Raven - Rainow

TheRavenNo.21 Winter 2012The quarterly magazine for the whole of Rainow● Village News● Social Events● Parish Council News● Clubs & Societies● School & Church

Parish Council NewsThe Parish Council would like to wish everyone a very....Happy and Peaceful Christmas and NewYearVery Best Wishes for 2013FREE New Footpath MapWe are very pleased to announce that all householdswill receive one FREE copy of the new Rainow footpathmap with this issue of the Raven. The map has beenupdated to reflect changes to the footpaths and otherfeatures shown on the map. The reverse of the maphas been changed to provide information about Rainowfor the benefit of both residents and visitors. In place ofthe walk information on the previous map the Councilwill also be producing a walks booklet to accompanythe map; this will provide a greater range of walks andmake it easier to view the map and walk description atthe same time. The walks booklet will be available forpurchase in the New Year and additional maps will alsobe available for purchase.Winter GrittingHighways should be filling the grit bins and depositing1 tonne sacks of salt mix at strategic locations in theparish to assist when the weather is particularlywintery. The sacks will be dropped on the verge as theyare and the salt can then be spread from the sack. Wehave asked for the usual distribution at the top of SugarLane, top of Round Meadow near telephone kiosk,Berristall Lane (should the bin not be filled), Tower Hilland mid-point of Kiskill Lane. Hopefully we will be wellcovered for this winter but, should you have anemergency then the contact number for highways isTel: 0300 123 5020. This is manned 08.30 until 17.00Monday to Friday and outside these hours a messagegives the option to be put through to contact the dutyofficers for emergencies.Please note that the salt from the bins and sacksare for use on the road and pathways ONLY. If youneed to salt your own drive then please get in yourown supply.Highways ImprovementsWe are endeavouring to get Highways to improve thesignage for Bull Hill and hopefully help to prevent HGVsfrom using the road. The Council are also looking atimprovements to the Mount Pleasant Island with thehelp of Cheshire East Highways. The Council has nowgot agreement that the signage on Round Meadow isridiculously over the top and will be replaced with somethingmore appropriate. With the co-operation fromMembers of the Public, Councillors and Highways wehope this will be replaced before Christmas.Christmas TreePlease take a look at our fantastic Christmas Tree thisyear in Trinity Gardens, supplied by Macclesfield Forest.Unfortunately, due to cuts, we did not receive our usualfree tree this year. For the second year running theVicar held the tree lighting and Christmas Carolceremony on 2nd December. Tea and biscuits providedby the church were gratefully received. We would like tothank everyone who helped with the installation anddecoration of the tree, with special thanks to Bill Bennetwho supplies the electricity to light the tree and PeterNixon for his electrical expertise.VandalismThe Parish Council would ask everyone in thecommunity to keep vigilant. Please do notify the Policeof any acts of vandalism to your property as well askeeping the Parish Council involved by notifying theClerk. The new contact numbers are listed below. Wewould also remind you that if you see any damage tolocal seats, fencing, bus shelters and so on, pleasecontact the Clerk so that we can get repairs put inplace as soon as possible. If the item is not theresponsibility of the Parish Council, we can pass therequest on to the relevant authority.Police non-emergency contact number Tel: 101Homewatch contact number Tel: 01606 362725Parish Council contact number: 01625 850532E-NewsIf you would like to join Rainow E-NEWS and get all thelatest news and updates please email your address tothe Clerk at rainowparish@aol.com. Agenda, minutesand any notices are also available on the website foryour information.Civic ServiceThe Civic Service was once again a great success withSteve Rathbone providing, as ever, a splendid service.Over Alderley Brass Band accompanied the choir andcongregation with the hymns. Among the guests werethe Mayor of Cheshire East Councillor George Walton,Bollington Town Mayor Cllr Ken Edwards, Mayor ofMacclesfield Cllr Alift Harewood-Jones, Poynton TownMayor Cllr Sandra Horsman, Cheshire East CouncillorHilda Gaddum and David Rutley MP.Representatives from Higher Hurdsfield and PottShrigley Parish Councilsl also attended. The boys andgirls from beavers, cubs, scouts, rainbows andbrownies along with the Rose Queen Emma CarterRose Queen Emma Carterand her RosebudsMayor of RainowJohn Stagg and wifeJanetand her attendants made the event even morespecial. Once again the Council would like to say a bigthank you to all villagers who joined in to help makethe Civic Service such a successful event – we couldnot make this possible without your help. A particularthank you to all members of the Women's Institute whoprovided cakes and to all members of the ParishCouncil who made the sandwiches.Photographs of the event are available on our website.2 Cover Photo: Dave Wilcox

Annual Parish Meeting – 8.30 pm 19th March 2013This may seem a little in advance but, before we know it,we will be working on our spring issue. Every year theParish Council holds an Annual Parish Meeting where allRainow Residents are welcome to come and meetCouncillors and find out how they are working on yourbehalf. You can come and raise any points you wishconcerning life in your village and any suggestions you mayhave which could enhance the village.It is important that the Parish Council knows yourviews so please do keep us informed.The Pleasance GardenWe would like to thank John Stagg and David Hinkes fortheir help over the years in making the Pleasance such abeautiful garden.We are looking for volunteers to help keep the garden ingood order. Are you interested in a little extra gardening andwould like to take this on in the spring?Please contact the Clerk if you are interested.Advertising in the RavenThe Council are seeking advertisers to ensure thecontinuation of the newsletter. If you are interested inadvertising then please contact Cllr Carole Harvey.Your Parish CouncillorsAlan Taylor (Chairman) 575544alan.taylor@rainow.comJohn Cantrell (Vice Chairman) 422107john.cantrell@rainow.comRichard Balment 573625richard.balment@rainow.comAlan Brett 576108alan.brett@rainow.comKen Butler 433168ken.butler@rainow.comGeoff Cooper 574878geoff.cooper@rainow.comSue Frith 573802sue.frith@rainow.comCarole Harvey 573576carole.harvey@rainow.comVivienne Law 575201vivienne.law@rainow.comMary Marsh 573508mary.marsh@rainow.comPat Mellish 574523pat.mellish@rainow.comAndrew Renshaw 574977andrew.renshaw@rainow.comClerk: Sarah Giller 850532parishclerk@rainow.comCheshire East Councillor:Hilda Gaddum 01260 252456Future Meetings and Dates for your diary18th December 2012 – Parish Council Meeting 8.00 pm15th January 2013 – Parish Council Meeting 8.00 pm19th February 2013 – Parish Council Meeting 8.00 pm19th March 2013 – Parish Council Meeting 8.00 pm16th April 2013 – Parish Council Meeting 8.00 pm19th March 2013 – Annual Parish Meeting21st May 2013 – AGMWelcome toTheRavenTwenty-one today! Well, it is Issue No 21 of the Raven,marking our first five years of publication. Lookingback to the first edition shows how much haschanged in that time. The magazine is now muchbigger, has a range of advertisements, usually hasmore colour pictures, prints letters from readers and is runby a team of editors. The emphasis remains on providing aquality magazine with village news and views and with asensible balance between content and the advertisementswe need for our finances. The most significant developmentover the last twelve months, however, has been the arrivalof a much wider range of contributors – both writers andphotographers.This edition sees contributions from several new adultwriters whilst last issue’s book review by a youngster hasstimulated more writing from primary school children. In thisissue we have our first contribution from someone atsecondary school. All of these people have come forwardwith their own ideas and the editorial team has beenimpressed by the quality of their writing and their readinessto have a go at getting into print. After “encouragement” toput finger to keyboard, most found their efforts rewardingand have come back again! We are confident that theoutcome is a magazine appealing to more and morepeople.Now that so many more Rainow people are actively takingpart, it’s surely time for all our readers to think about puttingforward a contribution. No need to feel modest – just havea go! Even a “Letter to the Editor could make a startingpoint. You can put your ideas in through theemail address and we guarantee to give youfair feedback and help if you want it.theraven@rainow.comCompetition for the Raven Cover!There's a bottle waiting to be won for thephotographer who comes up with a suitable coverphoto for the next Raven. Send in your entry before15th February 2013 to theraven@rainow.com.Pictures should show somewhere identifiably withinthe parish and be suitable for the spring issue.Editorial Team for this issue:Ian BrammerSheila BrammerBob LangstaffLouise LeighJane MellingsRaph MurrayAndrew Renshaw Rosie DanielsDesign by Mel Wilcox (01625 576182)Beaujolais3

Rainow ScoopsNew Cheshire AwardNot many people in Rainow know anything about Essar –the big Indian oil company – but the company has neverthelesshad an impact on us. Last year it bought Shell’sStanlow Refinery, Britain’s second largest refinery whichemploys nearly a thousand people, mostly in CheshireWest. So how is this relevant to us? The answer lies in the factthat Shell’s legacy contained not only the refinery but theresponsibility for the prestigious Community Pride Competitionopen to every village and small town in Cheshire which Shell ranfor several years. Raven readers will remember that our mostrecent big successes in the Shell competition were celebrated onthe cover of our Autumn issue three years ago when we won theCommunity Spirit Award (and when the Raven won its firstaward as Best Community Newspaper!) In that year’scompetition we also picked up a Little Gem Award for thePleasance Garden.Essar teamed up with Cheshire Life to keep this popularcompetition going and also kept the same standards for thejudging process. Judges visited us twice during the year andwere able to see the village as it really is, not specially madeover for the inspectors. This year the competition retained theBest Kept Village format but added a new award for the villageshowing the most improvement during the past year.The good news is that Rainow scooped up this new award – thatof “Best Kept Village Improvement” – plus two further awards; asecond Community Newsletter award for the Raven and anotherLittle Gem Award for the Mill Pond and Waterfall. In ourpopulation group we featured in the top five in Cheshire for theoverall Best Kept Village Award, won in the end by Tattenhall.Out of fifty Cheshire villages, Rainow was the only one to walkaway with three awards.John Cantrell and Carole Harveypick up the plaque!The awards are a closely guarded secret until the night of thepresentations and it was good that two of our Parish Councillors,John Cantrell and Carole Harvey, were on hand to receive theawards. Both were needed as the giant plaque for the mainaward needed two to hold it! Local MPs David Rutley andGraham Evans were both at the ceremony to see Rainow takethe awards and congratulate the councillors.Winning the main award is down to the work of ParishCouncillors and other volunteers whose hard work during theyear has born fruit and to the efforts of householders with a pridein their village. The plaque will become a familiar sight in thevillage alongside the commemorative plates which record pastawards but this time we will hold it for twelve months. Next yearwe try again for another big one!Every year Macclesfield RSPB Wildlife Explorers hold a TreeDressing event to remind children of the importance of treesfor wildlife and in our history and culture. Children gathernatural materials; add clay and a healthy dose of imaginationto decorate trees with mysterious faces, the figures of woodlandsprites and all manner of creatures invented and real.This year’s event will be particularly poignant as trees have beenhitting the headlines recently. Chalara fraxinea is a fungus thatcauses Chalara dieback, a serious disease of ash trees that oftenresults in death of the tree. It is believed to have entered thecountry on plants imported from continental Europe althoughsome outbreaks are proving more difficult to explain and thespread of fungal spores by other means is also being considered.Ash trees with their distinctive black buds are important trees ofour woodlands and hedgerows that support a wide range ofwildlife. They grow up to 100ft tall and can live for 200 years.Even the timing of ash leaf burst is immortalised in folklore:Oak before ash – we're in for a splashAsh before oak – we're in for a soakWe have faced similar threats before – if you grew up in thesixties you will remember how Dutch Elm disease ravaged ourcountryside – but we can't make a direct comparison with the twodiseases as in Dutch Elm disease the fungus responsible was4If you go down to the woods todayby Tina Hanak (Group Leader, Macclesfield RSPB Wildlife Explorers)transmitted by a beetle. We don't know what the introduction ofChalara will mean for our ash trees although the experience inDenmark where 90% of their trees were affected makes it difficultto feel optimistic. Nature often has a way of springing back –some trees may develop resistance to Chalara and maybeforestry industry and public awareness will limit its spread in thewider countryside.Perhaps the biggest lesson we can learn from this outbreak isthat we should be questioning where the plants we buy aresourced. If you have ever purchased a native tree from a gardencentre, you probably assumed that it was grown in a nursery inthe UK. Imports of ash trees were stopped too long after thedisease was first reported here – we should encourage ourgovernment to react more quickly and decisively in the face ofsuch ecological threats.Perhaps this should also serve as a timely reminder that weshouldn't take our trees, woods and natural spaces for granted.Let's walk, play, explore and enjoy. We can't predict the changestomorrow will bring to our landscape so we should make themost of it today.For inspirational wildlife activities for children and young peopleplease check out the website: www.macclesfieldrspb.org.uk.Follow the group on Twitter@Maccwildlife

Swimmers raise £1300 forChildren in NeedRainow Yummy Mummies, Rainow Scrummy Mummies & Rainow RacersHarrop Fold FarmRainowTel: 01625 560085Somewhere very special...A Quintessentially English Experience,Delightful Award Winning5 Star Guest Farmhouse andSelf-catering Cottage Accommodationset in 20 acres with breathtakingviews over the Cheshire Plain.Photo: - Megan Dixon, Jacqui Wood, Colette Simpson, Veronique Hudson, Stephanie Wood,Dale Unwin, Leonie Earley, Alison Sharp, Sally Stringer, Catherine Mather, Mark Nadin,Sarah Dilworth, Emma Nadin, Matt Rogers, Vicky Brierley, Katherine Beswick, Laura Rogers& Ross NadinWhen asked by Macclesfield and District Lions Charity Organisation toparticipate in their Children In Need Swimarathon our first thought wasthere wasn't a chance we would allow anyone to see us in swimmingcostumes! After further consideration and a little leg waxing we decided thatthe wonderful network of mums and dads at Rainow Primary School could assist inthis event and one week later we had three teams of dedicated parents willing tosupport children less fortunate than ours.So, readily prepared, new swimming costumes purchased, muscles flexed andsuper fast goggles at the ready, the parents of Rainow and Puss Bank Schoolentered the contest and swam to raise as much money as possible! Although notthe fastest of all the teams entered we thoroughly enjoyed the event, identifiedsome amazing swimmers and had great fun, raising over £1,300 to supportChildren in Need and Macclesfield Children's charities.Macclesfield and District Lions have been running this event for over 25 years,raising in excess of £6,000 each year to support Children in Need, in Macclesfieldand throughout the UK. Although initially concerned about our swimming techniqueand being fearful of baring flesh (spray tan helped) nothing mattered when it camedown to the number 1 cause – Children in Need! Thank you to everyone whoparticipated and sponsored us in this event and to Macclesfield and District LionsClub for bringing us all together in a united, fun and truly worthy cause – we will beback next year to raise more!We offer ’Cupcakes Galore’ -hands on cookery courses as well as a‘Cornucopia of Canapés’ -hands on Canapé courses along withCookery Demonstrations with Lunch orDinner using the finest local ingredientsled by our own Cordon Bleu trained Chef.Day & Residential Art Courseswith our Resident Professional Artist.Gift Vouchers available and Corporate andGroup Bookings welcome.www.harropfoldfarm.co.ukwww.michaelmooreart.co.ukwww.leahspantry.co.ukYOUR LOCAL SERVICEParticipants at theChristmasWreathWorkshoprun byHazel Cantrell andClaire de Ruiterat the Instituteat the end ofNovember.5

Schools PoetryRather than a junior book review we feltwe should publish more of RainowSchool's budding authors. Thisselection, written by Year 6 poets,was inspired by a collection of shoes.Rainow University StudentsGraduationby Mark Bertinshaw, HeadteacherBoth of the dance shoes were doing jive and latinThe running shoes were running and running somemoreThe high heels strutted off to the promWhilst the Converse all-stars break-danced on thefloor.By Rachel BI walk around all dayCovered in mud, grumpy and tired,Through damp forests and dustytowns.I have protectionPeople glance and look awayBut I have a thick skinAnd a hard soul.By Callum RUntil I spotted the delicate pairI was oblivious to the factThat eleganceCould performI never knewThat the shine of the shoeCould catch a crying child'ssilenceBy Maya DRainow NSPCCThanks to all those who recently supportedthe Italian Evening at Hurdsfield Cottage.This event raised £850 whilst our annualPunch and Mince Pies Morning in earlyDecember realised £980.Our next fund-raiser will be a Fashion Showand Luncheon at the Hunting Lodge, AdlingtonHall on Wednesday 13th March 2013supported by Park Lane Fashions, Clarins fromJohn Lewis and Wendy Lloyd Jewellery.Please contact Sue Frith (01625 573802)or Lyn McCarthy (01625 427896).Every term we try to provide a different learning experience for the children.In Key Stage 2, previously known to many of you as the juniors, we haveintroduced 'Rainow University' to enrich the school curriculum. In thisweekly session we offer a range of wonderful and varied activities whichpupils can choose to do. All of the year five children take part in the WiderOpportunities music scheme where the school funds two music tutors to teachthe children a wind or brass musical instrument and take part in an orchestra.The highlight of this course is a once in a lifetime opportunity to play with theHallé Orchestra at the Bridgewater Hall.For other pupils in the juniors, we have offered the choice of some superb andmemorable learning experiences and we greatly appreciate the parents andother volunteers who give up their time to support these projects.◆ A number of pupils went with Mr Gratton and Mrs Tobin to work in RainowInstitute, writing their own play linked to their Greek topic work in school.◆ Mr Norris developed the children's computing skills in designing theirown amazing computer adventure games. Mrs Worth, helping out as aparent volunteer, made delicious treats in 'Cake and Bake'.◆ Miss Gerrity designed and made working puppets with the pupils todevelop their technology skills. We also particularly enjoyed somewonderful fashion designing from children working with Mrs de Ruiter.◆ My group, the outdoor explorers, planted bulbs, dug potatoes, madedams, built dens and cooked sausages in the school woods. Theydeveloped their abilities to cooperate and work as a team as well ashoning their hot dogeating skills!The final event was theformal graduation ceremonywhich recognised thechildren's efforts in theirchosen field. If you feel thatyou could offer a particularskill, for exampleneedlework, sewing,woodworking etc, or if youwould like to simplysupport one of the aboveactivities alongside amember of staff, pleasecontact the school formore details.6

TheReading,Writing, Religion – and RuctionsBob Langstaff begins a series of articles on the turbulent development of education and religion in RainowLima Farm played a big part inRainow’s religious historyPart One: Consternation at LimaThe development of both schooling and religion inRainow is inextricably bound up with the part that thevillage played in the establishment of Methodism inMacclesfield. The Methodist Church held sway overthe area for decades, and by the time the bitter battlefor the hearts and minds of the villagers was properlyjoined, during the 1840s, the Anglican church had decidedthat the only way to break the stranglehold of the powerfulMethodists in the village was through the founding of aschool and then a new church to replace its totteringChapel-of-Ease, which stood at the top of Chapel Lane.But the story begins a century earlier:On Friday 8th November 1745, at about mid-day, John Wesleypreached ‘near Maxfield’. This meeting – the beginning ofMethodism in Macclesfield – is traditionally said to have takenplace at Shrigley Fold, in the area of Swanscoe betweenHigher Hurdsfield and Rainow. Thirty-six years later, when thefirst Methodist chapel was built in Rainow – “to be used by thepeople called Methodists” – the religion already had a stronghold in the surrounding villages and hamlets and amongst thelonely houses in the hills. The Methodists spread their wordthrough ‘preaching circuits’, and people in Adlington, PottShrigley, Bollington and particularly Kettleshulme, wheresupport was strong, gathered into “classes”, meeting in housesor listening to some itinerant preacher on a local hillside.Before the local ‘classes’ began, and until the opening of thefirst Methodist chapel in Macclesfield, those Methodists wishingto attend a formal service would have had to walk or ride toStockport or even to Manchester.Studio/Gallery@Kerridge EndCesterbridge Cottage Kerridge End RainowTelephone: 01625 612478www.janeosmond.netIn Rainow, there were several devout and prominentMethodists, amongst them the blacksmith Peter Barber, andJohn Beard of Billinge, who was regarded as a senior – an ‘olddisciple’ of the religion. Among the villagers at this time wasEdward Visit to Hampson, the who was born at Blue Boar Farm in 1739.His Threshing father, who Barn rented Lima Farm, was drowned whilst trying tocross near a swollen Leek stream, leaving twelve children. Edwardsucceeded his father and struggled to look after his manybrothers and sisters. When Edward took possession of Limathere was no Methodism in the neighbourhood but he heardthat a Methodist preacher was about to visit Kettleshulme andwent there out of curiosity. After the service was over he said injest to a woman he knew “I wonder whether these Methodistswould come and give me a sermon?” The woman told thepreacher what Hampson had said. Hampson was mortifiedwhen the preacher turned up at Lima on the following Sundaywith a substantial congregation in train. The bemused farmer,comforting himself that this would be the first and last time,allowed the preacher to go ahead, but at the close of theservice the preacher announced to his congregation that therewould be another service there ‘next Lord’s Day’, and this wasrepeated again and again.At about this time Hampson went to The Marsh, anotherRainow meeting place, to hear one of the country’s leadingMethodists, John Pawson. Following this he joined a smallclass at Blue Boar, his childhood home, where he wasconverted and after which he allowed preaching to carry on atLima for the next fourteen years.In the next issue, Part Two will tell the story of theheadstrong James Mellor and the founding of the firstMethodist Chapel in the village.ROY McCARTHYCoaches for every occasion35 - 70 SeatersPlease call us for our 2013 brochurewith details of our holiday toursand day excursionsTel: Macclesfield (01625) 425060www.roymccarthycoaches.co.ukTHE COACH DEPOT ◆ SNAPE ROAD ◆ MACCLESFIELD7

TheRobin HoodQuiz Team- Wisdom or Useless Drivel?by Jim KennellyWe do have all the Answers- but the trick is to match them to the Questions!November Quiz Team -Lorraine Hilton, Simon Blackett, Jim Kennelly and Tim GrimesIs it the danger, the exotic travel or the unfettered admirationof glamorous women that attracts us to the quiz team? Is itthe sharp tailoring or the adrenalin surge? It might be anynumber of these, if you realise “any number” does includezero.Roll back to at least a year ago; various inhabitants of Rainowhappily participated in quiz nights at the Rising Sun and theRobin Hood; latterly exclusively at the Robin Hood.Offspring were occasionally conscripted to bulk out theregular teams or, even better, formed scratch teams to besatisfyingly humiliated by their parents.To the casual observer, Pub Quiz questions test knowledge ofmildly interesting trivia; to regulars, they elicit eruditeresponses from a deep store of wisdom (or useless drivel, saythe kids). Our kids insist that Pub Quizzes are best suited topeople of a certain age taught by rote – particularly in Catholicschools, as there appeared to be a suspicious leavening ofquestions that are ecclesiastical, Latin or both. Few questionsrelate to events that happened during the lifetime of any current20 year old.Nowadays, the educational system insists that students mustwork throughout the whole year, producing evidence ofcontinuous application and progress. Our children don't realisethat we are survivors of an earlier regime; we had consignedswathes of facts to memory during sleepless nights in the weekbefore an exam, to be regurgitated in semi-legible handwritingin an examination hall. Such brinkmanship is not a useful lifeskill; in any proper adult job, they don't require you to wing it;who wants to cross a bridge designed by an engineer who didit all from memory in the minimum time possible? Over theduration of an educational career the range of subjects funnelsdown, so for work purposes you eventually applyencyclopaedic knowledge about almost nothing at all. Yourpersonal repository of hard won facts is of minimal use;significant numbers of them relate to an extinct currency andsuperseded systems of measurement. In most professionalcontexts, your knowledge of the power struggle betweenCaesar and Pompey in first century BC Rome is marginal, atbest.However, these redundant facts hibernating in the lacunae ofthe brain have an effect - they need to come out sometime.Hence the pub quiz has a therapeutic function to spring cleanthe musty attic of memory; the number of pecks in a bushel?(a)The total of half-crowns needed to change a five poundnote?(b)We would have continued happily in this vein, until inSeptember 2011 Phil Moss decided that we needed somethingmore hard core and announced that the Robin Hood wouldre-join the Macclesfield Quiz League after an absence of manyyears. Phil assembled a coalition of the willing and thoselooking for something to do on a Tuesday night.This involved home and away matches, in convivial company,between teams of 4. Initially the format was terrifying; insteadof the leisurely team discussion we were used to, eachmember of the team must respond to individual questionswithin 15 seconds to score 3 points, or elect to confer for onepoint. Receiving your first individual league question isguaranteed to wipe your memory as effectively as Will Smith'shandy gizmo in Men in Black.At first it seemed we approached the league matches with thedash and élan of Polish cavalry in 1939 – only to discover theopposition were panzer divisions. Following initial defeats thequiz league Blog started to refer to us as plucky Robin Hood,assuring readers that the new team would register their first winsometime soon.We learned that the toss and seating position was frequentlycritical. On a bad night you find that you could have answeredall the questions posed to the opposition or to your adjacentteammate, but your own questions were uniformly stinkers.Whether by luck of the toss or by a cunning seating plan, weregistered our first League division C win, and then embarkedon a winning streak which took us to the top of the league withonly a few matches to go! Unfortunately we stuttered over thelast games and were pipped for the Division C title spot.We were, however, promoted to division B for 2012-2013, aremarkable achievement for our first season. So this seasonwe are not quite playing the big boys yet, but they are clearlywell grown in the B league.We certainly need a wider pool of players so we can coverabsences and put out an effective team for every match. Soif you have a head full of fascinating trivia (or useless drivel,as the kids say) and want the opportunity to make use of it ina socially acceptable way, don't be shy – Rainow needs you!A current passport might be handy as we do go as far asRushton Spencer in our travels.So congratulations and good luck to the Robin Hood quiz team(perm 4 from the following): Phil Moss, Andrew Clark, TonyWilkinson, Jim Kennelly, Simon Blackett, Roy Downey, TimGrimes, Val Moss, Judy Wilkinson, Steve Back, Lorraine Hilton,… (YOUR NAME HERE).If we do get really good, there is wild talk of us challenging the“Lamp and Candle” in a derby match for the worldchampionship of Rainow. Watch this spaceAnswers(a) There are 4 pecks in a bushel(b) There were 40 half-crowns in five pounds8

Lookingforwardto 2013 withNovember came round again all too soon and we said goodbye to ourretiring President, Barbara Wilkinson, who is leaving the area to live nearher daughter and family in Sussex. All our good wishes go with hertogether with our thanks for all her hard work and commitment to the WIover the years. Our branch in the village has prospered under her leadershipand we now have over sixty members. The year ended on a happy, socialnote with our usual Christmas Party.We welcomed Jackie Richardson as our President again for the coming yeartogether with the new Committee. The 2013 Programme offers much tointerest everybody: talks include the Origin of Nursery Rhymes, theSamaritans Listener scheme in prison, the Pennine Dales withRon Scholes, Bill Geldart talking about and showing his art, and Your LocalWild Life – a talk and photographs by David Tolliday.Autumnwith the Scoutsby The LeadersScouts have been out and about asmuch as possible as the eveningsdraw in. The term started with abang with kayaking on theBollington Canal and mountainbiking in Macclesfield Forest. The Scoutspractised existing skills and learned manynew ones, particularly kayaking, whenvery wet but exciting evenings wereenjoyed! The Scouts leaned that for bothactivities there were safety rules but that agreat deal of fun could still be had.We have extended our knowledge of DIY,working towards a badge. This term theScouts were concentrating on learningsafety signs as well as furthering theirknowledge of woodwork. They enjoyed achainsaw demonstration, but purely asspectators!The Scouts thoroughly enjoyed BonfireNight. This was a celebration jointly withCubs. A rocket-based wide game wasfollowed by a walk up Big Low (manythanks to Andrew Renshaw forpermission) with bonfire, fireworks and hotdogs! Parents also joined in the fun andgames.As usual we were privileged to take part inthe Remembrance Day Service both atChurch and at the War Memorial.We were honoured to lead the processionand the memories shared gave all reasonfor contemplation.We are looking forward to our night hike,with the reward of a bag of chips at theend!We were very sorry to lose one of ourLeaders, Matt Payne, this term becauseof a job move to Oxford. Matt has been amajor contributor to Scouts for the last twoyears, bringing energy and enthusiasm,and he will be sadly missed. We alwayswelcome adult help, whether as a regularleader or on an occasional basis, so ifanyone is interested in helping our groupthrive and expand, please either speak toone of the Leaders on a Tuesday evening(we meet from 7.30 – 9.00 pm at theChurch Centre and we usually start andfinish there even if the activity iselsewhere) or contact jane.brett90@btinternet.com. Many thanks to all thepeople who continue to help us in all ways– we could not do without you!Carole Harvey TelemarketingNew Business DevelopmentAppointment SettingTelephone Marketing22 Millers Meadow, Rainow, Macclesfield 01625 573576 harveyrainow@yahoo.co.ukContact Liam on:07762 825537 or 01625 578070excelplumbing@yahoo.co.ukComputer & I.T. Solutionsfor home or officeCommonside FarmEcton Avenue, Buxton Road, MacclesfieldSK10 1RBContact STUART acs@commonsidefarm.com01625 669750 or 077703154439

A Village Tail- by MuppetWe meet every day, at dawn, dusk and regularlyafter dark. Whatever the weather, and I really domean whatever. Sometimes not a word isspoken by them or us; just a nod, and a sniff.Our 2Legs all know each other, tho’ sometimes by our namesnot their own. “Oh, I met Fudge's mum tonight.” Or “we wentup Calrofold, across Annie's fields and back past Jake”. It'shilarious; at our annual show (we let them have a fête too asan added attraction) they all have to try and remember eachother's names!In fact, we're a common thread, a bond like a shared stick orball, for most of the groups in Rainow. We unite the wholevillage, especially in the Robin Hood where all men are equal,even to us.For we are the dogs of the village. And our owners, or 2Legsas we call them, share our homes.We have our own map of the village. There's Rabbit Field,Charlie's Loop and Cattle Grid Leap. It changes too; in theSpring a 'run' field becomes 'lambs, lead' field.Reader’s LetterReaders can find the photo Glyn refers toby visiting www.theraven.comTo The EditorI stumbled upon the Rainow Home GuardPhoto in Raven No. 6. (Spring 2009) andcan complete one of the names for you.The "unknown" man stood on the right of thepicture is my grandfather, Joseph ClulowRobinson. He worked, we think, on HordernFarm near Bull Hill. In 1946 he marriedHilda Pickford from Dane Bent - Hilda'sbrothers Jack and Harold are in the photo.They farmed in Rushton most of their livesand they are both buried in Rainowchurchyard, where they were married.Glyn BradleySome of you reading this (cos’ they might not know it but wecan read the Raven as well as shred it and hide it) need to getyour 2Legs in check. Sheep muck might be 'mistaken' for chocchip cookies, though only when you're a pup. But our muck isfor bagging up and taking home. End of. But even I'm fed up ofstepping round it, never mind the 2Legs who carry our workhome.Before I go for a late night check on things, Dad always said Iwas a babe magnet as a pup; so it’s time for a shout out to mybitc…. sorry girls; Twig, Annie, Holly, Poppy and Tuve. (Butmost of all to Twig)I finish with a question…..Does the Landlord of the Lamp & Candle let us in?Editor's note: Muppet's 2Legs is Richard StockerZach WilcoxGardening & Maintenance●●●●●●●Weekly Garden MaintenanceDry Stone WallingTree FellingHedge CuttingGutter Clearing& ReplacementFlag LayingFencing01625 576182Mob : 07758 24958758 Sugar Lane, Rainow10

Part 1Whatever happened to United?Rainow United Football Club 1947 - 52Based on research by Bill Renard and exploration of the club minutes by Len BrosterOnly the more mature residents of Rainow will rememberthat Rainow United existed – but it was one of the mostsuccessful sporting stories in our history. Founded in July1947, it maintained very formal written records and thesegive a fascinating insight into Rainow as it was immediately afterthe Second World War. Many of the people named in theminutes of the club are no longer with us, but their descendantsand relatives are still around and will surely be fascinated tolearn of the exploits of the club in that now distant time. BillRenard has put together the detailed story of the club fromfamily photographs and from the club minutes of the time. Fewpeople will be better qualified to do this, as Bill's father becameClub Secretary and Bill himself appears as a four year old in thephoto with this article! Was it significant the club name wasadopted by a majority of just one vote? There is no record of thealternatives proposed but perhaps the “City v. United” rivalry wasas strong then as it is today!The first question any of us ask today is “where on earth wasthe football pitch?” Minute 24 in the club records gives theanswer. “Mr Leigh has permitted us to use the ground for trialmatches on August 9th and 16th.” Mr Leigh was Mr ThomasLeigh of Chapel Lane Farm and the field concerned is nowoccupied by Millers Meadow; the annual rent was £4. Anotherimportant agreement gave the club permission to use the villageInstitute as a dressing room at a cost of five shillings (25p) amatch.Other early records throw light on what life was like in post-warBritain. Minutes in 1948 recorded that the Strips Secretary hadmade an application for clothing coupons to the FA and then that84 coupons had arrived for the purchase of one dozen jerseys.Mrs. Lawton was to be paid for washing the strips at a rate of2/6 (12 1 /2 p) for 10 strips.On the field the club initially met with mixed fortunes. Bill saysthat a number of good victories, mainly at home, wereinterspersed with some heavy defeats. All were played in theMacclesfield and District F.A. Senior League and whilst some ofthe opposition clubs mentioned in the first season are fromvillages we still know (Over Peover, defeated 3-1, Prestbury,defeated 5-0) others have now disappeared (Barracks Fabrics,defeated 3-2). At the matches it was not all rural tranquillity! Aminute of October 1948 reports that “Mr Lawton brought to thenotice of the meeting the constant barracking from the bottom ofthe field,” whilst six months' later another minute records that“a letter has been received from the F.A. warning the club thatW. Broster had been reported for 'ungentlemanly conduct'.”The club clearly ran social activities in Rainow as well as playingfootball; another minute tells us that the club had beenapproached for a subscription towards the cost of a new sectionof the War Memorial and had decided to contribute the profitfrom the January Dance £1 - 0 - 2d which Mr Lawton made upto £1 - 1 - 0! The club was also concerned to look after itsplayers as a 1950 minute records that 7/- (35p) was to be spenton cigarettes and “sent to R. Boothby in hospital”. How Health& Safety rules have changed!In the second part of the story (next Raven) we will find outabout the team players from well-known Rainow families like theBrosters, Lawtons, Sharpleys, Wains and Belfields, as well asthe Renards and hear all about the club's star player – Englandinternational Ernie Toseland – dubbed “twinkle Toes” in thenational press!Rainow United Football Club 1951Back row, left to right: Referee, Shipley Broster Senior, Bill Broster, Bill Duke?, Shipley Broster Junior, Len Broster,George Renard Senior, John Drabble, Gerald Hewitt, Jim LawtonFront row, left to right: Tom Davies, Ernie Toseland, Alan Jackson, Arthur Pawley, Jim Edge?Small boy at front: Bill Renard (aged 4)11

The e Case oof the 64 Crumbsby Rosie DanielsThe semi-darkness pressed againstthe windows of the Institute andDetective Cuthbert Benson surveyed theinterior with unease. He had never beenone for mixing business with pleasure and thefirst Christmas Party of the Rainow PoliceSquadron violated this rule in the worst way; garishpaper chains dangled limply from the ceiling (did noone else think chains at a police party were somewhatsinister?) and senior officers with blotchy faces laughed raucouslyover a bowl of sickly pink punch. There were even – horror of horrors– conical party hats, which perched defiantly on every head,tangling themselves in the streamers.The squadron itself was a joke, reflected Benson. A spate ofrather mean-spirited letters to Rainow’s most politically activeresident had brought them here, but the hate mail had leftwhen their target did – no doubt in a first-class carriage.Bitterly, Benson thought of his previous post in Hurdsfield. Barely anight had gone by without, at the very least, a case of loiteringwith intent. Those were the days. He had been hailed as avigilante, maybe not the Batman but certainly the CommissionerGordon of the Macclesfield Area. Now look at him – chasing up aresident for keeping their hedge too long was the mostexcitement to be expected. He looked with disdain at hiscolleagues, all of whom had chosen to be here. It was an inch fromretirement!Covertly, he eyed the stairs next to the stage. Perhaps, ifhe kept his head down, he could to creep down there, squeezethrough a window and escape. Not exactly police etiquette, butdesperate times… He waited for a distraction (ConstableThomson’s impersonation of a steak pie had never been morewelcome), but as he began to ease the door open, a screampierced the party atmosphere.What now? he thought angrily. He had played ‘Pin the Nose onRudolph’ twice, sampled the punch, which was as strong as aviationfuel. Surely – no, they couldn’t want another conga line? He turnedand saw Sergeant Dutch, a white-haired crone with whom Bensonhad an ongoing feud, standing at the head of the main stairsclutching a crumb-laden platter. The Institute fell silent as theconstabulary cowered before Dutch’s fury.“Someone,” she said with a shaking voice, “has eaten myChristmas cake.” No one spoke. There was a pause in whicheveryone, as one, thought so? “My Christmas cake,” continued Dutch,louder, “that I baked with these hands. MY Christmas cake –“Benson had had enough: “Calm yourself, Dutch! We’ll apprehendthe culprit, don’t worry.” He stepped into the room, ready to takecharge. “Johnson, O’Hannigan. Call forensics. Peters, with me. Therest of you, spread out; search the area. The thief could still beat large.” He started towards the main stairs, followed by Peters,a tall policewoman who had been transferred from Bollington, butbefore he had gone two steps, Dutch cut in:“Hold it, Benson. How do we know the thief isn’t with us here?”Benson protested, saying he would trust these officers with hislife (untrue, most were so senile he wouldn’t trust them with hisgroceries) but Widdershins, a pompous old man with a moustache oflaughable proportions, interrupted him:“I say, Benson, why were you going downstairs?” and thecompany turned to stare at him.Benson’s heart sank. He had smelled mutiny in the ranks for awhile, but he had never experienced any divergence from hisword – except from Dutch, of course, who undermined him at everyturn.“What are you implying, Widdershins?” growled Benson. “That Iam the thief? I didn’t hear you questioning my authority when Isolved the Case of the Slightly Inconveniencing Vandalism lastyear, or when I saved all your necks from the Car with the WornBrake Pads.” He stepped up to Widdershins so they were nose tonose. “Remember who you’re working for, Constable,” he said quietly.“Now, I have a crime scene to investigate. Peters, with me.” Andhe descended the stairs.*“What do you think, Detective?” asked Peters. She leantagainst the wall, watching him carefully. “So many crumbs…” shemurmured.“Not a pretty sight, is it?” agreed Benson, his sharp eyesanalysing the scene. He straightened up suddenly and examinedthe windows. “Exactly sixty-four crumbs to be precise. Look here,the door is ajar - very interesting. What’s this?” He handedPeters the white fibres he had found on the floor. “Send theseto forensics. Very interesting… These footprints are mostmysterious. Almost… Cloven…” He sank into silence as hecontemplated the clues.“That’s it!” he cried suddenly. “Peters, it’s so simple! I’msurprised you didn’t see it yourself. When we take into accountthat the thief certainly did not take the cake to eat it – whowould? Did you taste Dutch’s Halloween Flan?” his face contorted.“Not good. It’s clear that the cake was taken for another purposealtogether: intimidation. I saw it a thousand times in Hurdsfield.What we have here is a gang, no doubt bent on spreadingdiscontent through the force.” Peters opened her mouth to speakbut he beat her to it: “What gang, no doubt you are about to ask.The crumbs explain that.Sixty-four, such a perfect number, wouldn’t you agree? Sixty-fouris the number of the Cow Lane Gang, who put cloven soles on theirshoes, as you can see. Peters – they can’t have gone far! Quickly!”Benson sprang to the door and was about to leap through itwhen Peters spoke, “Quite brilliant, Detective, but I’m afraid youmissed the mark this time.” She took his arm and led him outsideand to a nearby field. She scanned the herd of shivering sheepand pointed triumphantly to a particularly plump one. “There’s ourthief,” she said.“Don’t be a fool, Peters,” snapped Benson. “Think of the clues:the slightly open door; the seemingly random crumbs; the –““Wool?” interjected Peters, and seeing the truth sink in sheadded gently, “Of course, the sheep could have meant to beintimidating.”Benson nodded, cold air burning his lungs. “A sheep,” he whisperedhoarsely. “I need a holiday.”12

Whereis it?1The recent theme forthe RainowPhotographic Groupwas “Number” andTessa Heyworthselected a range of Rainowlandmark stones bearing arange of dates as hersubject. Can you identifywhere each stone is?!The answers are givenlater in this issue of theRaven - and if you havesomething you can add(the names behind theinitials or the origin of thedate) we'd like to hearabout it. You can emailtheraven@rainow.com orhave a word with one of theeditors.Thank youRainow!2 34 56 78 9Charlotte & Shaun BurdockOn behalf of Charlotte and Shaun I would like tothank everyone in the village who made theirwedding day so extra special. They wanted theirwedding day to be a village affair as they have bothlived in Rainow all their lives and are very attachedto the Village and it certainly was!The big day dawned with beautiful weather, all the guestsfrom afar had arrived safely and the day got better andbetter. With all the help and support from people in theVillage everything was perfect and the community feelingand atmosphere was remarked upon by guests. The wholeday was everything and more Charlotte and Shaun wantedfrom their wedding day.May I give special thanks to Billy & Diane for the use of theirfield, Mike Bainbridge for the beautiful car, Andrew Downesfor the car for the bridesmaids, Sue & David Stevenson forthe hog roast, Sue Hadfield & David Nixon for organising allthe catering, Debbie Pickford for her help with the weddingcake, Claire de Ruiter for her artistic work, Bobbie Bagshawfor a vast quantity of scones, Mick & Michelle Renshaw whostepped in at the last minute with manpower when needed,Hazel Cantrell who 'dressed' Russell the horse for theoccasion, Beryl Wilcox for her beautiful flower arrangementsin Church, Steve for a lovely Service and the Bridesmaids,especially Stacey & Kerry for carrying out their duties sodiligently, Best man Zach for all his hard work, Peter Nixonfor all the electrics and saving the day by fixing thegenerator, Greig Nicol for the music, all the friends and wellwishers who greeted them at Church, the people who let uspick flowers from their gardens, I could go on and on therewere so many who helped in so many different ways, thankyou Rainow, a wonderful place to live.Sue Grimes13

The Green Gymnasts ofKerridge and Ingersley Valeby Raphael Murray, KRIV volunteerYou won't have seen them at the Olympics. Youprobably won't have seen them at your local gym butif you've been out and about in the country aroundKerridge or Ingersley Vale on a Friday you may wellhave seen them in action. They come in all shapesand sizes, both young and not so young, both lads andlassies. Some have escaped from paid employment, otherschoose to do this as an escape from their day job. The mainthing they have in common is a sense of humour. In view ofthe number of stand-up (and sit-down) comedians amongthem the latter quality is essential. They are, of course, theKerridge Ridge and Ingersley Vale (KRIV) volunteers.However, rather than treading a treadmill, running on thespot, twirling on parallel bars or somersaulting across thefloor, these gymnasts get their physical kicks from helping toimprove the countryside. This involves projects such asclearing overgrown footpaths, re-laying long neglectedhedges, rebuilding dry stone walls that have fallen victim togravity or restoring stone steps that have ceased to provide afirm footing. The physical effort arises from the sawing,Volunteers uncovera historic paved pathcutting, digging, lifting and lopping involved but there's alsoample opportunity to practise the more constructive skillsinvolved in walling, hedge-laying, fencing etc. Most projectsconcern conservation and restoration of footpaths and publicareas that without the work of the volunteers would simplynot get done. For some projects, however, a contributiontowards costs of essential materials such as tea, coffee andbiscuits is appreciated. Some of these funds are also usedfor purchase and maintenance of tools and equipment.Projects for next year include restoring the 'Wedding steps'and completion of work on the flagstone footpath to Ingersley.However, if you are aware of a project that you feel mightbenefit from the work of the green gymnasts of Kerridgeplease contact John Stagg on 01625 572816. We can'tpromise that we'll be able to carry out all worthy projects,however for the health and fitness of the gymnasts and thegood of the countryside we will do what we can. We mayeven uncover the way to the Lamp and Candle.More information is also available on the KRIV website:http://www.kriv.org.uk/Recipe of the MonthCheesy HerbToastsMakes 18 to 24 toastsIngredients1 long slim French loafSoftened butter forspreading125g (4oz)packet softcream cheese with herbs& garlic175g (6oz) GratedCheddar cheeseLittle mild paprikaMethod1. Pre-heat oven 220C /210C fan/gas mark 7.2. Cut the loaf diagonally into 1 /2 inch slices usinga sharp bread knife.3. Thinly butter both sides of each slice, then spreadthe cream cheese on one side.4. Top each with a little grated cheese and a dustingof paprika.5. Arrange on baking trays and bake for 8-10 minsor until melted and golden brown.– Nibbles to serve with Christmas drinks!14

The Robin HoodFood Served:Mon - Sat 12 - 2.30pmand 5.30 - 8.30pmSun - 12 - 4pmTues Night - Pie & a Pint £8.50Thurs Night - Curry & Drink £7.95Real Cask Ales4 En Suite B&B RoomsA Warm WelcomeT el: 01625 574060www.robinhoodrainow.co.ukPenny LaneHolidayCottages◆ Two charming 18th-century stone cottages,recently refurbished to a high standard.◆ Long and shorts breaks available all year round.For more information call: 01625 410735Petsand childrenwelcomewww.pennylaneholidaycottages.co.ukA Busy Christmas-Time(to the tune of 'Jingle Bells')Dashing round the town, running from shop to shopSnow is falling down, there is no time to stopChristmas grub to buy, presents by the scoreYour credit card is up to max, your poor old feet are soreChorusChristmas-time, Christmas-time, you're feeling rather stressedThe Christmas cards need posting and the tree is still not dressedChristmas-time, Christmas-time, you really need a breakYou haven't bought the turkey yet or iced the Christmas cakeNow it's Christmas Eve, you'd really like a napSome jobs you just can't leave, there's still some stuff to wrap.A tie for Uncle Bob, for Gran a box of chocsAnd Dad will be delighted with those singing Santa socks.ChorusChristmas Day, Christmas Day, the presents given outYou hope that you have chosen things they just can't live withoutChristmas Day, Christmas Day the dinner to prepareAnd Gran has hit the sherry, now she's snoring in the chairChristmas dinner's done, you wear a tired smileIf everyone's had fun, then it's all been worthwhileThe dishes are all washed, left-overs fill the fridgeYou just sit down then someone says 'Let's walk up Kerridge Ridge'ChorusChristmas-time Christmas-time, a busy time of yearWe villagers of Rainow are still full of festive cheerChristmas-time, Christmas-time, hope you have a ballFrom Cesterbridge to Charleshead - Merry Christmas to you all!by Judy WilkinsonBroadband UpdateYour call will be answered as soon as possibleby Raph MurraySuperfast broadband (SFB) has now been available toresidents connected to the Stocks Lane telephone cabinetsince September and those who have taken the opportunityto upgrade their broadband connection are now benefitingfrom much faster broadband speeds. This is particularlybeneficial when using services such as i-Player or Skype ordownloading large files. Residents who mainly use the internetfor e-mail or searches have less need for SFB. However, if theyare paying for a standard broadband tariff promising up to 8mbps they may be disappointed that BT (and other suppliers),rather than using the availability of a fibre optic supply to thevillage to deliver their promised broadband speed, have insteadrequired that residents wishing to get faster broadband have toupgrade their broadband service. Therefore to benefit from thefaster broadband speeds available from fibre optic you will needto contact your broadband provider to arrange connection of SFBto your property. This will require installation of new equipmentand may require alteration of existing wiring. It is also likely thatdifferent broadband subscription rates will apply.Unfortunately or, in view of the teething problems encounteredwith the SFB upgrade, perhaps fortunately, residents connectedto the telephone cabinet on Calrofold Lane or the junction ofBlaze Hill and Jumper Lane do not yet have the option toupgrade. The main reason for this is that, without publicinvestment, BT do not consider that it is commercially viable toupgrade these cabinets. As part of the Connecting CheshireProject, Cheshire East Council is cautiously optimistic that theseother parts of Rainow could be included in the publicly fundeddeployment of improved broadband. However the timetable, thetechnology used and the areas to be upgraded are still to beagreed as part of discussion and negotiation with BT Openreach.15

Thinkingof OthersBeavers report by Richard BeswickSince our last Raven article a lot hashappened both Worldwide andRainowwide.....the fabulous 2012Olympics and the very wellorganised (and slightly soggy)Rainow Fête. Within Beavers we've hadsome very busy and fun sessions; we'vesaid goodbye to some of our Beavers andour parent helpers (thank you to SuzanneTobin and Karen Roberts for all their helpand support), welcomed some newBeavers and welcomed two new parenthelpers, myself and Kerry Burdock.Rainow Fête as ever proved incrediblypopular with the Beaver entrants for theProcession and subsequent Fancy DressParade. As the theme was AlternativeSports (in line with the Olympics) we wereinundated with Footballers, Swimmers,Surfers, Triathlon competitors and evenJohn McEnroe..."You cannot be serious".Everyone looked great and the Beavershad really worked hard at their outfits.We were back in September with energy,enthusiasm and ready to face some newchallenges and learn new things. We'vehad great fun making air powered carballoonsand straws – this caused greatamusement as the cars hurtled around theInstitute – decorated our boxes for Harvestand learnt new skills such as putting up atent. Harvest Festival gave the Beavers theopportunity of thinking about others andafter decorating the boxes they were askedto take them home to fill with nonperishable items so that they could then bedonated to a worthwhile cause. Anotheropportunity of thinking about others wasthe Remembrance Sunday service where,after practicising their marching skills theprevious Wednesday, the Beavers wereable to reflect on those service men andwomen who had fought in Wars, past &present. There was a good attendancefrom the Beavers and through the Serviceand procession to the Memorial they wereable to reflect on what the day means tous all. The remaining part of Autumn Termis being spent completing Badge work,Games Nights and getting festive withChristmas crafts. The Beavers will beattending the Toy Service at Church on9th December where once more they canthink about those children whoseChristmases are very different to theirown.We return on 16th January and await ourschedule from Willow with anticipation.Brownies Drum Up a BusyProgramme!by Brown Owl, Susan NormanAs we started the September term we decided to make the most of what daylighthours were left before the clocks changed and the Brownies enjoyed anautumn walk in the village gathering leaves and seeds and things of interest tomake collages in their Sixes. We also took the opportunity to attend WackyWoods’ assault course, thankfully a dry evening after the days of torrential rainbeforehand, and we were well prepared with wellies and waterproofs. We finishedthe evening in the dark playing torch light games and toasting marshmallows.On another evening we enrolled three new Brownies who chose the theme of rollerbladesand skating and pizzas for the evening and who also completed theirHostess badge minus the roller-blades and skates! Tea and coffee served byBrownies to their parents on trays is a shaky business but always appreciated andthe Brownies enjoy feeling grown up. On the same evening we also decided tomake cakes just to add more chaos to the proceedings. The following week weheld a ‘Rainow Brownies Got Talent’ evening judged by the leaders and parentswith buzzers in hand. We have an amazingly wide variety of talent within theBrownie Unit and our winner was Beatrix Haigh who sang beautifully.For Halloween the Brownies dressed up in fancy dress and took part in a range ofgames and challenges organised by Monika that included apple bobbing, dress themummy which was very funny and a squirmy search creating lots of mess! InNovember we started World Traveller badge, speaking certain phrases andgreetings in different languages; we made our own passports with stamps to showwhich countries we had already visited and designed a postcard with message.Kirsten showed the Brownies her New Zealand Passport so they could see thedifference between it and a British Passport.We attended the Remembrance Day parade in Rainow with some of our otherBrownies attending their own churches elsewhere. With the elections taking placeat the Institute we changed our venue to Hurdsfield Holy Trinity Church classroomwhere we welcomed a new Brownie and we all experienced a workshop on Africandrumming. It was great fun and very loud and the Brownies all received a certificateof achievement at the end of the evening.It is hard to believe we only have another three weeks before we break up forChristmas and these weeks will be filled with Christmas craft, celebratingSt Andrews Day with a Scottish theme and a Christmas party disco.As we have a successful Brownie and Guide Unit in Rainow our DistrictCommissioner is looking at the possibility of starting a Rainbow Unit, if any femaleaged 18 - 64 years is interested in training to become a leader and helping to set upa unit please contact me? See www.girlguidinguk.We currently have vacancies for girls wishing to join Brownies. I can be contactedon 01260 223793 (Work) or 01260 223695 (Home) or by emailconquest.plants.nursery@hotmail.com.16

Cubs go on Airby Akela Sue Grimes and Baloo Michelle RenshawWe started this term with an hilarious evening trying Bodyzorbing. Thisinvolved rolling round the School field in large clear plastic balls; it was veryamusing to watch and great fun. Alas, the nights started to draw in so moreof our meetings were inside. We turned to food and completed the ChefsBadge. One week each Six cooked a main course; these varied from Chilli ChickenFajitas and Stir Fry Omelettes to Tuna & Sweetcorn burgers – six different dishes inall, which we all sampled. The following week we made a variety of desserts,equally tasty and popular. Quite a challenge with 32 Cubs!For the next three weeks we split into smaller groups to enable the Cubs to benefitmore from the various activities. In turn we went over to Astbury Mere to try windsurfing,went up to Teggs Nose to do some abseiling and also tried orienteering.The weather was quite kind to us and the Cubs benefited from the smaller groupsand all did very well.Andrew Renshaw again kindly allowed us to climb Big Low for a bonfire andfireworks with the Scouts. We all played a Wide game in the dark and were thenjoined by parents and siblings to go up to the bonfire and enjoyed hot dogs anddrinks.We have been away camping three times this year and all the new Cubs haveachieved their 'Nights Away' Badge while some of the older Cubs are up to their'10 Nights Away' badge. Our final Camp of the year was also very exciting as wepitched our tents in the middle of Alton Towers. We were the youngest group as allthe others were Scouts and Guides but we kept up well, visiting Splash Landings tilllate on the Saturday and then were up early packing up camp and getting in thePark before it was open to the public.I think the most popular outing this term was to the CBBC studios; nearly everyCub went and it was very interesting and fun. We split into two groups and wereshown the different studios and had a go at presenting Newsround and theWeather. It seemed strange seeing such familiar things in real life.Gauntlet Birds of Prey came and brought a variety of hawks, owls, a vulture andferret. They flew round the Institute returning for tasty looking chick legs and mice!Michelle and I were very proud of the Cubs on Remembrance Day as 29 out of 33Cubs turned up to parade, looked smart and were very wellbehaved. The four who didn't attend had goodreasons – one being in Australia!!We took part in all the District Cub Competitionsthis term; we were 'Runners Up' and got aShield at Sports Day and won three events atthe annual Swimming Gala. The winners(Matthew Warham, Jake Kilpatrick & ThomasRoberts) are going to Warrington to representthe District in the County Gala.We are hoping to welcome some new Cubsfrom our long waiting list in the New Yearwhen some older Cubs go up to Scouts.GuidesEncounterWeatherProblemsby Jill and HelenAs for everyone, this summer'sweather had a huge impact on ouractivities. Most disappointing of allwas the decision, due to the stateof the showground, to cancel themuch anticipated 'Fabfest'. As this isusually held only every other year, theGuides who had just missed out last timehad been really excited as they'd heardall about it from the others – hopefully,we don't have to wait another two years,as it is now being planned for next summer.Fingers crossed!Our usual term end activity – this yearthe task was to transport (unbroken) afresh egg across the stream (and nocarrying!) – became more difficult thanexpected as again, due to the weather,the stream was a wide, raging torrent.However, they all rose to the challengeand successfully transported their eggs,often a little damp, but complete. Wefinished with sausages on a barbecueand a promise making for 5 Guides.This term has included the last of ourOlympic themed evenings; a quiz and aBrazil themed evening, with cola floatdrinks and shoeboxes decorated asBrazilian carnival floats. The highlight forthis term, for those who could make it,was an evening at Awesome Walls indoorclimbing centre in Stockport, where onceagain the Guides surprised us with theheights they could reach.As the year rolls round again, at the endof November we are going to Manchesterfor the Christmas Markets – and thenplan to have an evening peeling andchopping to make our own soup this yearfor the Rainow version.Lulu’s LusciousC O N F E C T I O N SCelebration Cakes & Biscuits for all OccasionsWeddings ◆ Birthdays ◆ AnniversariesTelephone : 01625 57237717

RavenAnthony HorowitzBook ReviewsThe House of SilkMore choices from some of Rainow’s book club membersBringing back to life Arthur Conan Doyle's much revered hero, Anthony Horowitz has forged in “theHouse of Silk” a loving pastiche of Sherlock Holmes' adventures, taking care not to rock the boat of anestablished franchise and creating an unerring facsimile of Conan Doyle's opus. The game, once more,is afoot. Holmes is dead. Watson, elderly and alone – "Two marriages, three children, sevengrandchildren, a successful career in medicine and the Order of Merit" – sets out to recount one of theirearly escapades together, on a case so grotesque and deplorable he has had to consign his writtenaccount to his solicitors' vaults for 100 years. The usual cast assemble. Mrs Hudson is there with a plateof scones. Wiggins and the inauspicious Baker Street irregulars make an audacious appearance, as dothe bungling Lestrade and imperious Mycroft. Of course, no Holmes adventure would be completewithout at least a cameo appearance by the arch villain, Moriarty ("'I am a mathematician, Dr Watson …I am also what you would doubtless term a criminal'"), although his role is almost too cleverly integratedinto the story and easily missed. The most redolent character, excepting Holmes and Watson, is 19th century London, with its fog,hansom cabs and the extremes of depraved opium dens, lavish grand houses and chilling poverty. Through a series of unfeasiblyconvoluted plots, counterplots and deductions, the opposing elements collide in a shocking and gruesome denouement, which thepipe smoking, Stradivarius playing detective deals with in his archetypal, world weary and knowing manner. Whilst registering thatAnthony Horowitz lacks Conan Doyle's magisterial authority when it comes to chronicling Holmes's adventures, “The House of Silk” isa brilliant and engaging read with a sumptuous prose that both envelops and captivates the reader. It both teases and delights and iswithout doubt a fitting tribute to arguably one of the great British writers of our time who gave us the most prolific of all detectives.Elizabeth HaynesInto the Darkest Corner“Into The Darkest Corner” is a gripping psychological thriller that will have you racing to the end. Thetale may be somewhat familiar, but it's her presentation and sharply defined characters that keepsthe reader enthralled. After a brief but chilling introduction, which you will want to remember at alltimes, the core of the tale proceeds along two parallel tracks that alternate with each other throughoutthe book. Haynes uses alternating narratives to burrow into a harrowing story, which exposes thejuxtaposition between two different manifestations of the main character: the woman we encounter in2003 is far different from the one with whom we renew acquaintances in 2007. As a successful youngprofessional in the northwest of England, Catherine Bailey has a full life: a job she loves and a closeknit group of friends with whom she enjoys an active social life. When she meets the attractive andenigmatic Lee she seems to have it all – at least her envious girlfriends think so. “Isn't he just whatwe've all always wanted?” one of them asks her. Despite some alarm bells about the intensity of hisattention towards her (“The world doesn't exist for him outside you,” comments one of her friends), Catherine is pulled increasinglydeeper into the world he creates for them. However, the seemingly perfect Lee rapidly transforms into a dark and menacingpresence. Manipulative and controlling, he grows more and more violent until he nearly kills her. But the real horror, she explainslater, was that “nobody, not even my best friend, believed me.” Lee gets three years in prison and Catherine, now suffering fromobsessive-compulsive disorder and post traumatic stress disorder, moves to London to start a new life. We see with chilling andunnerving clarity how Catherine is reduced to moving through each day as a terrorized, insecure soul, wholly given over to adisorder which controls every facet of her existence. It is the detailed and elaborate description of this affliction which is so absorbingand horrifying in equal measure, capturing as it does not only Catherine's inner torment but also drawing the reader in on a profoundand poignant level. Two things become evident as the alternating story lines develop: Catherine has somehow extricated herselffrom the relationship with Lee, and yet she is still in some danger from him. It is the resolution of both these situations, and Haynes'exquisitely paced and presented revelations, that maintains the intrigue and keeps you reading, reading and reading!Budding Author joins the RavenIn the last issue of the Raven we invited Rainow's teenagers to let us knowwhat they would like to see more of in the Raven. The giveaway prizeoffered was a bundle of Hot Vestry goodies including a CD and t-shirt.Rosie Daniels emailed us with a request for more stories in the magazineand backed up her idea by writing one herself! Not only has her initiative wonher the prize but her wish to see more stories is fulfilled in this issue as wepublish the tale she wrote on page 11. With her writing skills and interest inmagazine work proved, we invited Rosie to join the editorial team of theRaven and are delighted she has accepted.We invite other Rainow young people to have a go at letting us know whatthey want by writing to theraven@rainow.com.123456789The Answers toWhere is it? on Page 13Clough House, (near the OneHouse, on the Green Lane)Calrofold BarnPlunge BrookRainow LowMount PleasantBowerclough Farm, HedgerowKerridge EndKerridge EndPlunge Brook.18

News from the Lamp and CandleHello All.As promised, I invited the Mayor of Rainow to the Lamp tobe interviewed about his civic duties. Getting him here was abit of a problem. The lady of the house thought that bringinghim in a tractor with a blanket over his head was not theproper way to treat a civic dignitary, so we had young Kevinwalk him here over the fields in the dark. The Mayor took itall in good part, fine fellow that he is, and didn’t evencomplain when Kevin occasionally put a canvas bag over hishead so that he wouldn’t recognise certain turnings in thelanes. He even refused our offer to have his suit cleaned forhim.The regulars all gave him a good welcome. We asked himwhat the Mayor of Rainow did from day to day – whetherhe had any audiences; did he open things, and what was thehighlight of his year of office so far? Fascinating stuff, everyonethought, except for miserable Bickerdike in the BestRoom. He reckoned all the Mayor seemed to do was spendhis days going to Tesco with the Mayoress, mowing the lawn,messing with cars and helping with the grandchildren. Theonly audience he had been in was at the cinema. He’d openedthe fête and attended the Civic Service in his full regalia butthat was about it for ceremony. The highlight of his year sofar had been winning a box of chocolates at the HarvestSupper, though he was looking forward to switching theChristmas lights on in the village. Anyway, we all ignoredBickerdike in the Best Room. He’s fancied himself as a bit ofa cut above ever since he went to Blackpool Illuminations twoyears on the run.What DID impress everyone was the Mayor’s outfit whichhe kindly wore for us. His medal twinkled like a star and hisred robe lit the place up. The Best Room hadn’t looked sobright since Billy Oakes poured a bag of red raddle over PeterBuckley in a fight over politics. The bar was a red mess formonths and so was Peter Buckley, but he did well enoughout of it. He got Mrs. B. to make him a Red Indian costumeand won every Fancy Dress parade around Macclesfield forthe next two years. Off he’d go over the fields towardsHurdsfield or Henbury or Gawsworth or somewhere andsure enough he’d come back with a few bob, a jar of homemademarmalade and a balloon. But I digress - we werepleased to have the Mayor of Rainow as our honoured guestand I opened a barrel of Withinlow Pale in his honour. Aweek later he was right as rain.Young Kevin was calling himself “Mayor’s Attendant” fordays afterwards and wanted to know why HE couldn’t beMayor himself in the near future. I had to tell him that theMayor had earned his stripes by serving the village for yearson the Fête Committee and the Parish Council and that hedidn’t stand a chance. Don’t get me wrong; young Kevin’s anice lad and very talented in his own way. He can stapplegrunions as good as any man twice his size and I haven’tseen anyone triggle a beast’s leerins like Kevin since PercyRobinson and he’s been dead these forty years. But when itcomes to common sense -put it this way – if brainswas gunpowder, Kevinwouldn’t have enough toblow his cap off. He couldn’topen a tin of luncheon meat never mind a village fête!There was an interesting article in the last Raven called “Apint of bitter please,” written by Mr. Hasler from the village.Well I must say hats off to this fine fellow. Although he’s abit misguided about the quality of some of the beers, theman is doing his best to promote pubs and the drinking ofale, and that’s fine by me. There was a good plug for theRobin Hood and he even paid the Lamp and Candle a nicecompliment, calling us “Stuck in a rut”. This is exactly thepoint I’ve been trying to get over for the past three years andit’s comforting to know that there’s at least one person in thevillage who’s getting the message! So well done Mr. H! It’snot your fault that these new ‘breweries’ can’t use herringroes and beech-bark grubs as finings any more, but I can,and that makes all the difference. Keep up the good workand call in for a gill of my best!After this ridiculous year of public jollity, I got my nephew,the other Kevin, to Google what big celebrations were due in2013. It seems that 2012 used up all the big celebrations forthe next ten years and all we have next year is theInternational Year of Water Co-operation and theInternational Year of Quinoa. I’ve not the foggiest idea whatthese things mean. At a guess I’d say that water cooperationmeans we all co-operate in complaining about howmuch the supermarkets charge for bottled water, and I thinkQuinoa might be a card game similar to gin rummy or aname for one of those designer beers Mr. H. goes aroundsampling. Any road up, they won’t be celebrated at theLamp. It’s also the anniversary of the Battle of Agincourtand I hear that Rainow WI is going to stage a spectacularreconstruction on Billy Moss’s field on Fête Day. Can’t wait!We’ll be spending a quiet festive season, though I’ll be on thelookout for the lads in the bar trying to play another trick onme. Last year, I nearly died when I heard carol singers at theinn door! I shot out with a bucket of water and only justmissed the wind-up gramophone the lads had stuck outsidewith Hark the Herald playing at full blast. I must admit Ifelt a bit of a fool and should have realised it was a prank asthe record was by the Philharmonia Orchestra, completewith organ and choir. Anyway, this year I’ve got a littlesurprise of my own involving Musical Chairs and large sprigsof holly.THE STAFF AND REGULARS AT THE LAMP ANDCANDLE WISH YOU A PLEASANT FESTIVE SEASON ANDINVITE YOU ALL TO SPEND IT AT THE ROBIN HOOD.Merry Christmas nearly everybody!The Landlord.19

Two for Oneby WaywiserLooking towards Shutlingsloe from the Gritstone Trail20Walk 16 : Hedgerow toSponds HillMap: Rainow Parish Paths andOS 1:25,000 OL 24 The White PeakDistance: about 4 or 6 milesTime: about 4 hours (or 2 1 /2 hoursfor the shorter walk)Going: Good paths: one fairlylong climb; some muddy patchesStart: HedgerowBerristall Hall and the wood from path 28Looking back to Bowstone GateTwo for one because you can followthe full walk or take a shorter routebetween the same start and finishpoints and you can decide which todo when you are part way. Start at theentrance to Hedgerow (Spuley Lane)and walk up the cart track for about ahundred yards before taking theGritstone Trail (path 28) to the left over astile. Cross the fields following theyellow marker posts to the small stonebridge over the Harrop Brook to enterPott Shrigley parish; go uphill on pathPS4 through a series of gates to arrivejust below Berristall Hall. Continue uphillto the copse of trees ahead (now onpath PS5) and follow the marker by thestone wall. Follow the obvious path bythe trees, looking back from time to timeto enjoy the splendid views overBollington and the Cheshire plain.At the brow of the hill there is a choice:For the full walk, go straight aheadfollowing the cart track by the wall (PS6).On the horizon far ahead of you on theright is the Lyme Park boundary wall.Drop down to the tarmac road and turnleft on the road for about eighty yardswhere there is a small lay-by and turnright through the gate following the righthand track (PS1 then PS23). Continueto the North East, crossing a stile by agate; the track is obvious but can bewet. When you reach the boundary wallit is worth spending a few minuteslooking into Lyme Park to see if the deerare around and catching sight of theCage. Keeping the wall on your left goto the brow of the hill, passing the brickremnants of what looks like a failedwater retaining scheme and at the browturn right heading South; you are nowback on the Gritstone Trail. Soon the1975 viewfinder table on Sponds Hillappears on your left and is worth a visitto get your bearings and to look out onthe panorama. Continue downhill to thetarmac road; cross with care and takethe path down to Further Harrop Farm.We are back in Rainow now, so it is ourpath 19.For the shorter walk, turn right andcontinue along the wall, ignoring the turnto the right which goes steeply downhilland continue to a tarmac drive. Hereturn right for about thirty yards then bearleft through a stone squeeze stile andcontinue through the trees, slightlyuphill. Keep to the left until reaching anold quarry at the brow of the hill whereyou bear right along a cart track untilreaching Brink Farm and the road. Turnright (keeping a sharp eye open for carstaking the rat run to Kettleshulme) andfollow the road for about 200 yards to adilapidated footpath sign pointingdownhill to the right (Rainow path 19),opposite the track from Sponds Hill.The continuation for BOTH walksFollow the wall down to Further HarropFarm. Cross a ladder stile on the rightand continue downhill. Here you will findseveral newly fenced paddocks with afootpath sign directing you between twoof these down an old lane (path 22). Afterpassing through a farm gate cross thestream and bear left uphill to the gateabove. From the gate pass along- sidethe remains of a stone wall following thecontour of the hill, then go slightly uphillto a gate entering Harrop Wood. Followthe delightful woodland path along thecontour (wonderful displays of bluebellsin the spring) until descending to the leftand then going ahead through bushesand over a stile to cross a stream at thebottom of a small valley. Turn left and godownhill to a stile which drops down tothe stream. Cross the stone slab bridgeand continue with the stream on yourright, going sharply upwards to anothergate by a farmhouse (Bower Clough).Passing the house you reach theHedgerow track (officially path 21).From here follow the track back to thestart point.

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Let the Bus take you Down Town!Lots of Raven readers use the bus to go “down town”but most of us struggle to remember the times of thebuses and can t always use the detailed websites to findthe official timetables (see www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/transport_and_travel/public_transport/bus/bus_service_timetables.aspx orwww.derbysbus.info/times/). Bus service 60 runsfrom Macclesfield to Disley or New Mills roughly everyhour and bus service 64 from Macclesfield to Glossop(only two per day). Both services run via Rainow andthe table below shows just the local times. Our table isan excerpt from the current full timetables availablefrom the bus station or the websites but we hope youfind it easier to follow.“Use it or lose it”applies to busservices as muchas it does to pubs— so be green andtake the bus!Rainow Bus Timetable 60, 64To MacclesfieldSunday &NS NS NS S NS Bank Hol60 60 60 64 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 64 60Charleshead 0708 0751 ........ 0929 1029 1129 1229 1329 1429 1552 1652 ........ 1727 1819 0905The Highwayman 0710 0753 ........ 0931*1031*1131*1231*1331*1431*1554*1654*........ 1729 1821 0909Rainow, Smithy Lane 0714 0757 0828 0935 1035 1135 1235 1335 1435 1558 1658 1733 1733 1825 0913Rainow, Mount Pleasant 0716 0759 0830 0937 1037 1137 1237 1337 1437 1600 1700 1735 1735 1827 0917Kerridge Road Junction 0718 0801 0832 0939 1039 1139 1239 1339 1439 1602 1702 1737 1737 1829 0919Hurdsfield, Church 0719 0803 0833 0940 1040 1140 1240 1340 1440 1603 1703 1738 1738 1830 0923Macclesfield, Bus Station 0724 0809 0845 0945 1045 1145 1245 1345 1445 1608 1708 1743 1743 1834 0930To RainowNS NS S NS NS S NS64 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 64 60 60 60 60 60Macclesfield, Bus Station 0725 0812 0850 0950 1050 1150 1250 1350 1450 1620 1620 1715 1745 1745 1835Hurdsfield, Church 0732 0819 0857 0957 1057 1157 1257 1357 1457 1627 1627 1722 1752 1752 1840Kerridge Road Junction 0735 0822 0900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1630 1630 1725 1755 1755 1843Rainow, Mount Pleasant 0737 0824 0902 1002 1102 1202 1302 1402 1502 1632 1632 1727 1757 1757 1845Rainow, Smithy Lane 0739 0828 0904*1004*1104*1204*1304*1404*1504*1634*1634*1731 1759 1759 1847The Highwayman 0743 ........ 0908 1008 1108 1208 1308 1408 1508 1638 1638 ........ 1803 1803 1851Charleshead 0745 ........ 0910 1010 1110 1210 1310 1410 1510 1640 1640 ........ 1805 1805 1853NS - Not Saturdays S - Saturdays Only *On request runs via The Blue Boar. Telephone (01298) 812204.No Sundayor BankHolidayServicefromMacclesfieldRiverside EngineeringClassic Car Servicing and RepairTim RobinsonUnit 3Riverside WorksForge RoadWhaley BridgeDerbyshireSK23 7HYTel/Fax: 01663 719641 Modern car servicing & diagnostics also availableKerridge End Holiday CottagesRainow's Only 5 Star Gold Self Catering Holiday CottagesCheshire's Only Green Tourism Gold Award Winning Cottages◆ The Hayloft sleeps 6 ◆ The Coach House sleeps 4 ◆ The Stables sleeps 2For details of each cottage see:www.kerridgeendholidaycottages.co.ukEmail : info@kerridgeendholidaycottages.co.uk Tel : 01625 424220Winners of North West Tourism for All Award 200922

What’s On in Rainow and BollingtonDECEMBER 201216 3.00 pm Carols by Candlelight Jenkin Chapel22 - Christmas Disco Robin Hood23 6.30 pm Carol Service Rainow Church24 3.00 pm Carol Service Forest Chapel24 11.00 pm Midnight Communion Rainow Church24 6.00 pm Carols around the Tree Rainow Church Centrewith Bollington Brass Band25 10.00 am Parish Communion Rainow Church31 - New Year Disco Robin HoodJANUARY 20135, 6, 10 See website Pantomime - Cinderella Arts Centre, Bollington11 & 12 for times Bollington Festival PlayersTickets £9. Contact: 01625 875326. www.bollingtonartscentre.org.uk13 8.00 pm Second Sunday Folk Club Arts Centre, BollingtonAdmission £2. Singers and players welcome to take part.01625 57461714 7.30 pm Rainow WI - Old Wives Tales Rainow Institute- Brian Hallworth18 7.30 pm Mothers Union – New Year Party Rainow Church Centre20 - 17 Sundays 2-4 and In the Gallery – Wildlife photography Arts Centre, BollingtonFeb during events by Alan Saunders26 8.00 pm Jazz at the Arts Centre Arts Centre, Bollington- Old Fashioned Love Band. £9 Book on 01625 574410FEBRUARY 20131 8.00 pm Bolly Comedy Club Arts Centre, Bollington– Tickets £9.90 from www.bollingtonartscentre.org.uk2 8.00 pm Bollington Chamber Concerts Arts Centre, Bollington– The Primrose TrioTickets £14/£7 01625 576402 or 57528710 8.00 pm Second Sunday Folk Club Arts Centre, Bollington11 7.30 pm Rainow WI Rainow InstituteYour Local Wildlife - David TollidaySunday School19 7.30 pm Mothers Union AGM Rainow Church Centre23 8.00 pm Jazz at the Arts Centre Arts Centre, Bollington- Dave Mott's Jazz Classics with Suzanne£9 Book on 01625 57441024 to Sundays 2-4 and In the Gallery Arts Centre, Bollington31 Mar during events - Paintings by Bollington artist Anna BarkerMARCH 20131 8.00 pm Bolly Comedy Club Arts Centre, Bollington– Tickets £9.90 online from www.bollingtonartscentre.org.uk9 8.00 pm Bollington Chamber Concerts Arts Centre, Bollington– The Danish Brownies String Quartet at TattonTickets £14/£7 01625 576402 or 57528710 8.00 pm Second Sunday Folk Club Arts Centre, Bollington11 7.30 pm Rainow WI - A Mystery Shopper Rainow Institute13 11.30 for 12.30 pm Rainow NSPCC Ladies Lunch and Fashion Show The Hunting Lodge,with Park Lane FashionsAdlington HallContact Sue Frith 01625 573802 orLyn McCarthy 01625 42789616 8.00 pm Lucy Ward award-winning folk singer Arts Centre, BollingtonTickets £9 on-line or on the door17 2.30 & 5.00 pm Bollington Festival Music Theatre Arts Centre, Bollington- Woytek by Donald JudgeDetails 0161 225 4680 or website19 7.30 pm Mothers Union Rainow Church Centre- Lenten Talk by Margaret Tate30 8.00 pm Jazz at the Arts Centre Arts Centre, Bollington- Amy Roberts and Friends. Tickets £9 01625 574410We have made this list as comprehensive as space permits & it is necessarily a selection of the events we know about.If you have anything planned that you would like us to list in the next issue, please call 01625 426059.On23What’s

Call us foraward winningcar insuranceFor a car insurance quote,call NFU Mutual in Macclesfieldon 01625 422276 or visitnfumutual.co.uk/macclesfieldWedorightbyyouAgent of The National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society Limited.