Middlewich Skate Park Opening

Fiona Bruce MP and the Mayor of Middlewich open skate park

Fiona Bruce MP and Bernice Walmsley, Mayor of Middlewich joined together to open the new Skate Park in Booth Lane Middlewich last weekend in glorious end of summer weather.

The Skate Park project got off the ground when 10 year old Owen Hughes saw a gap in the facilities offered and got up a petition from his neighbours for the facility and presented it to Middlewich Town Council.

The project also received support from, Middlewich Vision, Cheshire East Council and The Veolia Trust.

Guide Dogs for the Blind - Streets Ahead Campaign

Fiona Bruce MP gets a “dog bowl in one” for Guide Dogs

Fiona Bruce MP saw the fun side of the Conservative Party Conference by putting around street clutter on Guide Dogs’ mini golf course to raise awareness of their Streets Ahead campaign on keeping streets free from clutter.

Street clutter, such as shop advertising boards and wheelie bins, is a real blight on the UK streetscape and a major problem for pedestrians. It is dangerous and disorientating for blind and partially sighted people – a recent Guide Dogs survey found 97% of visually impaired respondents reported finding it a problem on a daily or weekly basis, 57% had suffered an injury from street clutter and 9% had to receive medical treatment.

To tackle cars parked on pavements, the most common concern, Guide Dogs is campaigning for a nationwide law prohibiting pavement parking, unless specifically permitted, as currently in place in Greater London. This will help get rid of this barrier to mobility and encourage blind and partially sighted people to get out and about on their own.

Fiona Bruce said “This was a fun way to spread this serious message. Street clutter has the potential to deter blind and partially sighted people from leaving home alone and I am happy to support Guide Dogs’ call for safer pedestrian footpaths. I am particularly pleased to support the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association since we have such an active group supporting this charity in Congleton where it was my privilege to open their first charity shop in the country very recently.”

James White, Guide Dogs' Campaigns Manager, said: "We’re delighted to have Fiona’s support for our campaign. Our streets should be safe and accessible for all pedestrians.”

Clonter Opera Theatre Set for Next Gala Production

Clonter Opera Theatre set for next Gala Production

Following the outstanding success of their most recent production of Die Fledermaus, which has now transferred to the London stage, preparations are in hand at Clonter Opera Theatre, Swettenham Heath, Congleton, for their next Opera Gala, on Saturday 16^th November.

Speaking after seeing Die Fledermaus, Fiona Bruce MP – pictured with Clonter’s Founder Jeffery Lockett and Isabella Lockett, Chief Executive – said “Clonter’s productions bring, right into the heart of our community, performances which are of the highest international standards – as well as being sheer joy, and fun to watch. If you have never been to a performance at Clonter, or if you think opera is not for you, I encourage you to visit Clonter – and you’ll think again!”

Clonter’s unique format includes a long interval allowing guests to bring and enjoy their own evening meal between Acts. To book tickets contact the Box Office on 01260 224514 or via boxoffice@clonteropera.com.

Isabella Lockett says “Clonter’s Opera Gala is a very good event for those who have never been to the opera before – or don’t want to commit to a whole opera but would like to put their toe in the water by hearing from a number of different operas.”

Fiona Bruce MP opens new Age UK Cheshire East Congleton Hub

Fiona Bruce MP opens new Age UK Cheshire East Congleton Hub

Fiona Bruce MP opened the above hub on Friday 11^th October and said

“Age UK Cheshire East’s new Congleton Hub is an exciting addition to the town which it was a pleasure to open. I was particularly impressed with the range of activities and facilities available at the hub – such as fitness and well-being sessions, computer learning, a dementia group, the cafe serving delicious food six days  a week and available for parties, the Shop at the Hub – really more of a department store with everything from furniture to bridal gowns! – and the wonderfully enthusiastic Men in Sheds! There really is something for everyone over 50 at the Congleton Hub and plenty of opportunities for volunteering. I am sure that the great atmosphere and the buzz of the first day will continue and  I encourage everyone in Congleton to take a look at this great new community facility for the town.”

Alsager Arts Association 25th Anniversary Exhibition

Fiona Bruce MP Celebrates with Alsager Arts Association

Alsager Arts Association celebrated their 25^th anniversary with an exhibition at Alsager Civic last weekend.

The photograph with Fiona Bruce shows (l to r) Dot Bosson, Pam Frost, David Bott, Marion Woolley, Yvonne Szicwara, Valerie Brett and Margot Hendry.

The group, which numbers about 40 members, meets every Wednesday afternoon in the Guide Hall at Cedar Avenue Alsager. New members are welcome.

U3A's Jazzworks at Congleton Open Spaces

MP discovers U3A forte

To a musician, the letters mp – mezzo piano – are an indication to play moderately softly. However the abbreviation took on new meaning when Congleton's member of parliament Fiona Bruce dropped in on a concert with U3A's Jazzworks.

The MP was at Fellowship House where Jazzworks was performing as part of the Open Space Festival held during the last weekend in September. Mrs Bruce was treated to numbers such as St Louis Blues and Muskrat Ramble played anything other than mp. Not that this troubled the MP – quite the contrary, for Mrs Bruce said how much she enjoyed the Jazzworks sound.

Jazzworks' member Paul Gubbins said the group was now awaiting a call from the Palace of Westminster to perform forte, indeed double forte, before other mps – or perhaps that should be MPs. "The rose garden at 10 Downing Street would be a wonderful venue," he said. "It would certainly put Jazzworks and Congleton U3A on the map."

Mrs Bruce's constituency assistant, Harriet Crompton, was on hand to photograph the Jazzworks line-up with the MP.

As well as playing in the Open Space Festival, Jazzworks has performed at the Congleton Jazz and Blues Festival held on the August bank holiday weekend. This year the group was at the Lion and Swan; in previous years at Illucinis. Jazzworks has also played at U3A events and at private functions.

PPG

Congleton Players Amateur Theatre Club raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support

MP helps raise funds for Macmillan with Dibley’s favourites

Fiona Bruce MP and members of the cast of Congleton Players Amateur Theatre Club’s forthcoming production of The Vicar of Dibley joined forces to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support this week in the run up to the annual World’s Biggest Coffee Morning event as the attached picture shows.