'YOU' make this Village Perfect!

What a difference a year makes ... we have reported on a multiplicity of events within and without the village.

A few come to mind which are testimony to what a fantastic community we are.

Your fundraising efforts continue to amaze! The Charity Beer Festival raised £3000 for the NW Air Ambulance Charity and The Children's Society (up 20% on the previous year); 'Tattenhallers' continue to order more triple macchiatos at their charity coffee mornings than a local Barista can cope with; spectacular weather and crowds to match, resulted in the resounding success that was 'CarFest North'; the glittering Tattenhall Ball in May did not disappoint, continuing to raise money for The Hospice of the Good Shepherd and Help for Heroes and The Poppy Appeal raised over £4000. The Playground Committee (together with the Parish Council) should also be recognised for their magnificent fundraising efforts in seeking to create a new and visionary play area for local children. And finally (though there may be many more), The Studio in Tattenhall, has also raised over £3500 for The Hospice of the Good Shepherd in a variety of fundraising activities.

We all have ability; the difference is how we use it. And how some 'Tattenhallers' have used their abilities during the last 12 months! The London Marathon saw a number of locals running the mere 26.2 miles that is the Marathon and many of them were also participants in Chester's 35th Half Marathon; Victoria Thornley's Silver Medal at the 2016 Olympics in Rio; Ben Woodburn's accolade in being the youngest ever Liverpool FC scorer; the formidable cricketer Henry Dobson; rising star Ben Gibbon and the excitement that was the 3 day Minor Counties Cricket Event, hosted right here in Tattenhall.

The environment remains dear to our hearts, evidenced in your support for TWiG and Thom Morton's single use carrier bag initiative. TWiG is now managing the new flood prevention defences on the Mill Brook and this local conservation organisation has also been praised by the Chief Executive of the Cheshire Wildlife Trust for their very impressive work which has made a significant contribution to nature conservation in the county.

New businesses came to the village and others left. Some moved premises, whilst others decided to go solo. In all of this, Jonathan Fell, Director of The Ice Cream Farm, swept the board with a host of Awards – and what a delightful touch when he (working with Dandy's Top Soil and ShareShop) hosted the Christmas Eve Party for over 130 homeless children at his venue.

You have organised competitions, shows and parties ... the Online Photographic Competition, the Annual Show, the Party on the Park, the Nostalgic Burwardsley Exhibitions (yes 2 in 12 months), Music Concerts, live theatre at The Barbour Institute, and the 20 year anniversary of TADs ... your support and involvement add vibrancy to what makes Tattenhall so special. The return of filming to the village with Home Fires brought a touch of nostalgia to Church Bank and to the Village Institute (how we lament that the series is ended).

Individuals are too many to name but particular thanks to Keith Titchener and his sensational photographic input throughout the year and congratulations to him in receiving commendation from The Parish Council for his valued work with TADs, OPAL Club and in various Tattenhall Community Events. Gosh, even Tattenhall Online was awarded the 'Village Cup' for its vision and commitment in developing and maintaining the online website which is recognised to have become an important source of information for our entire community. Ruth McPhillips too, the retiring President of Tattenhall WI (and whom we featured just last week) has been an inspirational woman in relation to all things local. MP, Antionette Sandbach, also visited Tattenhall in August when she hosted the first in a series of 'Super Surgeries', a pioneering local initiative.

The fabric of the village has also changed. The hoardings came down and the Inspired Village on Frog Lane will see the first residents take up occupancy in January. The Post Office counter service returned to its natural home within Pluto House. The vault is an architectural achievement and the new community path within the Churchyard is welcomed by all.

This is just a sample of some of the stories that we have covered during the last twelve months – there have been new features like 'Concern of the Week' which has also captured your imagination (reporting on overgrown hedges, litter, fly tipping, speeding, illegal parking, the use of social media, missed surgery appointments ... and those 'LEAVES' ... keep your concerns coming in).

As we think ahead to the New Year, we will be sharing with you the results of our online survey and updating our Home Page – watch this space.

We wish you all a wonderful 2017.