Knutsford Town Council

28Mar2024

Mayor’s Ball Raises over £5,000

On Friday 22^nd 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”.

26Mar2024

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 1^st April and 14^th 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.

25Mar2024

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.”

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.

13Mar2024

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 30^th 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.

11Mar2024

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 60^th 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.

20Feb2024

Knutsford Market Hall welcomes a new greengrocer

Peter and Gaynor Riley of Heathfield Nursery have opened a greengrocer stall in Knutsford Market Hall offering fresh vegetables and fruit alongside bedding plants and seasonal cut flowers.

Gaynor Riley said, “We are delighted to be joining the Knutsford Market Hall family. 2024 marks both the market’s 60^th anniversary and the exciting redevelopment plans. Many people will already know us from our Heathfield Nursery in Plumley. We can’t wait to be in the heart of the town offering both homegrown and locally sourced fruit and vegetables alongside our range of bedding plants and cut flowers. We look forward to welcoming both new and old customers”.

Sandra Curties, Town Centre Manager said, “We are delighted to have Peter and Gaynor on board. A greengrocer is an essential part of our market hall offering and we know our customers will give them both a warm welcome. They will be offering a wide range of fruit and vegetables with much of it homegrown which is fantastic. A true shop local experience!”

Knutsford Market Hall is open on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 8am to 4pm. Permanent traders are as follows –The Market Butcher, The Market Café, The Market Hall Barber, Slipped Discs 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.

Two greengrocers stood by a bedding plant stall

15Feb2024

Market Hall Planning Application Submitted

Plans for the renovation of Knutsford Market Hall have taken a step forward with the submission of the planning application, which is due to be determined by 25^th March 2024.

The application, reference 24/0336M, was prepared by Knutsford based Hive Architects on behalf of Knutsford Town Council and sets out proposals for the major remodelling of the front to the market. The refurbished market hall will benefit from a large, glazed front and new rooflights to flood the building with natural light.

The works will create a modern and flexible trading space with a central section of demountable seating and stalls to create an open hall which will be used for events and community uses outside trading hours.

The materials for the redesigned front have been influenced by the Knutsford Design Guide which specifies traditional materials of brick, wood and slate to be used. The brick has been selected to fit in with the exposed brickwork near Silk Mill Street and will include raking soldier courses around the gables and alternate projecting brick courses to add interest and depth to the façade.

The proposals include a number of measures to enhance the environmental sustainability of the building, including a sedum roof, solar panels, an air-source heat pump to provide heating and the installation of insulation. The market will feature bifold and automatic doors enabling the frontage to be open during the summer but retain heat during the winter.

This project has received £720,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Community Ownership Fund.

“Knutsford Market Hall was built in 1964 and as it celebrates its diamond anniversary it will be having a major renovation to ensure its ongoing vitality. These proposals will create a bright and flexible trading space and enable the building to be used more efficiently for the community” said Town Clerk, Adam Keppel-Green.

“Whilst the planning application is being determined we’re now working with our structural engineer and architect on the technical design of the building and developing the design of the internal stall structures”

“We are also working with our traders on the plans to relocate the market into 60 King Street when works take place ensuring our businesses can continue to trade with minimal interruption”. Adam added.

Knutsford Market Hall remains open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 8am to 4pm where customers can find a butcher, greengrocer, crystals, records, thai food, a café, barbers and mobile phone repairs. The market is hosting a variety of pop-up stalls which are promoted on social media.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus

6Feb2024

Philanthropist behind Knutsford almshouses honoured with blue plaque

A blue plaque dedicated to the founder of a local almshouse charity has been unveiled on Silk Mill Street.

Town Mayor, Councillor Peter Coan, and former Town Mayor Valerie Young JP MBE, the longest serving Trustee of the Charity, cut the ribbon to unveil the new plaque dedicated to Marjorie Hurst.

The Charity of Marjorie Hurst provides almshouses for older residents of Knutsford and owns a row of flats and cottages on Silk Mill Street. The plaque was installed following extensive research by Jenny Collis of Knutsford Heritage Centre into the origin of the town centre almshouses and the life of Marjorie Hurst.

“We knew very little about Marjorie Hurst and how she established the almshouses so we are delighted with the research put in by Jenny Collis and the support from the Town Council in providing the plaque which is now there for everyone to see” said Rick Dallimore, the Chair of Trustees.

The plaque commemorates Marjorie Hurst who was a spinster and life-long Knutsfordian who spent much of her life looking after her parents. Her father, Frederick Hurst, had been the manager of the Union Bank on King Street but it was through the line of her maternal grandfather that Marjorie inherited property. In her will she left property and money upon trust to the then Knutsford Urban District Council with the bequest that the dwellings she owned on Silk Mill Street be used as “almshouses for the deserving” of the town.

Initially the almshouses were provided rent free to the occupiers, but over time the dwellings fell into disrepair. In the 1980s the Town Council received permission from the Charity Commission to charge the residents a weekly maintenance contribution provided that a separate new trust was set up. The Charity of Marjorie Hurst was established and in the 1990s the Trustees secured a Housing Corporation grant to renovate the four remaining cottages and to build the six flats that exist on Silk Mill Street today.

Town Mayor Cllr Peter Coan said “It was an honour to unveil our new blue plaque honouring the legacy of Marjorie Hurst with the trustees and residents of the charity that bears her name. Through Marjorie’s philanthropy, Knutsford has a charity providing housing to those who might otherwise not be able to afford a home of their own – what a forward-thinking Knutsfordian.”

The Charity of Marjorie Hurst is today managed by a board of five trustees. More information about the charity can be found on their website: www.marjoriehurstcharity.org.uk

2Feb2024

Studies to be undertaken to inform Town Centre Masterplan

The feasibility of a range of changes to Knutsford Town Centre will be explored as part of the Town Council’s work to develop a masterplan for Knutsford Town Centre.

Building on the work of the From Top to Bottom Street report, which was considered in a public consulted in 2020, the Town Council has appointed a team of consultants to develop the proposals further. The work includes:

Modelling the impact of changes to town centre traffic flow from restricting through traffic and creating public squares
Exploring the cost of making these changes and developing a better understanding of the impact works would have on the town
Exploring the cost and impact of upgrading Moorside to an adoptable highway standard
Exploring the cost and traffic impact of creating an new access to Princess Street from King Edward Road
Exploring the feasibility of creating an attractive multi-storey car park on Tatton Street car park
Exploring the costs of creating public squares in Canute Place and Princess Street
Developing different options for improving the pedestrian experience in the town centre whilst retaining vehicular access

Each of these areas are ideas put forward in the From Top to Bottom Street plan and the output of this work will enable the Town Council to determine if they have merit and could form the basis of a masterplan.

The output of the 2020 consultation had been to call on Cheshire East Council to undertake these feasibility studies directly, but to date they have been unable to allocate the resource needed to take them forward.

“We know that creating a plan for improving the town centre is one of our residents’ top priorities and its therefore one of our top priorities too. This work will take us a step forward and better understand the impact of a range of potential changes” said Cllr Christopher Gray, Chairman of the Town Council’s Town Centre Committee.

This project has received £80,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The output of this work will lead to a public consultation later in 2024 and be used by the council’s Town Centre Masterplan working group to develop the masterplan.

The Town Council is also looking for those interested in helping develop the wider Town Centre Masterplan to join its working group, anyone interested can email townclerk@kntusfordtowncouncil.gov.uk.

23Jan2024

Nominations sought for 2024 Town Awards

The call has gone out for residents to nominate their community heroes for the annual Knutsford Town Awards.

The Knutsford Town Awards aim to recognise and celebrate excellence, community spirit, and positive contributions within Knutsford. Established to honour individuals, businesses, and community organisations, the awards showcase the efforts and achievements that collectively make Knutsford a thriving and dynamic community.

Nominations can be made online at the Town Council website by 22^nd March or by filling in a paper form, which can be found at Knutsford Library, The Welcome or Knutsford Market Hall.

Nominations can be submitted for any of the following categories:

The Civic Award which recognises the work of individuals. Last year’s winners included Rob Lyons who was honoured for leading 1st Knutsford Scouts for a decade.

The Youth Award which recognises those aged 21 and under. Last year the award was jointly awarded to Twin sisters Liv and Jess Johnson for their voluntary work with 7th Knutsford Brownies as part of their bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award.

The Business Award recognises businesses who give something back to their community, such as last year’s award winners Tatton Perk who were praised for being a “warm hub” providing free drinks and a friendly welcome to those who may need it.

The Community Award shines the light on local charities, committees, and other groups. Last year it went to the Knutsford and District Talking Newspaper, who provide a free audio version of the Knutsford guardian to people who are visually impaired.

Finally, the Extra Mile Award is for those who go above and beyond in their paid work for the benefit of the local community such as 2023 winner Jack Street, who works at Johnsons the Cleaners and was commended for his kind and patient support to customers, particularly helping older people to use new technology for various services on offer.

Mayor of Knutsford, Cllr Peter Coan urges local residents to take the time and put forward those who make a difference to the Knutsford community, from litterpickers to leaders and everything in between.

“Our town is filled with special people who go out of their way to make a difference to the community they live in. Each year we ask the Knutsford residents to nominate those who make the town a better place and without your nominations these awards would not be able to take place. We want to let these people know that they are valued and appreciated and the work they do, does not go unnoticed”.

Thanks to the Forum of Private business for sponsoring the event.

Submit a Nomination

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