Tag Archives: Community

The highly anticipated Flash Fashion Knutsford is set to return this year on Saturday 17^th May as Knutsford independent boutiques and fashion shops collaborate to showcase their Spring/Summer 25 collections in a fashion show at The Lost & Found.

Organised by Knutsford Town Council, this day-long event that also features pop-ups and events in stores, started in 2019 to highlight the wonderful collection of independent fashion retailers in Knutsford. The event has gained a loyal following in the past few years with last year’s fashion show at full capacity.

The day will kick off at 11am in Lost and Found with a fashion show featuring the latest looks from local boutiques, introduced by the event sponsor and Knutsford based stylist Laura Davies and compered by ITV presenter and owner of Dexter & Jones, Katy Rickitt. Attendees can then browse the shops and enjoy a variety of complimentary services in store including on-hand beauty treatments, a glass of fizz and exclusive offers.

Participating stores include

• Kanoa Living
• Cocaranti
• Redress at Dexter and Jones
• Blossom Boutique
• Paris Ladies Boutique
• Bare Necessities
• Willow Boutiques
• Chalk 33
• Milania Boutique
• Roberta Beauty Redefined
• Zapatos
• Clare and Illingworth
• L ’Atelier London
• Lanigan and Hulme
• British Red Cross
• The Edit
• Satya Sanctuary

Michelle Samsa from Willow Boutiques said; “We are excited to be part of another fabulous Flash Fashion event. The fashion show at The Lost & Found always has such an amazing atmosphere. And the shop is always buzzing afterwards.”

Michelle continues “We can’t wait for the pop-up instore from Roberta Beauty Redefined where Roberta will join us from 3pm – 5pm offering revitalising Dermalogica hand massages.”

Sandra Curties, Town Centre Manager at Knutsford Town Council said “This event has gained quite the following over the years and we are excited to bring it back for 2025. The shops will have some fabulous Spring/ Summer collections instore so this day will be the perfect outing for customers to get inspired, plan their summer wardrobes and go shopping!”

Leaflets will be available from shops and eateries around Knutsford shortly to allow shoppers to plan their day. Details of the day can also be found on www.discoverknutsford.com

This event has been sponsored by Laura Davies Styling.

Knutsford’s second Health & Wellness Week was a jam-packed week showcasing a range of wellbeing services in the town centre. Organised by Knutsford Town Council, the event programme kicked off on Saturday 18^th January with Re- Fresh, a fair showcasing interest and community groups. The week continued with an array of activities and sessions such as running, yoga, Pilates podiatry, life coaching, hearing and eye checks, and counselling.

Refresh was held at St John’s Church and Knutsford Methodist Church and hosted a variety of community and interest groups from 1pm to 3pm on 18^th January. Both churches had a steady flow of visitors exploring the different community and volunteer groups on offer. The range was huge and included Knutsford Bake Club, Crosstown Community Orchard, Run Knutsford, and Hartford French Circle exhibiting alongside Satya Sanctuary and Knutsford Hearing Centre.

Roberta Dyer owner of Roberta Dyer Beauty Re-defined said, “”This was my first time exhibiting at Re – Fresh and it was a great opportunity to connect with the community away from the salon. Our reflexology, facials and laser hair removal consultations proved popular. I particularly enjoyed the menopause talk which I co-hosted with Helen Jones Nutrition and Dr Lydia Robertson a GP and menopause specialist”.

The week continued with a variety of wellness activities, from invigorating fitness classes and calming yoga sessions to informative talks on menopause and nutrition. Knutsford Hearing Centre offered free Hearing Health appointments, and Find Your Backbone offered free 30 minutes introduction lessons to The Alexander Technique (for back and neck pain) throughout the week.

The event was sponsored by cardiovascular specialist, Tomorrow’s Wellness which opened in June 2024 on Regent Street. During the week they offered discounts and free blood pressure check-ups.

David Willis, CEO of Tomorrow Wellness said “Health & Wellness Week has not only been a wonderful opportunity for residents and visitors of Knutsford to focus on their well-being, but also a brilliant showcase of the array of health and wellness services available here in town.”

David continued “At Tomorrow Wellness we were proud to sponsor this event and had a great week offering free blood pressure checks to attendees and raising awareness of Heart & Cardiovascular Preventative Health and Wellness”

Sandra Curties, Town Centre Manager at Knutsford Town Council said; “This was our second Health & Wellness Week organised in Knutsford and it was wonderful to see how it’s grown. Knutsford town centre has a varied health & wellness offering and this weeklong event posed as an excellent reminder of what services are on offer.

Sandra continued “If you were unable to attend and would like to learn more about a specific service please get in touch with the relevant business.”

Businesses and organisations involved include:

• Helen Jones Nutritional Therapist
• Sian Winslade Coaching
• Guided Outdoor Adventures
• Just Drop In
• Satya Sanctuary
• NC Health and Wellness
• Soul Reformer
• Elite Health
• Wellness Webb
• Find your Backbone
• Nxtep Gym
• Run Knutsford
• Soul Reformer
• Run Talk Walk Knutsford
• Roberta Beauty Redefined
• Healthwatch
• Knutsford Hearing Centre
• Stable Minds
• Tomorrow Wellness
• Parkletics
• Clare & Illingworth
• Cheshire Physical Therapy

Discover Knutsford this festive season for shopping, entertainment, and celebration!

The weekend of 30^th November and 1^st December welcomes the Christmas cheer with Knutsford’s Christmas Markets, two days of the finest artisan market stalls. Join us for great food, drinks, and Christmas spirit. 12-7pm Saturdays 30^th November and 11-4pm Sunday 1^stDecember.

Also, on Saturday 30^th November the stage will be set for a full day of live entertainment featuring choirs from the local primary schools, dancing performances and local singers. The stage will be presented by Silk FM who, with the help of the Mayor of Knutsford and special guests, will switch on our Christmas Lights in Canute Place at 6pm. Headlining the event will be local band The Breakfast Club.

Catch a glimpse of Santa on his sleigh at 5.30pm as he makes his was along King Street, up Minshull Street to Canute Place where he will join the Mayor on stage. The Santa parade will feature music from City of Chester Brass Band and Anna and Elsa!

Children’s Adventure Farm Trust will be raising money for their charity (CAFT) in this year’s grotto which can be found on Silk Mill Street, outside the Market Hall. The grotto will be open Saturday 30^th November 12-4pm and Sunday 1^st December 11-4pm. No booking necessary.

We are grateful to our brilliant sponsors this year without whom the festive weekend would not be possible. Special thanks to Savills for sponsoring the Christmas Lights switch on, Bruntwood for sponsoring the Christmas Lights, Speedy Freight who sponsor our tree and Cygnet Health for their sponsorship of the Christmas Market.

This year’s Crib Service will take place on Saturday 7^th December at 4pm. Join the Mayor’s Community Crib Service where the Mayor’s chaplain will bless the town crib and Christmas carols will be sung supported by the City of Chester Brass Band. The service begins at approximately 4pm.

Remember to pick up your Discover Knutsford Christmas Gift Guide from one of our local businesses or visit the Discover Knutsford team at the Christmas markets to grab up your copy!

For further information please visit www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk or www.discoverknutsford.com or send an email to enquiries@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk

Notes

Photo credits – Tessa Carrol

Enquiries – alex.molloy@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk

Knutsford was a mini ‘Ideal Home Exhibition’ on September 21st, with its home and interior design shops hosting its third Knutsford at Home Event. Knutsford at Home was sponsored by Slater and Gordon.

The event was a collaboration between the home and interior shops and businesses in the town centre and coordinated by Knutsford Town Council under their Discover Knutsford brand. It offered shoppers a ‘menu of inspiration’ including talks from artists such as Diane Marsland in Holly Johnson Antiques, an alcohol Ink Art workshop In Havwoods and a gardening talk by RHS Associate of Honour Sam Youd. There were also two ‘Ask the Architect sessions’ – Hive Architects in Arthur Lee and Bianca Morgan in Susie Watson Designs. The full list of shops taking part was, Arthur Lee Interiors, Detaljer, Havwoods, Holly Johnson Antiques, Kendal Quality Carpets, NaturalMat, Oil Art Advisory, Oka, RI Home, Sofas and Stuff, Susie Watson Designs and Terzetto Stone.

Helen Dufton co-owner of Arthur Lee said, “’This was our third Knutsford at Home event, and it was lovely to see our shop buzzing with customers both new and old. We opened our side terrace too so customers could enjoy the September sun. A huge thanks to everyone who popped into see us and our fellow Knutsford businesses.”

Andrea Young of Havwoods, said: ‘12 of our lovely clients attended our In Art workshop hosted by our very talented friend and amazing artist Louise Williamson aka Big Canvas Art. I have to say we were blown away by the unique art work that was created by a group of complete novices. Images of ocean landscapes, flower gardens, abstract and my very own atomic explosion. We also welcomed new customers to the showroom throughout the day. A big thank you to everyone who attended and also to Lyndsey Dyson for helping me host such a successful event.’’

Sandra Curties, Knutsford Town Council’s Town Centre Manager, said, “These events are all about promoting Knutsford as a destination shopping venue and offering a bespoke shopping experience that cannot be replicated online. A huge thanks to those who gave up their time to deliver the workshops. We loved the way our shops worked together and seeing visitors mapping out their day using the flyers was fabulous.  We look forward to a better and bigger event next year.”

A bustling programme of heritage activity is available in Knutsford next weekend as part of the national Heritage Open Days event.

Knutsford Town Council has coordinated a programme of activity as part of the heritage festival which aims to celebrate the rich heritage across the UK. The council’s aim is to promote Knutsford as a place to visit for the first weekend of Heritage Open Days and to foster a better appreciation of the rich heritage we have on our doorstep. Materials to support the event have been funded by the UK Government as part of the Shared Prosperity Fund.

Heritage Open Days is always a free programme of events and Knutsford’s main events take place over the weekend of 6^th– 8^th September. While all events are free, some do require booking so please visit www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/heritageopendays for full details and booking information. 

Printed guides are also available from the Heritage Centre, Library, Council Offices and businesses around town.

Taking place on Friday 6^th September is a tour of Booths Hall, Booths Mere and the ruins of St Helena’s Church, an exhibition on Knutsford’s links with Mrs Gaskell and the arrival of the railway and two screenings of the Knutsford: Tales of War film at the Curzon. Friday also sees the launch of a new book by local historian Jenny Collis with a book talk and signing for Knutsford, our streets through time.  You can also take a guide tour of St Cross Church, visit the Tabley House collection and take part in a ghost walk!

Saturday 7^th starts with a fully booked tour of the Courthouse and later that afternoon there is a talk at Egerton Place on the Egerton Connection from Knutsford to Kenya.

On Sunday 8^th you could take part in a guided tours of the town’s historic coaching inns, take part in the ghost walk you missed on Friday evening or visit the Brook St Chapel for a special history themed service.