What’s Been Happening?

I was talking to a pal of mine the other day who no longer lives in Chester and as a general question he casually asked me, “what’s been happening”. Well I could have taken a “how long’s a piece of string” of time to tell him. But then I said, “I tell you what, if I’ve missed anything I’ll post about it in my blog”. I am aware that I do have readers from outside the area. I do don’t I folks?

Are you still reading Russ and Betty, or have my posts sent you to sleep? Anyway, as well as pointing these ‘out of towners’ to the ‘biggy’ posts, I thought I would do a quick recap of what’s been happening. Will this be a regular feature? I don’t know. You tell me maybe.

What’s Been Happening?

Of course, it may well be that some local people are not aware of what’s been happening as well as readers from further afield.

I must admit I forgot to mention last week that the Pat Collins Fun Fair is on this week at the Little Roodee. It finishes today (12th May) at 10pm I believe. Oops, sorry if you wanted to go if you were aware of it.

Chester Sports

What’s been happening in the world of sport? It is quite a few weeks now since Chester FC sacked their manager. There was an intention I understand that a new successor would have been named a week or two ago. But still no manager appointed. Anything the fans need to be concerned about?

One thing I never quite understand is the timing of the aforementioned fair and the first Chester Race Meeting of the year. In a city where parking always seems to be an issue to tie up two of the city’s car parks at the same time is a head scratcher to say the least. I wonder who thought that one through? The races held on 9th, 10th and 11th of course were sandwiched in between the fair dates.

Where were shoppers and the like expected to park once the other main car parks were either full, or non accessible as a result of the extra races traffic? As a general comment, it looks like parking issues will continue. Mind you, with the races and the fair in town at the same time and parking being a nightmare, at least there would be plenty of overtime for the police and traffic wardens. Every cloud and all that.

Parking Ticket Blitz

Linked into the fun fair and the parking nightmare is the confirmation that traffic wardens embarked on what was described as a parking ticket blitz over the Bank Holiday weekend. Traffic wardens slapped a total of 38 tickets on cars over the three days on Castle Drive (alongside the fair on the Little Roodee) alone.

According to one observer, there could have been more issued. One lady commented, “they were only ticketing about half the cars”.

A local councillor branded motorists ‘inconsiderate’. There were 16 tickets issued on Castle Drive on Saturday and 18 on Sunday. Apparently there were only 4 issued on Bank Holiday Monday. This prompted the observation that “the message had got through to motorists” by the Monday. I must admit I chuckled (not literally…I’m not a chuckler, but you know what I mean) at this last comment.

What message was learned by motorists? Not to park on Castle Drive? Or maybe, just as possible, avoid Chester at all costs because parking is a nightmare? It’s a fair chance that motorists chose to stay away. In other words, if you visit Chester look carefully for parking opportunities.

Chester Northgate

Is this going to be a worry? The first confirmed major flagship retailer in the new, proposed Chester Northgate development, House of Fraser, appear to have navigated into troubled waters. House of Fraser have in fact announced nationwide store closures. What impact will this have, if any, on Chester Northgate? This one is worth following.

Chester Market

What’s Been Happening – Chester Market Traders

I bumped into Kevin from the Cheese store in the market last Saturday while having a cheeky pint or two. I asked him if it was correct that two new stalls in the market have generated more footfall traffic for the market generally. Apparently the answer is yes.

There is a new pizza place and a, I think, Thai restaurant, in the market. By all accounts they are going down very well indeed and the other stallholders are also feeling the benefit.

Sorry to be vague about the full details but it is my intention to check these out next week. I will then give another, more accurate write up. While I’m at it, I may as well sample the wares. Oh, the lengths I go to to report on local events. Any freebie samples for a local website owner guys?

Just outside the entrance to the market, another closure. McDonald’s of all outlets are closing. The decision was made apparently as a result of, “significant changes in trading patterns” in the Northgate Street area. Who said, “there you go, the impact of the abolition of free after 3pm parking is already taking its toll”.

Seriously though, they did not elaborate on the “significant changes” although the new proposed new developments was also cited as a reason.

Geoff Mesney

Worth mentioning Geoff Mesney here. I’ve known Geoff for many, many years. He’s a top bloke. Furthermore he has been a stalwart of local traders in Chester city centre for many years. He fought extremely hard to keep his fast food spec outside the forum when McDonalds first rolled up all those years ago.

And here we are, Geoff still serving the burgers and McDonalds going. Carry on Geoff, you’ve been brilliant for Chester city centre all these years.

The World Of Crime

What’s been happening in the criminal world? A few things really but suffice it to say much of the crimes relate to us all needing to be more vigilant and also look after our more vulnerable neighbours when we can.

Also be more aware of what is happening in the cyber world. Don’t open any ‘dodgy’ looking emails or attachments. If you have children be aware of any potential online grooming.

With regard to helping keep people safe online, take a look at this Cheshire Police website HERE.

I’m not going to go into detail either on the story of the loner who ‘enjoyed’ watching two woman kissing each other in a local pub. Be aware though. Next time you’re in the pub and you see the man opposite delve into his trouser pocket….look away!! He may not be reaching for his handkerchief after all!!

Major Cash Boost For Memory Lane Project

Chester based Marjory Boddy Charitable Trust presented the Countess Charity a cheque for £18,000. This will enable work to commence on creating a lounge and adjoining garden for vulnerable elderly patients being looked after in Wards 50 and 51 of the Countess of Chester Hospital.

Well done folks and keep up the outstanding work all those at Marjory Boddy – more details of the charity HERE.

What’s been happening elsewhere – anything else to report? I’m sure I’ve missed loads of things. If you have anything specific you want mentioning then drop me a line.

On A Sad Note

You may recall I wrote an article back in early March on the Local Football Scene. You can find a link to the original article HERE. In it I wrote about how much better the standard of local football was in “my day”. One of the reasons cited in the article was because there was such loyal and dedicated football enthusiasts around like Joe Lloyd in those days.

Joe sadly passed away in April and last week I attended his funeral at Blacon Crematorium.

It was of no surprise to all of us that attended that the Crem was chocca to the rafters. The mourners were spilling out into the foyer entrance area – standing room only. A worthy, fitting tribute.

Joe was a brilliant football coach, a brilliant family man, a brilliant father and a brilliant role model to all of us who knew him when we were youngsters looking for a game of footie.

Was he a brilliant golfer though? Hmm….not sure about that!! Your golf buddies will have to answer that one Joe. You will be sorely missed Joe. But you are now finally at peace and are now back alongside your beloved Joy. Hope you’re keeping her good company and taking time out to practice your backswing!!!

On A Brighter Note

What’s been happening to these former employees of Chester’s Brookhirst factory? Incredibly the former employees continue to meet for an annual reunion a whole 50 years after the factory closed it’s doors. A total of 70 former employees met recently in the Bear’s Paw pub in Upton.

Furthermore and quite remarkably the reunion was even attended by someone who now lives in the USA.

It was anticipated that this would be the last reunion. But, as I understand it, as a result of the number of people at this latest reunion, it will continue. Well done to one and all and why not carry on. A great effort everyone.

Anyway, I think I’ve rambled enough in this “what’s been happening” offering. Hopefully, it has brought you a bit more up to date on the latest goings on in and around Chester.

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