Fiona Bruce MP delighted at Middlewich Incinerator decision

On hearing today that the application for the Covanta Incinerator at Middlewich has been rejected Fiona Bruce MP said

“This is absolutely the right decision and a vindication of all the hard work which so many local people have put in to argue and fight against this proposal.  The Middlewich community has done itself proud in standing together, fighting and winning, against an American multi-national. I am delighted – especially as this is the first really big battle it has been my privilege to fight for constituents as their MP– both locally and within Parliament. I also wish to pay tribute to CHAIN who worked tirelessly in this campaign and their efforts will have done much to achieve this result.”

Alsager Ladies Lifeboat Guild Secretary honoured in Queen's Birthday Honours List

Alsager Ladies Lifeboat Guild holds 2^nd successful Summer Event with particular reason to celebrate!

Fiona Bruce MP opened the 2^nd Annual Alsager Ladies Lifeboat Guild Summer Event and had an extra special announcement to make.

Mrs Edna Weatherby, founding member and Honorary Secretary for nearly 60 years (so far!) was awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to maritime safety.

The Alsager Ladies Lifeboat Guild has been fundraising for the RNLI since 1953 and will enjoy their Diamond Jubilee next year, just one year after Her Majesty the Queen. The summer event is a new venture for them; this being only the second year they have held the event and this year the weather was kind! The evening was a success with nearly 200 people attending to listen to a Jazz band, indulge in a hog roast and strawberries and even play some traditional garden party games like having a go at the coconut shy! The event has raised nearly £4000 for the RNLI with money still coming in.

On opening the event, Fiona Bruce MP said “I pay tribute to Edna Weatherby for her remarkable commitment to the Lifeboats – a charity which depends entirely on voluntary donations. As this is her 60th year as Honorary Secretary of the local Lifeboat Guild the British Empire Medal which she has been awarded is richly deserved. “



Mrs Weatherby (third from left) with daughter, granddaughters, Fiona Bruce MP and Guild Chairman Mrs Higginson



Guide Dogs in Parliament

Fiona Bruce MP supports Guide Dogs in Parliament

Fiona Bruce MP met with representatives from the Guide Dogs charity in Parliament recently to support their call to help stop attacks on Guide Dogs.

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association is a British charitable organisation founded in 1934. Guide Dogs provides independence and freedom to thousands of blind and partially sighted people across the UK through the provision of guide dogs, mobility and other rehabilitation services. It also campaigns passionately for the rights of those with visual impairments. Guide Dogs is working towards a society in which blind and partially sighted people enjoy the same freedom of movement as everyone else.

Fiona said “Guide Dogs are so important for those who are visually impaired in our society and this Association does amazing work helping those people. I am pleased to be able to support the association and commend their excellent efforts.”

Billy Liar - Cheshire East Youth Theatre

Fiona Bruce MP commends Cheshire East Youth Theatre on performance of Billy Liar

Fiona Bruce MP watched a Cheshire East Youth Theatre Performance of Billy Liar on Sunday and commended the skills and talents of all involved.

Cheshire East Youth Theatre is comprised of a number of local Youth Theatres including Sandbach Youth Theatre, a group from the Bromley Farm Estate in Congleton and Alsager Community Theatre’s Youth Theatre Group and is for ages 5 to 25. Every group is led by a professional drama worker.  It is not only those young people on stage but also the backstage crew that are taken from the youth theatre groups.

Hayley Lindley, co-ordinator of Cheshire East Youth Theatre said

 “'This was the first performance for our 17-25's group at Cheshire East Youth Theatre. The 17-25's group opened in January and they have all worked really hard. I am very proud of all the young people involved; the cast and those working backstage to run the show. We are really looking forward to the next production and will be choosing the play with the group in September”

Fiona Bruce said

“The Cheshire East Youth Theatre performance of Billy Liar was astonishingly professional and would have held its own on a West End stage. I pay tribute to all the actors who made their characters so believable and ensured that the attention of the audience, which was of all ages, was held right to the very end. Credit must also go to all the backstage support members of the crew who, although unseen, ensured the performance ran as smoothly as it could possibly have done. It was a truly enjoyable evening and several of the cast members could look forward to professional acting careers should they wish to take this up. It is excellent that we have, within this part of Cheshire, a theatre group for young people of such a high standard.”

1.    Cheshire East Youth Theatre is for anyone aged between 5 and 25 who is interested in seeing, making and performing pieces of theatre. It is also a great way to make new friends, have lots of fun and build in social skills including confidence.

The Youth Theatre helps young people build a range of theatre skills including improvisation, devising, voice and speech, characterisation and movement as well as how to work effectively within a group, developing communication skills and building self confidence. To top it all off the groups get to tread the boards of Crewe Lyceum stage along with also performing at other local venues and at regional festivals. It is full of exciting opportunities for young people including trips to festivals and professional productions, summer workshops, and the option to learn more about the theatre industry. CEYT is extremely popular with a reputation for imaginative performance work. No previous experience is necessary and there are no auditions to join.

CEYT is ran by Youth Theatre Coordinator and each group has a leader and support team. All CEYT leaders are trained freelance professional Drama Artists. Each group has at least one volunteer support worker.

Lyceum Youth Theatre meet in the Rehearsal Room crewe lyceum Sandbach Youth Theatre meet at Sandbach Community Centre, Union Street.

ACT Youth Theatre meets at the Alsager Community Church, Lawton Road, Alsager on Wednesdays between 5 and 6.30pm.

CEYT Performance Group is for 17-25 year olds. Thursdays 6.30pm-8.30pm. The group work with a professional director to produce a performance. The group is the next step up in youth theatre and allows young people to gain skills to prepare them for working in the theatre industry. It is an exciting opportunity for young people to work with an experienced, professional director.

Spaces available to join in September for the new term. The 17-25s will begin work on a new play. Contact ceyt@cheshireeast.gov.uk or call 07709180296

Fiona Bruce MP visits Middlewich School D&T

Fiona Bruce MP commends Middlewich High School Design and Technology work.

Middlewich MP, Fiona Bruce, visited Middlewich High School recently to view an end of year exhibition of Design and Technology work by Middlewich High School students. Fiona Bruce MP commended the high quality of the students’ work which each student developed at every stage from idea conception to final production.

Fiona said “I was impressed with the students’ work, with their innovative designs and quality of the production which used sophisticated equipment as well as the fact that many of the items produced have real marketing potential.”

Fiona continued “It is skills in exactly this kind of innovation, of inventing right through to producing, in other words, manufacturing – which our country needs if we are to get back on track economically. It is therefore vital that we encourage young people to develop just these skills for the future and I commend the standards which Middlewich High School is encouraging students to aspire to in this respect.”

Middlewich High School D&T teacher, Darren Boulton told Fiona “In the past woodwork and metalwork prepared people for factory work but today’s Design and Technology is about innovative Product Design for the 21^st Century.”

Amongst the products Fiona saw were an executive desk toy, produced by Ryan Holland and a Japanese mood light, developed by Holly Lawton.

Holly said “I enjoy D&T and have seen how well computer controlled machines can produce a high quality finish to products.”

Ryan told Fiona, “I enjoy being able to make high quality products as if I were an actual manufacturer – it’s given me an insight into real life work.”

Darren Boulton also told Fiona that the school is keen to develop a close relationship with local companies to inspire students to see the potential of studying D&T in terms of the opportunities it offers to be involved in the design, manufacture and even export of future products.”

Fiona is therefore calling upon local companies involved in product design or manufacture to respond to Middlewich High School’s request and to get in touch with Darren Boulton at the school.

She added “Such a relationship can be win-win for everyone. The students, the school and the business, which has an opportunity not only to encourage students but also to spot potential star designers for the future.”

Fiona Bruce MP gives key note address at hospice event…

Fiona Bruce MP gives key note address at hospice event…

Fiona Bruce gave the opening address at the prestigious launch of the St Luke’s initiative, the Cheshire Living Well, Dying Well Partnership. Supported by Macmillan Cancer Support, this is a coalition of over 40 organisations from across Cheshire that are committed to making a difference.

“I would like to congratulate Macmillan and St. Luke’s Hospice for their foresight. I look forward to seeing how the work of the team and the partnership progresses, as only by working together will a real difference be made” said Fiona.

Rachel Zammit, Lead for the Macmillan EOL Public Health Team at St Luke’s, also explained to attendees that the vision is to break down taboos and encourage a change in our attitude and behaviours, to help living well and dying well become the norm. “The launch is just the beginning of our story” she said, “As a team we are looking forward to continue work with partners on this journey”

The event also included readings from members of Winsford Creative Writing Group, the premier of the animation, Cheshire ‘Bill United’ and a personal account from  Living Well, Dying Well Volunteer, Kate Thompson. 

      

Middlewich FAB Festival

Middlewich FAB Festival

At the Middlewich FAB festival, Middlewich MP and Inland Waterways Association Parliamentarian of the Year 2012, Fiona Bruce, presented a new award instituted in memory of Maureen Shaw who lived for many years at the Wardle Lock Cottage, Middlewich and who died recently.

The award, which will now be presented annually, is for the best dressed boat at the Festival. This year’s winner was a 100ft boat, Cactus, built in 1935 and owned by Henry Johnson.

Fiona said “It was a pleasure to talk to Henry and to discover that he was a particularly worthy recipient of this award since he was born and brought up on a narrowboat, worked for much of his life on the boats and Cactus is still a working boat today.”

Jonathan Williams, Town Clerk said “It is a nice touch to introduce this award in memory of Maureen and as a celebration of Middlewich and its canals. It was particularly appropriate that the award was presented by Fiona Bruce who is continually supportive of all Middlewich initiatives and herself the IWA Parliamentarian of the Year.  We very much value her association with our town and hope it continues into the future.”