Love your local shop
Loyal customers are being encouraged to ‘spread the love’ this Valentine’s Day by nominating their favourite independent shop or business for the prestigious Cheshire East Love Local Life Awards. All shoppers need do is nominate the shop of their choice in one or more of four categories by visiting the Love Local Life website . The categories are: outstanding service; best range of products; best value; best presentation.
Each customer nominating their favourite shop will be entered into a prize draw to win a voucher for £200 to celebrate with on Valentine’s Day. The winning shops will receive a free business makeover review from expert ‘shop doctor’ Bill Smith who helps small businesses master entrepreneurial skills. The winning shops will also be given a year’s free subscription to the Love Local Life scheme, which is helping high streets across the Borough beat the economic downturn.
The Love Local Life card, which has so far been launched in seven Cheshire East towns, gives discounts to regular customers and promotes local shopping. Amanda Fazelynia, the business woman behind the campaign, said: “Love Local Life is going from strength-to-strength and these awards are our way of recognising all the hard work undertaken by the business community to keep our high-streets alive and thriving. It’s also a way of encouraging customers to support their local shops and join the Love Local Life scheme which offers great discounts on everyday shopping.”
For more information on the scheme, either as a card-holder or retailer wanting to participate, simply log on to the Love Local Life website.
Knutsford ‘Royal’ May Day 2012
have recently announced that the selection for this years
KNUTSFORD ‘ROYAL’ MAY QUEEN
&
MAIDS OF HONOUR
will take place at Egerton Youth Club, Mereheath Lane, on Saturday 4th February 2012 at 2pm. Admission £1.00
For further information see the official Royal May Day website at
http://www.knutsford-royal-mayday.co.uk.
Michael Oliver named a “Legend of Industry”
Michael Oliver, founder and chairman of Knutsford-based manufacturer Oliver Valves, has been recently named a ‘Legend of Industry’ by the Variety Club.
A stalwart of the North West’s manufacturing sector, Michael was presented with the award in recognition of his contribution to the growth of engineering, and to industry in the region.
The Variety Club launched the awards this year in order to recognise the unsung heroes of individual leaders of North West businesses.
Michael Oliver completed an HND before going to America as a machine tool designer. On coming back to the UK in1979, Michael set up his own business and created a revolutionary severe service needle valve.
With headquarters in Knutsford, Oliver Valves now has 14 sites across the world and a turnover of £70 million. It employs around 300 staff at its head office, and another 600 employees around the world.
On receiving the award, Michael Oliver said: “It has taken a lot of hard work and determination to get Oliver Valves to where it is today but we’ve established a highly successful business that is good for UK industry and good for our local area.
“To receive an award in the inaugural year is an honour and I hope that this annual event goes some way to increasing awareness of the fantastic work of the Variety Club.
Well done Michael. Knutsford is proud of you.
Forward Ladies
Event type – Business networking
Town – Knutsford
Members – £10.00 (Inc VAT)
Guests of members – £12.00 (Inc VAT)
Non members – £15.00 (Inc VAT)
Guests of non members – £15.00 (Inc VAT)
Date – 06/01/2012
Venue – Canvas Lounge, 76 King Street, Knutsford, Cheshire, UK, WA16 6ED
Timing – Friday, 11.00am – 1.00pm
The first of our regular Canvas Lounge Coffee Mornings of 2012.
Usually held on the first Friday of every month, these coffee mornings are relaxed and unique, Each one features a local Knutsford business.The Canvas Lounge is a great venue and Holly always provides us with something different and delicious to eat with our coffee. Come and join us at www.canvaslounge.co.uk for coffee, cakes and surprises.
Knock Knock… Who’s There?
Schoolchildren from across Cheshire East have contributed to a colourful new calendar that advises people how to deal with the dangers of doorstep crime.
As part of the Knock Knock 4CE project, officers from the Council’s consumer protection and investigations team visited four schools earlier this year and spoke to year 6 pupils about bogus callers, rogue traders and consumer rights.
The children were then asked to design a poster illustrating the lessons they learned.
Judges poured over 77 entries, choosing 12 winners and 24 runners up that would go forward to feature in the calendar.
Earlier this month, the calendars were presented to every pupil at the four schools involved. It was suggested that the calendars might make good Christmas presents for elderly relatives and vulnerable residents.
The schools involved were:
- Warmingham Primary School;
- St Vincent de Paul Primary School, Knutsford;
- Brereton primary School; and
- Egerton Primary School, Knutsford.
Councillor Rachel Bailey, Cabinet member with responsibility for safer and stronger communities, said: “The standard of entries for the competition was extremely high and I would like to thank all the children who took part.
“The calendar not only looks great but it contains some important messages to keep people safe, both young and old.”
A copy of the calendar is available to download off the Council’s website please go to the Knock Knock comptition page.
The Knock Knock 4CE project will continue in 2012. Any Cheshire East primary schools interested in getting involved are asked to ring 01270 685900.
Welcome to a new social group in Cheshire.
Do you want to re-vitalise your social life and have a handy mix of people to play with?
What are you doing this weekend?
Anything interesting or fun planned?
At Go SOUP eighteen of our members will be enjoying socialising at a local wine bar, six others are trying out some off-terrain mountain-biking, fully geared and trained up with specialists. Others are meeting up to walk their dogs or go for a jog and twelve of our members are heading off to a theme park.
Go SOUP was founded by Julie Hadall and a group of friends that have all found themselves in a situation where their immediate social circle was a bit scattered and not all in one place, making organising “going out” a bit limited.
They have formed Go SOUP for like-minded people trying to SOUP up their social life and enjoy an exciting mix of entertaining, challenging, sociable or fun things to do in their spare time
For further information visit their website at http://www.go-soup.co.uk or contact a member of the Go SOUP team on 08450348067.
A Family Pantomine
Red Riding Hood
by
Bob Hammond
Thursday 19th – Saturday 21st
Thursday 26th – Saturday 28th January 2012
Evenings at 7pm
Beauty and the Beast
Fun, family panto with all the traditional music, songs and characters…plus a few extra!
Will The Beast find true love before the last petal of the rose falls?
Who will Belle see in the mirror’s reflection?
Is Chip destined to remain a teacup forever?
What has Folly the horse got to say about it all?
You will find the answers to these questions and more by being ‘our guest’
as we turn the pages of our story…
Matinees and evening performances from Friday 3rd February 2012 to Sunday 5th February 2012.
Church Services during Christmas in Knutsford
24th December 2011 – Christmas Eve
| Time | Church | Service |
| 4.00pm | St John’s, Toft | Crib |
| 4.00pm | St John’s, Knutsford | Children’s Service |
| 9.00pm | St Vincent’s De Paul Roman Catholic Church | Vigil Mass of Christmas |
| 11.00pm | St John’s, Knutsford | Holy Communion |
| 11.15pm | Knutsford Methodist Church | Holy Communion |
| 11.30pm | St Cross, Knutsford | Midnight Eucharist |
25th December 2011 – Christmas Day
| Time | Church | Service |
| 8.00am | St John’s, Toft | Holy Communion |
| 8.45am | St John’s, Knutsford | Holy Communion |
| 9.00am | St Vincent’s De Paul Roman Catholic Church | Christmas Mass |
| 9.00am | St Cross, Knutsford | Said Eucharist |
| 10.15am | St John’s, Toft | Family Service |
| 10.15am | St John’s, Knutsford | Family Service followed by Holy Communion |
| 10.30am | Knutsford Methodist Church | Family Worship | 11.00am | St Vincent’s De Paul Roman Catholic Church | Christmas Mass |
| 11.00am | St Cross, Knutsford | Family Sung Eucharist |
Knutsford Civic Centre up for tender
Cheshire East Council is now advertising for a partner to manage one of its facilities in Knutsford.
The authority is inviting interested parties to tender for the lease of Knutsford Civic Centre and cinema.
Adverts have been placed in local media and appropriate trade publications, giving details about how to raise an interest in tendering for the lease of this facility.
Cheshire East Council is not looking to sell Knutsford Civic Centre and cinema; it is seeking a suitably qualified and experienced partner to take over the management of this local venue.
Councillor Rod Menlove (Wilmslow South)
Councillor Rod Menlove, Cabinet member with responsibility for environmental services, said:
“I am sure many people in Knutsford will share the feelings of the council in aiming to secure the future of the civic centre and cinema.
“This much-loved venue captures an era in the area’s history as well as continuing to serve the local community.
“We want this to continue for many years to come. This is an opportunity to bring in fresh ideas to improve the venue further. We want any prospective partners to share our enthusiasm for Knutsford Civic centre and Cinema and the wider community.”
Canvas Lounge
Thursday 8 December - vocals and sax.
Cocktail School, all cocktails £4 each from 5pm.
Saturday 10 December – Tom da Lips
Funky sax. Champagne & Cocktail bar open from 8.30pm.
Thursday 15 December – Soul Town
Rocking the house. All cocktails £4 each from 5pm.
Saturday 17 December – Anna Corcoran
Singer/pianist. Champagne & Cocktail bar open from 8.30pm.
Thursday 22 December – Hannah Ashcroft
Female singer. Cocktail School; all cocktails £4 each from 5pm.
Friday 23 December – Unconventional Live DJ Set
It’s Champagne Social; £20 House Champagne, £5 off other Champagnes 4-9pm.
Rokit Performing Arts
Rokit Performing Arts, the funkiest performing arts school in Cheshire opens its doors to aspiring performers on Tuesday 10th January 2012 in Knutsford.
Knutsford based Actress, Dancer and Choreographer Victoria Thomas, Principal of Rokit Performing Arts, decided to launch Rokit in Knutsford as there was a definite gap for a professional performing arts school that is run and taught by professionals. All of Rokit Performing Arts teachers have worked extensively in the industry as performers and teachers. Our teachers have been handpicked for their professionalism, dedication to the arts and most importantly they experience in both performing and teaching.
Victoria has featured in TV shows, music videos and fashion shows including, Doctors, Life on Mars and, most recently, appearing in Emmerdale.
Currently she can be seen appearing in TV commercials for SCS, Moben Kitchens and Iceland with Stacey Solomon. During her dancing years she has performed and toured the world with artistes such as Kanye West, Ministry of Sound and has danced at The Brit Awards and in numerous music videos.
She also produces fashion shows all over the UK and Europe. Recently, she has produced shows for, Umbro, Nike and high end retail fashion stores.
“My aim is to provide professional training in the core principles of acting, dancing singing and presenting.”
She stresses it won’t be just for aspiring performers.
“It’s also for children who just want to have fun, make friends and be a part of something special.”
“It will have an American high school, glee theme,” she maintains.
Accordingly, age groups will be split into:
- freshman’s (age 4-6)
- sophomores (age 7-11)
- and senior’s (age 12-18).
Our rates are some of the most competitive allowing the performing arts to accessible to everyone.
Our exclusive syllabus
The syllabus is designed to build confidence, enhance fitness and encourage children to work as team.
“Each week we will alternate between our exclusive ‘Rokit Pop’ and ‘Rokit Theatre’. Rokit POP classes will be inspired by popular music, TV and music videos. Pop songs will be learned and dance will be inspired by music videos and acting a piece from a popular children’s TV show or soap including camera technique and audition techniques.”
‘Rokit Theatre’ week will be inspired by hit musicals and plays and classes will include a theatre song, dance moves seen on stage in top west end shows and an acting scene also from a well known musical or play.”
“We are not a franchise and the only school with our exclusive Rokit POP and Rokit Theatre training.”
For further information call Victoria on: 01565 654 482, visit http://www.rokitperformingarts.co.uk or email her at victoria@rokitperformingarts.co.uk
Knutsford hosts a new Paul McCartney Franchise
Alison Gorton and Becci Francis, both founding teachers at Paul McCartney’s Institute for Performing Arts in Liverpool have recently opened a local franchise in Knutsford.
They have taught at LIPA’S dedicated children’s academy LIPA 4:19 for the last eight years and, after being constantly asked why there was no major PERFORMING ARTS SCHOOL in North Cheshire, decided to move to the Knutsford area and allow more access for those who wanted learn. Both women come from the area and know there is plenty of untrained talent that could be developed with the help of LIPA 4:19 to find a way into the amateur or professional performing world.
Alison Gorton and Becci Francis (principals of LIPA 4:19 Knutsford) have worked as teachers at the founding school in Liverpool for the past eight years and are both excited by bringing their expertise to the budding Actors, Dancers and Singers of Cheshire.
Alison Gorton explained that “We are both enjoying running our own theatre school in the heart of the Knutsford community at the Methodist Church on Princess street, where our part time academy is based”.
Becci then added, “This is an exciting opportunity for children aged four to nineteen to learn confidence and performing arts skills with highly qualified Teachers who have seen many of their past students go onto successful careers with in this field”.
LIPA 4:19 Performing Arts School
For further information contact Alison or Becci by email: lipa4-19knutsford@live.co.uk
or telephone 07508 808 385.
