The Ark café has opened for the first time this year, with villagers flocking there to enjoy the new Spring menu.

The community café, based at St John’s Church Hall on Norley Road, opens on Fridays for most of the year apart from January and Good Friday.  The facility serves food from 9am-2pm (10-2 during school holidays) – starting with breakfast, and then lunch.  A range of homemade cakes are available throughout the day, as well as hot and cold drinks.

To get your mouth watering, prices include £3.50 for a Littlers Bacon Bap, £1.50 for two buttered crumpets, £5 for a sandwich including side salad, coleslaw, and crisps, and £1.50 - £3 for cakes.  Fresh ground coffee is £2, a pot of tea £1.50, and Hotel Chocolat Hot Chocolate £2.

Profits raised during the year go to support the community.

Team Leader, Kathryn Holmes, says: ‘The £3000 we raised this last year is being split between several good causes. These include St Luke’s Hospice for a specialist wheelchair, the Parent Teacher Associations at the two village Primary Schools, the Rainbows group, and a contribution to the extension of the footpath on the British Legion corner.’  During the school summer and Easter holidays, the café also provides a number of free lunches at Sandiway Library on a first-come-first-served basis (Fridays 11.30am – 12.30pm).

Now into its 9th year, The Ark is run by 20 volunteers who take on a variety of roles, on a rota basis. If you have some time to spare and want to help, you’re invited to pop in and have a chat to one of the team members.

Although the café is based at the Church Hall, it’s not a church-run facility.  Follow The Ark Café on Facebook for all the latest updates.

The following has been posted on Thursday 15th February by Councillor Gillian Edwards:

"This evening is Cheshire West and Chester’s (CWAC)  budget meeting so as your Independent Councillor I thought it might be useful if I provided an impartial summary about the Councils finances.  

Whilst I appreciate that this is a very emotional subject rest assured that I do all that I can every single day to ensure that as much needed monies come into this ward despite the very challenging circumstances, 

Just like every other Borough Council in the country, CWAC is funded by 3 main sources to provide the services that it does. The first being a sum of money provided by central government, this is called a settled figure. This figure revived by CWAC has reduced by over £972 million over the last 9 years - This is an important fact as it leads onto the next.

The settlement figure informs the setting of Council Tax which address’s the shortfall to provide basic services and a balanced budget.  You will be aware that our Council Tax has risen over the last few years hence why. 

Previously Council could only increase Council Tax by 2.99% however last year the Governments Chancellor increased this up 4.99% and this is the same for this year.  Last year most Councils ended up increasing their Council Tax by this amount in order to make ends meet.

Finally, Government occasionally provide ring fenced grants for specific projects for example cycle lanes so I often get asked why money is being spent on projects like this when the roads are in such poor condition this is why.

Recently Government have announced various pots of monies for local Councils which sounds great however £500 million for all the Councils in the Country means that CWAC revive approx £3 Million which gets used to address the shortfall in key service areas eg Adult and Childrens Social Care.  

Add into all this the condition of our roads which we all every single day - The cost to repair every mile of road in the UK and make them fit for purpose is in the region of £61,700 per mile. I often get asked about road tax, this goes direct to Government. 

So there you go, hopefully this provides a better understanding of the challenges faced.  I agree with you all that there are better ways of doing things eg pot hole filling but I can’t express enough how much I campaign on your behalf and I’m spinning plates every day to try and make sure that you get what you deserve. 

I can’t make things perfect but I can make things better ❤️ "

PRESS HERE for the Media Release from the Council relating to 'Council approves its budget'.

Cuddington Primary represented the whole of our Weaverham cluster at the Vale Royal athletics finals earlier this month.  No gold cups but they should win medals for their resilience and team spirit!

A pair of Gok Wan spectacles were left on the Norley Road Playing Fields a while ago - they have been advertised on C&S Facebook but remain unclaimed.

There has also been a coat left in the village hall a while ago with the name "Milly Ch--vers" on it.  It is a mauve/purple padded coat size 116 (UK size 6).

If either of these items are known to you, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Cheshire West and Chester Council delivers libraries and museums services across the whole of the borough and is asking for residents’ views on these services.  The Council wants to maintain consistent access to libraries and museums at times residents want to use them and are proposing some changes to opening hours to enable this - in the case of Sandiway Library, the proposal is to lose late opening on Fridays (2-5pm rather than the current 2-7pm).

A consultation launched on Monday 5 February for eight weeks, asking for feedback on a number of proposals on how they could operate in the future.  PRESS HERE to learn more and how to make your voice heard.

Church will be open so that anyone can visit to pray, admire the heritage, or just enjoy the peaceful space.

Edsential are delighted to be coordinating the 'Holiday Activities with Food' programme for 2023 for Cheshire West and Chester Council – Funded by Department for Education.  Edsential’s 'Holiday Activities with Food' programme provides enriching activities, delicious nutritious meals and a chance for young people to meet new friends in a safe & fun environment, during school holidays across West Cheshire.

Applications for the Easter holiday period close on Sunday 11th February.  PRESS HERE to learn more.

Applications may also be made now for activity programmes for the Summer holidays - PRESS HERE to learn more.

"Garden waste collection is an opt-in chargeable service costing £50 per bin per calendar year regardless of when you subscribe during the year.  This charge is not included or added to your council tax bill.  Residents have a choice to use the service or make alternative arrangements such as composting at home or taking their waste to the nearest recycling centre.  The best time to sign up for the service is before the end of January to benefit from all 20 collections during the calendar year.

The service will provide fortnightly collections over 40 weeks of the year with a suspension outside of growing season of 12 weeks (December to February).  Garden waste bins will not be emptied without a valid subscription and displayed permit.  Collections in 2024 will take place between Monday 26 February 2024 and Friday 29 November 2024."

PRESS HERE to view the Media Release from the Council.

An important message from our Village Hall management committee:

"Sadly we’re closed at the moment but we know that lots of you are missing the activities at your Village Hall.  As soon as it’s safe we, and all the people who organise the classes and Clubs, look forward to welcoming you back.

In the meantime, perhaps you’d consider joining our 250 Club?

As well as offering monthly prizes, the surplus the 250 Club creates helps towards the running costs of your Village Hall.  The hall’s income comes mainly from letting out the hall to regular users and party hirers.  This income has all but ceased since March 2020 due to the current pandemic restrictions.

Results of the draws are published monthly on the Village Hall website, here on the 'Village Hall' page, and in the Round Tower.

PRESS HERE to apply for membership of the 250 club, or ring Helen on 01606 888931."

Important message from the Ark Cafe team:

"As we head into the run up to Christmas, we will again be offering a delivered sandwich and cake lunch on a Friday, free of charge, to those who need it. This is primarily for those who are elderly, feeling isolated, vulnerable or were previously in the shielding group and remain extra vigilant.  The weekly service will be available until the end of January.

If you would like to receive lunch, suggest someone you know who might benefit or want to know more, please message our Facebook page or email Kathryn at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for information.  Details will be on our Facebook page at the beginning of each week and orders will be taken on a Wednesday morning.

This service is funded by generous donations from previous recipients and local people wishing to support the village during the Covid pandemic. We’ve welcomed new delivery people and the return of the summer ones: thank you all for your time and cheeriness, much needed at the current time.

Please note Christmas and New Year week deliveries will be Thursdays 24th and 31st December with ordering by Tuesday morning for these two weeks.

We're looking forward to seeing you all again soon! "

The Ark Cafe team have arranged for food bank donations to be collected from the Church Hall each Friday morning.  The Mid Cheshire Foodbank Facebook page is updated early each week with the items which are they are most keen to receive

Friday 4 December: The Environment Agency and Angling Trust have today announced a new £100k ‘Get Fishing Fund’ to encourage more people to give fishing a go. PRESS HERE for details of the campaign.

Funded from rod licence sales, grants of up to £500 to benefit small-scale projects and up to £5,000 for larger projects will be available. The funding will help the delivery of future angling participation events, including any additional equipment needed to ensure fisheries are following Covid-19 safety guidelines, PPE and signage.  It can also cover the costs of fishing equipment, terminal tackle and bait, as well as event resources including promotional material, gazebos and basic storage facilities.

The Get Fishing Fund is available to angling clubs, coaches and fisheries but also to non-angling organisations such as schools, local authorities or charities based in England.  PRESS HERE for an application form.

Cuddington Parish Council were struggling to find a company who could donate their time helping them renovate the tired and unkept telephone kiosk in Poplar Close. The parish council adopted it from BT in September 2020.

Weaver Vale Housing Trust (WVHT) were happy to offer their services and kindly agreed to renovate the kiosk immediately so that a defibrillator could be installed by Christmas. The Parish Council had conducted a consultation with residents in January and 89% of residents opted for the kiosk in Poplar Close, Cuddington to house a defibrillator.

Once the defibrillator was installed, WVHT were keen to see the project through to its conclusion and today 16th November, Neil returned to site to put the finishing touches to the kiosk by adding all the signage.

Parish Clerk, Julie says: "Cuddington Parish Council are extremely grateful that WVHT have done such a fantastic job turning the instantly recognisable symbol of British history into a new lease of life and it now means the iconic red kiosk can remain a lifeline for the community".  The defibrillator is due to go live with North West Ambulance Service within the next 14 days.

Early next year the parish council will be holding a defibrillator training seminar.  Should any residents be interested in attending the seminar to help with awareness and confidence should the defibrillator need to be used, please contact  Julie - Parish Clerk on 01606 852444 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  The seminar will be free of charge and held at the Village Hall, Norley Road.

Wayne Connor from Weaver Vale Housing Trust said “We were delighted to help Cuddington Parish Council turn an old, unkept telephone kiosk into a recognisable place for the local community to access a potentially life saving community defibrillator”.

As you may be aware, Michelle Gillett has taken over as our new PCSO from this week (w/c 9 Nov) for the Weaver and Cuddington area - Michelle was previously the PCSO for Hartford.  She believes that communication is key to a happy community whether that’s over the telephone, social media or emails. Once a week she will send a report of her community engagement which has enabled her to reach out to many elderly/vulnerable persons that don’t access social media. Please feel free to have your say and reply if you feel there is something which you feel she needs to address.

Due to the current COVID19 restrictions PCSO surgeries are no longer being held 'face to face'. However time will still be allocated once a week to allow contact on her work mobile number 07894-510064 as follows:

• Saturday 28th November 1800-1900 hours
• Friday 4th December 1200-1300 hours
• Saturday 12th December 1200-1300 hours
• Thursday 17th December 1900-2000 hours
• Tuesday 22nd December 1200-1300 hours

PCSO Michelle may also be available on her email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

For general police enquiries, please visit www.cheshire.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us/

To report a crime please ring 101 or in case of an emergency ring 999.

For daily updates regarding whats going on in our ward please follow your local community policing on Facebook/Twitter
     Weaver and Cuddington police Facebook 
     @weaverCudPol - Twitter

Remembrance Sunday fell on 8th November 2020 and is a day for the whole nation to remember and honour those who sacrificed their lives to secure and protect our freedom.

The event commemorates the contribution of British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women in the two World Wars, later conflicts such as the Falklands War, the Gulf War, and other conflicts such as those in Afghanistan and Iraq.

This year, due to restrictions imposed by Covid-19, there was no organised event in Cuddington and Sandiway; no parade, no music, no refreshments.

However, there was a short service on the triangle itself which lasted no longer than 10 minutes. This was not what the Parish Council and Sandiway & Cuddington Royal British Legion had in mind for their first laying of wreaths at our new village war memorial.

Two minutes silence was held at 11 am to remember all those who have fallen.

Parish Council Chairman, Cllr Pat Chrimes OBE lay a wreath on behalf of all the residents.   Cllr Gillian Edwards lay a wreath on behalf of Cheshire West and Chester Ward Councillors.   Eight other organisations in the village were invited to lay a wreath under the current social distancing rules.

This means that the number of wreath layers that was accommodated as part of the service is much less than usual and we hope the public understand that priority for those places must be given to representatives of ex-military and uniformed groups.

Photographs of the event have been displayed now on this website.

In the pictures, the Rev. Ruth Mock carried out a wonderful short service, Cheshire Police were on hand and were pleased how the social distancing was carried out. Jim Costigan, who is the 95 years old and in the photos, would like to thank Cllr Hill who very kindly helped out,  Jim is a resident at Redwalls and was determined to join the event.

Julie, Clerk to the Council

Primary Care Commissioning committee meeting

The Primary Care Commissioning committee (a sub-committee of the NHS Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group) met on 5 November to make a decision on the Danebridge proposal to close Sandiway Surgery.

The Save Our Surgery Residents Action Group produced and presented a second report for that committee.  The Action Group has the full backing of Cuddington Parish Council, the Borough Councillors for this area and our local MP Edward Timpson, and has around 900 signatures of support from patients.

The PCC decision was to defer their decision until their next meeting on 4th February. In the meantime they are going to request specific actions from Danebridge to consult with patients through our Action Group initially to address:

• Impact on patients
• To demonstrate why closing Sandiway is a better decision than closing Kingsmead
• To come up with solutions for meds monitoring, samples, blood tests, prescriptions etc which are still up in the air

The idea of focus groups was suggested but clearly the Covid situation will impact on that.

The PCC were clear that there is still work to do before they can support an application for closure of Sandiway, and have given Danebridge a great opportunity to engage properly with their patients to explain to them the reasons they want to close the surgery, to resolve the issues listed and to reassure their patients that they are not being left to fend for themselves for Primary Care in Cuddington and Sandiway.

Please keep in touch with the Action Group to indicate your continuing support. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The report prepared on behalf of patients for the Primary Care Commissioning committee can be read here:
  Part One: The Report - September 2020
  Part Two: Supporting Reference Information
and the presentation given by the Action Group at the committee meeting can be viewed here:
  PCC Presentation

Latest media output

      Northwich Guardian article post PCC meeting

Businesses across Cheshire West and Chester having to close due to COVID-19 restrictions are now being encouraged to apply for a new financial support grant. The ‘Cheshire West COVID-19 Financial Support for Businesses’ can be applied for by visiting: Financial support for businesses

A free webinar on Wednesday, 11 November at 3.30pm will explain how the new grant works, how to apply and answering questions (see full Media Release below for further details).

Following the live broadcast, the video will be shared on the Council’s Let’s Talk Business website.

The Government has introduced new restrictions to tackle the latest escalation of COVID-19. These measures started on 5 November, through to 2 December. This means that the previous tier alert system has been suspended. The government also announced a series of grants to support businesses during the restrictions.

The Council has produced a single application form for businesses which will establish if support is available from one of the four Government grants:

• Grants available for rateable businesses forced to close during the national lockdown;
• Grants available to businesses affected by the national lockdown that are forced to close and are not eligible under the national lockdown scheme above;
• Grants available for business affected by Tier 2 (High Alert) restrictions;
• Grants available for businesses mandated to close since March.
  
  

PRESS HERE or PRESS HERE for the full Media Releases from Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council.

Health Overview and Scutiny Committee (CWaC OSC)

During October, the Cheshire West and Chester Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to examine the consultation process carried out by Danebridge Medical Practice on their proposal to close Sandiway surgery. The Save Our Surgery Residents Action Group had written a report on the consultation for the committee and was given the opportunity to speak at the meeting. They were given a very good hearing along with a number of other speakers.

Louise Barry, Chief Executive of Healthwatch Cheshire West, described the consultation as “incoherent “ and referred to the fact that the impact on patients “had not been thought through”. A letter from the Local Pharmaceutical Committee pointed out that Rowlands Pharmacy in Sandiway had not been consulted and therefore had not been able to make an input. They also referred to the fact that 50% of the prescriptions being handled at Rowlands are from Danebridge Surgeries.

Eddisbury MP Edward Timpson also wrote in support of the Save Our Surgery campaign and Borough Councillors Gillian Edwards and Charles Fifield spoke on the importance of having a local surgery in Sandiway particularly in view of the age profile in the village. Councillor Fifield went on to say that having a local primary care facility is now more important than ever.

Two members of the Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) were at the meeting and had to answer questions on behalf of Danebridge who, disappointingly, did not send a representative even though invited to the meeting.  The CCG representatives told the meeting that some work has now been done to estimate the cost of refurbishing the surgery. This is between £250,000 and £300,000 and grants of as much as 66% are available. This is of course significantly less than the costs of demolishing the existing surgery and rebuilding it, which is what Danebridge told the patients in January.

A Scrutiny Committee member concluded that there had been a “long list of failures in consultation”. Their recommendation will be sent to the Primary Care Commissioning committee for the next stage in the procedure.  PRESS HERE to listen to the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee Webcast online.

Primary Care Commissioning committee meeting

The Primary Care Commissioning committee (a sub-committee of the NHS Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group) will be meeting to make a decision on the Danebridge proposal on 5th November (2-5:30pm).

The Save Our Surgery Residents Action Group has produced a second report for that committee and has been invited to speak at the meeting.  The Action Group has the full backing of Cuddington Parish Council, the Borough Councillors for this area and our local MP Edward Timpson, and has around 900 signatures of support from patients.

If you are a patient with Danebridge Medical Practice and want to contact the Action Group to show your support for the campaign to keep the surgery open, please email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

If you wish to voice your concerns directly to the Clinical Commissioning Group you can contact them at https://www.cheshireccg.nhs.uk/get-in-touch/

Sandiway patients should write to the Practice, write to their MP, contact Radio Northwich, write to the Northwich Guardian to show their support for Keeping Sandiway Surgery Open.

Latest media output

      Northwich Guardian article

      Interview on Radio Northwich

Starting from 16 November for approximately 12 months, there will be a clockwise one-way route for most of the inner ring road in order to allow for essential infrastructure works to install a new city centre drainage tunnel through Chester.

The new rainwater drainage tunnel will be a significant investment in Chester’s future and is a necessary requirement ahead of major regeneration schemes and vastly improved city centre facilities, including the first phase of the Northgate development, currently underway.

The tunnel will run from Princess Street south along St. Martin’s Way, Nicholas Street, Grosvenor Road and Castle Drive, and will end with a new outfall into the River Dee; it will be almost 1km in length, 1.2m in diameter and require access shafts 5.5m wide and 7m deep. Over 85 per cent of the new drain will be installed via tunnelling rather than an open cut to minimise disruption above ground but will require nine access shafts along the route for the tunnelling equipment to operate from.

PRESS HERE for the full Media Release from Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council.

The timetable has reverted to something like the December 2019 timetable but with some trains omitted.  PRESS HERE for this new timetable (for trains from 14 September to 12 December).  However for Monday to Friday, in order to make it easier for schoolchildren, the 14.41 from Manchester will run between 6 and 11 minutes later from Navigation Road onwards.

Note that Northern are not printing timetable leaflets but they can be downloaded from their web site (see above). The Community Rail Partnership has produced one and there are usually some in the box by the Norley Road entrance to the station.

Just one replacement bus this month: On each of the days Tuesday 10 to Thursday 12 November, the 2252 Chester to Manchester will be replaced by a bus, calling at Cuddington at 2342. [This may also be the case on Monday 9th - please check with Northern if planning to catch this particular late train.]

Always check before you travel, alterations can happen at short notice: www.northernrailway.co.uk, or 0800 200 6060.

A quiet season for bowlers has now drawn to a close. Because of Covid 19 fewer bowlers have been able to make use of the green and club this season.

Unfortunately this reduced attendance has been taken advantage of by local vandals and the police have had to attend. A number of established conifer trees have deliberately been damaged with the express intention of killing them. It is infuriating and saddening to think that people would intentionally damage the trees at what is widely regarded as an attractive village asset. Covert CCTV cameras have now had to be installed to monitor unwanted activity at the club.

Local PCSOs Bradley Siddall and Nichola Devey commented:
“We have recently been in contact with Cuddington Bowling Club in regards to a complaint of trees being vandalised at the site. This is a massive let down for the local area and something which we do not like to see. Please ensure that we are taking care of our local facilities in the area, as this a massive privilege to have on our door steps in the community. Following on from speaking to the bowling club, we will ensure to be visibily present to tackle any crime around the bowling club, this will be a focus area moving forward. The local PCSO shall be liaising closely with the bowling green moving forward to investigate the damage done.”

Defibrillator

Weaver Vale Housing Trust kindly offered to renovate the kiosk in Poplar Close in readiness for the defibrillator being installed. Signage will be placed in the community advising of the location once the defibrilator is installed. Cuddington Parish Council shall be working with The Community Heartbeat Trust.

Gorstage Cemetery

The Consecration of the extension of Gorstage Cemetery took place on Wednesday 23rd September. The Bishop of Birkenhead lead the service.

Remembrance Day

Due to COVID -19 restrictions, there will be no parade nor church service. There will be a wreath laying service with ONE person only in attendance to lay the wreath for the organisation concerned.

Boundary Lane Green Play Area

Boundary Lane Green has been vandalised once again. The Parish Council urges residents to contact the parish clerk on 01606 852444 if they have any information relating to the incidents so that she can pass information onto the police confidentially.

Work on the village allotment site on the Eden Grange development off Warrington Road continues to progress. Taylor Wimpey’s latest delivery date is January 2021. To be added to the waiting list please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The residents' action group “Save Sandiway Surgery”, represented by John Kerrigan, presented a series of short-comings in the way Danebridge had consulted with their local patients. In summary, the action group contended that:

• Danebridge misled the patients in their letter and FAQ linking the decision to close Sandiway with the audit report carried out by the Care Quality Commission
• They did not ask in the survey about patient choice; they only asked about current use of the surgery (which they have been running down over the years)
• Constrained the survey timescale to less than 6 weeks, the minimum recommended and ran it over the Christmas period
• Suppressed the public dialogue in badly organised public events
• Did not consult in focus groups or in-community groups to assess the impact on vulnerable patient groups; young and old and disabled.
• Misled the patients into thinking that the cost of saving Sandiway was over £1million.
• They did not talk to other local practices to look at alternative solutions to closure of Sandiway surgery before they started the consultation
• The Submission by Danebridge to the Clinical Commissioning Group is based on different issues than those on which they consulted their patients back in December last year.
• 3,500 patients are going to be left 5 miles from their nearest surgery, with no reasonable access other than by car.
• Healthcare will be less accessible than it has been for almost 100 years in Sandiway and Cuddington.
  
  

The following two documents contain the detail of the Action Group's submission:

• Report for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee
• Supporting Reference Information

A letter of support for their campaign from Edward Timpson MP was presented to the committee and CWaC Borough Councillors Gillian Edwards and Charles Fifield both spoke in support of the residents' campaign.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee asked questions of Danebridge on Evidence for Closure, Impact on Patients, Openness of Consultation, Impact on the community of Decision to proceed.  In reply to questions by the Committee the CCG reported that the cost of refurbishing Sandiway surgery was £250k to £300k.  Grants of up to 66% can be applied for but Danebridge have never made an application.  Issues of public transport availability had not been explored sufficiently and Healthwatch Cheshire reported that they had spoken to patients who are worried about accessibility and have had experiences of the time it will take for them to get to the surgery and get back home again with long waiting times for either buses or taxis.

After the meeting, Chair of Cuddington Parish Council, Mrs. Pat Chrimes OBE said "Sandiway surgery patients finally feel their voices have been heard. We are delighted with the decision of CWaC OSC to recommend to the CCG that they postpone their decision on the closure of Sandiway surgery. However, we were disappointed that Danebridge Medical Practice could not find one partner willing to participate and answer the Committee’s questions. This represents the same lack of engagement we experienced in the consultation and we are pleased that the Committee recognised this and came to the recommendation they did, and we would like to thank the Committee's Chair, Cllr Kate Cernik, for allowing us to present the patients' views.”

See below for Northwich Guardian's report of the meeting:

• Sandiway surgery closure recommended to be postponed

Sandiway resident Pat Chrimes has been appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday honours list. The OBE has been awarded for services to the Royal British Legion Women’s Section in recognition of Pat’s contribution since 1976, way back when she started selling Poppies.

Pat joined the Sandiway & Cuddington Royal British Legions Women’s Section in August 1979 and went on to become Poppy Organiser for Sandiway and Cuddington branch between 1985 - 1996. Pat’s roles in the Women’s Section at branch level has been Women’s Section Branch Secretary, Chairman, Standard Bearer, and she was then appointed President in 2017.

Pat moved up to County level in 1990 again holding appointments of Vice Chairman, County Standard Bearer, Conference Committee Chairman, Chairman, and was appointed President in 2015. In 2007 Pat was elected onto Central Committee and served as the National Chairman of the Women’s Section from 2017- January 2020. During this time Pat also served as a Women’s section representative for the Local RBL Branch Welfare Committee and was also a National Case Worker for 17 years.

Locally, Pat has served as a school Governor for Cuddington Primary School from 2003-2019 and has been an elected Parish Councillor in the Sandiway Ward for 17 years, currently serving as Chairman. Pat is mother to Gary & Sharron and has 5 grandchildren and 2 Great Grandchildren.

On receiving the award notice back in June, Pat says “I recognised due to the constraints of the pandemic that it would be extremely challenging for me to keep this information confidential for a longer period of time than usual however, I am over whelmed to be able to let my family and friends in on this wonderful news, I only wish my husband Les, who supported me throughout my journey with the Women’s Section was here beside me to join in the celebrations.”

A spokesperson for the Parish Council says, “We offer Pat our warmest congratulations on her achievement”. Pat was instrumental in the creation of Boundary Lane Green Play Area and more recently the creation of the War Memorial Garden at Norley Road/ Weaverham Road crossroads.

Danebridge Medical Centre has applied to the NHS Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to close Sandiway surgery. A report by the Cheshire CCG regarding the consultation process which has been used, will be reviewed by the Cheshire West and Chester Overview and Scrutiny Committee at a special meeting to be held on 12th October 2020.  Following this, a special meeting will be held by the CCG Primary Care Commissioning committee (PCC), on 5th November, to examine the Danebridge proposal.

Danebridge is by far the largest practice in the area with over 24,000 patients living in Northwich and in surrounding villages. These will all be affected by the proposed closure of Sandiway Surgery since all patients will be seen at either Kingsmead or Danebridge surgeries. Last year 2,900 appointments were offered at Sandiway and 15,000 appointments were at the other two surgeries. If Sandiway closes the demand at the other surgeries will increase by 20%.

The Save Sandiway Surgery Action Group has been working since December to keep the surgery open and to try to find out from Danebridge Practice the real reason for the proposed closure of the surgery. The Consultation Survey carried out by Danebridge was confusing, did not get to all patients and the feedback from it was badly managed by the Practice (see the report in this 'Newsroom' for March).

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspected the whole of Danebridge Medical Practice in 2019, including all three surgeries, and changed its rating from “Good” to “Requires improvement” in two respects, namely “Are Services Safe?” and “Are Services Well-Led?” Danebridge Practice has claimed that the safety issues referred to by the CQC are at Sandiway Surgery, but the CQC published report and Inspection Evidence Table do not support this claim and CQC has subsequently confirmed that they did not expect the Sandiway surgery to close on the basis of their inspection, and considered it adequate for the services being delivered. Danebridge Practice has not been prepared to provide the Action Group with any other information.

The Action Group has the full backing of Cuddington Parish Council and the Borough Councillors for this area and has around 900 signatures of support already from patients.

If you are a patient with Danebridge Medical Practice and want to contact the Action Group to show your support for the campaign to keep the surgery open, please email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

If you wish to voice your concerns directly to the Clinical Commissioning Group you can contact them at www.cheshireccg.nhs.uk/get-in-touch/

If you wish to comment on the quality of the consultation process carried out by Danebridge Practice you can contact the CWaC Scrutiny Committee at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Update:

See below for some Northwich Guardian reports:

• More Sandiway patients come forward with closure concerns
• Sandiway surgery 'shouldn't be shutting' says pensioner
• Fight goes on to save much needed Sandiway surgery
• Sandiway surgery closure plans before councillors next week

Thursday Morning Holy Communion will re-start on Thursday 1 October at 9.30am in church and continue weekly for the month. There is no need to book for this service.

Harvest, Sunday 4 October: please visit St John’s between 11am and 2pm on Sunday 4 October to see our Harvest displays and drop off a donation for the Mid-Cheshire Foodbank.

Outdoor church, every Sunday 10.15am: A short outdoor service, suitable for families, behind the church building. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to book in or ring Andrew Hardy on 01606 888197

Evening service, every Sunday 6.30pm: A short evening service in church. Please call Andrew Hardy on 01606 888197 to book in

St John’s Annual Meetings:

The Annual Meeting of Parishioners and Annual Parochial Church Meeting of St John’s Church, Sandiway will be held on Wednesday 14th October at 7.30pm on Zoom.

Please contact the PCC Secretary for details of how to access the meeting, or for nomination forms for the post of church warden, membership of the Parochial Church Council and deanery synod: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Two new COVID-19 local testing sites will open in West Cheshire this week, enabling residents with coronavirus symptoms to book a test. The sites in Winsford and Northwich will be open from 8am-8pm, seven days a week. They are walk-through sites and no parking is available at either location.

The Winsford site, ‘Queensway Testing Centre’, is located on Queensway and has begun offering tests. It is only accessed via the pathway which leads to the rear of Wyvern House.

The Northwich site, ‘The Old Depot Testing Centre’, opens on 10 October is located on Leicester Street on an area of unused land which was a former Cheshire County Council depot.

High demand for testing has stretched laboratories, which are currently prioritising tests from people who have symptoms.  Only residents with symptoms can book an appointment at the new sites on the national portal at https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or by calling 119.  The symptoms of COVID-19 are a new continuous cough, a fever, or a loss or change in sense of taste and smell.

PRESS HERE for the full Media Release from Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council.

Together for Adoption is highlighting the need for more adopters in the area, particularly to care for sibling groups, during this year’s National Adoption Week (12 to 18 October).

Sibling groups can often wait the longest to find a loving home, alongside children from Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, older children and those with complex health needs.

PRESS HERE for the full Media Release from Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council.

• Scots Pine (T001) - Remove because it has outgrown its context, causes nuisance and risk of harm, structural damage and one stem of lateral branch may fail. Replace with another in a more suitable area of the garden. Scots Pine (T002) - Remove two low branches overhanging dwelling and reduce a third by1.5m. 

  4 Park Crescent Cuddington Northwich Cheshire CW8 2TY

  Ref. No: 20/03680/TPO | Received: Wed 07 Oct 2020 | Status: Awaiting decision

• Light crown lift of obvious branches on 1x Chestnut and 2x Beech to just above head height 

  Croft House 82 Weaverham Road Cuddington Northwich CW8 2ND

  Ref. No: 20/03562/CAT | Received: Thu 01 Oct 2020 | Status: Awaiting decision

• BT intends to install fixed line broadband electronic communications apparatus (4 x 9m medium wooden poles) at 360759 370152, 360827 370164, 360889 370181 and 360952 370182 (Your ref WCHCD55V)

  Street Record Cockpit Lane Cuddington Northwich Cheshire

  Ref. No: 20/03851/DSM | Received: Thu 08 Oct 2020 | Status: Decided

• Fell 1 x Sycamore at 6 Park Crescent due to excessive shading of garden at 4 Windsor close . If Felling of said tree is not approved the a crown reduction of around 2 meters would like to be a lesser option. 

  6 Park Crescent Cuddington Northwich Cheshire CW8 2TY

  Ref. No: 20/03754/TPO | Received: Mon 12 Oct 2020 | Status: Awaiting decision

It will not be open to the public because of Covid precautions. If any residents wish to attend the meeting in person, they must inform the parish clerk by Thursday 15th October.  (It is possible that these arrangements may have to be changed at a later date.)

Contact the parish council via their e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., call 852444 during office hours, or write to: Julie Chrimes, Clerk to the Parish Council, Sunnyside, Withens Lane, Weaverham, CW8 3HX.

Update:  Due to the latest Covid-19 restrictions, the statutory meeting of the Parish Council scheduled for Monday 19th October 2020 has been cancelled.  Future Parish Council meetings will be reviewed on a monthly basis and advertised on this website.

Jan Phillips has been co-opted to fill the vacancy on the council.  Jan will represent the Cuddington Ward within the council.

Police Surgeries are continuing to be held but slightly different from before the pandemic - they are all socially distanced and do adhere to current COVID-19 Guidelines.

Below are the PCSO surgery dates in October for the Weaver and Cuddington Ward to be held at Weaverham Communty Centre:

Monday 5th October 2pm-3pm,
Monday 12th October 10am-11am,
Tuesday 20th October 11am-12pm,
Monday 26th October 5pm-6pm.

Please attend if you would like to discuss any concerns you have around the ward.

For general police enquiries, please visit www.cheshire.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us/

For daily updates regarding whats going on in our ward please follow your local community policing on Facebook/Twitter
     Weaver and Cuddington police Facebook 
     @weaverCudPol - Twitter

In the seven days to 19 September, there were 136 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Cheshire West. This compares to 106 cases in west Cheshire in the previous week (6 to 12 September).  The number of positive test results in each local authority is updated regularly - PRESS HERE to view these results for Cheshire West & Chester.

If you have COVID-19 symptoms, get a test by calling 119 or visiting nhs.uk/coronavirus so contact tracing can then help prevent the spread of the virus.

If you have symptoms and have been tested, play your part to protect your community by self-isolating for 10 days or 14 days if alerted to do so by a contact tracer.

PRESS HERE for the full Media Release from Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council.

Local Update:

There were 40 positive cases reported in the greater Northwich area in the week to 23 September, 5 of which were in the Sandiway/Cuddington/Whitegate sub-area.  See graphic below for geographical split. Please be safe.

The Leader of Cheshire West Council Councillor Louise Gittins is urging all residents to play their part to protect family and friends by downloading the new NHS COVID-19 app.  The app has now been launched nationwide and it can be downloaded onto smartphones from the Apple App Store or Google Play.  As far as Apple iPhones are concerned, it is currently available only for IPhone 6S models or later.

The App is designed to notify its users if they have been in contact with someone who has tested positive, complementing the Test and Trace Service and halting the spread of the virus.  It needs to be downloaded by as many people as possible in the borough to track the virus and stop its spread.

PRESS HERE for the full Media Release from Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council.

Cheshire West and Chester Council is supporting national Recycle Week which launched on 21 September and new stats show we care more about the environment than ever before.

The theme for Recycle Now’s 17th annual Recycle Week is to thank Cheshire West and Chester residents for continuing to recycle despite all that has happened this year

Statistics released by Recycle Now show that through lockdown the UK has become even more environmentally aware, with nearly 9 in 10 households saying they ‘regularly recycle’. Coming out of lockdown, more people are prepared to change their lifestyles to help the environment: 73 per cent, up from 68 per cent in 2019. And an amazing 93 per cent of UK households say they believe that ‘everyone has a responsibility to help towards cleaning up the environment’. The figures come from research carried out during lockdown and an omnibus survey completed in July.

PRESS HERE for the full Media Release from Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council.

Play your part to protect our community by following new COVID laws

Cheshire West and Chester Council is calling on all residents to help protect our whole community by following the Government’s new COVID legislation. From Monday 14 September, it is against the law to meet socially in groups of more than six people in any setting, indoors or outdoors. This ruling replaces the existing ban on gatherings of more than 30 and the current guidance on allowing two households to meet indoors.

Exemptions:

• a single household or support bubble larger than six
• places of education and workplaces
• COVID secure weddings, wedding receptions and funerals, up to a limit of 30 people
• Organised sport and exercise.
  
  

Businesses and public settings where people meet socially, including hospitality and leisure venues, will be legally required from Monday to record contact details of customers, visitors and staff. The details must be stored for 21 days and shared with the Test and Trace Service, if requested.

PRESS HERE for the full Media Release from Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council.

Let people with symptoms get tested first

With infections in west Cheshire more than doubling in a week, it has become even more important for people who have COVID-19 symptoms to get a test by calling 119 or visiting nhs.uk/coronavirus so contact tracing can then help prevent the spread of the virus.

However, following schools reopening, the testing of international travellers and increases in the testing of people without symptoms, a huge rise in people seeking a test for coronavirus nationwide this week has put a strain on the laboratories which process tests. This has resulted in booking restrictions being placed on some of the testing sites, while laboratories struggle to meet such high demand. Residents are being urged to only get a COVID-19 test if they have virus symptoms of a high fever, continuous cough or loss of taste or smell.

PRESS HERE for the full Media Release from Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council.

The toilets in the Village Hall building, next to the Playground on Norley Road, have now been opened for use.

The government is undertaking a consultation on parking on pavements, and is looking for recommendations to make pavements safer as part of its inclusive transport policy.

Pavement parking can cause real problems for pedestrians, particularly wheelchair users, people with visual impairments and those with prams and buggies. On the other hand it is important to recognize that in many narrow streets pavement parking is necessary to maintain free flowing traffic including for refuse and emergency services vehicles.

PRESS HERE to have your say by completing the online survey.

With effect from Monday 7 September 2020, Danebridge Medical Practice will be re-opening Sandiway Surgery, which will become the Practice’s designated location for patients in the Extremely Vulnerable Group, formerly known as "Shielded". The surgery will open from 8.30am – 1.00pm Monday – Friday and will be operated by a Doctor and a Patient Services Co-ordinator.

Sandiway Surgery will be a 'closed location'. Patients will only be able to attend, if in the Extremely Vulnerable Group and through an invitation from a clinician.

PRESS HERE to view a document which details the process for making appointments with Danebridge.

Nicola Brown, the editor of the Round Tower, has agreed with the Parish Council to resume publication in October.  The Parish Council had no meeting in August and hence there would have been little to report in September from that source.  

The government's "Green Home Grants Scheme", due to open by the end of September, will allow consumers to obtain funding for up to two-thirds of the cost of the energy saving measures identified - up to £5000 – in the form of new vouchers. Lower income households could be entitled to have as much as £10,000 of the costs covered.

The scheme will cover green home improvements including insulation of walls, floors and roofs, the installation of double or triple glazing when replacing single glazing, and low-carbon heating. These measures could help families save up to £600 a year on their energy bills.  PRESS HERE for the detailed website.

The site offers a quick energy survey for consumers to see how energy efficient their homes already are, and where improvements can be made. Taking as little as 5 minutes, once completed homeowners and landlords can receive a personalised energy plan.

In the seven days up to 27 August, there were 24 confirmed COVID-19 cases for West Cheshire. This compares to 27 confirmed cases in the previous week (to 22 August) and 22 in the previous week (to 15 August).  PRESS HERE to view the historical numbers of positive test results in Cheshire West and Chester.

“Simple hygiene levels can have a big impact and help reduce the spread. Please continue to wash your hands regularly. If you are feeling unwell, you could have coronavirus and you could be infecting others. Don’t wait. Get a free test now, by calling 119 or visiting nhs.uk/coronavirus”

If you visit a business, where you feel they are not following the relevant government guidelines, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we can support them to become more COVID secure.

PRESS HERE for the full Media Release from Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council.

Update: infections have got worse more recently - there were 60 confirmed cases during week ending 5 September, 150% more than the previous week!  (Note: more recent Media Release Increase in COVID cases among the under 35s )  Also, there were 98 confirmed cases during week ending 12 September - a further 63% week-on-week increase.  Cheshire West had 29 new cases per 100,000 people during that week (against an average of 18 in England).  Please be safe.

The Police and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable for Cheshire are pleased to announce some significant changes to how they police our local communities, which will position Cheshire as a leading police service for delivering community policing.

Their focus has and will always remain on preventing crime and anti-social behaviour, supporting victims and protecting vulnerable people. They believe that the best way to do this is by delivering a truly local police service that is fit for the future and visible in our communities.

From next month, each of the 122 policing communities in Cheshire will have the following:

• A dedicated PCSO
• A dedicated PC
• A local community police base
• Regular community policing surgeries
• Funding for your local community
  
  

The new community police officers will work with their fellow PCSO, the wider policing team, and partners across the county to help solve problems and take action in our communities.

PRESS HERE to view a document which details this Community Policing initiative.

Reporting a streetlight not working, a blocked grid, obstruction on the road or fly tipping is now much easier and quicker with the introduction of a new Cheshire West and Chester Council app.

Evidently all it takes is just four simple steps:

1. Pinpoint the location on a map,
2. take a photo of the fault,
3. select a category and
4. provide more information, then "Submit".

The report is then sent directly to the appropriate service to be categorised and dealt with in line with agreed timescales.

The app also has a built in ‘Report it log’, which allows residents to check the status of each of their reports.

PRESS HERE for the full Media Release from Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council.

PS. You can also continue to "Report It" via the Council's website from the button on the Home page of this website.

Police Surgeries are continuing to be held but slightly different from before the pandemic - they are all socially distanced and do adhere to current COVID-19 Guidelines.  (all Weaverham dates for September are listed here). 

Also below are the PCSO surgery dates in October for the Weaver and Cuddington Ward to be held at Weaverham Communty Centre:

Monday 5th October 2pm-3pm,
Monday 12th October 10am-11am,
Tuesday 20th October 11am-12pm,
Monday 26th October 5pm-6pm.

Please attend if you would like to discuss any concerns you have around the ward.

For general police enquiries, please visit www.cheshire.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us/

For daily updates regarding whats going on in our ward please follow your local community policing on Facebook/Twitter
     Weaver and Cuddington police Facebook 
     @weaverCudPol - Twitter

The 75th anniversary of VJ Day, 15th August 2020, was made even more poignant for the residents of Sandiway and Cuddington as their war memorial containing the names of the fallen from the two world wars was officially dedicated by Lord Grey of Codnor, President of Cheshire County Royal British Legion, and Lady Grey of Codnor, National Vice President Royal British Legion women’s section, in a short ceremony officiated by Rev Ruth Mock of St John's the Evangelist Church Sandiway.

The War Memorial action group would have loved to have held an event in which everyone could have been invited but, due to Government guidelines, there were only 30 people allowed on site. However, as you can see from the photos below, there were just as many who stopped as they were passing by.

PRESS HERE for the Press Release for the War Memorial dedication.

Pictured below, from left to right, are Lord and Lady Grey of Codnor, Graeme Robinson and Pat Chrimes, Chairman of Cuddington Parish Council:

Other pictures from the day follow:

Cheshire West and Chester Council will be opening more libraries across the borough in August whilst continuing to provide a wide range of services online. Some libraries were able to reopen in July starting with Storyhouse in Chester operating with its usual opening hours. Libraries in Ellesmere Port, Neston, Northwich and Winsford opened their doors from Monday 13 July with reduced hours in place to ensure safety the number of people allowed inside at any one time.

Following the successful opening of these first sites, a further five libraries will now open. Helsby, Lache, Little Sutton, Sandiway and Upton Libraries will reopen with reduced opening hours and a limited service offer on 10 August. 

PRESS HERE for the full Media Release from the Cheshire West and Chester Council

Update: To support a safe and managed opening, the library will have some new measures in place:

• limited numbers of people will be allowed in the building
• families will be welcome, but to ensure spaces can be managed safely, all children under 12 must be accompanied by a responsible adult
• some services will be unavailable to begin with including reservations, reference stock, newspapers, local studies materials, seating, toilets, meeting rooms and customer services
• regular events and activities have been suspended and replaced with online alternatives where possible
• the Summer Reading Challenge is online and you can find out about events and activities to do at home
• there will be provision of hand sanitiser, one-way systems and floor markings to maintain social distancing
• the library will also be following Government Test and Trace guidelines
• face coverings must be worn when visiting the library.
  
  

All loans have been extended until 2 November. You can still renew your loans using the Cheshire libraries catalogue or by phoning 0300 123 7739 (24 hour renewals).

Revised opening hours

• Monday, Thursday and Saturday: 10am - 1pm
• Tuesday and Friday: 2pm - 6pm
• Wednesday and Sunday: Closed
  
  

PRESS HERE for link to web page for Sandiway Library.

The Northwich Guardian has reported that plans to extend the quarry in Sandiway to extract a further 350,000 tonnes of sand have been approved unanimously in a decision made by Cheshire West and Chester Council planning committee on Tuesday 4 August.  PRESS HERE for the Northwich Guardian report.

"Global building materials firm Cemex has permission to run its Forest Hill Quarry, south of the Mid Cheshire Line off Chester Road, until May 2021.  It has also now been granted permission to excavate on land to the north of the railway line over a five-year period, with a further year assigned for restoration work."

Defibrillator

The BT kiosk on Norley Road has been withdrawn from the adoption programme. The parish council approved to work with the Community Heartbeat Trust by siting a defibrillator at the adopted red kiosk in Poplar Close. The red kiosk needs cleaning and painting.

The council are looking for a Painter who would be willing to volunteer to paint the kiosk.

Weaverham Road Village Car Park

Fencing at Weaverham Road car park has been reversed into, and needs repairing.  The council are grateful to Darren Crane who has installed and repaired the fencing.

Cemetery

The extension at the Cemetery was completed by Urban in June. Unfortunately, the grass seed did not germinate and there was an explosion of weeds. These have been cut back by Northwich Town Council, but the cost will be paid by Urban. There will also be some drainage installed. The consecration of the land has been postponed due to Covid-19. The car park extension for up to 11 vehicles will be on the newly purchased land.

Boundary Lane Green

There continues to be anti-social behaviour on the play area - the parish council urge residents overlooking the play area to be vigilant and report any vandalism or ASB by calling 101. Cheshire Police are aware of the recent activity and have promised to increase patrols around the area.

Delamere Park

The whole of Delamere Park is now a 20MPH zone.

Cycling and walking routes

Cheshire West and Chester Council has secured £161,000 from the Department for Transport to help improve cycling and walking routes in the borough. Cllr Edward is looking into an improved access between Sandiway and Hartford and something for Sandiway and Weaverham

War Memorial

Funding has been received from Ward Councillors and the Parish Council to erect low fencing on Weaverham Road, adjacent to the War Memorial.  The fencing would act as a safety barrier and memorial events would be able to happen without any such traffic management plan.

The action group are aware that the public are stepping on the soil to make a short cut. Posters have been erected to try and stop this as Amazing Gardens are currently planting out the memorial garden. The official unveiling is scheduled for 15th August 2020, due to covid-19 restrictions there are only 30 people allowed to attend.

Ken Nixon

The family of the late Ken Nixon, who passed away in March, wrote to thank members for their donations to the British Heart Foundation in memory of Ken.

The family hope to have a Memorial Service when the world is a safer place for all.

Cheshire West and Chester Council is urging residents to securely bag up coronavirus waste after an increase in used face masks being found in the borough’s recycling boxes. Following the wearing of face masks becoming mandatory in shops from 24 July there has been an increase in people disposing of their used face masks in recycling boxes – putting collection crews at risk of catching COVID-19.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as disposable gloves and face masks are not recyclable and should be disposed of securely in a general waste bin. Disposable masks and gloves can be put in litter bins when people are out and about, but if no bin is available they need to be taken home, put into a bag and then securely fastened before going into the black bin.

PRESS HERE for the full Media Release from Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council.

Cheshire West and Chester Council company Vivo Care Choices has helped the NeuroMuscular Centre (NMC) adapt to life during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in a number of different ways through its Community Fund. Based in Winsford, NMC is a Centre of Excellence for people and families affected by a neuromuscular condition.

Before the pandemic, more than 400 people would visit NMC each week for face-to-face sessions, but the way it is now delivering services has changed significantly. A grant from Vivo’s Community Fund, as well as other funding streams, has helped NMC adapt to a new way of working and cope with the demands it can bring.

PRESS HERE for the full Media Release from Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council.

A dedicated Climate Emergency Fund, launched by Cheshire West and Chester Council, will provide a financial boost for local organisations and Council projects that are dedicated to reducing carbon emissions. From now until 30 September 2020, applicants can submit bids for a share of £300,000 available in funding round one, which relates to this financial year (2020-21). A further £7 million of Climate Emergency funding will be available from 2021 to 2024.

Eligible organisations include town and parish councils, voluntary organisations, community groups, small charities and other not-for-profit-organisations, alongside Council-run services and Council Companies (Council Companies is a term for organisations that deliver key services in partnership with the Council). Successful applicants will need to provide evidence that their projects can be implemented swiftly and will make a strongly positive contribution to the borough’s ambition of becoming carbon neutral by 2045.

PRESS HERE for the full Media Release from Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council.

Cheshire West and Chester Council is bringing together a network of community champions so they can play their part to keep communities safe, share important information and advice with residents and report any feedback they may have. They can be anyone who has strong links with their local community and could share important information and advice about COVID-19. This includes people who have already volunteered during the pandemic, community organisations, charities and businesses.

By setting up this network, the Council will send regular, accessible information to community champions so they can quickly pass it on to anybody who needs to see it in their community, helping avoid any local lockdowns. Community champions will also be able to get in touch with dedicated Council teams should they think improvements could be made in their communities.

PRESS HERE for the full Media Release from Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council.

Urgent repairs to Northwich’s Winnington Swing Bridge will begin later this month with a road closure needed. This bridge, across the River Weaver, provides the only direct route from Northwich into Barnton and normally transports a high volume of traffic.

For the repairs to be carried out the structure will need to be closed to all vehicles from 10pm on Sunday 16 August to midnight on Thursday 27 August.  Additional (shorter) closures are scheduled for September and October (see Media Release).

PRESS HERE for the full Media Release from Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council.

Cheshire West and Chester Council are bringing together individuals and groups who perform a caring role.

If you are a carer living in the Borough, the Council and Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group wants to hear from you as part of a consultation to inform the next strategy for carers in West Cheshire. A draft strategy had been drawn up but this needs to be challenged by stakeholders like you. The consultation is being conducted in a way that complies with the corona virus restrictions.

What is it like being an unpaid carer in 2020? Have important issues been left out of the strategy? What are your priorities?  The deadline for your responses is Sunday, 18 October 2020.

PRESS HERE for the full Media Release from the Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Cheshire West and Chester Council Council is seeking views on proposed changes to the way it charges for certain non-residential adult social care services. The aim of these proposed changes is to make charges for services fairer and easier to understand, as well as to ensure that they can be sustained in the long term.

The consultation sets out details of the proposed changes to the way the Council charges for care and support services, such as care received at home or within Extra Care housing or a Shared Lives setting, the provision of some transport and support to manage finances.

They are keen to hear views from everyone, in particular, those people who currently receive adult social care and support services.  The deadline for responses is Sunday, 18 October 2020.

PRESS HERE for the full Media Release from the Cheshire West and Chester Council.

The original 2-hourly timetable still applies, although most trains now have 4 coaches to facilitate social distancing. As things are still changing from day to day, we would suggest that potential travellers get the latest train timetables from www.northernrailway.co.uk/key-worker-timetables (Route 17) and then check any potential replacement bus schedules.

Always check before you travel, alterations can happen at short notice: www.northernrailway.co.uk, or 0800 200 6060.

PS. Our thanks go to David Miller, our travel expert, who researches and documents all these travel details.

27 July 2015: The rebuilding of the Round Tower in Sandiway is officially completed, the A556 is shut for an hour for the symbolic ribbon cutting and for residents to see inside the Grade II listed building.

PRESS HERE for a video commissioned by Grosvenor Construction which shows the behind the scenes renaissance of the Sandiway Round Tower and the determination of the people of Sandiway to save an historic icon.

PS. Thanks go to Councillor Charles Fifield for highlighting these events.

Some of Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Museums and the Cheshire Archives service will be able to welcome visitors again from later in July.

Grosvenor Museum, Lion Salt Works, Weaver Hall and Stretton Mill are working hard to open their doors again over the next two weeks. The Lion Salt Works will open on 28 July and Grosvenor Museum and Weaver Hall Museum and Workhouse will open on 4 August. The Cheshire Archives and Local Studies service at Cheshire Record Office will reopen with a limited service on Tuesday 28 July.

Stretton Water Mill will announce its opening date when final health and safety arrangements have been checked.

PRESS HERE for the full Media Release from the Cheshire West and Chester Council.

To ensure you are ready to use Cuddington and Sandiway Play Areas safely, please read these simple instructions and plan ahead for safe fun this Summer:

1. The toilets on the Norley Road playground will remain closed at this time
   Update (on 9 Sept): The playground toilets are now open
2. This play equipment is checked regularly for damage, wear and tear, but is not sanitised nor disinfected.
3. This is shared equipment, used at your own risk.
4. Do not use this equipment if you or any member of your household has coronavirus symptoms or are self-isolating.
5. Make sure you have hand sanitiser with you before entering this play area.
6. Encourage everyone in your family to wash their hands with hand sanitiser regularly and as a minimum before and after using the play area.
7. Encourage children to avoid touching their faces.
8. You MUST maintain social distancing from others unless they are from the same household – current advice is to maintain at least 2mtrs and consider wearing a face mask.
9. Some equipment can only be used by one child at a time while social distancing. Please ensure your family waits at a safe distance if the equipment is in use or return later to use the equipment.
10. Try to avoid busy times.
11. If your family is wearing disposable PPE, please take it home with you or, where provided, use the bins – DO NOT LITTER.
12. Wash your hands when you get home.

Cuddington Parish Council and the Playing Field Association hope you enjoy using the play areas and thank you for helping to keep everyone safe by following these simple instructions.  PRESS HERE for poster explaning Play Area rules from the Parish Council.

A message from the church:

"We are pleased to announce that St Johns will re-open for private prayer from Monday 6th July.  There will be 3 sessions each week with stewards present to welcome you and support everyone’s safety and comfort.

• Mondays - 10am to 12pm
• Wednesday - 7pm to 9pm
• Friday - 2pm - 4pm

We will look forward to seeing you very soon."

It was kindly brought to our attention by a local resident that the afternoon postal collection at the Norley Road shops has been discontinued and that the only postboxes in the village with afternoon collection was now either the Post Office or the postbox at the Mere Lane shops.

A little local research has shown (for Mon-Fri collections):

1. Afternoon collections at Norley Road shops, Gorstage (crossroads) and A49/Ash Road have all moved to 9am collections
2. Afternoon collections at Mere Lane shops, Delamere Park club, Cuddington Lane, Bryn (A49), Hogshead Lane, Littledales Lane (top), Bag Lane/Wood's Lane, and Onston Lane have all been retained (times may have changed slightly)
3. One box (on Dalesford Lane) has disappeared completely! (evidently moved half mile down road due to parking problem)

Note that all Postal Collection times can be found by pressing on the link at the bottom of the Home page of this website.

Coronavirus Test Kit returns

Some postboxes now have a "Priority Postbox" sticker which indicates that these are for rapid COVID-19 test-kit returns ( PRESS HERE for explanation). These postboxes are currently Sandiway Post Office, Mere Lane shops, Delamere Park, Cuddington Lane, Bryn (A49), Onston Lane and Hogshead Lane

Parish Council meetings are currently being held in accordance with Local Authorities and Police & Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Crime Panels Meeting) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020. This means that members of the public are invited to join the meeting via Zoom.

Message from Nichola Devey, our Police PCSO:

"Police Surgeries will be commencing again but slightly different from last time. We will be utilising the PCSO Van.
The first mobile police surgery (was) on Thursday 2nd July 1900-2000hrs in the car park @Weaverham Community Centre"

For general police enquiries, please visit www.cheshire.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us/

For daily updates regarding whats going on in our ward please follow your local community policing on Facebook/Twitter
     Weaver and Cuddington police Facebook 
     @weaverCudPol - Twitter

Sunday 12 and 19 July: all trains will be replaced by buses between Chester and Stockport, with unspecified train connections between Stockport and Manchester.  Replacement bus schedules for 12 and 19 July are:
Cuddington to Stockport at 0954, 1155, 1355, 1555, 1755, 1955, 2149
Cuddington to Chester at 1055,1305,1505, 1705, 1905, 2105, 2310.
PRESS HERE for full replacement bus schedule for both Sundays.

Monday to Saturday departures to Chester are at 0815, 0948 and every 2 hours until 2148.
To Manchester, they are at 0713, 0923 and every 2 hours until 1922 and 2123. 
The Sunday service is unchanged. 
The original 2-hourly timetable still applies, although most trains now have 4 coaches to facilitate social distancing. As things are still changing from day to day, we would suggest that potential travellers get the latest train timetables from www.northernrailway.co.uk/key-worker-timetables (Route 17) and then check any potential replacement bus schedules.

Always check before you travel, alterations can happen at short notice: www.northernrailway.co.uk, or 0800 200 6060.

PS. Our thanks go to David Miller, our travel expert, who researches and documents all these travel details.

Parish Council seeking a new Councillor

Cuddington Parish Council are looking for one new Parish Councillor - could you fit the bill?

PRESS HERE to see what it takes and what you can expect in return.

Parish Council meetings to resume from July

Following the Government’s announcement on 23rd June that Community Centres can open again, the parish council will be able to hold a statutory meeting on 13th July 2020 from 7.15pm in the Village main hall.  “Social distancing”. hand sanitisers, gloves and masks for Councillors, and these will be available for members of the public too.

As usual there will be no meeting in August followed by the next on Monday 21st September.

Note that our Village Hall is likely to reopen from Monday 6th July but under very strict guidelines and with only the main hall in use.

Playgrounds reopening

Children’s play areas at Boundary Lane Green and Norley Road will re-open on 4th July 2020, as per our government’s advice. Notices will be displayed advising the public of the necessary two metre social distancing.

Parish Council Internal Audit

The Internal Audit has been completed, and all council files returned to the office. There were no matters of concern.

The red kiosk (formerly telephone box) in Poplar Close

The Parish Council have now adopted the red kiosk in Poplar Close and have agreed to go ahead and work with Community Heartbeat Trust, to provide the community with a defibrillator. The Kiosk will be brought back to a colourful red kiosk, prior to the installation of the defibrillator. If any members of the public wish to volunteer and paint the telephone kiosk all materials will be supplied.

BT will be informed when the defibrillator has been fitted. BT can then guarantee that they will retain responsibility & costs for the power supply in the kiosk for a 7-year period.

Update: October 2020 - The Council will be working with the community heartbeat trust to install the defibrillator in the phone kiosk in Poplar Close. They have been successful in getting Weaver Vale Housing Trust apprentices to paint the red kiosk.

Bicycle Marking Event

PCSO Davey is to organise a bike marking event for the residents of Cuddington and Sandiway. This is because in other areas across Northwich there has been an increase in theft of bikes. The parish council have agreed to contribute £250.00 towards this event.

Zebra Crossing – Norley Road

The relining of works has now been completed on the A49, and Highways have stated that until pedestrian refuge on the A49 and the contractor is paid, they do not know how much is left in the pot to do the zebra crossing on Norley Road.

Weaverham Road Village Car Park

Once again fly tipping has been removed from the area, signs have been erected in the Notice Boards and it is also on the village website advising that Fly tipping of controlled waste, e.g. household, industrial and commercial waste, is a serious criminal offence that carries a fine of up to £50,000 or prison sentence of up to 5 years.

"As I mentioned previously, the CWAC coronavirus helpline times have changed to 8am – 7pm Monday to Friday and 8am – 6pm on Saturday www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/coronavirus 0300 123 7031. 
Recent developments include:

• CWAC has secured some supermarket delivery slots for the most vulnerable (shielding) are available for Tesco and Iceland by contacting the hotline above.
• CWAC is one of the 11 Councils selected to implement track and trace. There is an app called c-19 app which tracks the spread of the disease and symptoms – Please note this isn’t a CWAC app.
• CWAC are calling on residents to play their part – if you start to show symptoms of Coronavirus please self-report and self-isolate.
• Care providers will benefit from a national £600 million infection fund to tackle covid-19. CWAC has £4 million of this fund to distribute for the improvement of infection control measures in care homes.
• CWAC has launched its walk, ride and thrive campaign. The Borough has seen a dramatic fall in traffic volumes during the pandemic and now CWAC want to hear people’s views about where walking and cycling improvements can be made. Ideas can be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Residents are being warned to be wary of scammers as 1 in 3 people are being targeted by scammers pretending to be from the NHS as Coronavirus contact tracing launches in the UK (more in the Newsroom below)
• The online summer reading challenge has been launched.
• Restrictions on events and gatherings continues until the end of June and if infection rates start to increase locally or nationally, then a return to tighter restrictions could happen.
• The Council's housing management system, For Housing, has been working to ensure that all services continue to be delivered. Routine repairs have now recommenced with the exclusion of those residents in shieling households.
• Birth registrations have now been reinstated.
• Please take part in the Stronger Futures engagement exercise to re-build the Borough https://participatenow.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/stronger-futures
• Have loved seeing all the fundraising activities in support of Chester Zoo, why not capture them on the inspire website to let everyone know the amazing work that you are doing www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/inspire
• Armed forces week begins 22 June with Armed Forces Day taking place on 27 June.
• Research shows that learning new skills can boost self confidence, raise self confidence, raise self esteem and help you connect with others.
• CWACs next Climate emergency taskforce meeting will take place on Tuesday 23 June 2020at 6.00pm focussing on housing and land use. The meeting will take place virtually via teams. If you would like to join please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for joining details."

The following scam has started in the community and residents should be aware:

"Good morning, I'm calling from the NHS track and trace service. According to our system, you are likely to have been in close proximity to someone who has tested postive for COVID-19. This means that you now need to self-isolate for 7 days and take a COVID-19 test."

'OK. Can you tell me who that person was?'

"I'm not able to tell you that. That is confidential information. But you do need to be tested within the next 72 hours. So can I just get the best mailing address so that we can send a kit to you?"

...gives address

"Thank you - and I just need to take a payment card so that we can finalise this and send the kit to you."

PLEASE DO NOT GIVE OUT ANY BANKING OR SOCIAL MEDIA LOGIN DETAILS TO ANY SUCH CALLER. 
TESTING WILL ONLY BE REQUIRED IF YOU SUBSEQUENTLY SHOW SYMPTOMS.

Advice from the Government / Police is:

• If someone has been in close contact with an infected person, the NHS Test and Trace service will alert them via text or email.
• They will be asked to log into the Test and Trace website so they can communicate with the team, or a contact tracer can call them directly (contact tracers will only call you from the number 0300 013 5000) - anyone who does not wish to talk over the phone can request that the NHS Test and Trace service send an email or text instead, inviting them to log into the web-based service.
• For those under 18, they will receive a call from the team and a parent or guardian must give permission for the call to continue.
• All text or emails sent by NHS Test and Trace will ask people to sign into the contact tracing website and will provide you with a unique reference number. We would advise people to type the web address https://contact-tracing.phe.gov.uk directly into their browser, followed by the unique reference number given to you, rather than clicking on any link provided in any message.
• The individual will be asked to isolate for up to 14-days, depending on when they last came into contact with the infected person.
• Members of their household will not have to isolate with them, but must take “extra care” to follow social distancing and hand-washing guidelines.
• If that person, or members of their household, do develop symptoms they must book a test via nhs.uk/coronavirus or calling 119.
• If the test is positive they must continue to isolate for 7 days. If the test is negative, they must still complete the 14-day self-isolation period, as the virus may not be detectable yet.

From around 2013 and during the making of a village plan in 2015, residents were vocal that one thing they would like to see in a prominent place in the village was a war memorial garden.

Momentum grew after children from Cuddington & Sandiway primary schools placed crosses with the names of village fallen and others known to their families during the centenary and the siting of the WW1 bench. So, an action group was set up and a small team of residents have worked tirelessly on the planning, design, creation and fundraising of the war memorial garden.

On behalf of the action group Julie Chrimes said: "A War Memorial links the past to the present and enable’s people to remember and respect the sacrifice of those who died, fought, participated or were affected by all conflicts.  Memorials can be an important source of information for young people in understanding the sacrifices made by past generations.  It will represent a focal point for remembrance both individual and collective, particularly on occasions such as Remembrance Sunday or anniversary events.  The action group are delighted that Cuddington & Sandiway will at last have its own War Memorial."

The action group are extremely grateful for all the donations received which were from: The Ark Café, Cheshire West and Chester Council, Ward Councillors, local residents and a non-resident, London Stone PLP Construction Ltd, Vale Royal Lions, Whitby’s Memorial Services, WVHT, but in particular to Amazing Gardens and Ringway Infrastructure Services Ltd.

The official opening is scheduled for the 15th August, the 75th anniversary of VJ Day, marking both the surrender of Japan and the end of the Second World War.

"As I mentioned previously, the CWAC coronavirus helpline times have changed to 8am – 7pm Monday to Friday and 8am – 6pm on Saturday www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/coronavirus 0300 123 7031. 
Recent developments include:

• Limited supermarket delivery slots are available for residents who are shielding by contacting the helpline number above
• Restrictions have now been lifted for the clinically vulnerable, however CWAC advises caution
• CWAC is one of the 11 Councils selected to implement track and trace. There is an app called c-19 app which tracks the spread of the disease and symptoms – please note this isn’t a CWAC app.
• Non essential retailers will be open from 15 June and work is well underway to re-open our high streets safely including carparks etc
• Care providers will benefit from a national £600 million infection fund to tackle covid-19
• The online summer reading challenge has been launched
• Lockdown has seen an increase in cycling and walking which is great, all contributing to our carbon neutrality target. Bike Week takes place 6 – 14 June
• Restrictions on events and gatherings continues until the end of June and if infection rates start to increase locally or nationally, then a return to tighter restrictions could happen
• Please be vigilant, there are various Council Tax scams around at the moment. You will only be contacted by your local authority CWAC about your Council Tax, not central Government
• The Councils housing management system, For Housing, has been working to ensure that all services continue to be delivered. Routine repairs have now recommenced with the exclusion of those residents in shieling households
• Please take part in the Stronger Futures engagement exercise to re-build the Borough https://participatenow.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/stronger-futures

I have loved seeing all the fundraising activities in support of Chester Zoo, why not capture them on the inspire website to let everyone know the amazing work that you are doing www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/inspire "

Manager Gaz Harwood made the following announcement on Twitter earlier this month:

"It’s with great sadness & Regret but today I’ve made the decision to take a step back from football & fold #CuddyFC it’s been an amazing journey & Id like to thank everyone who’s been involved over the years 'From small acorns, grow mighty oaks' #CuddyFC"

PRESS HERE for full report from Northwich Guardian.

The Good News:
HOUSEHOLD WASTE RECYCLING CENTRES in Winsford and Northwich reopened in mid-May - queues can be long and so only use if your need is urgent; "otherwise, please store your waste safely at home until normal services resume". PRESS HERE for the latest news from the council's waste recycling centres.

The Better News:
GREEN BIN RECYCLING will restart from Thursday 4 June.  A message from the Council:
"Garden Waste collections were suspended in March at the start of the coronavirus pandemic lockdown as staff sickness levels in the workforce increased, and this decision ensured the domestic waste and recycling service could continue to operate as normal. Staff sickness levels have fallen in recent weeks and more staff are now available to collect residents’ garden waste in addition to providing the usual service.
Collections will return to the previously advertised schedule from Thursday 4 June 2020 and we will continue to monitor the national Covid risk rating, infection rate, and the continued availability of staff in the weeks to come to ensure we can continue to run all services while ensuring staff safety.
Residents will be asked not to overfill their bins or to leave additional garden waste next to their bin, as crews will not be able to collect any side waste and they will be asked to put their green bin out by 7am on their normal scheduled collection day.
We will only be able to empty garden waste containers once on the scheduled collection day. Excess garden waste can be composted, taken to the nearest recycling centre or placed into the garden waste container ready for the next scheduled collection. Household waste and recycling collections will continue as normal."
PRESS HERE for the latest news from the council's waste collection service.

and the (really) Bad News:
FLYTIPPING.  Several episodes of flytipping have been reported around the village, especially at the Weaverham Road car park.
The Parish Council urge residents to take note of any suspicious activity, especially on or near to Weaverham Road car park, after recent activity. If you witness this, please pass details to the Clerk to the Council on 01606-852444.
If you need to dispose of household waste, it's important to know you have responsibility for making sure it's done so legally.  Whether you hire a company or a 'man with a van' to take away your waste, you must make sure whoever collects your rubbish disposes of it responsibly and legally.
If your rubbish gets flytipped and you cannot prove you took the necessary steps before paying for its disposal, you're responsible.  PRESS HERE to learn what these necessary steps are.

It has come to our attention that people are attempting to enter the playground next to the Village Hall to allow children to use the play equipment.  This playground remains most definitely CLOSED and will be so until Covid-19 Government regulations allow and all the signage is removed.

This comes at a time when the Government is relaxing some rules around certain sports and indeed Cuddington and Sandiway Tennis Club have now opened up their courts under very strict guidelines as laid down by the Government and the LTA to allow play for members.

Cheshire West and Chester Council have issued a leaflet providing help and advice to local residents who are self-isolating from the Covid-19 pandemic.  Also you can PRESS HERE to learn how you can get other specific help from the Council.

[Click on the image below for a full screen copy]

The Parish Council have recently funded the following:

• Hand Sanitisers were distributed to the vulnerable in the village, the Premier shop on Norley Road and the Ark Café added them to home deliveries, Sandiway Lodge, Redwalls and Sandiway Manor received them and so did the Village Hall and the Youth Club for when it is open again.
• Bike Marking Event – The Parish Council have donated to £250 to cover the cost of a “Bike Marking” event for residents of Cuddington and Sandiway. PCSO Nichola Davey will be organising the event. This is because in other areas across Northwich have seen an increase in theft of bikes.
• Chiltern Close. Residents contacted the parish council regarding the positioning of a hedge outside Tall Trees, CWaC Highways Principal Engineer visited the site, along with their legal team and agreed the definitive hedge line. The hedge that had been planted within the highway has now been removed. Both parties have agreed that the marker posts indicate the highway boundary. A fence has now been erected on that line.
• Norley Road Playing Fields. Whilst the playground facilities have been closed, the Playing Fields Association have been busy organising the installation of new safety matting to some of the older play equipment. This is a fabulous spot for children to play once the Government ease restrictions.
  
• Ken Nixon memorial bench – The council have decided that the ideal place to site a memorial bench for Ken would be on Weaverham Road field as Ken was instrumental in the creation of this football field for youngsters back in 2005. The bench will be sited close to the huge oak tree.

A message from Gillian Edwards, one of our CWaC borough councillors:

"Given the relaxation of lockdown, I thought it might be useful to summarise some of the recent changes implemented by CWAC.

We are all being encouraged by the Government to wear face coverings where possible, however not while exercising, in schools or in workplaces such as offices and retail.  The CWAC coronavirus helpline times have changed to 8am – 7pm Monday to Friday and 8am – 6pm on Saturday - www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/coronavirus or 0300-123-7031.

Some highlights:

• CWAC is one of the 11 Councils selected to implement track and trace.
• You may have heard that the much-awaited news regarding green bins has been released. The service is to be reinstated on 4 June. If you have any questions please feel free to email me This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. You will notice that we are unable to collect additional bags – I am working to try and find a solution for this.
• The re-opening of the household recycling centres has been welcomed and the social isolation rules are working well with everyone being very respectful. You can now take your waste in a van, pick up or trailer.
• CWAC tennis courts, Multi Use Games Areas and skate parks will be open but not playgrounds or open gyms due to the risk of close contact. Community centres are expected to open during June.
• We are working to re-open schools by 8 June, parents will already have been advised if their school is to open on this date.
• Outdoor markets and car show rooms will be open from 1 June
• Non essential retailers will be open from 15 June.
• A cross sector group has been established to support cities and towns.
• Lockdown has seen an increase in cycling and walking which is great, all contributing to our carbon neutrality target. Bike Week takes place 6 – 14 June.
• Restrictions on events and gatherings continues until the end of June and if infection rates start to increase locally or nationally, then a return to tighter restrictions could happen.

Please be vigilant, there are various Council Tax scams around at the moment. You will only be contacted by your local authority CWAC about your Council Tax, not central Government.

Last but not least, Volunteers Week starts this week so why not post some of your experiences about the amazing community groups that have been set up to aid Covid-19 at www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/inspire "

Cheshire West and Chester Council has been working hard to continue with plans for Northwich Outdoor Market following the fire on 3 January, which damaged the building beyond repair. The Council has now received approval from its insurers to proceed with a full demolition of the market.

A planning application for the demolition phase has now been submitted and the Council along with their demolition team, is currently putting a programme together for the work, details of which will be released shortly.

Both the indoor and outdoor markets form part of the Weaver Square masterplan, which is still in development. The Council will be engaging with both businesses and residents once in a position to do so and safe methods of engagement can be identified. This will also help shape the medium and long term options for the covered market site.

Councillor Richard Beacham, Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Growth said: “I know how important it is for residents and businesses around Weaver Square that the damaged market building is sensitively cleared as soon as possible. The building’s shell is a sad reminder of what happened earlier this year, but for businesses in the square and in the indoor market that will want to re-open following the lockdown, it is important that we are making good progress. During the pandemic the investigations on site have been concluded and with approval from insurers we are able to proceed to the next phase.

“We understand that this has been an extremely stressful and difficult time for traders and we will continue to offer our support to them and keep them informed along the way.”

Update: The demolition of the fire damaged outdoor market in Northwich will begin on Monday, 29 June for period of around six weeks. The works will be undertaken on behalf of the Council by Cawarden Demolition Ltd.  Once the demolition work is complete, the Council will be undertaking some improvement works on the site. The designs for this are currently still ongoing and further details will be released once they have been finalised.

Message from Nichola Devey, our Police PCSO:

"I hope everyone is keeping well and staying safe.

During these times it remains our priority in keeping our communities safe, We have changed some of our working practices to ensure we keep the public safe as well as our staff.

Myself and other PCSO'S continue to be visible in the communities and are regularly attending key locations like shops and open spaces to ensure people are following the current guidelines.

We’re doing our best to help our communities during this health emergency. Please only call 999 in an emergency or 101 if it’s urgent, or if you can use our online services. If you need to make an essential journey to speak to an officer at a police station you can still do so at Northwich Police station between 2pm and 3pm everyday, excluding bank holidays. Please note if attending in person additional safety measures for you and our staff are in place.

Thank-you."

For general police enquiries, please visit www.cheshire.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us/

For daily updates regarding whats going on in our ward please follow your local community policing on Facebook/Twitter
     Weaver and Cuddington police Facebook 
     @weaverCudPol - Twitter

Monday to Saturday departures to Chester are at 0815, 0948 and every 2 hours until 2148.
To Manchester, they are at 0713, 0923 and every 2 hours until 1922 and 2123.
The Sunday service is unchanged.
The original 2-hourly timetable still applies, although most trains now have 4 coaches to facilitate social distancing. As things are still changing from day to day, we would suggest that potential travellers get the latest train timetables from www.northernrailway.co.uk/key-worker-timetables (Route 17) and then check any potential replacement bus schedules.

MCRUA has queried why, when the "Key Worker" timetables were introduced, the original reduced service was improved on other lines, but not on ours. Apparently we do not have any key workers who need extra trains. We have pointed out the number of care homes, schools, supermarkets, etc. served by the line but know of only one case of specific difficulty. If there are key workers in the area who have difficulty with the current service, they could complain to Northern, e.g. using the complaints form on Northern's web site.

Always check before you travel, alterations can happen at short notice: www.northernrailway.co.uk, or 0800 200 6060.

PS. Our thanks go to David Miller, our travel expert, who researches and documents all these travel details.

This threat has not gone away.

Being very mindful of the effect on GP and NHS resources of the current Covid -19 pandemic, we wrote to the head of the Danebridge Medical Practice on 23rd March to request that they suspend their process for closure of Sandiway Surgery. Danebridge replied that their “intention (is) to continue with the process for closure of Sandiway at this time”

Therefore, while we have deliberately refrained from any media communication since that time, the Action Group has been busy preparing a number of reports for the relevant NHS committees and Cheshire West and Chester committees, which will be presented to them if and when the application for closure is made by the Practice.

When these reports are presented they will be posted on this website for all patients to see.

We continue to have the full support of the Parish Council, our MP Edward Timpson and our Borough Councillors, Charles Fifield, Gillian Edwards and Paul Williamson.

Meanwhile there is an opportunity for you to hear what is happening in NHS Cheshire, and to voice your opinion on the proposals for Primary Care in our village by joining in a 'Cheshire Chat' webinar - see below:

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of ex Councillor Chris Lees. Chris served the council for over 20 years; he also served two years as Chairman, and was still a member of the joint cemetery committee.  He is fondly remembered for his great contribution to our community, especially the creation of Boundary Lane Green Play area.  Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Chris will be missed but not forgotten.

"Residents should only visit a recycling centre if the journey is absolutely necessary. This means that if items stored at home cause a health and safety risk such as injury, illness or harm to the household then the trip is essential. Otherwise, please store your waste safely at home until normal services resume.".  PRESS HERE for the latest news from the council's recycling service.

Rail:
  Monday to Saturday departures to Chester are at 0815, 0948 and every 2 hours until 2148.
  To Manchester, they are at 0713, 0923 and every 2 hours until 1922 and 2123.
  The Sunday service is unchanged.
As things are changing rapidly, we would suggest that potential travellers (key workers only should be using them!) get the latest train timetables from www.northernrailway.co.uk/key-worker-timetables (Route 17) and then check any potential replacement bus schedules.

Update: On Sunday 24 May, the first four trains each way will be replaced by buses, departing Chester and Manchester at the times that the trains would have left. Departures from Cuddington will be at 0954, 1148, and 1349 to Manchester, and 1554 to Stockport only. To Chester, buses will depart at 1059, 1255, 1501 and 1701.  PRESS HERE for revised timetable for this day.

Buses:
  Route 82 departs to Chester at 0718 and every 2 hours until 1718 , and to Northwich at 0840 and every 2 hours until 1840.
  Route 48A on Wednesdays only departs to Northwich at 1045 and 1445, to Frodsham at 0921 and 1321.

Always check before you travel, alterations can happen at short notice: www.northernrailway.co.uk, or 0800 200 6060.

PS. Our thanks go to David Miller, our travel expert, who researches and documents all these travel details.

Many villagers will be sad to learn of the death of Rob Hulson at the relatively young age of 68. Rob, an inspirational and charismatic teacher was Deputy Head at Cuddington Primary School during the 1980s. He lost a short battle with cancer earlier this month. Former pupils and colleagues will doubtless remember him fondly and value the privilege of having worked alongside him.

Our thoughts are with his wife Lynda and children Sam and Lydia at this sad time.

The Ark are offering doorstep delivery of a sandwich and cake lunch each Friday to those who fall into a high risk category and are self-isolating: over 70s, those with long term health conditions, those who are pregnant or have a weakened immune system.

If you fit into one of these categories, please either:

• Send your order by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or
• Phone on 07955-600570 (between 9am and 12noon on a Thursday), or
• Request a paper copy and put it in the post box next to The Ark door.

If you would like further information, please email or call. Also, see the Ark Cafe's Facebook page: facebook.com/arkcafesandiway/ for up-to-date information.

Message from Littlers Butchers: "As we are now descending into what looks like a severe crisis of health and confidence we think it is only right that we look after our customers who may feel under pressure and fear isolation.

We are now offering a free daily doorstep delivery service in conjunction with Fruitlands fruit and veg shop in Sandiway.

Please ring all orders to our Sandiway shop on 01606 883146 as that is where we will be coordinating the service from."

This news item is to inform residents of whatever help is being set up to help the vulnerable and anyone who is self isolating for any reason.

Please be aware that things are changing very quickly and we cannot guarantee that the information given here will not have changed when you read this - please contact the provider to confirm.

CUDDINGTON NEWS are offering a home delivery service.  You can order by phone on 01606 852585.

SNOW ANGELS: We are supporting older people at the moment with telephone befriending calls, help with shopping and delivering prescriptions, dog walking and delivering emergency food parcels through Mid Cheshire Foodbank.  We are always glad to have volunteers and at this time we particularly need people to help out.
If you are an older person who would like support please contact us on 0300 666 6226 or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. If you would like to volunteer you can download our application form here www.snowangels.org.uk/get-involved/ or phone us (0300-666-6226) and we will send you one out in the post.

DELAMERE PARK: The Trustees are setting up a system to connect volunteers to help out neighbours as needed. If you need some help with shopping etc please contact reception (01606 889263) and provide contact details which we can pass on to one of the volunteers.  If you are happy to help neighbours with shopping etc during the next few weeks please get in touch with reception and leave your address and contact details.

Mid Cheshire Foodbank reports that they are struggling at the present time. The number of donations has fallen dramatically just as demand for their services goes up.

If you can help please contact them on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Local donation points include St John’s Church in Sandiway, Sainsburys in Hartford, St Mary’s church in Weaverham (Saturdays 10am-2pm) as well as Tesco, ASDA and Waitrose in Northwich.

It is with sadness that we report that Ken Nixon has passed away after a long illness.

A Parish Councillor for over 45 years, he only retired last year. He was an invaluable source of local knowledge and history and thrived on serving the community, representing the interests of so many people in a wide range of issues. Well known for hardly ever missing a meeting, he was instrumental in organising local events as well as improving and creating facilities in the village for all age groups.

He held many roles in public service including Chairman of Governors at Cuddington School, Chairman of the Parish Council, he was on the Management Committee of the Playing Fields and assisted business start-ups for the Princes’ Trust.

In 2018 he was given the Citizenship Award for outstanding commitment to the Cuddington and Sandiway community. He was always a cheerful face who gave wise counsel and will be sorely missed.

Owing to the national circumstances, there will be a Memorial Service at a later date.

Tuesday 14 to Thursday 16 April (and possibly Monday 13): the 2201 from Chester (2223 from Cuddington) will call additionally at Heaton Chapel and Levenshulme. Buses replace the 2252 Chester to Manchester (calling at Cuddington at 2342), and 2341 Manchester to Chester (setting down only at Cuddington at 0136). An additional bus departs Knutsford at 0025 (Wednesday to Friday mornings) to Chester, calling at Cuddington at 0108.
PRESS HERE for replacement bus schedule.

UPDATE: However, these buses possibly won't run!  As things are changing rapidly, we would suggest that potential travellers (key workers only should be using them!) get the latest train timetables from www.northernrailway.co.uk/key-worker-timetables (Route 17) and then check that these bus schedules still apply.

Always check before you travel, alterations can happen at short notice: www.northernrailway.co.uk, or 0800 200 6060.

Not only is the Village Hall closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but now also the children's playground is closed with immediate effect, as well as the adjacent public toilets.

The Village Hall management urge all members of the public to follow the government guideline on social distancing, and to please stay away from all the equipment on the playground.

Note that the hall surroundings and the playground are constantly monitored by CCTV.

Danebridge Medical Practice has decided to close Sandiway Surgery, on a temporary basis, during this Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic - PRESS HERE to read their reasons.

Should you need to speak to the Surgery for a medical issue, please phone 01606-544544.  Repeat prescriptions can continue to be posted through their letterbox at Sandiway and they will be collected daily.

If you live in Cuddington or Sandiway, you may have noticed that your green bin was not emptied last Friday (20 March).  The Cheshire West and Chester Council have decided that "all collections of garden waste will be suspended so that resources can be concentrated on maintaining a regular household refuse collection service".  PRESS HERE for the latest news from the council's recycling service.

Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cheshire West Voluntary Action (CWVA) and the voluntary and community sector are all working closely together to provide an opportunity for residents to volunteer in the fight against COVID-19.

An online form has been created for residents to pledge their support for local communities, helping to make sure west Cheshire’s most vulnerable residents have access to things like essential food and medical supplies, as well as somebody to keep in touch with during any periods of self isolation.

Once residents have completed the online form, CWVA will signpost them to the charities and community groups in their area so they can do their bit to tackle COVID-19. Residents can also state what kind of volunteering they would be interested in so they can be matched with the ideal charity or community group.

    Register your support for the community now

PRESS HERE for the full Press Release from Cheshire West & Chester Council.

Following the Government's recommendations of Monday 16 March in relation to COVID 19, a number of events and classes around the Village have either been cancelled or postponed.  As they are made know to us, they are added to the new "What's Off" page (see new menu item at top of screen) and removed from the "What's On" calendar.

Update:
Cuddington and Sandiway Gala Day, which was scheduled for Saturday 6 June, has been cancelled!
The Village Hall is closed for all activities with immediate effect; the children’s playground and public toilets are now also CLOSED.
All activities in the Church Hall are cancelled for the foreseeable future.
All Parish Council meetings are cancelled with immediate effect until early June at the earliest.
All regular group activities and events at Sandiway Library are suspended until further notice.
St John's Church will not be open for services this Sunday, for midweek worship or for our regular Saturday morning open church and other activities. In the light of government guidance around non-essential contact, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York have issued advice that public worship is suspended until further notice. However, from Wednesday 1st April, the church will be open for personal prayer during 10am-12noon on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday and 7-9pm on Wednesday. In church you will be able to pick up a copy of the sermon for the week and some ideas to guide your prayers. Foodbank donations can be left in the box in church. (Check out St John’s Facebook Page and website for prayers and activities for children and adults.)
The Ark Cafe and all other gatherings in the Church Hall are also cancelled until further notice.  However The Ark Cafe will be trialling sandwich deliveries on Fridays in April for those who are self-isolating (see News story above).

To help the community to continue to use the Library service, some rules have been relaxed during the coming weeks:

• Extended all loans until the end of April
• Halted any new fines incurring
• Increased the loan limit to 30 items
• Removed the limit on all renewals
• Removed the charge for holds not collected
• Extended Hold Collection times to 3 weeks

Remember that you can also access eBooks, Audio downloads, and eMagazines free of charge via their website:
    www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/libraries

You can also renew your loans online by either:

• phoning 0300-123-7739 (24 hour renewals), or
• email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Update: All libraries have now been CLOSED due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Club are pleased to announce the appointment of Alex King as their new Head Coach. He has taken up the role at the club where he first started playing at the age of nine. Alex quickly progressed to represent his county at junior level and played tournaments all over the country reaching British Tour and ITF standard. He achieved successes in a number of Grade 3 level tournaments including winning the West Bridgeford Junior Open and finishing runner up in the North of England Junior Tennis Championships. Alex later spent some time on the senior ITF circuit playing in futures events. He is now a level 3 coach and currently undertaking his level 4 Senior Coach qualification.

Since moving over to coaching Alex has had over 10 years experience working in high performance tennis and has had the opportunity to learn from and work alongside recognised senior coaches at an international level. Alex was the coach of a 15 year old junior player at Wrexham who, whilst under his guidance, won the Welsh National Championships in Under 16s, 18s and Open categories. The player also went on to make the last 16 in the GB winter national tour finals in Roehampton in both under 16s and 18s.

Last year, Alex moved back to Cuddington and assisted the Cuddington A team at the club return to Division One of the Mid and South Cheshire Tennis League where they hope to do well this season.

As well as helping players of all ages and abilities to improve their game Alex would dearly love to discover a budding future champion in our local area.

This month, March 2020, sees the publication of the fifth book by local writer and historian Jill King:

'FOUR LIVES - Pioneer, Slave Owner, Poet, Schoolteacher.'

Each of the lives has strong connections to Cuddington, Sandiway and its environs and all with a very different story to tell.

PRESS HERE to learn more of this most interesting book.

"After the shambolic consultation meeting held by Danebridge Medical Practice at Sandiway School on 26th February, hopefully you will have seen the coverage that we generated in the Northwich Guardian online and in print on 5th March edition.

Since then, we have continued with the weekly meetings of our Action Group. We have been looking into the ownership of the Practice and its buildings, and last week we prepared a briefing note in preparation for our meeting with Rt. Hon Edward Timpson MP on 6th March.

Four of the Group spent over an hour with Edward and we felt the meeting went very well, he is very supportive of what we are doing and he gave us some additional suggestions which we will act upon. He will now write to all the relevant organisations involved in the process, and in terms of raising the profile of the issue, he has now secured a time in Parliament on Tuesday 10th March to put a question to Matt Hancock, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. The session is due to start in the House of Commons at 11.30am and it will be broadcast on BBC Parliament."

You might also find these 2 similar cases interesting:
    Fairstead Surgery – Kings Lynn, saved from closure.
    Pilsley proposed closure – House of Commons debate.

The Action Group have already been in touch with the Borough Councillors involved in the Fairstead case.

You can contact the Action Group via email : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Update (11 March): Edward Timpson raised the issue as promised (PRESS HERE for a transcript of the parliamentary session) but Jo Churchill, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health, countered with comments about a CQC report which "highlighted safety concerns at Sandiway surgery, and significant investment is required to bring the premises up to standard" (not in the report which we can see!).  Discussions will continue.

Approximately 200 local residents arrived at Sandiway Primary School to hear feedback from Danebridge Partners and managers following the survey of all their patients regarding the proposed closure of the Sandiway Surgery. Unfortunately this volume of interest was higher than Danebridge had anticipated and half of the attendees were held in classrooms nearby whilst the early arriving attendees were accommodated.

A number of slides were displayed around the hall showing some of the feedback from the survey (PRESS HERE to display the full set) - unfortunately the slide showing the high rejection percentages of the closure proposal was missing due to "administrative oversight".  In fact the missing slide (available post meeting) showed that the majority of all patient responses were against the closure plan and 79% of all local responses were against closure (only 16% were in favour).

The format of the evening devised by Danebridge was to split the attendees on to 10 separate tables with a Danebridge employee/Partner on each to discuss concerns and offer some answers.  Unfortunately this format proved too difficult to manage and did not deliver answers to their many questions.  Many residents feel that the consultation has avoided many of the key issues and diverted attention away from practical solutions.  Too many fear that the Partners have made up their mind and are just going through the various process 'hoops' before seeking agreement to closure from the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

The second set of attendees were allowed into the hall after a 35 minute wait and, soon after, the first group were invited to leave.

The Residents Action Group are meeting with local MP Edward Timpson on 6th March and he will be discussing the situation later in March with Matt Hancock, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.

Taylor Wimpey have provided an update. They imply that the Parish Council have agreed to the hand-over for the benefit of the local allotment association. Taylor Wimpey have not to date provided the Parish Council with a proposal. The Parish Council looks forward to receiving such a proposal.

"We remain committed to delivery of the allotments in accordance with the original proposals and look forward to handing these over to the Parish Council upon completion of the development.

Regrettably as previously advised this has been delayed by further on-site works that are required before the development is complete.

Following confirmation of the remedial work schedule Taylor Wimpey are now able to confirm that work on the allotments will begin in summer 2020 and we anticipate that works will be completed in the Autumn with a view to them being handed over to the Parish Council upon completion."

This consultation is important particularly in view of the proposal to close Sandiway Surgery. There is a drop- in session at Northwich Memorial Court on Thursday 19th March 10.00- 12 noon and 4.00- 6.00pm.

Cheshire West and Chester Council currently provide over 100,000 Community Transport journeys a year for approximately 800 residents. The current contract to provide this service is due to end in March 2021 and everyone is invited to take part in a consultation to comment on proposals to ensure the community transport meets their needs for the future.

In all parts of the UK , on every day of the year, thousands of Community Transport staff and volunteers are helping people to stay independent, participate in their communities and access vital public services and employment. Community Transport provides flexible and accessible-community led solutions. This is often the only means of transport for many vulnerable and isolated people, often older people or people with disabilities.

Typical services include community bus services, dial a ride and group hire services, voluntary car schemes and school or college transport which transports residents from home to a specified destination. Community Transport services operate alongside commercial bus services as well as bus services which the Council has to help sustain through its own funding. Bus services across the country have been under a lot of pressure for many years and many have stopped operating.

Although this consultation is about Community Transport, these services cannot be seen as separate from other bus services which the Council wants to sustain. The Council is conducting a wider review of their work to protect and extend bus services, including for school pupils and in rural areas. The Views collected through this consultation will help ensure this wider review fully reflects all views expressed.

There is a suggestion to provide the service to a greater numbers of residents for example, transport routes to college for students with Special Educational Needs, rural transport routes and routes to Medical Centres. It is also proposed to offer communities an opportunity to start their own volunteer Community Transport driver schemes. This would include advice on how to set up a scheme and how to operate taking into account safety and legal regulations.

PRESS HERE for questionnaire on line or email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

"In light of the current situation with the Coronavirus I will be cancelling my face to face Surgeries, However I will be available to speak to via social media, email and phone 📱 📞💻. The next advertised surgery is Wednesday 25th 10-11am"

Our local PCSO, Nichola Devey, was scheduled at Sandiway Library on the following dates:

Thursday 5th March 10-11am,
Tuesday 10th March 6-7pm,
Friday  20th March 5-6pm,
Thursday 26th March 2-3pm.

Please note that Imogen Graffham, who was previously helping Nichola in our area, has now moved on to a different part of Northwich - we wish her well.

For daily updates regarding whats going on in our ward please follow your local community policing on Facebook/Twitter
     Weaver and Cuddington police Facebook 
     @weaverCudPol - Twitter

The council has been informed that the police will no longer control traffic for Remembrance services. However by continuing the fence round the new Memorial Garden which currently stops at the corner of Norley Road, so that it goes all the way round that area, we would be permitted to use it for a Remembrance ceremony.

'Friendly Thursdays' are to be offered weekly from 1:30 to 3:30pm in The White Barn (at the A49/Norley Road junction).
This is an opportunity for anyone to come in and meet new people or bring friends to socialise for a few hours and give others someone to talk to.

Tea, coffee and cake will be provided.

You might be interested to hear that this website is still growing in readership.  We received an average of 4,500 visits per month from users during December, January and February, which admittedly was a peak time thanks to the proposed Surgery closure, panto season and events around Christmas.   We received visits from around 3,000 'unique visitors' during these peak months, which equates to approximately 50% of the population in the Parish.  Let's keep the momentum up and let all your neighbours in on our secret!

We are also looking to expand our editorial team and especially encourage younger blood help in the creation of news stories and keeping the website 'fresh'.  If you would like to help, or know of somebody who might, please drop a message to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  It always helps in job applications to have this sort of community service on your CV!

In addition, if you are organising some event locally and/or have a story or news item which you think our users might benefit from reading, please drop us a line to the above email address.

The following is a report from the local SOS Residents Action Group:

"On 12th February, the 'Save Our Surgery Residents Action Group' met representatives of Danebridge Medical Practice (DMP) to discuss their responses to our Freedom Of (FOI) Information requests. Here is a summary of the meeting:

• The Partner's decision is made, they wish to close the surgery, and are already talking to the CCG about it. One Freedom of Information request is still awaiting DMP response.
• They have obtained a quote to build a new surgery (cost £1.16 million) BUT had not obtained quotes on refurbishing the existing site, we have asked them to do so.
• They said a "not for public consumption" CQC detailed annexe to the main CQC report documents Sandiway's need for refurbishment, we have asked to see relevant extracts, but there is no agreement from DMP to see it yet.
• They had not written to other local GP Practices to see if any were interested in taking over Sandiway Surgery but will now do so.
• They acknowledged that we are a growing village and also acknowledged the transport issues. Whilst they are looking into some solutions to topics raised in survey responses, they reaffirm that transport is factually NOT their problem."

Press Here for a list of the FOI Information requests made on Danebridge, together with their responses.

Meanwhile Danebridge Medical Practice have announced a "Public Consultation Event" for the proposed closure to be held later this month at Sandiway Primary School (note the word "conclude"!) - mark it in your diary:

Sandiway Library closed for building repairs in September and although initial estimates scheduled it to reopen at the start of this month, the work has taken a little longer.  However we now have good news from the Communities & Library Services group within Cheshire West and Chester council:

"We are pleased to announce that Sandiway Library will re-open on Monday 24th February after being closed for building repairs and refurbishment. The mobile library will visit Cuddington and Sandiway Village Hall for the last session on Saturday 22nd February.  Weaverham and Barnton Libraries will return to normal opening hours from the week beginning the 24th.  We look forward to welcoming all our customers again.  There will be an event to celebrate re-opening in the next few weeks, information about this and the date will be confirmed shortly.

Thank you for your patience"

Opening hours of all libraries are available online and, if required, items can be renewed online or by phone 24 hours a day:
   https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/libraries
   0300 123 7739

For more information visit www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/libraries. You can also follow Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Libraries Service on Facebook or Twitter.

Healthwatch Cheshire West, part of Healthwatch Cheshire, is an independent voice to help the people of Cheshire West shape and improve local health and care services. This independent organisation has become involved as part of the process of reviewing the closure of Sandiway Surgery and are conducting a feedback survey about patients’ experience at this surgery

There are two ways of completing this survey:

Hard copy versions of the feedback forms and collection boxes, along with explanatory leaflets, are available at :-

The Village Hall

Delamere Clubhouse

Rowlands Pharmacy

The survey may also be returned by post at no cost.

Please take a form if you know of  someone who would like a form but are unable to obtain one

The form is also available on line by clicking the Healthwatch logo below.

All feedback forms should please be returned by Saturday 29th February 2020

The Residents Action Group have been in touch with Healthwatch Cheshire, the independent voice of the people, who wish to collect ‘impact statements’ from patients with regard to the Danebridge proposal. They will provide comments cards and collection boxes that will be placed around the village. Watch out for these boxes. The responses will only be handled by Healthwatch Cheshire, and the data will be anonymised by them when they prepare their report to the Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group as part of the decision making process. 

https://healthwatchcwac.org.uk

The Clinical Commissioning Group hold Cheshire Chat sessions to give local people the opportunity to engage to help shape the future of health services across the county.  The next sessions are at: 

Holmes Chapel Community Centre, CW4 8AA on 12th February 9.30am - 11.30am.

Winsford Lifecycle Centre, The Drumber, CW7 1AD on 14th February 9.30am -11.30am.

http://www.valeroyalccg.nhs.uk/get-involved/communications-and-engagement/Cheshire-chat

You can have your say on Cheshire Chat's online survey

http://www.cheshire-chat.co.uk/

The Action Group would like to thank everyone who has signed up to support them; they have been given well over 800 names already. They would also like to thank those of you who came along to the Parish Council meeting, and those who have been in touch by email with views and comments.

They have submitted a number of questions to Danebridge Practice which can be seen by following this link to FoI questions.

If you wish to give the Action Group your support or you have any comments or issues that you feel should be raised as part of this campaign then please get in touch.

Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

130 concerned residents shared their views with the Parish Council in the Public Forum session of the Extraordinary Council Meeting held on Monday 20th January, In addition to the Parish Councillors , CWAC Borough Councillors Gillian Edwards and Charles Fifield, a representative of Edward Timpson MP, and observers from the CWAC Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Healthwatch Cheshire (public consumer champion - www.healthwatchcheshire.org.uk ) were also present. After the Public Forum session, the Parish Council endorsed the formation of a Residents’ Action Group made up of Sandiway Surgery patients and Parish Councillors.

The Residents’ Action Group have also sent a series of Freedom of Information requests to Danebridge Practice , but to date have received no information. 

Our MP, the Rt Hon Edward Timpson along with our Ward Councillors, Paul Williams, Charles Fifield and Gillian Edwards have also written to Danebridge to request an extension to the consultation period. This would give more time to consider the proposals and to review the implications for Cuddington and Sandiway village (designated as a Key Service Centre in the Cheshire West and Chester Local Plan).  To date, Danebridge have not replied. Our MP has also verbally raised the closure with Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary.

The Northwich Guardian has reported the meeting with more details - click here to view their report.

Saturday 29 February:
Commencing with the 2001 from Chester (2023 from Cuddington) and 2041 from Manchester, buses will replace trains between Altrincham and Stockport. Trains on other routes will continue to run between Stockport and Manchester. Trains between Altrincham and Chester will run at the usual Saturday times. There will be an additional bus leaving Manchester at 2341, Stockport 0001, Navigation Road 0016 and stopping to set down only at remaining stations to Chester.

Other Cancellations:
Buses will replace all trains on Sunday 1 March and the last train each way on 2 to 5 March.
An easy web site to use (also available from our Home page) is http://www.livedepartureboards.co.uk/northern/summary.aspx?T=CUD&R=1

Always check before you travel, alterations can happen at short notice: www.northernrailway.co.uk, or 0800 200 6060.

If you are a patient registered with Danebridge Medical Practice, you will have received a letter containing proposals to close the Sandiway Surgery, as well as a Survey. 

We ALL need to reply and ensure that our views are heard.

A number of residents have met to discuss how we can prevent the loss of the GP surgery here in the village and have formed a Residents’ Action Group. To operate effectively, they need YOUR support and here is how you can help

Please ensure that the Survey is completed and returned as follows :-

PRESS HERE to complete the survey on line.

 THE SURVEY IS NOW CLOSED

FILL IN the form you received in the post and return it to one of the surgeries. To help, the Residents’ Action Group is providing a number of extra collection points for the Surveys around the Village. These collection points are at:

Delamere Park Clubhouse,  Rowlands Pharmacy,  Spar,  Handleys Newsagents, 

Cuddington News,  Sandiway Dry Cleaners,  The White Barn,  The Blue Cap

IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT YOUR SURVEY IS COMPLETED AND RETURNED BY MONDAY 27th JANUARY

It would also be useful to also contact separately the following to show your support

Our Cheshire West and Chester Councillors – follow this link for contact details CWaC Councillors

Our MP, the Rt Hon Edward Timpson – follow this link for contact details Rt Hon Edward Timpson

Vale Royal Clinical Commissioning Group – follow this link for contact details VRCCG

Danebridge Practice partners – follow this link for Partner details Danebridge Partners

To help you in this, please Press Here for some suggestions for ‘Questions and Issues that need to be Raised by Residents’. This will be updated at regular intervals

Other actions that have been taken to date are :-

An Extra Ordinary Meeting of the Parish Council has been arranged for Monday 20th  January at 7.00pm at Sandiway Primary School.

The main topic for discussion is the proposed closure of Sandiway Surgery and there will be a Public Forum at this meeting. Please try to be there.

The Action Group has sent a series of questions to Danebridge Practice to request more information on why the closure is being proposed.

Our MP, the Rt Hon Edward Timpson, and our Ward Councillors, Paul Williams, Charles Fifield and Gillian Edwards have written to request an extension to the consultation period to give us all more time to consider the proposal and to look at the implications for Cuddington and Sandiway village, which is designated as a Key Service Centre in the Cheshire West and Chester Local Plan.

Members of the Residents’ Action Group will be outside local shops, asking you to sign up to support their actions. They will be out and about in the village over the next week. 

Alternatively, you can sign-up today by emailing your name, address, postcode and agreement to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Please watch out for more information on this Village Website, on Facebook and in the shops.

This problem will not go away and time is short so we need to Act Now

Our local PCSO, Nichola Devey and/or Imogen Graffham, will be available at Cuddington & Sandiway Village Hall on the following dates:

Tuesday 7th January - 6-7 pm

Below are the other PCSO surgery dates for the Weaver and Cuddington Ward:

Weaverham Communty Centre -
Wednesday 8th January - 7-8 pm
Monday 13th January - 10-11 am
Wednesday 22nd January - 10-11 am
Wednesday 29th January - 7-8 pm.

Acton Bridge Village Hall -
To be advised.

Please attend if you would like to discuss any concerns you have around the ward.

For daily updates regarding whats going on in our ward please follow your local community policing on Facebook/Twitter
     Weaver and Cuddington police Facebook 
     @weaverCudPol - Twitter

Following several requests to set up an evening WI group for those who cannot attend during the day, Pat Sharp (Advisor for the Cheshire Federation of Women’s Institutes) was given the task of setting one up and has received expressions of interest from more than 40 women.  After 2 preliminary meetings, they have set up a Formation Meeting at the Blue Cap on Wednesday 8th January at 7.30pm.  Visitors welcome.  Thereafter the monthly meetings will take place on the second Wednesday of each month at the Blue Cap.

For further information contact Pat Sharp at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Monday 20 to Thursday 23 January:
The 2341 from Manchester to Chester (due Cuddington 0045) is replaced by a bus, calling at Cuddington at 0136 only if required to set down. An additional bus starts from Knutsford at 0025 (Tuesday to Friday mornings) to Chester, calling at Cuddington at 0108.
The 22:52 Chester to Manchester (2314 from Cuddington) will be replaced by a bus, calling at Cuddington at 2342. The 2223 Cuddington to Manchester will call additionally at Heaton Chapel and Levenshulme and arrive Manchester Piccadilly at 2335.

Cancellations:
Train cancellations due to crew shortage are currently averaging three a day and may become even more frequent. You are strongly recommended to check before you set out, especially as the Customer Information Screens on the station do not always work. An easy web site to use (also available from our Home page) is http://www.livedepartureboards.co.uk/northern/summary.aspx?T=CUD&R=1

Always check before you travel, alterations can happen at short notice: www.northernrailway.co.uk, or 0800 200 6060.

Danebridge staff presented a draft project plan to a recent meeting of their Patient Participation Group (PPG) with the aim of consulting with patients, NHS groups and Cheshire West & Chester Council departments prior to closing the Sandiway Surgery.

A letter went out before Christmas from Danebridge Medical Practice to all their patients (c. 25,000) explaining the key reasons behind their decision and requesting the completion and submission of a survey questionaire, which will also be available online (it should be noted that the majority of their patients reside away from our parish and hence have less interest in maintaining the status quo). There are roughly 5000 patients in and around the Parish who would choose to use Sandiway Surgery and they will need to make their opinion count.

Many of you will have met new PCSO Imogen Graffham who recently joined Cheshire Police and completed training last month in her new role.

Imogen works alongside PCSO Nichola Devey in covering the community area of Weaverham, Acton Bridge and Cuddington and Sandiway, and with this extra resource we are now able to get more attention to our community.  Imogen was previously a call handler in the Cheshire Police control room.  She is keen to meet people at her regular surgeries in the village to hear any concerns, and is planning to work with Neighbourhood Watch Coordinators in the New Year to cover local issues and assist them with crime prevention. Please contact her using This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and follow the Twitter account @WeaverCuddPol.

Brian Gray was recognised as a Recently Retired Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator and thanked for his almost 30 years of service to the community by the Cheshire Neighbourhood Watch Association at their recent AGM in November.  Brian was unable to attend the AGM to receive his award last month, but was presented with his certificate and gift voucher at his home by Heather Thompson, Communications Administrator for the CNWA.  Brian and Heather both live on Hadrian Way and Heather took over from Brian as Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator in this area in February 2019.

Brian was first 'volunteered' as a 'senior co-ordinator' by PC Phil Woods when Homewatch schemes were set up in Sandiway following a series of public meetings.  This was probably around 1990, and before e-mail was common in the wider community.  Most distribution of information to members was on little pieces of paper pushed through letter boxes and about six 'co-ordinators' were also 'volunteered' to be a focus for a group of ten houses or so to share the work.  Brian was supported by his wife Vivienne, and they welcomed newcomers to their Homewatch patch by giving out copies of the Village Directory booklet.

Fortunately Cuddington and Sandiway is a very low crime area, but over the years Brian passed information to the police on several occasions, once to alert them to a suspicious vehicle parked on Hadrian Way that later turned out to have been used by burglars who raided Moore’s garage.  The perpetrators were later caught by the police.  Brian was amused to be informed by Phil Woods that one report he submitted about 'suspicious activity' by a group of young men one afternoon meant that he had picked out a plain clothes police drugs squad working in the village after action along Kennel Lane! Importantly his regular contact with neighbours enabled everyone to know what was going on and help residents to feel safer before the village website was so comprehensive.

Homewatch started first in Cheshire and spread across the country.  It has recently been re-branded Neighbourhood Watch and the network covers 2.7 million households nationwide.  The purpose is to keep communities safe via the simple principles of 1. Know your neighbour, 2. Be neighbourly, and 3. Be active in the community.  Neighbourhood Coordinators registered with CNWA receive community safety messages directly from Cheshire Police and work with their local PCSOs on crime prevention and to address any issues.  If you are interested to join Neighbourhood Watch, get yourself registered on http://cheshire.ourwatch.org.uk or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to find out more.

British Telecom started a consultation process for the removal of these two public payphone boxes back in September.  These boxes are located in Poplar Close/ Mere Lane and on Norley Road (in front of Cuddington shops).  The borough council asked whether our local Parish Council, or maybe a community, want to 'adopt' one or both of these telephone boxes - the Parish Council responded earlier in November by deciding to 'adopt' both boxes.

A public survey will be carried out in December to decide upon future usage of these facilities: the survey is available online ( press here ) or paper-based available at John Dudley's Hairshop on Tricket Lane, Handley's Newsagents in Sandiway and Delamere Park Clubhouse.

Update: October 2020

• The Council will be working with the community heartbeat trust to install the defibrillator in the phone kiosk in Poplar Close. They have been successful in getting Weaver Vale Housing Trust apprentices to paint the red kiosk.
• The council has also been informed by BT that the kiosk at Cuddington Shops is not actually available to adopt!

The council decided to go ahead with the reduction of the speed limit on Mill Lane, Cuddington Lane and Barrastitch Lane.  Currently it is 60mph and this was considered to be too fast for the conditions on these narrow winding lanes so it will be reduced to 40mph.

The lowering of the limit has been requested by residents with properties on these lanes and on Delamere Park.  The project will cost £7,000 of which CWAC will pay half, our Ward Councillors will pay £1,750 and the cost to the parish will therefore be £1,750.

The Ark will again be supporting the Save the Children Christmas Jumper Day on December 13th. Come along in your Christmas jumper and enjoy their culinary delights!  All profits from the day will go to the Save the Children Fund.

The Ark will then be closed for its Winter break & panto use, reopening on February 14th.

The village is to have a Memorial Garden. It will be on the grass outside Sandiway School and will consist of 2 brick walls with granite inlays engraved with the names of the fallen from the two World Wars. There will also be a bench and flower beds. The bricks and labour will be provided by Weaver Vale Housing Trust, the engraved plaques will come as a donation from our ward councillors’ members budget, and labour will be provided by CWAC apprentices.

New timetable commences Sunday 15th December. Times at Cuddington are unchanged, except for two trains to Chester: 0847 Monday to Friday will depart at 0851, and the 0045 Monday to Friday nights will depart at 0048.

Monday 9 to Thursday 12 December: The 2341 from Manchester to Chester (due Cuddington 0045) is replaced by a bus, calling at Cuddington at 0136 only if required to set down. An additional bus starts from Knutsford at 0023 (Tuesday to Friday mornings) to Chester, calling at Cuddington at 0106. The 22:52 Chester to Manchester (2314 from Cuddington) will be replaced by a bus, calling at Cuddington at 2342. The 2223 Cuddington to Manchester will call additionally at Heaton Chapel and Levenshulme and arrive Manchester Piccadilly at 2335.

Christmas and New Year

Tuesday 24 December. The last train to Manchester will be the 2102 from Chester, 2123 from Cuddington. The last train to Chester will be the 2041 from Manchester, 2148 from Cuddington.
Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 December: no trains
Tuesday 31 December: The last train to Manchester will be the 2102 from Chester, 2123 from Cuddington. The last train to Chester will be the 2041 from Manchester, 2148 from Cuddington.
Normal service on other days.

Please check before you travel, alterations can happen at short notice: www.northernrail.co.uk, or 0800 200 6060.

At Monday's Parish Council meeting Malcolm Hill was co-opted on to the council representing the Sandiway Ward. This brings the Council back up to its full complement following a recent resignation.  Malcolm can be contacted via email address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Currently the Girlguiding leaders operating from our Village Hall are having to place girls on waiting lists for places as the units in the village are full. With more leaders they could offer places to more girls who are keen to join.

If you are able and willing to offer your services as a volunteer, please put your name forward at www.girlguiding.org.uk.

Thank you.

Sandiway Library closed for building repairs in September this year and although initial estimates scheduled it to reopen this month, the work will now take a little longer.  It is now anticipated the library will re-open at the beginning of February 2020.

Construction work has involved complex internal and external piling. The entire building will then be re-carpeted, ceiling lights replaced, internal redecoration completed and also the restocking of library equipment to transform it back into use for its many customers.

Since September alternative arrangements have been available at nearby locations to help customers return or borrow books during the closure and these will continue. All previous loans will have their due dates extended again to the beginning of February 2020.

The extended opening hours at Barnton and Weaverham Libraries will continue during the temporary closure.

BARNTON LIBRARY, Townfield Lane-01606 274360 
Monday 2pm-7pm 
Tuesday 9.30pm-1pm, 2pm-5pm 
Wednesday 2pm-7pm 
Thursday 10am-1pm, 2pm-5pm 
Friday 2pm-5pm 
Saturday 10am-1pm

WEAVERHAM LIBRARY, Russet Road,01606 274344
Monday 9.30am-1pm, 2pm-7pm 
Tuesday 9.30am-1pm, 2-5pm 
Wednesday 9.30am-1pm, 2-5pm 
Thursday 9.30am-1pm, 2-5pm 
Friday 9.30am-1pm, 2-7pm 
Saturday 9.30-1pm

In addition the mobile library will continue to stop at Cuddington and Sandiway Village Hall between 9.30am and 12.30pm each Saturday until the Library reopens.

The Council’s Director of Place Operations, Maria Byrne said: “We apologise for any inconvenience caused to our customers while this building work continues. Many customers will be disappointed that the Library is not able to reopen this month as planned. Our contractors assure us they are pushing the project along as quickly as possible, despite challenging construction issues."

“During the continued temporary closure loans have been extended and won’t be due back. Temporary arrangements at nearby locations will continue and our usual 24/7 on-line services are also be available.”

Opening hours of all libraries are available online and, if required, items can be renewed online or by phone 24 hours a day:
   https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/libraries
   0300 123 7739

For more information visit www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/libraries. You can also follow Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Libraries Service on Facebook or Twitter.

The village’s Centenary Remembrance Service took place on Sunday November 10th at 11am.

The service was preceded by a Parade from Sandiway shops to the church. The laying of wreaths and a period of Silence took place from 10.50am.

The following report comes from the Delamere Park Bus Service Working Group which masterminded the redirecting of the 48A Bus Service between Frodsham and Northwich to serve Cuddington (see full report in the 'August' Newsroom below):

“As you may be aware, Cheshire West and Chester council have provided a one day a week (Wednesday) limited bus service between Delamere Park, Northwich and Frodsham, which commenced on 31 July 2019.

The service is receiving regular patronage to both Northwich and Frodsham from Delamere Park residents. It is also successfully supporting a local new housing development (Eden Grange) by virtue of this new route. We intend to link up with other local communities to further increase the profile of this bus service.

Cheshire West and Chester are aware that we require greater than one day per week but we accept that the one day service was offered as a 12 month trial in the first instance.

The original Delamere Park survey revealed that most potential passengers would prefer a market day service, ie Thursday, and this is clearly what would be more beneficial to the residents, in addition to the need for greater than a single day per week bus service.

We plan to contact John Ellis Jones at CWAC early in the new year to review the successful progress of the bus service so far and to consider any potential further enhancements that may be offered.

We will keep you informed of any developments.”

Please help to make Christmas special for a needy child in our local area by supporting Vale Royal Lions Christmas Appeal. St John's will be collecting unwrapped new toys until Sunday 1st December. The age range is one week to 16 years, and the Lions particularly request items for teenagers between the ages of 12 and 16. Please bring your toys to any service, or the Ark on Fridays, or to church on Saturday morning.

The Parish Council is very concerned about the level of vandalism currently occurring in the village.  Not only is it undermining the morale of residents and spoiling the appearance of our village, it is extremely costly to make good the damage.  Our Tommy has been damaged twice and has now been moved to another location.  Conditions at Boundary Lane Green Play Area are far from ideal for our children with broken play equipment creating safety hazards.  The bill for repair of damage in the 7 months of this financial year has come to £1,378 and the cost must be borne by residents through the parish precept.

Residents are asked to report incidents on 101. Our PCSO Nichola Devey holds monthly surgeries which are advertised below in this 'Newsroom'.  Parents are asked to be vigilant about where their children are and what they are doing.

Eddisbury Flower Club began life in Hartford but has for many, many years used St John’s Church Hall, Norley Road, Sandiway as its venue.  On September 10th, 51 club members plus three Cheshire NAFAS Area guests celebrated 60 years of Fun Friendship and Flowers by holding an Afternoon Tea at Willington Hall, Tarporley.  It was a very sunny afternoon and the conservatory looked beautiful decorated with impressive white flower arrangements and the odd “diamond” to add the sparkle!!

The savouries, sandwiches and scones were enjoyed by all, after which the celebration cake was cut by Chairman Mrs Sue Williams and members toasted, with Prosecco, the success of their club.

Now called 'Eddisbury and Sandiway Flower Club', they always welcome visitors and prospective new members.  They meet at St John's Church Hall on the 2nd Tuesday of each month (except January and August) at 2pm.  For more details, please contact 01606-75405.

PS. if you are wondering, NAFAS stands for National Association of Flower Arranging Societies and likewise has been in existence for 60 years - take a look at their website.

British Telecom have started a 90-day consultation process for the removal of two public payphone boxes in our Parish.  These boxes are located in Poplar Close/ Mere Lane and on Norley Road (in front of Cuddington shops) - PRESS HERE for BT's consultation letter. The borough council are also asking whether our local Parish Council, or maybe a community, want to 'adopt' one of these telephone boxes.

The consultation date closes on 11 December but the residents should be aware that the Parish Council need to respond by 22nd November and so they will have it as an agenda item for the meeting on 21st October 2019.  If you feel strongly, please make your views clear to the Parish Council Clerk (see 'Contact Us') before then.

Update: The Parish Council has decided to 'adopt' these two telephone boxes and will be carrying out a public survey in December to decide upon future usage of these facilities: watch out for further news on this in December's 'Newsroom'.

Cheshire West and Chester Council has a four year programme to introduce 'signed only' 20 mph speed limits on all roads that meet Department for Transport criteria.  They have completed the assessment of the 'year four' schemes and are proposing to introduce four schemes within our parish.

They will be advertising the proposed speed limits during the week commencing 21 October; the period of consultation will end on Friday 15 November. They will be delivering leaflets to all residents within the proposed 20 mph speed limits, leaflets will be delivered in the two weeks prior to advertising the proposed speed limits.

Only roads meeting the criteria for signed only 20 mph speed limits are included in the programme, all other speed limits, including traffic calmed 20 mph limits, are dealt with through a different speed limit process. If you wish to make comment on the proposal please respond to the council before the deadline of Friday 15 November.

Press on the descriptions below to view more detail for each scheme:

Delamere Park

Cuddington North

Sandiway (Chilton Close/Hadrian Way)

Sandiway (Mere Lane/Ash Road)

A group of residents has got together to open a new Youth Club in the village. It is hoped it will open for a 3 month trial period on October 4th from 7pm until 10pm and then each Friday night from then on. It will be open to children from 11 to 17 years.

They have a fundraiser coming to help with set-up funding; they are preparing the documentation and sourcing materials but all will be pointless without volunteers and support so please help where you can. Full details will be given on their Facebook page www.facebook.com/groups/2633165580087609/

Update: The opening of the Youth Club has been postponed until further volunteers come forward. A note from one of the organisers:
"YOUTHS, INTERESTED PARENTS, VOLUNTEERS.
Anyone that has a transferable DBS check that they can bring on the night.
Let's get the whole village inside the Youth Club on Tuesday night, 8th Oct at 7pm and MAKE THIS HAPPEN!!!!"

Our local PCSO, Nichola Devey, will be available at Cuddington & Sandiway Village Hall 5.00 to 6.00pm on Friday 25th October.

Below are the other PCSO surgery dates for the Weaver and Cuddington Ward:

Weaverham Communty Centre -
October 9th 10-11 am,
October 16th 7-8 pm,
October 21st 10-11 am,
October 30th 10-11 am.

Acton Bridge Village Hall -
October 19th 2-3 pm.

Please attend if you would like to discuss any concerns you have around the ward.

At the September Parish Council meeting Nichola reported the following issues and actions:

• There have been complaints about speeding on Norley Road and Weaverham Road and speed checks have been carried out with several people being caught and reported. Police do not handle prosecutions themselves but send the details to a central body to be processed. She does speed checks in the village at least once a week when possible.
• Antisocial Behaviour increased over the summer which is a regular annual pattern. When this has occurred on the playing field the PFA have been able to provide CCTV footage to enable the culprits to be identified. Nichola can then work with Weaverham High School to contact parents of regular offenders in the hope of getting signed contracts from them concerning their children’s behaviour. Mainly these children are in the 12-14 age group. She will also work in the school with such things as peer group sessions.
• There has been a white van with no identification touring the area looking for signs that properties are occupied by elderly people. One resident was charged £600 for hedge cutting.
• Nichola is working in both our primary schools on topics such as Stranger Danger and issuing notes to parents who park in dangerous places.

For daily updates regarding whats going on in our ward please follow your local community policing on Facebook/Twitter
     Weaver and Cuddington police Facebook
     @weaverCudPol - Twitter

SMALLWORLD HOLIDAY CLUB is offering Pre-School, Breakfast, After-school and Holiday club care for those aged between 2-11 years during the period October 28th to November 1st.

Halloween Activities:
Ghoulish Crafts, Halloween games, Spooky fancy dress, Critters and Creatures, Sports, Bouncy Castle, and much more!

Located at Sandiway Primary School.
Contact: 01606 882821 email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   www.smallworldpreschoolsandlinkclubs.co.uk

Monday 28 to Thursday 31 October: The 2341 from Manchester to Chester (due Cuddington 0045) is replaced by a bus, calling at Cuddington at 0136. An additional bus starts from Knutsford at 0023 (Tuesday to Friday mornings) to Chester, calling at Cuddington at 0106.
The 22:52 Chester to Manchester (2314 from Cuddington) will be replaced by a bus, calling at Cuddington at 2342. The 2223 Cuddington to Manchester will call additionally at Heaton Chapel and Levenshulme and arrive Manchester Piccadilly at 2335.

Music Train - Wednesday 2 October: Time Bandits playing on the 19:22 train to Plumley and at the Golden Pheasant, 2229 return.

Please check before you travel, alterations can happen at short notice: www.northernrail.co.uk, or 0800 200 6060.

The countdown has begun for the reopening of the Youth Club and it’s only a few weeks away. There are still not enough volunteers and they need to start DBS checks and training.  If you are willing to give one Friday evening a month (that's 12 evenings a year if the club is successful!) please let the organising committee know.  This will be a massive positive for the village and the young people who attend but only if the community work together.

They have a fundraiser coming to help with set-up funding; they are preparing the documentation and sourcing materials but all will be pointless without volunteers and support so please help where you can. Full details will be given on their Facebook page www.facebook.com/groups/2633165580087609/

"Please remember that a lot of time has already been invested, so we really do need volunteers to keep the ball rolling.  We have come so far, let's not let it fizzle out as we have all said how much a 'youthy' is needed for this amazing village.  If you have any children aged 11-17 who might be interested, please get them involved in this project so they can really take ownership."

Update: The organisers' current plan is to open the Youth Club doors on Friday 4th October for a pizza night - more details to follow. Volunteers are still urgently required - any volunteer who is offering to give a couple of hours on a Friday night will need to have a DBS check (due to safeguarding regulations), so please put your name forward quickly so that the application can be done in time.

We have had confirmation that Sandiway Library will need to close for approximately 10 weeks to have some structural building repair work done from 9 September; that is, it will be closed until late November!

Alternative arrangements have been made at nearby locations to help customers return or borrow books during the closure.  Note that loans will be extended and won’t be due back during the period of closure.

The opening hours at Barnton and Weaverham Libraries will be extended during the Sandiway closure.  In addition to usual hours, Barnton Library will be open 9.30am-1pm and 2pm-5pm on Tuesdays and Weaverham Library will be open 9.30am-1pm and 2pm-5pm on Thursdays.

The mobile library will stop at Cuddington and Sandiway Village Hall between 9.30am-12.30pm every Saturday from 14 September for 10 weeks.

Opening hours of all libraries are available online and, if required, items can be renewed online or by phone 24 hours a day:

• www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/libraries
• 0300 123 7739

The Library staff apologise for any inconvenience and look forward to seeing you when they re-open.

After discussions with Cuddington Parish Playing Fields Association, the youth club organising committee now have a three month trial of the new Youth Club in the old "69ers" building next to the Village Hall.  Their first request from our wonderful Community is help with a BIG COMMUNITY CLEAN UP of the building.  Elbow grease, muscles, feather dusters at the ready.. it might even be....FUN?  The dates suggested are Monday 26th August, Saturday 31st August and Sunday 1st September, Full details will be given on their Facebook page www.facebook.com/groups/2633165580087609/

"Please remember that a lot of time has already been invested, so we really do need volunteers to keep the ball rolling.  We have come so far, let's not let it fizzle out as we have all said how much a 'youthy' is needed for this amazing village.  If you have any children aged 11-17 who might be interested, please get them involved in this project so they can really take ownership - ready for our first night, Pizza Night."

The Sandiway Pantomime Group Committee recently met and they have decided the 2020 production will be Aladdin, a new script from the mighty pen of Phil Hosker who brought you 'Dick Whittington and the 2012Olympics' and 'Charlotte in Candyland'!!

Press Here for full information of the production timeline.   So shake out your acting skills and come along - it's always fun!

It’s now become easier to buy a ticket but the penalties for fare evasion have been increased.

Northern have now installed a ticket machine at every station on the Mid Cheshire Line (except Mobberley and Lostock Gralam). The machines take payment by card and issue most tickets. If you can’t get the ticket you want then you must collect a "Promise to Pay" card from the machine instead - and show this to the conductor or ticket inspector as proof of where you started your journey.

You can also buy a ticket via the Northern app on a smartphone (in which case you don’t need a physical ticket) or pay for a ticket online and collect it from the ticket machine using the same credit card. Or buy from the ticket offices at Altrincham, Hale, Knutsford, Northwich or Chester, when they are open.

With the ticket machines and "Promise to Pay" cards comes a new approach to tackling fare evasion. This means that if you get on the train without a ticket or a "Promise to Pay" card then the conductor cannot sell you any ticket except a full price single and, if there is a ticket inspection, you may be liable to pay a Penalty Fare of £20. A team of ticket inspectors is now active along the Line. They check all tickets - at stations and on trains.

In practical terms this means that you need to allow time to buy a ticket from the machine – which might be on the other platform. At Cuddington, the ticket machine is on the Manchester-bound platform (next to the car parking) and so you will need to cross the line if you're travelling towards Chester.

Not all machines yet issue DUOs although they are gradually being converted to do so. Ticket inspectors do have some discretion for people with mobility problems which make it very difficult for them to access the machine if it is on the other platform.

A working group made up of residents of Delamere Park, with help from local MP Antoinette Sandbach, has persuaded Cheshire West and Chester Council and Warrington's Own Buses bus company to add Delamere Park, Cuddington Station and Eden Grange to the #48 service (running between Frodsham and Northwich) every Wednesday for a trial period, commencing on 31st July 2019.

The proposed Wednesday #48A bus timetable (PRESS HERE for leaflet) will offer access to the following:

Delamere Park to Northwich -

• Shops and train station at Cuddington
• Shops at Weaverham
• Shops, restaurants, cinema at Northwich

Delamere Park to Frodsham -

• Direct access to Morrisons supermarket (located next to the bus stop)
• Shops, tea shops, restaurants and pubs
• Train station with excellent links to Chester, Warrington and Manchester

It is extremely important that this trial service is supported, otherwise it may be lost or not extended into a more regular service.

Sandiway Pantomime Group will definitely be presenting their 2020 production, but the title of the pantomime to be performed is a closely guarded secret!  So secret that not even the Committee will divulge this information!

However, what we do know is that the following dates have been pencilled in:  Read Through (including Parent / Guardian Briefing) will take place on Sunday 29th September 2019 from 2:00pm to 5:30pm with Auditions on Sunday 6th October 2019 from 2:30pm to 5:30pm. Casting will take place on Sunday 13th October 2019, followed by the First Rehearsal.

Rehearsals will then continue on Sundays from 2:00pm to 5:30pm and Wednesdays from 7.00m to 9.00pm with half–term, Christmas and New Year holiday breaks. All these happen in St John’s Church Hall, Norley Road, Sandiway, CW8 2JX.

The Performances will take place on Thursday 30th and Friday 31st January 2020 at 7:30pm, Saturday 1st February 2020 at 2:00pm and 7:30pm and Sunday 2nd February 2020 at 2:00pm.

All budding actors, backstage crew and other helpers very welcome.

For further details, please contact Bob Barker on 01606 882956 or Jim and Wendy Wren on 01606 883955.

Any updates to this will be posted on www.facebook.com/SandiwayPantomimeGroup and this website.

The ‘Youth Club Group’ has submitted a business plan to Cuddington Playing Fields Association (CSPPFA) to open up a new youth club in the former 69ers youth club building on the playing field.  This group of people from the community have come together through a common wish to see a youth club in the village again.

The village will soon have a Garden of Remembrance. It will be created on the triangle of land outside Sandiway school at the Weaverham Road/Norley Road crossroads where our WW1 commemorative bench is already situated.

Recently there has been an increase in scams being reported. The scams vary between:  Romance Scams, Lottery Scams, Banking Scams, Door to Door Scams. Telephone scams etc.

Here are some golden rules to follow to help protect you from becoming a victim of a scam:

1. Be suspicious of all ' too good to be true ' offers and deals.
2. Do not agree to offers and deals immediately. Insist on time to obtain independent /legal advice before making a decision.
3. Do not hand over money or sign anything until you have checked the credentials of the company.
4. Never send money to anyone you do not know or trust.
5. Never give banking or personal details to anyone you do not know or trust.
6. Always log on to a website directly rather than clicking on a link provided in an email.
7. Do not rely soley on glowing testimonials find solid independent evidence.
8. Always get independent /legal advice if an offer involves money,time or commitment.
9. If you spot a scam REPORT it ! Contact Action Fraud on 0300 1232040 or online www.actionfraud.police.uk
10. DO NOT be embarrassed to report a scam. Scammers of cunning and clever. There is no shame in being deceived. By reporting a scam you will make it more difficult for them to deceive others.

Please share this with friends and family.

Regards,
PCSO Nichola Devey (Police, PCSO, Northwich)

The Summer holidays are here! We certainly all want to enjoy the sunshine, and the hot temperatures, but you might want to consider doing it safely!

Please take a look at some of the suggestions below...

Trim, tone and dance your way to stay FABS!

"A new fitness class designed specifically for the over-60s is launching in Sandiway as part of a campaign to help people to stay young by improving strength, balance and overall health as we age (known as FABS, which stands for Flexibility, Aerobics, Balance and Strength). The FABS programme combines exercises that have been scientifically proven by the Centre for Healthy Ageing Research at the University of Birmingham to turn back the clock.  FABS is for people who want to live longer, happier, healthier lives."

The venue is Cuddington and Sandiway Village Hall every Friday, 3.30 to 4.30pm; £5 per class.
Contact: Claire Britton Tel: 07932-772467 or Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you are interested.

Claire has been running exercise classes in Sandiway for over nine years and will ensure a warm welcome for everyone who attends.  All sessions are "relaxed and informal”.

The Cheshire West and Chester Council considered the planning application in June (see Newsroom for January below) and refused permission for several reasons.  PRESS HERE for full consultee comments.

Police are encouraging the public to be extra vigilant as thieves target shoppers across the county. Offenders are known to visit cafes and supermarkets to target women on their own – believed to be aged 60 and above – to steal their items and money.

Thieves will often be working in pairs or groups where one will distract the victim while the other steals from them.

While local Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) will be patrolling public areas, cafes and supermarkets as well as providing prevention advice to charity shops, police are keen to remind the public to also be on their guard.

The local community can help protect themselves from thieves by following these simple steps:

• Do not leave your handbag hung over the shopping trolley or unattended at any time. Make sure your bag has a secure zip fastening and for added security, secure your purse inside a zipped pocket inside the bag to help protect against thieves reaching inside your bag or purse to search for valuables.
• If you are approached by a stranger in unusual circumstances in or around a supermarket, do not engage with them, particularly if they ask for directions or change. Be firm with them, walk away, and report any suspicious activity to the police.
• When using a chip & pin device or ATM, always shield your number with your hand. Avoid using cash machines that appear to have been tampered with, or where groups of people are hanging around.

Superintendent Peter Crowcroft: “These thieves are driven by opportunity and target women who are on their own in a café or shopping in the supermarket. We have also noticed how they tend to steal from those who are aged 60 or over."

“To help deter thieves and provide reassurance to the local community local officers will be carrying out regular patrols and giving advice to local shops."

“I would also encourage the public to make elderly friends and neighbours aware of these thieves and if possible to purchase purse bells, which can be a great deterrent.”

In response to the recent incidents PCSO Karen Nixon has organised to be at the Artisan Market on Saturday 13th July between 10am - 4pm , She will be handing out FREE purse bells and Cables which have been funded by The Business Improvement Development Team.