Tattenhall resident honoured by H.M. The Queen

Tattenhall resident, Martin Cooke, attended an Investiture at Buckingham Palace last month to be awarded his M.B.E 'for Services to the Arts and the community in Chester, Tattenhall and North Cornwall'.

Martin was one of the founders of the Chester Summer Music Festival in the '70s which, over a period of more than 30 years, promoted concerts in Chester Cathedral, other City churches as well as in the Grosvenor Park. Over the years such artists as Dame Janet Baker, Nigel Kennedy, The King's Singers , Jools Holland and Van Morrison all performed at the festival. In North Cornwall he has been involved in the organisation of the St Endellion Festivals since 1990.

Since moving to Tattenhall in 2000 he has been Chairman of Sport Tattenhall and, together with Anthony Barbour, founded the Tattenhall Business Club. In 2013 he succeeded Alison Pritchard as Chairman of Tattenhall Business Alliance and in 2015 the Alliance was responsible for launching Tattenhall Online. He is also Chairman of the Sandstone Ridge Festival.

Although Martin retired from his day job in Liverpool in 2007 he still hasn't had time to get around to some of the things he wants to do in his retirement!