6 The Chronicle, Thursday, 22nd April, 2010. www.chronicleseries.co.uk

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Congleton Chronicle Established 1893 Founded by Robert Head

Published by Heads (Congleton), 11 High Street,

Congleton CW12 1BW. Tel 01260 273737 Fax 01260 280687

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Editor / managing director: Jeremy Condliffe. Deputy editor: James Jackson. Advertising manager: Pam Austen. Sub editors: Vanessa Todd (general manager), Angela Anderson. Reporters: Chris Young and Kelly Harris (Congleton), Lyndsey Telford (Alsager), Chinwe Akomah (Biddulph), Steph Barnett (Sandbach). Sales staff: Jennifer Banks

(office manager), Ann Durose, James Bell, Tracy Jackson. Accounts: Elsy Booth. Email administration: Dawn Withers, Angela Wedgebury, Harri Wharfe. Photographers: Glyn Boon, Emma Castle, Eileen Jackson.

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• Advertising: call 01260 273737 or email chronads@aol.com • Stories: call the reporters on 01260 273737 or email chronicleseries@aol.com • News: our columns are open to all readers. Letters, personal or local news, ports reports and local notes are part of the fabric of the newspaper and of the comunity we serve. Wedding reports are free and we can email forms out to you. We refer funeral reports (also free) to be sent via an undertaker.

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• Corrections: the “Chronicle” is committed to reporting the news honestly and ccurately within the constraints of space, time and law. We will correct mistakes as oon as possible. Complaints should firstly be addressed to the editor in writing or ia email. Readers have a right of reply to opinions but matters of fact will be claried at our discretion; if we are at fault, we will apologise.

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• We hope these hints are useful: we will update them regularly. If you have n ueries, we will be lad to deal with them. Last u date: March 2010.

Glancing Back

Extracts from the “Chronicle” files

100 years ago During the past week, the Manchester “Daily Dispatch” published an article, relative to the condition of the silk trade in Macclesfield, under the heading “The irony of free trade”. The information disclosed conveys the impression of a serious state of things prevailing among the work people in our sister borough, and is pregnant to an alarming degree with instances of enforced suffering to which many of the townspeople are at the present time reduced. Public subscriptions are being solicited to meet the demands consequent upon the existing distress, and efforts put forward to alleviate the burdens thrown on to the unfortunate work people, who, we understand, are feeling the pinch of poverty very keenly at this juncture. At such a crisis to call for assistance comes with all earnestness from those who have so generously thrown their untiring labours on the side of the suffering, and it is this connection that the inhabitants of our own town may feel to some extent that they have a duty to perform towards their neighbours. Such, we doubt not, would willingly be undertaken, and the open hand extended in no sparing manner, but we fear, fortunately, though distress is not rampant in our midst, that the financial status of the town is not at present in that affluent position which enables its inhabitants to do that which they would willingly undertake to assist their neighbours in such a time of distress.

* * * We understand that the provision of a new organ for St Peter’s Church is now under consideration by the officials, and the subject has been discussed at a meeting held in the schoolroom during the past week.

* * * With a view to stimulating a keener interest in the welfare of the Congleton and District Canine Society, the committee has decided to hold a grand dog show in the Drill Hall, Congleton, on Saturday, 18th June. There will probably be 13 classes (for members only), in addition to which nine open classes will be staged, including a children’s class for boys and girls aged under 14. It is hoped that every assistance will be extended to the committee in this commendable object, and that the occasion will meet with the wholehearted support of the public. A valuable silver cup is being offered for competition, and this will no doubt attract considerable interest.

50 years ago Slapstick comedy on a pedestrian crossing brought traffic chaos to Congleton’s town centre on Saturday. It was one of the mad goings-on which gave a rag-day touch to the Mayor’s street collection for the World Refugee Fund, and helped to raise the day’s total to almost £166. Seven local organisations provided about 100 helpers to perform stunts or collect from the public. With great enthusiasm, they saturated the main shopping streets and if the average shopper had put only a penny in each tin thrust in front of her, she would have ended up several shillings out of pocket. The fun in the high street began at 2.30pm when Stephen and Andrew Sebire, dressed as char-ladies, arrived with buckets of water, mops and detergent and set to work on the pedestrian crossing. On the pavement an even odder group calling themselves the Bowring Boys beat drums, clashed cymbals and waved maracas. In the midst of them, dressed as a woman of ample proportion, was Roger Bowring. Seated at a harmonium, he led spirited rendering of ditties ranging from “My old man’s a dustman” to “Rule Britannia”.

* * * Ex-world and European champions will fly models in the stunt competition which will form part of Congleton Model Aero Club’s rally in the park on Easter Monday. Included in the programme will be a 100mph team race in which planes with a wingspan of up to 5ft will be used. International class models will be flown by some of the 50 or more competitors, who will be coming from all over the country to make this the club’s best ever rally.

* * * Despite protests from Coun H Redfern that some Stott and Smith workers would be inconvenienced, Congleton Corporation’s Highway Committee on Thursday recommended that Hatter Street be closed and Conlowe Ltd, allowed to build over a 65ft length of it. Conlowe’s were applying for permission in order to join their burnt-out Brown Street mill to the portion of Stott and Smith’s Empire Mill, which they are now using. This, the firm pointed out, would prevent goods having to cross the road twice in the course of production when the Brown Street mill was rebuilt and would also enable them to provide employment for men.

25 years ago The results of Robert H Lowe, of Roldane Mill, Congleton, for the past year are “unacceptable”,

with the profit and loss account showing an operating loss of £110,000 said the chairman, Mr E Cummings, in his statement in the annual report. But on a brighter note, he reveals that the order book is stronger than at any time in the past four years, and there is confidence that 1985 will show a “distinct improvement”.

* * * The Congleton Entertainers helped to strengthen the ties with the twin town of Oosterhout in the Netherlands when they accepted an invitation to visit the Drum Band Concordia for an Easter holiday and to perform some concerts. Saturday began with the first concert which took place in Het Ruitebos, a large and beautiful old people’s home in Breda. With Jack ward at the piano, a cabaret selection was followed by a 1914-18 war selection. The residents soon had their feet tapping and the smiles on the faces all around showed that even the language difference was not important. When it came to “Pack up your troubles” and “Tipperary”, everybody was given a Union Jack and with the help of Doug Parker and coach driver John Bunganaar, they were waving them with gusto.

* * * About 20 people were made redundant on Friday when a Congleton firm was unexpectedly forced to cease trading. Leisure wear manufacturers J J Garments, of Edward Mill, Hatter Street, made their workers redundant after what the company described as the firm’s worsening financial position had forced the board of directors to cease trading immediately.

* * * Reports of bromide being put into Sandbach’s water supply were quashed by the North West Water Authority this week. A spokeswoman for the authority, Mrs Christine Keen, told the “Chronicle” that there was certainly no bromide in the Sandbach water supply. “It puts people to sleep”, she said. “And the water authority does not use it at all.” She suggested that people may be getting bromide mixed up with fluoride which was added to water to purify it by request of the local health authority. Regarding the discolouration of water that many people in the Sandbach area had noticed, Mrs Keen said that it could be caused by old pipes or sediment from them, but it was harmless.

* * * Goostrey and District Residents’ Association has received a reply from the head postmaster stating that a new postman is being recruited and trained, so that deliveries in the

Help and advice for local firms

An event at Riverside in Congleton on Wednesday, 19th May aims to help local businesses through a range of workshops from 10am-4pm.

Cheshire East Council has joined Business Link, HM Revenue and Customs, Jobcentre Plus, ACAS, Reaseheath Enterprise Delivery Hub, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and East Cheshire Chamber to host the free drop in-event.

It is aimed at small to medium enterprises and anyone considering self-employment.

There will be information on how to tender for public service contracts (separate appointment required) and the availability of publicly funded business support.

There are free refreshments and mobile internet access is available.

Cheshire East councillor Diana Thompson, Cabinet support member with responsibility for prosperity, said: “This is the latest in a long line of business-support events which have been organised by the authority and its partners.

“I’m sure everyone who attends the session will have much to gain: learning about how to attract financial support or become self-employed could signal the start of positive changes for any small to medium enterprise.”

For information, to book a place at one or more of the workshops and to book an appoint with the procurement team (to find out about how to tender for public service contracts) email jaqueline.wilson@cheshireeast.gov.uk village will be made between 7 and 9.30am.

10 years ago

Despite the bleak conditions, children of Rode Heath Primary School worked outside crafting a willow sculpture recently. The year six pupils worked alongside skilful willow artist Sarah Gallagher to make a canal barge from willow branches. The project was part of the children’s contribution to the Cheshire Pilgrimage Project. The children learned that Rode Heath once had a willow plantation. A group of year five pupils paid a visit to Rode Heath Rise to cut willow that was to be included in this impressive sculpture. They worked industriously for the two days to produce the barge, which is meant as a seating area fo the children. It is hoped that the sculpture will grow and become a living addition to the school’s surroundings.

* * * An air raid shelter has been uncovered at the site o Congleton’s former Danesford School. Builders Bryants Homes uncovered the shelter in the school’s grounds off West Road recently. Eleanor Blythe, who runs the nursery at the New Life Church, adjacent to the area the builders are developing, said that she’d always known there was a shelter there. “I was born and brought up in Congleton and have often wondered where exactly the shelter was as it has been buried for the past 50 years,” she said. The shelter was situated under the school’s tennis courts for the use of staff and pupils during the Second World War.

* * * Movie star Chitty Chitty Bang Bang made a celebrity appearance at the Sandbach Festival of Transport and brought the right weather as well! The car was one of many delights of the fun-packed festival which attracted bumper crowds for this year.

* * *

The long-serving production director of the “Chronicle” M Ray Stacey, was given a happy send-off into retirement on Friday, with lunchtime presentations at the Bull’s Head Hotel, Congleton. Thanking him for his contribution to the company over the past 38 years the proprietor of the “Chronicle” John Condliffe making one o the presentations said that M Stacey had seen more changes in the printing industry during his career than any previous generation had seen, so dramatic had they been.

Orchids on agenda

Ken Whittaker gives an illustrated talk entitled “Orchids and house plants” at Congleton and District Horticultural Society’s next open evening on Wednesday.

Birmingham-based M Whittaker has visited the society before, and besides being a gardening expert, is known for his light-hearted approach to gardening matters.

The event begins at 7.30pm in Congleton Library meeting room. Everyone is welcome. Horse breeder, (72), fined for falling foul of environment law

A horse breeder from Congleton was fined £10,000 on Friday, after the Environment Agency took him to court for illegally utting rubble on his own land.

The Chronicle, Thursday, 22nd April, 2010. www.chronicleseries.co.uk

7

Kelly Harris Congleton reporter Telephone: 01260 273737 Email:

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Phillip Edward Moss, (72), from Hillmoor Farm in Eaton, appeared before South Cheshire Magistrates sitting in Crewe, charged with disposing controlled or special waste on his land, without a licence.

The court heard that Moss, a well known reeder of world-class shire horses, had used rubble, hard core and top soil to fill in a steep art of his farmland, to stop any of his horses or other animals from falling down.

The court heard that the material, which was laced on his farm etween 8th October 2008 and 17th April last year “did not comply with a European law” and that Moss should have applied for a licence to dump the “non agricultural waste”, which would have cost around £8,000.

The case arose after neighbours and in particular an “aggrieved waste disposal firm” placed complaints with the Environment Agency and the former Congleton Borough Council.

The court was told that the area of land in question lay to the east of the farm uildings and that it was a “steep embankment” that had to be “negotiated” by animals and with farm equipment.

It was also stated that one of Moss’s champion shire horses fell down the drop in 1997,

roke its leg and had to be destroyed.

Following that, Moss had wanted to fill in the land and started putting soil there from the tracks on his farm.

He continued with the work in 1998 by putting in more soil ut as it was taking a long time, in 2008 he decided to speed up the process and made an application for a waste exemption certificate.

The court heard that the environmental officer said that although Moss was exempt from some parts it did not cover non-agricultural waste,

ut Moss, thinking he was covered, agreed to receive materials from Cheshire Skips.

The material was mainly uilding rubble and the court was told that Moss had received no money and that he had not een out to make a profit from the situation.

In the middle of 2008, Environmental Agency saw Mr Moss on the farm and asked him to remove some of the waste, including plastic and

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Mr Moss.

wood. He did so, and when an officer visited a year later, there was no more rubbish and grass had started to grow on the land.

The defence solicitor said: “Mr Moss has been a farmer all his life and grew up on this farm with his parents, who were also farmers.

“When his father died 20 years ago, Mr Moss purchased the farm and he and his mother continued to farm it together until she passed away. Since then he has farmed it on his own.”

“Living at the farm now are his two sons from his second marriage, who he has to support and he has also recently gone through divorce proceedings from his second wife.

“At the moment she still lives in the farmhouse as she is awaiting the settlement, but Mr Moss now has to find £200,000 for this or he will have to sell the farmhouse.

He added: “The land is now much safer for the animals and for agricultural purposes and whilst Mr Moss has broken the law, this is not the case of a man who has deliberately set out to flout the law, far from it.

“He just wanted to make some improvements to his land and he even paid for some of this material. He would not have bought the top soil and hardcore if he was out to make a profit.”

“The material used was mainly builders’ rubble and there is no evidence he has caused pollution to the environment in doing what he did.

“This is the first time the matter has come before the court and Mr Moss has entered a guilty plea on the first possible occasion.”

After “listening carefully to the case” the magistrate decided that Moss must pay £12,950, made up of a fine of £10,000, £2,935 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

(“Chronicle” photo. 1616/10).

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