WVN_June_2018

June 2018

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Volume 40 Issue 3 : This edition created by Chris Pennington

Whitley Rose Queen – Saturday 9th June 2018

Whitley Village Rose Queen Day will take place on Saturday 9th June 2018 when our Queen elect, Kristie Underdown, will be crowned.
The procession leaves Whitley School at 1.30pm and walks 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.

Admission is £2 and children 16 and under are free.
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.
Donations for tombola /raffle etc. are being collected from the 28th May and
as always we are very grateful for any donations. Any crockery for plate
smash stall can be left in the box outside Willow Bank Farm, by the pond.

We look forward to seeing you all on Saturday 9th and fingers are crossed
for the sun to shine!

Band and Bar Night—Royal Wedding Celebration 19th May 2018

The Village Hall Committee organised a Band and Bar event on
the evening of the Royal Wedding and after Chelsea’s defeat of
Manchester United in the FA Cup Final! Whatever the celebra-
tion, a most enjoyable night was had by all present in the glori-
ous weather. The band ‘Head Band’ performed their classic set
and sausage rolls and pork pies were generously supplied by
Stanways Bakery. A big thanks to everyone involved and those
who attended.

Whitley Parish Council AGM 21st May 2018

It was great to see a number of you at the Annual General Meeting (AGM ) last night, a few nibbles and a glass or two of wine!

The PC members are to remain the same as the previous year although
elections are due in May 2019. Whitley Village Primary School reported
that they are very busy with learning lots, special events and practising
for the Rose Queen. The Newsletter is to look into ways of helping with
the funding in conjunction with the PC. The Chairperson and Clerk read
out their reports summarising works which have been completed in the
village such as signpost painting and clearing of the Nature Reserve, to-
gether with looking to the future at projects to clear Town Pit pond and
the footpaths on the A49.

Thanks was given to the Borough Councillors for their help and advice,
and all for attending the meeting. Karen Moore (Clerk to the Parish
Council).

The Parish Council would also like to thank Sam Houghton and Josh Billington for giving their time in erecting the fabulous fencing at
Whitley Nature Reserve. More younger, community engagement will be very welcome.

Mobile Library will visit Whitley Village Hall on Thursday 7th & 28th June, 10.10 - 10.40am. Please use this facility to

keep it coming to Whitley.

Friendly Club will meet in Whitley Village Hall on Thursday 14th June 2 - 4pm. New friends welcome. Thursday 28th June

we are going to Bakewell, leaving the Village Hall at 9.15am returning 6pm approx.

Mother’s Union 14.00 Wednesday 13th June. The speaker Syd will be giving a talk on Warrington people in the past.

In Memoriam
In April 2018, sadly, one percent of the population in the village of Whitley, died. May they all rest in peace. Our condolences to all
their friends and families.

Stuart was born in the Margaret was a chil-
living room of Willow dren’s nanny who
Bank Farm and farmed moved to Whitley in the
there all his life, from 1960s, on her marriage
finishing school. He was to John, with whom she
a happy man whose had her own son and
whistle could be daughter.
heard all over the farm She was very involved in
and fields (though no- church life and was a
body could ever 'name terrific doer and good
that tune'). He was a soul. She was a keen
quiet man but full of member of the WI which
wise thoughts. she saw as her lifesaver.
He would always help She never complained,
out and volunteer his even when life became
time. He was a true gen- very challenging. She
tleman. was an inspiration to all
who knew her, in coping
Stuart Clarke died 16th Margaret Stringer died 25th through adversity.
April 2018 aged 62 years. April 2018 aged 87 years.

Maureen was an integral Fred and his brother
part of the Whitley com- Tom were born in Liver-
munity, she put her pool and both went to
heart and soul into eve- agricultural college. They
rything she did. She was moved to Whitley in
an energetic leader to 1947 with their mother
the Whitley Cubs, ran and father and farmed
Whitley Methodist Sun- at Limes Farm in Limes
day School and was Lane. Fred married Sally
president of both the and lived in Little Leigh
Women's Institute and then later building the
the Rose Queen com- bungalow in School
mittee. She was also a Lane.
founder member of the Fred was a big darts
Weaver Valley WI Choir. player and a big Everton
Maureen was always a supporter.
pleasure to be with.

Maureen Laithwaite died 17th Fred Prescott died 30th April
April 2018 aged 87 years. 2018 aged 87 years.

Whitley Women’s Institute Outing to Llangollen - 9th May 2018

Our outing this year on Wednesday 9th May took us to Llangollen. Heading off early by coach
from Whitley Village Hall we took a scenic route stopping off at the Ponderosa Café at
Horseshoe Pass, where we had tea, coffee, cakes and scones. After taking in the impressive
views and a quick look around the gift shop we headed off to Llangollen. At Llangollen Wharf
we boarded our boat and started our two hour guided boat trip down the Llangollen Branch
of the Shropshire union canal. Some of us as you can see from the photos were enjoying the
wine with our packed lunches as much as the gorgeous views from the windows of the
barge? The highlight of the trip was when the boat crossed the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. Some
of us ventured out to the open part of the boat at the back to get the full effect of the awe
inspiring views and to marvel at the engineering as we went across the aqueduct.
When we disembarked the boat at Froncysyllte most of us took our coach back into Llangol-
len where we had two hours free time to see the local sites, go shopping and to visit the
local cafes. Some of us however decided to stretch our legs and walked the five miles back

along the canal footpath to Llangollen. It sounded
a good idea at the start but what with the dearth
of milestones enroute I for one at times wondered
if we would miss the bus back which was due to
leave the town at 4.30pm. ! I need not have wor-
ried as my group of walkers even had time to visit
a coffee shop before boarding the bus back. We
did however walk quite quickly.
A very enjoyable day and even the rain held off
until just before we headed back to Whitley.
Many thanks to Ann Tolson and Anne O’Neil for
organising the trip.

Birch and Bottle Renovations

As far as we have discovered, the Birch and Bottle appears on local maps dated 1706
as being a Coach House where travellers in horse drawn vehicles would have rested
over night. The Birch and Bottle Pub is over 400 years old!

As you will all have noticed, there
is some major re-works taking
place at the local pub, mainly due
to many years of neglect, so on
the purchase of this great old
building we decided that an in-
vestment was needed to bring it
back to life and retain the historic The Birch and Bottle on a map of 1831.
nature of this building.

The current renovations are in keeping with the history of the area and it would

1895 Earliest Photograph. Wayside General Store be a shame if this was let crumble away, as the structural integrity is extremely
with the Birch and Bottle, rendered, attached to good. These buildings might have been built without foundations, however they
four cottages, two of which were demolished and are better built than most new
explaining why the Pub now has a split roof line.
Northwich Road (A559) houses being thrown up these
days.

After the structural survey was completed, the main issue with the building was the
outside, which was leading to many problems inside the building, so the bullet had to
be bitten and ‘Phase one’ started, it is currently being re-rendered, water proofed
membraned and then painted back to how it used to look.

We had a team of people in to look at the signage and in keeping with history they are
bringing it back to life, as was.

There has been a few worrying times, as such old 1928 The Birch and Bottle. Licensee
wooden windows falling out and taking half of James Cartwright with wife, Annie and
the brickwork with it – but these are problems son, Sam outside the entrance.
that is to be expected with these old building, so
this was planned for.

As I mentioned this is
‘Phase one’ of a few
changes to be made, so
please bear with us as
we try to keep the busi-
ness running while mak-
ing these changes.

1950 Lady Daresbury burying the The business will remain The Birch and Bottle in May 2018 after renovations. Beautiful again
namesake bottle by the newly open as usual and Jan, and ready for another 400 years!
planted birch tree, at the front. Kan and family welcome
Annie Cartwright was then the li- you for lunch, dinner (or
censee. (The bottle is still buried tea) from Tuesday to
there, but under the car park.) Sunday.

Please support the Chang Noi at the Birch and Bottle.

Village Hall Lottery
Winners May 2018

1st £125 Philip Barber
2nd £50 Elspeth Hunter
3rd £30 Frank Sale
4th £20 Jen Dutton

Please visit the village website at : www.whitleyvillage.info

Whitley Village Hall Management Committee

Chairman’s Annual Report 17/18

Well what a year!

Looking from the outside, when you consider the events, parties,
meetings, groups, keep fit classes, cycling sportives and so much more,
it is really great to see how the use of the village hall has continued to
grow and thrive. Add to this helping ensure our ‘residential’ Whitley
Community Preschool have up to date, safe and secure facilities, it is a
fantastic achievement that all this goes on without much trauma or
incident.

Now lets throw in a 3-month construction programme where we de-
molish half the hall, wow! It has been a testament to the local relationships that this significant project has progressed with as little dis-
ruption as we could manage and our amazing local venues opening their doors and facilities to bend over backwards and accommodate
everyone impacted by this work. Many thanks to you all.

Funds from WREN and Biffa Award, Whitley and Dutton Parish Councils helped create a fantastic village hall that will be fit for many
years to come. All asbestos has been removed, a new store created in the roof space, we have had a complete refurbishment of the
main hall including new ceiling, lighting, radiators, decoration and much more. It has cost approximately £175k with some extras and
was very much in line with our original budget and quotes.

The Parish Council meetings continue to be held in the hall with great access to Local Councillors and Borough Councillors on important
local issues. Whitley Community Preschool and the younger ‘Community Playschool Group’ are prospering well and serving as a great
feeder into Whitley Village School. WI meetings are fantastically supported, with other groups including the Friendly Club all providing a
chance for a cup of tea and a good catch up with friends. We have seen a range of new groups establish it as their base. More fitness
classes are taking place, a regular choir meeting raises the roof and Karaoke nights are an increasingly regular and popular evening
offer.

The Rose Queen was again a village highlight with hundreds turning out and more recently we have held our 35th Whitley 10k where we
had the challenge of getting 500 runners around the course, without being attacked by the local Buzzard or trampled underfoot by a
loose pony!

Film nights get better and better and the new media and sound facilities are excellent. We have held a number of ‘no frills’ low cost
events with a standard diet of music, singing, food and good company with the odd glass on Cheshire Gold meeting most peoples
needs. Our challenge is to ensure we always provide variety and I hope in the months to come we will promote a range of events to suit
all tastes including a possible return of the ‘Rural Touring Network’.

Finally the committee said thanks and good-bye to Clifford Straw who has been pivotal in the development of our facilities for many
decades. A glass of prosecco and a big thank you to him and Pam who hopefully can enjoy our facilities rather than feeling they have to
maintain them. Thank you both. x

It is a pleasure working with all of the committee, who are fantastically dedicated, always in good humour and willing to support on
anything.

Steve Moore, Chairman, May 2018

Whitley Village School

William Moore collects a cheque for Whitley Village School from Waitrose

Waitrose Green Coin scheme kindly donated £333 to Friends of Whitley School (FoWS)
for resources. The School would like to thank everyone for their support. Asda North-
wich will be operating a similar scheme in July this year. As soon as dates become clari-
fied we’ll let you know more about this.

Class Two’s Visit to Ness Gardens

Class Two have visited Ness Gardens as part of their work in English and science. The
children enjoyed finding out lots about bees, sustainability as well as an animal trek.
Children were given a detailed tour around the gardens and asked lots of pertinent
questions to the tour guide. It was an information packed day which has inspired lots
of work back at school.

Mollie laughs all the way to Westminster

Mollie Edwards-Barnard, aged 7, visited the Speaker’s House, in Westminster, London
with her parents recently to collect her prizes and award for being a finalist in a Voice
Box national joke competition arranged by Bethan Thomas from the school. Mollie’s was one of thousands to
enter but only a few were invited to the Speakers House. She thoroughly enjoyed the trip and met two local
MP’s one of whom was MP and Minister Esther McVey. Esther kindly wrote Mollie a letter afterwards comple-
menting her on her joke and saying how much she’d enjoy meeting Mollie.
Want to hear Mollie’s winning joke? - “How do you make a tissue dance? Put a little boogie in it”.