Winter 2014

Helsby News is supported by Helsby Parish Council

Issue 71

News

Let's get behind TerryIN THE MIDDLE of Helsby there is barren piece of land, right next to the Community Centre, which is rapidly becoming yet another eyesore in our village. Many will remember that on this land stood the former Sherwood Court Care Home which was demolished a number of years ago. The land is owned by Cheshire West and Chester. The recent Neighbourhood Plan consultation revealed that numbers of residents were concerned about the

state of this disused land and wanted to see something done about it. But what to do? Never one to sit back when there can be opportunities for the folk of Hels-by, Central Ward Parish Councillor, Terry O'Neill, has taken on the chal-lenge and has applied to Active Cheshire for funding to complete a fea-sibility study to turn the site into a community facility. Cllr O'Neill said that while the coun-

cil have invested in the children's play area and the draining of the once waterlogged parish field there is nowhere in the village where older peo-ple can have free access to outdoor facili-ties. "We have one of the highest percentages of over 70s in our village compared to the rest of Cheshire. When I was in Adelaide earlier this year I saw an adult out-door play area, catering

Helsby News wins

2014 "Best village Newsletter" in Cheshire

for older folk who wanted to remain active, and I thought that was what we were missing in Helsby. Everyone knows that the best thing we can do when we get older is to keep active and this project will help that" says Terry. Active Cheshire, a charity which aims to encourage 50,000 people to become more active by 2017, is offering grants of £15000, £5000 and £1000 to projects which engage people in the community. Terry has applied for £5000 to fund the essential feasibility study but he needs your help. He needs you to vote on the Active Charity website to show your support for this project. If the bid is successful the study would explore what's possible, the costs, funding pos-sibilities and financing. There's a short video explaining more about what is planned when you get there. Let's get behind Terry. Shortlisted bids are decided by public vote. That means you…… so get clicking Helsby. Make sure you vote by visiting the web-site before January 5..

www.activecheshire.org/active-anywhere/latest5k/7

Marj Thoburn

We did remember them

FOLLOWING the Remembrance Day service in St Paul's Church wreaths were placed at the base of Helsby's War Memorial in memory of the 20 named villagers killed in the 1914-18 War and the 17 who died during the Second World War.The Memorial itself, seen here, was specially cleaned in time for Remembrance Day.

Picture courtesy of Chris Ellams

WE ARE proud to announce that Helsby News won Best Village Newsletter in the Pan Cheshire Community Pride Awards 2014.

A Special thanks to the editorial team, all our contributors and to all those deliverers who make sure it gets into your homes.

That's an awesome amount of vol-unteer hours!

Marj Thoburn

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Helsby News Editorial Team

Barbara Ginty 724848 Marj Thoburn 722304 Kevin Kennedy 726534 Betty Grieve 726650

Editorial01928 724848 / 722304www.helsbynews.net

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Helsby Parish Council

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around the village!

We need more volunteers to help on

the editorial and layout team, or to

help deliver throughout the village.

Please get in touch!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

NEWS IN BRIEF

The Windings

Anticipating completion of the new extra care village being built off Cable Drive, the Parish Council has been working with the Developer to decide on a name for the development that retains the history of the BICC factory site. Following some great sugges-tions, the name selected will be 'The Windings'.

Save the Phone Box

A Village Petition with 476 names has been sent to CWAC in an effort to save the red phone box from removal by BT. Two other public phone boxes are said to be under threat because of lack of use. Concern was expressed at a recent Parish Council Meeting that there would be no access to emergency services if these were removed from the Quarry area and near Hillside School.

Proud Runner Up

Helsby was the proud runner up in the Best Kept Village competition this year.

Office Move

Helsby Parish Council Office has moved to 200 Chester Road, above Kestrel Image Makers by the Method-ist Church. Open from 8am - 2pm Mon-Thurs, telephone 01928 72643, e-mail:helsbyparishcouncil@btconnect.com

Peel finds a Partner

Peel Environmental has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Babcock & Wilcox Volund (BWV) to progress the Ince Resource Recovery Park in Cheshire. The deal will see Peel and BWV work together to pursue the development, construc-tion and operation of the Energy from Waste plant which will service local needs and industry. Located between Helsby and Ellesmere Port, the plant would take household and commer-cial & industrial residual waste from the region. Construction is planned to start in 2016 with the first line opera-tional by 2019.

CHRISTMAS SERVICES

Alan Returns to the Parish CouncilCheshire West & Chester (CWAC) Councillor, Alan McKie, has recently joined Helsby Parish Council as councillor for the South Ward. Alan, who has served on the Parish Council before, has lived in Helsby for more than 40 years. Originally one of two Borough councillors representing Helsby on the old Vale Royal Council he was forced to change when only one representative was allowed when Cheshire West and Chester was established. He has served as CWAC Councillor for Weaverham and Cuddington since then but now hopes to stand again for Helsby in the next May elections when Cllr Les Ford retires. Alan is married to Marjory, who vol-unteers at the Greenwood club, and has a daughter, Alison and 4 grand children. He is also known for the 'tea dances' he runs in Runcorn. Alan told Helsby News that he is particularly interested in "helping Helsby become a community that man-ages itself, going forward" He supports the development of the Sports Club, the Retirement Village and the Neighbour-hood Plan and wants to see a vibrant, fully engaged older community using all the facilities the village can provide in the future. Perhaps Helsby's version of 'Strictly' if Alan has anything to do with it!

Marj Thoburn

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New Balance 100 mile Challenge for Hillside

New Balance, the global athletic footwear brand, has teamed up with Active Cheshire to introduce programmes to encour-age more school aged children to get active and the focus is on improving the health, well-being and self-esteem of chil-dren through movement. Helsby Hillside Primary School has joined the New Bal-ance 100 mile challenge, which runs throughout the 2014-15 academic year. Pupils can reach the target by running, swim-ming, walking, jogging or cycling 100 miles during the period, in school or at home. The school will record each pupil's miles and as a reward will receive prizes. The pupils at Helsby Hillside started their challenge recently with a walk around the school field.

A bit of Chelsea in Helsby!

October saw the exciting launch of a long awaited Tea Room in Helsby. In opening the tea room and vintage shop Diane and David Ormrod have realized a long held dream to open a tea room, as they first met at the Canoe Lake Café on the seafront in Portsmouth in 1988! Before opening in Helsby they sold antiques and vintage items at the Lady Heyes Craft Centre. Opening in Helsby has allowed them to continue selling antiques and vintage items, combined with creative new items and, of course, tea and cakes. The tea room can carter for children's parties (the back room is set up with the young ones in mind), they have already had three as well as an 80th birthday celebration. Now serving a wide range of cakes, scones and cupcakes along with teas, coffees and other hot and cold drinks The Old Bank Tea Rooms is a place to meet friends and neighbours and just relax. Or just drop in for that special gift.

Smiles all round as more grants made!

At Helsby's second Grant Award Event a total sum of £4000 was awarded to eight grateful applicants for grant awards of £500 to support the work of local community clubs and societies. There were smiles all round when the cheques were presented by the Chairman, Andy McPherson, at the Novem-ber meeting of the Parish Council. Grants were awarded to Helsby Running Club, Helsby Indoor Bowling Club, Helsby High School, Friends of Hillside School, Showtime Fundraisers, Helsby Junior Rugby Club and Mersey Weaver Scouts. The monies will be spent in a variety of ways; from winter high viz vests to lifting equipment for bowling mats, scouting workshops, flooring for the dance troop and re-cycling bins for the High.

A Well Deserved Award for Pauline

Pauline Jenkinson, who has been a volunteer at Helsby Junction for 17 years, won first prize in the National Acorp awards. She walked away with Community Railway Awards 2014 certificate of excellence awarded in recognition of out-standing achievement at Helsby Junction in the Volunteer Contribution category. Pauline was presented with a trophy and £250 plus a night in a Hotel in Scarborough, which ended with a great firework display. We are all made up for her here at North Cheshire Rail Users Group, and we can't think of anyone better who deserves it!

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Coffee Morning Success for MacMillan

Over the past 14 years a determined group of Helsby women has raised more than £11000 for Macmillan Can-cer Support and stalwarts Pippa Randles, Barbara Neukom and Norma Clare headed up the annual coffee morning again this year. Sadly missing from the team was founder Pauline Gardner, who died earlier this year, and who started the event in 2000. "We raised over £1330 this time and say a huge thanks to Helsby for supporting us over all these years. Pauline would have been proud" Pippa told Helsby News. The team is standing down now and it is hoped that others will take over in 2015. Pictured below is the packed Community Centre on the day.

Over at the Golf Course another event saw Lady Captain, Janet Richards, welcome members and visitors to another Macmillan coffee morning which raised £800 for this well deserved charity.

Helsby Quarry

Congratulations to The Friends of Helsby Quarry who picked up a 'Little Gem' award in this years' Pan-Cheshire Community Pride Awards for the Helsby Quarry Information Boards and refurbished disabled pathways.

Greenwood Update

Thanks to our successful application to the Helsby Com-munity Grants event last February, we were able to plan some trips and events for the rest of the year for members of the Greenwood Opal Club. A popular trip was to the Blue Planet Aquarium in Ellesmere Port. Whilst not actually swimming with sharks, members spent a morning sampling the delights of the coffee shop, listening to a live presentation on the history and content of the Blue Planet and finally walking round and seeing many of the inhabitants more closely. Watch-ing the divers feeding the fish, especially the stingrays, fascinated everybody and the moving staircase gave an excellent view to all, even those in wheelchairs. As no Thursday at Greenwood is complete without a cooked meal, members went on to the White Lion in Alvanley. They were made very welcome and members and volunteers enjoyed their lunch. Greenwood held an Open Afternoon with a Halloween theme and invited friends to drop in and share a drink and a piece of cake. A raffle and tombola raised funds which will go towards the Christmas festivities. The Greenwood Club closes for two weeks over Christ-mas but will reopen again on 8th Jan in time to celebrate our seventeenth birthday.

Biddy Mason

Village Society

Why not come along as a visitor for £2 (inc. refreshments) or join for a year for £2 and then only £1.50 per night. You will find us on the last Thursday of the month from Septem-ber to April in Helsby Community Centre at 7.30pm.

December 18th is our Christmas Social (members only)Our meetings for 2015 until April are as follows:January 29th - Vienna-City of Music February 26th - When the Queen came to LunchMarch 26th - Cabinet of CuriositiesApril 30th - AG M followed by: - Robin Hood, from Sherwood to Hollywood

Helsby Hillside WI

Helsby Hillside WI has continued to enjoy a varied pro-gramme since the last issue of Helsby News. Activities included a Willow Weaving course and several beading workshops during the summer making necklaces, earrings and bracelets. December is our last meeting and hopefully our projects will be finished in time to wrap them up for Christmas! October opened with a presentation by the local Scouts giving a very detailed account of what they would be doing on the Jamboree next year and was followed by a demon-stration by Mr Owen Mageean on the history and uses of stained glass. We all marvelled at the complexity and just how many hours of work it must take to produce our churches stained glass windows. The AGM in November was followed by a social evening, and in December we will have our Christmas party with Mrs J Colwell telling us about 'Christmas Crackers'. We have a new programme of events starting in January and would like to welcome new members to our Group. We meet on the 2nd Tuesday of every month in the Helsby Community Centre at 7.30pm. For more information, please go to our webpage on www.helsbyparishcouncil.org.uk and go to useful links and click on WI or contact Pam Hinkley on 01928 722161.

Horns Mill Hockey

Some Year 6 pupils from Horn's Mill Primary School put in a stunning performance in a recent tournament which was organised by the School's Educa-tion Improvement Partnership. They played with great skill and flair and were delighted to be declared as the silver medallists.

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Way back in 1994, CJS Barbers started trading in a shop on the A56 approach-ing the village centre - the only barbers in the village. A couple of years later and after spotting a Smart sports car in Manchester, Simon decided he liked the car and what a good name for his shop! So with the name change came a face lift - all black and white - and Smart Barbers has been a fixture in the village now for 20 years. Simon is justly proud of his achieve-ment, which he attributes to hard work and total commitment - not forgetting highly skilled and friendly staff. Together with employees Michelle and Helen, they all work hard to ensure client satisfaction - tricky sometimes with all the different customer require-ments and wildly varied hair styles - but they like to see happy customers leav-ing the shop. 'We have built up a very

loyal clientele over the last 20 years' says Simon, 'and some people still return to us despite moving away from the area'. Simon went into hairdressing when he was 16 years old, 'it was either cater-ing or hairdressing' he recalls ... and has never looked back. He particularly likes running his own business, chatting with lots of different customers, getting involved in various community events, and has collected the Best Shop award twice - well deserved as the recently refurbished interior is all very modern in black and grey and gleaming stainless steel. That is the day job! But during his spare time, Simon is fully occupied in quite diverse directions. He likes cook-ing and as a side line he makes green tomato chutney and also hot chilli jam. He collects Lambretta scooters (5 at the

20 Years Old and Very SMART!

last count), which he enjoys tinkering with and doing repairs. He collects vinyl records too (has boxes of them at home), enjoys reggae music and is a big Bob Marley fan, so not surprisingly, each year Simon goes off to Jamaica for holidays with his wife Tracy and daughter Kaya for a well earned rest!

Barbara Ginty

New Starter at Horns Mill

Amongst the September intake at Horns Mill Primary School there was a taller than normal starter!! Meet Mrs Sharon Wyatt - the new Head Teacher! Chester born and bred, Sharon has two growing boys and qualified as a teacher in 1994. After starting her teaching career at Highfield Primary School in Blacon, she moved to Dee Point Primary in Blacon eight years ago, and has spent the last six years as Deputy Head there. During that time, Sharon is proud to have been part of the leadership team which moved Dee Point from 'Notice to Improve' to double 'Outstanding' Ofsted judgements in 2009 and 2013. Can she achieve the same results at Horns Mill - graded as 'Requiring Improvement' at the last Ofsted inspection in March 2013?'We are very proud of Horns Mill' said the new Head Teacher, 'with improving buildings in attractive grounds including a large school field, it is a great environment in which to learn. Horns Mill is an average sized primary, currently not at full capacity,. and offers quality teaching from a dedicated staff, with friendly and well-behaved children. I want to build links within the community and for parents to visit the school and see for themselves what we are about - our door is always open'. Sharon's immediate plan is to improve the curriculum, making it enriching and exciting and ensuring each child's potential is reached. A new range of after-school activities has been implemented this term including netball and foot-ball, loom band club, art and crafts, street dance and a Shakespeare drama club. The Year 6 children have just successfully participated in the Shakespeare Schools Festi-val, performing Twelfth Night at the Epstein Theatre in

Liverpool alongside three other schools. The children worked hard as a team and certainly deserved their standing ovation at the end of the evening. The primary school is also very proud to work closely with Horn's Mill Pre School on their school site which deliv-ers 'Outstanding' provision for 2-4 year olds. This effective working relationship allows Horn's Mill to provide child care every day for pupils between 8am -6pm with breakfast and after school clubs provided by the Pre-School. And Sharon's longer term aim? 'I want to see Horns Mill achieve an Ofsted rating of 'Outstanding' and provide the service that our children, families and community deserve...not an easy task,

but we are growing a team which has the passion and drive to achieve it!' she says, clearly relishing the challenge. For further information about the school, Sharon can be contacted on head@hornsmill.cheshire.sch.uk or the schools website can be viewed at www.thelifecloud.net/schools/HornsMillPrimarySchool/

Library News

We currently have an exhibition entitled 'Helsby Remem-bers its WW1 Heroes'. It commemorates the ultimate sacrifices made by the people of Helsby during World War 1. It has been compiled by Jane Arnold and Sue Lorimer, with the assistance of Stuart Hulse and Andrew Lorimer. Thanks also to Beryl White, Helsby Parish Council, Frod-sham & District History Society and all the families who have allowed their stories to be told and photos to be published.

Vivienne Littler

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Helsby News would like to thank 1st Helsby for recently joining the group of volunteers who deliver Helsby News. Part of their contribution to the community and much

appreciated. Nothing wrong with our young folk!

Lately I have been approached by some residents ask-ing if I could write in this article about issues they have noticed. I would like to start with the problems around dogs and some of their owners. I have noticed an increase in dog fouling and this would be easily solved if the owners responsible would clean up after their dogs. Another issue that worries folk is dogs not being kept under control. 'Being under control' does not mean just being on a lead but if your dog is running around attack-ing other dogs or running through peoples gardens then this is NOT under control and could be classed as an offence.

PATRICK’S

CRIME COLUMN

Contact me on 01606 362 548 or e-mail me on patrick.campbell@cheshire.pnn.police.uk

To report an incident please call 101In an emergency always dial 999

Finally, it has been pointed out to me that cars are contravening the keep left signs outside the shops in the village. It is an offence to drive across the painted white lines and onto the opposite side of the road. There have been a few near misses reported over the last few months. It won't be long before an accident occurs. I understand that parking is limited but the 'keep left arrows' are there to help people cross this busy stretch of the road and if you are caught contravening road signs then this is something you could be prosecuted for.

Over By ChristmasWithout doubt, emotions ran high at Helsby station on the 19th September when Theatre in the Quarter performed their choral tribute to departing soldiers, off to war in the autumn of 1914. 'Over by Christmas' exceeded all expecta-tions. It was an amazing success with hundreds of locals packing the station platforms. Nothing like this had ever been attempted on a UK railway station before and very many people left the station very moved by the experience. It was the talk of the village for many days. The show was performed on stations across Cheshire and Merseyside and so successful was the production that it was finally performed in the week running up to Remem-brance Day at St Pancras Station in London.

Pictures courtesy of Chris Ellams

Helsby High Takes on the Challenge

Never afraid of the Big Event, 35, Year 8 and 9 students, from Helsby High School, stepped up to the mark to com-pete in the World Marathon Challenge at Sportcity, Manchester in October and came up trumps! The aim of the Challenge is to run the marathon dis-tance, 26.2miles, in the quickest time possible, in 200 metre legs. The Helsby team completed the race in 1h 54:59 mins, breaking the school and stadium record and placing them a fantastic 2nd out of the 114 teams competing across the world. Countries represented outside of the UK includ-ed: Czech Republic, Canada, Estonia, Norway and France amongst others.

Scouts About!

Over summer 1st Helsby Scouts took part in a week-long International camp called Chamboree, Our Scouts mixed with young people from Egypt, Holland, and Ireland and took part in fun activities on site, as well as trips to Liverpool (seen here) and Tatton Park. In September we made the most of the final late eve-nings by taking part in two camps. Most of the troop were at Dunham Massey, visiting the World War One Hospital and doing geocaching around the grounds. Older scouts went to Snowdonia for an Explorer Activity weekend to help prepare them for a move into Explorers when they turn 14. Finally, three of our Scouts achieved the top award that they can achieve at this stage, the Gold Award. Well done to Curtis Horsley, Daniel Jennings and Amelia Whiten.

Edward Halliwell

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Sports News

Helsby High’s Karate Medal Winner

In a fantastic individual achievement, Finley McCullen, in Year 8, took part in the Karate World Championships in Sczecin, Poland and came home with a Bronze medal! Finley began well in the preliminary rounds; firstly beat-ing the American National Champion 4-0, and then the Argentinian Champion in a close 4-3 win. He was then up against the Irish Champion and Euro-pean Silver Medallist. Finley beat him comfortably 4-2. He faced a very stern challenge from the Hungarian National Champion. Having gone 2-0 down, he was momentarily knocked out by an illegal punch. After receiving a thorough check over by the doc-tors he was allowed to continue. Despite feeling rather dizzy and having 'rubbery legs', Finley managed to get through to the semi-finals where he faced the Italian Champion and despite still showing signs of the effects of his previous round, Finley gave an outstanding performance in a very close match. He was awarded the Bronze medal on overall points by the judges. After a stirring podium ceremony he was cheered back onto the bus home by the other competitors as one of only two of the England competitors to win a medal. Huge congratulations to Finley from all at Helsby for this fantastic achievement.

Helsby Golf Club Junior’s success in 2014

2014 has been an excellent year for Helsby Golf Club's Junior Team and the team, captained by Charlie Fletcher, managed to win the Mid Cheshire Junior League. This in

itself was a massive achievement for the team's first year in the competition, but it didn't stop there!! The team was invited to play in the Junior Team Golf Home Nations Inter Club Com-petition and were placed 3rd in the Regional Finals. In the team were a terrific bunch of lads and they represented Helsby Golf Club bril-

liantly all year and are a credit to the club. Thanks therefore go to all the team members, Charlie Fletcher, Simon Pay, Matt Whitaker, Sam Long, Nathan Newton, Jack Kennedy, Tom Hughes and Lewis Houghton - everyone at Helsby GC is proud of you and your amazing year!

Kathryn Hoather

RUFC International Success!!!

Great news for the Coaching staff and Officials at Helsby RUFC in that 3 of their players were selected to represent Wales U16 vs England U16 in League on August 30th. Geraint Lawrence , George Shaw and Nathan Ainsworth - all former Helsby Junior U16 players (and Chester Gladia-tors ) gave their all on August 30th at Mountain Ash Rugby Club in South Wales. Wales lost but fought valiantly to the final whistle. Both George and Nathan are currently signed up with Warrington Wolves U19s and are looking to progress into the Super league Squad. Congratulations to the Lads for their success. More Rugby News at www.helsbyrugby.com.

Helsby Runner’s tour de France

At the end of August, Helsby runner Steve Nash successfully competed in the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc TDS Ultra Marathon race in Chamonix, France.

Steve covered the distance of 119km (74 miles) and climb of 7250m (23786 ft) in 26 hours and 5 mins. The run follows a set course with spectacu-lar views of the Italian and French Alps com-bined with gruelling climbs and descents. This was a fund raiser too, and Steve contributed a total of £119 to the Hospice of the Good Shepherd, Backford, Chester.

Page 8 Helsby News is supported by Helsby Parish Council

Sports News

North Ward Sylvia Crossley-Jones 723115 Alan Gardner 722360 Patricia Holder 727384John Kimpton 724236Sarah Temple 722181

Central Ward Chris Ellams 724409 Stuart Hulse 724272 Sam Johnson 722297 Andy MacPherson (C) 722367 Terry O’Neill 723205

South Ward Peter Connor 724381Peter Duffy 722908Alan McKie 724960George Randles 724775Frank Thomas 722179

Clerk Jeanette Hughes 726433, Parish Office: 200 Chester Road, Helsby, WA6 0AP

Helsby Parish Council

Almost There for Sports ClubHELSBY MAY may soon get its long awaited state-of-the-art sports centre - and 120 new homes. The Brookhouse Group has submitted plans to Cheshire West and Chester Council for a two-storey Sports Centre, with outdoor facilities, and an 'enabling' housing development which would fund the new club. If the plans receive the green light, the improved sports club would boast a multi-use sports hall complete with an office for Helsby Parish Council, improved changing and function facili-ties, a 3G 11-a-side football pitch, two bowling greens, four tennis courts and a running loop around the new pitch. Helsby parish councillor, George Randles, who also acts as development officer for the sports club, has welcomed the planning applications. He said: "It is brilliant for the whole village. It's not just for Helsby, it's for the surrounding areas too. The fact that there is a binding agreement which ensures that the hous-ing development cannot start until the new club is built is vitally important." It's been a long wait, so fingers crossed at this last stage in the planning process! This artist impression is what we can look forward to.

Helsby Tennis Club

Helsby Tennis Club has had quite a lot of success this season. Both our U8 team and UY12w won the Aegon Div 2; our U14's team won the U14 Chester & District League and our U18s won both Aegon Div 2 and the Divisional Final. The tennis programme has grown and the Ladies' beginner session, Tots (5yrs), Cardio and Men's beginner sessions all being attended well. Seen here is our winning U8's team.

Bill Connell

Essar four villages half marathon 2015

Sunday the 18 January 2015 @ 11:00 - Start Helsby Community Sports Club. Finish Horns Mill School. New for this year is a competition open to the local schools which we pass on the race route and those nearby; we want them to design the artwork for the Race T-shirts.!!! As a club, we hope the competition will help to engage the next generation of runners.