What Makes Tattenhall Truly Terrific – Our 2018 Round-Up

At this time of year, Tattenhall Online looks back over some of our 2018 stories which serve to support that Tattenhall is 'Truly Terrific'.

Is it really a year ago that many parts of the country saw inches of snowfall and where wintry weather left Tattenhall blanketed in white? Your photos were a delight.

However, 2018 started with the devastating news from Bolesworth Estate of the catastrophic fire in the car park adjacent to the Echo Arena where the Liverpool International Horse Show was taking place. Thankfully, the 'home' team from Bolesworth worked seamlessly alongside the emergency services and venue staff to ensure the safe and injury-free evacuation of all people and horses. Not only that, Bolesworth Estate then went on to host their summer International Horse Show, their renowned CarFest North Festival, and Estate Manager, Matthew Morris, attended both the House of Lords and Highgrove regarding rural affordable housing issues. The Liverpool International Horse Show returns this New Year. We wish them well.

Your PPG, the 'critical voice' of the Village Surgeries Group, has gone from strength to strength ensuring that issues raised in the Patient Participation Survey have been addressed, communications improved and outcomes delivered where possible.

Redrow Homes supported the village in a multiplicity of ways, not only as the principal sponsor for the 2018 Tattenhall Charity Beer Festival, but hosting Tattenhall Rainbows to a VIP visit as part-fulfilment of their science, engineering and construction badges, and in funding a number of community organisations, not least our young cricket team!

Tattenhaller's ran and ran again, whether it was the London Landmarks Half Marathon or in the London and Chester Marathons. Our congratulations to Gina Hill, who ran her first half marathon, to Shirley Anderson at Gifford Lea who competed in the World Championship Long Distance Duathlon as part of Team GB which was held in Zofingen, Switzerland, and to Nigel Wood of Shakti Shanti who ran the Elephant Trail Run. You are truly amazing and the amounts raised for your chosen charities was staggering.

TWiG (Tattenhall Wildlife Group) has been busy in land management with the installation of new fencing, new plantings, and the annual grass cutting at Glebe Meadow. Importantly, they have captured otters, barn owls, foxes and hedgehogs on camera. Sightings of Red Kites over Tattenhall were a regular feature in the summer months.

The village was gripped by the Royal Wedding, whether with the limited edition 'Markle Sparkle' Ice Cream launched at the Ice Cream Farm or with the 'Royal Wedding Afternoon Tea Bake Off' at Gifford Lea. The sun shone and fun was had by all. Our image shows 'Howard Middleton', former 'Great British Bake Off' contestant, with 'Chelsie Spencer', winner of the bake-off competition!

Local businesses did particularly well in 2018, with Pitch and Canvas, Bolesworth Estate, SPAR, Salon Vie and Yew Tree Farm Holiday Cottages all picking up awards. Jonathan Fell, Director at the Ice Cream Farm, was also announced 'Businessman of the Year'. The introduction of the Traffic Light Pedestrian Crossing at the Ice Cream Farm and the changed A41 Bus Service to include the Ice Cream Farm is a terrific outcome for everyone. Alison Pritchard, a firm favourite in the village, launched her new Tapas Evenings which have been a huge success and Carol Siddorn won a contract to run workshops at the Emma Bridgewater Warehouse in Stoke – well done to all.

Charity fund-raising was uppermost in the minds of many, whether it was the succession of Macmillan Coffee Mornings which have been held, or whether it was the Tattenhall Beer Festival, the latter raising a staggering £3900; all for charity. There were jumble sales and book sales, all well supported and which also raised monies for the Barbour Institute. Clients at The Studio not only raised £2571 for The Hospice of the Good Shepherd but Tattenhall First Responders also raised £223 from courses also hosted at The Studio. And, finally, the Poppy Appeal raised over £5000 throughout the year – truly terrific!

November saw the Centenary Anniversary of the Armistice and the community of Tattenhall came together. In keeping with the tone of the commemorations there were a series of parties, singalongs and, importantly, legacy projects. The Wall of Poppies Project, organised by Tattenhall WI, captured the interest of all. The newly created Heritage Trail Pamphlet, the historical Interpretation Panel, the newly installed Commemorative Seating and the Poppy Wreath Sculpture are lasting legacies within the village.

So, another memorable year in the life of our amazing community .... If we have omitted any individual or group, then for that we apologise.

There is also an army of unsung heroes ... from Graham Marsden who has worked tirelessly at the Barbour Institute on all manner of projects, to Bolesworth Estate who supported us whichever way we turned during the Armistice Centenary events, to Thom Morton who so generously and financially supported our local projects, and to our Parish Council, all of whom gave their time voluntarily – Tattenhallers, you are truly terrific (click on each image to enlarge).