Northwich.Net

A public workshop to develop art for a new-look Witton Street takes place this Friday (18th May 2012).

People are invited to join artist Katayoun Dowlatshahi for the workshop in Brunner Square from 9am-4pm.

They will be able to get involved with art ideas to reflect the town’s history including special paving patterns and new street furniture.

It is part of a Cheshire West and Chester Council scheme to enhance Witton Street’s historic setting by lending it a more traditional feel.

View the location of Witton Street on Google Maps.

Katayoun, an Iranian-born British artist with extensive experience in public realm art, has been commissioned to inform the design by working with residents, businesses and art groups including the London Road Art Collective and DAN.

• Visit Katayoun Dowlatshahi’s website

Local Councillor Paul Dolan said: “This is a great opportunity for local people to have their say on how they would like to see public art incorporated in the scheme.

“I hope people of all ages will take this chance to show off their creative skills and contribute to an exciting new look for one of our most historic streets.”

• View Councillor Paul Dolan’s profile

The first phase of the scheme, which begins in July, will concentrate on the area between the library and Venables Road.

It will see the pedestrianised area leading to Meadow Street re-laid with sandstone and granite to echo the early 20th century paving patterns that once characterised the street scene.

The road and footway stretching from the Meadow Street junction to Venables Road will also be re-laid with high quality materials.

Thundersprint roars back into Northwich this weekend with high hopes that it could overtake the record-breaking success of last year’s event.

The biking extravaganza, which is sponsored by Cheshire West and Chester Council, promises an action-packed two days of family-friendly entertainment over Saturday and Sunday (May 12-13).

Now in its 16th year, Thundersprint continues to deliver Northwich and West Cheshire a huge economic boost which has grown year on year since the authority began supporting it in 2009.

Last year’s event – described by organisers as the ‘biggest and best ever’ – pumped a record £7.3m into the local economy, according to an independent report by Marketing Cheshire.

The figure, which represents spending by visitors, traders and participants, compares with £6.4m in 2010 and £4.37m the previous year.

Although Northwich reaps the greatest economic benefits from Thundersprint, visitors also fill hotels throughout Cheshire.

Almost one fifth of the visitors interviewed at the 2011 event indicated that they were staying overnight, 84 percent of whom were staying in Cheshire. The average stay was 2.6 days.

Of last year’s 145,000 visitors, almost half travelled from outside Cheshire and approximately 1,500 were international visitors.

Councillor Stuart Parker, Executive Member for Culture and Recreation, said: “We are extremely proud to support Thundersprint, which is a true success story both in terms of the revenue it generates and the way it brings so many people together.

This year, motorcycling personalities such as current British superbike champion Tommy Hill, Grand Prix stars Scott Redding, Danny Webb and Danny Kent and six-times world champion Jim Redman will be taking part.

Saturday will see a superb display of more than 200 classic, custom and race bikes in the Thundersprint Bike Show outside the Memorial Hall.

On Sunday, the action moves to Barons Quay car park, where spectators can watch the practice runs before the Thundersprint race itself gets underway.

Also on Sunday, the cavalcade – always an event highlight – will cover three laps of Northwich town centre, starting immediately adjacent to the paddock in Cumberland Street car park.

Throughout the weekend there will be a range of entertainment and attractions including a vast trade area, a funfair, music, a fine food area featuring gourmet traders from across the UK, and an aerobatic display by an RAF Spitfire.

For more information visit the Thundersprint website or contact the event hotline on 01928 740498 from 9am-7pm.

Two young artists from Barnton, Northwich, have beaten stiff competition across West Cheshire to win a library contest with a Cultural Olympiad theme.

Jessica Fox and Christopher Armstrong designed a t-shirt each and were presented with a Nintendo 3DS each by local Marbury Councillor Malcolm Byram at Barnton library.

Jessica was the under 11s winner and Christopher the over 11s winner.

Councillor Byram said: “I am very proud that the t-shirt competition winners both came from Barnton.

“The standard of art work was very high so I am delighted to see that there is such talent in our community.

“I would also like to thank Cheshire West and Chester Council libraries who have once again proven that they are at the heart of the community by enabling families to participate in such wonderful events together.”

Cheshire West and Chester Council has teamed up with the organisers of this year’s Cheshire Show to help deliver its popular cattle section.  The Council has become the principal sponsor of the cattle event, which boasts a tremendous turnout of quality livestock enjoyed by thousands of visitors each year.

This year, organisers are hoping to attract new interest to the cattle section with the addition of the distinctive Sussex breed.  It will be the first time the breed, known for their glossy red coats, will be shown in the north with their own classes being introduced for the first time at the Cheshire Show.

John Ball, Vice-Chairman of the Cheshire Show, said visitors to the cattle section can expect to see a lot more this year.

He added: “We are really pleased with what the cattle section has to offer at this year’s show.  Last year we were fortunate enough to host the National Dairy Shorthorn Show and will be doing so once again this year.

“Another feather in our cap is being able to show the traditional Sussex breed. We have got five classes for this breed and it is going to be the first time they have been shown in the north so it should be very interesting.”

Cllr Stuart Parker, Executive Member for Culture and Recreation at Cheshire West and Chester Council, will be judging the non-agricultural cattle section at this year’s event.

He said: “I am delighted that the Council is a principal partner of the Cheshire County Show again this year.  The Council is committed to supporting the borough’s rural communities and this show is a fabulous event in our countryside calendar.

“I’m very much looking forward to seeing the stunning displays that are created for all the show stands, particularly in the non-agricultural section that I’ve been asked to judge.  I know, from previous years, that the standard is exceptionally high across all of the displays.”

This year’s Cheshire Show takes place on Tuesday and Wednesday, 19 and 20 June. To purchase show tickets or for more information visit: www.cheshirecountyshow.org.uk

A Council day centre is offering a helping hand to bikers at Northwich’s Thundersprint event by providing a helmet and leathers drop.

Visitors to the event on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 May can call into The Old Fire Station at 50 Chesterway to drop off their biking gear.

The service will cost £1.50 and will be available from 8am until 5pm.

The centre’s Community Cafe will also be open to provide hot and cold refreshments for hungry visitors.

Councillor Brenda Dowding, Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Health, said: “This is a wonderful way for staff and service users to get behind a local event and provide support.

“The team at The Old Fire Station are really keen to help visitors to Thundersprint all they can.

“People will enjoy the event so much more if they don’t have to walk around with all their biking gear.”

Jamie, a service user at the centre, said: “I’m really excited that we can help people who are coming to Thundersprint.”

The procession will be formed to proceed at 2pm on to Toft Road where it will be joined by the May Queen’s Court at the Old sessions House.  The complete procession will proceed down Adams Hill, King Street, past the Knutsford entrance to Tatton Park, along Tatton street, Princess Street, King Edward Road, Manchester Road and on to the Heath.

Admittance to the ground and all seating apart from the Grandstand is FREE.

Public conveniences at the Fairground entrance to Heath on Northwich Road.

Disabled & Official Parking on the Large Heath.  All other parking on the small Heath and Knutsford Football Club.  Public car parking is organised by Knutsford District Scout Council and Knutsford FC.

Join us on Saturday 7^th July for our annual ‘Live in the Park’ music and picnic concert. Set against the stunning backdrop of Arley Hall, we bring you Dave Finnegan’s Commitments (the original man himself from the Blockbuster film ‘The Commitments’), along with tributes to two of the most successful acts of all time; Elvis and Robbie Williams.

Bring a picnic and relax in the grounds before being taken back in time to dance along to some of the biggest hits ever! Grounds are open from 5pm and there will be a variety of catering outlets available on site, including a licensed bar.

Gordon Hendricks as Elvis will kick off the evening at 7.20pm, followed by the world’s leading Robbie Williams tribute, JK, at 8.40pm. Finally, Dave Finnegan’s Commitments will take to the stage, by which time everyone should be up and dancing the night away!

At 10.50pm the evening will be brought to a close in spectacular fashion with an amazing firework display, before you can make your way home with some wonderful new memories.

Dave Finnegans’s Commitments “are really looking forward to playing Arley Hall in July,  it’s fantastic to be back there again and even more exciting playing for a wonderful cause and charity, The Neuromuscular Centre”.

All of the profits from this event will go to The NeuroMuscular Centre (reg charity 1023606) in Winsford, which helps people with muscular dystrophy.

Tickets are flying out the door, so put on those blue suede shoes, shimmy on over to Arley and let us entertain you!

Early Bird tickets available until 31^st April £19.50 (Children up to 16yrs £14.50)

Tickets bought 1^st May onwards £24.50 (Children £17.50)

V.I.P. Package £50: Package includes: VIP car park pass, pre-concert Champagne Reception and delicious Canapés and Strawberries in our VIP Marquee, hosted by Viscount and Viscountess Ashbrook; Entry ticket to the concert. Numbers are limited.

There are a limited number of sites, 3m x 3m, available for your garden gazebos which have to be booked in advance – fee £50. Camping also available for £7.50 Tel Arley Hall: 01565 777353.

Call the ticket hotline 08444 771 000

Or book online at ticketweb.co.uk

Tickets also available from:

Arley Hall, NMC (Winsford) 01606 861733

Barnton & Frodsham Angling Club has a history going back for over sixty years. It controls the fishing rights over three pools and a stretch of the River Weaver at Anderton NaturePark and two small pools in the Cheshire countryside. The Club also owns a three-acre pool near the village of Whitley.

 They run an extensive programme of matches for senior members  throughout the season, the matches for the juniors are mainly in the summer  months. The junior matches are invaluable to young novice anglers as there is  always help and advice on hand for those struggling to catch. The junior Xmas  match offers prizes to every participant whether or not they manage to catch  fish !

The club, as do angling clubs in general, contributes to the  environment, when undertaking work to prevent silting of their waters, thus  preserving habitats for wildlifethat may otherwise be lost. Over the years a  substantial number of trees and water plants have been planted by the club, and  again as a by-product of our activities, wildlife habitats have been enhanced. As a result the areas in and around our waters are home to a  variety of birds, insects, amphibians and small mammals. There is even a  terrapin which has been living in one of our pools for a number of years. Not  native wildlife perhaps but nevertheless the subject of a good deal of interest  when he (?) appears!

For further information about the club visit their website at http://www.bafac.co.uk.