Silhouette of performers at Knutsford Music Festival

Knutsford Music Festival Tickets on Sale

Knutsford Music Festival is back this year with another jam-packed weekend for music lovers!

The festival is back for its sixth edition this summer from 9th to 11th June 2023 and takes place across a long weekend bringing a varied programme of music to venues across Knutsford. The event is organised by Knutsford Town Council and aims to bring the community together for a weekend of music events on the doorstep. s

The 2023 programme is set to include four fantastic nights of folk music hosted in partnership with close friend to the festival BBC Radio presenter Mark Radcliffe, including an exclusive pre-festival show on Thursday 8th June.

Friday Night Blues also returns to the programme after a sell-out show in 2022, bringing blues acts from around the country to Brook Street Chapel Hall for a night of funky blues music.

A Classical Music Evening will return to the programme featuring a wind sextet and piano support act, also due to be held at Brook Street Chapel Hall on Sunday 11th June.

Music on the Moor will return to the Moor on Saturday 10th June as a free, open to all session celebrating up and coming local talent, with workshops and activities in addition for all ages.

The fringe festival made up of events hosted by local businesses such as bars, cafes and restaurants (plus shops and more!) will also feature as a way to increase engagement with our fantastic business community.

Tickets for the headline festival events are now on sale for £15 for general admission and £10 for those aged 16 and under. Tickets can be purchased in person via the Council Offices on Toft Road, next door to the Library, or via the festival website by visiting www.knutsfordmusicfestival.com

Enquiries regarding this year’s programme can be sent to info@knutsfordmusicfestival.com or call 01565 653 929.

Business owners with shopping bags standing outside the Lost and Found

Flash Fashion Knutsford returns in time for summer

Flash Fashion Knutsford is set to return this year on the 20th May, providing the perfect opportunity for shoppers to get inspired and refresh their wardrobes for summer.

The day-long event started in 2019 as a collaboration between Knutsford Town Council and local boutiques to highlight the wonderful collection of independent fashion retailers in Knutsford.

The day will kick off at Lost and Found at 10am with a fashion show featuring the latest looks from local boutiques, curated by Knutsford based stylist Laura Davies (Smook Styling). Attendees can then peruse the shops and enjoy a variety of complimentary services instore including on-hand stylists, beauty treatments, a glass of fizz and goody bags.

Participating stores include;

  • The Edit Boutique
  • Cocaranti
  • Redress at Dexter and Jones
  • Blossom Boutique
  • Paris Ladies Boutique
  • Glamorous of Knutsford
  • Willow Boutiques
  • Smook Styling
  • Chalk 33
  • Milania Boutique
  • Roberta Beauty Redefined
  • Kanoa Living
  • The Thrifty Ginger at Cancer Research
  • Zapatos

Davina Armitage from Cocaranti said “We are so excited to be involved in Flash Fashion Knutsford again this year. The shop always has a lovely vibe with customers enjoying an extra special shopping experience from all the fashion indies in town. And we can’t wait to show everyone our Spring Summer collections”.

Maps will be available from shops and eateries around Knutsford shortly to allow shoppers to plan their day. There will also be free parking for the day at Silk Mill Street, King Street and Princess Street car parks from 10am.

Flash Fashion is sponsored by Knutsford Dry Cleaners which is celebrating its 30th year in business this year.

Child with a spade during the tree planting

Half-term heroes help plant trees

The half-term break saw volunteers plant over 30 trees across Knutsford.

Following the success in 2022, ‘Plant a Tree with Ranger Bob’ week ran again this year encouraging residents to become an active part of developing the landscape of the Town. Over the February half-term break, Town Ranger, Bob Garner was joined by volunteers across a range of ages to plant a further 36 trees across 10 sites over the two-day event, as part of the Knutsford Town Council Nature Action Plan

Knutsford Town Council has an ambition to see 13,000 trees planted across the Town as part of its Nature Action Plan and as part of its commitment to reduce the town’s carbon footprint. So far, the Council have planted over 1,500 trees and they are keen to keep that number growing.

Bob Allen, Planning and Facilities Officer, said: “It is excellent to see support from the community and everyone that came out to help should feel proud to have made a positive difference to the biodiversity and green infrastructure within the town. The trees planted will develop to provide food and homes for a wide array of insects and birds and will provide oxygen and capture carbon for years to come.”

The Town Council is now liaising with Cheshire East Council regarding the preparations for its fourth phase of standard (1.5m-2m) tree planting on open spaces and highways across the town.

To find out more about tree planting or the Nature Action Plan you can visit www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/natureactionplan

Two people holding a poster outside a sweet shop

Knutsford Bunny Hop

Knutsford’s favourite Easter event will be hopping back to town in just under a month’s time!

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 8th April 2023 and will be held between 10am-4pm. As well as the main trail, families can enjoy additional entertainment including balloon modelling in Knutsford Market Hall on Silk Mill Street and freebies from local businesses.

The Angel on King Street are hosting a special Easter colouring competition during the event, with an Easter egg hamper up for grabs as first prize and prizes for two runners up! You can also visit The Courthouse Hotel on Toft Road to visit their exciting cupcake decorating station hosted in their restaurant between 12-4pm!

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 10.30am 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!

Alex Brown, Events Officer at Knutsford Town Council, said: “We are so excited already for Knutsford Bunny Hop which will be taking place next month. The Bunny Hop is a lovely Easter event where many of our local businesses get involved in the fun. Bring your Easter bonnets along and don’t forget to pick up your entry form in advance from many town centre businesses or our office! Huge thanks to Neptune Ltd and Slater and Gordon Lawyers for sponsoring the event and making it possible.”

For more information regarding the event, follow the Bunny Hop on social media or head to the town council website. Enquiries can be sent to enquiries@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk.

Davina Armitage holding a Knutsford Voucher

Knutsford Voucher needs you!

The Knutsford voucher scheme was launched in November 2020 and has proved extremely popular with over £10,000 worth of vouchers bought since 2020.  The idea behind the scheme is simple – don’t buy an Amazon voucher, buy a gift voucher that can be spent in Knutsford and goes direct to local shop owners and into the town’s local economy.

The voucher is accepted in around 50 Knutsford businesses ranging from toy shops to pubs to butcher and fruit and vegetable shops.  However, the Town Council would love more to join the scheme and are urging the newer businesses to get in touch.

Sandra Curties, Knutsford Town Council’s Town Centre Manager, said, “The voucher scheme is simply run and works alongside the shops’ own schemes.  We do not take commission and pay the shop back in full the value of every voucher collected. It is easy to join but we’d love to see more shops accepting them as it helps showcase the variety of choice in our town”.

A full list of business accepting the voucher can be found on the town council’ website alongside how to purchase vouchers.

If any Knutsford based business is interested in the scheme, they should contact Sandra Curties on 01565 653929.  Please note only Knutsford based shops (not surrounding villages) can take the vouchers.

Vouchers can be purchased on the Town Council website or from the Town Council offices.

Notes

Press enquiries to sandra.curties@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk

Photo by Sandra Curties of Davina Armitage of Cocaranti

Knutsford Young Artist of the Year Competition 2022-23 Winners Announced

Last week Knutsford Town Council welcomed participants of the 2022-23 Knutsford Young Artist of the Year Competition to a special awards evening at Vermilion Art Gallery.

The competition is a new scheme introduced by the Town Council in 2022 aiming to highlight and support young local artists in Knutsford. To enter, children have to live or study at a Knutsford school.

Nearly 40 entries were submitted across two categories: a ‘Junior Artist’ category for ages 4-11 or primary school age, and a ‘Young Artist’ category for ages 12-18 or secondary school age. Of the entries submitted, a handful were shortlisted to win and a judging panel selected the winners on the night.

The scheme was supported by Vermilion Art Galleries who hosted the awards evening at their large gallery site on Stanley Road Industrial Trading Estate.

Huge congratulations to winners and runners up in both categories:

Junior Artist category:

  • Runner up Rory B
  • Winner Kitty M

Young Artist category:

  • Runner up Alice P
  • Winner Alice G

Winners will receive a cash prize to be invested into their future artwork.

A massive congratulations to everyone who took part; the Town Council were thrilled to receive so many entries and all participants should be thoroughly proud of their achievements.

Jan Nicholson and Mike Houghton

Jan Nicholson steps down from Town Council

Deputy Town Mayor Cllr Jan Nicholson has stepped down from Knutsford Town Council after twenty years of service to the town.

Jan, who was first elected in 2003, was re-elected as a councillor four times and latterly represented the residents of Norbury Booths.

Jan was elected by her fellow councillors as Town Mayor in 2007 and again in 2016; she was elected as Deputy Town Mayor in 2022 and had planned to be put forward to serve as Town Mayor a third time from May 2023.

Town Mayor, Cllr Mike Houghton said, “It is with great sadness that I have accepted the resignation of the Deputy Mayor, Cllr Jan Nicholson.”

“I know Jan was hoping to take on a third term as Town Mayor this year and during her time as a councillor, Jan demonstrated an unparalleled degree of public service to the town of Knutsford. She will be widely missed. I wish Jan well for the future in her recovery and look forward to continuing our friendship that has developed since I first joined the council in 2011.”

Due to the forthcoming elections in May 2023, there will be no opportunity to trigger a by-election. All seats on the Town Council are up for re-election in May and the Town Council is hosting two sessions for potential councillors to find out more about what is involved – these take place on Thursday 16th and Monday 20th February at 7pm in the Council Offices.

Mark Lee-Kilgariff - Nick Smithers of Tatton Perk

Two New Venues Join Taste Knutsford

Two new venues have been added to the culinary tour of the Town ready for the first tours of 2023. Taste Knutsford is a walking food and drink tour which visits around seven venues sampling from a range of independent venues.

The first tours of the new year take place on the 17th and 18th February with two venues added the line-up that could be on offer.

Tatton Perk are new to the tour and will be showcasing their V60 brew methods and offering two samples of along with tasting notes and three hot chocolate tasters. The Courthouse Cheshire are returning to the Taste Knutsford family adding their brunch to the mix.

The tours begun in 2018 and apart from a break due to Covid have proved popular with visitors and residents alike, with many booking repeat tours.

The current list of venues include –

  • April’s Kitchen
  • Cheshire Quality
  • Cranford Café & Sandwich Bar
  • Dexter and Jones
  • Evuna
  • Morgan Edwards
  • Jonty’s Fruit and Veg
  • Hot Cocoa
  • Real Fruit Creamery
  • Courthouse Cheshire
  • The Market Hall Butcher
  • The Market Café
  • The Tea Room
  • Detaljer
  • Tatton Perk

Mark Lee Kilgariff, owner of Tatton Perk said, “Now we have permanent premises, joining Taste Knutsford was a no-brainer for us! The tour champions both our independents and our gorgeous town. We can’t wait to take part in the first tour and introduce people to the Tatton Perk experience”.

Sandra Curties, Town Centre Manager, said, “We love arranging these tours.  The feedback we receive from guests regarding the tours is always positive with guests leaving very full! Our tour guides are knowledgeable about each venue and the town, encouraging quests to stay, linger and spend in Knutsford.”

Any small regional or independent hospitality venue can take part in the tour and if you wish to take part in a tour you can book via www.tasteknutsford.co.uk  Private tours for 8 or more can also be arranged.

Press Contact     Sandra Curties   Sandra.curties@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk

Town Mayor and Ian Cass of the Forum of Private Business

Forum of Private Business on board for the Town Awards

A national business support organisation located just outside Knutsford has once again pledged their support and sponsorship to the Knutsford Town Awards.

The Forum of Private Business, based at the Ashley Hall Showground, has sponsored the Town Awards since their inception in 2013. The Town Awards recognise those who give back to the local community and make Knutsford a better town for all.

Managing Director, and Knutsford resident Ian Cass said “The FPB are relighted to be sponsoring the Knutsford Town Awards again, particularly the business award.

“Knutsford businesses are always very supportive of each other, and I hope lots of them will be nominated for these awards this year.”

Over 50 nominations have been submitted in the Town Awards so far this year with a number of different individuals, community groups and businesses having been put forward by the community. The awards rely on the community to submit their nominations so more nominations are always encouraged.

Nominations for the 2023 Town Awards close on Monday 20th February and can be made online at www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/services/town-awards. The awards will be presented in mid-March.

Text says "Plant a Tree with Ranger Bob"

‘Plant a Tree with Ranger Bob’ returns this February half-term

Grab your shovels and join our Town Ranger this February half-term for a chance to plant a tree in Knutsford!

Following the success of last year’s event, ‘Plant a Tree with Ranger Bob’ is back this month and people of all ages are invited to participate by planting a tree in the two-day event. Whether you’re looking for ways to get some fresh air, or you just love trees, it’s a great way to make some memories and be part of Knutsford’s Nature Action Plan!

Knutsford Town Council set out to plant 13,000 trees as part of its Nature Action Plan in March 2020 as part of its commitment to reduce our carbon footprint. So far, the Council has planted 1,471 trees and they are keen to keep that number growing.

As part of this initiative, last year Knutsford residents joined fantastic Town Ranger Bob in different sites around Knutsford to plant a variety of trees. Dozens of Knutsford residents turned out to get stuck in and help plant a tree.

If you’d like to get involved this year, please send your name, contact number, how many people you’d like to bring and which site you’d like to plant a tree at to enquiries@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk. Spaces are limited so please get in touch ASAP to secure a space.

The times and sites are as follows:

Tuesday 21st Feb

9am:  Chelford Road, outside the cricket club (2 trees) – 1 Volunteer

10am:  Brandon Drive, green next to wildflower meadow (2 trees) – 1 Volunteer

11am:  The Heath, behind bowling green (2 trees) – 1 Volunteer

12pm:  Ladies Mile, by Heath Drive (3 trees) – 2 Volunteers

1pm:  Westfield Drive, green near 33-37 (11 trees) – 4 Volunteers

Wednesday 22nd Feb

9am:  Site One – Longridge, near 358-357 (4 trees) – 2 Volunteers

10am:  Site Two – Longridge, near 310-311 (2 trees) – 1 Volunteer

11am:  Site Three – Longridge, near 95-97 (1 tree) – 1 Volunteer

12pm:  Site Four – Longridge, near the Welcome (4 trees) – 2 Volunteers

1pm:  Site Five – Southfields, green opposite 30-38 (5 trees) – 2 Volunteers

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