SEPTEMBER 2010 DEBUT AUTHOR HAS ROOTS IN THE VILLAGE Jacqueline Yallop's first novel, Kissing Alice, begins just before the First World War, with the theft of a unique copy of William Blake's Songs of Innocence and Experience. Blake's illustrated poems were also the starting point for the author, who came back to her local roots recently for a book signing at Sandiway Library. “It was while working at the John Rylands Library in Manchester that I first saw an original copy of the Songs, ” explains Jacqueline. “It was so beautiful, it just stayed with me and seemed a good focus for a novel.” Tracing the fall-out of the theft over several generations, Kissing Alice was published in November and has already been enthusiastically reviewed. It was shortlisted for the prestigious McKitterick Prize and singled out for its “compelling story and fine prose” by the judges of the Orange Debut Prize. A former student at Sir John Deane's, Jacqueline got a first class degree in English Literature at Oxford. As an art gallery curator in Manchester and Sheffield, she worked with lots of quirky and beautiful things, many of which continue to inspire her writing, both fiction and non-fiction. She has a PhD in Victorian Literature and her next book, a tale of eccentric Victorian collectors, is due out next year. Jacqueline lives in France, but her local connections often bring her back to Cuddington. Her family have been here for 25 years and she was married at St Bede’s church in Weaverham. The village doesn't yet feature in her writing but she doesn't rule it out. “Who knows! I'm sure there's material for an intriguing novel hidden away somewhere,” she says. Kissing Alice is out in paperback on 1 September from Atlantic Books.
B and G Ju-Jitsu Saturday, 10.30am - 1.30pm, (term time only). Contact 01606 551552 Blue Dragon Tae Kwon Do Wednesday, 6.00pm - 7.00pm. Friday, 5.45pm - 7.45pm Contact A Walkinshaw; 07890 399994 Bridge Club Monday, 12.30pm - 4.45pm. Contact C Woodward; 01606 883660 Chair-a-size Monday, 10,00am - 11.00am. Contact Claire Britton; 07932 772467. Gentle but effective seated exercise. Mini Tennis Friday, 4.45pm - 5.45pm (October to Easter only). Contact Linda Smith; 01606 882081 Pilates Monday, 5.15pm - 7.45pm. Tuesday, 1.45pm - 3.00pm. Thursday, 9.15am - 10.30am. Contact L Cross; 07776 1122134 Pilates for Pleasure Saturday, 9.30am - 10.30am. T Buckle; 01606 883686 Brownies - 1st Sandiway - Tuesday, 5.45pm - 7.30pm. Contact S Green; 01477 544175 Sunshine Fitness Tuesday, 7.30pm - 9.00pm. Contact Helen Connor; 07815 161508 Table Tennis Club Monday, 8.00pm - 10.00pm, (September to April). Contact E Hulme; 01606 883252 Table Tennis League Club Wednesday, 7.00pm - 10.30pm (2 weekly, September to April). Yoga Thursday, 8.00pm - 9.15pm. Contact T Cohen; 07754 434350 Other activities and events are included on the Diary page and on the Village Hall Noticeboard.
The next meeting of the parish council will take place at the Village Hall on Monday 20th September at 7.30pm, preceded by a Public Forum at 7.15pm, when residents can put questions to the council
Times of trains to (but not from) Manchester will alter slightly on 6th September to take account of leaves on the line. Most will depart from Cuddington 4 minutes earlier than before. Take care if you arrive from the Northwich direction at 22 minutes past the hour and cross the line behind the departing train, because there will now be a train for Manchester running in on the other line at 23 minutes past, possibly obscured from your view by the departing train.
• Congratulations to the following pupils of Weaverham High School who all achieved 10 or more A or A* grades in their GCSEs; Chloe Bouckley, Hannah Davies, Rebecca Donhue, Rachel Koral, Matthew Langham, George Newton, and last but certainly not least, David Nicholson who had the distinction of gaining the highest number of A*s in the year group. • Do UNO about the UFO? The Northwich Guardian has discovered a report of a UFO sighting in Cuddington among the newly released documents in the national archives. On July 11th 1998 two triangular objects were spotted in the sky above Cuddington and reported to the Ministry of Defence. The Guardian is eager to hear from whoever reported those, so if it was you, get in touch (with them, not me). • I took it upon myself to attend the first of the monthly afternoon teas at the village hall in order to report to readers. I can tell you that the tea was accompanied by a delicious selection of home made cakes and there was a very convivial atmosphere in the hall which was set out with gingham clothed tables, and flowers. It is as good as any tea shop I have been to and it is well worth planning a shopping trip to coincide with it. You can also browse the committee’s collection of second hand books. • As the result of a request in this newsletter Jill King has found a copy of ‘Cuddington and Sandiway 2000’ by M Bevan to complete her gift of a local book collection for Sandiway School. Don’t underestimate the power of your village newsletter.
Newly formed Oxfam group OxCan (Community Action Northwich) are coming to the village for the first of their themed nights. Step back into the 1940's with an authentic three course meal, entertainment provided by a team of actors, beetle drive and music. The group is working with a local historical re-enactor so that you will get the true flavour of the time. A night for nostalgia or to experience what life was like then, and keep smiling through.> September 25th , St John’s Church Hall, 7.30pm. Tickets are £12.50 (£10 for under 18s), available from Beth Barlow on 07828148123
Copy for our next issue must be at one of the usual collections points (Sandiway Library, Sandiway Post Office or either newsagent) by Friday 10th September please. Alternatively you can email the Round Tower Editors by clicking the link |
