The Town Mayor (standing) adjusts his chain of office with an elated look on his face, whilst talking to another gentleman (standing) as a lady looks up from her chair.

Mayor’s Ball Raises over £5,000

On Friday 22nd March, the Mayor of Knutsford welcomed over 90 guests to his Charity Ball at Cottons Hotel and Spa.  The evening was a huge success which raised over £5,000 for the Mayor’s chosen charities, the UK Men’s sheds association and Knutsford GROW.

Guests were welcomed with a glass of prosecco, kindly sponsored by Slater and Gordon Lawyers with close up magic performed by Chris Hickey.

Creative Captures provided the photography for the evening whilst DJ Pete Deane made sure everyone had a great time on the dancefloor. Guests were also entertained by local family band, The Avenue. The entertainment was sponsored by Mesoestetic UK.

Prize vouchers were found hidden in balloons, sponsored by Love the Dentist, Mobberley. Each balloon contained a voucher for a fabulous prize donated by local businesses including meals from Evuna, The Lost and Found, The Botanist, Linden Stores, Café on The Corner, Tatton Perk, The Chester Grosvenor and Sigiriya, to name just a few.

The Raffle proved popular, with prizes which included donations from Cottons, Elite Health, Gusto Knutsford, Angel on King Street, The Bath House, Knutsford Olde Sweet Shoppe, Arley Hall, Tatton Park, Andrew Collier Photography, Pulse of Perfumery, Redrow, Clarity, Majestic Wines, Lanigan and Hulme, PR Jones and many more

A game of Heads or Tails in between courses made for a fun 5 minutes of fundraising. The game was won by Cllr Rod Fletcher, the Mayor of Cheshire East who went back to his table with a bottle of wine.

The silent auction raised over £1,000 and with a bidding war between guests to win prizes donated by King and Allen, Manchester United Football Club, Bartley Portrait Studios, Everton Football Club and local jewellers Geralds of Knutsford.

Each table was sponsored by a local business which contributed further funds to the evening: Cumming Group, Redrow, Manchester Airport, Lanigan and Hulme, Love the Dentist Mobberley, Dexter and Jones, and Knutsford Beauty.

Gemma Jackson, Civic Events officer said: “The ball has been a great fundraising success raising an impressive £5,000, guests truly ‘had a ball’ and thoroughly enjoyed the evening. We couldn’t have achieved this without the support of all the local shops, restaurants and businesses who have so generously supported and donated products and vouchers for the event.  Thank you to all who attended on the night for helping to make the evening so enjoyable!”

Town Mayor Cllr Peter Coan added “I would like to thank everyone who supported this incredible evening of fundraising. Raising so much for these two great causes was truly one of the highlights of my year serving as your Town Mayor”.

A woman, smiling, holds a tenner trail poster.

Tenner Trail returns for Easter holidays

Knutsford’s Tenner Trail returns to the town centre this spring with fifteen shops offering some incredible deals over the Easter holidays.

Between 1st April and 14th April, participating shops are offering a special deal for just £10 – the offers range from dinner time solutions with The Market Hall Butcher, meal deals from local cafes and restaurants and lots of gift ideas and treats.

Sandra Curties, Town Centre Manager, said “Our Tenner Trail showcases a wide variety of products and services from Knutsford high street. There are some great deals and a wonderful incentive for customers to explore new establishments and support local businesses.”

The participating businesses are: Kanoa Living, Amador, Knutsford Olde Sweet Shoppe, Roberta Beauty Redefined, Clarity Contemporary Jewellery, Lost & Found, Morgan Edwards, Cranford Café, The Market Hall Butcher, The Market Café, Slipped Discs, Nyx Cat Crystals, It’s the little things, Knutsford Mobile and Heathfields Fruit & Veg

For more details on the deals, shoppers should look out for posters in participating shops and follow Knutsford Town Council’s social media accounts to find out more.

Patterned mugs with "Knutsford" written on them

Two students share 2024 Millennium Bursary

Knutsford Town Council and Knutsford Lions are delighted to announce Leo Davies and Katie Chaplin as the joint recipients of the 2024 Knutsford Millennium Bursary.

Established in 2000, the Knutsford Millennium Bursary is awarded annually to a deserving Knutsford student pursuing higher education. This year, the selection panel, which comprised Lydia Barclay of Knutsford Lions and Town Mayor Cllr Peter Coan were so impressed by two applicants that they decided to combine the main award of £660 and supplementary award of £250 and share it between two students.

Leo Davies, who is undertaking a joint honours degree in Anthropology and English Literature at Queen’s University Belfast, said “It’s an absolute honour and privilege to receive this bursary”

“Living in Belfast, this financial support will be essential for my studies. Notably, my research on karate’s cultural impact across the UK will hopefully showcase the dedication and character-building this practice fosters. Thank you so much!”

Sharing the award is Katie Chaplin, who is pursuing a Fine Art degree at the Manchester School of Art at Manchester Metropolitan University.

“I am incredibly grateful for this bursary,” said Katie. “This funding will allow me to pursue further training in art therapy and support the costs of materials and exhibitions in my final year. My passion lies in helping others through art therapy, and this bursary helps me explore this exciting career path.”

Leo Davies
Leo Davies
Katie Chaplin
Katie Chaplin

Lydia Barclay, representing Knutsford Lions, commented, “All the applicants were a pleasure to meet. Their ambition and innovative ideas shone through. We were particularly impressed by Leo’s research project and Katie’s desire to use art to help others. We felt both applications deserved recognition, so we decided to award a joint bursary this year.”

Knutsford Town Mayor, Cllr Peter Coan, echoed this sentiment, adding, “Leo and Katie are stellar examples of the talent we have here in Knutsford and I’m greatly looking forward to seeing the incredible things they’ll achieve.”

Leo and Katie each received a bursary of £455 to support their third year university studies. The 2025 bursary will open for applications in January.  

A man in an easter hat holding easter eggs

Knutsford Bunny Hop Returns This Month

Knutsford’s favourite Easter event will be hopping back to town in just two weeks!

Knutsford Bunny Hop is an annual Easter themed trail event which has been organised by Knutsford Town Council since 2018. The event invites local families to search for 10 cardboard bunnies hidden around the town outside local shops and hospitality businesses and find the letter pinned to each bunny. The letters can then be used to spell a hidden phrase and completed entry forms are submitted in a designated post box to enter a special prize draw!

The event runs annually on Easter Saturday which this year falls on Saturday 30th March 2024 and will be held between 10am-4pm. As well as the main trail, families can enjoy additional entertainment including a colouring competition in Knutsford Market Hall on Silk Mill Street and freebies from local businesses.

Pick up a trail map from one of the local businesses for further information about chocolate workshops at Mini and Moi hosted by Oli the Choc. And hop into St Johns Church for hot cross buns throughout the event.

Be in town between 1pm and 3pm to catch a glimpse of the characters of Alice in Wonderland. Take the opportunity to have your picture taken with one of your favourites. Supported by the team from Noodle Performing Arts.

Attendees can also bring their Easter bonnets along and enter the Easter Bonnet competition opposite Knutsford Olde Sweet Shoppe on King Street, hosted by owner Julia and judged by the Mayor of Knutsford at 11am on the day of the event. Participants will all receive a small gift each for joining in and there are three prizes available for first place and runners up for the best bonnet!

Special thanks to this year’s silver sponsor Linden Stores. Without the generosity of our great sponsors this event would not be possible.

For any enquiries regarding the event, please contact enquiries@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk or call 01565 653 929.

Sabrina Cowley of Its a Little Thing, standing in front of some cards

It’s the Little Things opens in Knutsford Market Hall

It’s the Little Things have opened  a contemporary and largely eco-friendly card stall in Knutsford Market Hall.

Owner, Sabrina Cowley said,  I am delighted to be back trading in the market hall.  It’s the Little Things will sell a range of reasonably priced contemporary and eco-friendly cards and balloons. I will be selling a small range of gifts suitable for birthdays, christenings or just to cheer up someone’s day.  After all it is the little things that count!”.

Sandra Curties, Town Centre Manager said, “There is a definite need in Knutsford for reasonably priced cards and celebratory gifts and balloons.  It’s the Little Things fills that gap, and we are delighted to have Sabrina back in the market hall as a permanent trader. As everyone knows, 2024 is a huge year for our market hall.  Not only is it our 60th anniversary it also the year we refurbish the market. This will signify a new chapter in the market’s history and secure its position in the heart of Knutsford for future generations”.

Knutsford Market Hall is open on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 8am to 4pm.  

Permanent traders are as follows –Heathfield Fruit and Veg, The Market Butcher, The Market Café, The Market Hall Barber, Slipped Discs, Knutsford Mobile and Nyx Cat Crystals. There is also one pop-up stall – Knutsford Sports Exchange. Due to the pending refurbishment, the market is currently only looking for short term pop-ups.  If interested, please email hello@knutsfordmarket.co.uk with details of your stall.