Special Speaker Meeting

Mon, Sep 10th 2018 at 12:15 pm -

Another of our continuing Public speaker events covering topical subjects.

10th Sept at Winnington Park Rec Club
Clare Huber (CW&C) with the latest on the the Barons Quay & Weaver Square developments.

The Rotary Club of Northwich – Special Speaker Meeting 10th September 2018

Headlines; 

• Car Parking charges for Northwich before Christmas
• Further Barons Quay Units being let
• Northwich Transport Strategy will go to Public Consultation
• A new format for the forthcoming Rotary Beer Festival
• Through Swimathon and River Festival over £17,000 raised for charity (Over £5000 handed over at meeting)

 

Over 60 guests and speakers attended the Rotary Club of Northwich’s Special Speaker Meeting at Winnington Park Recreation Club on 10th September 2018 to receive updates on Rotary activitiesHeritage Open Days and Northwich Town Centre Developments, a “Holistic Approach”, from Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Rotary Updates

River Festival

Rotarian Rupert Adams presented certificates to Cheshire West and Chester Council, Canal and Rivers Trust, Northwich Town Council and CRS Consultants in recognition of their considerable assistance in the delivery of the Festival. In recognition of their contribution certificates will also be presented to the Business Improvement District (Northwich), Barons Quay Management, Mid Cheshire Scouts and OakmereMazda.

Rupert told the audience that in addition to the public benefit the festival was also on target to raise surplus in the region of £6000 with all the proceeds going to local charities; in particular the Festival’s nominated charities, The Alzheimer’s Society and The RNLI.

Swimathon

President Denise Watkinson announced that the Northwich Rotary Swimathon 2018 raised over £11000 for 13 charitable causes, helped considerably by the event’s set up and running costs being covered by Headwater, the local independent holiday company, along with a donation from Roberts Bakery.

Denise went on to present cheques totalling in excess of £5000 to the event’s nominated charities The Joshua Tree a small local charity supporting families with children with cancer, and Mid Cheshire Hospitals Trust Dementia Appeal which is developing an iPad project aimed at reassuring dementia patients at critical times.

Next year’s event is at Northwich Brio Leisure Pool on 23rd and 24th March 2019.

Rotary Beer and Drinks Festival 2018

Rotarian Peter Chapman from the Rotary Club of Northwich Vale Royal announced that our 25th Beer and Drinks festival would be held on 21st and 22nd September at Memorial Court, Northwich with an evening session on the 21st and both an afternoon and evening session on the 22nd. Having listened to feedback from the 2017 event this year’s festival would include prosecco and gin in addition to real ales and cider. As always there will be a selection of alcohol free drinks for drivers.

In addition to the change in the drinks offer additional seating will be available and music that is more conducive to the event i.e. “not as noisy” has been booked for the evening sessions.

Pete went on to advise that a one-time only festival tea shirt will be available which marks the event’s 25thmilestone. It will be on sale at the event for £5. There will also be a programme charting the events history.

Heritage Open Days

Sue Wakeford, Northwich Townscape Heritage Officer for CWaC explained how funding that had been obtained from the Heritage Lottery Fund, amounting to £1.4 million, was being spent to improve the appearance and fabric of the historical buildings of Northwich Town Centre. Part of the funding is also allocated to a programme aimed at raising awareness of our heritage.

Part of this involves Heritage Open Days which this year span the weekends of 8thand 9th and 15th and 16thSeptember. Further details are available from the CwaCwebsite and Information Centres and libraries.

Northwich Town Centre – An Update.

Graham Pink, CWaC Director of Commercial Management, supported by Clare Huber, Senior Programme Manager Construction, and Jamie Baron, Highways Manager, all from Cheshire West and Chester Council, gave an update on current progress of redevelopments in and around the Town and the timeline for future developments.

Graham initially explained changes that were taking place within the Council through the creation of a “Place Directorate” where each of four directors would be responsible for the physical environment within specific locations. Graham is responsible for Northwich.

In a very informative session Graham explained the joined up approach that was now being taken by CWaCand its partners to revitalise the Town Centre, focusing on its undoubted strengths of regional location, historical and riverside settings

Graham explained that the vast majority of projects in Northwich are housing which have or will create in the region of 3,500 new homes. 

However, in relation to commercial and public space developments, and responding to questions from the floor, he explained how important it is that all projects involve joined up thinking such as

• negotiation of numerous new letting opportunities, some of which include providing “experiences” (for example soft play facilities) rather than retail options at Barons Quay. Graham explained that the details of potential new occupants, although widely broadcast, were for legal reasons, subject to embargo at present,
• the provision of a landing stage by spring 2019 for boats at Barons Quay giving them direct access to the Town, a partnership approach with Canal and Rivers Trust,  
• Weaver Square proposals where along with residential provision discussions are underway to explore the services that might occupy a Community Neighbourhood Hub. The scheme would need to assess and build in car parking requirements, The scheme would also provide the opportunity to complete the resurfacing of the Witton/High Street pedestrianised areas including a drainage review in order to address ongoing sewer odours in the area,
• redevelopment of the former County Offices site at Watling Street in a manner sympathetic to Northwich’s heritageImportantly the scheme will release funds for Weaver Way redevelopment,
• the outcome of a parking facilities review that would see the introduction of both car parking charges and free, but time restricted, parking in the Town before Christmas 2018,
• developing a Northwich Transport Strategy which in the latter stages would include elements of Public Consultation, 
• undertaking significant repairs to the Town’s two swing bridges mainly focused on night time closures and traffic restrictions from this November,
• that in spite of previous Planning Inspectorate decisions and whilst not within the authorities gift, even as part of the planning process, to explore with Central Government funding opportunities to provide an enhanced river crossing at Winnington, and
• development of a package of events for the Town, with partners, including an international event taking place this October, with a view to it becoming an annual event.

 


 

 

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Crowds along Weaver Way

An annual extravaganza featuring Dragons Boats, Pirates, Fun Fair, Duck Races and much, much more. A family, fun event raising money for charitable causes.

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The ducks get off to a flying start!

The seventh Northwich Charity Duck Race takes place on Sunday 20th July 2024 as part of the Northwich River Festival activities.

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The 30th Northwich Beer Festival takes place at the Northwich Memorial Court on the 20th & 21st September 2024.

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Saturday 2nd November 2024. Northwich Verdin Park, Gates open at 5.30pm, Bonfire lit at 6.30pm, Firework Spectacular at 7.15pm. see northwichfirefest.co.uk

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Organising local heats for the national Young Chef competition

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Purple 4 Polio Crocuses planted by Rotarians in the centre of Northwich

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The Friendship Cafe is a chance for people with dementia and their carers to socialise together in a welcoming environment. We meet monthly the third Wednesday in each month 2pm at the Methodist Church in Witton Street.

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Day one of the Subnational Immunization Days in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India, a weeklong campaign to vaccinate children against polio. Rotarians, Rotaractors, health workers, and other volunteers set up and operate more than 1,500 immunization

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