Latest News via Woodford Community Council e-Newsletter
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Archive News
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Woodford Community Centre Woodland Project
Walk Ten Tatton Park 2012
Christ Church Summer Fair
Clean Up Woodford Day
Woodford Community Centre goes green
Woodford 10K is a Runaway Success
The Vulcan comes home – or at least part of it!
Children Encouraged to Walk to School to Cut Carbon
Woodford Community Centre Woodland Project
A programme of improvements to the grounds at Woodford Community Centre (WWMCC) is underway. In 2012, a Jubilee Garden was created adjacent to the Small Hall, initiated by the WI as a joint venture with the WWMCC.
In addition, the WWMCC has planted a new copse and is creating a woodland walk around the large field at the back of the Centre, with the help of trees donated by the Woodland Trust.
The Woodland Trust (www.woodlandtrust.org.uk) is a charity aimed at protecting native woods, trees and their wildlife for the future; working with others to plant more native trees in Britain; and inspiring everyone to enjoy and value woods and trees. Among many benefits, trees attract wildlife, enhance the beauty of an area, store carbon and generate oxygen and help alleviate local flooding.
The Trust launched free tree packs in the autumn of 2010, designed to enable groups to plant more trees, woods, copses and hedges in the shared spaces of their local areas. In 2011, the WWMCC was successful in an application for an “all year round colour” community pack of 105 saplings and residents joined the management committee in planting the saplings in a corner of the field to form a copse.
Since then, work has been underway to provide a woodland walk around the perimeter of the field. A mown path through the rough grassland on the western perimeter of the field now links the copse to an existing pond and small wood.
These had become overgrown and inaccessible but now have been cleared of weeds and dead wood. Branches from the tree pruning have been used to make rustic fencing and a rustic bench.
Rubbish from years of fly tipping is being removed or safely covered with soil and a pathway created through the wood. Perimeter hedges that had become badly overgrown and choked by brambles and nettles are being cleared of weeds and laid to promote denser growth.
In March 2013, the WWMCC received a further free donation of saplings from the Woodland Trust.
This time we chose a pack of 30 hedgerow saplings and planted them to fill gaps in the perimeter hedges and woodland.
When warmer eventually arrives, grass and wild flower seed will be sown in the woodland. For more details click here.
Christ Church Summer Fair
Battling against the elements and numerous obstacles, Christ Church Woodford Summer Fair went ahead and proved to be a huge success.
This year’s fair celebrated 170 years of Woodford Christ Church, the Diamond Jubilee & the London Olympics.
Tension grew in the preceding days as the rain appeared unrelenting, but the clouds parted, gracing our day with a four hour gap of warm sunshine and a perfectly timed filling for an amazing wet weekend sandwich.
Out of the woodwork came an amazing array of volunteers set on auto pilot, their aim & focus set firm. With military precision, up went gazebos, bunting, tables and chairs, quickly adorned with a mishmash of fund raising products and activities. Ignoring the newly formed lake in the field we managed to create a corridor of fun filled laughter and smiles at the rear of Community Centre. Books, Bran tub, Bouncy Castle, Face painting, Tombola, Bric a Brac, Plants, Hook a Duck, coconuts & crafts to name a few.
Support from the Scouts & other local groups gave the fair a friendly community atmosphere. Spoons had been stirring for months prior, providing us with a variety of sumptuous homemade cakes & preserves. In addition there was plenty to feast ourselves on with a BBQ, ice cream, candy floss, Indian cuisine, sandwiches, whilst not forgetting the wonderful home-made cakes & cream teas.
The Grand draw was a great success with prizes of a weekend break for two in Pilling Lancashire, Monster headphones, a 32” HD TV & a case of wine. Prizes were also awarded for the children’s Miniature Jubilee Garden competition & the winner of Guess My Name; ‘NANNY’ the wining name of the goat with her two kids.
Magic was in the air as a wand waved over the crowd to the cheers of children. Juggling too - TWO, THREE then TEN balls at one time, followed with more entertaining antics as all were encouraged to join in! Punch & Judy kept the young & old entertained & mesmerized by the balloon modelling. A 1969 Open Top Bus in contrast to modern Fire Engine brought charm, interest & delight for many.
A medley of laughter, surprise, treats and sunshine whipped together creating a wonderful church fair on a long lasting memorable day! A HUGE HUGE thank you to far too many to mention that helped in a variety of capacities. WELL DONE EVERYONE!
Clean Up Woodford Day
A big 'thank you' to the 21 hardy people who turned up on Saturday 9th June in miserable weather to litter pick and support the 'clean up Woodford' initiative.
In addition to the 19 residents we had two visitors from Switzerland who pitched in to help.
Some 27 bags of rubbish later we had flasks of mulled wine to restore the very damp pickers! A good time was had by all, new friends were made and Woodford was spick and span.
Woodford Community Centre goes green by planting free trees
Members of the community in Woodford planted over 100 free trees from the Woodland Trust at the Woodford War Memorial Community Centre on Sunday 20th November, as a green investment for future generations.
Woodford Community Centre has been dear to the hearts of the local community since it was built in 1953. It is a registered charity, entirely self-funding and run by local volunteers. Two halls, a large car park and a field provide an excellent venue for a wide range of activities, including sport, dancing, shows, car boot sales, meetings, parties, or weddings.
Tree planting was organised by the management committee of the Woodford Community Centre. Their spokesperson for the event, Evelyn Frearson, said:
"Tree planting is a great way for us to do something lasting for our local area. Trees enhance the environment by absorbing carbon dioxide emissions form human activities and providing habitats for wild life. We chose the 'all year round colour' pack for the local community to enjoy."
The free saplings have been planted to form a copse on the field. A special sapling grown from a seed harvested from a tree growing on one of the royal estates was included in the pack. The important task of planting this special Jubilee Tree was given to the youngest volunteer on the day, 5 year old Mathew Horrocks, (pictured below left) grandson of one of the members of the community centre management committee.
The free community tree packs are part of the Woodland Trust's Jubilee Woods project, which aims to plant 6 million trees by the end of 2012. With HRH The Princess Royal as patron, it is only one of a handful of projects to carry official Royal approval. According to the Woodland Trust, over 1,000 registrations were received for community packs this autumn and as a result, more than 200,000 free trees will be planted.
Victoria Hodson from the Woodland Trust added: "We are delighted that the Woodford Community Centre used our free tree scheme. Communities are transforming their neighbourhoods, growing their own fruits and food, creating shade and shelter, and providing new homes for wildlife. Next year, we are offering more free trees as part of our Jubilee Woods Project to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee, and would love more communities to get involved."
In February, the Trust is encouraging millions of people across the UK to come together and plant one million trees in one month to celebrate 60 years since The Queen's accession to the throne. Communities can take part by applying for a free pack at The Jubilee Woods.
Woodford 10K is a Runaway Success
The Woodford 10K took place recently with over 300 runners, from experienced athletes to those running for fun, completing the 10k multi-terrain course.
Many of them supported the race's chosen charity, the Seashell Trust, a school and college for young people with profound disabilities, based in Cheadle Hulme.
The event, which had a real family feel, with fun entertainment provided by Pure FM, is expecting to raise around £10,000 for the charity.
Race Organiser, Chris Ackers was delighted the event continued its success of last year's inaugural race, and was full of praise for all the participants. 'We have been overwhelmed with so much positive feedback about the event and so grateful that so many of our runners got behind our chosen charity, Seashell Trust. It's been amazing to repeat the success of last year's race.'
And there were a few well known faces amongst the runners, including Annabel Tiffin from BBC North West News, who after completing the race said, 'I thoroughly enjoyed the run and it's a really good course. The atmosphere has been great with so many well-wishers helping all the runners along.'
Helen Clayton, Fundraising Officer at Seashell Trust explained 'We are so grateful to everyone that ran for the Seashell Trust. It was amazing to see so many people there and the support we have received through this event has been incredible.
We provide a home, an education and hope for children, young people and adults with learning difficulties and disabilities and many of those that come to us face such complex problems that they may never be able to communicate, play, laugh or even cry without our help. Every single person that has supported us through the Woodford 10K will have made a huge difference to the work we can do".
To support Seashell Trust and our runners, please visit www.seashelltrust.org.uk or call Helen Clayton on 0161 610 0168. And if you missed out on this race, why not register now for next year's Manchester 10K, which will take place on Sunday 20th May 2012, and run for Seashell Trust. Registrations are now open on www.greatrun.org.
The full results of the race can be found on https://northernrunningguide.com/race/woodford-10k (see Downloads towards the bottom of the page).
The Vulcan comes home – or at least part of it!
On Saturday, 20th April 2013 the nose cone and cockpit of a Vulcan previously built at Woodford were returned to the airfield from the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry. They will be stored in the former fire station until the new Heritage Centre opens on the Woodford site.
Shown above are Harry Holmes of the Avro Heritage Centre, Paul Rodman, Chairman of Woodford Community Council, and Harry Harvey from Avro Heritage Ltd (Site owners).
Children Encouraged to Walk to School to Cut Carbon
Stockport Council is encouraging schools in the borough to take part in International Walk to School Month, which is being held this month.
The Council has joined the Month as part of its CarbON-CarbOFF initiative and has celebrated itby re-launching the successful Green Miles initiative which, as well as encouraging children to walk and cycle to school, educates children about geography and history. As part of the CarbON-CarbOFF information programme, the Council is committed to reduce its carbon footprint by 10% and has partnered with the Energy Saving Trust to encourage businesses and residents to do the same. Last year over 60 schools within Stockport signed up to Walk to School Month and Stockport Council would like even more to take part this year.
Cllr Stuart Bodsworth, Executive Member for the Environment, said “By encouraging children to walk to school from a young age we can show them what a vital part they have to play in reducing carbon emissions.”
Cllr David White, Executive Member for Transportation, said “This international event teaches children about active modes of transportation, like walking or cycling. I would encourage as many schools in Stockport to take part in this initiative as it improves health and reduces air pollution by cutting the amount of cars on our roads.”
For more information on how to reduce carbon emissions, become more energy efficient, save money and reduce your carbon footprint, visit https://www.stockport.gov.uk/sustainability-and-climate-change/climate-change (free internet access is available at all Stockport libraries).