MIDDLEWICH MUSIC FESTIVAL 2014 (ARCHIVED)

ARCHIVED

Photo: Middlewich Music Festival

There's already a lot of enthusiasm for this new Middlewich Music initiative, and we're happy to lend our support to it.
Since 1990 our town has gained a good reputation for folk music and its associated activities, but this kind of music is, it goes without saying, not everyone's cup of tea (including, we can assure you, several members of the original Folk & Boat Festival Committee!).
The Middlewich Music Festival aims to feature local bands who may not fit into the existing MFAB formula and, presumably, those from further afield as the idea finds its feet.
The exact format for the new Festival has yet to be thrashed out, and this will be done at the inaugural meeting which takes place at the White Bear in Middlewich on Wednesday 30th July starting at 7pm.
These are early days for the Middlewich Music Festival and the organisers would like to hear from anyone who'd like to be a part of the event, either as performers or on the organisation/administration side of things.
If you're interested email us on middlewichdiary@aol.com and we'll put you in touch with the team. And/or you can go along to the White Bear on Wednesday at 7!

MIDDLEWICH MUSIC FESTIVAL ON FACEBOOK

UPDATE: (12th AUGUST 2014): After much discussion both at the inaugural meeting and later, it was decided that the first Festival would take place in the Summer of 2015 and that smaller events would be held in the meantime to build up the new festival's public profile
The first of these events was announced for the 20th September 2014

THE BEAR WYCH PROJECT

from 2pm until 11pm

The best of new music

(STRICTLY NO COVERS)

THE BEAR WYCH PROJECT (ARCHIVED)

VETERANS: FROM WORLD WAR 1 TO AFGHANISTAN (BBC RADIO 1 DOCUMENTARY)

Here is a link to a BBC Radio 1 documentary, first broadcast on the 4th August 2014 on the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the Great War and featuring the voices of those who have served in the British Army in Afghanistan together with archive recordings of veterans from the Great War.
The aim of the documentary is to show what aspects of war have changed over the years and what remains the same.
One of the voices heard is that of Pte Luke Hardy of Middlewich who did three tours of duty in Afghanistan, telling us just what it was like to serve as a member of the 3rd Parachute Regiment in the recent conflict. .

VETERANS: FROM WORLD WAR I TO AFGHANISTAN (BBC RADIO 1)

This link also appears on our MIDDLEWICH AND THE GREAT WAR site

Since returning from Afghanistan Luke has started training to be a paramedic. He also works hard on behalf of HELP FOR HEROES.

100 YEARS ON...

Photos by Cliff Astles

On the 4th August 2014 at 2pm the people of Middlewich came together in the town centre for a short service to mark the 100th anniversary of the start of the Great War and to remember the fallen.

Among those in attendance, along with members of the public,  were the Mayor and Mayoress of Middlewich, representatives of the Royal British Legion and Town Crier Devlin Hobson who read his own poem about the War.

Middlewich's War Memorial was erected in 1934 by public subscription and originally placed at the junction of Lower Street and Hightown where once stood Butcher Lees shop (later to be converted into a bank) and the large gas lamp where our  Town Crier  of the time would have stood to announce the outbreak of war on the 4th August 1914.

Middlewich Town Centre  in the years leading up to 1914. (Courtesy of Kath & Barry Walklate)

The verse:

Through all eternity their names shall bide,

Enshrined as Heroes who for Empire died.

was written by Charles Frederick Lawrence, former Clerk to the Middlewich UDC and local historian.

With the demolition of the properties on Hightown in the early 1970s and the building of 'the piazza', the Memorial was moved a few yards further toward the Parish Church, and retained that position to within a few yards when the current 'amphitheatre' was built. Thus it has only been moved a short distance in the 80 years of its existence.

The original dedication of Middlewich's War Memorial by the Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire and the Bishop of Chester, November 18th 1934. PHOTO: PAUL HOUGH COLLECTION

Crowds watching the procession in Wheelock Street  on 18th November 1934 . Note the White Bear sign on the extreme right PHOTO: PAUL HOUGH COLLECTION

Town Crier Devlin Hobson was on hand to mark the occasion by reading his own poem, which is reproduced below with his permission.

Devlin Hobson

Remembering the fallen

Cllr Paul Edwards, Mayor of Middlewich, lays a wreath on behalf of the Town Council and the people of Middlewich

Wreath Laying

Photo added 7th August 2016

Many thanks to   CLIFF ASTLES
                              DEVLIN HOBSON
                              MIDDLEWICH TOWN COUNCIL
                              MIDDLEWICH ROYAL BRITISH LEGION
                              GERALDINE WILLIAMS

This Diary entry also appears on our
MIDDLEWICH AND THE GREAT WAR
site

MIDDLEWICH REMEMBERS

Today, August 4th 2014 at 2pm, there will be a short service of Remembrance to mark the day exactly 100 years ago when Britain became involved in the Great War.
Town Crier Devlin Hobson will be there to read a special proclamation marking the occasion.

This Diary entry also appears on our sister site
MIDDLEWICH AND THE GREAT WAR

DEVLIN HOBSON WINS NANTWICH TOWN CRIER COMPETITION 2014

Photo: Devlin Hobson

The current Kidsgrove Town Crier Devlin Hobson is pictured here with his wife Jenny at the Nantwich Town Crier Competition, which he won on the 26th July with the proverbial flying colours. As very few people can fail to have gathered by now Devlin would like to be the Town Crier for Middlewich, reviving a tradition which goes back for centuries and only ended as relatively recently as the early twentieth century. Devlin provides his own costumes and regalia and writes his own material and would make himself available for any civic occasions and local events which the Town Council asks him to. All at very little cost to the people of Middlewich. 

He would also act as an ambassador for the town, letting people at events all over the country know what Middlewich has to offer.

Photo: Devlin Hobson

Devlin's Champion Town Crier Award from the Nantwich Competition of July 2014

Photo: Devlin Hobson

A rather fetching commemorative vase presented to Devlin and Jenny

Photo: Devlin Hobson

The Nantwich Competition has only been been running for a few years and most of the shields here are awaiting the names of future winners. Devlin's name will be engraved on one of them  soon, and he tells us that his only regret is that the inscription will say 'Kidsgrove' rather than 'Middlewich'.

SEE ALSO: HEAR YE! HEAR YE! DEVLIN HOBSON, TOWN CRIER

MIDDLEWICH FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL 2014

The Town Council's brochure which can be used to claim discounts

at participating venues. Copies available from Middlewich Town Hall in Lewin Street, at participating venues and at the Makers Market.

Another new initiative for Middlewich, with the launch of the first Food & Drink Festival



TOWN COUNCIL WEBSITE LINK
MAKERS MARKET WEBSITE LINK

MIDDLEWICH CLASSIC CAR AND BIKE SHOW 2014

DIRECT E-MAIL LINK:

events@middlewich.org.uk

DIRECT WEBSITE LINK:

www.middlewich.org.uk

REPORT FROM OUR FRIENDS AT THE

MIDDLEWICH CLASSIC CAR & BIKE SHOW 2014

'BEST IN SHOW' PHOTOS FROM THE 2011 TRANSPORT FESTIVAL

UPDATE (19th JULY)

DAY ONE (SATURDAY)

Unfortunately heavy rain meant a limited attendance at the first day of the Show from both exhibitors and visitors.

Understandably many exhibitors were reluctant to bring rare and valuable vehicles to the site in such weather, and visitors quite simply didn't want to get wet!

Better weather was forecast for Sunday which, in any case, is always the main Show Day for exhibitors.

Photo: Norbert Schwarz

DAY TWO (SUNDAY)

Stephen Dent writes:

There will be a good show of minis, Fords and American cars today for definite along with some beautiful classic Austin Healeys, MGs, Triumphs, Rolls, Bentleys, Cobras, Volvos, pre war Austins, Morris, Wolseley and Riley. Plus a huge no of bikes which will be coming and going all day.

I've just had a call from the American Auto Club North West checking on the state of the field as they are coming in force tomorrow. They always put on a good display.

Photo: Brian Alexander Phillips

Photo: Stephen Dent

Photo: MIDDLEWICH GUARDIAN

THE SALT TOWN WEBSITES

Your guide to all our sites.

     

The 'master site', the Middlewich Diary, has links to all the other sites in the series (see the links on the right hand side of the page). 

The original Middlewich Diary, founded in 2011 as a repository for all things Middlewich, past and present. Winner (along with the Middlewich Rail Link Campaign) of the Mayor of Middlewich's Local Hero Award in that year.

www.middlewichdiary.com

Founded by local photographer Bill Armsden as a contribution to the revitalisation of the town and a source of information for those wanting to know what Middlewich has to offer, New sections and updates coming soon .

www.middlewichdirectory.blogspot.com

Middlewich desperately needs a new railway station and the Middlewich Rail Link Campaign, started by the Mid-Cheshire Rail Users' Association in 1992, aims to see that this vital amenity becomes a reality. The Campaign, along with the Middlewich Diary, was awarded the Mayor of Middlewich's Local hero Award in 2011

www.middlewichstation.co.uk

The town of Middlewich, along with the rest of the UK, will be marking the Centenary of the First World War over the years 2014-2018 and this new site has been set up as a central gathering point for all the news and information on the subject. The project is co-ordinated by Kerry Fletcher, Middlewich Town Council's Heritage Officer.

www.middlewichandthegreatwar.blogspot.com

Middlewich's First Literary Festival, created by Middlewich Vision, took place in 2014 and was so successful that it paved the way for many more Festivals over the coming years. This site was set up as a source of information on the Festival and those taking part and will also act as an archive for the event as well as featuring news and features on all things literary in Middlewich and district.

www.middlewichliteraryfestival.blogspot.co.uk

A showcase for Mr Roberts' poems and other writings, and a repository for all the bits and pieces which don't fit easily into any of the other Salt Town sites. The cat's name is Sam, by the way.

www.oddexception.com

Your guide to Bob Webb Music, the organisation behind Lost in The Mist and the Bob Webb Roadshow, which can provide music for all occasions. Contact details and a full guide to Lost in the Mist gigs can be found here.

www.bobwebbmusic.co.uk

    

An add-on to the official Bob Webb Music site charting the progress of Lost In The Mist as its members wander around the Cheshire countryside (and sometimes further afield) to bring music and laughter to the public at large.

www.bobwebbmusic.blogspot.com