What happened in Christleton in 2012
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Diamond Jubilee Celebrations
Diamond Jubilee Celebrations
Tuesday 29th May. Chester Racecourse 6.00 - 10pm
Arrival of the Olympic Torch Relay & City Jubilee Celebrations. Firework Display
Wednesday 30th May
9.30–11.30am.Christleton Village Heritage Trail. Meet at The Village
Green at 9.20am. (Gentlepace).
Organiser for all walks; DavidCummings 332410
12.00 noon. Wednesday Group Jubilee Lunch. Parish Hall.
6.30 - 8.30pm Christleton Village Heritage Trail. Meet at Village Greenat 6.20pm (Gentlepace)
Thursday 31st May
9.30 -12.00 noon Littleton Township Heritage Trail. Meet at Christleton Village Green at 9.20am
(Moderate pace)
6.30 - 9.00pm Littleton Township Heritage Trail. Meet at Christleton Village Green at 6.20pm
(Moderate pace)
Saturday 2nd June
9.30am - 2.30pm Five Townships Heritage Walk. (Lunch at Walk Mill)
(6miles+ Hard Pace) Meet at Village Green at 9.20am
Sunday 3rd June
10.00am+ Bellringers Special Peal.
10.45am. A Service to Celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee at St James’
11.45am –1.30pm. Picnic on The Church Green. Fancy Dress Competition.
2.00-4.00pm Rowton Parish Council. Diamond Jubilee Tea
at Rowton Methodist Chapel. (details & information 335598)
Monday 4th June
Christleton Street Party on Village Road between the Ring o Bells and Institute” 2,00pm –6.30pm (Village Road closed between 10.00am-8.00pm)
The Institute and Ring O Bells will be open. Tables Provided. Party Games, Fancy Dress, bingo, music etc.
The event to be opened by Christleton’s Jubilee Queen for the day. Mrs Lucy Partington
Lighting the Jubilee Beacon Event at Cheshire View, Plough Lane
6.30pm - 10.45pm
Attractions include the Peninsular Jazz Band and Kelsborrow Choir.
Stalls include; White Elephant Stall, Book Stall, Olympic Tyre Football Shot, Rolling Bowling Games. Name the Teddy Stall, Skittle Alley, Wishing well and Hamper Raffle.
The event will climax with the lighting of one of the chain of Jubilee Beacons and it is hoped that others in the area will be visible.
Full details will be posted around the Villages in the next few weeks, and everyone is welcome.
Tuesday 5th June
9.30am - 3.00pm The Packhorse & Canal Trail. (8miles Hard Pace).(Lunch
at Walk Mill)
Meet at Christleton Village Green at 9.20am
Wednesday 6th June
9.30 -12.00noon. A Wildlife Trail (Gentle Pace) Meet at Christleton Village
Green at 9.20am
6.30 - 9.00pm Church, Chapel & Education Trail. (Gentle Pace) Meet at Christleton Village Green 6.20pm
Thursday 7th June
9.30 - 12.30 Christleton - Rowton Heritage Trail. Meet at Christleton Village Green at 9.20am
(Moderate pace)
Please ring David Cummings on 332410 to book your place on each walk. Each will be restricted to 16 people for comfort of walking and ease of communication, so please book early. There is no charge for the walks but walkers are encouraged to donate a small sum for the Hospice of the Good Shepherd. It is intended to publish these Jubilee Heritage Walks in a booklet for general use later in the year. They will be on sale in the Village Stores or from David Cummings when ready.
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Village Fete
Christleton Fete - 2012
The race is on to provide a bumper Olympic-themed Fete for 2012. Starting at 1.00 pm from the Village Green on Saturday 30th June, a host of villagers of all ages, all kitted out as Olympians, will parade from The Village Green to the Primary School Playing field; led by the Primary School’s own Samba Band.
Entering by the new Curriculum Path into Christleton’s very own Olympic Field where LUPUS, Chester Football Club’s mascot, will officially open The Christleton Olympic Games Fete 2012 and crown the new Rose Queen. Christleton will be informally twinned for the day with the six London Boroughs that will host the 2012 Games.
Team GB (The Fete Committee) invite everybody to join the parade wearing suitable Olympic costumes, and if you can’t do that, turn up at the entrance dressed as a famous athlete, in the 5 coloured rings, or even as Pierre De Coubertin, founder of the modern Games. And the entrance will have a special meaning this year.
Representing Africa will be ‘Stand By Me’ – 30 young people from Waverton and Christleton and 6 adults. This enthusiastic group, dressed in their Stand By Me T- Shirts, will be collecting any spare shoes you bring to go to a very deserving cause in Bekoiji, Ethiopia. Then they’ll be spending 4 weeks during August in Bokoiji, Ethiopia helping to improve the local school. Where once there was no toilet, books, pencils, paper or smiles there is now hope, help and happiness. However in Ethiopia shoes are a rare and precious commodity. Please bring any spare shoes, of good quality, to donate; they’ll be going to a very worthy cause - maybe even to a future Olympian! Check out www.justgiving.com/WEFyouthforEthiopia A record number of stalls and sideshows have been booked for this year, as well as all the usual favourites. Check out the Scouts burger bar, Spitting Feathers beer tent, Ring O Bells Pimms Tent, face painting, ice cream, donkeys, the biggest raffle we’ve ever had, and dozens more beside. The Central Arena, renamed Athens for the day, will be bursting with events:- An Acrobat Troupe, Irish Dancers, Soccer Skills, to name but a few. In fact the list seems endless - and there may even be a Maypole Dancing Team from a nearby village. We’re even hoping to have a Tug Of War Event, as Team Great Britain won the last gold medals,
way back in 1920.
The music throughout will be supplied by Smithfield Electronics and the climax of the event, the Closing Ceremony you might say, will be those red-hot musicians who stole the show last year - The Muzaks.
Even our Sponsorship will be Olympic themed this year. There’ll be Gold, Silver and Bronze Sponsors. If you would like to be a Sponsor please email jane@marketingprojects.co.uk. Fete Sponsorship is a vital annual event. Without our loyal and local Sponsors the Fete simply could not take place. They’ll all be mentioned in the programme, please support them when you can.
So our Marathon is nearly run, the Hurdles are being overcome, we’ll be soon Diving into our costumes, and the Finishing Line beckons. Please help us to fulfil our aim of helping local groups and charities, and this year one a long way away. All these good causes need our help, we’ll be for the High Jump if they don’t get their cheques in Autumn.
Entering by the new Curriculum Path into Christleton’s very own Olympic Field where LUPUS, Chester Football Club’s mascot, will officially open The Christleton Olympic Games Fete 2012 and crown the new Rose Queen. Christleton will be informally twinned for the day with the six London Boroughs that will host the 2012 Games.
Team GB (The Fete Committee) invite everybody to join the parade wearing suitable Olympic costumes, and if you can’t do that, turn up at the entrance dressed as a famous athlete, in the 5 coloured rings, or even as Pierre De Coubertin, founder of the modern Games. And the entrance will have a special meaning this year.
Representing Africa will be ‘Stand By Me’ – 30 young people from Waverton and Christleton and 6 adults. This enthusiastic group, dressed in their Stand By Me T- Shirts, will be collecting any spare shoes you bring to go to a very deserving cause in Bekoiji, Ethiopia. Then they’ll be spending 4 weeks during August in Bokoiji, Ethiopia helping to improve the local school. Where once there was no toilet, books, pencils, paper or smiles there is now hope, help and happiness. However in Ethiopia shoes are a rare and precious commodity. Please bring any spare shoes, of good quality, to donate; they’ll be going to a very worthy cause - maybe even to a future Olympian! Check out www.justgiving.com/WEFyouthforEthiopia A record number of stalls and sideshows have been booked for this year, as well as all the usual favourites. Check out the Scouts burger bar, Spitting Feathers beer tent, Ring O Bells Pimms Tent, face painting, ice cream, donkeys, the biggest raffle we’ve ever had, and dozens more beside. The Central Arena, renamed Athens for the day, will be bursting with events:- An Acrobat Troupe, Irish Dancers, Soccer Skills, to name but a few. In fact the list seems endless - and there may even be a Maypole Dancing Team from a nearby village. We’re even hoping to have a Tug Of War Event, as Team Great Britain won the last gold medals,
way back in 1920.
The music throughout will be supplied by Smithfield Electronics and the climax of the event, the Closing Ceremony you might say, will be those red-hot musicians who stole the show last year - The Muzaks.
Even our Sponsorship will be Olympic themed this year. There’ll be Gold, Silver and Bronze Sponsors. If you would like to be a Sponsor please email jane@marketingprojects.co.uk. Fete Sponsorship is a vital annual event. Without our loyal and local Sponsors the Fete simply could not take place. They’ll all be mentioned in the programme, please support them when you can.
So our Marathon is nearly run, the Hurdles are being overcome, we’ll be soon Diving into our costumes, and the Finishing Line beckons. Please help us to fulfil our aim of helping local groups and charities, and this year one a long way away. All these good causes need our help, we’ll be for the High Jump if they don’t get their cheques in Autumn.
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Village Show
VILLAGE SHOW 2012
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Leslie George 1919 - 2012
A Tribute to Leslie George O.B.E
It is with great sadness that we report the death of Leslie George OBE, Headeacher of Christleton School between 1958-1980. Les was born in 1919 at Shotton in Flintshire. His father Jack was a steward at Shotton steelworks, and someone who had influence. He became Chairman of the Shotton Glee Club, but died when Les was 4yrs old. Les himself was a good bass and later became Chairman of the Glee Club, which won at the National Eisteddfod in N Wales.
Les loved boating with friends on the river Dee, in the cuts near to Shotton & Connahs Quay and they often went bird watching on the marshes. He passed the 11+ and went to the Grammar School at Hawarden. He always had a love of the arts and acted in many school plays. He captained the School Rugby team and was an accomplished and determined player who in 1936 went on to play for Wales at Under 18 level, against both England and Ireland. He studied Education at Bangor Normal College and specialised in English & Science.
In 1939 he joined the 1st Bn. Royal Welch Fusiliers and rose to become Regimental Sergeant Major. He formed his own acting company in the regiment, which was based on Salisbury Plain, and took an active part in WWII as a Tank Carrier Commander and became an expert in Chemical Warfare. He also took charge of flame throwing in the regiment. He saw active service in North Africa, Italy and helped to liberate Holland. He also spent some time as a chemical warfare expert in South Africa. During the war Les was mentioned in dispatches, and also told the story of how in 1943 he had seen Vesuvius erupt whilst stationed at Naples.
He began teaching at The Grange Ellesmere Port with Bill Roberts a Wales Football International and known as Mr Ellesmere Port, a revered Head and a great influence on Les. He took Les under his wing and often drove him home and gave him tea. Les recalled that it was a wonderful footballing school, and whilst there he had the pleasure of teaching Lord John Prescott, who he regarded as a personal friend. He left The Grange to become Headteacher at Kingsley School near Frodsham.
In 1958 he applied and became Headteacher of a new Secondary School in Christleton, and built up what was to become one of the finest Secondary Schools in the country. Creating good teamwork was always one of his strongest attributes, and he also had the innate ability of knowing every pupil who came through the doors. He was highly regarded and respected by pupils, parents, staff, governors and all who knew him regarded him as being a huge influence on their lives.
He built up a very successful school, fully committed to serve the community, and opened the doors of the school to that community by inviting The Christleton Players to meet and perform there. He worked closely with County Drama Advisor Peter Dornford May, and soon became a leading player himself, acting in The Chester Mystery Plays alongside a young teacher called Helen Brenand, later to become his wife in 1961. They played Pilate & Mary on one occasion, and Les also played God. Helen & Les played in many of the Shakespearian productions at Eaton Hall and became friends with the late Duchess of Westminster and Princess Margaret.
Les, channelling his enthusiasm, passion and commitment built up a superb team at Christleton. The school was strong in all areas, and their theatrical productions second to none. My Fair Lady & Oliver were probably the most memorable, but they had a long string of successes over the years. Les also became extremely good friends with Rector of Christleton the late Rev. Canon Laurie Skipper & his wife Margaret who at that time lived in the Rectory, which was adjacent to the school in Plough Lane. Les also wrote several plays for the Village Players particularly the Christmas pantomimes, which were always performed to full houses in the school hall.
He continued as Headteacher when the school became Comprehensive in 1974, and retired in 1980 when he was awarded an OBE for his services to Education. His wife Helen died in 1995, they had a daughter Juliet. In preparation for retirement Les helped to design and build a bungalow for his family near Malpas, and created a beautifully landscaped garden from scratch. He became quite an expert in this field and travelled around the countryside giving talks about his garden project. He became Chairman of The Cheshire County Playing Fields Association and was a judge in The Best Kept Village Competition.
Les enjoyed a happy retirement and was very alert and active until recent times. He died peacefully aged 93years on October 13th 2012. He was without doubt one of the finest of human beings, a charismatic and much respected man in all he did. He will be missed by so many people.
David Cummings and Phil Hodges
Les loved boating with friends on the river Dee, in the cuts near to Shotton & Connahs Quay and they often went bird watching on the marshes. He passed the 11+ and went to the Grammar School at Hawarden. He always had a love of the arts and acted in many school plays. He captained the School Rugby team and was an accomplished and determined player who in 1936 went on to play for Wales at Under 18 level, against both England and Ireland. He studied Education at Bangor Normal College and specialised in English & Science.
In 1939 he joined the 1st Bn. Royal Welch Fusiliers and rose to become Regimental Sergeant Major. He formed his own acting company in the regiment, which was based on Salisbury Plain, and took an active part in WWII as a Tank Carrier Commander and became an expert in Chemical Warfare. He also took charge of flame throwing in the regiment. He saw active service in North Africa, Italy and helped to liberate Holland. He also spent some time as a chemical warfare expert in South Africa. During the war Les was mentioned in dispatches, and also told the story of how in 1943 he had seen Vesuvius erupt whilst stationed at Naples.
He began teaching at The Grange Ellesmere Port with Bill Roberts a Wales Football International and known as Mr Ellesmere Port, a revered Head and a great influence on Les. He took Les under his wing and often drove him home and gave him tea. Les recalled that it was a wonderful footballing school, and whilst there he had the pleasure of teaching Lord John Prescott, who he regarded as a personal friend. He left The Grange to become Headteacher at Kingsley School near Frodsham.
In 1958 he applied and became Headteacher of a new Secondary School in Christleton, and built up what was to become one of the finest Secondary Schools in the country. Creating good teamwork was always one of his strongest attributes, and he also had the innate ability of knowing every pupil who came through the doors. He was highly regarded and respected by pupils, parents, staff, governors and all who knew him regarded him as being a huge influence on their lives.
He built up a very successful school, fully committed to serve the community, and opened the doors of the school to that community by inviting The Christleton Players to meet and perform there. He worked closely with County Drama Advisor Peter Dornford May, and soon became a leading player himself, acting in The Chester Mystery Plays alongside a young teacher called Helen Brenand, later to become his wife in 1961. They played Pilate & Mary on one occasion, and Les also played God. Helen & Les played in many of the Shakespearian productions at Eaton Hall and became friends with the late Duchess of Westminster and Princess Margaret.
Les, channelling his enthusiasm, passion and commitment built up a superb team at Christleton. The school was strong in all areas, and their theatrical productions second to none. My Fair Lady & Oliver were probably the most memorable, but they had a long string of successes over the years. Les also became extremely good friends with Rector of Christleton the late Rev. Canon Laurie Skipper & his wife Margaret who at that time lived in the Rectory, which was adjacent to the school in Plough Lane. Les also wrote several plays for the Village Players particularly the Christmas pantomimes, which were always performed to full houses in the school hall.
He continued as Headteacher when the school became Comprehensive in 1974, and retired in 1980 when he was awarded an OBE for his services to Education. His wife Helen died in 1995, they had a daughter Juliet. In preparation for retirement Les helped to design and build a bungalow for his family near Malpas, and created a beautifully landscaped garden from scratch. He became quite an expert in this field and travelled around the countryside giving talks about his garden project. He became Chairman of The Cheshire County Playing Fields Association and was a judge in The Best Kept Village Competition.
Les enjoyed a happy retirement and was very alert and active until recent times. He died peacefully aged 93years on October 13th 2012. He was without doubt one of the finest of human beings, a charismatic and much respected man in all he did. He will be missed by so many people.
David Cummings and Phil Hodges
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Remembrance Sunday
Remembrance Sunday 11th November, 2012
St. James' Church, Christleton
Photographs: Copyright David Cummings
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Victorian Street Party
Something new happened in Christleton on Saturday 8th December, 2012. Village Road closed at 3.00pm and as darkness fell the Christmas Victorian Street Market started. Lots of people cam and many dressed especially for the occasion.
The 2012 Christleton Swans and Cygnets
Photographs: Copyright of David Cummings
THE SWAN RESCUE A-TEAM SWOOP INTO ACTION
David Cummings received several phone calls at about 7.10am on the 18th May, 2012 to say the swans and cygnets were down on the A41 at the Trooper Bridge, and causing traffic chaos. David and his wife Beryl went to investigate but initially they were nowhere to be seen. The traffic was flowing easily so the swans had to have moved off the road. They asked a number of people and the guy selling refreshments at the Motorbike Garage under the A55 Bridge hadn't seen them, but gardeners planting a flower bed at the Mercure said "they were holding up the traffic ten minutes ago, just by that bridge", pointing back towards the village.
After some searching David and Beryl finally located the swans down a small lane, at the back of the Mercure Hotel. They managed to catch them fairly easily and after putting the adults in bags and strapping them into the rear seat belts of the car, putting the cygnets in an upright garden bag, and Beryl held them whilst they drove into the village. They released them with much relief to themselves onto the canal by Dean's Marina, so hopefully the swans and cygnets will now be safe. They are only seven days old yet the adults think they have to make this instinctive move each year to a place where there is more food and security. Its great news and David and Beryl, our A-Team, are so glad they have safely made it again with their assistance.
David and Beryl are now recovering from this early morning rescue. Well done to both of them.
After some searching David and Beryl finally located the swans down a small lane, at the back of the Mercure Hotel. They managed to catch them fairly easily and after putting the adults in bags and strapping them into the rear seat belts of the car, putting the cygnets in an upright garden bag, and Beryl held them whilst they drove into the village. They released them with much relief to themselves onto the canal by Dean's Marina, so hopefully the swans and cygnets will now be safe. They are only seven days old yet the adults think they have to make this instinctive move each year to a place where there is more food and security. Its great news and David and Beryl, our A-Team, are so glad they have safely made it again with their assistance.
David and Beryl are now recovering from this early morning rescue. Well done to both of them.
Shop on Amazon
The next time you're planning to order from Amazon, please use the button below. Each purchase you make using this affiliate link earns a few pence of commission for the Christleton Website project:
Buy anything you want - like books, office supplies, household items or entertainment. It works with all international Amazon stores. Don't worry, the price you pay on Amazon doesn't change and we never see what you buy!