www.lethartforddecide.org.uk
Hartford News
The Official Newsletter of Hartford Parish Council | Vol 38 No 8
April 2012
JUBILEE WOODS
Spring has sprung, so now is the time to get out and enjoy
Hartford’s trees. As always, there is a varied selection of
activities to enjoy at Marshall’s Arm Local Nature Reserve.
Meanwhile, in the centre of Hartford, planting of woodland plants
has started on Grange Woods, with the addition of traditional bird
boxes to encourage wildlife. The aim is to create a woodland
worthy of its new name, ‘Jubilee Woods’, commemorating the
Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Already, several hundred snowdrops
have been planted, by Cllr Smith and Cllr Gibson, and there are
also further plans to plant a number of new trees to mark the
Diamond Jubilee.
Reel success for
Films in Hartford
By popular demand, the final film of our
fifth season is to be The Best Exotic
Marigold Hotel. Its cast includes Maggie
Smith, Judi Dench and Bill Nighy. A
hugely enjoyable film, it has been warmly
recommended by critics, public, and the
editor of Hartford News, alike! It will be
shown on Thursday 19 April, at 7.30pm, at
the Grange Theatre. As ever, tickets cost
£4, and are available from Hartford Dry
Cleaners and Hartford Pharmacy.
Alternatively telephone Trish, on 74024.
Last month’s film, War Horse, sold out a
fortnight before its screening, so it is
strongly recommended that you get your
tickets early, to avoid disappointment.
We don't want to turn down Hartford
There have been vast
residents, but many people seem to be
improvements to Grange
waiting until the last minute before trying
Woods (soon to become
to obtain tickets!
‘Jubilee Woods’), and
The success of the film shows is thanks to
woodland on the edge of
volunteers Trish and Ian Parker. Further
Grange Park. Hartford
support is provided by the Grange School,
Parish Council wishes to
which makes available its superb modern
acknowledge the work of
auditorium, Hartford Pharmacy and
Greenacres, co-ordinated
Hartford Dry Cleaners, who sell tickets,
by Cllr Haffenden.
and Hartford Parish Council, which
publicises the events and helps with other
aspects of their organisation.
Parish Council
12 March meeting | Contacts
Mid Cheshire steam
This is an abridged version of the minutes of the
meeting of Hartford Parish Council. Full minutes
are available, on request, from the Parish Clerk,
or at www.hartfordparishcouncil.org.uk.
Public Open Forum
Four members of the public attended the meeting to
seek the Parish Council’s support in opposing the
planning application for a substantial extension to a
house on School Lane. Cllr Musgrave (CWAC)
agreed to request that the application be referred to
Planning Committee.
PCSO Report
PCSO Andrew Taylor in absentia.
There were seven incidents of antisocial behaviour
in February, none of them particularly noteworthy.
PCSO Taylor has spoken to children at Hartford
Manor Primary School and The Grange Junior
School on a number of topics, including ‘stranger
danger’, alcohol and drug awareness, and internet
safety. Forthcoming community projects include
drug awareness, to be held at Mid Cheshire College
and Sir John Deane’s College.
Cheshire West and Chester Council
Cllr Keith Musgrave
Cheshire West and Chester Council has reduced the
Council Tax by 0.25% and has credited Hartford
residents in respect of Special Charges in order to
avoid double taxation. Work has taken place in
Greenbank with repairs to all kerbs, car park,
installation of a security gate by the play area and
talks continue with Weaver Vale Housing
Association to renovate one of the vacant shops to
provide a drop-in-centre. The planning applications
for Grange Farm and Hollies Farm are likely to be
considered by Planning Committee in either May or
June and the Scrutiny Committee is currently
looking at reducing the target number of housing.
Cllr Musgrave agreed to provide a mature tree, with
a plaque to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee.
Football Club
The lease has been considered, amended and
returned to Stephen Worral (CFP Solicitors) so that a
draft can be produced before the end of March.
Following this, a further meeting will be held with
representatives of Hartford Football Club.
Joint Action Group
Since the last meeting an update has been delivered
to all residents in Hartford. John Swaffield and Phil
Herbert are to meet with Greg Clerk (Minister of
State for Communities and Local Government) on
17 April in Westminster. After intervention by Cllr
Herbert an archaeological report has been
undertaken by CWAC.
Hartford Parish Council contacts
Contact details for individual members of Hartford
Parish Council are available on its website,
www.hartfordparishcouncil.org.uk.
Contact with Hartford Parish Council should
normally be made through the Clerk:
 41862
 [email protected]
 231 Hartford Road, Davenham, CW9 8JT
Jo O’Donoghue:
Hartford Village Hall
Hartford Village Hall now has its own website,
where you can enquire about making a booking, or
find out what events are already due to take place.
Go to www.hartfordvillagehall.co.uk; alternatively,
contact the Clerk, Jo O’Donoghue.
Home Watch Notes
Diamond Jubilee | Hartford JAG
Mid Cheshire steam
We are now entering what is usually a “quiet” period
Diamond Jubilee Celebrations
for house breaking in Hartford.
Now that the hours of daylight are growing, we see a
drop in burglaries. These tend to happen in summer
while people are on holiday and residents relax in their
gardens. However, a couple of garden sheds have been
raided in recent weeks, so we still must keep on taking
sensible precautions and never drop our guard.
Last summer, there were a number of distraction thefts
at supermarkets in town and recently, there was
another incident. The targets are usually elderly ladies.
The first thief looks over
the victim’s shoulder at
the check-out till to
catch the PIN number
being entered. The
second one waits outside
and approaches the
victim, asking for change
or directions, while she
or he dips into the
handbag to remove purse
Police advice
 Never leave your handbag
hanging unattended on a
shopping trolley;
 Make sure the bag has a
secure zip and your purse
its own zip;
 If you are approached by a
stranger in or around a
time at all, a substantial
supermarket, do not
sum of cash has been
engage in a conversation;
bank account.
Watch out, too, for
Wendy Gibson ( 07939 047665
 [email protected]);
Rachel Bridge (07776 409425);
Dan (at Hartford Hall,  786400).
Watch for further details in local shops, pubs and
businesses, as well as May’s Hartford News.
is in an inner pocket with
and credit card. In no
taken from the victim’s
Hartford is holding a varied range of activities, to
celebrate the forthcoming Diamond Jubilee in June.
We plan to offer something for all ages and
interests, including an art competition for all
primary aged children, open market outside the
parade of shops, family sports day with traditional
games alongside a picnic in the park, and a family
day and treasure hunt at Hartford Hall. If you would
like to be included in the working party, or would
like more information, please contact:
 Report any such incident
to the police on 101;
 Always shield the
telephone and internet
keyboard of any chip and
scams. My wife had a
PIN machine with one
call, allegedly from “Visa
hand while keying the pin
International” in Florida
with the other;
saying she had won a
 Make sure the machine
prize, but could they
has not been tampered
check her details. When
with before using it.
she told them she never
gave her card number over the phone, the line went
dead. Please never give banking or credit card details
to anyone on an in-coming telephone call.
To enquire about any aspect of Home Watch in
Hartford, please get in touch, on 01606 77705 or, by
email, at [email protected].
Joint Action Group news
By the time you read this, the new National
Planning Policy Framework should have been
published. Some 14,000 responses were submitted
at the draft stage, and we look forward to finding out
how the original document has been adjusted as a
result. The National Trust, and other like-minded
organisations, wrote to The Times newspaper in mid
March, in an effort to keep up the momentum.
Two members of JAG's committee will meet the
Minister, Greg Clarke, on 17 April at a meeting
arranged by Graham Evans MP, where they will
have an opportunity to voice our concerns. We
understand that the two planning applications for
developments in our village will not go before the
Strategic Planning Committee until May or June.
Once we have a firm date for those two meetings
we'll be calling for residents to lobby the members
of the SPC to voice their objections to the plans.
Meanwhile keep an eye on the JAG's website,
www.lethartforddecide.org.uk, Hartford News and
the local press.
Past Times
Edward Knowles and the Northfleet
disastersteam
Mid Cheshire
This month we present two articles, submitted by readers, concerning lesser known aspects of the history
of Hartford. Pat Hatfield, of Hartford Civic Society, asks what became of the village’s memorial to a
seafaring hero; Phil Herbert’s piece concerns archaeological treasures that may be hidden along the line of
Chester Road. The illustrations are taken from a project, ‘The Village of Hartford, Cheshire’, now fifty
years old, by Hartford resident Lilian Hartley, excerpts of which were published in Hartford News in 2009.
Readers who wish to submit items to be considered for publication should email [email protected].
E
dward Knowles was born on 4 May 1839. He
was the Captain of the frigate 'Northfleet'
which had been chartered to carry labourers
and their families, 340 tons of iron rails and 240 tons
of other equipment to Hobart, Tasmania, where a
railway was to be built. The ship left Gravesend on
13 January 1873 with 379 passengers on board
including the pilot, 34 crew members, three cabin
passengers and a large number of assisted emigrants 248 men, 42 women and 52 children. Bad weather
forced the ship to drop anchor at several points before
leaving the Channel and, on the night of 22 January,
she was at anchor a few miles off Dungeness. Her
lights were on and burning brightly and the night was
clear. At around 10:30pm, the Spanish steamer
'Murillo' collided at speed with the anchored
vessel, striking it amidships and cutting it
down to the waterline. The Northfleet sank
within half an hour. In the ensuing panic,
Captain Knowles, pistol in hand, tried to save
the women and children but, in spite of his
efforts, 293 people were drowned. More
people might have been saved if the rescue
had not been delayed. The clipper 'Corona'
was anchored just 300 yards away, but the
night watchman was asleep while, on board the
'Northfleet', the signal gun could not be fired
because the touch hole was found to be
blocked. Only two boats managed to get clear
of the sinking ship. One had no oars; the other
was damaged. The 86 fortunate passengers that
survived were eventually saved by some of the
ships in the vicinity, but the 'Murillo' was not
one of them. After this tragic event, a book was
published entitled 'The Loss of the Ship
Map of Hartford in 1847, taken from
Lilian Hartley’s project of 1962.
Northfleet - a complete account of all connected with
the sad disaster'. It cost just half a guinea and all the
proceeds were devoted to raising a National Memorial
to Captain Knowles, who went down with his ship,
and to all who lost their lives.
In our own village, enough money was raised by
public subscription to pay for a stained glass window
in the Church and a monument in the churchyard.
Hartford's first church was consecrated in 1824 but,
by 1873, it had become too small for the expanding
congregation so it was demolished and a larger one,
consecrated in 1875, built on the same site. We leave
you to find out whether these two memorials still exist
in our present church, or were lost when the previous
one was demolished.
Hartford News
Past Times
What lies beneath? Archaeology in Hartford
“Hartford
Population 987.
A telegraph station.
“Two miles from
MONEY ORDER OFFICE at
Northwich, 3 miles
Northwich brings us to
“This station, being in a
very deep cutting, much
of the romantic scenery
in the vicinity is
concealed from view,
but on issuing forth we
perceive a pretty villa
on our left, and further
on Grange Hill
standing on a well
wooded eminence near
the railway. Near this place is an elegant bridge.
Two miles beyond is Northwich, wich (sounded witch)
being the old name of a salt town...”
another mile we are in
Bradshaw’s ‘Handbook’, 1863
D
uring excavations for Hartford railway
station, opened in 1837 by the Grand
Junction Railway company, a number of
sepulchral urns were found that, at one time, would
have contained the ashes from the cremated remains
of the Romano-British population at the nearby
settlement of Condate (Northwich).
Cremation was the most common burial practice
during the latter period of the Roman Republic, and
the first few centuries of the empire. Interment of the
funerary urns would always take place outside
settlement walls to avoid pollution of the living –
ambivalence in attitude existed toward the dead, one
of continuing love and sense of duty, and the other of
this fear of spiritual pollution.
Cemeteries were invariably located along the routes
leading to and from settlements, in this case, along
Watling Street North, it being the link to Chester.
That this Roman road is located beneath the present
highway (Chester Road) is well documented, and
recently confirmed by English Heritage.
lovely Hartford, and in
sight of Hartford
Bridge, a lofty railway
viaduct across the
valley of the Weaver”
From ‘Cheshire’, by
Arthur Mee
In 2003, in conjunction with Vale Royal Borough
Council, English Heritage produced the ‘Survey of
Cheshire Historical Towns’. The document prioritises
the establishment of the exact line of Watling Street
out of Northwich, and the location of Romano-British
cemeteries associated with the fort and settlement.
Are there further burial sites in the direction of
Northwich? Do the finds at Hartford station mark the
periphery of settlement and, if so, is there evidence
yet to be found of linear occupation along Chester
Road? It was common for settlements to become
established along the route of Roman roads in
proximity to forts and garrisons.
Unfortunately, much of the archaeology along Chester
road has been lost to building and development. Little
open space remains giving the opportunity for
archaeological investigation. The one area that does
is Grange Farm, having only surface disturbance
through ploughing. So, what lies beneath? It would
be a pity to see it fall victim to the JCB.
If you are interested in seeing the burial urns,
which are not on general display, you can
arrange to view them at Warrington Museum;
 01925 442733.
Agenda
Diary | News
| Societies
Meeting
report:
11 January
Hartford Parish Council
meeting
Hartford Village Hall
 Jo O’Donoghue, 41862
 [email protected]
 www.hartfordparishcouncil.org.uk
Monday 2 April
7:15pm
Parish Council Ordinary Meeting
Members of the public who wish to raise matters of
concern with the Council may do so during the
Public Open Forum (between 7:15pm and 7:30pm).
Although items can be discussed, the Council cannot
legally make decisions on items not already on the
agenda, so any decisions about items raised must be
deferred to the next meeting. Members of the press
and public are welcome to attend the Council
meeting, however once the meeting has started they
will not be able to take part.
Knots & Needles
meeting
 Jean McBride, 889871
Hartford Village Hall
Thursday 12 April
7:30pm
Stitch and chat
Join us for a friendly meeting. You can bring along
your own project to do or help with the knitted
squares we started in January. Anyone wishing to
learn to knit is more than welcome to join us.
Marshalls Arm Local Nature Reserve
activity
 [email protected]
Cloughwood School
 www.marshallsarm.org.uk
Saturday 16 April
2pm to 4pm
On The Trail
The full agenda can be found on the Parish Council
notice boards, or obtained from the Parish Clerk.
…and Easter Egg Hunt. Orienteering and
GEOcaching; our Techno Treasure Trail.
The Hall is accessible to users of wheelchairs.
Sunday 29 April
Note that, because of the Easter Bank Holiday, this
meeting will not be held, as would normally be the
case, on the second Monday of April.
Marshall’s Army meets each month, at the Stones
Manor Lane entrance to the reserve.
 Richard Haffenden, 76058
10am to 1pm
The Annual Parish Meeting will be held in May.
Hartford Young NSPCC
The Petty Pool Trust
activity
Vale Royal Abbey
 01606 889097
Pool Lane, Sandiway
Wednesdays, from 18 April
9:30am to 3pm
event
 Anne, 07550 084492;
 Helen, 07754 079279
Saturday 21 April
Petty Pool Plant Sale
Butterfly Ball
Bedding plants, perennials, hanging baskets and
patio pots grown by our students. Free entry.
Good food, entertainment and company guaranteed.
Donations of raffle and auction prizes (including the
time of people with special skills) would be very
gratefully received.
Eddisbury Flower Club
Sandiway Church Hall
Tuesday 10 April
meeting
 Hilary Marsh, 782812
2pm
Variations on a Theme
Demonstrator is Patti Dawson. Visitors welcome.
Plans for the Rose Fete on 26 May are well under
way. Offers of help in setting up and running stalls,
baking cakes, donations for tombola and raffles etc.
would be greatly appreciated. In particular, white
sheets for decorating the floats would be very
welcome;  Linda, 591828 to arrange collection.
Agenda
April 2012
Hartford Womens Institute
St John’s Church Centre
meeting
 Judith, 40823
 www.cheshirewi.org.uk
Wednesday 4 April
7:30pm
Painting for Everyone
Speaker: Gill Adlington. Competition: A handmade,
decorated egg.
Hartford Methodist Church
 Rev Charles Makonde, 44613
Sundays
10:30am
Easter Sunday, 8 April: Morning Worship with
Holy Communion
other weeks: Morning Worship
Young people meet in Church prior to their classes.
Maundy Thursday, 5 April
Art in Davenham
lecture
Davenham Players' Theatre
 Caroline Stevens, 42920;
 Eileen Moncrieff, 784204
Tuesday 17 April
7:30pm
services
7:30pm
United Holy Communion Service with St John's
Parish Church, at the Methodist Church, led by Rev
Mike Smith and Rev Charles Makonde.
Good Friday, 6 April
2pm
Sectional Service: The Way of the Cross
Leonardo da Vinci.
Illustrated lecture by Adrian Sumner. Admission,
including a drink, is priced £6. All the proceeds of
the event will be divided between St Luke's Cheshire
Hospice and the Macmillan Nurses Fund.
1st Hartford Scouts
sale
 www.1stHartfordScouts.co.uk
Last day for orders: Friday 6 April;
Collection: Saturday 26 May
12 noon to 2pm
Bedding plants, pot plants, vegetable plants, hanging
baskets and planters from a professional nursery,
available to order from home. Order forms from:
Hartford Dry Cleaners, The Sandwich Shop,
Hartford Video Centre or the website.
meeting
Methodist Church Hall
 Helen Green, 01565 733670
Monday 2 April
Funeral Customs and Traditions
Speaker Hilary Whatmough
7:30pm
services
 www.stjohnshartford.org
Sundays
8am
15 April: Morning Prayer
other weeks: Holy Communion
Sundays
10am
8 April: Easter Morning Family Communion
other weeks: Morning Prayer
Sundays
Bedding Plant Sale
Northwich Family History Society
St John’s Parish Church
6:30pm
1 April: Holy Communion
8 April: Easter Celebration
other weeks: Evening Prayer
Maundy Thursday, 5 April
7:30pm
United Holy Communion Service at Hartford
Methodist Church, led by Rev Mike Smith and Rev
Charles Makonde.
Good Friday, 6 April
An Hour At The Cross
6pm
Agenda
Meeting
Diary | report:
News |11Societies
January
Hartford Civic Society
news
 [email protected];
 www.hartfordcivicsociety.org.uk;  76400
The committee of Chester Civic Trust’s Blue Plaque
Scheme was due to meet in March, and Hartford
Civic Society is optimistic about its application. If
two of the sites of historic interest in the village
received blue plaques, they would mark the start of
the long term history trail the society hopes to create.
It is hoped that the plaque to mark the Queen's
Diamond Jubilee will be fixed inside the church,
alongside the one marking Queen Victoria's sixty
years on the throne. Appropriately, the summer
bedding in our tubs will be red, white and blue.
Arts4U
event
 Paul Bundle, 853150
 [email protected]
 www.stjohnshartford.org/whatson/arts4u
St John’s Church Centre
3 to 15 April
various times, seven days per week
Special Evening: Tuesday 10 April
8pm
From the Sun’s Rising...
Wednesday Club
meeting
Methodist Church Hall
 Jean Harrop, 79021
Wednesday 11 April
2:15pm
Thank You, Mr Lever
Speaker: Joan Colwell.
Relaxation Classes in Hartford
activity
St John’s Church Centre  Wendy Broad, 881954
 [email protected]
 www.cheshire.alexander.co.uk
Mondays
Thursdays
10am to 11am
7pm to 8pm
How about joining a friendly group for relaxation
classes based on the Alexander Technique? The
class involves gentle movement and lying down. It is
suitable for all ages and costs £5 per person. Just
wear something comfortable, bring a yoga mat,
cushion and warm blanket and leave the rest to us.
Space is limited; call or email to reserve a place.
Acton Bridge Flat Green Bowls Club
Cheshire based photographer, Paul Bundle launches
his solo exhibition. The glory and drama of light
through the day and seasons is shown in over 40
images. Entrance is free and all photographs are for
sale. Light refreshments will be available. Paul will
be present on most days to talk about his work.
event
Adjacent Acton Bridge Village Hall
 Steve Barrett 783280;
 www.actonbridgeflatgreenbowlsclub.org.uk
Sunday 15 April
1:30pm
Open Day
Visitors welcome.
Hartford Art Group
Methodist Church Hall
activity
 David Bevan, 77787;
 Janet Poole, 74639
Thursday afternoons
1pm to 4pm
Like Hartford
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News on Twitter
Group on
@Hartford_News
All aspiring artists welcome.
Hartford
News
Deadline to submit items for the May 2012 edition: 17 April.
 [email protected] |  www.hartfordparishcouncil.org.uk |
Parish Clerk Jo O’Donoghue |  01606 41862 |  [email protected]
@Hartford_News