Hartford News. Official Newsletter of Hartford Parish Council since Heritage At The Arm

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1 Hartford News February 2018 Volume 45 Number 4 Official Newsletter of Hartford Parish Council since 1973 MARSHALL S ARM Heritage At The Arm Best foot forward! Heading towards Hartford Bridge, walkers pass the carved stone at the southern gateway to the Reserve. The hidden history of the River Weaver as it passes Hartford Richard Haffenden/HN M ARSHALL S ARM Local Nature Reserve is twenty years old this year! In 1998 it was designated a community nature reserve, managed by volunteers. To mark this anniversary, throughout 2018, Hartford News will feature a series of items about the history of Marshall s Arm. This will coincide with the launch, during the late spring or early summer of this year, by the Marshall s Arm s volunteer management group, of a new heritage trail at the Reserve. There is much of historical interest in the Reserve, and the nearby River Weaver. In January, HN joined a group of walkers on the first of the events to be staged at the Reserve during 2018, a heritage walk. As well as working off some of the excesses of the festive season, participants learnt about some of the historical sites in and around the Marshall s Arm. At the end of the path through Greenbank Wood came our first surprise. Near Pignut Hill was once the site of a water mill. Although no physical trace of the medieval mill remains, it is known, from local records, that one existed (to page 2) Neighbourhood Watch Church Bells Outdoor Gym Talking Newspaper Beanstalk

2 Hartford News Page 2 Parish Clerk: Alison Duncalf clerk@hartfordparishcouncil.org.uk hartfordparishcouncil.org.uk Hunt s Lock Heron Gates (from page 1) there in the fourteenth century. We headed along the River Weaver towards Winsford. Restricted access means that some points of interest are best viewed from the eastern (Kingsmead) side of the river. Although we could have shortened the walk by crossing Hartford Bridge, we opted to cross the river at Vale Royal Locks. We also passed under the railway viaduct which, with the nearby cattle tunnel, was built in 1837 by Joseph The Two Locks Circular Walk is around five miles in length and, following paths alongside the river, is largely flat (although parts of the path, on the western side of the river, between Hunts Lock and Hartford Bridge can get very muddy following wet Sir John Deane s College MARSHALL S ARM Boat yard Stones Manor Lane entrance The Pickle Jar Bistro Pignut Hill Hartford Lock (remains) Greenbank Wood weather). The lower part of the Reserve is accessible to users of wheelchairs from the Heron Gates at Saxon s Lane. Refreshments may be on sale at the Pickle Jar Bistro. The walk can be shortened by crossing the river at Hartford Bridge (also known as the Blue Bridge ). A556 Poor s Wood Vale Royal Woods Hartford Bridge Hartford Viaduct Vale Royal Locks. Locke and George Stephenson, for the Grand Junction Railway. Both are now Grade II listed. Just over a mile from Vale Royal Locks is the site of Hartford Locks. These were constructed in 1734, as part of the canalisation of the River Weaver, but were removed from the navigation in the 1880s, as the increase in traffic caused a bottleneck there. Part of the stonework that made up the locks can still be seen. As the boatyard comes into view, so too can be seen the wooden posts that are what remains of a rolling Riversdale Bridge bridge. The water beyond it is part of the old course of the river. Local people learnt to swim in the shallow paddling pool that this created. Isaac Pimblott moved his boat building business from Northwich to Hartford in the early 20th century. His boat yard, near the site of the one that remains, closed in Crossing the river at Riversdale Bridge and Hunt s Lock, we were. back in the Reserve at Heron Gates, before passing the dipping platform and completing the walk at Greenbank Wood. The total length of our stroll was just over five miles. Main picture; Looking towards Marshall s Arm, from the eastern side of the river, near the site of Hartford Lock. Wooden posts are the remains of a rolling bridge that gave access to the islands via a towpath in the 1800s. It was removed in 1940 as secret works were carried out at the boatyard during World War II

3 Official newsletter of Hartford Parish Council facebook.com/hartfordnews twitter.com/hartford_news Page 3 Twentieth anniversary programme gets under way HN O ur 20th anniversary programme of events has got under way at Marshall s Arm Local Nature Reserve. On page 6 of this issue, you will see details of the talk being held this month but, with Spring just around the corner, attention then turns to our outdoor activities. Paul Kenyon will lead a bird walk on Saturday 17 March. Followers of our Twitter feed will be familiar with Paul s daily observations of wildlife at Marshall s Arm. A section of Hartford s Fun Run, on Sunday 22 April, will be staged in Marshall s Arm; a week later, the Cheshire and Peak branch of Butterfly Conservation will be paying a visit to the Reserve. By then the first of the season s bluebells should be appearing, and a guided walk will be held in early May to celebrate what is widely regarded as one of the best displays of native bluebells in the county. In a new departure for Marshall s Arm, the Woodland Wellbeing event, on Saturday 9 June, will provide an opportunity to sample activities to soothe and energise the mind and body. The first to be confirmed is a Pilates class, to be led by a qualified instructor. Other therapies will feature; more information on these will be available in due course, as arrangements are finalised. The Reserve is managed by a volunteer conservation and management group. If you would like to spend a couple of hours each month, helping to maintain footpaths and manage the woodlands and wetlands of this unique community asset, get in touch. Marshall s Army meets on the last Sunday of the month, and all are welcome. Keep up to date; Hartford News has details, every month, of the activities and events taking place at the Reserve. audandrich@tiscali.co.uk marshallsarm.org Part of the remains of Hartford Lock A 19th century view of Hartford Lock. Northwich Viaduct and Hunt s Lock can be seen in the distance

4 Hartford News Page 4 Parish Clerk: Alison Duncalf clerk@hartfordparishcouncil.org.uk hartfordparishcouncil.org.uk Hartford Parish Council Reports of Ordinary Meetings of Hartford Parish Council Monday 11 December 2017 Monday 8 January 2018 Jo O Donoghue Alison Duncalf These are informal reports of the proceedings at the meetings of Hartford Parish Council. Official minutes can only be published after they have been ratified by the Council, normally at its next meeting. Once this has been completed, minutes are available from the Council s website or, on request, from the Parish Clerk. The Parish Council aims to improve the quality of life for the residents of Hartford by ensuring that it is a desirable, thriving and sustainable place in which to live. Views and opinions expressed in Hartford News may not always reflect those of individual members of Hartford Parish Council. The editor and the Parish Clerk jointly determine which items are to be included; their decisions are final. Public Open Forum No members of the public attended the meeting. A resident had ed the Council about the timing of the traffic lights at the junction of School Lane, Riddings Lane and Stones Manor Lane; this will be followed up with Highways. Hartford Village Hall Councillor Martin Jones A meeting is to be held with suppliers to consider installation of CCTV. It was agreed that a no smoking policy should be implemented within the grounds of the Village Hall. It was also agreed, in principle, that the emergency defibrillator should be moved to the phone box; the cost of providing an electricity supply will need to be established. Jo O Donoghue After serving for over eleven years as its Parish Clerk, Jo O Donoghue resigned from her position with Hartford Parish Council in December. Hartford Parish Council would like to express its thanks to Jo, for her service as its clerk, and we wish her all the best for the future Contact your Council Contact Hartford Parish Council via the temporary Parish Clerk, Alison Duncalf: clerk@hartfordparishcouncil.org.uk Hartford Village Hall, 244 Chester Road, Hartford, Cheshire, CW8 1LW Hartford Parish Council s website: hartfordparishcouncil.org.uk Social media: Village Hall bookings and enquiries: Adminstrator Vikki Herbert, hartfordvillagehall@gmail.com hartfordvillagehall.org.uk PCSO report PCSO Alex Haskell Two unaccompanied dogs, on Marshall s Arm Nature Reserve, had attacked another dog and its owner; future sightings should be reported directly to the PSCO. There has been a rise in vehicle thefts locally; residents are reminded to be alert to vehicle security. PSCO Haskell will be holding surgeries at the Village Hall from 6:30 pm to 7:15 pm, on the second Monday of each month, to coincide with Parish Council meetings. Parking restrictions, roads Councillor Patricia Parkes (CWaC) Orders had been placed for signage, contractors had been assigned and work was likely to commence before the end of January. Work to repair potholes on the A556, between School Lane and Hartford Bridge, had begun. Highways were to install a sign at the junction of Riddings Lane and School Lane, to warn of the pedestrian crossing when turning right. Finance and administration It was agreed to set a budget of for the period 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2019, and to maintain the precept, for the same period, at Councillors unanimously declined the request being made to local councils to fully fund PCSO provision with effect from 1 April The view of the Council was that payment of an extra sum, likely to be in region of over and above that paid in the current year, would offer minimal benefit to the community. Fun Run Councillor Steve Farrell A Village Fun Run, aimed at local village families, is scheduled for Sunday 22 April. The event will take place away from public roads. Parish Clerk vacancy Following the resignation of Jo O Donoghue as Parish Clerk in December, the Parish Council had begun the process of recruiting a new Clerk, the closing date for applications being 31 January..

5 Official newsletter of Hartford Parish Council facebook.com/hartfordnews twitter.com/hartford_news Page 5 Agenda Volume 45, number 4: February 2018 Wednesday 7 February Sunday 11 February Hartford Women s Institute Hartford Methodist Church Hall Grandma was a Suffragette Barbara Andrew Sybil, cheshirewi.org.uk Thursday 8 February Knots & Needles Hartford Village Hall to 9:30 pm Hats Kate Percival, from Kinderton Hats of Byley, will join us to talk about the making of headwear in all its different styles, from hats to fascinators and everything in between. Jean McBride, Sharon Bates, Friday 9 February Northwich & District Heritage Society The Grange Theatre 8:00 pm The Williamson Tunnels Claire Woodhead A fascinating insight into the underground tunnels, created in Liverpool by Joseph Williamson in the early 19th century. A wonderful world of archways and exhibitions. Note: this is a change to the original programme. northwich-heritage.org.uk Hartford Civic Society Meet at the bus stop next to Walnut Lane 10:00 am Litter Pick All equipment, hi-visibilty clothing, etc, is provided. Everybody welcome. For our 2019 Calendar, we are looking for photographs taken in a Hartford garden and, as in previous years, we are staging a competition in order to find them. Hartfordians of all ages are invited to submit entries, the best of which will be published in the calendar. Our next coach trip is to Derbyshire, on Wednesday 16 May, where we will visit Tissington Hall and the Well Dressings. Tissington Hall was built by Francis Fitzherbert in 1609; his descendant, Sir Richard Fitzherbert, and his family, still live there. You can read about the Society s news and activities on our website. There, for example, you will find details of our new library, which already contains well over a hundred books, brochures and CDs with links to Hartford and the surrounding area. Pat Hatfield, membership@hartfordcivicsociety.org.uk facebook.com/hartfordcivicsociety hartfordcivicsociety.org.uk Monday 12 February Police Community Support Officer Hartford Village Hall 6:30 pm to 7:15 pm Surgery Meet and raise concerns with PCSO Alex Haskell, who covers the Greenbank and Hartford area. cheshire.police.uk All 496 previous editions of Hartford News are available in electronic form on request; please contact using the address at the top of this page. Items for inclusion in the March 2018 edition should be sent, preferably by , to reach us on or before 15 February. Commercial advertisements and articles are not accepted. However, we are keen to support and publicise businesses based in Hartford, particularly when there is a newsworthy item to report. Priority for inclusion will normally be given to activities taking place within the Parish of Hartford.

6 Hartford News Page 6 Parish Clerk: Alison Duncalf clerk@hartfordparishcouncil.org.uk hartfordparishcouncil.org.uk Monday 12 February Monday 19 February Visit the Parish Council website: Follow Hartford News on Twitter: Hartford News on Facebook; Hartford Parish Council 7:15 pm Public Open Forum Main Meeting Ordinary Monthly Meeting Members of the public wishing to raise matters with Council may do so during the Open Forum. These matters can be discussed, but the Council cannot legally make decisions on non-agenda items, so they must be deferred to the next meeting. Following the Open Forum, members of the press and public may attend the meeting, but are not permitted to take part. Hartford Village Hall is accessible to users of wheelchairs. clerk@hartfordparishcouncil.org.uk hartfordparishcouncil.org.uk Tuesday 13 February English Speaking Union Portal Premier Golf Club, Tarporley 12:00 noon for 12:30 pm luncheon The Restoration of the Lion Salt Works Peter Solon Prior booking is necessary Valerie Mais, valerie@mais.demon.co.uk Eddisbury Flower Club Sandiway Church Hall 2:00 pm A River Runs Through It Jacqueline Owen (Cheshire Area Demonstrator). Jackie Pemberton, nafascheshire.org.uk/clubs Weaverham History Society University Academy Primary School, Weaverham The Canal Duke Bernard Dennis, will talk about Francis Egerton, the 3rd Duke of Bridgewater, who commissioned the building of the Bridgewater Canal. Peter Clarke, historyweaverham.org.uk Marshall s Arm Local Nature Reserve 20th anniversary Hartford Village Hall 7:15 pm Marvels of Madagascar An illustrated talk by Stuart Poucher, who has recently returned from his further exploration of the wildlife of Madagascar. A summary of events to be held at Marshall s Arm during the first half of 2018 is on page 3, as part of the bigger item about the Reserve. Refreshments available Richard audandrich@tiscali.co.uk marshallsarm.org Wednesday 21 February Films In Hartford The Grange Theatre The Greatest Showman Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams, Rebecca Ferguson A jolly, musical tale based on the life of Phineas Barnum, who achieved fame and fortune for his Barnum's Circus, advertised as 'The Greatest Show on Earth' in the nineteenth century. You are advised to get tickets early to avoid disappointment, as tickets have been sold out well in advance of screenings for most of the season's films to date. Grateful thanks are extended to the staff of ELson News for having sold tickets in the past; unfortunately, for reasons beyond their control, they are no longer able to handle ticket sales. Tickets 5.00 each, available from Hartford Dry Cleaners Trish Parker, Tuesday 27 February Weaverham & District Gardeners Group University Academy Primary School, Weaverham The Tiny Plant Company Matt Wood Visitors welcome Heather Rawling, weaverhamgardeners@btck.co.uk

7 Official newsletter of Hartford Parish Council facebook.com/hartfordnews twitter.com/hartford_news Page 7 Wednesday 28 February Mid Cheshire Flower Club Hartford Methodist Church Hall 7:15 pm Inspired by Louise Jones Each month we enjoy a floral demonstration, raffle and refreshments. Admission is 4 per meeting, or included in annual membership, which costs Just turn up on the night; visitors are very welcome. Lorraine Fitches, nafascheshire.org.uk/clubs Wednesday 7 March Neighbourhood Watch Could you be a co-ordinator? Julia Griffiths Do you have around an hour a week to be a Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator in Hartford? Neighbourhood Watch is a group of co-ordinators, each representing a particular area, bound together by a common interest in community safety and security. They work in partnership with the police and other community safety organisations to becoming a co-ordinator. Don t just leave it to others; if everybody were to do that, parts of the Hartford Women s Institute Hartford Methodist Church Hall Florence Nightingale Aled Jones Sybil, cheshirewi.org.uk Church Services Hartford Methodist Church Sundays, 10:30 am Morning Worship All are welcome to join us for worship. Young people meet prior to their classes. Rev Chris Pritchard, cn.pritchard@btopenworld.com hartfordmethodist.wordpress.com St John s Parish Church Sundays, 8:00 am Holy Communion Sundays, 10:00 am Morning Service Sundays, 6:30 pm Evening Service Church Centre, office@stjohnshartford.org stjohnshartford.org report and receive information, acting as local eyes and ears in our communities. In the December edition of Hartford News, we mentioned that parts of the village do not appear to be covered by our Neighbourhood Watch scheme. If you live in one of the roads listed below, then please consider Abbey Way Abbey Lane (parts of) Beach Road Bradburns Lane Carriage Drive Chantry Avenue (parts of) Chester Road Eaglesfield PCSO Alex Haskell village will continue to miss out on the benefits of being part of the scheme. There is nothing complicated about being a Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator. It involves registering with Cheshire Police Alert; contacting a maximum of ten of your neighbours, and getting their permission to forward alerts, preferably via ; keeping in touch with our PCSO Alex Haskell; attending one Neighbourhood Watch meeting each year. Community Volunteer Julia Griffiths will be able to guide you as you get started and once you are under way. She is looking forward to hearing from you julia.griffiths266@btinternet.com If you live in one of the following roads, and would like to consider becoming a co-ordinator, Julia would be keen to hear from you Fullerton Road The Grange Grange Drive The Green King Street Mornant Avenue Needham Drive Old Vicarage Lane Parker Avenue Riddings Lane Sandfield Lane St Catherines Drive Stones Manor Lane Vale Road Warren Lane Woodlands Road

8 Hartford News Page 8 Parish Clerk: Alison Duncalf clerk@hartfordparishcouncil.org.uk hartfordparishcouncil.org.uk Church bells silent until summer Gordon Fulton Until recently, you would have seen scaffolding in place on the tower of St John's Church. However, repairs to the roof are now complete, and the scaffolding removed. The re-pointing of the tower used a traditional lime-mortar, which takes months to fully dry and cure. The architect and contractors have advised that bell-ringing should not take place during this time, due to the perceived New Year, New You Councillor Rita Hollens Maybe getting fit was on the list of new year s resolutions at the start of In a joint venture with Hartford Civic Society, Hartford Parish Council has purchased three pieces of outside gym equipment which, at the time of writing, are being installed at Grange Park, next to the cricket pavilion car park. The equipment is designed to cater for all sections of the community and promote the physical benefits of outdoor exercise of everyone from young adults to more senior residents. Each of the three pieces of equipment has been carefully selected, to provide a range of health and exercise benefits, from upper and lower body exercises to cardiovascular exercise. These can be adjusted to cater for users with differing levels of fitness. More details about the equipment, following its full installation and testing, will appear in the March edition of Hartford News. Vale Royal Talking Newspaper Janet Morris Vale Royal Talking Newspaper produces a weekly recording of local news for those who cannot see to read. The service celebrated its fortieth anniversary in Our listeners, all of whom are registered blind or visually impaired receive, by post, free of charge, an audio memory stick, so that they can keep up to date with the latest events and news in the local community. Do you know someone who is visually impaired and would like to receive the Vale Royal Talking Newspaper? Please get in touch. Kathy, St John s Church, pictured on the front of Hartford News, November 2017 risk of vibration dislodging the mortar. Consequently, there will be no bell ringing for Church services, weddings, funerals, practices, or any other occasions, nor will the clock strike the hour. until the summer. The Guild striking competition in the Spring will now have to be hosted elsewhere. Tower Captain Stephen Williams said "It is a pity that it has been necessary for the Church bells to be silenced for so long, but we look forward to the summer, when the bells will ring out again over Hartford. Ringers at Weaverham Parish Church have kindly allowed those from Hartford to join their weekly practices, so hopefully our ringing standard has been maintained or improved". Become a volunteer Story Starter Gill Worrall Beanstalk Coordinator Cheshire West Beanstalk is a national charity that provides one to one literacy support to children who struggle with reading ability and confidence. Our new initiative, Story Starters, is placing volunteers into pre-schools in the Northwich area. Our dream is that every child starts school ready to read, regardless of their background. Those A typical recording session children who start school behind risk staying behind for life. With Liverpool University and Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, Beanstalk is recruiting new volunteers to provide one to one support for children in local early years settings. You could make a unique contribution to a child s life, by helping that child become ready to read before starting at school. gill.worrall@beanstalkcharity.org.uk beanstalkcharity.org.uk