Category: Community

Claritas Choir are back performing live again after an enforced absence.

The East Cheshire Hospice singers staged their first performance in three years due to Covid.

They made their comeback in Congleton two weeks ago.

The choir are holding a concert at Macclesfield and Bollington United Reformed Church, Park Green, on Tuesday, December 13, at 7.30 pm.

The programme includes a number of the choir’s favourite songs, plus Christmas music, some of which will be in ‘sing-a-long’ format involving audience participation.

Members of Claritas choir hand over a cheque for £617 from their recent concert to East Cheshire Hospice. From left, Gail Robinson, Mike Baker, Sue Parker, Tessa Hughes, Ron Gould, Lorna Searls, Richard Johnson, Claire Gorton (Hospice fundraise), Anne Pillai, Kim Monaghan and Julie Dunsford.

Tickets, including refreshments, are £8 for adults and £5 for under 18s. They are available in advance from the Hospice reception and choir members, or on the door.

The choir will also be appearing at the Light Up A Life service for the Hospice at St Michael and All Angels Church this Saturday (Dec 3) at 4.30 pm.

The half-hour service is a chance to remember lost loved ones and is suitable for those of all faiths and none.  Tickets are not required and attendees should be there for 4 pm.

Committee member Marian Mackay said: “It’s good to be back in full swing after so long away.  It was incredibly difficult during Covid.  We did meet via Zoom, but it wasn’t the same as live  rehearsals.”

Over the last 10 years Claritas has raised in the region of £35,000 for the Hospice.

The Musical director is Kath Ibbotson, with Hilary Balsdon as accompanist.

Rehearsals are held on Monday evenings from 7.00 pm until 9.00 pm at the Silk Life Centre, George Street, Macclesfield.

New members are always welcome. For more details visit the website www.claritaschoir.com.

* The Hospice Christmas tree collection has already attracted more than 700 registrations before December.

The collection, sponsored by AstraZeneca,  is held the weekend of January 14/15.

Donors are asked to leave trees outside in an easily accessible location.

Business sponsorship covers costs so every penny donated goes directly to providing care for Hospice patients.

To register trees visit www.echtrees.org.uk.

* Learn how to make a Christmas wreath at Fold Yoga on Sunday, December 4 (2 pm- 6 pm).

The workshop is organised by floral designer Sarah Hinchliffe, who opened her business North & Flower in Macclesfield last year.

The venue is The Engine Rooms, Sunderland Street. The cost is £50, with 10 per cent of ticket fees going to the charity. All materials are provided. To book visit foldyogastudio.com

Mixing music with memories is the key to success for family band The Cinema Show.

The synth rock group blend sound and film archives – played on an old-style theatre cinema screen – with songs to create a unique show.

The electronic group, based in Macclesfield, rounded off a series of gigs with a charity show at MADS Theatre, raising £1,742 for East Cheshire Hospice.

The Cinema Show performing. From left, Dave Skelton, Jacqui Skelton, Beth Moss, Amy Leech and Doug Skelton.

It included a look back at the London 2012 Olympics, the Festival of Britain in 1951 and the Manhattan Project.

Founder Doug Skelton, a guitarist and keyboard player, usually performs as a duo, with Dave Skelton on drums.

Added to the line-up for this show were Doug’s older sister Jacqui, old school friend Amy Leech and local musician Beth Moss.

Dave Skelton and Doug Skelton.

Main sponsors were Intersafety, owned by Doug’s parents Tony and Julie. The 20-year-old local company distributes personal protective equipment and clothing. Arighi Bianchi were the other sponsors.

The Cinema Show bring moments of historical significance to the stage.

Doug said: “I’ve been working on the project for five years since a music tech project sparked the inspiration.

“We mix historical samples and commentary with modern music and lyrics, creating the songs.

A few years ago we acquired a cinema screen for the stage backdrop.”

Doug’s first album This Is the One featured famous sporting events, including the 1966 World Cup and Red Rum’s Grand National triumphs. His second Discovery was about inventions of the last century.

Dave and Doug as a duo perform a track about Eddie the Eagle.

He is currently working on a new project based around 1980s nostalgia. He said: “It was nice to evolve our gigs to a larger band set-up for this show.

“It’s always been a passion and something we really enjoy. My sister got roped in on acoustic guitar after watching rehearsals. On vocals were Amy and Beth, who also plays piano.”

Doug works in marketing for Intersafety, who are keen Hospice supporters. He said:  “All the family have had a connection to the Hospice in the past and two family members were patients there.

“It’s a nice way to engage with the community and have a charity the business can support. The Hospice will stay in the mind of our charity efforts.

“The band and sponsors want to thank everyone who contributed to an amazing night at MADS Theatre where we hope to perform again.”

* Follow the band via www.facebook.com/cinemashowlive

www.instagram.com/thecinemashowlive/

www.open.spotify.com/artist/3gqriKaUbXfyC6lb6nVcPR?si=8aBsc3FjSR-gM-SHg_xQ6A

A golf day with a long-standing tradition easily achieved its target of meeting the cost of a day’s care at East Cheshire Hospice.

The event at Prestbury Golf Club raised a record £10,910 net, well above the £7,500 the charity needs daily to run its services.

East Cheshire Hospice community fundraiser Carley Macey (second left), receives a cheque from golf organisers (from left) Nigel Preston, John Davies, Vicky Devon and  Mandy Cross.

At stake was the 35-year-old Mactex Trophy which had not been won for three years due to the pandemic.

However, the stableford team competition returned in style with 21 teams taking part.

It was again organised by John Davies, Director of Mactex Properties Ltd, and ex-golf professional Nigel Preston, from Interflex.

John, who was involved in the first tournament, said: “It was great to be back and we’d like to thank everyone for their generous support.

“The valuable work of East Cheshire Hospice, a facility at the heart of our community, continued unabated during the pandemic so it was wonderful to support the charity.

“Our aim was to raise at least the amount the Hospice needs each day, while having an enjoyable day’s golf and dinner we achieved all those aims, with many familiar supporters supporting the charity.

“Volunteers and contributors helped make it such a successful  day and in particular, we’d like to thank Amanda Cross, director of Sphere UK, Claire Gorton and Carley Macey from the Hospice, Victoria Devon and our main sponsors estate agents Holmes Naden.”

Ethics Leisure won with 89 points, four clear ahead of Martin Allmand-Smith’s team and Arighi Bianchi 1.

The last volunteer team is now finally back at East Cheshire Hospice after the pandemic.

Flower arrangers were the final helpers to return, more than two years after Covid-19 forced volunteers to be laid off.

Reception staff had been among the first wave back, weeks after lockdown began in March 2020.

Helena Smith, the Hospice’s Voluntary Services Co-ordinator, said: “The return of the flower volunteers is quite a big thing, since it feels like the final piece of the jigsaw is now back in place.

“We want to thank all our flower arrangers for their patience over the last couple of years. The flowers make quite a big difference and are greatly appreciated by patients and visitors, so it’s great that we’ll have them again.”

Flowers from donations decorate individual patient rooms and generally brighten up the Hospice.

The floral team were welcomed back with a workshop at the Picturedrome, organised by Sarah Hinchliffe, a new Hospice volunteer.

Sarah Hinchliffe points out a few floral techniques during a workshop. 

Sarah, a floral designer, opened her business North & Flower in Macclesfield last year when she moved back to the area to be close to family. Husband Adam is from the area.

Sarah said: “The floral industry isn’t very kind to the environment. I pride myself on being environmentally conscious and love telling people about it.

“This workshop with volunteers was a chance to demonstrate sustainable techniques, especially as the Hospice is moving towards becoming more eco-friendly.”

The Hospice is on the lookout for volunteer gardeners. That team has been busy helping create a Serenity Garden in the courtyard at the Hospice.

The eco-friendly project has seen an open patio space at the back of the Hospice transformed into a year-round floral retreat for patients and visitors.

The gardens surrounding the Millbank Drive complex also need regular maintenance.

Helena said: “Anyone who can spare a few hours each week is most welcome. Some of our flower arrangers are also part of the gardening team as well.

“We couldn’t do without our volunteers who help out in so many different ways. Even when they couldn’t be here during challenging times, many were still involved in various fundraising activities.

“It’s an amazing team and we can’t thank them enough for their commitment.”

* Call Helena on 01925 664984 or email hsmith@echospice.org.uk for more details.

Enjoy a leisurely Sunday afternoon tea room treat at Adlington Hall this summer and help East Cheshire Hospice.

The charity’s volunteers are serving hot drinks and home-made cakes every Sunday between 2 pm and 5 pm until August 28.

The only exception in July 24 when the venue is closed for a private event.

All proceeds go to the Hospice which raised £1,823 last summer from the venture.

Catering is provided in the traditional tea room in the main building at Adlington Hall, set in  picturesque grounds.

Hospice volunteers (from left) Velda Price, Simon Price, Paige Lester and Liz Donoghue prepare to serve guests at Adlington Hall.

Guests do not need to book teas and, if they wish, can also pay to walk through the hall and gardens at one of England’s finest country homes.

Adlington has been the ancestral home of the Legh family for more than seven centuries.

Camilla Legh is a Hospice Vice President and has volunteered for the charity for several years, helping with flower arranging.

She opened up the extensive gardens in March for the charity’s Memory Walk.

Hospice Community Fundraiser Carley Macey said: “The tea room is an ideal setting and we hope everyone who goes along enjoys the amazing home-made cakes prepared by our volunteers.

“By supporting this initiative, it’s a great way to support your local hospice.”

Adlington Hall is available all year for pre-booked group tours of 20 people minimum. For details visit adlingtonhall.com

Highlights include The Great Hall which houses The Great Organ, arguably one of the country’s most important 17th century musical instruments.

Accordionist John Jones received the best possible present for his 80th birthday tomorrow (June 2) by collecting a lifetime achievement award.

Macclesfield Town Council recognised his amazing efforts in raising around £330,000 for charity over more than 30 years.

Cllr David Edwardes, in one of his final duties as Mayor, presented the award at East Cheshire Hospice which has received more than £103,000 from John’s generosity.

The presentation was delayed because on the date it should have been handed over John was fundraising for the Hospice with the Stockport Accordion Club at Broken Cross Club.

John Jones who has received a lifetime achievement award. 

John was happy to give an impromptu performance at the Hospice when the honour was finally awarded.

He has also raised a similar amount for Macclesfield and District General Hospital, including more recently its intensive care unit where his wife June died two years ago.

He plays classic songs in the hospital’s cafe and waiting rooms and has performed over the years at the Sunflower Centre at the Hospice.

John said: “The award was a complete surprise and I was immensely proud to receive this civic honour for my fundraising for the Hospice and the Hospital.

“I also go busking by the ECHO shop run by the Hospice in Poynton raising money for charity. I get a lot of pleasure from playing my accordion, and making new friends.”