6 The Chronicle, Thursday, 2nd December, 2010. www.chronicleseries.co.uk

Oh baby, you’re the best!

Winner: Archie with his parents.

Archie is happy to have won the competition. (“Chronicle” photo. 4842c/10).

Two second cousins have kept it in the family y winning this year’s “Chronicle” bonny baby contest.

The newspaper’s readers voted five-month-old Archie George Maybury, of Mill Green, Congleton, as the winner of the baby category (0-12 months) and 17-month-old Owen O’Reilly, of Clayton Avenue, Congleton, as the top toddler in the one to two-year-olds category.

It was second time lucky for Owen, who was runner-up in the 2009 0-12 months competition, when he was just six weeks old.

And the parents of both winners were happy that the family enjoyed double success, which mean each winner gets £500 of photography vouchers from Wow Portraits on Bridge Street.

Archie’s father Gareth Maybury said he was “over the moon” that his son had won. His cute smile earned 448 votes, more than double that of the closest runnerup.

He said: “I’m definitely happy that he has won. We didn’t think he would win. It’s our first baby and he’s only five months old. Someone advised us to enter him so we did. I’m over the moon.”

Mr Maybury added that he was happy his cousin Amanda’s child also won and joked that he was glad they weren’t in the same category.

Owen’s cheeky grin and sideways glance nabbed him 410 votes, again more than double the runner-up.

His mum Amanda Davies said: “We came second in the

(“Chronicle” photo. 4842a/10).

baby competition last year, so we’re really chuffed that he’s won this year. It’s an added bonus that my cousin has won as well. To win just before Christmas is wonderful.”

She was also delighted with the prize, adding: “That’s my Christmas present.”

Since the competition began on 23rd September, 2,237 readers have voted, a fantastic response to a contest only in its second year.

Thank you to all the babies, toddlers and voters who took part.

Winner: 17-month-old Owen O’Reilly. (“Chronicle” photo. 4841b/10).

Cheekie chappie Owen with his mum.

(“Chronicle” photo. 4841a/10).

CONGLETON RAMBLERS

Walk on the Siddington side

On Wednesday, a party of the Congleton Group of the Ramblers Association enjoyed a four-mile walk in the Siddington area.

On a beautiful day, nine walkers set off from Mill Lane to reach Park Farm. They joined the footpath through the farmyard and noticed the cows munching on silage. Continuing through woodland to join crossfield footpaths, they re-joined Mill Lane.

The party made its way to the lake at Capesthorne Hall where a morning coffee break was taken. There were good views of the rather unusual building and gardens.

The walkers returned to Mill Lane and joined the driveway, passing Mill Lane Farm to eventually arrive at a footbridge over Fanshawe Brook. They were now on the Astle Estate and made their way over crossfield footpaths to Astle. There are several farms including Astle Farms East and West.

They continued past Astle West farm to enter woodland and follow a stream on the way to Brook House Farm.

They followed a footpath to Congleton Lane, rejoined Mill Lane and crossed Hackneyplat Bridge over Snape Brook to return to the starting point.

It had been a pleasant walk in perfect weather — bright sunshine but cool. It had started at 10am rather than the usual 1.30pm. It was the unanimous opinion that it was the best time to set off during winter months.

AW

Froghall Last Sunday, 12 members of Congleton Ramblers travelled to Froghall for a 13-mile walk in the Staffordshire Moorlands.

Temperatures were recorded at -10°C as they left Congleton but it was a beautiful sunny morning with not a cloud in the sky.

The walk began in the Churnet Valley at Froghall Wharf on the Caldon Canal, the latter being a very important transport route for limestone, flint and coal in the 18th century.

The first part of the route followed the River Churnet before eventually joining the Staffordshire Way which was followed through Hawksmoor Nature Reserve. This area had obviously had a lot more snow than Congleton which made for slightly tricky conditions underfoot but the scenery was fantastic with the frost on the trees sparkling in the winter sunshine.

At Hawksmoor Cottage the main road to Oakamoor was crossed before taking a narrow lane and track into Dimmingsdale. Here the Forestry Commission has turned an aristocrat’s dream into a delightful area where fine carriages used to carry the landed gentry. It contains several pools but they were all frozen over, adding to its beauty. Here the walkers had a short coffee break with mince pies before continuing to Lords Bridge, which spans the river.

A steady climb followed through a wooded area called Barbary Gutter which contains an ancient oak tree being held together by chains.

Emerging from the wood several fields were crossed before the group reached the tiny hamlet of Farley from where the summit of the roller coasters at Alton Towers were visible. From here the route entered the Longshaw estate where herds of deer were spotted before the walkers descended into Cotton, another tiny hamlet where Cotton College was once a thriving Roman Catholic school. The latter had stood for 200 years before finally closing in 1987 and unfortunately now is in a sorry state of decay.

After following a minor road for about a mile, the group ascended through moorland and pastures to reach the major road near Whiston. There followed the steepest ascent of the day through woodland to the village of Foxt where the walkers were rewarded for their efforts with a magnificent snowy panorama. Next on the agenda was a delightful stroll through Whieldon’s Wood and Moseymoor Wood before the group finally reached their destination back at the wharf.

The members all thoroughly enjoyed the walk which was made extra special by the brilliant winter sunshine and the fantastic wintry landscape.

JF

Marton Congleton Ramblers’ Sunday afternoon walk was around the parish of Marton.

On a brilliantly sunny afternoon, 18 walkers (including three new members) gathered near Marton church. It was extremely cold, with the temperature never l ifting above freezing but conditions were fine and crispy, ideal for a winter walk.

Setting off along the A34 road going south, the walkers soon left the busy road with i ts noisy traffic to head across the fields to Cocksmoss Lane. Arriving at Mutlow Farm, they were greeted by a very noisy donkey.

The track led to the edge of Black Wood and across the fields to Great Tidnock Farm. The ramblers noted with interest that the footbridge ove Chapel Brook was shortly to be repaired. A short stop fo refreshments was made along the track at Martonheath, a very pleasant interlude standing in the sunshine and admiring the views across the wintry landscape. Then i t was on to the wide track through the middle of Martonheath Wood with the going being very firm on the frosty ground, a pleasant change from the usual watery conditions along the lane. This led to Marton Lane and a left turn to pass Pikelow Farm and into the village by way of Oa Lane.

The pleasant four-mile wal had taken just about two hours, finishing just before the sun set.

Congleton Ramblers’ diary

Sunday 9am: Danebridge and the Roaches, nine miles, medium, leader Dave Thalrose, 01260 290507;

1.30pm: Havannah, four miles, leisurely, leader Alan Wrench, 01606 832236.

Members of Congleton Ramblers should meet at Congleton Library car park at the above times.

The wedding took place recently at St Luke’s Church, Mow Cop, of Miss Stephanie Edwards, youngest daughter of Mrs Jane Carter, of Longdown Road, Congleton, and Mr Brett Bailey, only son of Mr and Mrs Kevin Bailey, of Chapel Street, Mount Pleasant, Mow Cop.

Given away by her grandfather, Mr Tony Edwards, the bride wore a full length ivory dress with lace overlay and long train. She also wore red Doc Martin boots and carried a bouquet of orange gerbera daises, lilies and ivory flowers.

The bridesmaids were Ms Lisa Tagell (bride’s sister), Miss Jo Isom and Miss Alisha Tagell (bride’s niece). Ms Tagell and Miss Isom wore knee length halter neck burnt orange dresses. Miss Tagell wore a full length tiered ivory dress with a fur cape. They carried smaller versions of the bride’s bouquet.

Best man was Mr Kevin Bailey and the groomsmen Messrs Ben Jervis, Jonathan Knapper, Nic Heath and Chris Timmis.

Horseshoes were presented by Miss Tagell and Master Alex Carter.

The Rev David Harrison officiated, and the hymns “All things bright and beautiful” and “Give me joy in my heart” were sung.

There was a reading by M Jonathan Knapper during the signing of the register.

A reception to 100 guests was held at the Three Horseshoes, Blackshaw Moor, Leek, following which the couple left for a honeymoon in Vietnam.

The couple are to make thei home at The Hollow, Mow Cop.

The bride is assistant manage of Aldi, Crewe, and the bridegroom is a designer for KoKo.

(Submitted photograph). People are coming round to parking charges: claim

The Chronicle, Thursday, 2nd December, 2010. www.chronicleseries.co.uk 7

By Tom Byrne Congleton residents are beginning to accept car-parking charges according to a Cheshire East councillor.

Coun Derek Hough of Alsager made the comment during an Environmental Services meeting to discuss the findings of a report ranking Cheshire East towns and villages to ensure fair arking charges in the future.

When giving his view on the findings, Coun Hough said: “It is a valuable piece of work. Our taking in towns can help with setting parking strategies for particular towns. The overriding car parking strategy is to free up car parking. Improving town centres that is the overarching reason for this document — an attempt to equalise towns.

“Even Congletonians are coming round to the view that someone has to pay. No 2 parking charges know my views on this.

He added: “I’m very pleased with the outcome of the meeting. Congleton used to have a short stay car-parking problem. People that worked in Congleton used to ark all day and shoppers couldn’t get parked at all. Car parking charges have helped that.”

Coun Hough went on to explain his views on the “No 2 parking charges” protest group: “Either motorists make a contribution or the council tax payers pick up the tab. You can’t get it for nothing. Car parking charges will cover costs, not turn a huge profit.

“When they say no to car parking charges what they really mean is that someone still has to pay but it shouldn’t be motorists. That isn’t fair.”

He also said that he thought the biggest threat to Congleton town centre was not car parking charges but out of town shops like Tesco and Marks and Spencer, meaning fewer shoppers in the town centre.

The report ranked towns and villages in Cheshire East by a series of criteria to ensure that if parking charges are reviewed in the future, comparable towns and villages should be treated equally and a reasonable tariff created.

Members took into account population, facilities, railway provisions, CCTV provisions, retail, food and drink provision, evening economy, ease of access to the centre, public transport provisions and parking availability and usage.

The findings of the report, covered in the “Chronicle” earlier this month, gave Congleton a score of 61 out of 100, giving it a grade C alongside Sandbach, Poynton and Alderley.

Coun George Walton, chairman of the group which compiled the report, was complimentary of the exercise, saying: “It was a useful exercise for everyone to note down what they saw in the towns. I would say that we only got one view on the day we went. Towns change day-by-day and month-by-month so the report is in a period in time. But it is a valuable piece of work.”

Coun Rod Menlove, portfolio holder for environmental services, echoed Coun Walton’s thoughts:

“This report will be very helpful. When we come to the parking provision for the remainder of the 19 towns and villages, I would be delighted to get your input. We want to hear town council voices because you have lived in the area for God knows how long.

“I would like to thank everyone involved in the Task and Finish Group for all their hard work.”

School friends reunited

Forty-one former pupils of St James’s Junior School, Astbury Street, Congleton, recently attended a reunion at the Egerton Arms, Astbury, near Congleton.

Guest of honour was former teacher Ivor Nicholls, who joined the school in September, 1961.

A number of the attendees are pictured above on the steps outside St Mary’s Church, Astbury.

(Submitted photograph). Classified Advertising 01260 273 737

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