Stakeholder meeting 8th July

I attended the stakeholders meeting held at the park on Wednesday 8th July. There has been little or no visible work done at the park for months but thats all about to change. The new tender should be opened this week and hopefully a new contractor appointed very quickly. There has been a delay as after the tenders were in one contractor reduced the price and as a result other had to be given the opportunity to resubmit tenders.

At the meeting the Lions came with some cash to build a sensory garden like the one a Stapley Water gardens so that is another new feature which should be a major attractions and as the Lions are funding it there is no messing about getting the money.

The meeting discussed that the stakeholder work would be done once the park was finished and then a friends of the Queens Park would take over to make decisions about the park and see that its maintained and looked after. This will be open to anyone and will shortly be setup as a charity so they can get funding for any future projects.

The work on the wall were the Bats have held up work is now due to start this week and should be finished in a month. This also means the railings can then be finished as there is only this small section to do. We will have pictures as soon as there is signs of life. Work on the bandstand is also imminent.

The summer bedding is now starting to flower and will soon be in its full glory as can be seen above taken after the meeting.

The park has events still going on this summer which are

12th July Blozone Band - FAB Blues Band
19th All Sorts Dog Display Team
26th George Formby Ukulele Soc
1st & 2nd Aug TipKinder - Bob Fields GRANDS incl. "The Shanaze Reade BMX Track"
2nd August The Valentines Duo
9th Tarporley Concert Band
16th Lucy Jane ~ Punch & Judy
23rd Matrix Dancers with Pheonix Disco
Thurs 27th Youth Fire Serv Display
Sat 29th CARNIVAL King George V Playing Fields
Thurs 5th Nov LIONS Bonfire & Fireworks Display


For more details see the main site for the Queens park

Bad Accident closes West St

A bad accident closed some of West St near the bridge at 2 oclock today when its believed a cyclist was knocked of their bike. There were over 4 Police cars at the scene and the area was taped off. The road was shut at Minshull New rd but still people ignored the sign and tried to get past only to be forced into turning around and going back

West St

West St is in grid lock as the improvements keep closing the road add to this the fact that Alton St is closed for new water pipes and the town is in chaos. Many of the shops down West St are complaining they are loosing trade as people cant get to there shops. The work is going on until October and the road will have to be totally closed at some point. Lets hope its all worth it in the end.

Crewe in Bloom

Some pictures of the town center in bloom showing summer is here. The nice display of flowers on the railings out side the Library now all in full bloom
Over at the Asda center the tubs are filled with color and form a nice display of flora for visitors

Aerial Scam warning

Beware of TV Aerial Scam, Warns Trading Standards

Householders are warned to be on their guard against doorstep salesmen insisting they need a new TV aerial before the digital switchover in 2009.

Cheshire Trading Standards officers have received several reports of traders cold-calling the elderly and vulnerable who claim their existing aerial will not receive a digital signal and urge them to pay for a replacement.

Digital UK, the not for profit organisation leading the switchover process, says most aerials will work perfectly well with digital TV.

Jo Waters, Granada Regional Manager for Digital UK, said: “There is no such thing as a digital aerial – as long as it is in good condition your current aerial should be able to receive a digital signal after the switchover.

“For the very small percentage of households that do need an aerial upgrade, we advise to only buy from reputable retailers and qualified installers – never from people who turn up without an appointment.”

The digital switchover for the Granada region is scheduled for 4 November 2009.

An aerial test on Teletext page 284 will help viewers to determine whether their aerial will be good enough to receive a digital signal.

Digital UK advises that the installation of a standard new roof aerial for one property should cost no more than £80-£100.

Trading Standards Investigations Manager Andrew Rees said: “We advise householders never to enter into contracts with traders who cold-call.

“Anyone requiring a new aerial should use a local supplier with a good reputation who is prepared to give customers time to think about a quote. Ensure the firm has an address and telephone number which can be verified.

“We recommend obtaining at least two quotes and, if possible, using businesses recommended by family or friends. And crucially, never part with cash up front.”

Digital UK is working in partnership with local charities and volunteers to provide advice and assistance for those who may need a little extra help.

Its Switchover Help Scheme offers assistance and equipment to convert one television for those aged 75 or over, registered blind or partially sighted, on certain disability benefits or living in a care home. Those eligible will be contacted in April-June 2009.

Further information and advice is available from the Digital TV helpline on 0845 6 50 50 50 or via the website http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/

Trading Standards can be contacted on 08454 04 05 06.

New Square Rocks

The new square was put to good use today and really rocks. Only half the square is open but the group could still use it and they pulled a big crowd to see the event

As well as the group were dancers from Ceroc at Nantwich showing off their moves with both young and old showing us what they could do. They have a website Ceroc so pop along and see what its all about it seems fun and open to all ages

Rights to walk

Those that know me know I walk 10 miles a day with the old dog and I enjoy a nice country walk. So off I went onto the Georges playing field down the path by the Golf coarse and came to turn right to go by the river. There are two walks one you go past the river and turn right and one before the river. Well if you look at the photo above can you see the foot path? Neither could I its so over grown and covered in nettles its un passable and we are being denied this lovely walk by the river.
I had to go on to the next path above which is rapidly diminishing as the weeds overgrow the path. Who takes care of these paths now we have a new council? Any ideas so we can get it cut back?

West St

In West St the improvements are going ahead and largely unnoticed as so far they have concentrated on new car parks at the rear of the paper shop so know one has really seen very much happening. The car park is now finished and this week they will move out and start causing traffic jams as they carry out road works and pavement improvments. This is set to go on for weeks so avoid West St
Around the corner in Oxford St at the site of the old chapel which was burnt down the land has been cleared and the foundation have started to go in for the six new houses. They have been working every day on this project much to everyones annoyance as we were woken by the jack hammer going on a Sunday morning. The concrete has given up without a fight as its been several feet thick.

Town Update

On the square the new lighting is now installed with its unusual shape and the square top end should be open very soon. It does seem to be taking forever to get this done
Around the corner Wimpy closed down and Ozzys has now opened which to me looks just the same as it ever did but with a new name. Its now open so you can pop in for a cuppa

Queens Park

There was a meeting today with the Lottery to discuss the Queens Park restoration So I went to the park to see if anything was happening. In terms of the meeting not a lot was going on and we should find out what happened in the near future. I did grab some snaps of the last of the summer bedding going out.
The gardeners were buzy finishing off the planting in their little orange truck. It will be a couple of weeks before it can be seen in its full color.
Over on the North wall I wondered what the black plastic was for as that is the only place the railings havent been finished. The plastic is to stop the Bats making nest in the wall apparently they have delayed any work on the area as they had nested there. They have had to wait for them to go before they could do any work. The plastic lets them fly onto the wall but not make nest so hopefully work can now begin on the wall

Good Bye Thorntons

I couldn't help but notice this lovely young lady posed in Thorntons shop. It seems she and 6 others need new jobs as the shop is closing after a very long time in the area.
I must be well over 10 years that we have had a Thorntons in the area maybe even 20 years and its one of those shops you expect to be there forever. So if anyone has any jobs on offer for these six girls let them know. They are hoping to get jobs at the card shop around the corner or in the new Big Apple so best of luck girls

Leighton Park Play Area

Work i sunder way on the Leighton Park Play area the old basketball courts have been removed and the area is being dug up. I assume the new play area will soon be underway and there was talk of CCTV for the area. The area has had several new play areas over the years and they all seem to get vandalized so we hope if there is CCTV this will stop it. Having said that the SK8 park has CCTV and the kids managed to remove a 15 foot rail bolted to the floor and CCTV never spotted it was even gone until I told them

Step back in time

Visit Crewe Market on a Monday and you may think you have stepped back in time. On the outside market is a new traveling sweet shop selling old sweets like we had when we were kids. I wonder if he has the old gob stoppers, lucky bags mint imperials? If he visits the site he may wish to leave comments at the bottom of the article as to what he has on offer.

He will be there every Monday so pop down and take a look at this unique shop I couldnt resist taking a picture as it reminds you what sweet shops used to be like

Burglary warning

Please be aware that there were two distraction burglaries - 1 in Crewe & 1 in Nantwich - on Friday 19th June 2009.

In both cases two males approached properties with an elderly occupant and claimed that they needed to check the taps. In each instance the men also mentioned putting blue dye into the water as part of a test. Male 1 is described as being 5'2" with short, blonde, scruffy hair, light clothes and a slim build. Male 2 is described as being 6'3" with short, brown hair, late 20's, dark blue t-shirt / trousers and a large build.

In Nantwich, in the St Mary's Road area of the town, they stated that they were working on the neighbour's boiler and needed to check the occupants taps.

In Crewe, in the Smallman Road area of the town, they stated that there had been a water leak and needed to check the occupants taps.

Please make your neighbours aware of these incidents and the details provided about their MO and descriptions. It is particularly important to warn any elderly or more vulnerable neighbours/family members about this as unfortunately it is often properties with elderly residents that are approached. If anyone witnesses any suspicious behaviour or believe that they have been approached by the above individuals please contact the police via 0845 458 0000 immediately.

Remember, you are never obligated to allow entry into your property if you do not feel comfortable doing so, if in any doubt keep them out! If people claim to be from official companies such as gas / water firms then you can ask them to make an appointment in writing (so someone can be with you if elderly/vulnerable) or can keep them outside until you have chance to ring up the firm they claim to be from and check their credentials/story. However, many such companies now operate a 'password' scheme where residents can pre arrange a password that anyone from the company will state when calling so it is worthwhile enquiring with your provider if they operate this service.

Summer floral display of Hypericum canariense above I know its sad taking pictures of roundabouts but its such a nice display and I bet hundreds of people drive past and never notice it outside Morrisions in Dunwoody way

Same plant and the bush which is just dull and not noticed for 9 months of the year suddenly comes alive and a blaze of color. There is lots of color around Morrisons so take alook next time you pass

New development

A trip down Henry st and I came across this new development of Wulverns down there of 9 three bedroom houses. The land down there had been a mess for a long time but there used to be the odd garage doing odd repairs in the area. They will be good house if you are into football with the pitch to the rear

Town Centre

The square is progressing very slowly and there are complaints in the local rag from shops in the area that its taking to long. Now we have the chess board in place so people will be able to play chess. Its not clear if there will actual be chess pieces for the public to use as what happens at night they will be thrown all around the town?
A trip up town show we are having a revamp week with both McDonald's and Wimpy having a refit. How will people survive with out these cafes? We seem to have more places to eat than we do shoppers with the new Apple bar opening soon.