Chester Festival's 'Artist in Residence' John Harle Launches Oxfam Appeal for Music Donations

Posted by Oxfam Chester on July 30, 2008 11:43 AM

In conjunction with the start of the Chester Summer Festival internationally renowned saxophonist and composer John Harle launched Chester Oxfam's Music Appeal at the Bridge Street Row shop on Friday 18 July with a special signed donation of his own.

'It was really exciting to have such a world class musician as John Harle to launch the appeal while he was in Chester" enthused Andrew Wilkinson, shop manager. Chester Oxfam is appealing for music of all genres and formats, including vinyl, cassette, CD and sheet music to create a first-class music section.

'As more and more people download music from the internet it means they may have quite large collections of CDs or vinyl lying unused that Oxfam could convert into money to relieve poverty and suffering around the world.' added Andrew.

John Harle is the foremost saxophonist of his generation and the most recorded in the world today. He has a world profile, both in the wealth of music his playing has inspired and in his own compositions.

He is the composer of over 25 concert works and 40 television and music scores. It is hoped that his appearance at the shop will encourage lots of music donations to the shop to raise vital funds for Oxfam's ongoing mission to end poverty and suffering around the world.

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Oh! there's nothin to do in the Old Town

Posted by Kingsley Road Kid on July 7, 2008 3:00 PM

You can buy a wedding dress, a suntan and have your nails and hair done, book a honeymoon for two.
You can buy new fireplace, curtains perhaps new furniture too wallpaper and paint or perhaps some new flooring will do.

You can have your feet done your eyes tested or have aromatherapy, go the gym or have a swim and maybe even have a tattoo.
You can buy car parts, bike parts and even custard tarts that’s if you want to.

You can buy some lovely flowers or sit in the pubs, wine bars and cafes watching the world go by for hours.
You can buy local books, fancy dress hire, take up the guitar or aim even higher.

You can dry clean your clothes and buy a watch, some jewellery and a gift for aunty Flo.
You can place a bet from a hot tip, play pool, and have a Chinese take away to go.

You can buy a good house, at the pet shop a mouse or visit the chemists for your flu.
Buy a birthday card or two, some stamps, these are very rare things today, you are still able to do.

When you are laden down with shopping there are taxis and buses to take you home but don’t you be hurried.
There’s a lot more in the old town so you needn’t be worried.
If you outstay your welcome you can even get buried.

But remember this, there’s nothing to do in The Old Town!

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The Beauty Of Runcorn

Posted by Kingsley Road Kid on July 4, 2008 5:51 PM

People outside of Runcorn may be forgiven for thinking that the Old Town is in terminal decline, because of a few badly boarded up shops and a much-needed lick of paint, but it is really that bad?
True the variety of shops are not the same as they used to be in the old days, but for some people it still has everything they want.
We could still do with some upmarket clothes and shoes shops and a Supermarket or two.

It’s hard to believe the Old Town is now a centre for beauty treatments with at least 16 hairdressers including nail bars and tanning salons, the females of Runcorn are certainly well pampered to in the Old Town.
There are lots of good cafes and pubs, but no really good upmarket restaurants for a great night out as yet, but I’m sure they won’t be far behind the new development when it happens.

The worst thing about the Old Town is seeing the shrinking of the indoor market; it will probably take a lot of hard work to improve it.
I have been saying for years we should take a leaf out of Frodsham’s book and have a regular out door market as well.
I would like to see farmers markets and continental markets encouraged as these will help draw people back to the Old Town during the daytime.

The Old Town needs a spring clean and some improvement to its car parking space and more businesses should take advantage of the new shop front scheme, this would help improve the image of the Old Town and improve trade.
I would like to see more local sponsors of new benches, flowerbeds and hanging baskets, and outdoor events, this in keeping with the village look we always had.

Experts say when investigating what’s happening to an area, look for wine bars, hairdressers, estate agents, these indicate if an area is up and coming or not.
Having so far counted at least nine estate agents, two wine bars and hundreds of new apartments, things at last seem to be improving.

Really most things are available in the Old Town if people take the trouble to get out of their cars and walk around, try it you may be surprised, there are still well over a hundred shops in all.

Having said that, there is no reason if and when new upmarket shops and restaurants are built that the Old Town shouldn’t thrive again. So lets keep our fingers crossed and if you haven’t been down to the Old Town for years and have forgotten what’s on the doorstep, why not save your fuel bill and shop locally.

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