Chester Chronicle - Cheshire Memories

Send us your video footage of days to remember from times gone by

2011-01-19T10:08:40Z

DO you have any video footage of days to remember from historic times gone by?

We're keen to expand our coverage of Cheshire's rich heritage on this blog.

If you had a cine camera and took a film of a Royal visit or a big event at your works, we'd love to hear from you.

Likewise, if you shot some film at a street party or your school sports... anything at all that would jog the memories of those who were there.

If you can help, please contact our multi-media editor James Shepherd at our Chester office on 01244 606401.

He will be able to explain how to transmit video together with an explanation of when and where it was taken.

You can also email James at digital@cheshirenews.co.uk

Chester Memories: Chester Lions Club looks back over the past 50 years

2010-03-15T10:24:39Z

GUINNESS world record-breaking attempts happen every day, all over the world. But for Chester Lions Club a special event also helped to raise a record amount of cash for charity.

In 2000, the club was approached by the Rolls-Royce enthusiasts club to take part in an attempt to get the largest number of Rolls-Royce cars on a road at one time.
Lion Ron Cain said: "The enthusiasts offered to make a donation to the club so we agreed to get involved.

]]> "The day before the event we set out the racecourse to receive all the cars.
"On the day 420 cars turned up and, with a police escort, they made their way to the southerly bypass. There were two miles of Rolls Royce cars and the record was broken!

"After the event, the enthusiasts presented us with a cheque for ÃÂ£10,000 which we weren't expecting at all."

The money was presented to the Hospice of the Good Shepherd in Backford to refurbish the Noel Rouse room, named after a former Lion.

Another good deed the club performed was to arrange for the city's annual fair to be made available for disabled children to use for free.

Ron added: "Anthony Harris, proprietor of the fair, used to open it one morning to raise funds for the Chester Royal Infirmary. When the hospital closed, he agreed to open the fair on the Friday morning for the sole use of local disabled children and that still happens now."

Lions Club members are always looking for ways to put the fun into fundraiser. In 1989 Lion Phil Storry organised a swimarathon at Chester City Baths and in 1984 members and guests enjoyed a boxing night at Chester Grosvenor Hotel.

Ron remembers: "We had to build the boxing ring bit by bit in the ballroom!"

If you have any memories of Chester Lions Club email jo.henwood@cheshire news.co.uk

Cheshire Memories: Wartime memories of Czechs in the UK

2010-03-01T12:14:31Z

A HISTORIAN is trying to identify this young girl, pictured at a war-time celebration in south Cheshire.

Neil Rees, who lives in Buckinghamshire, has been carrying out extensive research into the stories of the Czechoslovaks who were exiled to the UK during the Second World War.

]]> He has already published a book about the Czechoslovak Government-in-Exile in London and Buckinghamshire.

Mr Rees is now seeking information about the Czechoslovak army presence in Cholmondeley Park in 1940 and the Czechoslovak State Schools at Hinton Hall and Maesfen Hall.

His friend David Hayns, of Whitchurch, said: "Neil will be coming up to Cheshire in early October. While here, he'd love to speak to anyone who has personal memories, photographs or any other memorabilia connected with either the Czechoslovak army at Cholomondeley or the State Schools.

"Meanwhile, he is trying to identify the girl in this photograph, which comes from the album of a former Czechoslovak soldier.

"The picture was taken on September 28, 1940, at a party in Cholmondeley Park to celebrate St Vaclav's Day. We know St Vaclav, the patron saint of Bohemia and the Czechs, as St Wenceslas."

He added: "Anyone who is interested in the enormous amount of research that Neil has already undertaken can find out more on the website of the Czechoslovak Government-in-Exile Research Society at www.czechsinexile.org.

"I would be grateful if anyone who would be interested in speaking to Neil when he comes to Cheshire, or who can identify the girl in the photograph, could contact me on 01948 860486 or david@hayns.com."

Chester Memories: Bygone era city shown in Victorian map

2010-03-01T12:00:31Z

A MAP of Chester in 1872 is the latest to be published in a series of almost 150 British Victorian towns.

Heritage Cartography's series is based on the first large scale surveys of the Ordnance Survey. In that year, Chester still bore its medieval roots as a walled market town set in a defensive crook of the River Dee. Apart from a large lead works, the industrial revolution has had little impact on the city.

]]> The town was a strategic railway junction and distribution centre, as well as a rolling stock maintenance depot.

On the map, at both ends of the city lie two large buildings, which are the workhouses.
The map is available in local bookshops for ÃÂ£9.50.

Ellesmere Port Memories: Vauxhall marks 30 years of Astras

2010-02-24T10:24:08Z

It is 30 years since the very first Vauxhall Astra rolled off the production line at Ellesmere Port. LAURIE STOCKS-MOORE looks back on its historic role in the town's fortunes...

SIX GENERATIONS and 2.8 million units later, the Astra has established itself as the fourth most popular car ever sold in Britain and accounts for almost one in 20 of all vehicles registered in the UK.

The latest mark six version, launched last year, is Britain's best-selling UK-built car.
Its popularity has single-handedly sealed the survival of the Ellesmere plant and has kept hundreds of locals in jobs over the decades.

]]> John Featherston, the plant's UNITE union convenor, has a long association with the celebrated vehicle - he has been at the Ellesmere Port plant for 33 years and worked on the very first model.

He hailed the car as a "Godsend to Ellesmere Port", adding: "I worked on the first Astras in the body shop. It was a lifeline then and the new Astra is a lifeline for the people after me. Long may it continue.

"It's provided a lot of jobs, provided a lot of people with a good living.

"It's been good business for the area and the individuals.

"The Astra's been a Godsend to Ellesmere Port.

"Nobody's given it to us, we've earned the right to build it.

"Like all cars, each one's improved on the previous one. The current Astra is the best I've seen out there.

"There's been people who've since retired and its provided them with a good living and earned them a pension.

"Fathers and sons have been in there, it has spanned generations. They've brought up families on what they've earned."

But the plant's recent past has been a troubled one. When Magna, a Canadian car part's manufacturer looked set to move in and cut jobs last year, the future of the plant hung in the balance.

Mr Featherston added: "Last year we didn't really believe there was a long-term future but GM are now saying they're going to keep us.

"We believe we've earned the right to build the next generation Astra, be that the Ampera.

"We have a first class workforce, first class product and hopefully a first class future."

The first Mk1 Astra rolled off the production line at Ellesmere Port in February 1980 and in 1982, the Astra became the first Vauxhall ever to be offered with a diesel engine.

In 1991, the mark three brought the first Astra available as a coupe.

Having moved with the times, the car has provided a strong challenge to the country's most popular small family car - the Ford Escort and later the Ford Focus.

Sporting pedigree followed with dominant spells in international motorsport, and the release of hot hatch derivatives while the car has been a favourite for catching criminals with police forces nationwide. latest figures show there are 3,500 liveried Astras on our roads.

Andrew Miller, MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston, has long supported the car. In 1990, before being elected, he urged residents to follow his lead and drive an Astra themselves to boost business at the plant.

He paid tribute to the role played by the car in his constituency.

He said: "The importance of the Astra to Ellesmere Port and the surrounding area cannot be overstated. The factory makes a huge contribution to the regional economy and over the 30 years it has come to represent quality.

"The workforce should be congratulated and I know they will continue to drive up standards to ensure that the factory remains world class.

"During this time the partnership between the management, trade union and government has also gone from strength to strength. But it has been the determination of the whole of the workforce that has secured the future."

He added: "I look forward to working with them all on the next challenge, ensuring Ellesmere Port becomes the home of next generation vehicles."

Flintshire Memories: New Flintshire history society formed to commemorate Battle of Britain

2010-02-11T11:42:01Z

A COLLECTION of history enthusiasts have formed a new society to mark the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain later this year.

Mold Salutes is holding an open evening later this month to attract new members and appeal for memorabilia for a four-day event it wants to stage in August.

]]> The commemorative event will aim to raise money for a Battle of Britain museum.
But Mold councillor Tim Maunders, spokesman for the fledgling group, said the event will be much more than a fundraiser.

He said: "Volunteers are required to help the committee with the planning and organisation of activities that will take place in Mold between August 18 and 22.

"In particular, Mold Salutes will focus on bringing together young people with veterans of the Second World War to provide learning opportunities about the impact of the war on local people at that time.

"Mold Salutes is asking the residents of Flintshire to come forward, especially those who have first-hand experiences of the war either in service or as an evacuee, who may be willing to share their stories with others.

"We are also looking for enthusiasts who have an interest in memorabilia and artefacts from the period, as well as volunteers who can help organise and co-ordinate events such as a 40s evening, a veterans' evening, performances from local choirs and much more."

To launch Mold Salutes an awareness evening has been organised for Monday, February 22, at Mold Ex-Servicemen's Club, Wrexham Street.

The event starts at 7.30pm and all are welcome to attend, share their ideas and experiences and volunteer their time and expertise.

For more information, email moldsalutes@hotmail.com or call 0800 1422790.

Cheshire Memories: Destiny & Elite nightclub in Ellesmere Port celebrates its 10th birthday

2010-02-09T11:35:43Z

A HOST of famous pop singers, soap stars and DJs have appeared at Destiny & Elite during an eventful and sometimes controversial ten years.

On the opening night in 2000, TV presenters Jenny Powell and John Leslie were the special guests along with Geoff Capes, twice winner of the World's Strongest Man title, whose firm was providing security.

]]> A year later, the then Eastenders actor and former Spandau Ballet bassist Martin Kemp visited the club to celebrate its first birthday.

In 2002 his old soap colleague June Brown, who plays Dot Cotton, stunned clubbers by taking to the turntables for an hour-long set, aged 75!

Twelve months later the nightclub hosted its most famous guests to date.

Pop star Dannii Minogue put on a sizzling performance during a recording for ITV music show CD:UK, which was hosted by Kat Deeley.

She was joined by popular girlbands Atomic Kitten and Girls Aloud, who were just beginning their journey to pop stardom.

During the past decade the nightspot has also seen performances from some of the biggest dance acts, including Ian Van Dahl, The Shapeshifters and more recently Basshunter.

And while for most clubbers a visit to Destiny & Elite is all about the music, for one couple the club was the perfect place to celebrate their love.

Regulars Peter Ashbrook and Janet Williams loved the nightspot so much, that in 2003 they returned for a blessing after their registry office wedding earlier in the day.

Seventy guests looked on as Captain Dave O'Brien, of St Thomas' Church in Ellesmere Port, gave the blessing.

Peter, Janet, friends and family then enjoyed a champagne reception and finger buffet.
Despite a series of star guests and huge clubbing events, the nightspot has, on occasions, found itself at the centre of controversy.

In 2004, it was forced to review its security after a 15-year-old girl's hair was set alight by a yob as she was leaving one of the popular children's discos.

As she was walking by the staircase, a young teenage boy used a cigarette lighter to torch her long hair.

The terrified girl screamed and patted out the flames with her hands, leaving her with a burned clump of hair and reddened and sore hands and shoulders.

A year later, residents living close to the nightclub turned up in force at a public meeting to demand action against the yobs who were vandalising properties as they left the club in the early hours of the morning.

In response, former boss Nigel Gowland warned drunken revellers they would be barred if they were caught, and even started patrolling the area himself to try and catch the culprits.

Last year, Destiny and Elite's decision to slash its booze prices to just 90p in a bid to attract recession-hit revellers sparked fears of binge drinking.

The club argued that the new weekend offers made it affordable for clubgoers affected by the credit crunch and that measures were in place to prevent irresponsible drinking.

But PC Pete Goring, licensing officer for the area, was firmly opposed to the move, while borough MP Andrew Miller was sceptical that the club would be able to prevent excessive drinking.

Flintshire Memories: Ex-pat writer reflects on Flint's past

2010-02-01T10:58:37Z

A FLINT man who emigrated to America in the 1950s has captured his memories of the town in a book.

Peter Williams, 75, now lives in Newark, New Jersey, and is author of Whistling in the Soup (Boyhood in Wales during WWII), a collection of his childhood memories.

]]> Peter said: "I decided to write this book to preserve my own memories for my nephews and nieces and for the present generation of Flintonians to learn a little more about their town and to add to the list of those who have also been endeavouring to preserve those memories.

"It was also written for my friends and fellow Welsh Americans to learn a little of their heritage and especially of the reasons why the Welsh language was so sorely neglected in my youth and that of the immediate generation before my own.

"The title was chosen for a brief moment during a camping trip with the lst Flint Boy Scouts when my dog decided to sample the soup being prepared for our supper. Our scoutmaster, Dickie Lloyd, as quick witted as ever, remarked that we would not be able to have our meal, as Peter's dog had whistled in it. Who could ever forget a remark like that?

Peter, a former Flint Primary School pupil, still visits the area but said there have been many changes since he lived in Flint.

He said: "Flint has changed in so many ways.

"The very successful and highly attended football team was a big part of our lives. Home and away we followed their fortunes and worshipped the players.

"Courtaulds was a major employer with Aber, Deeside, and Castle works running at full capacity."

He said the town used to have a number of pubs and three cinemas.

"Going to the pictures was a big part of our lives, especially since there was no television," Peter said.

He added: "Perhaps the most awful change has been the demolition of so much of old Flint below the railway line, instead of renovating the houses and streets.

"Other streets of lovely little houses have also disappeared. The medieval street plan was completely wiped out by the new blocks of flats."

But he said a welcome change has been the renewed emphasis on the Welsh language.
Peter, who has learnt to speak Welsh since moving to America said: "It was such a tragedy for those of my generation to be denied the use of their country's native language.

"At school, we were told by our headmaster that we were not Welsh but British.

"Not one of the staff knew any Welsh and we sang the Welsh national anthem (Hen Wlad fy Nhadau) in English."

For more information on Peter and his book, visit www.celticinfo.com

Cheshire Memories: Bunbury Water Mill to close after United Utilities funding cuts

2010-01-15T12:11:54Z

A HISTORIC Cheshire water mill has been closed due to funding cuts in United Utilities.

Bunbury Water Mill in Mill Lane ended its working life in 1960 but since then it has operated as a museum with fully working machinery.

Thousands of schoolchildren visited the site each year to see the mill producing wholemeal flour and oatmeal made from locally grown milling grain.

But the mill, which usually opens between March and October, will not reopen this year as United Utilities have decided to stop funding it. They hope to find another organisation to take it over.

The same site has been used for the corn milling for the past four centuries but the current mill was rebuilt after the previous one burnt down in 1844.

]]> A spokesman for United Utilities said: "We'll cease operating the water mill and running the educational facility from March 2010.

"Ofwat sets the prices we can charge and we have to cut costs between 2010 and 2015. Consequently, we have taken the decision to cease operating the mill."

Anyone interested in finding out more about the mill should call Chris Matthews at United Utilities on 01925 464 725.

Nantwich Memories: Holly Holy Day in Nantwich will go ahead despite adverse weather

2010-01-14T11:59:00Z

ORGANISERS of next weekend's Holly Holy Day Battle of Nantwich say the event will still go ahead despite the recent horrendous weather.

The Mill Island surface, like the rest of the country, has been covered in snow and ice for weeks but thousands of soldiers are all set to battle.

]]> It takes place on Saturday, January 23, and is free to all spectators. Organisers decided not to charge visitors because of the recession in the hope it will boost numbers.

Organiser Shaun Cafferty said: "The surface isn't too bad at the moment and this year the event will not depend so much on the weather as there are a number of indoor activities going on.

"The state of the ground last year was the worst it had been for a long while and we still managed to get about 2,000 people so it is all set to be a good day once again."

The parade and battle re-enactment has been held every year since 1973 by soldiers of The Sealed Knot.

It is held to commemorate the Battle of Nantwich in 1644 during the English Civil War.

As well as the parade and battle, which takes place in the afternoon, a host of street entertainment will be staged, including a winter fair. There will be a large outdoor country market, a variety of street entertainers, a 'living history' exhibition of 17th century life, a musketry demonstration at Nantwich Museum and 17th century music and dancing events.

A horse and cart service, mounted cavaliers and a town crier are also new attractions this year.

The event is backed by Nantwich Town Council, Cheshire East Council, Nantwich Historical Society and the Rotary Club. You can find further information at www.holly-holy-day.org.uk.

The above picture shows Sealed Knot members at last year's event.

Runcorn Memories: Detailed insight into history of Grange Infants school

2010-01-13T12:09:19Z

ANSWERS to readers' questions sometimes elude me but fortunately there is usually someone out there who can help out.

Such was the case when Paul Snelson, now 54, asked me if I could tell him when the original Grange Infants School opened.

]]> The staff thought it was the early 1930s but it turns out it was slightly earlier. The answer came from Harry Ackerley, of Grangemoor, who actually knew the exact date. It was February 1, 1929.

Harry told me: "Puritan tannery chief Harry Boston, who lived at Grange House (now the town hall), gave the land on condition that the then new school was called The Grange.
It was built on what is now the site of the senior Grange School.

Runcorn writer Chris Darlington has produced a CD packed with stories from some of the people who worked at Highfield and Camden tanneries.

Copies of the CD (priced ÃÂ£4.99) are available from the Curiosity Bookshop in High Street and also The Brindley arts centre.

"It's really worth listening to," said Chris.

The Runcorn group Scribes and Scribblers has produced a new book entitled Lost Landmarks in Past Times in Runcorn.

The book chronicles individual lives with nostalgic accounts of shops and shopkeepers, etc and life without washing machines, fridges and television.

Priced ÃÂ£7, it can be obtained at the Curiosity Bookshop, High Street, Runcorn.

Chester Memories: Still hitting high notes

2010-01-12T08:58:38Z

A CHESTER society, founded in 1884, is still going strong 125 years later.

Chester Philharmonic Orchestra, founded by John C Bridge back in the 19th century, began life as Chester Orchestral Society.

]]> According to Peter Jackson, who wrote a history of the society to celebrate its 100th birthday in 1984, the orchestra's first concert was given on April 29, 1884, at the Music Hall and included choral works and a performance of The Ruins of Athens by Beethoven. Bridge's notebooks show that attracted an audience of nearly 600 people.

The CPO is now recognised as one of the best non-professional orchestras in the North West and regularly performs at Chester Cathedral. Recent concerts have included familiar works such as Beethoven's 5th Piano Concerto (Emperor) and Dvorak's New World Symphony and less familiar pieces like Rachmaninov's Youth Symphony and Saint-Saens' Organ Symphony.

Famous cellist Julian Lloyd Webber has played with the orchestra and Peter Young, winner of the BBC Young Musician competition, played his trombone with them in April this year.

Regular professional conductors included Richard Howarth from Manchester Camerata, David Chatwin from BBC Philharmonic, Stephen Threlfall, musical director of Chetham's School of Music, and for the past two seasons Ewa Struinska. Ewa was conducting fellow at the RNCM and has recently been appointed assistant conductor of the HallÃÂ© Orchestra.

The CPO is a registered charity and is self-funding through member subscriptions, box office receipts and occasional fundraising activities. Sponsors would be welcomed.

The orchestra rehearses on Monday evenings, from 7.30pm, at All Saints' Church Hall on Hoole Road. Good string players are always welcome and there are sometimes vacancies in other sections.

The CPO presents an early spring concert on Saturday March 6, at 7.30pm at Chester Cathedral featuring Chloe Greenwood, oboe, winner of the Chetham's School/Chester Philharmonic Concerto Prize. Conductor Stephen Threlfall, soprano Diana Palmerston and the Chester Bach Singers

The pictures show: Chester Philharmonic Orchestra in 1980 with conductor Roger Fisher, then Chester Cathedral organist; Chester Philharmonic Orchestra at a performance with Trelawnyd Male Voice Choir in the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Hall in February 1996, conducted by Edward Warren; Members of Chester Philharmonic Orchestra at Chester Cathedral in 1982 during a rehearsal of the Berlioz Requiem.

Chester Memories: Chester Civic Trust celebrates Golden Jubilee

2010-01-11T08:48:29Z

CHESTER Civic Trust is going for gold in 2010.

The trust, which was founded on January 7, 1960, celebrates its golden jubilee this year.

]]> Christine Russell MP visited trust headquarters at Bishop Lloyd's Palace to mark the occasion with the launch of a calendar charting changes in the city in the last 50 years.

The calendar, ÃÂ£5, is available from Waterstone's, Chester History and Heritage Centre, Wesley Methodist Centre in St John's Street, the Grosvenor Museum, Chester Tourist Information Centre and Bishop Lloyd's Palace.

Other jubilee events include a gala dinner at the Queen Hotel with guest speaker Lucinda Lambton, lectures on Chester's history at the Grosvenor Museum, a schools art competition and tours of the city.

The trust also has plans to publish a history of Chester since 1960 later in the year.
The civic trust was formed following a public meeting at the Blossom's Hotel and is concerned with the preservation and new development of Chester. To find out more, visit www.chestercivictrust.org.uk.

The first lecture is at the Grosvenor Museum on Wednesday, January 20, at 7.30pm. It will be on the history of Chester Civic Trust presented by vice president Stephen Langtree. Non-members ÃÂ£3.

The picture shows Chester Civic Trust chairman David Evans, vice president Stephen Langtree and members presenting MP Christine Russell with a 2010 calendar to celebrate 50 years of the trust in the city.

Mold Memories: Stories from the archives

2010-01-10T13:59:25Z

Here is a selection of Mold articles from the Cheshire Memories archive:

Flintshire Memories: Ysgol Glanrafon, Mold football team featured in Nostalgia article

Flintshire Memories: Mystery football photos left in Mold Newsagents

Mold Memories: Mold and District Civic Society held an open doors weekend

The Golden Knight of Mold

Cheshire Memories: Thomas Wilson, Bishop of Sodor and Man

2010-01-09T12:01:09Z

Thomas Wilson acted as Anglican Bishop of Sodor and Man in the seventeenth century, which was reputedly the poorest bishopric in Europe at the time. Despite this circumstance, he went on to found a free school in his home village of Burton on the Wirral.

Wilson was born in Burton in 1663 and his family had lived in the area for many generations. He attended the King's School in Chester and went to Dublin to study medicine at Trinity College. On returning from Ireland in 1687, he acted as curate to his uncle Richard Sherlock at Newchurch Kenyon, near Warrington.

]]> Thomas Wilson was ordained in 1689 and took over the Newchurch parish until asked by the ninth Earl of Derby (William Stanley) to become his personal chaplain and tutor to his son. His employer subsequently encouraged Wilson to apply for the vacant position of bishop to the Isle of Man. He was successful and moved to the island in 1687, accepting the comparatively low annuity of ÃÂ£300.

He was responsible for undertaking a programme of rebuilding and renovating the churches on the island which had suffered from years of neglect in the absence of a bishop. Some of this work was funded from his personal resources and he was keen to encourage islanders to make the most of their resources by introducing new farming methods.

He also established public libraries, improved school facilities and provided basic medical services for the population. Due to his energetic ministry over a period of 58 years, he became a well-respected and popular figure. He died aged 91 and most adult islanders turned out for his funeral in March 1755.

Apart from his many achievements on the Isle of Man, he also founded and endowed an Anglican school in 1724 to provide free education for pupils in Burton and Puddington. This still exists today as the Burton Bishop Wilson CE Primary School.