Out & About: The First of Liz's Two-Part Look Back Over Her Hectic 2017

Battle of Nantwich

It's that time again of the year... my two-part special looking back at my highlights of 2017.

January always starts with the Battle of Nantwich, an event for which I have been on the committee for five years. This year I have taken on the role as Chairperson following in the footsteps of the fabulous Keith Cafferty. Last year, as every year, the Battle was fought on Mill Island between the Parliamentarians and Royalists. If you don't know who won then be sure to come and support the event between 10am and 3pm on Saturday 27th January. 

We are doing a recruitment drive for volunteers so if you would like to help, please sign up to our Volunteers Briefing on Wednesday 10 January at Nantwich Museum.

February was the month I braved the slopes and experienced skiing for the first time. I can think of other ways I would prefer to spend my hard-earned holiday time, but with my other-half being a very serious (if not slightly kamikaze) skier, I felt I owed it to him to have a go!

March saw the first of my Kilimanjaro training walks up a very dank and dismal Snowdon but it gave me a good opportunity to meet some of my fellow walkers and determine my baseline level of fitness!

April is when my calendar entries begin to multiply like rabbits, beginning with the Nantwich Show Luncheon and the annual RedShift Quiz which this year raised £600 for our #ClimbKili2017 fund. 

Donkeys at St Mary's, Nantwich

We took donkeys Betty and Anne to St Mary's Church for the Palm Sunday service and we always enjoy the Bluebell Walk at Combermere Abbey. 

Beans, Berries & Beer Festival

New this year was the Beans Berries and Beer festival at the Crewe Heritage Centre hosted by the super team at Offbeat Brewery.

Our Spring Community Expo, sponsored and hosted by Rookery Hall, was the best one yet and featured an interactive demo by our resident Science Ambassador Chris Ridge from Air Products who hosts The Big Bang Query - a unique show on RedShift Radio all about STEM (Science Technology, Engineering & Maths). We are delighted to be heading back to Rookery Hall in April 2018 and are taking bookings for exhibitors and sponsors now.

Highlights for May would have to be the hilarious Spamalot at Crewe Lyceum featuring past and present RedShifters Chris Ridge, Adam Goode and Ben Stubbs. We also hosted our first Hustings event which was attended by over 100 people, all keen to hear what the local political candidates had to say about why we should vote for them.

Also in May, the #ClimbKili2017 training continued with a Zumbathon organised by walker Lydia Sharkey and led by ex-RedShifter Sharon Burrows. I can safely say I tried my best, but in the words of my sister “our Southall bottoms are not made for this wiggling malarkey!”

Cry for Ceri Abigail

With the RedShift RoadShow out at Middlewich Makers Market, the Young Farmers Rally at Reaseheath, a tea dance for the over 70s in Alsager, we certainly covered a few miles! I also attended a super fashion show in aid of CRY for Ceri Abigail and my nephew's first Communion which was just lovely.

We began June with a great event that I am hopeful to make an annual affair – Whose Wine is it Anyway?, hosted by Rodney Densem Wines at Residence in Nantwich. We has a great time and raised over £600 for our #ClimbKili2017 target. Speaking of which, a second walk up Snowdon saw a distinct improvement in my fitness (and the weather) from just a few weeks before.

Fig Pie Rolling

Fig Pie Rolling, the Middlewich FAB Festival Dance Display and Nantwich Town Sports saw the PA kit in and out of the RedShift van and frequent checks of the weather forecast. The Cheshire Show, Gin Tasting at Dorfold Hall, Lightning Seeds at the FAB Festival and celebrating presenter Paul Boniface's 65th birthday meant there was plenty of social activities going on too!

June was however a sad month at RedShift as we said goodbye to a very dear friend and volunteer, Vic Harris who sadly passed away. Vic had presented our Rotary RoundUp show and really was one of life's good eggs and we all miss him greatly.

July was equally busy so I will pause there and save that for next week.

All that's left for me to say in my final Out and About of 2017 is a BIG THANK YOU to all the RedShift followers, listeners and friends who have been part of our journey this year and special thanks to everyone who has taken the time to tell me they enjoy my weekly ramblings here, hopefully there will be plenty more next year!

This article appeared in Crewe Chronicle on 27th December 2017.  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. 

Out and About: Liz's Funky Week with Lashings of Christmas Cheer

The Funky Choir singing at Sainsbury's, Nantwich

Volunteer of the Week

I am going to start with my Volunteer of the Week because this week I am dedicating it to a popular group of volunteers who bring lots of joy and cheer wherever they go. The Funky Choir, led by the very witty, Mr Funky himself, Brent Robinson.

The Funky Choir.com ("don’t forget the dot.com!") has been around a similar length of time as RedShift Radio so you could say we have grown up together! We have welcomed them at many of our events from singing on the Community Stage at the Battle of Nantwich in the freezing cold, to flag waving at the Queen’s 90th birthday Gala in St Mary’s Church and the RedShift Community Garden at the Nantwich Show to our Christmas Fair at the Crewe Lyceum.

The Funky Choir is far more than just Funky ... they are a friendly, welcoming and fun bunch who meet weekly at The Georges Community Centre on West Street in Crewe to practise for their constantly growing list of performances.

I have enjoyed seeing the choir grow over the years and now that my mum has joined having moved up here from Surrey last year, I can see just how much of a supportive and friendly community choir Brent has built.

My Mum happily keeps me informed about which care home, hospital or community event they are next playing and I know that not only does the choir put a smile on the faces of the audience, but also the sense of wellbeing and joy that each member of the choir gets from singing together is priceless.

This photo was taken on Saturday at Sainsbury’s in Nantwich where the Funky Choir sang for over four hours to help the local branch of Riding for the Disabled with their bucket collection. Have a Funky Christmas Funky Choir and thank you for everything you add to our Funky Community!

Betty and Ann Parkin

Betty and Ann at St Mary's

Moving on, and I must mention another pair of volunteers that bring joy to lots of people: Betty and Ann Parkin, my father in-law’s lovely donkeys. They were out again on Sunday for their annual visit to St Mary’s Church, Nantwich for the Nativity service.

Don’t worry if you missed them, Betty and Ann will be at St Margaret's Church, Wrenbury for their final outing of the year on Christmas Eve at 3pm for the Crib Service.

Merrily, Merrily ...

Last week I enjoyed two carol services: one at my nephew's school, St Anne’s in Nantwich and one at St Margaret’s in Wrenbury. Seeing my nephew sing was lovely and we realised that, just like his Mummy, Auntie Liz and Grandma Ruth, he's not exactly pitch-perfect, but belts out his tunes with a smile and giggles!

Sadly though, I feel the need to include a little rant here. I was walking home with my mum and nephew after the service at St Anne’s (about 5.45pm) and I was horrified that TWO cars didn’t even slow down at the zebra crossing, let alone stop while we patiently waited there.

What shocked me even more was my sister telling me that this is a regular occurrence - even in daylight! Drivers please slow down at zebras - especially near schools!

Lots of Christmas Cheer

Christmas is of course a time for parties and having had more than my fair share this month, it's safe to say that I have completely fallen off the diet-wagon! Last Thursday I was out with my fellow Tropic girls for a superb meal and dancing at the Crown Hotel, Nantwich, which served up the best Christmas dinner so far! On Saturday we had Christmas with our old neighbours and friends and I ate mountains of the legendary Diane Kilby pâté.

On Sunday I enjoyed another lovely Christmas meal with my girlfriends at The Globe in Nantwich, although this time I went off-piste and opted for the Thai green curry with king prawns - not a stuffing ball or sprout in sight, but very tasty!

Lots of Santas ready to run ...

The Annual Santa Dash

Sunday saw a huge gathering of Santas (and the odd reindeer and snowman!) in Nantwich Town Square. Sponsored by The Ruk Group, the annual Hope House Santa Dash had to be postponed the week before due to the snowy weather but it got in full swing this week, despite the miserably wet weather. Participants were able to choose to run either 2.5k or 5k and considering the weather, there were almost 200 people running to raise money for Hope House.

And Finally ...

On Monday, after writing this article, I will be at the Oddfellows on Welsh Row for our office team Christmas dinner AND to celebrate the fourth RedShift engagement of the year - Helen Gregory our Office Manager who got engaged on her birthday weekend to the love of her life, Mark Thompson. Congratulations Helen and Mark!

This article appeared in Crewe Chronicle on 20th December 2017.  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. 

Winter Wellbeing – Cheshire East Advises on Norovirus and Germ Prevention

Norovirus, which causes diarrhoea and vomiting, is one of the most common stomach bugs in the UK and is highly contagious. It’s also called the ‘winter vomiting bug’, because it’s more common at this time of the year.

You can catch it by touching contaminated surfaces, having close contact with an infected person or by consuming contaminated food or water.

While norovirus can be very unpleasant, it normally clears up by itself in a few days and you don’t usually need to get medical advice. However, you should get advice if there’s a risk of a more serious problem, such as your symptoms haven’t started to improve after a few days or you have a long-term health condition, such as kidney disease.

Councillor Liz Wardlaw, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for health, said: “As norovirus can spread to others very easily and there’s no specific treatment for it, the advice to residents is to try and avoid going to your GP if you have the bug. Instead, if you are concerned or need any advice, ring your surgery or NHS 111.

“There are also some simple precautions you can take to help prevent the virus from spreading, including washing your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water – particularly after using the toilet and before preparing food – disinfecting any surfaces or objects that could be contaminated and not sharing towels or flannels.

“You should also stay off work and keep any affected children away from school or nursery until at least 48 hours after the symptoms have cleared.”

There is lots of information and advice about norovirus available online at: www.nhs.uk/conditions/norovirus.

Cllr Wardlaw said: “If you do fall ill with norovirus this winter, the best thing to do is to stay at home until you're feeling better. As it’s a virus, antibiotics won’t help your symptoms but there are a few things you can do to lessen the effects.

  

“Advice includes drinking plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration, taking paracetamol for any fever or aches and pains, getting plenty of rest and, if you feel up to it, eating plain foods, such as soup, rice, pasta and bread.”

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

New Transport Infrastructure Skills Board Launched to Boost Jobs and Skills Opportunities

A group of Network Rail apprentices

A newly-formed Transport Infrastructure Skills Board has been launched by Cheshire East Council’s arms-length Skills and Growth Company.

The board builds on other rail sector skills development and brings together major employers such as Network Rail, Atkins (part of SNC Lavalin) and Jacobs with education and training providers, local colleges and universities, alongside policy makers and HS2 Ltd to identify and address the skills issues and challenges facing the sector.

The board will work collaboratively to ensure local provision of education, training, apprenticeships, careers advice and vocational training are fit for purpose.

With many major investment projects in the pipeline, such as the proposed HS2 high-speed rail track and station investment in and around Crewe and local road upgrades –  including the Congleton and Middlewich bypass schemes – the future looks very bright for the sector. 

Around 200 businesses associated with the rail industry are based in Cheshire East – which is around nine times the UK average.

Employment opportunities are set to increase substantially as the current ageing workforce retires, with major infrastructure projects, such as HS2, predicted to create around 25,000 new jobs and 2,000 apprenticeships nationally.

There is also a growing need to ‘upskill’ the current workforce to keep pace with new technology and design techniques, while ensuring businesses can remain competitive.

Cheshire East Councillor George Hayes, chairman of the Skills and Growth Company, said: “The rail sector is growing in significance and we want to ensure Cheshire East retains its place at the heart of the rail industry, whilst also maximising the opportunities in the other associated sectors, such as construction.

“With so many opportunities for jobs and progression in these industries, it is essential that we equip our young people with the skills and awareness to flourish and sustain future growth.”

James Richards, Network Rail’s engineering capability manager, said: “I welcome the launch of this skills board. It will enable employers to work more effectively with training providers and policy makers to provide us with the highly-skilled workforce we need and contribute to the wider awareness of the sector from schools through to colleges and universities.”

Cheshire East Council Unveils Strategy for Managing Flood Risk Across Borough

Residents and businesses can find out how Cheshire East Council and partner agencies will deal with any threat of flooding in the future – following publication of the authority’s flood risk management strategy.

As a lead local flood authority, the council’s responsibilities are outlined in the local flood risk management strategy, which identifies measures to be undertaken by all partners, including residents, to reduce the risk of flooding in Cheshire East, to protect homes, businesses and other infrastructure. 

The strategy increases awareness of flood risk in the borough, from surface water, groundwater and watercourses. It also aims to reduce the impact of flooding and increase resilience in the community.

The council has finalised its strategy using feedback from residents following a public consultation carried out in August and September. Responsibilities include the recording and investigating of incidents of ‘significant’ flooding and identifying structures and features which could have an effect on flood risk.

Councillor Don Stockton, cabinet member for environment, said: “This strategy is our statement of intent as to how we will manage flood risk in Cheshire East.  We hope it will help our residents and businesses to become better informed about our responsibilities as a local flood authority and how we can all work together to mitigate flood risk and to manage any emergencies.”

To read the full strategy document visit: cheshireeast.gov.uk/highways_and_roads/highway-services/flood-risk-management/flood-risk-management.aspx

Local Choir Raises the Roof and Raises Money for Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity

Valetta Cranmer, and the Sandbach Ladies Choir presenting a cheque to Carole Salmon, Community Fundraiser for Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity

Members of Sandbach Ladies Choir were singing the praises of Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity when they held a Christmas Concert recently in aid of the charity’s Everybody Knows Somebody Dementia Appeal.

The concert, which took place at the end of November, raised a massive £850 for the appeal, and the choir, whose 50 members consist of ladies from Sandbach, Middlewich, Holmes Chapel and other local areas, were delighted to add their support for a second time to a Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity Appeal. As a group they always support local charities that benefit the community, and they recognise that the increasing levels of Dementia diagnosis provide a challenge to this area.

Valetta Cranmer, who has conducted Sandbach Ladies Choir for an amazing 53 years commented: “Dementia is very relevant to our local community network so we were only too happy to support the Appeal. We always choose charities that support the local community and are close to our hearts”

Carole Salmon, Community Fundraiser for Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity said: “We’d like to thank the members of Sandbach Ladies Choir for holding such a wonderful Christmas Concert and raising a fantastic amount of money for the Everybody Know Somebody Dementia Appeal.” Carole continued: “It was lovely to meet the ladies and to tell them personally how much we appreciate their continued support.”

Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity team is keen to assist any companies or members of the community interested in fundraising. Should you wish to get involved, or donate to Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity, visit the website at mchcharity.org.

Cheshire East Launches Nominated Neighbour Scheme

Front of Card

Cheshire East Council and its partners are offering a range of advice and support to residents on how to keep warm, well and safe this winter.

This week, we urge residents to consider joining the council’s trading standards’ ‘nominated neighbour’ scheme.

The nominated neighbour scheme has been developed to tackle bogus callers, rogue traders and other means of distraction thefts and burglaries.

The project enables people to be protected by someone they know and trust, such as a neighbour or relative.

The vulnerable person is given a card they hold up to a window or door, which advises any unidentified or unexpected caller to go to the address of a nominated neighbour or speak to them over the phone. This person will then check the caller’s identity.

If they are genuine, the nominated neighbour will return with them and supervise the visit to make sure that nothing untoward takes place and will remain there until the caller has left.

Reverse of Card

Councillor Janet Clowes, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for adult social care and integration, which includes responsibility for safer communities, said: “This scheme helps people within our communities feel safer in dealing with unwanted or unexpected people who call at their homes. In turn, it protects our residents and reduces incidents of doorstep crime.

“When the nominated neighbour card is shown to the caller, it replaces any need for the occupant to speak with that person.

“A genuine caller will not mind following the instructions and we believe that no criminal, who preys on the elderly or vulnerable, would like this type of scrutiny.”

While it is older and vulnerable adults who are more at risk from becoming victims of doorstep crime, anyone can be targeted. That’s why all Cheshire East residents are urged to consider joining the scheme.

If you would like a nominated neighbour scheme pack sent to you, or to a vulnerable relative or resident of Cheshire East, contact the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 040506. By calling that number, you can also report problems with doorstep callers or traders

For further winter wellbeing 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.

Out & About: It's Been Full Steam Ahead for Christmas All Week This Week!

Volunteer of the Year: Steve Bebe
RedShift Radio's Production Manager

I am writing this on Monday morning, looking out at a stunning landscape, trees covered in inches of snow with the sun glistening. I have decided to have a snow-day and enjoy the view from my warm house while I plough through lots of catch-up computer jobs. Topping up the bird feeders and having a snowball fight with my snow-loving dog Jasper will be my only reason to leave the house today!

Wingate Winter Wonderland

On Saturday Michael-John took one of his Dad's donkeys to the Wingate Centre Christmas Fair which was lovely, Betty enjoyed meeting lots of children and having her photo taken dozens of times! Ann, the other donkey was being a little madam and wouldn’t get in the trailer … hopefully they will both be feeling more festive this Sunday as we will be taking them to St Mary’s Church in Nantwich for the nativity service.

Acton Christmas Tree Festival

I have decorated two trees as part of the Christmas Tree Festival at St Mary’s in Acton; one for RedShift and one for my Tropic skincare business. The latter is covered in Hawaiian garlands rather than tinsel, but it works! Please do pop up to Acton Church and enjoy the trees, they look (and smell) stunning!

Tatton Yule Yomp

On Sunday I crawled up to Knutsford for the Tatton Yule Yomp, an event organised by Stewart Bailey from Hibberts Solicitors, and one for which we have provided the PA Kit for the last six years. Initially it was a really hairy drive from Burland but by the time we approached Middlewich the snow seemed to disperse and upon arriving at Tatton, we had nothing more than a light dusting of the white stuff. The cold weather certainly didn’t put off the 1,500 Tatton Yule Yompers who came dressed for the festive 10km dash through the park.

Nantwich Round Table Float

I will be out with the Round Table Float on Friday night in Nantwich, so if you see us please bring out the port and mince pies! On Saturday our friend Chris Meredith will be leading Santa around Wychwood Park and I know both evenings are in need of some extra volunteers. Please call me on 01270 440 750 if you can help from about 5.30 - 9pm on either Friday or Saturday.

Christmas Parties

It’s been a week of Christmas parties, with the annual festive networking event hosted by the South Cheshire Chamber and sponsored by Rookery Hall again last Friday: always a great event. On Saturday night, MJ and I enjoyed the 41-Club Christmas party and I even coped with sitting next to Dave Birchall all evening (he dared me to mention him in my article!)

Last Wednesday we hosted our RedShift Christmas Jumper party and our guests of honour were the Kilimanjaro Walkers who helped to raise funds for our youth activities. The evening was completely organised by five of our young volunteers, Orlanda, Harvey, Daniel, Ben and Lauren and they did a superb job. We enjoyed a quiz, buffet, awards and competitions and it was lovely to see my fellow walkers again.   

Volunteer of the Week

I presented some of our volunteers with awards and this week, my Volunteer of the Week has to go to our “Volunteer of the Year” the fabulous Steve Bebe. Steve splits his time between RedShift as our Production Manager and the NeuroMuscular Centre in Winsford and I for one, couldn’t do without him. Steve is always a breath of fresh air. His (occasionally dodgy) humour and positive attitude always makes me smile and it's fabulous knowing that I can rely on him to manage our playout system, that he has pretty much taught himself how to use.

Steve often logs in remotely from home to fix problems and beavers away editing our shows and interviews so we can sell one of our great products, an AudioCast. This is an edited interview where Steve will removes guests um’s and er’s to help them sound as confident, clear and concise as possible. This is a really popular service for our local businesses and charities to use on their websites.

Hungerford Academy on the Radio

My final shout-out (and photo) of the week goes to the lovely children from Hungerford Academy who joined me in the studio for a Junior School Run taster session, kindly paid for as part of the Baker Wynne & Wilson community grant we received for our youth activities.

The children were superb. All nine of them were squished into the studio and spoke clearly and politely about a broad range of topics. We even had them all playing their ukuleles. Please do have a listen here to the AudioCast of the show.

This article appeared in Crewe Chronicle on 13th December 2017.  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.