The first item this month is the welcome donation of a life saving defibrillator, outside the Institute, in memory of Annette and John Platt. This has been kindly donated by Dan and Samantha their children, together with their family and friends. Annette and John met at the old Primary School in Christleton, and went on together to study at Christleton High School, before marrying. Their lives were both tragically cut short by illness, and this is a wonderful way of celebrating their lives, giving a piece of life saving equipment to the Village. Congratulations to Daniel, Samantha and all your family and friends. The photographs were kindly taken by Michelle Rush. The present Institute building was rebuilt by the Porritt Family after Edward Ratcliff Porritt aged 22yrs died on the Somme in 1916. I have illustrated this story with images of Edward and his brother and sister at war and in the village.

The monthly Luncheon Club held in the Parish Hall goes from strength to strength, and February sees the celebration of Robbie Burns with a Scottish themed dinner. A Piper from the Wirral Pipe Band leads the procession of freshly caught haggis, and alternative meal around the hall, before the ceremony of addressing the haggis and its eating.

February wouldn’t be the same without the annual display of crocus on the Village Green, and after another wet winter they have excelled themselves, although it has to be noted that the local jackdaw population eat all the yellow crocus which were first to appear.

Several Christleton Men were commemorated on a “Poppy Fields” themed Light Show by Luxmuralis, at the Cathedral during the month. It was an excellent production and well worth the entry fee to see the Cathedral building lit up with extraordinary light displays with the theme of “Remembrance”. The names of many Christleton men already appear in the cathedral on Regimental lists of war dead, memorial stained glass windows, and at least two Regimental Chapel chairs.

Lots of people have commented on the displays of Icelandic pink footed geese flying over the village in both day and night. Their gaggling calls, as they change leader of flight direction in their V shaped formations is always exciting to hear, but make the most of these sounds and displays because they will be back off to their breeding grounds in Iceland within the next few weeks. Another sighting of a red kite over Rowton Hall is welcome. It’s probably a passage bird, but as they are spreading all over Wales and other parts of the UK could it be looking for a breeding site. There was an attempt to nest on a tree at Bickerton Hill in the 1970’s, but the pair were disturbed as it was a military training ground at that time.

Now that the Wyldewood’s housing complex has opened near Sainsbury’s Roundabout, you might be interested to see a picture I took from the same spot in early 1980’s when you can see Huntington on the horizon, with no houses, no Church or Sainsbury’s in Caldy Valley.

Finally, I want to publicise a talk I’m giving in the Parish Hall on Saturday 29th March to raise funds for Christian Aid. The talk “Following the XX VV Roman Legion” starts at 7.00p with food and drinks. Ring 332410 to book a place. No charge but donations to Christian Aid welcome. Also on Wednesday 26th March at 7.30pm, also in the Parish Hall, there will be a talk by Cellan Hartson about the Life of a Legionary Solider. He will be dressed in costume for the occasion.