6 The Chronicle, Thursday, 4th November, 2010. www.chronicleseries.co.uk

Musician helping to bring sanity to world of conflict

By Tom Byrne A woman from Congleton, who emigrated to Bosnia after niversity, has started a charity to help victims of war and bring cultures together through music.

Lis Murphy, (33), launched the UK branch of Musicians Without Borders at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, where the audience heard about the charity’s work and enjoyed performances throughout the day.

Musicians Without Borders ses music “to reduce the stressful effects of war and to connect eople across cultural, political and religious borders for peace and positive change”.

Miss Murphy started the Salford based charity after returning from war-torn Bosnia where she worked for her friend Ellie Maxwell’s charity Firefly International, which breaks down cultural and community barriers sing the arts.

She said: “The philosophy of the charity is not just donating money to those less fortunate than yourself but giving your time and skills to get involved with people you might not otherwise get the chance to meet.

“It’s rewarding for everyone involved and gives people access to ways of life and music that might not have been possible.

“It’s all about connecting people, whether they are from a war-torn country or introducing choirs and orchestras to different styles of music.”

The charity works in the UK, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, the Middle East, Uganda, Rwanda and the Netherlands.

At the launch, MancunianIranian saz player Arash Fayyazi created a relaxing atmosphere as the audience arrived. The launch event centred around musical performances and talks about the charity.

Ian Ritchie, director of the City of London Festival, told the moving story of how a group of

Serbs and a group of Albanian young people from Europe’s most divided city of Mitrovica, Kosovo, took the first brave steps of crossing the bridge to the other side of the city to play music together after meeting at a Musicians Without Borders summer rock school in Macedonia.

Newly appointed musical ambassador Harry Christophers, director of the Sixteen Choir and Orchestra, a London-based professional ensemble comprising of choir and period instrument orchestras, gave a speech about how music can bind people together.

He said: “Music can add a semblance of sanity to a world that is full of conflict.

“I firmly believe that it teaches us to love not hate, to be humble rather than arrogant, and to build not destroy. I believe in the

Miss Murphy singing with the Rainbow Haven Singers. On stage with Exodus, a refu- gee arts project in Manchester.

importance and the need of the work of Musicians Without Borders using music for peace and positive change and am incredibly proud to become their first UK musical ambassador.”

Miss Murphy lived on Leek Road in Congleton and attended St Mary’s Primary School where she took singing and recorder lessons. After studying music at Edinburgh University she then emigrated to Bosnia-Herzegovina, developing a project delivering creative music workshops.

She said: “I had no idea what I wanted to do after uni so I went over to work on music projects in Bosnia with a friend. I just fell in love with the people and the music. “They sing and play as a community and there is no playeraudience barrier at all — it’s like being at a football match. It really influenced the work I’m doing now.

“People respond to the different styles of music and it brings people together and gives them some common ground.”

Musicians Without Borders is developing a song-writing project with a group of torture survivors, in partnership with the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture, Imperial War Museum North and events company Ear to the Ground to create a live multi-media performance in 2011.

It has already set up singing groups in partnership with Rainbow Heaven drop-in centre for refugees, asylum seekers and people in Salford and East Manchester.

It has formed a partnership with Women Asylum Seekers Together to develop a women’s singing group for campaigning, socialising and creating music for

Public Notices

CHESHIRE EAST BOROUGH COUNCIL

PLANNING NOTICES

We have received the following applications: Major Development Application No: 10/4059C Applicant: Goldcrest Finance Ltd. Location: Henry Alty, Knustford Road, Cranage, CW4 8HU. Proposal: Demolition of Derelict Building and Erection of 14 No. Family Homes with Associated Parking and Landscaping. Change of Use from B1 to C3 Usage. Details of all planning applications and plans can be viewed online at www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/planning or between the hours of 9am and 5pm, Monday, Wednesday - Friday and 10am to 5pm Tuesday at the Planning Customer Service Point, Municipal Buildings, Earle Street, Crewe, CW1 2BJ. Anyone who wishes to make representations on any of the applications can send them in writing to the address below, or by e-mail to Planning@cheshireeast.gov.uk by noon on 25th November, 2010, quoting the application number. The whole of your comments will be publicly available, including on the internet, so please consider carefully what you say and the information you include.

ADRIAN FISHER, Head of Planning and Policy, Cheshire East Borough Council, Town Hall, Macclesfield, SK10 1DP. C2536h

NOTICE TO PATIENTS AT

READESMOOR MEDICAL

GROUP PRACTICE

’FLU CLINICS

Your doctor recommends that you have a ’flu vaccination if you are over the age of 65 years or if you suffer from heart trouble, diabetes, asthma, kidney disease,

cerebral palsy or if you are taking immuno-suppressant medication. Pregnant ladies who have NOT previously had the swine ’flu vaccination should also attend. If you are a carer you are also eligible to have a ’flu vaccination. A vaccination against pneumonia will also be available to patients over 65 years of age or have any of the above medical conditions if you have not had one before.

This vaccination only has to be given once and protects you for life. Readesmoor Medical Group Practice is holding another open session for ’flu vaccinations on:

Wednesday 10th November

9.30 a.m. - 12.00 noon

No appointment is necessary.

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DOGWISE

Getting the real story

We have a new training class starting in Wilmslow this month.

I look forward to it immensely.

I can’t wait to meet all those new dogs each with their own story to tell.

Of course, we ask owners to tell us about their dog before they enrol. We enquire about nervous issues and sociability with other dogs but what I’ve learned over the years is the only reliable information comes from the dog.

“Does your dog ‘play’ with others?” is a key question we always ask aware of the unruly behaviour that results.

Knowing we disapprove the answer is usually no, but the dog always spills the beans charging at every dog he meets.

“He may not listen to the rest of the family but our dog knows I’m the leader,” is a typical male response. The dog then drags dad through the door pulling hard enough to tow a milk float in a clear display of canine superiority.

Trust me, if your dog pulls on

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A local paper to be proud of the lead you are no leader.

You are, in fact, surplus to requirements in your dog’s eyes and you may as well go home, watch television and come back in a couple of hours.

“He’s protecting me,” one lady said as her dog lunged at me. After he calmed down I took him for a walk and he lunged at everyone. I tied him to a tree and he still lunged. This dog wasn’t protecting his owner at all — he was a nervous dog protecting himself.

Owners invent personalities for their dogs then fail to read the real issues.

“She doesn’t like men,” is a typical myth usually attributed to a dog that has real social issues with all kinds of situations. It’s not a “man” problem, it’s a nervous problem.

I love chatting to owners but when I want the REAL story I listen to the dog.

Read more training tips on Vic’s website: vicbarlow.com

Miss Murphy launching the charity at the Bridgewater Hall.

a play to be performed at the Lowry in November.

In addition, the charity is working to train refugee and asylum seeker musicians to deliver music and singing workshops for community groups and amateur choirs to share music across cultures.

Musicians Without Borders was founded in the Netherlands in 1999 by a group of musicians in response to the war in Kosovo.

For more information about the charity, visit musicianswithoutborders.org.u or phone Miss Murphy on 07752 505269.

(Submitted photographs).

RSPCARSPCA Will anyone rehome this lovely dog?

Despite an appeal in this newspaper a month ago, no-one has shown any interest in rehoming poor Prince, currently being looked after by the RSCPA Macclesfield South East Cheshire and Buxton Branch.

Prince is a very friendly staffie bull terrier cross, who unfortunately is not coping well with life in kennels.

He was signed over to the RSPCA by the owner who was moving and couldn’t take Prince with her. Having originally come from a dogs’ home, this sevenyear-old chap has been very unlucky in life to find himself back behind bars again.

Prince is not great with other dogs but he more than makes up for it with his love of people. It is such a shame no one wants this loving chap as he is an all round fantastic dog.

He is real softie — very friendly and affectionate so he would make someone a great pal.

Prince is quite an energetic little boy and loves his walks and chasing his favourite toy — the tennis ball. He doesn’t know how to drop on command but soon learns if offered him a treat.

Prince is obedient and very willing to please, and knows all his basic commands. He is housetrained, excellent in the car and he can be left for a few hours.

Carmen Cole, dog rehoming coordinator for the local RSPCA said: “There must be someone out there who would love a wonderful little dog like Prince in their life.

“He is a loving, affectionate and obedient little boy who really deserves a new home.

“It would be heartbreaking to see him stuck in kennels ove Christmas.”

Although Prince loves children ideally he would be rehomed with a family with older children. He needs to be the only pet.

Prince is neutered, microchipped and fully vaccinated.

Anyone who can offer this lovely little chap a home, should call the RSPCA Macclesfield South East Cheshire and Buxton Branch on 01625 669620 or visit rspca-macclesfield.org.uk.

• This RSPCA branch relies heavily on the local community to cover running costs. If anyone would like to donate, or has a few hours to spare and would like to volunteer, please see the website for details.

(Submitted photograph).

Prince enjoying his favourite pastime. The Chronicle, Thursday, 4th November, 2010. www.chronicleseries.co.uk 7

Cheshire East’s junior MPs put their case in Parliament

By Kelly Harris Youngsters replaced MPs on Friday when they spoke in the House of Commons.

S i x t e e n - y e a r - o l d Megan Pancutt, who attends Alsager School Sixth Form, was among the group of politically-aware youngsters who were conducting their own youth parliament and have the title “MYP”.

Megan appeared on the BBC Parliament channel which aired the debate after speaking on the subject of transport fares for young people.

Megan, who argued that subsidies for school bus fares should be exempt from spending cuts, was representing Cheshire East Youth Parliament along with Laura Trevett, (14), who attends Sandbach Girls

School.

They were accompanied by Elizabeth Jessop, (16), the media representative for the North West, to join a debate to raise awareness of young people’s issues. Elizabeth also appeared on the television programme, aired later that day and the following evening.

The girls were joined by 300 other MYPs aged between 11 and 18 from around country.

Megan felt strongly about lower fares because transport costs influenced her decision not to take her A-levels at Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School.

Megan’s argument won the day with 239 of her fellow MYPs voting for the protection of fares.

Other issues dealt with included sex and relationships education becoming compulsory from primary school onwards: a majority of 211 MYPs voted in favour.

A total of 267 were against the rise of university fees; 271 were against the school leaving age being raised to lower youth unemployment and 179 were

CHRONICLEFEATURE

The youth parliament sitting the House of Commons last year.

against withdrawing British troops from Afghanistan by 2012.

The MYPs will discuss the outcome of the debates at local level.

Sarah Gaskall looks after Cheshire East MYPs in her role as youth participation worker for the young persons’ advice bureau Connexions Cheshire and Warrington.

She took the girls to London last Thursday afternoon, stayed with them overnight and then accompanied them to the House the next morning.

She said: “It was valuable experience for them. They got their voices heard by MPs who came in and out throughout the debate.”

The event follows a UKYouth Parliament debate in the House of Commons last year, the first time anyone other than MPs had debated in the chamber.

MPs voted by a majority of 499 to 21 to allow youth parliament members to debate in the House of Commons chamber.

The UK Youth Parliament is now calling for young people across the country to submit views on the debate topics via the website ukyouthparliament.org.uk

(Photo: Terry Moore).

Egerton-Brooks

BUTCHERS Formerly S. L. Parry’s 5, Astbury Street, Congleton, CW12 4EF.

Are now taking Christmas orders for fresh local Turkeys, Pork, Beef WE STOP TAKING CHRISTMAS ORDERS

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Tel. 01260 277309

The Black Swan in association with

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Hearing Centre 3 Duke Street

Hearing-aid compatible phones available.

Hearing-aid compatible hones are now available for ust £29.99 at Congleton features including flashing lights for incoming calls and three levels of amplification.

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Change of mind over PDSA base

After months of discussion, the PDSA animal charity has decided not to go ahead with plans to occupy two units at Cranberry Point, Crewe Road, Alsager.

The charity gives free veterinary treatment for the pets of people in need. It has 48 hospitals and smaller branches throughout the UK.

In April, Cheshire East Council gave developers Muller Palatine Properties permission to allow the clinic to open.

Richard Hooker, PDSA’s director of veterinary services, said: “In recent months we have discussed the possibility of occupying units at The Point. However after further consideration we withdrew from negotiations some weeks ago.”

Mr Hooker would not give a reason for the withdrawal.

He added: “There are no immediate plans to open further facilities in north Staffordshire or south Cheshire, though we will continue to assess our service provision in the region.”

Cheshire water filtered by sand

A Cheshire brand of bottled water has been launched: Peckforton Hills Cheshire Spring Water is naturally filtered from a sandstone ridge rising 203m above the Cheshire plains.

Peckforton, where the water is sourced, has been designated both as a site of special scientific interest and of biological importance, as well as being the source of the Gowy and Weaver rivers.

The water is bottled by Cheshire soft drinks manufacturers Calypso and distributed by Tattenhall Trading.

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