Local Question Time

A leading line-up of prominent North West movers and shakers came under the spotlight when they faced tough questioning from 100 of the region’s business community. The unique event, organised by Chambers of Commerce North West and sponsored by the Northwest Development Agency, styled on the popular BBC Question Time programme, allowed an audience of 100 local businessmen and women to g ain an invaluable insight into the opinions of business leaders, journalists and politicians.
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Putting themselves forward to face over an hour of sharp incisive and sometimes blunt questioning were panel members Phil Woolas, Minister of State for borders and immigration, Minister of State at the Treasury, and Minister for the North West, Eve Pollard, Former Sunday Mirror and Sunday Express editor, Steve Broomhead, Chief Executive, Northwest Development Agency, Sharon Wright, Talpa Products, Director and inventor of Magnamole – the successful Dragon’s Den Investment Company and Andy Bounds, Northern Correspondent for the Financial Times. The event was chaired by Michael Taylor the highly respected journalist of North West Insider Magazine. Many of the questions dealt with issues that are having a real impact on business competitiveness including tax and regulation, skills, and business support.

John Dunning, Chief Executive of South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce & Industry, said that once again the occasion had proved to be a great success. “Last year we promoted the event as a unique opportunity for our North West businesses to meet and question some of the most important movers and shakers in the region. This year we exceeded our expectations. We were particularly impressed with the response from our local businesses and at the sharpness and toughness of the questioning. We choose our Panel as much for their expertise and knowledge as for their frank and forthright views and were not disappointed. As expected their answers were honest, candid and blunt”.

Ruskin Road at sunrise

Cheers to TimP for a great shot of Ruskin Road at sunrise, taken last Friday...

Wheely good news for the community!

Excellence in Crewe Partnership (EICP) is a partnership of the Crewe schools. The partnership has been running alternative education programmes for young people for the past three years. The ‘Chain Gang’ is one of the projects that uses bikes of all shapes and sizes to engage young people in positive activities and teaches them how to repair and maintain their own bikes safely. With support from Wulvern they are now taking the next step and opening a workshop for the community. The shop will open for two afternoons a week initially and will be able to service and repair bikes. They will offer for sale refurbished second hand bikes. The shop plans to sell some parts and offer special self–help style workshop events for people who may want to use the workshop to fix their own bikes.

The project will be run by young people from local schools and be overseen by qualified mechanics. Youth worker/bike mechanic Dave Southern said: “This is an excellent opportunity for young people to find out, first hand, what it is like to run a business. All the profits from the business will be put back into the work that EICP do with young people throughout Crewe."

Where? 1 Coronation Crescent
Opening times: Tuesday and Thursday 1–5pm
Bike club for the over 10s, Wednesday 4-6pm

If you have any bikes that are no longer needed please donate them to the project as it will benefit young people in Crewe. We can pick-up.

Deano to hang up his boots?

As supporters we often talk about former players returning to Gresty Road, perhaps to finish their career and give us their final season(s). Dean Ashton would surely top most fans' wish list, having moved to Norwich and West Ham after blossoming at Crewe. He should have enjoyed an illustrious international career, but injuries have deprived him and the country of his striking talents. Now, sadly, it looks as though he could have played his last game - before reaching his prime. My eldest had his shirt signed a couple of years back when Deano came to see the Alex in action when his club were not playing. Always friendly and polite, the football world never got to see the best of him. Personally, I remember some fantastic goals, powerful runs, clever turns and perfect passes. Then, of course, there was that amazing 3-2 win away at Wigan when he bagged a hat-trick. Great times. His departure from our club, for good money, signalled the start of the current decline. If ever we needed another Deano it was now. Good luck to the lad whatever he does next...

More Remembrance links...

We carried a number of Remembrance Day photos on Sunday, but many thanks to Jonathan White who has sent one of his pics taken at the service which took place at the Wistaston Memorial Hall (sorry that we cannot carry all of the details that came with the image).

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We also had an email from blog reader and local musician Barry Lawton who penned a tune called 'Remembrance Sunday' that is up on his MySpace page here. One of the lines (some talk through the silence as skies cloud on Remembrance Sunday) echoes what was mentioned last Sunday, how some people seem oblvious to the meaning and significance of the services that are held across the country.

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Finally, we had another email from blog reader Phil, who has the following observation about a currently hot potato: "While not a huge fan of Gordon Brown, I have to sympathise with him over the letter he wrote to a Mrs Janes with regard to her sad loss. He must have thought he was doing the right thing to write to a grieving mother and take the time to write personally instead of having someone type a letter and sign it on his behalf. I just wonder how much input a certain comic newspaper had to blow this out of all proportion. What do other blog readers think?"

David's Letter to the Future

David Williams, the Labour Party’s Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, was delighted to add his voice in support of the campaign when he was asked by a member from the local branch of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds to sign their ‘Letter to the Future’. David said: “It is really important that we support environmental issues at the moment, but it is not all about the big questions of CO2 emissions and the discussions that are going in Copenhagen. It is really important that we tackle issues on the ground to ensure that the local birds, insects, flora and fauna thrive and flourish for future generations.”

The ‘Letter to the Future’ asks the Government to invest in a healthy economy and a healthy environment – to protect jobs, to tackle climate change and to protect our seas, countryside and wildlife. David commented: “I have become one of the million voices for nature and I would encourage everyone to join me and sign up for the RSPB’s campaign.” He added, “I am hoping that many thousands of people will join me in signing up. Together we can be a powerful voice for nature.”

David Williams (pictured, right), with Sarah Cartlidge (centre) and Cllr Roy Cartlidge (left). Copies of the RSPB’s ‘Letter to the Future’ can be down-loaded from their website at http://www.rspb.org.uk/lettertothefuture

Book launch at Hops...

Thanks to all who have shown an interest in both From Crewe to the Cape and Crewe and its People. Both books will be available from Friday 27th November, at a joint launch that will take place at Hops Cafe Bar on Prince Albert Street, between 1pm and 7pm. Why? Well, the authors of From Crewe to the Cape (Mark Potts, Tony Marks and Howard Curran) and myself aren't too fussed about a load of hype, book signings and all that. We just fancy a natter with anyone who wants to get a copy, talk about the projects and maybe talk about self-publishing. That's something we are hoping to help others achieve under the MPire Books umbrella - the brainchild of Mark and Tony. So, whether it's around lunchtime, mid-afternoon or after work please pop over to Hops on Friday 27th and support a few local authors and one of the town's local bars. See you there...

From Crewe to the Cape, by Mark Potts, Tony Marks and Howard Curran
Hardback, £10.99

"In October 1899, Britain and the Boer nation would go to war in South Africa. From the famous Cheshire railway town of Crewe, Regulars, Reservists and Volunteers would answer the call to arms. More would serve than in any other town of comparable size, and among the 500 were members of the Railway Volunteer Corps – recruited from the workshops and offices of Crewe Railway Works. This is the story of those who served, and died, and the public at home who supported them."

Crewe and its People, by Jules Hornbrook
Hardback, £12.99

"Step into the lives of forty Crewe people and explore childhood memories, triumph, heartache and the special moments that have defined a town's recent history. From teachers, musicians and factory workers, to politicians, historians and engine drivers. Crewe and its People criss-crosses lives just as the labyrinth of rail lines still defines the proud, hard-working Cheshire town..."

Photo quiz

Another week, another photo quiz. Thanks to Howard Curran, the demolition-threatened houses theme continues. So, where do you reckon this lot are/were? Photo from mid-70s...

More Bombardier job cuts likely

What was once the sprawling mass of workshops, sheds and offices known as Crewe Works took another step towards extinction this week. The industry that powered the town's growth is a shadow of its former self, and current employer Bombardier this week announced that further cuts to its Crewe workforce were likely. Not good, and rumours that it will all disappear to Derby look more and more accurate.

David Williams (right), the Labour Party’s Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, has expressed shock and concern at the recent announcement. He said: “I am shocked that Bombardier has decided to make a further 69 redundancies so soon after the last set. This is very worrying news for the workforce, and for the town in general. I am seeking a meeting with the company to discuss the current state of affairs as a matter of urgency.”

This latest announcement will take the total workforce at Bombardier from over 700 in May 2008 to under 300. At one time Crewe Works was the largest employer in the area, with many thousands of people employed across the town.

Master Planning for Crewe

The C.R.E.A.M (Crewe, Railways, Environment and Manufacture) group will be launching their Master Planning for Crewe: Planning for Real. A 21st Century document on Friday 27th November, with two opportunities to view, discuss and air your of points. This is your opportunity to contribute to the Cheshire East Council's proposed Master Planning for Crewe - looking at infrastructure, town centre development and a consensus for the Railway Station, whether to relocate to Basford or develop at its present site at Nantwich Road / Weston Lane.

Details and information available at The Crewe Heritage Centre between 9.30am and 11.45am, then over at Hops Cafe Bar between 12 noon and 1.30pm. For further information, and to confirm attendance at either of the events, please contact Roy Cartlidge, Chairman of CREAM, 8 Coppenhall Lane, Crewe, CW2 8TT. You can call 01270-211166 Fax: 01270-589414 or mobile 07929-568590. You can email roy.cartlidge49@googlemail.com or cream.org@googlemail.com. The C.R.E.A.M. web page is http://cream-org.blogspot.com/

Remembrance Day, Crewe 2009

Photo copyright of Crewe blog

Remembrance Day photos

Another superb turnout at today's Remembrance Day service, with people of all ages in attendance. Some great characters, formal and informal, all of the forces represented and many local figureheads from the council and other local organisations paying their respects. What struck me today was the way some people carry on oblivious, untouched by the significance of the occasion. Although cars were kept away from Chester Street, Prince Albert Street and the centre of town, as the service progressed cars whizzed around the main roundabout by Municipal Square and shouts from the Cumberland Arena could be heard above the prayers and dedications being read out by the memorial. The occasional pedestrian even pushed through the crowds, annoyed that the pavements were temporarily blocked.

So today I've tried to bring you a spread of images that sum up the morning. The lovely gentleman who was happy to pause for a photo, Cllr Margaret Simon (Mayor of Cheshire East) who took the salute as the parade marched past Sandon Street and into the main square, the band that played by the library steps, and the hundreds of soldiers and other services who proudly displayed their colour...

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Photos copyright of Crewe blog

Cat back on air... (well, t'internet)

Quick shout for local radio station The Cat that will be available on the Internet from 12 noon on Saturday 7th November as part of the build up to the next RSL broadcast scheduled for November 23rd... click here

Bentley art for charity

Bentley Motors is staging an exclusive art auction at Bonhams, London, to raise money for The Christie, a specialist cancer centre in Manchester, which treats 40,000 patients a year and is an international leader in cancer research. The Bentley Styling and Design team have created individual pieces for auction, drawing on the skills and techniques utilised in their roles and their enthusiasm for art. The collection ranges from the traditional to the contemporary; sculptures set in bronze, wood, metal, and leather through to stunning palette knife and brush paintings on canvas, digital art and photography. To view the collection and artist profiles please click here.

Bentley designer Richard Gilmartin has been raising funds to support the charity since 2001 and is the inspiration behind the exceptional project. Working with his colleagues, Richard aims to surpass his previous fundraising achievements by auctioning this unique collection. The auction of the collection will conclude with an exclusive event to be held at Bonhams, London, on Tuesday 1st December. Places are strictly limited and by invitation only. If you would like to be considered click here to email Design.Passion@Bentley.co.uk with your full details. To place an advanced bid, click here.

Alex limp out of cup...

To be honest, I'm not that fussed that the Alex have ditched out of the FA Cup at the first stage (York 3 Alex 2). We don't need the distraction. That said, it hurts that we have gone out to a non-league side. Already floundering in the bottom half of League Two, we need to get up the table and suggest that we have a hope of the play-offs. A cup win would have been a confidence booster, perhaps something to encourage the fringe lads to push on for a first team place. Still, that we played so poorly in the second half is a major disappointment. York dominated and deserved the win. I'm 100% behind Dario Gradi in playing more of the home-grown kids, that's what we're all about. Footballers, on the whole, are overpaid and I'd like to see us take a stand, play perhaps six of our own each game, paid a wage in line with what many of the town's folk earn. It should be an honour to a) play football for a living, and b) represent the Alex. Many will disagree, but for too long we have brought in outsiders who also fall way short of the mark and yet command large salaries and signing on fees. Sure we need a few older heads, but with the amount of money spent on the academy we SHOULD be producing players of sufficient quality to at least put clubs like York under pressure. So a bad day for everyone connected with the Alex. Today's snaps are (top) from the 1996-97 season when we took a point at York to progress to the play-offs (wrong - see comments); then (above left) on the pitch at Wembley before the play-off final with York in 1993.

Ken Dodd's back...

Ken Dodd will be performing at Crewe's Lyceum Theatre on Wednesday 18th and Thursday 19th November at 7.30pm. I went to the last show on the recommendation of a mate, and it was hilarious. You certainly got value for money, as it lasted about four hours! Tickets are priced at £18.50 with concessions receiving £1.00 discount. For further information please contact the Box Office on 01270-537333 or visit http://www.lyceumtheatre.net/

Photo quiz - ANSWER

Ok, here's a couple of old snaps for you to have a think about. They are from Howard Curran, so anyone who knows him will have a decent idea where this street is. What do you know about them and the surrounding area?

Answer: former C&NBC Mayor Howard Curran is one of the characters in my forthcoming book, Crewe and its People, and his story revolves around the many pubs that once traded in the town. He mentions Woolf’s brewery in his chapter, and that backed onto the houses that you can see on the picture of Duke Street (top images), just past The Park pub (now closed) and before you get to the Earl of Chester and the Hop Pole. The snaps were taken in 1978 when the street was about to be demolished. The new development (below) is what stands there today, just off Wistaston Road...
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Cheshire Dyslexia Association (CDA) Open Evening

The Cheshire Dyslexia Association's (CDA) Open Evening took place at South Cheshire College on Wednesday. The event was part of Dyslexia Awareness Week, and the theme this year is 'Dyslexia Strengths'. The evening included talks, workshops and information from Jeff Hughes, Jonathan White, Clive Armitage, Rose Heesom and Juliet Guthrie. Entry was free with refreshments available. Over 20 people attended. For more details relating to the Cheshire Dyslexia Association, please phone the helpline: 01270-668600, email: cda@s-cheshire.ac.uk or check out the website here...

Win Sleeping Beauty tickets

It's nearly panto time again, and we have a family ticket to give away! This year’s festive treat at The Lyceum Theatre is the beautiful tale of Sleeping Beauty. Imagine Theatre return to the Lyceum to produce the panto, following on from the huge success of last year’s run of Jack and the Beanstalk. Audiences are in for a whole host of surprises and a fantastic story when the panto run begins on Wednesday 2nd December 2009. Sleeping Beauty will star kid’s TV finest Jane Tucker of Rainbow fame, tea time favourite Heartbeat’s David Lonsdale, and Kerry Newall who returns to the Lyceum again this year to play the gallant Prince Valiant!
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To celebrate the launch of panto season the Lyceum Theatre would like to offer Crewe Bloggers the opportunity to win a family ticket for the opening weekend. To enter simply answer the following question: Who is playing Prince Valiant in this year’s production of Sleeping Beauty? Email your answer with a contact phone number to creweblog@hotmail.co.uk before 11am on Friday 6th November. WINNER: well done to Iain Condliffe and his family. Indeed, it was Kerry Newall who will play Prince Valiant.

Terms and Conditions: Family ticket admits a family of four consisting of two adults and two children, ticket valid for Saturday December 5, at either the 1pm or 5pm performance.

Help track down stolen bikes

Not a conventional blog item, but there have been a number of sheds targeted recently and valuable items stolen. One blog reader's shed was broken in to this morning and his wife and daughter's mens style mountain bikes were taken from the Queen Street area (just down from KFC / Floors to Go). They are Apollo CrossTrax CT200 bikes, size 26”, dark Red / silver colour. One of the bikes has multi-coloured flashing Dust Caps. Should anyone come across these bikes the owner has asked if you would contact the police with any information. You can also email the blog on creweblog@hotmail.co.uk and we'll pass the details on...