YULE yompers are invited to take part in a popular pre-Christmas event at Tatton Park.

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The event, which takes place this year on Sunday, December 8, is for all runners, including those seeking course personal bests and winning positions, club and team entrants, novice and recreational runners.

There will a 10k event and 3k fun run, with the 10k course in the beautiful surroundings of the park, across park trails with a fast finish on roads.

The 3k, organised by Knutsford Tri Club Junior, will be run around the playing fields at Egerton Youth Club.

10k entry is £20 non-affiliated, £18 affiliated, with 3k entry £7.50 online and on the day.

There will be 10k trophies for all age categories, team trophies for running clubs and other groups, medals to all finishers in 10k and 3k, and certificates to age group winners in 3k.

All funds raised will go to local charities, including Carers Trust, David Lewis, East Cheshire Hospice and North West Air Ambulance.

For more details and to enter visit tattonyuleyomp.co.uk/

Almost 1,500 runners raced through Tatton Park for last year’s Tatton Yule Yomp.

The 3k race for youngsters was reinstated, attracting almost 100 children aged six to 16.

Runners raced through the park from the Knutsford Gate and emerged onto Mereheath Lane for the final mile to the finish outside Egerton Youth Club.

Praise for 2019 Knutsford Music Festival

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MUSIC filled the town at the weekend as dozens of performers provided top quality entertainment in the third annual Knutsford Music Festival.

The festival was organised by Knutsford Town Council, and has been hailed a great success by residents and visitors alike.

Music on the Moor on Saturday afternoon was particularly popular as families enjoyed live music from acts including Modjango, Gigi and Sam Lyon, African drumming workshops with Drumroots and making musical instruments with Kate’s Craft Parties.

Deputy town clerk Lisa Benskin, who was responsible for the festival delivery said: “It was brilliant to see so many people enjoying this community event, and we were very relieved to see the sunshine arrive in time after a lot of rain this month.

“We have received many messages saying how lovely it was to see the Moor so busy, and how similar events should be put on more often.”

With events featuring blues, folk, alternative and classical across the weekend, there was something for everyone.

Folk at the Theatre curated by Mark Radcliffe was very popular, and boasted high calibre, well-known folk artists such as John Smith, fresh from his American tour.

The festival featured 44 acts in 20 venues over four days, and organisers thanked those who made the event possible.

Knutsford Town Mayor and lead member of the festival working group, Cllr Andrew Malloy, said: “I am delighted with the success of this year’s festival.

“It was helped by the good weather, but would not have been possible without the hard work of council officers, volunteers from Knutsford Hosts and the support of the people and businesses of Knutsford and surrounding areas.

“All the performers I was able to get to see were amazing, and I can’t wait to see what 2020 has to offer.”

Lisa added: “Without the support of our sponsors Bella Design and Marketing, Wine and Wallop, Glaisyers and Dexter and Jones, alongside the venue hosts and businesses taking part in the fringe events, and those who bought tickets and came out to support the event, the festival would not be possible, so a huge thank you.”

Cllr James Power, deputy chairman of events, said: “The festival shows the very best of this great town; from drumming workshops and performances on the Moor to the superb folk nights with the brilliant Mark Radcliffe to sublime classical music.

“We have seen so many talented musicians, and it’s inspiring to see new artists making their debuts here. This festival was a huge success – a massive thank you to everyone involved.”

Organisers are undertaking a review of the festival to improve it for next year, and if you have any feedback you would like to offer or suggestions for 2020 email lisa.benskin@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk

KNUTSFORD Hosts has received the highest award given to voluntary groups in the UK to mark its contribution to the community.

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The innovative and successful volunteering scheme founded by Sarah Flannery was chosen for The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the equivalent of an MBE.

Sarah said: “This award is an exceptional honour for the Hosts. I am so thrilled that the work of our group has been recognised.

“It’s a fitting tribute to all the Hosts – they are so hardworking and generous with their time and fantastic ambassadors for Knutsford, who really deserve this award.”

Group chairman Sarah said the scheme’s innovation lay in its unique approach.

Knutsford Hosts was started in 2014, and supports a huge range of events, organisations and activities, including Knutsford Royal May Day, RHS Tatton, the Pumpkin Path, Christmas events, the Tatton Yule Yomp and the Knutsford Jog.

“Knutsford Hosts is a town-wide ‘bank’ of community volunteers which local events, charities and organisations can call on for support,” she said.

“More than 100 people have become Hosts, and last year alone the group contributed 3,000 hours of volunteering time.

“It’s a win-win; organisations, events and good causes thrive with an extra – or several – pair of hands and the Hosts find it very rewarding to support them.

“Many people struggle to commit to a regular minimum number of hours, but our flexible approach has really opened up community volunteering for many people.”

Sarah and fellow Knutsford Hosts representative Erica Goggins attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace last week, along with other recipients of this year’s Award.

Knutsford Hosts is one of 281 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year.y

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service recognises outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit their local communities.

It was created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. Winners are announced each year on June 2 – the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.

The Knutsford Hosts will receive the award from David Briggs, the Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire, later this summer.

Knutsford Hosts Sarah & Erica

Lions Fair is a roaring success

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KNUTSFORD Lions have thanked everyone for supporting ‘a wonderful day’ on Bank Holiday Monday.

The club staged its annual fair on the Heath, which once again proved a great success.

There were donkey rides, games, face painting, a bouncy castle, trampolines and roundabouts for the children, welly throwing, dog competitions, music from Redwing, barrel organs, owls from Lower Moss Wood, charity stalls and food and drink.

Special attractions were a fire engine and other displays by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Embassy Bus.

The bus offers overnight accommodation for 14 homeless people from the streets of Manchester, with many people taking the opportunity to look inside the bus.

Lydia Kennedy, who ran the dog competitions, thanked new town mayor Cllr Andrew Malloy and his family, along with Royal May Queen Ciara York, for judging the annual dog show.

Thirty dogs entered this year for The Prettiest Pooch, The Dog with the Waggiest Tail and The Dog most like its Owner.

Fair organiser Clive Heath said: “It was another wonderful day on Knutsford Heath.

“Thanks to everyone who supported on the day – Scouts, Knutsford Hosts, First Responders and many others who helped raise much-needed funding for our community.

“Special thanks to Cllr Andrew Malloy and Ciara York for giving their time to walk around the stalls and talk to the stallholders.”

A brilliant jog

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THE Knutsford Jog proved to be a great hit. About 200 joggers raised money for the Wingate Centre, Cheshire Autism and the Wood Street Mission charities.

Another reason for the Jog was to remember Nell, the young girl from Goostrey who was killed in the Manchester Arena terrorist attack.

It was the Remembering Nell Foundation charity which worked with us and suggested the three charities we collected money for.

It took a lot of work to organise, but I came away thinking what a great bunch of people helped us.

Not just the Rotary jog team and the other club members, but also their wives, the Inner Wheel and WIs, Knutsford Hosts, Knutsford Fire Brigade, Yorston Lodge School, Michelle Hammond who sorted out the social media for us and 30 local companies and businesses who advertised and Sheldon’s Dairy for providing door to door advertising.

We would also like thank Global Medica and UPA for their generous contributions to the charities and all local schools, as well as Holmes Chapel Academy that sent a team and the Tatton Perk Coffee van that proved a blessing early on the Sunday, and last but not least, the Knutsford Guardian who have supported us for 20 years.

It took about 100 people’s time and/or money but it ran like clockwork in the end.

You all made a fantastic team.

So thank you to all those wonderful people in Knutsford, Goostrey and Holmes Chapel.

Alan Ingram Chairman Knutsford Jog and Rotary Club of Knutsford

Knutsford packed with ghouls for popular Pumpkin Path

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Knutsford packed with ghouls for popular Pumpkin Path

By Ian Ross @ianrossguardian

TOWN centre shops have been thanked for supporting a spectacularly spooky Pumpkin Path trail.

The town centre was packed with spooks and spectres for the popular trail on Wednesday evening, which ran between 4pm and 7pm and was organised by Knutsford Town Council.

The event saw youngsters and their parents scour shops and restaurants to find 11 carved pumpkins spelling out ‘Pumpkin Path’ before submitting their entries to the Heritage Centre’s spooky post box.

A huge variety of retailers decorated their windows, including Pizza Express, Oxfam, Town and Country, Lockton’s, The OId Sessions House and Zo and Co, and people could vote for their favourite.

Sandra Curties, town centre manager, said: “We hope everyone had a lovely time – the weather was really kind, it was really busy and we had good fun.

“We would like to thank the volunteers from Knutsford and District Lions and Knutsford Hosts – we had a couple of students from Knutsford Multi-Academy Trust helping out, which was really nice -and our town councillors.

“Thanks to all the retailers – they were so many that really pushed the boat out and did loads of lovely window displays.

“We would like to thank you all for staying open in Princess Street, the market hall, Minshull Street and King Street – it was great.

Sandra also thanked Event Buddha for organising the traffic management, Greg, Lyn and Craig for the spooky Wallwood characters, local choir Knutsford Beats for entertaining the crowds and Fuchsia School of Dancing.

Pictures by WA16PR

Knutsford Pumpkin Path is on October 31

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Knutsford’s Pumpkin Path is on October 31

By Ian Ross @ianrossguardian

Knutsford shops join in Pumpkin Path fun

Children take part in Pumpkin Path

TOWN centre shops are joining in the spooky fun as Knutsford looks to welcome residents and visitors to its annual Pumpkin Path trail.

The event takes place on October 31 from 4pm to 7pm, and like last year Knutsford Town Council is organising the trail with many of the town’s retailers and businesses.

The event will see youngsters and their parents scouring King Street’s shops and restaurants to find 11 carved pumpkins which spell out ‘Pumpkin Path’ before submitting their entries to the Heritage Centre’s spooky postbox.

Sandra Curties, town centre manager, said: “This year is a true community-led event, with dancing provided by Fuchsia School of Dancing, singing from local choir Knutsford Beats, and Tesla will also be making an appearance.

“It’s so lovely to see so many shops stay open late and join in, not just the Pumpkin Hosts, and see local – and not so local – families having fun.

“There will be a few spooky characters along the path, and Wallwood will be decorated in true Halloween style.”

As well as the shops hosting pumpkins, donated by Jonty’s Fruit & Veg of Knutsford Market Hall, the whole of the community has got involved.

A huge variety of retailers will be decorating their windows, including Pizza Express, Oxfam, Town and Country, Lockton’s, The OId Sessions House and Zo and Co.

People can vote for their favourite by completing the entry form on the night, and the top three will be announced by the Mayor the following day.

One of the original Pumpkin Path organisers and sponsors, Julia Chard of Mr Simms said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring our sixth Pumpkin Path and supporting businesses with sweet donations to help them with the event.

“Pumpkin Path has grown to become one of the highlights of Knutsford’s events calendar, and with the feedback we are getting from our customers I think this will be the biggest night yet.”

Knutsford Market Hall will stay open on the night hosting traditional Halloween games, mulled wine from Morgan Edwards, face painting by Sylvia from Serendipity and Halloween food from The Market Café.

Event Buddha is providing traffic management services, and volunteer groups Knutsford Lions and Knutsford Hosts, plus students from Knutsford Multi Academy Trust, are helping with marshalling, and Tatton Perk will provide hot drinks for volunteers.

To enable the Pumpkin Path to take place safely road closures will be in place on King Street at the junction with Church Walk to the junction with Drury Lane, and Minshull Street.

There will be parking pay suspension from midnight on Tuesday, October 30 from the King Street junction with Tatton Street to the junction with Drury Lane to enable two-way traffic to enable residents’ access to be maintained.

Knutsford May Queen among guests at Mad Hatter’s Tea Party

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Knutsford May Queen among guests at Mad Hatter’s Tea Party

By Ian Ross

MEMBERS of Knutsford Hosts celebrated their connection with Sharston House by supporting a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party at the nursing home.

Hosts organiser Sarah Flannery dressed as Alice for the event, while staff, residents and visitors also donned fancy dress and an array of hats.

Among the visitors were PCSO Courtney Nancollas, Knutsford May Queen Sophie Howarth, Knutsford Lions, Knutsford Guides and friends from St Cross Church.

The event raised nearly £200 for the residents’ funds to pay for future outings, including one to the Christmas Tree Festival at St Cross Church.

Stacey Hinton, activities co-ordinator at the home in Manor Park South, Knutsford, said: “I’d like to thank the hosts, many of whom came along to help out and have a look around our home.

“They have become great friends and supporters of Sharston House and have helped set up a befriending scheme with volunteers regularly visiting residents.

“The scheme has worked very well and residents look forward to their visits.

“It was wonderful to welcome so many visitors for our tea party and I hope everyone enjoyed the lovely cakes.”

She said they planned to take as many residents as possible to the Christmas Tree Festival.

“We will get to see our own Sharston Tree for which residents will be making decorations,” she said.

Knutsford Music Festival hailed a huge success

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MONTHS of preparation, glorious sunshine and the support of a BBC broadcaster helped make Knutsford Music Festival a major success at the weekend.

Knutsford Town Council hosted the event for the second year with more than 40 events in 18 venues.

Headliner Miles Hunt performed at The Courthouse on Saturday, which had people off their seats and dancing before the end of the show.

The 200-year-old former crown court was a new venue for the festival, having recently been transformed into a restaurant, hotel and community function space.

Meanwhile, Mark Radcliffe hosted three folk nights and performed himself at Knutsford’s Little Theatre to packed crowds.

The Radio 2 and 6 Music DJ usually presents the BBC’s Glastonbury coverage during the festival, but was able to lend his support due to Glastonbury’s ‘fallow year’.

He brought a number of BBC Folk Award winners and nominees to the town including Mike McGoldrick, Greg Russell and Ciaran Algar and Pilgrims’ Way.

Mark said: “We had three nights of amazing music and copious imbibing of session ale at the Little Theatre and I feel proud of what we achieved.

“I want to thank everyone at the theatre, all the council staff and volunteers who helped so much, all the artists who appeared for reduced fees.

“But mostly to the people of Knutsford who came out and supported us as we try to build live music as part of what the town has to offer.”

Also new for 2018 was family-friendly music activities on The Moor, including an eclectic range of acoustic performances, drumming workshops and a singalong with Elsa from Disney’s Frozen, which was well attended in the sunshine.

On top of that there was a blues night with the acclaimed duo Mat Walklate and Tom Attah and classical and choral performances including an evening with Halle Brass as part of Knutsford Music Festival’s emphasis on providing something for everybody.

Sarah Morgan, Deputy Town Clerk for Knutsford Town Council, led the event’s organisation.

She said: “Knutsford Music Festival exceeded our expectations and showed what can be achieved when a community pulls together.

“We’re a small team and the event is only possible thanks to the hard work and enthusiasm of everyone involved.

“Mark Radcliffe’s support and celebrity kudos was hugely appreciated and the folk nights were a huge highlight. The standard of the musicianship was incredible.

“But I also can’t thank the town council team and councillors involved, performers, Knutsford Hosts, venue staff and volunteers enough.

“As a mum, I thought the music on The Moor was a great addition and focal point for families too.

“And the wider community took the event to heart with a number of ‘fringe’ events.

“We’re already thinking about and looking forward to the 2019 festival.”

Cllr James Power, a member of the music festival working group, played a jam session in Dexter and Jones.

He said: “There was something for everyone – from drumming workshops to blues, folk and classical sounds.

“Knutsford showed its charm and its easy-going welcome to everyone.

“You could hear incredible music on every street, and the event on the Moor really did opened things up to younger audiences and families. A heartfelt thank you must go to everyone involved.”

Photographs by WA16PR.

1,600 pints drunk at Knutsford Beer Festival

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KNUTSFORD Beer festival organisers are raising their glasses to the ‘astounding’ success of this year’s event.

More than 1,600 pints were drunk by the 600 beer enthusiasts who attended the three sessions at Egerton Youth Club, raising money for charity in the process.

“The festival proved to be an astounding success with more visitors, more beer sold and more money raised,” said festival organiser Andrew Malloy.

“The event generated funds for the two main charities – Egerton Youth Club, and Knutsford District Scouts, with a further donation to be made to Knutsford and District Royal British Legion.

“The 2018 Beer Festival opened with a VIP event on April 19 as a way to thank our sponsors, as the event could have not taken place without the generous support of our sponsors, Bella Marketing, APC, Tatton Brewery, Event Buddha and 48 local business cask sponsors.

“The beer enthusiasts consumed a fantastic array of real ales from across the north west and beyond, with the winning beer being Titanic’s Plum Porter.

“Dexter and Jones provided artisan gins and Rebecca and Vanessa from The Box prosecco, wine and an authentic Mystique rum punch to add a touch of glamour.

“There was also great food from Spicy Jacks, the Curry Den and Knutsford-based The Market Café.

“Knutsford’s Fines Lines entertained the sponsors on Thursday evening, and Bad Dukes and Beggars’ ska-based covers got the party started on Friday evening.

“The event culminated in a foot-tapping show from the award- winning Merry Hell.

“We are delighted to announce that donations will be made to each of our nominated charities, with Egerton youth Club and Knutsford District Scouts each receiving cheques for £1,500, and a donation of £500 will be made to Knutsford and District Royal British Legion, as special recognition of the sacrifice made by many Knutsford residents 100 years ago this year.

“The Committee would also like to thank Knutsford Hosts, Knutsford Lions, the Knutsford and District Scouts, Knutsford Bake Club, which was raising money for prostate cancer research, and all the other volunteers who made this year’s event such a resounding success.”