About Cong@Ches5919P

CONGLETON SUSTAINABILITY GROUP gets a home of its own in Back River Street

Congleton Apple Juice and Ciders has been looking for a home for its projects, ideally in Congleton Town Centre. Happily, we have found just the right place – the Old Saw Mill in Back River Street, off Antrobus Street.

There is lots and lots of work to do but we plan by late Spring to have facilities emerging for much needed workshops, cafe, shop, and community space – all very exciting.

river street congleton

 

Workshops to make and store our internationally acclaimed Congleton Apple Juice and Ciders. A Shop to sell it from, along with other local produce and crafts. A Cafe to sample it all AND Community Space because there are so many groups struggling to find space in the town and surrounds – all for a nominal fee.
We envisage the Community Space providing a meeting place for groups and charities struggling to find the right space and facilities. Our vision is for it to be a space that can celebrate all that’s best in Congleton & surrounds. A venue where local talent can come and exhibit its skills and a place where everyone feels part of the “goings-on” –
youth and senior youth alike – something for everyone!

Congleton Sustainability Group are forming Congleton Community Co-Op to manage the Old Saw Mill and, soon, everyone will be able to join this new – very local – cooperative for an annual subscription and become a member receiving a “divi” of 3%. We shall be publishing further information on this exciting opportunity in due course.

We are holding an ‘Old Saw Mill’ Open Days over the weekend of 16 and 17 Apr. 2016, 10:00am to 3:00pm to show you what we are planning to do. We shall be providing free teas and coffees to anyone who signs up to be a Congleton Community Co-Op member over the weekend.
This is a very exciting Community initiative where everyone can get involved and benefit from it and we welcome your input in whatever way you can. For further information, contact, either, Stewart Halliday on 07710 946 053 or
Peter Aston on 07971 805 372. We look forward to meeting you all!

Congleton Youth Forum Meeting Minutes 23.03.2016

Youth Forum latest meeting took place recently, download the full minutes from the meeting HERE.

 

Highlights included:

Mental Health / Substance Misuse.

 

The meeting split up into 2 groups to discuss the subject above by looking at:-

What were the issues.

What offers do we believe are out there /current solutions.

What are the gaps in offers that need to be filled.

What collectively can we the Youth Forum do to address some of those gaps.

 

Grp 1. Difficult subject (Mental Health) to assess. Wide ranging for suicidal tendencies to just having a bad day.

No survey being carried out at CHS, just action what is raised at school

Outside speakers have been used in sessions/ assemblies.

Student leaders could do a session on MH (Mental Health)

Matt knows of someone who’s brother suffers from MH issues has made a video that may be worth viewing.

1st step if someone has a problem is to talk to his or her tutor, it can be referred on from there.

Some students try to hide issues from parents, need someone else they can talk to. Some Macclesfield schools have appointed councillors that come in a couple of days a week to address this. Not happening in Congleton.

Need to look at this issue with year 5 & 6 primary schools, stop it developing.

Visyon did run a MH workshop at CHS a few years ago, it was well received.

Workshop need to be interactive to improve participation and interest.

Need to ask other “Youth Organisations” ATC/Scouts/Guides St John’s for their views.

 

Action G.Williams to pull together the ideas from both groups and then discuss with G.Hayes what CEBC is going to do around the issue.

 

 

Congleton Carnival – Sat 16th July.

Funding support available for Youth Based Groups form will be sent out with instructions

MH and GW looking at developing a “Youth Zone”

Next meeting:

Tues 26th April – Congleton High School

 

 

 

Senior Forum meeting minutes 15.03.16

The Senior Forum meeting took place recently, download the full meeting minutes HERE.

Highlights include:

Tesco Community Work.

Wendy Cotterill took us through some of the support and ideas she had to develop closer links between Tesco and the community.

Community involvement is one of Tesco’s Big 6 corner stones of their operation along with Customer Service, Food Wastage etc. The store has 180 colleagues all whom have various skills and expertise that they can take outside of work.

Tesco Congleton currently work with New Life Church on their Foodbank and Job Club projects and are looking to spread out across a wider area involving more community organisations and events.

Wendy works primarily in and around Congleton and will let Mike have a list of the community champions in the stores around ( Macclesfield, Kidsgrove etc)

She has the ability to book bag pack activity given a few weeks notice.

There is a notice board within the store that we can make use of.

Wendy is looking to make contact with P.Pinto re developing the now empty garden at the front of the store. MS let Patti know. Men in sheds could be asked to produce planters (Victoria)

Tesco could well have some involvement with our planned Senior Health Fayre and will discuss this with Victoria.

Senior Health Fayre 2016 – Friday 30th September.

 

Following last year’s successful Fayre (Oct 1st 2015) to support National Older People’s Day the forum felt that we should look to build an annual event around this.

A sub group will be set up to dive this event. Subgroup members:- V.Lockett, U.Ashiq,                 A.Baines and L.Alcock.

The event will take place in Congleton Town Hall, Friday 30th September from 10.00am to 1.00pm.

Partnership to book the hall and refreshments (Tea,Coffe & Biscuits) MS action this.

The next sub group meeting is 17th March, copy of the minutes will be sent to MS for circulation.

Items / Themes to include:-

Winter Well Being

Slow Cooker Demo

Digital IT Training

Plus Dane Telecare

The group are looking to approach all the organisations that attended last year.

The event will be promoted through:-

Bear Necessities (deadline for BN is 1st Week in June)

The Chronicle

Noticeboards

Bob’s Blog

 

 
Bob’s Blog – L.Daniels.

Please keep sending articles through to Louise it is difficult to keep the Blog running without information

When sending ideas / articles /events to Louise please copy Mike Smith in.

Alyssa has an issues she will send around transport to church

Victoria will send info around Health Fayre / AgeUK Allotment (cry for help)

Suzie Akers-Smith to send information on The Tour Of Britain Cycle Race.

 

Next Meeting:-

Wednesday 18th May 2016, Congleton Town Hall, 3.00pm

 

 

Projects & Finance Committee meeting minutes 14.03.2016

Congleton Partnership Projects & Finance Committee meeting took place recently, download the full meeting minutes HERE.

 

New Project Ideas.

Community Orchard Accessibility. (£1500 allocated)

Steps have now been built, the tree stump is in place ready for the Apple Core to be carved (April)

2 beds ready to plant with soft fruit bushes.

New signage to be planned for both ends of the bridle way and off West Rd ( Mereside Ave)

 

Heritage / Bear / Town Walk Trails.(£2500 allocated at present)

Small group working on the project MS / PA / ID.

ID has drawn up a list of potential sites, he and Peter to put some text around these. MS send out the document for P&F members to review and add other sites they feel should be considered.

Looking at ways of developing both an App and a Heritage trail Map.

PHall has sent a couple of contact points that may be able to help us deliver this project.

Overall cost is more likely to come in around £5k/£6k but this was still felt an important project for the development of our visitor economy and footfall in the town centre.

Car Park Destination Maps / Signage. (Silvermaze)

6 locations selected, feedback re additional items received. 2 more requested today (Vale Walk and Park Public Toilets.

CTC and Partnership have agreed funding, Jackie still to hear from CEBC.

Project will be completed for this summer.

Moody Street Green Area.(S106 funding )

Site visit 30.11.15 carried out. JMac/PP/Ms & JB.  JB working on a design to improve paving / screening, also making the area as DDA compliant as possible.

Mountbatten Way – Green Boulevard.

Pilot area 2 Bears roundabout to Traffic Lights Market St.

Site visit with CEBC (S.Davies & S.Barker) to look at potential and safety issues.

Ruth Burgess to draw up design and equipment paper, this to be sent to CEBC (G.Mallin, SD & SB)

CEBC to look at site clearance, de clutter and signage renewal.

 

Play Area Signage

MS currently working with CEBC (G.Butler/J.Byrne) re signage to highlight our major play areas. No funding requirement as yet. Would plan to turn this project into both signage and paper map project long term.

May look to develop a branding project around this through local schools (S.Isherwood?)

 

Havannah Weir (CSG Project) Community Power Project.

Feasibilty study will be completed in March, then judgement on viability to be taken.

EBA and Siemens have indicated some interest in the scheme.

Congleton Sports Trust.

Following D.McGiffords presentation to the Executive and its agreement to support the scheme in whatever way it can this has now been added to the new project list. May initially involve some time from MS on administration.

 

Date and Time of the next meeting.

 

Monday 16th May 2016, Town Hall, Spencer Suite, 9.30am

 

Congleton Sustainability Group Meeting Minutes 07.03.2016

Congleton Sustainability Group latest meeting took place recently, download full meeting minutes HERE.

Highlights includes:

In Bloom.

A lot of new items underway, small group set up to look at the Heritage element.

New In Bloom member – Bath House Group/ Physic Gardens

Community Orchard (behind Emmerdale Drive) is progressing. New Steps are built, 2 beds are ready for fruit bush / hedge planting, the Sycamore tree is in situ and ready ofr carving into an Apple Core ( Apr/May), new destination signage to be developed.

Clean for the Queen .Friday 4th – 8 people in town, full school at Buglawton, 1 x class St Marys’ and Canal & Rivers Trust all kicked off this year’s C4Q campaign in style.

PM commented on the litter that was laying around in The new Cemetery.

Dane Valley Community Energy-Havannah Hydro.

Feasibility study continues, should know results this month.

PA / GW met with EBA who were keen to be involved in any way they could.

Siemens also indicated interest around supporting the capital equipment requirement as they as a company manufacture these items.

Cycling Campaign / SECCAG.

 

SECCAG have drafted a map showing a network of ‘aspirational’ cycle routes as part of a CE wide Cycling Strategy initiative.

We are advised that by having a ‘wish list’ of routes and facilities CE can demonstrate to funding bodies the grassroots support for cycling and thereby attract money to CE. To be frank, there are so many things on the wish list that if only 10% get done it will be a coup!

Tour of Britain comes to Congleton! The third stage of the 2016 Tour of Britain will start in Congleton on Tuesday September 6th. No more detail yet but some of the Campaign will be at a Cycling Club meeting on 3 March and we may be able to give more to the meeting on Monday.

Look at www.tourofbritain.co.uk

And follow the links to ‘stages’ for an overview of where the stage will go. More detail to follow.

 

Next Meeting:- Monday 4th April – Astbury Mere Visitor Centre

 

Congleton Partnership Executive meeting minutes 01.03.2016

Congleton Partnership Executive Meeting took place recently, download minutes HERE.

Highlights include:

Congleton Sports Trust – D.McGifford..

David took us through a presentation on developing a sports trust for Congleton. The need to Create a Vision, Draw up a Constitution and develop a Working Partnership with sports clubs. The initial work will involve Football and Rugby clubs, who currently they have around 1200 playing members, and look at improving facilities / surfaces taking in the main areas of Back Lane, Schools, Hankinson’s Field and St Johns Rd Playing Field.

The benefits would include the ability to attract funding, support from the community with potential management of the areas by the community and a long term aim of potential ownership of the facilities.

Start with pitches and facilities for Football and Rugby as a starting point to get the trust embedded and then open up to other sports as time and opportunities arise.

Everybody Sports and Leisure, Ansa, Cheshire East have agreed in principal to support this idea.

The Partnership voted to fully support this project.

 

Congleton Museum – Vision for the Future – D.Topping..

David took us through a detailed presentation of both the current situation and the Museum’s vision for the future. The museum currently operates under a number of constraints mainly lack of space, lack of facilities and no real main street presence. Since it opened in 2002 it has built up a wide and varied collection but has been limited to what items it can display at any one time.

Hard facts, the Museum made 169,681 public contacts, had 2253 visitors,Educational activity involved 1813 delegates and the website had 165,615 hits.

Their vision for the future is to help make Congleton a visitor destination and grow our visitor economy.

The plan is to relocate to Bradshaw House which would improve its main street profile, give space to develop more displays, themes and attractions. There are many exciting exhibitions planned in the current building but so much more could be done by relocation. David then shared some of the floor plans and extra services that could be offered. He issued a full brief of his presentation to everyone present.

MS commented that The Partnership were also playing their part in building the visitor economy buy working on a project to develop both Maps and Apps for a town wide Heritage Trail. The Partnership is fully supportive of the Museums Vision and plans for the future.

 

  1. Tour of Britain – START TOWN FOR DAY 3! – Congleton has been confirmed as the start town for day three of the Tour of Britain. This is immense – and is a grand prix of cycle races! The whole day of racing – 182km in total will be in the Cheshire East area – apart from about 400m. We can expect TV crews and thousands of spectators. Our role will be to capitalize on this opportunity and to make the most of it for Congleton residents, businesses and the Town. The first project board meeting is this Thursday so I’ll find out more and keep everyone posted via Mike. See http://cheshiretourofbritain.co.uk/

 

Next Meeting is :- Tuesday 7th June, Bridestone Suite, 5.30pm.

Congleton Youth Forum meeting minutes 02.02.16

Congleton Youth Forum met recently, download the full meeting minutes HERE.

Highlights include:

Volunteer Police Cadet Programme

The Volunteer Police Cadet post has been introduced to provide an opportunity for the young people of Cheshire to become formally involved with the Police service.
The programme will include 12 training sessions and the opportunity to engage in practical community based volunteering projects which support local policing. We will be running cadet programmes from Runcorn and Crewe Police Stations starting in April 2016.
The young people will graduate at the end of the course with new skills, improved social responsibility and the knowledge to make better informed life choices in the future. (16 to 18)

Childnet – CPD training events

For schools to know about preventing and responding to cyberbullying.    Taking place in London (14th March) and Manchester (21st March), the events will mark the launch of our government-funded guidance for schools and multimedia teaching resources. The interactive events will include speakers from across government, internet industry, education – and young people themselves – and will provide teachers and school leadership teams with the training and advice they need to manage cyberbullying within their schools.   To book onto either of the events please visit  www.childnet.com/cyberbullying-events

Safe Internet Day – 9th February

Share a heart event. Hearts can be downloaded from ES e-mai

No One Eats Alone Day – February 12th

Last year, over 700 schools participated coast-to-coast in No One Eats Alone Day (NOEA) – have you signed up to bring NOEA to your school for free?

NOEA takes place at lunch time during school and is led by students themselves. The day is Friday, February 12 – right before Valentine’s Day – and we’re hoping you’ll participate. (If the date doesn’t work for your school, that’s OK. Do it another day!)

You know this already: students are influenced by their peers. Teaching students to be inclusive and kind is one thing – but when students the lead the way, the change can be rapid and extraordinary.  We’ve seen it again and again.

We’ll send you a free backpack with everything you’ll need to bring NOEA to your school – curriculum, supplies, and more.

Sign up here to join the hundreds of participating schools for 2016.

Give your students the opportunity to create new friendships in a celebration of inclusivity – the relationships and behavior patterns will last all year. Sign up now!

 

Ann-Marie Morgan – New network structure / strategy for Youthfed

Finally. Thank you form MS for support offered re shout out for First Aid information for CHS.

Congleton Sustainability Group meeting minutes 01.02.2016

Congleton Sustainability Group met recently, download full meeting minutes HERE.

Highlights include:

Congleton Co-operative  –  S.Halliday

 

Stuart reported that the Co-operative were still looking for premises. Cuttleford Farm could not currently offer what we required so the search goes on for alternatives. Suggestions for sites to be pursued were raised at the meeting, they included units in Mill St, West St and land at the back of Back park St Carpark. Any ideas pass them onto Stuart.

 

Difficult to put a financial report together to make a meaningful business plan.

 

Started to apply for funding (C4C), CSG may look to put an amount into the pot.

 

Project plan being put together around Apple Juice production.

 

Apple Juice / Cider Festival. Nor practical in its present format at Astbury Mere, PP to approach St Mary’s as an alternative. May be able to link in with their desire to put on an event around their orchard and apple juice project.

 

Congleton Green Space Trust.

PA is discussing a couple of plots around Hillfield Steps area with the owner/ solocitor in regards to creating some ½ size allotments.  A.Martin following up with residents regarding the 3rd plot on the site. If all land was available we could have between 6 to 12 allotment plots.

 

Green Space Trust looking at both allotment and orchard options.

Next Meeting:-

Monday 7th March, Plus Dane Boardroom.

Projects and Finance Committee Meeting 25.01.2016

The Projects and Finance Committee meeting took place recently, download the full meeting minutes HERE.

Highlights include:

New Project Ideas.

Community Orchard Accessibility. (£1500 allocated)

The Partnership Executive allocated £1500 to the project. Matt Axford and P.Pinto leading on this, and aim to be finished by March.

Cycle Shelters.

Nothing to report, they will be part of P.Realm work.

Heritage / Bear / Town Walk Trails.(£2500 allocated at present)

P.Aston to chair this through.  I Doughty drawing up a list of potential sites initially. Need to look at the best way to get the information to the public ( Plate Maps / QR Codes &Apps / Leaflets)

PA to discuss with Tim McCloud / P.Bates concept of App.

Plates.  Possible site at the back of the Destination Signs that Jackie is working on.

Look at putting leaflet dispensers’ on the plate posts

Town Walks/Cycle Routes. Look to involve all of the play areas . MS to do initial work on this with P.Hall.

Need to make sure all of the “map” projects are linked in.

Car Park Destination Maps / Signage. (Silvermaze)

6 locations selected, JMac has contacted CEBC car parks for some financial support and will also ask Town Council Communities and Environment Committee to release some funds. Will also need some Partnership support.

The group viewed the draft copies of the maps, please said any requests amendments to JMac by the end of this week.

Moody Street Green Area.(S106 funding )

Site visit 30.11.15 carried out. JMac/PP/Ms & JB.  JB working on a design to improve paving / screening, also making the area as DDA compliant as possible.

Mountbatten Way – Green Boulevard.

P&F Group to contact portfolio holder with a view to testing this on a small area. SF to write to Cllr D Brown regarding this idea of a test. Sub Group on this project for The Partnership :-SF,  RE, PA, & D.McG.

Play Area Signage (Newly added today) MS raised the issue of a lack of signposting of our play area. MS to contact Genni Butler (CEBC) for guidance / support on how we go about improving this situation.

Date and Time of the next meeting.

Monday 14th March 2016, Town Hall, Spencer Suite, 9.30am

Senior Forum – Bob’s Blog 13

A belated Happy New Year!! I had a bit of a break over the Christmas holidays plus a bit of a cold – bunged up nose and feeling a bit off colour!  There’s lots of it around!   I did practice what I preach though – followed all the guidance on how best to look after yourself and gradually improved.   The ‘recipe’ below did  work….Bob's Blog Senior Forum

  • Rest
  • Drink plenty of fluids
  • Have at least one hot meal a day to keep your energy levels up
  • And most important, DON’T WAIT until it gets bad – get advice from your pharmacist, give them a ring if you can’t get out, and follow their advice.

 

You can always ask your pharmacist for advice on pain relief and about which medicines you need to keep a stock of (If your pharmacy is closed, ring 111 for advice.)   Apparently last year in just 3 months  3,300 people  visited A&E at Macc hospital but needed no treatment –  just advice or literature.  (And that cost a whopping £50,000!) It can be scary when you are feeling poorly  but just a phone call can be reassuring, and give you the advice you need, and let you know if you need to go to A&E.

Feeling bright and breezy – wanting to get out to the sales, but find walking very difficult these days?  If you  have severe walking difficulties or a disability, life could be a bit easier with a Blue Badge – it lets you park where other people can’t and gets you close to the shops.!  You can call Cheshire East Council on 0300 123 5020 or you can complete the online form on the Cheshire East Council website.      They will ask you to take evidence of your difficulty or disability to the library for checking.    If you struggle to walk and you’re not sure if you fit the criteria, it still might be worth filling in the form just to make sure you are not missing out.

Talking of driving….. my friend Alyssa (a Community Agent who does some great work helping people to find the services they need) says that one of her biggest problems, and hardest to solve, is around older people who can’t  drive anymore or can’t walk very far, who are really missing  being able to go to church.    Alyssa  ends up ringing the vicar to ask if someone could volunteer and pick the person up.    Usually without much luck.    Alyssa says,

“…..there must be people who go to the same service every week and would be able to give a lift to a vulnerable older person?   For someone who has church as a large part of their life, it is a real loss for them when they can’t go any more. ”

We could do with a bank of very special, neighbourly sort of people!   In fact is it about setting up some sort of a new scheme in Congleton.  The Senior Forum were just talking about a ‘Good Neighbours’ scheme like they have in Middlewich, where people do good turns for each other?   If you would be interested in being part of a ‘Good Neighbours’ Project, Congleton Partnership would really like to meet you!    You can email me on Bobbearcong@cvsce.org.uk   or Mike at Congleton Partnerships ms@congletontowncouncil.co.uk or ring Congleton Town Council on 01260 270350

That’s it from me  – keep safe, keep warm….

Bob bear signing out until next week……