6 The Chronicle, Thursday, 13th May, 2010. www.chronicleseries.co.uk

No stone unturned in hunt for stolen pregnant mare

A devastated horse breeder is desperate for information about his stolen pregnant Shetland pony that has been missing for six months and is about to foal.

Graham Hughes, who has bred the animals at Corda Well Farm in Mow Cop since the 1970s, has almost exhausted every option to find 11-yearold mare Romany Kismet, stolen from the farm in early November.

His appeals for information have even spread as far as Belgium and France, but to no avail, and he told the “Chronicle” that he and his family were devastated.

Mr Hughes, who has won numerous horse breeding championships, including a world championship in Paris in 1981, now hopes an appeal in the “Chronicle” may lead to someone recognising the pregnant pony, which is due to foal in six weeks.

When asked if the thieves would have known she was pregnant, he told the “Chronicle”: “Whoever took

Missing since November: Romany Kismet.

her would have to be dumb not to realise she was going to foal.

“I can’t understand how she could have been moved, because by law you have to have a passport, and a horse can’t be moved without one.

“I have made enquiries in a lot of different places, but I now think that she might be a bit closer to home.

“Since she has been taken I have heard rumours of other horses being taken, but some of these have turned up later.”

He said that as well as asking around local farms he has put out appeals for information at numerous horse auctions in the UK, including having posters of the animal displayed, and there are appeals for information on 21 horse websites.

He has asked if any of his contacts in the travelling community have seen her and even appealed for information in Europe, where he has previously sold horses.

Mr Hughes said he was grateful for all the support he had received in his search: “The people who have helped me have been wonderful.”

Cheshire Police opened an investigation into the theft shortly after it took place, but little progress has been made since. The thieves accessed the field by breaking a fence post.

Romany Kismet is 32 inches tall and has a black and white coat. She was taken from the farm on 1st November, and is on the stolen horse register.

Anyone with any information can contact Mr Hughes on 01782 512602.

Village prepares for its 150th May Day

Astbury May Day takes place on Saturday, in the picturesque village famous for its display of daffodils along the A34.

Records show this year to be the 150th year such events have taken place, and organisers have planned a particularly special day.

As well as the traditional crowning of the new May Queen on the rectory lawn, an open invitation has been extended to past queens and attendants to go along and join in, reliving their own special moment from years ago, and local schoolchildren have been practising hard for the maypole dancing.

A huge selection of rides, games and stalls are planned, including traditional favourites such as swingboats and the famous refreshment marquee, offering a huge selection of homemade cakes and sandwiches.

New for this year is a craft fair, to be held in the village hall, selling everything from scarves, handbags, glassware and jewellery to locally produced sausages and bacon.

Anyone wishing to have a stall — or past queens wanting to get in touch — can call Kath or Michael Moore on 07979 614525.

The event opens at 12.30pm with the traditional march through the village.

Centre, queen elect Georgia Wilshaw with attendants, left, Phoebe Jackson and right, Elisha Reeves. (“Chronicle” photo. 1611/10).

Sporting chance for the disabled

A Disability Awareness Event takes place at Nantwich Town Football Club, on Thursday, 24th June from 1pm onwards.

Cheshire East Council Leisure and Play Development Team and Adult Services, Nantwich Town Football Club and the Rotary Club of Crewe and Nantwich Weaver have teamed up to organise the event which includes sporting activities such as football, cricket, BMX biking, basketball and archery.

Raise awareness Coun Andrew Knowles, Cabinet member with responsibility for health and wellbeing. said: “This event aims to raise awareness to people of all ages and abilities of all the different sporting activities available here in Cheshire East.

“It also aims to provide young people, parents and carers with access to services and support agencies.”

Anyone who would like to attend or volunteer at the event is asked to contact Nantwich Town FC on 07837386044 o e m a i l steve@veradisconsulting.com Keeper’s Premier League fairytale comes to an end

A Premier League football player living in Congleton is disappointed that his team has been relegated,

ut ultimately feels it ust wasn’t good enough this season.

Dutch born Brian Jensen, (34), who plays in goal for Burnley, has spoken to the “Chronicle” about his year in football’s top flight.

His team was relegated after ust one spell in the Premier League following their recent defeat to Liverpool.

Known as “The Beast” due to his imposing 6ft 1in frame, Mr Jensen moved to Congleton in 2003 when he joined Burnley, and lives here with wife Maria and children Jamie and Sebastian.

He previously played for Dutch team AZ Alkmaar and West Bromwich Albion.

“The Beast” clocked up his 250th appearance for the Turf Moor outfit this season.

Burnley’s 2009/10 campaign marked the first time the club had ever been involved in the Premier League. But their top flight run ended when they lost 4 – 0 defeat to Liverpool which sent them setback, and the club’s relegation, Burnley enjoyed a number of highlights in their Premiership fairytale. These included beating champions Manchester United 1 – 0 in August and becoming the first newly promoted club to ever win four straight home games at the start of the season.

Mr Jensen added: “I am disappointed with things, but we have to look at some of the positives of it. We were the underdogs all the way through the season. People had us relegated from the start of the season.

“We kept up the fight and it was only with two games to go that we were eventually relegated, so we can look at that positive.

“With a lot of the games we were beaten by things like a deflected shot where other teams were lucky, but you have to search for the luck. We didn’t shoot enough, so we didn’t get lucky. We have not been good enough.”

When asked about what was the best experience of playing in the Premier League, Mr Jensen referred to the famous victory over Manchester United.

He said: “The whole season has been a highlight really. You want to play against the best players in the world. It has been enjoyable.

“The first game against Manchester United was great. Saving a penalty in that game was a personal high.”

The Chronicle, Thursday, 13th May, 2010. www.chronicleseries.co.uk

D.J. Massey & Son

7

We Buy Old Gold and Silver

We pay the following:

£130.00 for Full Sovereigns

£610.00 for a Krugerrand

Based on 16/11/2009 gold fix.

We pay up to 50% more than the Television Advertising Companies and we will pay more for re-saleable items. Instant Cash Payments TRY US BEFORE SELLING 47, Chestergate 25, Market Place Macclesfield Macclesfield Telephone: Telephone: 01625 616133 01625 422094

?????h ack down to the Championship. Mr Jensen said that although the team had been unlucky in several matches, they should have done more to make their own luck.

“We expected to stay in the league, but we have not been good enough.

“It is always a cliché to say ‘we were unlucky’. There are things like deflected shots and ad referees that did kill us a little bit in some games, but that’s what happens when you’re in the bottom of the Premiership. We were probably just not good enough.”

Former manager Owen Coyle, a hero figure at Burnley for guiding them into the Premiership, left the club to manage rivals Bolton Wanderers in January, and was replaced y Brian Laws. Despite this

Discussing the low points, Mr Jensen said the mid-season managerial change did not help the club. He said: “I’m not saying the change was a low point because of the manager, it was more the timing of losing our manager. We didn’t really have time to adjust, and that killed our season.”

On his hopes of a Burnley return to the Premiership, he said: “It is easier to go down than it is to go back up. We need to strengthen the team and sort the squad out.”

Mr Jensen said he has not yet made a decision about his future at the club.

Burnley’s last game in the Premiership did end on a happy note on Sunday. They came from behind to beat Champion’s League qualifiers Tottenham Hotspur 4-2 at home.

Mr Jensen’s best experience in the Premiership this season was Burnley’s victory against Manchester United. (“Chronicle” photo. 1910/10).

Follow the “Chronicle” series on the i-phone

Follow the “Chronicle” series on the i-phone

Download the app!

Download the app! “Congleton Chronicle” Only!

ROYLESTREET CARPET CENTRE ROYLE STREET, OFF ROOD HILL, CONGLETON One of the largest carpet warehouses in the area. Over 300 rolls in stock. Or choose from thousands of designs, colours and qualities from our massive range of pattern books.

ALL AT INCREDIBLY LOW, LOW PRICES

LUXURY CARPET

80/20 Twist Pile Carpet, 32-70oz.

Hundredsofcoloursandshadestochoosefrom

From£7.99to£38.99sq.yd.

£9.56 to£46.63 sq.m.

CONGLETON AND DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

Washing up liquid hint to grow healthy houseplants

At a recent meeting of the Congleton and District Horticultural Society at Congleton Library, Ken Whittaker gave a talk on orchids and other houseplants.

The practice of keeping houseplants had become more opular in recent years, said Mr Whittaker, with many people not really knowing how to look after them properly: 93% died through over watering, and often the lants were not correctly fed.

It was useful to add a couple of drops of washing up solution when watering to act as a wetting solution, allowing the water and feed to cling to the plants.

When feeding houseplants, Mr Whittaker explained, vary the kind of product: phostrogen first, then Baby Bio, then Miracle Gro. The plants should also be turned weekly, especially variegated species, otherwise they would turn green or begin to follow the light source.

In winter, all plants should be sprayed because of the lack of moisture in the centrally heated house.

Mr Whittaker went on to talk about orchids, which were parasites, and as such were easy to kill with kindness. They should only be fed after they had flowered, and good drainage was essential.

He showed the audience an example of an orchid that had been over-watered and explained that orchids had to be kept in a compact, dry soil. When the plant was in flower, he suggested that it needed watering no more than every eight days, and much less when flowering was finished.

At the end of the evening there was a plant sale, when members could purchase some of the plants grown in Mr Whittaker’s nursery.

Mr Whittaker’s light-hearted approach, as he interspersed his talk with jokes, had made it an enjoyable evening and plans were being made for a return visit.

The next open evening takes place in the meeting room at Congleton Library on Wednesday, 26th May, when the talk by Ged Ryan of the Cheshire Bat Group is entitled: “Go batty”. The meeting begins at 7.30pm and a warm welcome is extended to everyone.

Lounge Quality Carpet from £1.99 per sq. yd. ...... £2.38 per sq. m. Bedroom Quality Carpet from £1.50 per sq. yd. ...... £1.79 per sq. m. Kitchen Carpet from £1.75 per sq. yd. ...... £2.09 per sq. m. Shadow Pile Carpet from £2.99 per sq. yd. ...... £3.58 per sq. m. 80/20 Twist Pile Carpet from £4.50 per sq. yd. ...... £5.38 per sq. m. Contract Carpet from £2.00 per sq. yd. ...... £2.39 per sq. m. Wilton Carpet from £3.50 per sq. yd. ...... £4.19 per sq. m. Cord Carpet from £1.25 per sq. yd. ...... £1.50 per sq. m. Room Sized Remnants from £1.25 per sq. yd. ...... £1.50 per sq. m. AndMuch,MuchMoreallatIncredibly

Low,LowPrices

Opening Hours:

Monday to Saturday 10.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.

CLOSED FOR LUNCH 1.30 p.m. - 2.15 p.m.

(Closed all day Wednesday)

FREE DELIVERY

24 hour Expert Fitting Service available

NEW STOCK EVERY WEEK

Tel: (01260) 270245

Also Quick Step

Uniclic Laminate

Wood Flooring As seen on T.V.

Full range of colours available

Axminster Carpet, 80/20 Wool

Heavy Domestic, Grade 4&5

Anoutstandingrangeofcarpet,suretosuiteveryone’s taste.

Dozensofexcitingdesignsandpatternstochoosefrom

From£19.99to£40.00sq.yd.

£23.91 to£47.84 sq.m.

Natural Look Berber Carpet

100%wool,80%wooland50%wool

From£5.99to£19.99sq.yd.

£7.16 to£23.91 sq.m.

Wilton Carpet, Heavy Domestic &Contract Quality

Afabulousrangeofcarpet.

Choosefromdozensofrichcoloursanddesigns

From£4.99to£29.99sq.yd.

£5.97 to£35.87 sq.m.

Luxury Deep Pile Saxony and

Shag Pile Carpet

From£8.99to£25.99sq.yd.

£10.75 to£31.08 sq.m.

Cushion Floors and Vinyls

Weofferawideselectionoftopbrandnames,inc.

ArmstrongandNairn.2,3&4metreswide.

Alargeselectionalwaysinstock.

From£3.99to£18.99sq.yd.

£4.77to£22.71sq.m.