Last year it was a Roman invasion that rocked the town, but this time round it is the Norman’s looking to conquer Middlewich. An army of medieval soldiers descended on the town for the Norman Middlewich Festival on Saturday 13^th September and Sunday 14^th September 2008. 

The weather was absolutely beautiful for both days. We had a stall just on the Saturday, inside a huge marquee, and it was so hot! We were kept very busy all day with our Human Fruit Machine which was a great success.

The event started on Saturday with a parade down Wheelock Street at 11am, which meandered through the town and on to Harbutt’s Field in King Street for the opening ceremony at 11.30am. Guests from the French town of Venables opened the ceremony and guest of honour was ‘Young Norman’ – Glastonbury Drive resident George Worthington, whose iconic photograph dressed as a Norman became the logo for the event. Other attractions on the day included a Continental market, a virtual dig, falconry displays, a battle re-enactment and a children’s combat event.

Photographs by permission of Cliff Astles, EVENT Photography & Marketing, Cheshire.

A team of 21 Sandbach Round Tablers left Sandbach in the early hours of Thursday the 3rd of July 2008 to cycle to Holyhead. From there they boarded the ferry to Dublin and followed this by a ride to the North of Belfast. There they took the ferry to Stranraer before journeying South to Penrith. Then back to Sandbach arriving on Sunday evening the 6th July. They covered 5 Countries and 520 Miles in 4 Days. Not content with the ride,  they also raised nearly £5,000 for the Sandbach Talking Newspaper.

On Tuesday last the 19^th February 2008, the Sandbach and District Talking Newspaper received a most generous donation of £200.00p from The Golden Girls.  The presentation took place at the Victoria Club in Holmes Chapel and the Talking Newspaper was allowed to record their Broadway Hits Medley and Wartime Selection of tunes, which we will send out to our Listeners in the near future.   Keith Johnson was the Technician for this recording, together with Malcolm Lowe – Technician, Graham Alcock – Chairman and Pam Johnson – Secretary

The Golden Girls were formed about seven or eight years ago by six mature ladies, all over a ‘certain age’, hence the name, Golden Girls, to entertain in elderly person’s homes.  As they became better known they were asked to perform at pensioner’s groups and nursing homes.

Over the years they have been asked to entertain for more and more different organisations, the Women’s Institute, Rotary Clubs and also Christmas parties.

Although they are six ‘Golden Girls’ they do in fact have a gentleman in the group. Derek, who sings some solos while the ‘girls’ change into the different costumes which they have for the various selections in their repertoire.  They dress as pearly queens in their ‘London Wartime Selection’, Stars and Stripes for the ‘American Selection’, Evening Dresses for the ‘Broadway Hits Medley’ and quite a few more.  Derek has a beautiful voice, unfortunately he will be missing from the group for about six months, as he has just undergone a serious operation.  Our best wishes go to Derek Shenton for quick recovery.  However they do have another gentleman, named Jack who has very recently joined them.  Of course a very important member of the group is Heather, the accompanist, who is always there for them to play the piano or keyboard.

Most times they are given donations for their entertainment and it was decided that each member of their concert party would, in turn, nominate a local charity of their choice to receive £200.00p.  Fortunately the Sandbach and District Talking Newspaper was chosen by Barbara Farrall and were given the £200.00p donation.  Other recipients previously includes the Pat Seed fund for a new scanner at the Christie Hospital, a fund to help a Multiple Scleroses group maintain a decompression chamber, a voluntary group of helpers who run a club for people with learning difficulties, the Air Cadets and now, the Sandbach Talking Newspaper for the blind.  Let’s hope that the ‘Golden Girls’ continue to flourish, so that they can do more to help local charities.

The picture shows : Barbara Farrall – Leader /Soloist  from the Golden Girls, handing over the cheque to Graham Alcock, Chairman of the Sandbach and District Talking Newspaper, and the Golden Girls comprising of Heather Whyte - accompanist, Elaine Salisbury – Soloist, Lillian Waller – Soloist, Dorothy Gribbin, Bronwyn Brookes, Shirley Sadler, and Jack Ward.

What a lovely surprise the Sandbach and District Talking Newspaper had when Mr. Fred Willis, who recently celebrated his 70^th Birthday asked for donations to the Sandbach Talking Newspaper instead of birthday presents. 

It was a wonderful boost to our Charity when a cheque for £600 was presented by Fred to Chairman Graham Alcock, also present were Rachael Willis, Lyn Slack, Vice Chair, and various other Talking Newspaper representatives,  at the Recording Studio. Chairman Graham presented Fred with a bottle of Whisky.

Fred’s wife Roselle has been a Relief Reader since July 1994, and is still an active Relief Reader and their Grand-daughter Rachael is also a regular Reader.  Rachel first got involved when she was working towards her ‘Duke of Edinburgh Award’ and having now gained her Award, has continued to read for the Charity.

We cannot emphasize enough just how much these donations mean to us, as we are at present transferring to ‘Digital’. This will in the future enable us to raise funds by allowing us to record onto CD’s.  We are hoping this should prove to be of interest to other businesses and make us a little more ‘commercial’.  For example, Companies who produce their own Company Magazines and send them out to their retired employees perhaps would like them putting onto a CD for their visually impaired retired employees.

A Jewellery Party was held at the home of one of our members, Pat Howells, on Thursday evening, 10^th May, to boost our funds.  A varied collection of attractive jewellery was on display and the event was well attended.   We made £100.  We should like to thank Pat for all her hard work and for making such delicious refreshments available.

Our Tombola Stall at the Transport Festival on 22^nd April proved successful and we made £140 including the sale of our excellent quality pens.  We should like to thank all those who provided prizes.  The 2008 Transport Festival is going to be a 2-day event and we are proposing a bigger and better presence next year!!

During the recording on Wednesday, 11^th April, Ken and Rosalind Gunary were presented with a Royal Doulton Glass Vase, upon their retirement, by Chairman, Graham Alcock, for their long and dedicated service to our Charity.  They also received their 20 year Certificate last Christmas.  Ken has been the Technician and Rosalind a Reader on Team 3 for most of this time.  Everyone at the Talking Newspaper would like to offer their appreciation for all their efforts and wish them a long, happy and peaceful retirement.

Local quarrying company, WBB Minerals, has continued its support for Sandbach & District Talking Newspapers with a £500 donation.  The money will extend WBB’s sponsorship of the charity for another year, creating much-needed funds for the Newspaper. 

“Our service enables people to keep up to date with what is happening in the local community,” explained Graham Alcock, Newspaper Chairman.  “With our outside recording equipment we can also cover local concerts and other events of interest.  But this all comes at a price which is why we are reliant on the kind support of organisations like WBB Minerals.”

Rob Sproston, WBB Minerals’ Communications Manager, commented:  “We’re delighted to continue with our sponsorship for another 12 months.  Sandbach & District Talking Newspaper provides an invaluable community service and I hope that our donation will contribute to its ongoing success.”