True grit and a stroll in the snow.

While the rest of us are finishing the wrapping, polishing the sherry glasses and thinking about an afternoon of sledging with an egg nog chaser, others are being super human in their fundraising for 'Help for Heroes'.Peter and Paul Morrison will be running the 31 mile gritstone Trail, (yes really!) and hope to finish in the Market Square today at around 1.30pm. They truly deserve a cheering finish to their fundraising commando run. There will be carols from the Macc YBB, the Mayor will out, Canalside radio and stilt walkers and more. Get down there! If you can't show your support in person please leave a donation at www.justgiving.com/31m ilecommandorun
If however something a little more sedate is in order we are passing on a seductive invitation from Loop reader Roger: What a lovely idea.

' If the weather isn't too bad I'm inclined to take a midwinter stroll in the

late evening on Midwinter Night Monday 21st. The short circular walk up the

clough behind The Hanging Gate takes just an hour and is quite varied though

not so challenging as Shutlingslow. Please can you pass on to Loopsters just in case there are souls who might fancy same? They could

confirm with me with a view to meeting at Hanging Gate, maybe 8pm..

For confirmation/co-ordination/cancellation: It is advisable that people contact me
Monday late afternoon

my numbers: 01625267905 0778 9031903

Roger '

Have fun, but wrap up well and make sure you ring Roger to check it is not snowed off.

Cinemac: cancelled screening

The 12.00 show on Monday 21 Dec of Alvin and the Chipmunks has been cancelled for urgently required projector maintenance. . Films are expected to resume at 2pm. On Monday, Alvin is now showing only at 2pm, with Avatar at 4pm and 7.30.

Cinemac
Heritage Centre
Roe Street
Macclesfield SK11 6UT
Recorded Information: 01625 423535
Enquiries: 07871 422937

Something for the weekend?

Formerly Mezzaluna, this spacious bar and live venue is now under new management and rebadged as 'Fresh' . You can catch 'Last Flowers' there tonight (Fri).Or why not head to Porters (Prince of Wales) for a dose of local favourites Dazed and Confused? Fury UK play the Nags Head on Friday night and Decadenze on Saturday.

Thanks to Garry White for his tip for Sunday and the debut gig for new band RECKONER.

'This one is both intriguing and liable to be explosively good. The band has been formed by Jamie Walker, Macc born guitar wizard and his drummer from their other band, the bluesy TANTRUM ( who still exist and thrive) as a new project. This gig is a warmup for the band for their huge sell out gig 2 days later supporting the legendary HOAX at Manchester's Band on the Wall. Jesse Davey the awesome guitarist from Hoax is a confirmed fan of Jamies and invites himself along to jam with Tantrum regularly. You couldn't pay me enough not to be at both these gigs.Supporting RECKONER at Toast will be ELMER THUG local ska/rock/indie band. Should be proper good .' Thanks Garry.

Meanwhile, ensure your brussels are magnificent ( and lots of other epicurean goodies too) by nipping to the ever wonderful farmers market at Cloverbank Farm this Saturday or if you prefer the The Hollins Pub have their farmers market on Sunday .It starts at 7pm with mulled wine and carols too.

For further festive cheer join the carollers for mince pies and music in West Park on Sunday afternoon. A little snow would be awfully pretty...
To finish the weekend and to remember the true meaning of Christmas make your way to to St.Michaels Church, where a candlelight carol service will be held on Sunday night .

Reckoner Sun Dec 20 Toast Bar Dukes Court Macclesfield

Sat 19/12 8.30-12.30 Cloverbank Farm Shellow Lane Gawsworth/North RodeCW12 2NX jane@cloverbankorganicfarm.co.uk 01260 222907.
Fresh Wood Street, Macclesfield 01625 500999
The Hollins Farmers Market, Black Rd, Macc Sun 20 Dec 7pm Dazed and Confused dazedandconfusedmacc.blogspot.com
Carols by Candlelight at St.Michaels Church,20 Dec 6.30pm, Macclesfield 01625 421984
images courtesy St Michaels and Cloverbank Farm.

Christmas organs and the library

Thanks to Jo Bell for a very timely reminder about becoming an organ donor (see link to her blog below). I'll let her persuasive powers have full rein: 'I want you to call the number on it, and sign up for the organ donor register. Sadly, a lot of us get bumped off at Christmas by drunken drivers and the like – why not use all that offal to give someone else a chance, like friend Laurie who died this year after twenty-six years of extra life given by a heart donor? So easy, so necessary.' Thanks Jo we are on the case. And so should you be. www.organdonation.nhs.uk

Great to see Macc library open again. Its strange walking in to such an open space.
Please note their new extended Opening hours

Mon, Tues 9-7, Wed 9-5,Thurs 9-7, Fri 9-5, Sat 9-1

Excitingly the refurbishment uncovered a hidden gem - a hand made mosaic floor dating from the late 19th C. Artistically designed using blue and green Murano glass tiles from Italy and terracotta tiles from local Staffordshire potteries, it has been lovingly restored by local craftsman, Paul Albertini.Nip in and have a look.

Macc library Jordangate, Macc
Organ donation www.organdonation.nhs.uk

Handels Messiah for all

It can be a very stressful time getting everything done in time for Christmas; cards written, presents bought and wrapped . One of the best antidotes has to be a frenetic dance (see boogiemen posting ) or some people prefer a good sing.

Help is at hand tonight: Bollington's Messiah for All seems to become more popular every year, and the standard of singing and playing improves every time. Early booking is essential if you would like to enjoy the chance to perform or hear Handel's wonderful piece in a relaxed atmosphere. Join in Handel’s masterpiece and support a local charity at the same time. Take along a score if you can; but there will be some to borrow if you don’t have one of your own.

So join Bollington Festival Choir at Bollington Art centre tonight. Its therapy and only £5 including a cup of tea and a mince pie.

Handels Messiah Tues 15 Dec £7.30pm BAC see link below. Booking is essential so please ring 01625 261933

Picture: a handsome old door in Macclesfield.

Shake a leg

Struggling to find something really unusual for your loved one? Pop into Likailin Gallery (contemporary fine art) in Prestbury, they might have the answer but if not you are bound to enjoy the diverse work on display for the mixed Christmas show 'Peace'. Their Christmas Exhibition will include work by over 25 established and emerging fine artists.

Its party time at the Blue Funk Blues club this week but their annual Christmas party gig is this now sold out ( for a good reason). Only unlikely cancellations will get you a ticket to this event. Don't travel without checking that such availability exists -07818884324.

www.myspace.com/bluefunkblues

At last the Boogiemen play live in Macclesfield. This six piece soul and blues outfit have played at Buxton Opera House and more than once at the Sheffield Blues Festival, but now that frontman Keith Smith has moved to Macclesfield he's keen to show old friends and new what they have been missing.The Boogiemen play soul and blues with oomph! The sweetest brass section hereabouts complements Keith's passionate and expressive vocals to perfection. Think of Van Morrison meets James Brown meets Otis Redding and you're getting close. One not to miss. Dancing is the order of the day when the Boogiemen play!

|If you want to immerse yourself in Christmas tradition the town carol service takes place this Thursday in St Michaels Church with the Cheshire Police band and St Michael's Choir.
Oh and remember the talk at Camp Four tonight. See previous post.

Boogiemen Wed 16 Dec from 8.30pm.Ronnie's bar, Dukes Court, Macc

See all their gigs on Ents24 :http://www.ents24.com/web/artist/129898/The_Boogiemen_3.h

tml www.myspace.com/keithedwardsmith
Bluefunk Christmas Party Wed 16 Dec Bluefunk Rhythm and Blues Club, Poynton

Peace until Thursday 24 Dec LiKailin Gallery, The Village, Prestbury, 01625 827876 enquiries@likailin.com
picture courtesy Likailin Gallery

Something for the weekend

Hark! A host of heavenly choirs are singing this weekend. Starting tonight (Saturday 12 December) with the KEMS Christmas Concert at St Michael’s Church, in the Market Place. It begins at 7.30pm and tickets cost £7 with concessions at £2.50. (picture from www.kems.net and it's worth reading the background to this concert)

There’s jazz too at Bollington Arts Centre, with James Evans’ Incredible String Four with special guest Amy Roberts. Starting at 8pm and costing £8. (01625 574410)

And on Sunday find Christmas Cheer firstly with a Yuletide musical celebration including music and stories at MADS, Little St, Macc. 2.30pm with tickets priced £6/£1 available from Margin Music, Cachet and Fraser Travel, Macc. Or contact: http://www.kems.org.uk/.

Alternatively, bring the weekend to an angelic close with the Bollington Festival Choir and enjoy Monteverdi Beatus Vir, Caldara Mass in G, seasonal music and carols. You’ll need to be at Bollington Methodist Church at 7.30pm with tickets £8/£4 (01625 420615)