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| Middlewich Diary special mastheads for April and May 2025 |
WELCOME TO THE MIDDLEWICH DIARY. Please note that due to a change of URL certain 'blue links' on some Middlewich Diary entries do not work. These are being repaired as time allows. Apologies for the inconvenience.
INDEX
Sunday, 20 April 2025
MIDDLEWICH VE DAY 80th ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION
Tuesday, 1 April 2025
MIDDLEWICH TUG OF WAR THEN AND NOW
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by Dave Roberts
There's long been a tradition of Tug of War competitions in Middlewich, fostered by years of Middlewich Carnivals and other events in the town.
The photo above shows the Kings Arms team in 1975 at a rally organised by the Inland Waterways Association on the site of Seddon's Pepper Street salt works (now the site of The Moorings off St Michael's Way).
You'll note a few question marks in the caption. On the extreme left is someone we're sure was called Bob (or Robert) but can't recall his surname. He lived in King Street and died tragically young while working abroad. On the right hand side of the line-up are two other familiar faces. Can anyone put names to them?
And if we've got any of these names wrong, or misidentified anyone, please don't hesitate to put us right.
We're calling it the IWA Rally of 1975 although the Association's Wikipedia page says that their main rally that year was in York. Whatever the truth of the matter, there most certainly was a boat rally in Middlewich that year and it was under the auspices of the IWA. Somewhere in our archives we have the official programme of events and this diary entry will be updated when it comes to light.
This boat rally was one of the inspirations for the Folk & Boat Festival fifteen years later.
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| L to R. Henry Barnet, Mike McCrystal, Cllr Derek Millington, Alan Betley, Bob ?, IWA Lady, Frank Burrows, John Smith, Alan Bourne, Alan 'Tud' Burrows, pub landlord Derek Williams |
Our second photo shows members of what was obviously the winning team being congratulated by the lady we've dubbed 'IWA Lady'. Possibly back in those unenlightened days she may have been given the title 'Miss Waterways 1975' or somthing similar. She certainly appears to be wearing a sash indicating some distinction of that sort. Standing behind her is the elusive Bob (or Robert) again. We'd love to be able to record his full name for posterity.
And now, fifty years on in 2025, we can bring you news of a proposed revival of Tug of War in Middlewich, courtesy of the Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival.
Festival organisers have been approached by Bosley Tug of War Club with a view to Middlewich, with its much-expanded facilities at Kinderton, next year becoming a training venue for the National Championships. Hopefully this will lead, in future years, to Middlewich itself hosting the National Championships.
This year the Festival hopes to stage a 'taster' event at Kinderton Lodge as a way of re-introducing this much loved sport to the town, and is hoping that organisations such as the Young Farmers might like to get involved.
Organisers would like to hear from you if you're interested in getting involved.
You can email them at:
mfabfestival@gmail.com
BOSLEY TUG OF WAR CLUB ON FACEBOOK
Acknowledgments:
Many thanks to:
ELAINE CARLIN
JOHN WILLIAMS
for the photographs.
DAY BY DAY, 1st April 2025
DAY BY DAY 17 - 17th March 2025
This information will be updated throughout the day, so please keep calling back.
Tuesday 1st APRIL 2025
TONIGHT!
Some forthcoming events for your diary:
TONIGHT!
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| OPEN MIKE NIGHT, Tuesday April 1st |
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| SALT TOWNS RADIO, YOUR NEW ONLINE STATION FOR MID-CHESHIRE LAUNCHES ON MONDAY APRIL 7th |
AMONG THE NEW PROGRAMMES OF INTEREST TO LISTENERS IN MIDDLEWICH, NORTHWICH, WINSFORD, SANDBACH, HOLMES CHAPEL AND EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN WILL BE THE RETURN OF CHESHIRE FOLK, BACK IN ITS OLD TIME-SLOT OF 6PM to 8PM EVERY SUNDAY, STARTING ON APRIL 13th. STR IS THE OFFICIAL FOLK & BOAT BROADCASTER (FOLLOWING ON FROM FGTB RADIO LAST YEAR) AND WILL BE BRINGING YOU NEWS OF THE FESTIVAL ON ITS NEW MAIN SITE OFF POCHIN WAY AND THE FRINGE AT VENUES ALL OVER TOWN.
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| THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING TAKES PLACE AT VICTORIA HALL ON WEDNESDAY 9th APRIL. FIND OUT WHAT YOUR TOWN COUNCIL IS DOING FOR YOU |
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| FRIENDS OF FOUNTAIN FIELDS ARE HOPING THE WEATHER WILL BE KIND FOR THEIR FIRST EVENT OF 2025, BUT IF IT ISN'T THE EVENT WILL BE HELD AT THE VICTORIA HALL, COURTESY OF MIDDLEWICH TOWN COUNCIL |
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| MIDDLEWICH IS COMMEMORATING VE DAY, 80 YEARS AGO THIS YEAR. HERE'S THE FULL PROGRAMME OF EVENTS FOR THE DAY, AND BELOW IS THE POSTER WITH DETAILS OF THE SPECIAL VE DAY CONCERT FEATURING FESTIVAL FAVOURITE SGT DOM COLLINS! |
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| THIS IS EXPECTED TO BE THE LAST MAJOR COMMEMORATION OF VE DAY AND TICKETS ARE BOUND TO BE MUCH IN DEMAND. If you'd like to tell us about something happening in or around Middlewich, please email us (with poster/flyer/photo if possible): Middlewichdiary@aol.com From the Middlewich Diary archives A SERIOUS BREACH - PART ONE Acknowledgments: Kevin Lever (Salt Towns Radio) Khorie Greig (Friends of Fountain Fields) Cllr Garnet Marshall (Middlewich Town Council/Cheshire East) Cllr Simon Whittaker (Middlewich Town Mayor) |
AMONG THE NEW PROGRAMMES OF INTEREST TO LISTENERS IN MIDDLEWICH, NORTHWICH, WINSFORD, SANDBACH, HOLMES CHAPEL AND EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN WILL BE THE RETURN OF CHESHIRE FOLK, BACK IN ITS OLD TIME-SLOT OF 6PM to 8PM EVERY SUNDAY, STARTING ON APRIL 13th. STR IS THE OFFICIAL FOLK & BOAT BROADCASTER (FOLLOWING ON FROM FGTB RADIO LAST YEAR) AND WILL BE BRINGING YOU NEWS OF THE FESTIVAL ON ITS NEW MAIN SITE OFF POCHIN WAY AND THE FRINGE AT VENUES ALL OVER TOWN.
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| THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING TAKES PLACE AT VICTORIA HALL ON WEDNESDAY 9th APRIL. FIND OUT WHAT YOUR TOWN COUNCIL IS DOING FOR YOU |
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| FRIENDS OF FOUNTAIN FIELDS ARE HOPING THE WEATHER WILL BE KIND FOR THEIR FIRST EVENT OF 2025, BUT IF IT ISN'T THE EVENT WILL BE HELD AT THE VICTORIA HALL, COURTESY OF MIDDLEWICH TOWN COUNCIL |
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| MIDDLEWICH IS COMMEMORATING VE DAY, 80 YEARS AGO THIS YEAR. HERE'S THE FULL PROGRAMME OF EVENTS FOR THE DAY, AND BELOW IS THE POSTER WITH DETAILS OF THE SPECIAL VE DAY CONCERT FEATURING FESTIVAL FAVOURITE SGT DOM COLLINS! |
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| THIS IS EXPECTED TO BE THE LAST MAJOR COMMEMORATION OF VE DAY AND TICKETS ARE BOUND TO BE MUCH IN DEMAND. If you'd like to tell us about something happening in or around Middlewich, please email us (with poster/flyer/photo if possible): Middlewichdiary@aol.com From the Middlewich Diary archives: THE TURNOVER BRIDGE Acknowledgments: Kevin Lever (Salt Towns Radio) Khorie Greig (Friends of Fountain Fields) Cllr Garnet Marshall (Middlewich Town Council/Cheshire East) Cllr Simon Whittaker (Middlewich Town Mayor) |
Sunday, 16 March 2025
DAY BY DAY 16th MARCH 2025
DAY BY DAY 16 - 16th MARCH 2025
This information will be updated throughout the day, so please keep calling back.
SUNDAY 16th MARCH 2025
A cold but dry day.
Some forthcoming events for your diary:
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| The regular DRESS DOWN SUNDAY sessions continue at the King's Lock on SUNDAY 30th MARCH. |
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| ..and just a few days later at the same venue it's OPEN MIKE NIGHT on Tuesday April 1st |
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| SALT TOWNS RADIO, YOUR NEW ONLINE STATION FOR MID-CHESHIRE LAUNCHES ON MONDAY APRIL 7th. The station is currently broadcasting test streams. The website goes live soon. SALTTOWNSRADIO.ONLINE |
AMONG THE NEW PROGRAMMES OF INTEREST TO LISTENERS IN MIDDLEWICH, NORTHWICH, WINSFORD, SANDBACH, HOLMES CHAPEL AND EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN WILL BE THE RETURN OF CHESHIRE FOLK, BACK IN ITS OLD TIME-SLOT OF 6PM to 8PM EVERY SUNDAY, STARTING ON APRIL 13th. STR IS THE OFFICIAL FOLK & BOAT BROADCASTER (FOLLOWING ON FROM FGTB RADIO LAST YEAR) AND WILL BE BRINGING YOU NEWS OF THE FESTIVAL ON ITS NEW MAIN SITE OFF POCHIN WAY AND THE FRINGE AT VENUES ALL OVER TOWN.
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| THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING TAKES PLACE AT VICTORIA HALL ON WEDNESDAY 9th APRIL. FIND OUT WHAT YOUR TOWN COUNCIL IS DOING FOR YOU |
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| FRIENDS OF FOUNTAIN FIELDS ARE HOPING THE WEATHER WILL BE KIND FOR THEIR FIRST EVENT OF 2025, BUT IF IT ISN'T THE EVENT WILL BE HELD AT THE VICTORIA HALL, COURTESY OF MIDDLEWICH TOWN COUNCIL |
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| MIDDLEWICH IS COMMEMORATING VE DAY, 80 YEARS AGO THIS YEAR. HERE'S THE FULL PROGRAMME OF EVENTS FOR THE DAY, AND BELOW IS THE POSTER WITH DETAILS OF THE SPECIAL VE DAY CONCERT FEATURING FESTIVAL FAVOURITE SGT DOM COLLINS! |
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THIS IS EXPECTED TO BE THE LAST MAJOR COMMEMORATION OF VE DAY AND TICKETS ARE BOUND TO BE MUCH IN DEMAND. If you'd like to tell us about something happening in or around Middlewich, please email us (with poster/flyer/photo if possible): Middlewichdiary@aol.com From the Middlewich Diary archives: VERNON COOPER AND THE BLACK BEAR INN Acknowledgments: Kevin Lever (Salt Towns Radio) Khorie Greig (Friends of Fountain Fields) Cllr Garnet Marshall (Middlewich Town Council/Cheshire East) Cllr Simon Whittaker (Middlewich Town Mayor) |
Saturday, 15 March 2025
DAY BY DAY 15 - 15th MARCH 2025
This information will be updated throughout the day, so please keep calling back.
SATURDAY 15th MARCH 2025
A frosty start to the day, but still plenty of early spring sunshine.
Some forthcoming events for your diary:
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| The regular DRESS DOWN SUNDAY sessions continue at the King's Lock on SUNDAY 30th MARCH. |
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| ..and just a few days later at the same venue it's OPEN MIKE NIGHT on Tuesday April 1st |
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| SALT TOWNS RADIO, YOUR NEW ONLINE STATION FOR MID-CHESHIRE LAUNCHES ON MONDAY APRIL 7th. The station is currently broadcasting test streams. The website goes live soon. SALTTOWNSRADIO.ONLINE |
AMONG THE NEW PROGRAMMES OF INTEREST TO LISTENERS IN MIDDLEWICH, NORTHWICH, WINSFORD, SANDBACH, HOLMES CHAPEL AND EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN WILL BE THE RETURN OF CHESHIRE FOLK, BACK IN ITS OLD TIME-SLOT OF 6PM to 8PM EVERY SUNDAY, STARTING ON APRIL 13th. STR IS THE OFFICIAL FOLK & BOAT BROADCASTER (FOLLOWING ON FROM FGTB RADIO LAST YEAR) AND WILL BE BRINGING YOU NEWS OF THE FESTIVAL ON ITS NEW MAIN SITE OFF POCHIN WAY AND THE FRINGE AT VENUES ALL OVER TOWN.
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| THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING TAKES PLACE AT VICTORIA HALL ON WEDNESDAY 9th APRIL. FIND OUT WHAT YOUR TOWN COUNCIL IS DOING FOR YOU |
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| FRIENDS OF FOUNTAIN FIELDS ARE HOPING THE WEATHER WILL BE KIND FOR THEIR FIRST EVENT OF 2025, BUT IF IT ISN'T THE EVENT WILL BE HELD AT THE VICTORIA HALL, COURTESY OF MIDDLEWICH TOWN COUNCIL |
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| MIDDLEWICH IS COMMEMORATING VE DAY, 80 YEARS AGO THIS YEAR. HERE'S THE FULL PROGRAMME OF EVENTS FOR THE DAY, AND BELOW IS THE POSTER WITH DETAILS OF THE SPECIAL VE DAY CONCERT FEATURING FESTIVAL FAVOURITE SGT DOM COLLINS! |
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THIS IS EXPECTED TO BE THE LAST MAJOR COMMEMORATION OF VE DAY AND TICKETS ARE BOUND TO BE MUCH IN DEMAND. If you'd like to tell us about something happening in or around Middlewich, please email us (with poster/flyer/photo if possible): Middlewichdiary@aol.com From the Middlewich Diary archives: WYCH & WATER - DEEP IN MIDDLEWICH SALT COUNTRY Acknowledgments: Kevin Lever (Salt Towns Radio) Khorie Greig (Friends of Fountain Fields) Cllr Garnet Marshall (Middlewich Town Council/Cheshire East) Cllr Simon Whittaker (Middlewich Town Mayor) |
Friday, 14 March 2025
DAY BY DAY 14 - 14th March 2025
Welcome back to THE MIDDLEWICH DIARY!
This is our first 'DAY BY DAY' entry since last June and the Folk & Boat Festival.
We thought it might be useful to revive this feature to bring together information on some of the things happening in Middlewich at the moment.
This information will be updated throughout the day, so please keep calling back.
FRIDAY 14th MARCH 2025
A cold morning, but plenty of early spring sunshine.
First, some forthcoming events for your diary:
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| The regular DRESS DOWN SUNDAY sessions continue at the King's Lock on SUNDAY 30th MARCH. |
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| ..and just a few days later at the same venue it's OPEN MIKE NIGHT on Tuesday April 1st |
|
| SALT TOWNS RADIO, YOUR NEW ONLINE STATION FOR MID-CHESHIRE LAUNCHES ON MONDAY APRIL 7th |
AMONG THE NEW PROGRAMMES OF INTEREST TO LISTENERS IN MIDDLEWICH, NORTHWICH, WINSFORD, SANDBACH, HOLMES CHAPEL AND EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN WILL BE THE RETURN OF CHESHIRE FOLK, BACK IN ITS OLD TIME-SLOT OF 6PM to 8PM EVERY SUNDAY, STARTING ON APRIL 13th. STR IS THE OFFICIAL FOLK & BOAT BROADCASTER (FOLLOWING ON FROM FGTB RADIO LAST YEAR) AND WILL BE BRINGING YOU NEWS OF THE FESTIVAL ON ITS NEW MAIN SITE OFF POCHIN WAY AND THE FRINGE AT VENUES ALL OVER TOWN.
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| THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING TAKES PLACE AT VICTORIA HALL ON WEDNESDAY 9th APRIL. FIND OUT WHAT YOUR TOWN COUNCIL IS DOING FOR YOU |
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| FRIENDS OF FOUNTAIN FIELDS ARE HOPING THE WEATHER WILL BE KIND FOR THEIR FIRST EVENT OF 2025, BUT IF IT ISN'T THE EVENT WILL BE HELD AT THE VICTORIA HALL, COURTESY OF MIDDLEWICH TOWN COUNCIL |
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| MIDDLEWICH IS COMMEMORATING VE DAY, 80 YEARS AGO THIS YEAR. HERE'S THE FULL PROGRAMME OF EVENTS FOR THE DAY, AND BELOW IS THE POSTER WITH DETAILS OF THE SPECIAL VE DAY CONCERT FEATURING FESTIVAL FAVOURITE SGT DOM COLLINS! |
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| THIS IS EXPECTED TO BE THE LAST MAJOR COMMEMORATION OF VE DAY AND TICKETS ARE BOUND TO BE MUCH IN DEMAND. If you'd like to tell us about something happening in or around Middlewich, please email us (with poster/flyer/photo if possible): Middlewichdiary@aol.com From the Middlewich Diary archives: THE TURNOVER BRIDGE Acknowledgments: Kevin Lever (Salt Towns Radio) Khorie Greig (Friends of Fountain Fields) Cllr Garnet Marshall (Middlewich Town Council/Cheshire East) Cllr Simon Whittaker (Middlewich Town Mayor) |
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