DAY BY DAY 14 - 14th March 2025

 

GOOD MORNING!

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:

The regular DRESS DOWN SUNDAY sessions continue at the King's Lock on SUNDAY 30th MARCH.

..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.

THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING TAKES PLACE AT VICTORIA HALL ON 
WEDNESDAY 9th APRIL. FIND OUT WHAT YOUR TOWN COUNCIL IS DOING FOR YOU

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

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!

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)

MHS REVISITED 1990: 1969 AND ALL THAT...

1990

Another delve into the Middlewich Heritage Society Newsletter archives, when we were looking at the momentous events of twenty-one years earlier, in 1969. Momentous, that is, as far as Middlewich was concerned. There's no mention of the Moon Landings, but the hourly pay rate of cleaners at Chadwick Court is included, as is the news of ERF Limited's plans for part of the old ICI Soda Ash works site. Unsurprisingly, a lot of the future delights mentioned in this article also appear in our companion article concerning the events of 1970 which you can find here

Based on newspaper cuttings collected by the late Albert Robinson

by Dave Roberts

1968 ended portentously. Just before Christmas the dreaded 'yellow peril' hit Middlewich, as the County Council introduced 'No Waiting' restrictions in Wheelock Street. This was expected to help solve the town's horrendous traffic problems.

In many ways the end of the sixties was the end of an era for Middlewich. The old method of making salt had died out, but British Salt were expected to have their £3 million factory open in the Autumn.

Other great schemes were also in the offing in 1969, all of which are now taken for granted (or were in 1990 - ed)

August was to see the start of the new inner by-pass (St Michael's Way), expected to cost £220,000

 April would see the completion of the Civic Hall, built by the UDC for the princely sum of £30,000 (the cost later 'rocketed' to £40,000).

The County Council also planned to build a new fire station, and the GPO were to introduce an automatic telephone exchange.

In February the news broke that the 'Sandbach Motor Engineering Firm', ERF Limited, had applied for planning permission for a spares and service depot on part of the disused ICI soda ash works site. ERF promised to build the depot on the understanding that the Council would improve Brooks Lane to provide a proper access road.

Middlewich Council were advertising for part-time cleaners at Chadwick Court. The successful applicants would work a ten hour week for 4s 9d an hour. General labourers in the Council's Parks & Open Spaces Department were paid £14 5s 10d per week, in accordance with the NJC for Local Authorities Services.

Also in 1969 the town's Crown Post Office closed and the sub post office which replaced it began its nomadic wanderings around the town. The first sub postmistress was Mrs Beryl Lees who ran the Central Warehouse at 29 Wheelock Street.

In June the wonders of modern technology came to the town, and Middlewich's telephone subscribers (800 in all) were linked up to the S.T.D. equipment in the new automatic exchange. The first call was made by the Chairman of the Council, Mr Wilfrid Faulkner.

In July the subject of local government re-organisation was in the air. The Maud Report was proposing a 'Super Council' covering Sale and East Cheshire on which Middlewich would have had only one representative (in 1970 Middlewich Councillors were to hold discussions with Northwich and Winsford Councillors on the idea of a Mid-Cheshire Authority. A second-best plan including Knutsford was also considered.
On Friday 12th September the new Civic Hall was opened by Council Chairman Wilfrid Faulkner.

You could hire the hall for an evening for £10 on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, £12 on Wednesday and £15 on Friday and Saturday. There was dancing on the opening night to 'The Ray Douglas Music'.
Middlewich was about  to move forward into the 1970s...
© Dave Roberts/Salt Town Productions 2011


Postscript:
Also in 1969 a young Mr David Gareth Roberts left school and, after an excruciatingly embarrassing and unsuccessful interview at the NatWest Bank, began work at the MUDC's Rates Office.
September the 12th, the day of the Civic Hall's opening, was my 17th birthday. I'm sure I remember the legendary Percy Bailey Band playing in the hall in the afternoon, but I can find no confirmation of this. -DGR

Originally published 29th November 2011

Reformatted and republished 14th March 2025

DAY BY DAY 13 21st JUNE 2024

MIDDLEWICHDIARY@AOL.COM

 FRIDAY 21st JUNE 2024

10am: A lovely warm, sunny start to the day Obviously the Folk Festival weather we wanted has arrived a week late.

We've been away for a few days, for obvious reasons. But now we're back to pass on any  news of forthcoming happenings in Middlewich which come our way. Please email us on the address above if you've anything you think we should know about.

The Cheshire Folk Show can now be heard every Sunday at 6pm on FEELGOOD THROWBACKS RADIO, broadcasting from THE WHITE HORSE BUSINESS CENTRE in Lewin Street, Middlewich. From Sunday 30th the show will be extended to two hours, from 6 until 8pm.

FGTB RADIO LIVE LINK

This Sunday:

LISTEN LIVE TO FGTB RADIO

Coming soon:

Alison Roylance-White writes:

After many conversations with the Trustees of the Wych Centre, we have decided to cancel our car boot sale on 4th August.

It was a fundraiser for The Youthie, the weekly club for 7-12 year olds.

We started advertising this on the 10th June and had bookings then this week, the Town Council decided to advertise their own car boot sale, free to have a pitch and the week before us.

We cannot compete with the weight of the Council so sadly our fundraiser has been parked and we will need to find another way to raise funds.

It costs c£7k per year to run the club as we have a skilled staff team and really appreciate the volunteers who help us. We get no money from the Town Council or Cheshire East but the kids do pay a membership fee which covers some of the costs.

If you need venue for an event, please remember us as the hall hire helps towards The Youthie.

Middlewich Diary editorials are as rare as hen's teeth. They represent my view and my view alone as distinct from the 'view of the Middlewich Diary', whatever that may mean. As, despite what anyone may try to tell you, I'm not opinionated and can usually see both sides of any given argument, it's not necessary in most cases to make the distinction.
But I thought I'd say a little something about narcissists. Some will know why I mention this phenomenon, and some will be, and will remain, in blissful ignorance.

Widespread use of the internet, and Facebook in particular, has meant that it's easier than ever to recognise a narcissist. Apparently, if you're born with a narcissistic personality, that's your personality for the rest of your life. You can't change it, and nor can anyone else.  Narcissism can be hidden but the narcissist can be triggered by certain events or people and then that awful personality trait becomes clear for all to see.
A narcissist has an unshakeable belief in his or her abilities. They're prone to boastfulness and claiming powers and intellect way beyond their actual capacity. They're never wrong about anything, and they take criticism, even constructive criticism, as a personal insult, leading them to lash out at their perceived 'attacker' with a venom which sometimes beggars belief. They'll tell lies about people and then claim to have been lied about. It's called 'projection'. Narcissists will insult and belittle their 'enemies' with an intense fury, and when challenged will claim to be the victim. They're adept at getting people on their side, as they so often have the 'gift of the gab'  and find it easy to fool the gullible, who'll defend them against all comers. They have no sense of humour about themselves and will see the smallest  joke aimed at them as a major attack, warranting retribution. Narcissists are never able to admit mistakes and would rather die than do so. If they do manage to gain any power or status in a community, when they lose that power or status they're unable to stand the loss and will go into meltdown, lashing out at everything and everyone. It's tempting to say, 'there but for the grace of God go I' and conclude that they are more to be pitied than censured. But no, they can cause such damage to a community that they must be identified, so they can do no further damage. There are narcissists in Middlewich, just as there are everywhere else. Once you know the signs and symptoms it is so easy to spot them. So please don't be gullible. Watch out for the signs. But if you know someone who is an obvious narcissist and you're still enabling them, then shame on you.

Dave Roberts

21st June 2024

DAY BY DAY 12 12th JUNE 2024

 

MIDDLEWICHDIARY@AOL.COM

WEDNESDAY 12th JUNE 2024

Welcome back. We've missed a few days owing to pressure of work, but now here we are on the brink of what looks like being the most incredible Folk & Boat Festival ever! The town has taken the FAB Festival to its heart as never before following last year's successful relaunch as the community festival the Folk & Boat was always intended to be. I know others lay claim to being Middlewich's 'biggest music event' and so forth, but no other Festival comes even close. And that's because everyone in Middlewich wants to be a part of this Festival of Festivals! There's so much happening this weekend that to try to take it all in can give you a headache. My advice to you is to just let it wash over you. You'll never get to see everything, because there's so much to see, but I promise you'll never be bored (unless you come to see me reciting my daft poetry in between times at the JOHN McATEER FOLK STAGE at MIDDLEWICH TOWN FC!)

But before we even start the Festival, there's this:

Tonight, Matthew, I'm pretending to be a Bingo Caller at this very worthwhile event raising money for FRIENDS OF FOUNTAIN FIELDS and SADS UK.

Then tomorrow night, so close to the Festival that there's no going back....there's this!

A Festival institution which has been going on for years and has been dotted all around the Festival schedule, from hungover Sunday mornings at The White Horse to a memorable Saturday evening at the Boar's Head smack in the middle of a folk session! We seem to have settled on the Thursday before the Festival as the time for this venerable tradition. This year, as you'll have seen, we're raising money for the FAB Festival's sister event, THE MIDDLEWICH ROSE FETE and CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL! Please note though that, like everything else to do with MFAB, it's not your normal quiz! So, if you want a quiet, tranquil and sedate start to your Festival Weekend... you'd best look elsewhere!

More later! Please keep calling back. Sorry to trouble you - don't you know there's a Festival on?! - DR

DAY BY DAY 9 9th JUNE 2024

 

MIDDLEWICHDIARY@AOL.COM

SUNDAY 9th JUNE 2024

Middlewich Town Council

DAY BY DAY 8 - 8th JUNE 2024

MIDDLEWICHDIARY@AOL.COM

 DAY BY DAY 8 8th JUNE 2024

A reminder that there will be a short service of commemoration for the 80th Anniversary of D-DAY at the War Memorial this morning at 11 o'clock

Julie Millington writes:

Hi everyone Well the nights finally arrived Saturday 8th June @ 8.00.pm £8.00 ticket

Middlewich Rock n Roll at the Legion 30th Anniversary

Well come on Everybody lets get together tonight

I've got some money in my pocket and I'm really gonna spend it right

No more worries for an hour or two

Come on and dance what you want to do

So come on Everybody lets get together tonight

Come on and Rock with me tonight.

OK LETS GO

Courtesy of Lynne Massey

Lynne Massey's photo, published on Facebook today shows the Bull Ring in the years before World War as what appears to be a May Day procession passes through. It's certainly later than 1900 and before 1920 when the former Fitton's/Vernon's butcher's shop was built where the white cottage, top middle right is in this view. This particular photo is sometimes confused with ones showing the Relief of Mafeking in 1900, and there are many similarities. However, the 1900 celebrations saw the shops in the area decorated with many patriotic flags and bunting which are absent in this photo.

DAY BY DAY 7 7th JUNE 2024

 

MIDDLEWICHDIARY@AOL.COM

Just days away! The MIDDLEWICH FOLK & BOAT FESTIVAL!

Photo: GARNET MARSHALL

NEXT WEDNESDAY:

NEXT THURSDAY:

MORE Fabulous prizes to be won in the Folk & Boat Festival's twice-yearly Charity Quiz! This time around we're raising money for our sister Festival, the MIDDLEWICH ROSE FETE and CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL! 

Appearing at THE JOHN McATEER FOLK STAGE at Middlewich Town FC over the Folk & Boat Weekend, the lovely SYMONE WREN. Days and times tba shortly! Keep calling back for news of other artists at the Football Club, and how you can have YOUR chance to shine at one of our OPEN MIKE sessions!

FESTIVAL WEEKEND:

St Michael & All Angels Church are offering a fantastic Mini golf course through the weekend of the festival, Open on Saturday 11am to 4pm and Sunday 1pm to 4pm, a great little activity for the kids & Adults!

Courtesy of Lynne Massey

Lynne's photo of the Brunner Mond (later ICI) alkali works in Middlewich makes the place look almost ethereal and romantic. In its working days up until 1962, this was far from the case. Residents in nearby Booth Lane and Brooks Lane still remember the thunderous crash of limestone being crushed by the massive machinery at the works.
To get your modern day bearings, remember that the King's Lock is just out of shot to the left. Although the works has been closed for fifty-two years, its presence in Middlewich has left a long shadow. British Salt, who now own the lime beds (out of shot to the right) associated with the works, recently announced a scheme to turn the area into a haven for wildlife and exotic plants and flowers. The unusual make-up of the ground, with its high concentration of alkali and other waste products, means that flowers usually found only elsewhere in Britain cam be found here.
The lime beds' last industrial use was as a repository for salt scale from the nearby salt works in the 1980s.

Frank Smith wrote a history of the lime-beds which was published in the Middlewich Diary a couple of years ago.

THE LIME BEDS by Frank Smith

DAY BY DAY 6 6th JUNE 2024

 

MIDDLEWICHDIARY@AOL.COM

THURSDAY JUNE 6th 2024

The 80th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings

The Middlewich Diary masthead for June 6th 2024

From Middlewich Town Council:

D-Day Beacon Lighting

Thursday 6th June 21:15

Greenheyes Farm, Bostock Road, Middlewich CW10 9JE

Public are welcome, but the Beacon will be visible from Middlewich.

𝑨𝒈𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒘𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎, 𝒏𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒎𝒏. 𝑨𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒖𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝑾𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎.

Courtesy of  LYNNE MASSEY

Lynne Massey writes:

A change of image today, gentleman furthest right is my uncle Reg Willacy of St.Ann’s Road, 2nd Battalion, Cheshire Regiment who was part of the D Day landings and survived to tell the tale.

This Sunday:

Middlewich Town Council

MIDDLEWICH BEACON