THURSDAY, 13th JANUARY 2011.

Festive pets winners

Meals on wheels threat Readers'ViewsPages22-26 Pages 30-31

Page 15

What’s on... What’s gone...

Pages 18&20

A-board get A-o

Page 12

Royal Mail wishes Congleton happy mas – this week

Panto caused real-life drama

By Chris Young Royal Mail’s has not been given the stamp of approval by Congleton residents whose Christmas cards turned up this week, in spite of being postmarked well before the publicised delivery deadline.

The postal area was described as the second worst in the country for mail disruption and the “Chronicle” has been inundated with phone calls, letters and emails from people who received Christmas cards as late as Monday.

Elizabeth Greenwood, of Padgbury Lane, said she received many cards last week, despite them obviously being sent well in advance of the last Christmas post dates, which are 18th December for second class stamps and 21st December for first class.

She said: “There were some cards dated the 13th that were coming from Chelford, which is local.

“One of the late cards had a first class stamp and another had a first and a second class stamp on it. When you are getting them this late the whole point of sending Christmas cards is gone.

“Royal Mail can say they had the excuse of ice and snow over Christmas, but I don’t think that is good enough. I think the bad weather is a fortunate excuse for them.

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“I am sure some days over Christmas we had no deliveries on our road. I wonder if they didn’t have enough staff to send out to deliver them.”

One caller, who wanted to remain anonymous to protect the identity of his postman, said many of his next day deliveries over the Christmas and new year period took over a week to arrive. When he asked his postman what the problem was, he was told the sorting office could not cope with the load and that the situation was “embarrassing”.

Another Congleton resident said they received a catalogue bill, sent on 6th December, on 4th January. It said the money should be have been paid by 25th December. • —Turn to back page.

Causing mischief at Daneside Theatre this week are Minnie the Minx and Dennis the Menace (Sandra Copestick and Gill Cardall). The troublesome twosome, characters in “Babes in the wood” which runs until Saturday, have denied all knowledge of why Congleton firefighters have been called to the theatre twice this week on false alarms. For the story and more pictures, turn to page 29. (“Chronicle” photo. 202f/11).

This is the lifestyle: sport, Nintendo and yoga for the elderly

A lifestyle centre providing sports sessions, armchair aerobics, and Nintendo challenges could replace Congleton’s library and leisure centre.

people maintain their independence and improve their health. That would reduce their need for future care, which would also save the council money.

Cheshire East Council’s Cabinet on Monday will discuss opening lifestyle hubs in council buildings throughout the borough, which, if successful, would lead to the building of centres.

The new facilities would replace existing council-run libraries and leisure centres.

Lifestyle coaches will help users work a programme of two activities a day, five days a week and the fees would be the same as existing day care charges.

A document that has been sent to Cabinet members stated: “All existing health and wellbeing facilities are to be considered as potential sites as the activity programmes are developed.

A hub could open in Congleton next year and any subsequent centre would host activities such as bowls, Nintendo challenges, relaxation groups, yoga, money management classes, cookery, supported shopping, canal-side walks, poetry reading and book circles. Activities currently provided by the existing leisure centre such as swimming, squash and basketball would continue.

“The longer term proposal is for four new lifestyle centres to be developed in Crewe, Wilmslow, Macclesfield and Congleton, replacing existing leisure and library facilities and incorporating where appropriate social care functions.

“This would also give the opportunity to consider relocating other council provisions within these new buildings.”

The council argues that programmes provided in the centres would hel elderl and disabled • —Turn to back page.

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