Didn't You Do Well! Tattenhallers are Truly Terrific

About this time of year, Tattenhall Online looks back over some of our 2017 stories which serve to support that Tattenhall is Truly Terrific.

With spectacular aerial photography, Tattenhall was again showcased nationally with Julia Bradbury walking the Sandstone Trail in 'Britain's Best Walks', and then, in 'Selling Homes with Amanda Lamb', we witnessed a home 'transformed' right here on Tattenhall Road.

Some of you ran and then ran some more! Claire Dickens (of Illingworth Seddon) completed her very personal marathon and raised over £11,500 for 'Breast Cancer Now', whilst Emily Johnson in completing the Chester Marathon, raised monies for 'MIND'. Many of you participated in the Chester Half Marathon too. Well done to you all.

We said farewell to some businesses, notably Nettle and Hunters Cheshire Homes, whilst we welcomed a new Landlord at The Sportsmans and saw the launch of the rebranded and reshaped 'Tattenhall Village Market'. New businesses arrived on our High Street and we wish Allium, Ditzy Rose and Shakti Shanti success in all that is ahead. The vibrancy of our High Street is dear to us all.

Fundraising continues to be at the heart of all that we do and it never ceases to amaze the Webteam just how much energy and capacity goes into your fundraising efforts. There have been Coffee Mornings and Jumble Sales, of course, but there have been some record-breaking fundraising events too. Brian and Margaret Smith hosted an Art Exhibition at the Barbour and raised £706 for Cancer Research. Tattenhall based, Illingworth Seddon Chartered Financial Planners, raised a record amount at their third annual Charity Golf Day, with £17,385 going to their chosen charities. Salon Vie (a cut above the rest) celebrated their 10th Anniversary in the village and hosted a spectacular hair and fashion evening and successfully raised a staggering £3500 for Cancer Research UK as well as donating £500 to the Barbour Institute. And, you turned out in capacity numbers for the Annual Tattenhall Charity Beer Festival at which £3750 was raised for MIND, Save the Family and OPAL. Jill Raine at The Studio continually supports our local First Responders by organising and hosting regular Heartstart and Defibrillator training sessions. In 2017 they raised nearly £400 from course participant donations which went towards buying more equipment and getting the message out to yet more people. Jill also supports The Hospice of the Good Shepherd, raising a total of £3276.41 in a variety of events that were held throughout 2017. And, finally what a remarkable achievement of £3540, raised from the Murder Mystery evening, and which will support 'Ali' in her particular cancer journey. The children at The Park Primary School also raised fantastic amounts of money this term – please see the detailed article that we published yesterday. Well done to all Tattenhallers who took part in any of the above.

There is probably one individual whom we have featured with regularity and who is an aspirational role model to all. Ben Woodburn (Liverpool FC) not only attended his old primary school where the youngsters sported their new shirts, but on his debut for Wales scored quite the most spectacular goal from 25yds out. He was also awarded 'Liverpool Academy Players' Player of the Season Award'. We wish Ben continued success at Liverpool and in playing for Wales (remember he is only 18)!

We have won Planning Appeals (in which 3 housing development appeals were dismissed) and we have seen other new houses completed at Chestnut Grange. In fact, Redrow were not only the principal sponsors of our Charity Beer Festival but they also awarded £5000 to a multiplicity of clubs and societies within the village as part of their Community Fund Project. Phase I of the Inspired Villages retirement village is also complete and is now fully landscaped on the western gateway into Tattenhall.

SPAR knows no bounds and we continue to applaud Thom Morton for his extraordinary support for the village. Not only did he donate over £2500 to TWiG from the plastic bag initiative but he then presented £3500 towards the new Playground (this too from the plastic bag initiative). The success of the new Playground has been a very positive example of team work and our thanks to The Playground Committee in all that they have achieved (and to the many benefactors who have contributed in a variety of worthy ways).

The work of TWiG is also to be applauded and importantly all that they have achieved in 'The Mill Brook Flood Defence Scheme'. Not only has the Chief Executive of the Environment Agency toured the project but a further visit from Senior Officers of the Agency identified the work as 'exemplary practice'. Fun too for TWiG when 25 Beavers from the two Beaver colonies at the 1st Sandstone Scout Group (the Hillside Beavers and the Woodland Beavers) planted at least 40 trees in the Flacca Wetland and then enjoyed Hot Chocolate provided at Alison's Kitchen! Thank you to you all.

There have been new developments with the formation of a Patient Participation Group, with Healthbox delivering lots of free classes as part of the Rural Well Living Project, with the launch of The Festival on the Ridge and with Bolesworth Estate continuing to provide sensational events in the form of The Prom, CarFest North, the International Horse Show and the publication of the 'History of the Barbours'.

There are many more unsung heroes who give of their time freely and/or who volunteer their services. If we have omitted you it was not intentional. That said, the above serves to support what a fantastic community we are and what collective effort can achieve.

Tattenhallers are Truly Terrific! (click on each image to enlarge).

From the entire Webteam, we wish you a Merry Christmas and all good wishes for the New Year.