CEC TO CEASE FUNDING RVS LUNCH CLUB

For many years, the WRVS (now RVS) Luncheon Club has provided healthy, wholesome meals for some of the most vulnerable, socially isolated and elderly members of our community. Operating from the hall at the back of the Methodist Church, the group provide a hot meal every Tuesday and Thursday lunchtime for about 25-30 elderly people. Until now, Cheshire East Council have helped fund the group, but have recently announced that all funding will cease from 1st April 2018. 

Anne Bale, President of the Luncheon Club commented “we enable elderly people, most of whom live alone, to socialise over a nutritious meal in a safe and supportive environment.  For £4 the members get a two course set meal with waitress service often with ’seconds’ just like at home.  The volunteers also pass on important information such as tips to prevent our members being scammed or invitations to special events for older people”.

As a result CEC’s decision, the club looks set to lose around £4,000 next year. Recognising the valuable community service provided by the Luncheon Club, the Parish Council will seek to step in and offer some support, whilst the Methodist Church has promised to run a couple of fundraising concerts and the Allotment Society has offered to help by growing fruit & vegetables; however, there is still likely to be a shortfall in the region of £2,000.

I am therefore appealing to any local organisation, business or individual who may be able to step in and help out with sponsorship.

DECEMBER COMMUNITY SURGERY AT THE LIBRARY

I would like to confirm that for this month only, I will be bringing my regular Community Surgery forward by one day, to Friday 22nd December. On this occasion, I will be holding my surgery at Alderley Edge Library, where staff are inviting all members of the community for hot drinks and mince pies between 10am - 12noon on Friday. Given the recent proposals by CEC to close Alderley Edge Library, this seems a perfect opportunity to show our support for and solidarity with the library staff.

PARISH COUNCIL NOTICEBOARD

On Saturday morning, ably assisted by Geoff Hall, Myles Garbett and Fenton Simpson, I helped remove the old "carousel" noticeboard outside Waitrose. It has now been taken to its new home at Chorley Hall Lane Allotments, where it will be given a facelift and "up-cycled" to be used as a new noticeboard for the Allotment Society. Our new community noticeboard has now been ordered and should be in place by the end of January. It will be a three-panel, flat noticeboard and will be placed up against the low wall on The Parade, now that the litter bin and column have also been removed.