OUT AND ABOUT BLOG: It's Begnning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Friday will be 1st December so I officially have an excuse to talk about Christmas! Put your hand up if you're ready for it?

OK, so I may not be ready for Christmas but I am actually looking forward to it. I will be cooking for 13 people and each time I mention that to anyone, I am reliably informed we need to put a teddy at the table to make it 14! Either I have never cooked for 13 or this is a Cheshire thing and being a southerner, I have never heard of this superstition before. Either way, Jasper our dog now has an excuse to sit at the table with us!

Local Christmas Markets

This weekend you will find me at the Richmond Village Traditional Christmas Markets with two hats on: I will be blasting out the Christmas tunes from the RedShift van whilst also manning my Tropic Skincare stand in the warmth of the main building. Please do pop along and buy some lovely unique gifts and enjoy a mulled wine, or three, whilst browsing.

Also this weekend there is a Christmas market in Nantwich and the ETSY handmade market at Reaseheath so really there is no excuse to not at least start your shopping!

Red Hair, Red Dress Affair

Last week I ventured up to Knutsford to attend my dear friend Sue France’s “Red Hair, Red Dress Affair” event at the Courthouse. Sue runs a fantastic ladies' networking group called Creative Connecting in Cheshire. We had a lovely meal and listened to a great guest speaker called Nikki Pattinson, an inspirational woman who gave a hilarious, moving and insightful speech. The event raised over £700 for a charity called Gift of a Wedding, an incredible charity that stages weddings within weeks, or even days, for terminally sick people.

I met Sue France on 6th September 2010, the day RedShift began broadcasting and we have been friends ever since. Her events (ladies only, sorry chaps) are always unique and well attended with business women from across Cheshire and Sue has been such a wonderful support and encourager to me over the last seven years.

South Cheshire Chamber Business Awards

Friday night saw me hosting the South Cheshire Chamber Business Awards for the 7th year, and 5th year with my fabulous co-host Paul Boniface.

Paul and I both love this event and seeing how much it has grown in size and calibre of entrants and finalists over the years is great. I am looking forward to hosting the Chamber Awards radio show this Friday from 10am - 2pm with all the winners and sponsors so please do tune in at www.redshiftonline.org.

Back to the Future Project

A quick mention for our Back-to-the-Future inter-generational project again. We are looking for people over 70 to join us on Saturday 9th December from 2-4pm at Nantwich Museum. We will be making Christmas table decorations and singing carols by candlelight. We have several young people booked on and we have four spaces for under 20 year olds and seven spaces for over 70 year olds. To book onto this fun and free inter-generational project, please call 01270 440 750.

Volunteer of the Week
My choice for Volunteer of the Week has to be the lovely Paul Boniface who has been with us for six years. Paul presents Easy Like Sunday Morning and really does put his heart and soul into it. He plans his show theme, features and songs so carefully and he has a loyal following of regular listeners.

Paul’s commitment to, and support of, RedShift goes far beyond producing and presenting his show.

Paul frequently supports me at events and over the last six months he has raised an incredible £3,464 as part of the #ClimbKili2017 campaign, a quarter of which will be coming to RedShift to support our youth activities.

Thank you Paul!

Out & About: Respect to My Ancestors on Remembrance Day

Liz looks back at her family's roles in wartime and appeals for Poppy sellers for next year
I am writing this on a very chilly Sunday evening in front of a roaring fire watching Countryfile as they tour our fabulous countryside sharing news of projects to support our veterans across the UK.

Remembrance Day

Remembrance is always an important time for me. It is a time that I give extra thought and consideration to my ancestors who fought in each of the World Wars. My Grandpa, who passed away in August aged 95, spent time in Italy and Egypt whilst my Grandma was stationed at Bletchley Park as a De-coder. My Great-Grandfather was awarded the Military Cross (MC) and a Distinguished Service Order (DSO) in the First World War.
Thankfully, my late Dad spent years putting together our family history and in more recent years, Grandpa and I spent hours recording interviews and capturing his memories on audio. I am now working on migrating all of my Dad’s work onto a new website along with Grandpa’s recordings as I think it is so important to remember and for my nephews, the next generation, to learn also.

Back to the Future

This is where the inspiration for our inter-generational “Back to the Future” project came from and on Saturday 9 December we will hold our second of four events welcoming people under 20 and over 70 to come together to make friends and learn from each other.
Please do get in touch if you would like to join this project as we have a lovely Christmas afternoon planned at the Nantwich Museum. We will be making Christmas table decorations with our newest Community Hub member, florist Janet Wright and we will enjoy some Christmas treats and a short sing-song, all funded by Cheshire Community Foundation. Find out more on our Facebook event page: facebook.com/events/142312076523924.

Selling Poppies

I have been able to make time in my diary to help with the Poppy Appeal and I thoroughly enjoyed a couple of shifts up at Bridgemere with volunteers from the local Royal British Legion. I know the Legion are keen to recruit more Poppy sellers for next year so please do consider this as a very practical way to help. Anyone interested in helping in the next Poppy Appeal should contact the Poppy Appeal Organiser, Bea Rigby on 01270 651160 or email beatricerigby@aol.com.
I met some really lovely people, including one lady who had a collection of Poppies spanning 40 years! The photo at the top this week is of Elaine King (who celebrated her birthday selling Poppies) and Janet Thompson who came up from Northampton to lend a hand. Even Jasper my dog joined in modelling the reflective Poppies that hang on zips (or dog collars!)
Remembrance was wrapped up for Michael-John and me with a service at St Margaret's Church in Wrenbury, and then hot-footing it over to Nantwich to see the wreath-laying procession. Always a moving sight and proud to see my nephew Ben parading in his Cub’s uniform, something I used to love as a Brownie and then of these willAir Cadet.

Volunteer of the Week

I am launching a new feature this week called Volunteer of the Week. This is a short introduction and thank you to our volunteers, some of whom are from RedShift and some from the wider community.
My first one is THANK YOU to Kelly-Ann Jones who has been a wonderful addition to the RedShift team since being a guest on our “Teachers News” show about six years ago.
Kell is one of our volunteers who often goes above and beyond: she helps me with our outdoor events (pictured here as “Witchy-Kell at Wistaston Fireworks), training new presenters and she presents a great Sunday afternoon show called Wellbeing Weekly.
Aside from RedShift, Kell teaches at Adelaide School and is also very involved with the Scouts and specifically the Crewe Gang Show. As volunteer marketing coordinator for the Scouts, I know Kell would love to hear from any local business who could sponsor the very special 80th anniversary which comes to the Lyceum in May 2018.

The Floorman

My final shout out this week is to John Sims our lovely floorman. We have been having some work done on the house and in order not to hold up our builders, John kindly gave up his whole weekend to finish our dining room floor. He has been here for 10 hours today (Sunday) and we are so grateful and not to mention, thrilled with the result! Thank you John. If anyone is looking for a new floor, please contact John on 07711 129 920.
Please look out for my "Out and About" page each week in the Crewe Chronicle. For more information about any of the items in this article, please email us here at RedShift or call us on 01270 440 750.

This article appeared in Crewe Chronicle on 15th November 2017.

Help Santa Find Cheshire East Children Without Chimneys

CVS launches its Christmas Toy Appeal for children in the area living in difficult circumstances.
Community & Voluntary Services (CVSCE) are once again holding their Christmas Toy Appeal, now in its 6th year. The appeal is run in aid of Cheshire East children and families that face difficult circumstances this winter and otherwise may not have the magical and joyful experience all children should have on Christmas morning, in finding presents under the tree.

Some of those supported are:
Children who have chaotic home lives with domestic violence and substance misuse a regular occurrence
Families whose loved ones are in hospice for end of life care.
They need your support. By donating a toy or two at a collection point near you, or holding a collection or fundraiser in your place of work would make a world of difference to the local children supported by this appeal. It’s also a fantastic way to get into the festive spirit, as the CVSCE and its previous supporters have found.

The CVS website lists all the collection points across Cheshire East and also has some fun suggestions and resource packs to help you support the appeal on social media, at home or at work. Visit: cvsce.org.uk.
Businesses and organisations who would like to pledge their support and coordinate their efforts can contact the appeal organiser directly on 01270 763 100 or email andrew.luisis@cvsce.org.uk.
Last year, communities really came together and approximately 3000 donations were received from the generous Cheshire East public and many private businesses. The appeal was able to support 45 local Cheshire East charities, non-profits and community groups to provide festive cheer to the deserving families and children they care for directly.
When you’re Christmas shopping this year please consider picking up a little something for this appeal and help CVSCE make 2017 the biggest year yet!
#ThisWaySanta

Winter Wellbeing - Be A Good Winter Neighbour

Advice and support from Cheshire East Council on staying warm, well and safe this winter
As the weather turns colder, neighbours who are older or have health problems may need your help and support.

They may not be able to go to the shops, attend hospital appointments or pick up prescriptions when the weather is particularly bad, so please think about what you could do to help them.

Here are a few tips on how to be a good winter neighbour:
Check on elderly or vulnerable members of the community to make sure they are safe and well; Make sure they have enough food and medicines to prevent them having to go out in very cold or icy weather; Give them your telephone number so they can contact you for help; Check their home is warm enough – living rooms should be heated to 21°C and bedrooms to 18°C; and Keep drives and footpaths clear of snow and ice for your neighbours. Councillor Liz Wardlaw, cabinet member for health, said: “Checking in on friends, family members and neighbours this winter can make all the difference to them. A quick phone call or a knock at the door can prevent people from feeling lonely and helps to ease pressure on urgent and emergency health services at a critical time of the year.
“Cheshire East Council and its partners are also here to help throughout the year and there is a wealth of information and support available.”

Residents are also urged to always be on the lookout for signs that something might be wrong with a neighbour, friend or vulnerable member of the community. Warning signs include: Milk still out on the doorstep late in the day; Newspapers and post stuck in the letterbox; Curtains drawn during the day; Lights on during the day; A home in darkness when there should be someone at home; A dog barking all day or the cat scratching to be let in; and Bins not put out on collection days. More information and advice about the care and support available for adults in Cheshire East can be found by visiting: cheshireeast.gov.uk/livewell and clicking on the associated tab. The resource directory will also help you find support in your local area.

For concerns about the welfare or safety of an adult, call 0300 123 5010 (8.30am to 5pm Monday to Thursday and 8.30am to 4.30pm on Fridays) or call 0300 123 5022 at all other times, including bank holidays.

If you have concerns about the welfare or safety of a child, call 0300 123 5012 (option three) and you will be directed to the appropriate team. If it is an emergency and you need to contact someone out of hours, call our emergency duty team on 0300 123 5022.

This time of the year can sometimes lead to greater family tensions. If you are affected by domestic abuse and need assistance, or have concerns about someone else, you can call 0300 123 5101 – available 24 hours a day – email: cedap@cheshireeast.gov.uk or text on 07771 941 464.

For further winter-related advice, visit: cheshireeast.gov.uk/livewell and scroll down to the winter wellbeing section. Advice can also be found on the council’s Facebook page at: facebook.com/cheshireeastcouncil and on Twitter at: @CheshireEast.

Residents can help friends and neighbours, who do not have internet access, by downloading and printing off information from the website and giving it to them.

South Cheshire and Vale Royal Patients Urged to Keep Antibiotics Working

Infections becoming resistant to antibiotics - longer term, current treatments will no longer work
With the warning that some infections are becoming more resistant to antibiotic medicines, NHS South Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS Vale Royal CCG want us to know when we should, and shouldn’t be taking them.

As the weather grows colder and winter closes in, many patients will be developing coughs, colds and flu, with some thinking they need antibiotics to treat their illness. However, in most cases they won’t be the best or appropriate way of treating symptoms.

This week (13th-19th November) is World Antibiotic Awareness Week with the theme of seeking advice from a qualified healthcare professional if you think you may need antibiotics.

Dr Fiona McGregor-Smith, GP and Prescribing Lead at the CCGs, said: “It is a common misconception that antibiotics are a cure-all, but the reality is, they just won’t work in the case of a cold or the flu. There are many different types of antibiotics and they work against bacterial infections, not viral infections, such as colds, coughs and flu.

“In recent years, the over-usage of antibiotics has actually led to the development and spread of
bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. Where people contract infections caused by these antibiotic-resistant bacteria, they will take much longer to get better and in some cases could become seriously ill. Keeping antibiotics effective is everyone’s responsibility and we all need to take care to use them responsibly and keep antibiotics effective for our children and future generations.”
This is a global problem with the World Health Organisation saying that “taking antibiotics when they are not needed accelerates emergence of antibiotic resistance, one of the biggest threats to global health.”

Overuse of antibiotics can cause bacteria to become resistant, meaning current treatments will no longer work. Not all infections can be treated with antibiotics; antibiotics don’t cure viruses like colds and flu.

Only take antibiotics prescribed to you, do not share them with family or friends
Antibiotics are not always the answer. Do not demand antibiotics if your health care professional says you don’t need them.

Always seek the advice of a qualified health care professional when taking antibiotics Dr McGregor-Smith added: “If you have been prescribed antibiotics it’s really important that you finish taking the full course, even if you feel better. If you stop taking an antibiotic part way through a course, the bacteria can become resistant to the antibiotic.”

Your local pharmacist can help advise on the best way to manage minor illnesses including the common cold and flu. Pharmacists provide advice, support, treatment and can signpost patients to the most appropriate healthcare provider if necessary.

Further information about staying well this winter is available at www.nhs.uk/staywell.

Santa's On His Way to Nantwich!

Nantwich Rotary Christmas Sleigh with santa aboard will be touring Nantwich between 7th and 21st December

The Nantwich Rotary Christmas Sleigh with Santa aboard will be making its annual visit to the streets of Nantwich covering over 3,000 houses from December 7th to December 21st.

Look out for Santa on these dates:
Thursday 7th - Salt Meadows and Kingsley Fields - from 5.30pm
Friday 8th - Morrisons - 11am till 5pm
Monday 11th - Queens Drive and Malbank Waters - from 5.30pm
Tuesday 12th - Manor Road - from 5.30pm
Wednesday 13th - Stapeley Estate - from 5.30pm
Thursday 14th - Shrewbridge Road - from 5.30pm
Friday 15th - B&M - 11am till 5pm
Saturday 16th - Market Square - 10am till 4pm
Monday 18th - Queens Drive and Salt Meadows - from 5.30pm
Tuesday 19th - Wellington Road - from 5.30pm
Wednesday 20th - Cronkinson Farm Estate - from 5.30pm
Thursday 21st - Market Square (with Brine Leas Choir) - 10am till 4pm
Thursday 21st - Hawksey Drive - from 5.30pm

Said Rotary President Tony Hoy: “Last year the residents of Nantwich generously gave nearly £6,000 to our Christmas collection. This year we hope to beat that amount, and all donations are given to local charities.”

Charities benefiting from this year's collection include:
St Luke’s Hospice
Nantwich Museum
Wingate Centre
Donna Louise Hospice
Cheshire Young Carers

Railway Sign Returns Home

The Nantwich Market Drayton Junction sign from the signal box which used to control that railway junction has returned to Nantwich after almost 50 years and is now displayed at the museum. Donated to the museum by Jeremy Nicholls, whose family have cared for the sign for the last 48 years it features cast iron letters on a wooden background and has been restored to its original LNWR colours.

It was early in 1969, when the 15 years old Jeremy woke one Sunday morning to see a demolition gang dismantling the signal box. It had become redundant when the line to Market Drayton and Wellington closed in May 1967. As a standard LNWR cabin, it was constructed of wood on a brick base and the demolition of the superstructure did not take long.  Jeremy asked the foreman if he could have one of the name boards and was told "yes, if he could carry it off". A friend helped him carry the board the few hundred yards to his home.

Jeremy had the board restored four years ago and says "I'm delighted that it's now back in Nantwich, where it belongs and that, thanks to the museum, others will be able to see the sign and perhaps learn something of Nantwich's railway past".

A Research Booklet "Nantwich Railways" written by Jeremy Nicholls is available from the museum shop. Its describes how the Nantwich Market Drayton Junction signal box was located about 100 metres west of the bridge over the River Weaver where the Wellington line parted from the Shrewsbury line. It was the most complex of the signal boxes at Nantwich having contact with those at Wrenbury, Shrewbridge Road Crossing and Hack Green.