WVN_June_2017

JUNE 2017

also visit the Whitley Village website at http://www.whitleyvillage.info
This edition complied by Pete Wilcock at Mallard Cottage.

BERYL MEDLAND 27/4/1938 - 27/4/2017: Vicki Swinden & Simon Medland would like to take this opportunity of thanking
everyone who has been so very kind and supportive since Beryl died on what was her 79th birthday. Her funeral at
St.Luke`s on 12th May was a splendid occasion and a fitting farewell for a very special person who did so much for
Whitley over the 50 years of living here. We would also like to record our grateful thanks for everyones generosity. The
collection in memory of Beryl raised the splendid total of £1,030 split equally between St.Luke`s and the Village Hall.

Village Hall - Chairmans I am really pleased we are able to hosted by the Village Hall Cttee
Annual Statement: support this younger generation and the PreSchool Group. The local
and the links to the neighbouring community has typically come out
I am delighted to report on yet Whitley Village School. in force and helped increase the
another excellent year in the life of funds for the Village Hall and the
the Village Hall and of the Whitley Our multi media projector has Preschool as well as provide an
Village Hall Management been well used by all our local opportunity to have some fun.
Committee. groups and has also been centre
stage for our ‘cinema nights’. New fitness and choir groups have
The Village Hall continues to be These provide an affordable also recently started using the
filled with a fantastic number of opportunity for an evening out Village Hall as their base and with
meetings, events, shows and much with friends and a chance to see other events, parties and
more. Our recent assessment one of the latest blockbusters in attractions, I am confident the
shows that utilisation of the main the convenience of your local balance of Village Hall functions
hall remains over 80% with well village hall. We have continued our are providing the range of
established local groups and range of ‘no frills’ events, aimed at recreation and activities that we
excellent events including the Rose providing quality entertainment need to meet the needs of the local
Queen and the Whitley 10k with little set up costs and community. I would remind all
continuing to be well attended and therefore minimal entrance fees. residents that it is these fund
supported by the whole village. This has included a number of rock raising events that help sustain the
and roll bingo nights, a bingo and village hall and its activities and
It is great to see one of our main band evening, race night and a
Village Hall organisations, Whitley Whitley’s Got Talent event to name would encourage everyone to
Community Preschool thriving but a few. All of these have been
along with the complimentary organised by volunteers giving up come along, I promise you will
‘Community Playschool Group’ their spare time, with many co- have a good time!
now also established in the annex.
(continued page 2)

EDITORS NEEDED: Please contact Helen Carey on 730 329 if you would like to become involved in joining the group of
editors who volunteer to assemble the WVN - we are seeking new blood and new ideas to keep your village news alive!
All notices are published in good faith & the committee cannot be held responsible for errors / subsequent alterations made.

Changes to our policy has rightly and as ever is hugely appreciated. continue to work tirelessly behind
restricted the use of outdoor events in the scenes, underpinning the huge
the evening, as we are keen to The Village Hall Refurbishment & number of activities that go on
maintain our good reputation of Roof project has progressed well, without any trauma. It is the
being a considerate neighbour and I with our work to date culminating in knowledge, networks and
am pleased to report that we have funding bids to WREN and Biffa. We commitment of our current
had no complaints this year. anticipate the result of these committee members: Dave Simpkins;
applications later in May and June Cathy Ure (secretary); Scott Tolson;
Last month, we held our 34th Whitley this year, which subject to their Paula Helm; Melanie Barber; Phil
10k and Fun run, the event having success could mean starting work Barber; Jane Gleave (treasurer), Neil
started back in the early 1980’s this summer. I am extremely grateful Summerton; Clare Catterall and
(which I am sure many villagers still to members of the local community Clifford Straw that are the reasons
remember). This year, the sun came and our Village Hall Groups who sent that some how, things always get
out, as did many hundred runners, us letters of support. done.
volunteers and supporters. Their
immediate feedback reinforced how I would like to say a special thanks to Our ‘extended committee family’ has
much respect this event has in the Whitley Parish Council and Dutton also grown and I have been delighted
local running calendar. Comments Parish Council who both committed that Peter and Julie Clayton, Ian
about the beautiful and well support and funding to help us make Merrill, Geoff Cawley, Andrea Shore,
marshalled route, the friendly nature these applications. Without their Lucy Entwistle and Chris Pennington
of the event as well as the prizes and support this project would not have to name but a few have been so
general good feeling all made it progressed. active in giving their time and
worthwhile. knowledge to make our work and
Our financial situation remains events that much easier to manage.
From my perspective it was a fantastic healthy with a range of income from In fact I feel that this year has been
event with approx 470 people user groups, large and small events, one of the busiest, yet with everyone
registering to run. Through the the Parish Council and our lottery. chipping in, the overall workload
excellent work of the ‘10k sub group’ Our running costs remain the same feels a little lighter.
we managed to obtain more sponsors ie £15,000 with our disposable
and sponsorship than ever before, we income still around £25,000 most of I would also like to repeat my thanks
even managed to have articles in the which we expect to use for to to the Whitley Parish Council for both
Guardian papers and brilliantly a supplement the planned managing the payment of the
mention on Chris Evans Radio2. We refurbishment. Our Village Hall original public loan for the initial hall
are really grateful for all this publicity lottery fund remains healthy yet the extension (via the precept) and in
and sponsorship it does make a numbers of people taking part has their continuing support of the range
difference. reduced. In the coming year we are of activities we provide. Without their
looking to increase the awareness and the local Borough Councillors
As I mention every year, this is and support for this important commitment much of what we do
genuinely a whole village event and I fundraiser. would not happen.
can’t thank enough all those involved.
A special thanks to all our marshalls, Sadly the hosts of our village website The Village Hall and the Village Hall
car-parkers, hall helpers, field withdrew support as their funding Management Committee was
helpers, timers and their extended came to an end. Together with the established over 50 years ago to
families and importantly to every one Parish Council we have taken the provide facilities that enable
in Whitley who has to live with the opportunity to refresh and renew our meetings, education, recreation and
slight disruption of closed roads and website which can now be found at leisure activities with the object of
diversions, we do try and keep this www.whitleyvillage.info . Many improving the quality of life for the
disruption to a minimum, so thank thanks to Chris Pennington for his local community. Having looked back
you. help on this and many other over 2016/2017 I am again
technology related issues over the confident we have achieved this and
The modernisation work to the older year, his support has been very much more.
part of the village hall has continued appreciated. Our twitter account
this year with refurbishments to the remains under the capable hands of It is a pleasure working with all of
ladies toilets and the new provision of Cathy Ure via @WhitleyEvents the committee, who are fantastically
a children’s toilet and changing room dedicated, always in good humour
to meet the needs of the Preschool I have chosen to keep my biggest
and Playgroup. Many thanks again to and willing to support on anything.
our local Cheshire West and Cheshire thanks until last. As I say every year,
Councillors for their members grant what makes all of this possible is the My thanks go to them all as it does
role and work of the Whitley Village to all of you in Whitley.
scheme that helped part fund this
Hall Management Committee. This Steve Moore, Chairman, May 2017
dedicated group of volunteers

Dates for your diary: The Pre- School Committee have some news to share this month:

Mother`s Union
June 14th 2 pm Whitley Village Hall

“Birds of the Bible” by Bridget Anton

June 2017 Services at St Luke's

Sunday 4 June - Communion at 09: 30 - From April until October 2017 every time you shop at Co-op and buy Co-op
Pentecost branded products and services, from buying a loaf of bread to planning a funeral,
1% of their spend goes to a local cause.  For the 6 months Whitley Community
Sunday 11 June - Morning Prayer at Preschool have been selected to receive part of the fund as the money builds up.
11:00 - Trinity  
HOW CAN YOU HELP:  Throughout the 6 months, when you shop in store you
Sunday 18 June - Communion at 09:30 - can choose which cause your contribution goes to.
Trinity 1 MORE IMPORTANTLY PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE BECOME A CO-OP
MEMBER. For £1 when you buy selected products and services from Co-op Group
Sunday 25 June - Morning Prayer at businesses, including food stores and funeral homes, they will put 5% of what you
09:30 - Trinity 2 spend into your Co-op Membership account.
After you’ve joined you can specifically select Whitley Community Preschool as
The Mobile Library - Village Hall your nominated cause.  More members equals more funds coming to the Preschool. 
Thursday 15th June 10.10 - 10.40 a.m Please join by going to www.coop.co.uk/membership

Please support to help keep this Our SOS FASHION event (below) is on Thurs 15th June @ 7pm, Village Hall.
worthwhile service going.
SHOUT OUT
Friendly Club - Village Hall for small businesses:

Thursday 8th & 22nd June My name is Andrew Glennon and I live
in Lower Whitley with my wife and twin
22nd June includes a visit from children. I recently released my first
Dianna Wiggins our local Community novel - a childrens book called "The
Loneliest Robot" - the initial response
Police Officer has been very positive! You can find out
more about the book on my website
from 2 - 4 p.m & new visitors are https://www.theloneliestrobot.com
welcome for tea and friendly chat.
I hope to bring you an extract and more
The 70th Whitley Village Rose Queen news on this book next issue...
Day takes place this year on Saturday
10th June 2017 Our Queen elect, Tilly
O’Rourke and her retinue will lead the
procession from Whitley School, leaving
at 1.30pm, to walk around the village
before finally arriving at the Village Hall
field where there will be a variety of
displays for your entertainment, together
with games, stalls, challenges and
refreshments. There will hopefully be a
flypast by a Lancaster Bomber or Spitfire
(subject to weather and air-worthiness).

As ever, the Rose Queen Committee
depends heavily on support from people

who give their time to help us put on this
event. If you can help at all (putting up

tents, car parking, manning a stall,
washing up etc), please contact Bob

Houghton, 01925 730790 or Suzanne
Faulkner 01925 730797.

Come and join us for a fun filled day.
Fingers are crossed for the sun to shine!

GREY MATTER PUZZLE: A big thank you to Mrs Kathleen Wright.
On her 80th birthday, Kathleen
requested no presents but donations to
The moon has been around for 4.53 Billion Years. But why doesn`t it St. Lukes Church. We, Rev. Collette

have any earthquakes? To discover visit our newsletter section at the Jones, Darren Walters and Irene Peers
(church wardens) very much
village website www.whitleyvillage.info appreciate her thoughtfulness and

selflessness and is evident in her
The Parish Council Whitley to be a very special place to generous contribution to our Church
funds.
grow up. The annual general

We would like to thank everyone meeting really served to prove On 18th May members of the Friendly
who attended the annual general everything that the children Club enjoyed a cruise on the River
meeting in May. It was an evening detailed: Whitley is a very special Weaver, then being raised in the lift to
which was both exciting and place. Among the people who the Trent & Mersey canal at Anderton
memorable thanks to the children of attended were local business Lift all accompanied by a very
Whitley who attended to present to owners, teachers and knowledgable commentary. We were
the assembly. It was very touching representatives from the many very ready for the excellent cream tea
to listen to the young people of committees which serve to make awaiting us in the Cafe!!
Whitley and their head teacher Mrs Whitley such a joyous place to live.

Mansfield as they told the council The people of Whitley are clearly
about “what makes Whitley special.”
Peggy Bratherton, who has recently very passionate about the local
completed a piece of information
writing about the village took great amenities and after hearing the
pride in telling the other villagers
what she believes makes her village children there was much discussion
unique. The information leaflet she
had made was shared and was a joy about how to move forward as a
to read; it was amazing to hear the
facts she had researched and hear village with important projects such
her point of view about the places
she feels passionate about. The as the safety of our roads, the
council all agreed that it was so
professional we should share it with village hall renovations, and other William Moore of Lower Whitley has
the tourist board! Tori Morrell and exciting community projects such over the last few weeks been involved with
Darah Morrell spoke of their project as Whitley Nature Reserve. other members of the 21st Warrington
too: a bird’s eye view of the village West Scout Group in raising funds to
which thy had created by painting We look forward to hearing more refurbish their Scout Hall Kitchen. In mid-
the map and moulding houses and about the developments of these at April he collected orders for bedding plants
buildings from modelling clay. on behalf of the Scouts from neighbours in
Everyone was excited to listen to the next parish council meeting and Lower Whitley. William helped make up
why they loved living in Whitley and hope that the villagers of Whitley the individual orders which were then
it was very moving to hear all the
wonderful reasons why they believe will join us as we aim to drive delivered to the homes of Scouts, Cubs

forward these developments. Jemma and Beavers all over South West
Warrington and the immediate surrounding
The next WVN is the July / August area for onwards distribution. Having
double issue - a reminder that we helped with this he returned to Whitley to
would LOVE your stories and deliver plants to his neighbours. William
contributions to make each issue the would like to thank everyone who
best it can be! Deadline for the next purchased plants from him and is pleased
issue is 20/6/2017. Email us at to say that the Scouts have raised enough
[email protected] and make WVN money to refurbish the kitchen, with work
beginning shortly. Sean Moore

the newsletter you want it to be!!

Whitley WI Press report May meeting:

Whitley WI continue to be very busy, having enjoyed a visit behind the scenes at Sainsbury’s Northwich, with an outing
to Menai and Llandudno to look forward to as well as organising a large garden Party in June to raise funds for the WI’s
residential college Denman in Oxfordshire. Emergency First Aid for grandparents was the subject of Whitley WI’s May
meeting. A little child is choking, panic shouldn’t set in, but what should you do? Who better to give expert advice than
a Consultant in Emergency Medicine, Doctor Darren. Simple things really do save lives. We were given a demonstration
of what to do if a little child chokes. Ask yourself the question, where do you keep your pills? One tablet can kill a
small child. What if a child finds tiny berries to eat thinking they are sweets? Don’t make the child vomit, give them
milk to drink, take them, to A+E along with either the pills or a small branch of the tree. Alternatively ring 111 if the
child seems OK and 999 if the child isn’t responding normally. A major incident could occur if a child mistakes a small
round lithium battery for perhaps a shiny sweet. Within 3 hours extensive chemical burns will occur in the child’s
digestive system. This is an extreme emergency so call an ambulance immediately. Instances like these and others
involving burns and convulsions were also discussed. The talk then changed from dealing with small children to help
for older people. A collapse, a stroke, a heart attack; what should the first to give aid do? Members of Whitley then had
the opportunity to try CPR on dummies with the help of Dr Darren and two very experienced paramedics. Whitley WI
campaigned three years ago to get a defibrillator for Whitley Village Hall. All members should now know how to use it
with confidence. First Aid can save lives.

Whitley WI meet on the first Thursday of each month in Whitley Village Hall. Further details [email protected].