For 100 years the Royal British Legion has been a symbol of hope for the Armed Forces community

On the 15th May 1921, four men representing different ex-service men organisations laid a wreath at the Cenotaph War Memorial in London, forming the then British Legion with the aim to support those who fought for their Country and their families and remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifice. 100 years later, the Legion along with the Women’s Section is still present in the community with Branches in the UK and overseas.

The Royal British Legion and its members should this weekend May 15th 2021 be in London for a National Conference, as this cannot happen due to the pandemic, the National President Lieutenant General James Bashall CB CBE along with representatives of all services and a War Widow will lay a wreath at a special event recreating this moment from 100 years ago.

Branches up and down the Country will be laying wreaths at the same time 09.00am at their own memorials to mark 100 years of service of the RBL and Women’s Section to our ex-service community.

The four focus groups held by Danebridge and the Clinical Commissioning Group have now been completed and reports on each session have been sent to patients who attended and have also been posted on the Danebridge website.  Their observations were:

    Session 1: Medications and repeat prescriptions

    Session 2: Dropping off samples

    Session 3: Appointment booking

    Session 4: New Models of Care

Danebridge has claimed that there have been NO COMPLAINTS (zero complaints) from patients about the proposed closure of the Surgery during the last year (see bottom of Session 3 report).

Have you complained about the closure plan and written to the surgery?  If so, you might wish to remind them.

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In parallel to these Focus Groups, a Survey of Danebridge patients was arranged by the Clinical Commissioning Group to gather a wider feedback on these topics during April and early May.  Apparently 180 people responded to this survey and the results are made available below.

Survey results:

    Medications and repeat prescriptions

    Dropping off samples

    Appointment booking

Signs sprung up at both ends of Hadrian Way indicating that it would be closed for 3 days from Saturday 8 May - work started late however and it is now expected to reopen fully by the weekend 15/16 May; the closure has been necessary for safety reasons to enable "skimming" of the road surface.

It is now anticipated that a further 2 day closure will be necessary from Tuesday 18 May, for safety reasons to enable permanent reinstatement of Openreach equipment and will be carried out by BT Openreach.  PRESS HERE to view the official temporary road closure notice from the Council.

Should you require any further information regarding either closure, please contact Ian Lovatt on  0300 123 7036.

The testing centre in Winsford which offers COVID-19 tests to targeted groups of residents who do not have symptoms of the virus has now moved. Cheshire West and Chester Council launched its service at the Winsford Lifestyle Centre to provide rapid and weekly testing to key groups, including people who cannot work from home, with results available in around half an hour.

This service has now moved to The Dingle Recreation Centre, in Winsford High Street.  Open from 9am to 7pm Monday to Friday, and from 9am to 1pm on Saturdays, the centre is available for people to pop in, without needing an appointment, to get tested for free. Free kits to home-test are also available to collect.

PRESS HERE for the full Media Release from Cheshire West.

St John’s Church are returning to 'in person' services as shown below, but please check their website and Facebook page for the latest information in case changes are needed.

Every Thursday in May at 9:30am:  Holy Communion in church

Every Sunday in May at 10.15am:
  Sunday 2nd: Outdoor service at church
  Sunday 9th: Morning Praise with Junior Church at the hall
  Sunday 16th: Christian Aid Service - Morning Praise at the church hall
  Sunday 23rd: Holy Communion for Pentecost with Junior Church at the hall
  Sunday 30th: Morning Praise at the church hall

(Contact Nicola if you’d like to attend Junior Church: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Every Sunday in May at 6.30pm:
  Sunday 2nd: Holy Communion in church
  Sunday 9th: Compline in church
  Sunday 16th: Holy Communion in church
  Sunday 23rd: Take 30 in church for Pentecost
  Sunday 30th: Holy Communion in church

Booking required for all Sunday services - please contact Andrew Hardy by phone or email (07873 837741 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Library Service will reopen more of its libraries and museums across the borough during May. From Monday 10 May 2021, Sandiway Library will reopen on temporary hours for browsing and public computer access. Revised opening hours are:

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

Northwich and Winsford libraries reopened on reduced hours for browsing and public computer access in April.  Weaverham Library will also reopen on temporary hours from Monday 4 May.

PRESS HERE for further information and details of Sandiway Library opening hours and facilities.

* Ages as guideline; please contact Head Coach, Alex King, on

 07773 586 650 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if unsure  of which group   

The Ark community cafe has been closed for much of the pandemic but it hopes to reopen on Friday 21 May with waitress service between 9.00am-2.00pm as The Ark goes into its 6th year. There will be seating in the garden, cafe & hall for social distancing, masks to be worn until seated. Limited menu. Press Here for Ark Facebook page. The Ark team look forward to welcoming familiar & new faces.

Also, in the following week (Thursday 27th May) in the evening between 7.00-8.00pm or 8.15-9.15pm, all current and prospective volunteers are invited to enjoy refreshments in the side garden next to the Ark Cafe. This is an opportunity to meet fellow volunteers & find out more about what the Ark does for the village and what is involved by volunteering. Please ring or email Kathryn if you will be coming, and let her know which time slot you prefer so they can stay safe in terms of numbers and social distancing.

The church hall will be closed on Fridays after 2nd April until the Ark Cafe reopens on 21st May.  Foodbank donations can be left at St John's church on Sunday or Thursday mornings during this period.  The Mid Cheshire Foodbank Facebook page is updated early each week with the items which they are most keen to receive.

Michelle Gillett has taken over as our PCSO for the Weaver and Cuddington area.  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 - these are displayed on this website under 'Police Matters' on the Home page. Please feel free to have your say and call her (by phone, 07894-510064, or email) if you feel there is something which you feel she needs to address.

Due to Covid restrictions, PCSO surgeries are now being held 'virtually' by mobile phone or email, as follows:

• Saturday 8th May 1200-1300 hours
• Saturday 15th May 1900-2000 hours
• Thursday 20th May 1200-1300 hours
• Saturday 29th May 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

Up to Saturday 15 May:

Resulting from the pandemic situation, the Monday to Saturday train service on the Mid Cheshire Line has reverted to 2-hourly for the present.  PRESS HERE for the revised timetable for up to 15 May.

At Cuddington, the Monday to Saturday service will be:
   To Manchester 0713, 0923, 1123, 1323, 1523, 1723, 1922, 2123
   To Chester      0815, 0948, 1148, 1348, 1548, 1748, 1947, 2148

In addition to the trains listed above, the 0804 from Stockport and 1000 from Chester will resume Mondays to Fridays, calling at Cuddington at 0859 to Chester and 1023 to Manchester (actually extended to Oxford Road). Commencing 17 May, there will probably be an hourly service, Monday to Saturday, at roughly the same times as before the pandemic, i.e departing Cuddington at 23 minutes past the hour to Manchester and 48 past to Chester.

After Saturday 15 May:

PRESS HERE for the revised timetable for all services after 15 May - services are (almost) back to normal.

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

On Saturday 1st April 1961, Mid-Cheshire Boys hosted Liverpool Boys at the Drill Field in Northwich, the home of Northwich Victoria. They had forged a memorable 1-1 draw in the first meeting with Liverpool at Anfield two weeks before and if ever one was proud to be a Cheshireman this was it.  Mid-Cheshire Boys had already won their previous 6 rounds to reach the semi-final and optimism was high for them to reach their first Cup Final.  The programme for the match is displayed opposite and the price of "Threepence" (~1p) provided good value.

MID-CHESHIRE BOYS 1960-61

Whilst many of the players could be found playing and managing in the local Saturday and Sunday leagues for years to come, three of the boys were to go on and play for top division teams in the Football League.  Goalkeeper Geoff Barnett went on to play for Everton and later Arsenal, including an appearance in the 1972 FA Cup Final against Leeds.  Captain Glyn Pardoe went on to follow his cousin, Alan Oakes, to Manchester City and made over 300 appearances for them between 1962 and 1976.

Meanwhile our local hero, centre forward John Sealey, from Cuddington moved on to Liverpool FC where he played under Bill Shankley for 3 years. John (aged just 19) played once for Liverpool first team, scoring in a 3-1 win against Wolves in the game immediately before the 1965 FA Cup Final - unfortunately Roger Hunt returned to the team to replace John for that Final.  John broke his ankle badly later that year and was out of the game for many months - he moved on to play for Chester and Wigan Athletic and, through injury, had to finish his professional career at the grand old age of 24!

John still lives in School Lane with his wife Linda and can often be seen gardening opposite his house and cycling or walking around the village.  Despite his replacement knees, hips and ankle he still manages to skip round the golf course twice a week (with a lower handicap than me, grrrr! ED).

Postscript: Unfortunately Mid-Cheshire Boys lost to Liverpool 1-3 in the semi-final replay and their Cup Final dreams went unfulfilled.

Save Our Surgery

Our MP, Edward Timpson, recently wrote on behalf of the Save Our Surgery Action Group to Jo Churchill, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Prevention, Public Health and Primary Care.  In his letter he pointed out, among other things, how poor the consultation process has been and asked the Minister to make contact with the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) for Cheshire to emphasise the importance of Sandiway surgery to this local rural population, and to encourage the Primary Care Network of GP practices in the area to consider the needs of this patient group.

PRESS HERE for Jo Churchill’s written response.

Many Northwich residents who have Covid vaccinations booked are scheduled to attend “Morrison’s vaccine site” in Winsford.  Please note that this site has now closed down and has been moved to Winsford Town Centre.

Pharmacy2U have now moved their vaccination site to right in the centre of Winsford, opposite Asda and next to Argos. The full address for the clinic is:
     3 Jubilee Place, Winsford Cross Shopping Centre, Winsford, CW7 1BG.

PRESS HERE for "Advice from the team at the Winsford COVID-19 vaccination clinic".

Message from Elder John Clee:
"We are tentatively opening this Sunday for the first time since recent lockdown.  We are still under Covid rules of course so numbers will be limited. Could you advise any interested in attending to contact myself in the first instance via email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ?

We will be meeting at 6:00 which is our normal service time."

From 12 April, Northwich and Winsford libraries will reopen on reduced hours for browsing and public computer access. An Order and Collect service will also be available from both Libraries. It would appear that Sandiway Library will remain closed for the present.

The Council’s Head of Communities, Culture and Libraries, Rachel Foster said: “Staff will be working hard to ensure everyone’s safety. Our ... libraries have tested processes in place to ensure that all spaces are cleaned on a regular basis and visitors adhere to social distancing guidelines. “We look forward to welcoming visitors back. Look out in the press and ... online in the coming months with West Cheshire Libraries.”

For further information and details of library opening hours visit www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/libraries.

Some Library services are available 24/7 online, including the new BorrowBox service. Any library member can download the new BorrowBox app to their digital devices and access thousands of eBooks and eAudiobooks free of charge at any time of the day or night.

Reservations will resume on 12 April and loan periods will be extended until 17 May. Libraries are also fine-free for under 13s now. Children aged 0 to 12 years will no longer be charged for any overdue items and any pre-existing late charges will be removed from their accounts. Check items on loan by logging in to your account.

Save Our Surgery

Breaking News on the Consultation Process

Please note that the focus groups to be arranged by Danebridge Medical Practice will now be scheduled for Thursdays in April.

If you have a particular issue which will be made more difficult by the closure of Sandiway surgery then please write to the Practice offering to take part in one of the Focus Groups listed above.
Contact details are: Amanda Skelding-Jones with email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

THE FOLLOWING IS URGENT:
PLEASE READ AND ACTION IF YOU WISH TO RETAIN THE SURGERY!!

• On Tuesday 25th March Danebridge Medical Practice issued an email to those patients who have volunteered to take part in four Focus Groups. These are limited to 15 patients in each session
• Danebridge have been instructed by the Clinical Commissioning Group (Cheshire CCG) to widen their consultation and have been asked (by the CCG) to put out a short survey. This survey asks some of the same questions as will be asked in the Focus Group discussions
• Danebridge have only sent this to a very small group of patients (mostly those who will be in the Focus Groups)
• The survey can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ZK65TR5
• The DECISION on the future of the surgery has NOT YET BEEN TAKEN and so you need to fill in the survey and make sure that you use the comments boxes to make your views known
• Over 900 residents in Sandiway and Cuddington signed to support the Save Our Surgery campaign back in January of 2020

WE NEED YOU ALL TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY, PLEASE!

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.

Healthwatch Cheshire have been very actively following this campaign.  If you wish to make any comments about the impact of closing Sandiway on your health care you can email Jem Davies at Healthwatch: 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

The Community Methodist Church at Sandiway has temporarily ceased Sunday Morning worship during the pandemic, but is planning to reopen on Sunday 4th July - more will follow nearer the date.

The church will also be celebrating their 138th Anniversary on Sunday 25th July.

Will users of the playing fields on Norley Road and Weaverham road please note the following:

If you wish to provide a regular service, on the playing fields, whether paid for or not, to other users e.g. fitness classes, personal training, sports coaching, sporting and other events etc, then you must register such activity with the Playing Fields Association (PFA) prior to carrying out such activity.

The PFA will, where deemed necessary, need to have copies of your method statements/risk assessments and potentially, public liability insurance details, before agreeing that such activity can proceed. This is to ensure that the requirements of the PFA’s own insurance are being adhered to. The PFA will be happy to offer further advice to any would be users about the type and detail of information required.

Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further information.

Since October 2019, a newly formed Local Academy Board of Governors has worked closely together to develop a team of volunteers who have continued to enhance the effectiveness of Cuddington Primary School. The skills of the Academy Board have proven to develop and secure positive outcomes in Safeguarding, Finance, Mental Health and Well-Being, Special Educational Needs and the Quality of Education.

We are looking to enhance our Board further by recruiting a governor who could oversee our Health and Safety practises, by working with our Site Maintenance Officer and Head Teacher. If you think you have the skills to support and advise in this role and would enjoy being part of ‘Team Cuddington,’ then please contact the school directly on 01606 288150 and ask to speak with Mrs Sue Mills (Head Teacher) for further details.

We look forward to hearing from you and thank you in anticipation for expressing an interest in helping our wonderful team of professionals, children and their families.

The Government has now confirmed the plan for exiting the current lockdown in England. A pictorial summary is as follows:

PRESS HERE for a more detailed summary of the planned stages.

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Library Service is launching a brilliant new way to download and read eBooks and listen to eAudiobooks.

Any library member will be able to download the new BorrowBox app to their digital devices and access thousands of eBooks and eAudiobooks free of charge at any time of the day or night.

BorrowBox will replace the current system on Monday 29 March 2021. To borrow eBooks or eAudiobooks after this date, members will need to move to Borrowbox.

Library members will be able to download the BorrowBox app from the Apple app store for iOS users and the Google Play store for Android users. Kindle Fire users can also download the app, while PC users can access BorrowBox through the website.

Once downloaded, members simply then choose Cheshire West and Chester Libraries in the app, enter their library card number and PIN plus their email address.

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

Over 90 people took part in last Sunday’s event (21 March) and CWaC Cllr Gillian Edwards is delighted that so many groups, individuals and little heroes came out to clean up the village.

The Spring litter pick was organised by Cuddington Parish Council with the aim of making Cuddington and Sandiway a cleaner place to live and to give the community a sense of civic pride, as well as raising awareness that litter is unacceptable.

Whilst still being frustrated that people indiscriminately throw away their litter rather than taking it home, we do applaud the many who respect our environment and a huge thank you goes out to those who go the extra mile to volunteer all throughout the year as well as those who take part in the organised litter picks. We hope to hold an Autumnal litter pick where refreshments will be available in the Village Hall subject to Covid-19 restrictions.

Finally, we apologise to those who were left disappointed that we ran out of “littler picker tools” and promise to double our stock for the next event.

Cheshire West and Chester Council is extending the opening hours of its larger Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) from 12 March 2021. All Recycling Centres are currently open to the public for essential journeys only but demand has been high and the Council has seen an increase in the number of visitors to the sites.

They are extending the opening hours at their larger key site at Winsford by two hours to 6pm and at Northwich by one hour to 5pm. Opening times are now:

• Winsford: open seven days a week from 8am to 6pm
• Northwich: open five days a week from 8am to 5pm (closed Wednesday and Thursday)

Despite the fact that the road signs have indicated a new speed limit for a few months now, Cheshire West & Chester Council have formally announced that the new 50 mph limit came into force on 26 February for the section of the A556 from the Round Tower, past Sandiway Golf Club and just past the slip road for Hartford (and in the reverse direction).  Presumably this means that mobile speed cameras may now be used! Beware!!

PRESS HERE for the "Traffic Regulation Order" from Cheshire West & Chester.

The following statistics and logistic plans have been provided by Danebridge Medical Centre. The vaccination take-up statistics relate only to their patients (which number approximately 25,000 in total in all age groups).

Note: "Mass vac' site" means will, in priority order, be receiving an invitation from the national booking service (NBS) to attend a mass vaccination centre or community pharmacy setting.

The GP Surgeries will now focus on providing first injections to those in Group 6 (which includes a wider group of people at higher clinical risk, including carers and young adults in residential settings), persuading the 'refusers' in Groups 1-4, and second injections for those who have already received their first from them.

If you are aged 65 and over and haven’t yet had your coronavirus vaccine you can do this now by contacting the national booking service via www.nhs.uk/covidvaccination or by calling 119. By contacting the national booking service you will gain access to flexible appointments at other local vaccination services 7 days per week from 9am – 11pm.

Update: We have been informed by Danebridge that anybody 50 or over (Priority Groups 1-9) can now register with the NHS for their first vaccination, to be administered either locally in Winsford or at Chester Racecourse.  There will be some "last minute clinics" held at Kingsmead for Groups 5-8 (ie 55 & overs) and these will be advertised on the Danebridge website when available.

A message from the Ark Community Cafe team:

"On average we’ve been delivering 90 lunches a week to the elderly, vulnerable, and shielding since early November when this lockdown began.
The last delivery will be Friday 2nd April.

Many thanks to all who’ve supported this financially, in particular Cheshire Community Foundation, Councillor Gillian Edwards & many generous donations from individuals in the village. Thanks also to the 38 deliverers who’ve cheerfully given their time & chatting talents over the past two lockdowns.

We hope to reopen the ARK as the usual Friday cafe in May, more details later in March.

Best wishes to all from the ARK Team. "