The July Makers Market takes place this weekend – Sunday 2nd July – from 11am to 4pm along Princess Street. The market is run by The Makers Market and this month the market manager is Matilda who can be reached on 07803397027.
You can view the stall layout here: July Makers Market Stall Layout
A taste of Thailand can now be found in Knutsford, with Knutsford Market Hall welcoming its newest stallholder, Kanom Thai. The new trader, Kritsana Hatsadee offers an authentic selection of Thai cakes, pastries and desserts all handmade by Kritsana herself. This includes her signature moon cakes, a traditional Thai pastry.
Kritsana said “I am excited to be at Knutsford Market Hall and offer a snapshot of authentic Thai sweet treats. As a native of of Udon Thani, Thailand, I grew up learning from multiple generations of outstanding cooks and am proud to share my cuisine with the people of Knutsford”
Sandra Curties, Town Centre Manager said, “We are delighted to have Kritsana join our Market Hall family. With the addition of the dessert range from Kanom Thai, we have a dynamic and unique food offering in the market that is a must to experience”
Knutsford Market Hall is open on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 8am to 4pm. Traders are as follows – Kanom Thai, Style Loft Boutique, Med Olives, Grandad’s Attic, The Market Butcher, M&J Cards, Jonty’s Fruit & Veg, The Market Café, The Market Hall Barber, Sabrina’s Baby Boutique, Radchester Garden Ornaments, Slipped Discs and Nyx Cat Crystals.
A new family friendly event, Family Fest, is coming to Knutsford this summer taking place across the town’s shops, restaurants, and community spaces. The Town Council has collaborated with local businesses to organise a day jam packed with activities.
On the 5th August, attendees keen on sports can enjoy family workouts with Chris Nicklin of Nxstep Gym and join in a sledge track push Challenge at Nxstep Gym. There will also be a party time session full of party games and dancing hosted by Cheshire based party planner, Bunny Business at Charlton Lodge.
For the creatives, Knutsford Olde Sweet shop will be holding a fancy-dress competition, judged by Woody from Toy Story and Knutsford Town Mayor Cllr Peter Coan, alongside free face painting. Mini and Moi will have craft workshops and hair braiding. There will also be a colouring competition judged by Buzz Lightyear at Hal Whittakers – colouring sheets can be collected during the week leading up to the event from Hal Whittakers or Sabrina’s Baby and Toddler Boutique.
For families who would like to slow down the pace there are story time sessions at Knutsford Library and Waterstones. Wine and Wallop will be screening the classic family film, Toy Story at their pop-up cinema.
Knutsford Fire Station will appear with their fire engine on Princess Street outside The Lost & Found (pending any emergencies). Families can view the fire engine and meet the fire fighters. At Lost & Found attendees can enjoy live music, street food plus there will be a family photographer available to take a family portrait.
Julia Chard owner of Knutsford Olde Sweetshop said “We are so excited about this summer event. Family Fest is full of fun activities for kids of all ages and interests. It’s great to be taking part in another fabulous Knutsford community event.”
Sandra Curties, Town Centre Manager said “There is so much in the programme for Family Fest and as most activities are free it is a brilliant purse friendly day out during the school holidays. For some activities spaces are limited so keep an eye on social media and look out for flyers with instructions for prior booking”
Businesses taking part include;
The event is kindly sponsored by Bunny Business.
Views are being sought on potential changes to two of Knutsford’s Conservation Areas under work being led by the Town Council.
Following the adoption of the Knutsford Neighbourhood Plan in 2019, Knutsford Town Council set out to meet its commitment to work with Cheshire East Council to review all the Town’s Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plans. The aim is to ensure that all are up to date, reflective of the existing built environment, and relevant in the continued protection and enhancement of these heritage areas.
A consultant at Donald Insall Associates was appointed to undertake the conservation area reviews and engagement meetings and is now working on the Town Centre and Cross Town Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans.
In order to understand the views of people living locally the consultant will be holding drop-in sessions on Wednesday 5th July at 60 King Street (Kings Coffee House).
The sessions run from 12pm-1:30pm, 3pm-4:30pm and 5:30pm-6:30pm and provide a chance for residents, business owners and tenants, property owners and landlords, and anybody else interested in the special nature of these areas of Knutsford, a chance to ask our consultant questions, see some of the consultant’s findings and research, and provide views on how best to protect and manage the areas.
“These reviews will conclude our work reviewing the five existing conservation areas in the town and are part of our work to conserve the heritage of Knutsford” said Bob Allen, Planning and Facilities Officer Knutsford Town Council. “We encourage those interested in these two areas, particularly those who live or own property there, to attend these sessions, to find out more and share their views.
If you have any further questions about this consultation session, please contact the Planning and Facilities Officer, Bob Allen on 01565 653929
NOTICE OF PUBLIC RIGHTS AND PUBLICATION OF
UNAUDITED ANNUAL GOVERNANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY RETURN
ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 Sections 26 and 27
The Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/234)
Date of announcement Monday 26 June 2023
Each year the smaller authority’s Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) needs to be reviewed by an external auditor appointed by Smaller Authorities’ Audit Appointments Ltd. The unaudited AGAR has been published with this notice. As it has yet to be reviewed by the appointed auditor, it is subject to change as a result of that review.
Any person interested has the right to inspect and make copies of the accounting records for the financial year to which the audit relates and all books, deeds, contracts, bills, vouchers, receipts and other documents relating to those records must be made available for inspection by any person interested. For the year ended 31 March 2023, these documents will be available on reasonable notice by application to:
Adam Keppel-Green, Town Clerk
Council Offices, Toft Road, Knutsford, WA16 6TA
townclerk@kntusfordtowncouncil.gov.uk – 01565 653 929
commencing on Tuesday 27 June 2022
and ending on Monday 7 August 2022
Local government electors and their representatives also have:
The appointed auditor can be contacted at the address in paragraph 4 below for this purpose between the above dates only.
The smaller authority’s AGAR is subject to review by the appointed auditor under the provisions of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014, the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 and the NAO’s Code of Audit Practice 2015. The appointed auditor is:
PKF Littlejohn LLP (Ref: SBA Team), 1 Westferry Circus, Canary Wharf, London, E14 4HD / sba@pkf-littlejohn.com
This announcement is made by Adam Keppel-Green, Town Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer
You can view the unaudited return here: AGAR 2022/23 (unaudited)
Knutsford’s own music festival took place last weekend for its sixth edition, bringing an array of concerts to venues across the town! The event was a scorcher too, as the sun shone over Knutsford for the festival weekend.
The festival, which was launched back in 2017 by Knutsford Town Council, returned between 8th – 11th June with a varied programme to please all musical tastes! Many of the events were free of charge and hosted in a variety of cafes and bars in the town centre.
A fantastic folk programme ran for its fifth year alongside BBC Radio’s Mark Radcliffe, who once again curated an outstanding programme of folk artists from the UK and beyond to entertain hundreds of attendees in St John’s Church and Knutsford Little Theatre.
Friday Night Blues was back for a second sell out event, after the event also sold out in 2022. Blues artists from near and far performed at the stunning Brook Street Chapel Hall to a captive audience.
Music on the Moor was back on Saturday 10th June, the festival’s free event on the Moor which brings four hours of live music and activities for all ages. The event featured eight local artists and bands who performed a variety of original material, as well as an African drumming workshop and a children’s arts and crafts workshop. More music hit the Moor on Sunday too, with free performances from City of Chester Brass Band and the Worleston School of Music.
Attendees were quick to praise the various events; Richard Wright spoke of Music on the Moor which featured the Northwich Uke Club, saying it “was brilliant – thanks to everyone who put this event on”. Mat O’Rourke enjoyed folk sensation Katherine Priddy, commenting “She was mesmerising, it was a fantastic night of music” whilst Lynn Moseley enjoyed the Budapest Café Orchestra closing the festival commenting “What a treat! Thank you”.
Fringe events including a beautiful harp concert in Knutsford Methodist Church, the Music Train from Chester to Knutsford which arrived at The Angel at King Street, as well as programmes of music all weekend inside the Lost and Found, the Courthouse and The Builders Arms ran alongside the main programme, filling the town with music for three days.
Alex Brown, Events Officer at the Town Council, said: “A huge thanks to everyone who was involved with the festival this year – it was a fantastic weekend once again with music in all corners of the town centre. Thanks again to Neptune Ltd, Slater & Gordon and Knutsford Hearing Centre for sponsoring the event and helping to make the weekend possible!”
The Town Council welcomes any feedback or suggestions for how the event can be improved for 2024. Simply email alex.brown@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk. To find out more about the other events organised by the town council, check out their events calendar on their website now: https://www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/events-calendar
Following the adoption of the Knutsford Neighbourhood Plan in 2019, the Town Council set out to meet its commitment to work with Cheshire East Council to review all the Town’s Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plans. The aim is to ensure that all are up to date, are reflective of the existing built environment, and are relevant in the continued protection and enhancement of these heritage assets.
A consultant at Donald Insall Associates was appointed to undertake the conservation area reviews and engagement meetings. The consultant is currently working on the Town Centre & Cross Town Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan.
In order to understand the views of people living locally the consultant will be holding drop in sessions for you to share your views and learn more about the project. This drop-in session will be held on Wednesday 5th July from midday until early evening. The drop-in sessions at 12noon – 1:30pm, 3pm – 4:30pm and 5:30pm -6:30pm will be held at 60 King Street to provide a chance for residents, business owners and tenants, property owners and landlords, and anybody else interested in the special nature of the town centre, a chance to ask our consultant questions, see some of the consultant’s findings and research, and provide views on how best to protect and manage the Town Centre Conservation Area.
If you have any further questions about this consultation session, please contact the Planning and Facilities Officer, Bob Allen on 01565 653929
Knutsford Music Festival returns with a bang this month with an exciting line up set to take stage and a full programme of fringe events around Knutsford. The three-day festival will take place from 9thth to 11th June with a special pre festival concert on the evening of the 8th.
Festival organisers at the Town Council have arranged a brilliant night of blues and a classical music evening as well as collaborating with BBC Radio’s Mark Radcliffe to bring a line-up of incredible folk music to the festival.
A sold-out special one-off show will kick of the weekend at Thursday 8th at Knutsford Little Theatre with a folk compilation from Mark Radcliffe & Friends.
Friday showcases folk musician Georgia Ruth with support from Chris Fox & John Parker at St Johns Church at 7.30pm. Over at Brook Street Chapel there will be ‘Friday Night Blues’ at 7.30pm featuring Simster & Small Blues Duo, Southern Fried Groove Queens with a headline performance from troubadour Sean Taylor.
During the afternoon of Saturday the 10th there will be a free open to all event on the Moor from 12 – 4pm featuring live music and activities for all ages. In the evening, Katherine Priddy will headline ‘Folk at the Church’ with support from The Weeping Willows.
Sunday’s line up includes the folk performance from Budapest Café Orchestra at Knutsford Little Theatre starting at 7.30pm.
Tickets for all headline events can be purchased via www.knutsfordmusicfestival.com .
Throughout the weekend there will be some fantastic fringe events popping up in establishments throughout Knutsford and Knutsford town centre. With everything from Americana rock to community choirs there will be a gig to suit every musical taste.
The fringe events include;
Friday 9th June
6pm Luson at The Lost & Found
7:30pm Lucas Marks & The Glorious Unknown at The Lost & Found
8pm Nelson Peach at The Angel
Saturday 10th June
11am Knutsford Beats on Regent Street
1pm Phoenix Voices Choir on Regent Street
1pm All Day Music at The Lost & Found
4pm Dexter’s House Jazz Bad at Dexter & Jones
7:30pm Gus Glynn at The Tea Room
And Music all weekend at The Courthouse from The Courthouse Live Sessions
Sunday 11th June
11am Knutsford Star Choir on Regent Street
From 3pm a dynamic selection of music from Simon Sackey, Blue Walker and Kojo
You can now see all events planned on our gig guide: Knutsford Music Festival 2023 Gig Guide.
A charity head shave at Knutsford Market Hall has raised over £1,500 for Christie Hospital.
Local resident Kevin Jardine volunteered to take part in the head shave, with Pino Tracanna, the Market Hall Barber. The shave took place on Saturday 27th May and was a fitting finale to the market hall’s Love your Local Market fortnight of promotions.
Kevin said, “I was delighted to take part in the charity head shave and raise money for Christie’s. Like many people, I have lost friends and family to cancer, and this is a cause close to my heart. To exceed the target is amazing. I would like to thank everyone who donated, including my friends who didn’t think I had much hair in the first place! A huge thanks to Pino, the market hall barber, the wonderful Christie Bears and Sandra Curties for organising.”
The charity head shave originally had a target of £750 which was soon exceeded, and the total raised so far stands at £1,560. The shave was run in partnership with local fundraising group Christie Bears. Group member Val Pallister, said, “We loved getting involved in this fundraising event. Kevin was an absolute star. We fundraise throughout the year by holding several events, having a presence at various community events and via our knitting group. Please follow our Facebook page, Christie Bears Knutsford to find out more ”.
It is not too late to donate – the fundraising page is still open and can be found at: https://shorturl.at/aBIQ3
Knutsford Market Hall is open on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 8am to 4pm. Traders are as follows – Style Loft Boutique, The Market Butcher, M&J Cards, Jonty’s Fruit & Veg, The Market Café, Sabrina’s Baby and Toddler Boutique, Slipped Discs, NYX Cat Crystals, Radchester’s Garden Ornaments, The Market Hall Barber and Med Olives. Coming soon is a Thai stall – Kanom Thai.
Last night, Town Mayor Cllr Peter Coan hosted a public meeting to discuss future primary healthcare provision in Knutsford. The packed meeting at Knutsford Methodist Church included a panel with Esther McVey MP, Dr Patrick Kearns (Knutsford Medical Partnership) and Mark Wilkinson (Cheshire East Place Director at Cheshire and Merseyside NHS integrated Care Board). Unfortunately East Cheshire NHS Trust (which owns the hospital) and the Leader of Cheshire East Council (which owns property around hospital and is responsible for social care) were unable to attend.
Patrick Kearns highlighted the challenge facing local doctors who are desperate for more space to be able to provide more care for the community. It was also highlighted that whilst a lease extension had been secured for the Annandale surgery, it will end in five years at which point the practice would lose a significant space.
Mark Wilkinson confirmed that improved primary care facilities for Knutsford are the top priority for the Cheshire East directorate he leads, but noted that following the change to Cheshire and Merseyside NHS there will be other top priority projects in other areas which compete.
The community expressed its frustration that after 15 years there seemed to have been no real progress on delivering new facilities. Mark Wilkinson advised that, subject to all going smoothly with securing permissions and funding, a new facility could be approximately five years away.
It was noted that the delivery of a new facility required strong partnership working from all partners. It was suggested that residents write to the Chief Executives for Cheshire East Council and the East Cheshire NHS Trust urging them to commit to the delivery of a new combined medical centre at the site of the Community Hospital (NHS Trust owned) and Bexton Court (Cheshire East Council owned) and prioritise engagement in a project to see it delivered.
As promised at the meeting, we are providing the contact information for these organisations.
Ged Murphy
Chief Executive of the East Cheshire NHS Trust
East Cheshire NHS Trust
Macclesfield District General Hospital
Victoria Road
Macclesfield
SK10 3BL
Lorraine O’Donnell
Chief Executive of Cheshire East Council
Cheshire East Council
Westfields
Middlewich Road
Sandbach
CW11 1HZ
The Town Mayor will be writing to all stakeholders to convene a meeting as the first step to ensuring all partners commit to the project and make it a reality.