fun.to/bfmt or call 0161 225 4680
8.00 pm
“Totally Tina” – an evening of rock music
(over 18s only). Tickets £10 01625 573945 or 575076
Bollington Arts Centre
Bollington Arts Centre
Rainow Institute
The Hunting Lodge
Adlington Hall
Bollington Arts Centre
Bollington Arts Centr
Rainow Church Centre
Bollington Arts Centre
Bollington Arts Centre
We have made this list as comprehensive as space permits & it is necessarily a selection of the events we know about.
If you have anything planned that you would like us to list in the next issue, please call 01625 426059.
23
]\Õ
Walk 12
Autumn Circular
Ascent: about 200m
Going: Good tracks, can be a bit
muddy
Start/Finish: Robin Hood
S
et off from the Robin Hood (now reopened under new management) the
last remaining pub in the village (USE
IT OR LOSE IT). Walk up the main road
towards the Old Chapel (1875) then cross
the road carefully to enter the drive to
Yearns Low Cottage (1873), doubling
back on yourself onto footpath 73. Over
the stone stile by the gate and heading
along the field fence towards Thornsett
Farm.
a metalled track (metalled tracks are not
well-defined on the Rainow Parish map)
and joining the Gritstone Trail for a
moment. Follow this track down through
Horden farm and its acolytes.
This is the home of Colin Pickford, former
Rainow councillor and champion sheepdog breeder, trainer and competitor. So
you are likely to meet sheep hereabouts –
and indeed anywhere on this walk. The
soils of Rainow are thin and acidic, sitting
as they do on gritstone, so don’t provide
much except pasture and that mainly for
sheep. A hard living for sure but without
the sheep these hills would be densely
scrubby and not green and rolling.
The track runs down to the stream before
Vale Royal and after passing the farm
entrance turn sharp left through a new
gate on path 66 (get your kicks here)
above the farm. Cross a couple of fields
before emerging onto another track fording a stream and turning up to your right.
Follow round a building on your left and
then shortly bear right up through fields to
join path 67.
Follow path 73 until a farm gate to your
left and then head round the farm and
over another stone stile. Descend through
the field to the track (72) where you
double back sharp right over a cattle grid.
Follow the track back towards the road.
Below the farm after about 200m, enter
the field over a wooden stile on your left
and descend towards the river Dean (74).
the bridge over the
Looking back on
River Dean
The Hordern Fa
rm buildings
seen from
Buxton Road.
The path runs
between the bu
ildings.
FP* refers to footpath
numbers on Rainow Parish Paths Map
24
Over a tall wooden stile and across a
(relatively) newly installed wooden bridge.
Take care to take the left hand fork in the
path (69) (“the path less travelled”)
towards a house above you on your left
and then on through a stone gate and left
through a wooden gate to Lamaload road,
emerging by a cattle grid. If there are
interesting looking pigs in the field they
are harmless...
At the road sharp left and then
immediately continue ahead (right off the
road over a stone stile) on path 69 up
through a field and through a gap, bearing
left over a wooden stile. Then steeply
rising up the field to a couple of wooden
stiles close together....Pause here (to get
breath) and look back where you have
come from as well as up and down the
Dean valley and along Ker Ridge. Reflect
on how privileged you are...even though
you may be worrying about whether you
have a job or whether you can afford the
rent/mortgage/next energy bill/car repair
(you can’t)...remember that this walk is
free (at the moment)...and push on.
Continue on the left side of the high dry
stone wall until reaching a high wooden
stile over the wall. Continue diagonally
across the field (still on 69) until reaching
As you leave the small cluster of buildings
leave the metalled track, branching to your
left, through a gate and along another
green track (65) above Gulshaw Hollow.
The main Macclesfield to Buxton Road
can be seen across this steep ravine.
Away to your right the traffic on the A537
thunders by but you are alone with the
sheep and the curlew. Look to your left
and see the edge of Ely Brow and follow
a good path down to a small stream
which is, I think, the parish boundary. The
path here becomes MF (Macclesfield
Forest) 14 which you then follow to the
wood above Lamaload reservoir.
At the wood sharp left over a wooden stile
on MF 15. Watch out for the poor
drainage before the path reaches a stone
stile. Here straight ahead keeping the
strange looking wooden post on your right
down a lovely grassy track to another
wood above the river Dean.
Descend steeply back to the parish
boundary at the river directly below the
dam and then passing the Water
Treatment Works (WTW) on your left on
78.
Turn left over a small stream at the back
of the semi-detached (!) houses and up a
steep hill. Follow up and again up to
Yearns Low Farm (recently extended).
Pass the farm on your left and continue
until meeting the crossing path 77 (take a
diversion to the right here if you wish to
visit the Common Barn café for tea and
cake!) Follow the track round and up past
Yearns Low (who knows what was buried
here?). As you crest the track you’ll be
rewarded with splendid views of the
Cheshire Plain with the Welsh hills
beyond and the Jodrell Bank Radio
Telescope in the foreground.
Then down to the road, turn left and to the
pub!
by Plodder
]\Õ
(recommended) and/or OS 1:25,000
OL 24 The White Peak
Distance: About 4km
Time: about 1.5 - 2 hours
;
Map: Rainow Parish Paths