Windystock Weekend

But first there is tonight and Hayley Westenra sings. The biggest selling classical artist of the 21st Century (so far) is performing at Gawsworth Open Air Theatre with the Raven Quartet. The forecast is fine and right now the sun is shining making it all the more tempting, but to be wise, check ticket availability before venturing forth.

The main event though must be Windystock, a fest of fine local music - The Virginmarys, Rough Twist, The Merchants of Cool and Skipping Madrid to name just a few. The setting could not be more stunning and profits go to the Windyway Trust. £10 per ticket with a family ticket at £30 for up to 3 children; and it's just £2 if you want to go for the whole festival experience and pitch your tent. We will see you there, with a picnic and a blanket but we're not planning on being under canvas this weekend.

Gawsworth Open Air Theatre: 01260 223456.

http://www.gawsworthhall.com/

Windyway, Old Buxton Road, Macclesfield: 01625 422246.

Tickets also available from:

Windyway Trust Shop, 71-73 Chestergate.

Magpie Music, Macclesfield

AA Music, Congleton

Comedy and more

A chance to enjoy a bit of comedy locally tonight with Mark Watson: The Edinburgh fringe star (with every show sold out in 2005, 2006 and 2007), former Perrier Comedy Award Best Newcomer and TV/Radio regular (Mock The Week, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Radio Five's Fighting Talk) brings his hugely successful show to Gawsworth for the first time.

If you don't get to that why not head to the Boarhound for the beguiling Tim Woodhouse and friends and their Acoustic Circus: Join in, play, recite, drink, fall over and generally be part of it.Or just watch, like us.

Acoustic Circus: 30 July. The Boarhound, Brook St, Macclesfield 8.45pm free
Mark Watson: 30 July Gawsworth Hall 01260 223456 www.gawsworthhall.com £16.50

Comments: Lorna said

We went to see Mark Watson last night at Gawsworth Hall. Very funny guy and a beautiful setting, we had a fab time. Photo
here here. Can't wait to go back on Sunday for the ukelele band...=)

Cinema:Cinemac

For your delectation at Cinemac:

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (12A)
G-Force (PG)
The Hangover (15)

Tickets £4- £5.50
Don't forget cheap tickets on a monday night £3
If you have not yet discovered Cinemac, an unconventional and charming cinema, check out the website: http://www.cinemac.org.uk/ for further information, times and full listings.
Cinemac
Heritage Centre,
Roe St, Macclesfield.

If any one is puzzled by not receiving their copy of the loop last week, even though you have requested it, perhaps your server has rejected the 'loop group mail out'. To stop this happening put us in your address book and email us to ensure we send it throught to you again. Apologies. Technology is wonderful but....

Get your Uke out

A report from the illustrious Macc Ukulele club:

'Maccukulele will be meeting on Wednesday the 29th of July. 7pm until late as usual. There was a good turnout last month with several seasoned players and suprise guests. Hazel turned up with her brand new ukulele and soon began to master two chords on her first musical instument. Karen and Roger are heading to see The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain at Gawsworth Hall next weekend. If the weather is good we will be strumming discretely on the lawn, do say hello, join us if you wish. best wishes rb kj and co'

Thanks Roger. Also have a peep at the posting for 5 May. 'A word from Roger'.

maccukulele@live.co.uk Last Wed of month. Upstairs at the Boarhound.
Gawsworth Hall 01260 223456 www.gawsworthhall.com
www.ukuleleorchestra.com

Lyme and Lion Tales

Want to take an hour away from worrying about the weather? Well, pop into the Museum at West Park for Tales from the Yurt. Let Brian the Lion regale your 5 to 12 year olds with stories from near and far. He’ll be there from Tuesday 28th to Thursday 30th this week between 2 and 3pm. Admission is free but children must be accompanied by an adult.

On Tuesday and Wednesday there is also fun to be had in Lyme Park with Crafty Creations. The drop-in craft workshop for 4 to 11 years olds starts at 11am on 28th July and 1pm on the 29th. Picture: the house at Lyme Park.

West Park Museum, Prestbury Rd, Macc
01625 612045. http://www.macclesfield.silk.museum/

Lyme Park Timber Yard, Lyme Park

lymepark@nationaltrust.org.uk

It’s hard to say what was most wonderful about the RHS Show at Tatton Park this week. The park itself; the large show gardens in an almost explosive range of styles from country-garden conventional to contemporary statement; the smaller back to back gardens, or the vibrant floral displays.

But there is no real need to define it. It is simply an excellent day out and amazingly the weather is of little consequence as there are plenty of marquees to explore in a downpour. A mass for the children to do – and this year they go free!

Find and enjoy the Joy Division inspired garden (I managed to miss it somehow – it’s a big show); and make sure you vote for the most unsightly flora. The search is on for The World’s Ugliest Plant. Most of all just enjoy it.

RHS Tatton Park Flower Show. Until 26 July.

10am - 6.30pm Saturday

10am - 5pm Sunday

Tickets: £24 on the day. Children go free.

Tel: 0844 209 1810

http://www.rhs.org.uk/

Indoors/ outdoors?

It's actually stopped hosing down for a while and promises to be a fair evening, so take full advantage and pop to Gawsworth Hall for a 'rumbustious romp' (their words) with a performance of the Three Musketeers.

' following the adventures of D'Artagnan in his quest to join friends Athos, Porthos and Aramis, and become a musketeer of the Guard. Adapted from the novel by Alexander Dumas.' presented by The Wilmslow Green Room Society. Directed by Celia Bonner. Remember to take a cushion.

Alternatively stay indoors and catch Harry Potter and his post pubescant friends at Cinemac until 30th July.

We do like a romp and we can catch Harry another night so...

Gawsworth Hall Open air Theatre 01260 223456 www.gawsworthhall.com

Cinemac http://www.cinemac.org.uk/ for further information, and listings.

picture courtesy www.anothermovieguide.com

Please, please stop.

Raining that is. We felt so sorry for all the organisers of al fresco events at the weekend. Thank God there were some impermeable souls out there who got stuck in regardless. Lorna McNeil was one of them. Many thanks to her for the great pictures of South park on Sunday. See link in 'In a flap' posting below.

Remember you can catch the launch of John Lindley's new book of poetry tonight at Congleton library. Appropriately called the 'Casting boat' given the current biblical deluge, but It's quite dry in there apparently.

Alternatively you could catch Rabbi Lionel Blue at the Buxton Festival with his 'practical God-seekers' guide'. Rabbi Lionel will treat his audience to his particular view of the big and small issues; appealing to people from all religions and none.

Perhaps your kids are down at the free 'Physics and emotions of colour' science lecture at the Silk Museum today? We'd love to hear what they said about lime green and brown....

Anyway we're sticking to indoor venues for a couple of days before the Summer recommences. It will won't it?

Congleton libray 7.30-9pm RSVP 01260 273219
Buxton Festival www.buxtonfestival.co.uk

Psychic Times

SPIRITUAL enlightenment can be found this Sunday at the Gift of Change, Mini-Psychic Fair at Ronnie’s Bar. There will be mediums, clairvoyants, tarot and angel card readers, a spiritual life coach, artwork, jewellery and crystals. Wander down and explore between 10.30am and 5.30pm, entrance costs just £1.

To Book a private reading or consultation call Helen: 01565 654625 or Sarah: 07903 133300. http://www.giftofchange.co.uk/

THERE is also still time to book a place on Mark Hankin’s Weekend of Tarot, 8 and 9 August, also at Ronnie’s. The Saturday workshop is aimed at demystifying tarot and exploring the journey shown by the cards. The informative and fun session costs £40 and includes lunch, refreshments and all workshop materials.

On Sunday Mark, aided by his spirit guides, will hold private readings. A reading ranges from £20 - £50 and last from 30 minutes to an hour. If you don't want to wait pre-booking is advisable. (Mark's image is used above.)
To book and for further details call Mark on: 07913 813442

Gift of Change Mini-Psychic Fair - Sunday 26 July
Mark Hankins Weekend of Tarot - 8&9 August
both at: Ronnie's Bar, Dukes Court, Macclesfield

In a flap

The loop is not exactly technically minded and so feels particularly thwarted and powerless when things go wrong. Some of you will have received the latest loop and many of you won't, because we have reached the 'sending total' for the day and google won't let us be more lavish. So apologies, it will be sent out in infuriatingly small groups. We nipped to the auction view yesterday for 'festival flog it!' and were enthralled by boxes of hats, crocodile handbags, 1920's shoes and lots of old samplers. If thats your thing you need to get down to the auction today .Look at the Three Shires textile festival link.

Might check out the action in South Park later and if the rain keeps off and that tentative sunshine holds out we'll get on our bikes and head down to the Middlewood way Open day.

The image is courtesy of a great site called www.thepeoplehistory.com

Comments:

lorna said...

we got drenched at the big lunch in south park. I guess around 30 people (with about as many golf umbrellas) were there listening to the orchestra and there was a good atmosphere despite the, at times torrential, rain. We were the only ones without a decent brolly and I didn't get many pics, but if I do this right there should be one here.

20 July 2009 13:35

lorna said...

ooh, and thanks for the new Loop; it's wonderful!! (sorry; not to rub salt into the wounds of those who haven't been lucky enough to receive it yet ;-)). I've updated my calendar with all sorts of upcoming events that I'd never have known about if I hadn't read the Loop...

20 July 2009 09:5

Ronnie is peaking

The regular host of loop socials, Ronnie of Ronnie's bar is teaming up with his staff to tackle the gruelling Three Peaks Challenge. Not only are the climbs arduous but the dash between the three Peaks is not without its own problems. Ronnie and co are doing this to support the extremely deserving East Cheshire Hospice who need to raise £5000 a day to run. Pop in to wish them well and make a donation. If you do it on Sunday you'llget to enjoy two bands featuring the superb Helen Walford. First up are A Boy Called Doris and then Dead River Disco supported by the gourmet BBQ from 2pm (thats food not a band). If you don't want to make a donation in the bar (it's not compulsory) you can also do it online at www.justgiving.com/ronnies Picture shows Ronnie and Martin Holmes at the peak of Scafell Pike.The loop looks forward to the picture post peak no.3....

More for the weekend incl. a big one

Imagine a summer's day on which millions of us, throughout the UK, sit down to have lunch together, with our neighbours in the middle of our streets, and on every patch of common ground. The food, entertainment and decorations we will have either grown, cooked, or created ourselves. This will be a day to break bread with our neighbours, to put a smile on Britain's face.It's the big lunch. It's this Sunday so have have a look at www.thebiglunch.com to find your nearest one in Macc. In this spirit why not take a picnic to South Park and be entertained by the KEMS choir in the bandstand Sunday 2-4pm?

Truly unmissable on Saturday 18th are the wonderful Butterfly Jam who are playing their unique bassy soul at the Old Millstone.See previous posting on Wed 17 June for band info..

Sunday sees Jodrell bank marking Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin's first walk on the Moon on 21 July 1969. Join them (not Neil & Buzz!) on the day to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Moon landing with a day of talks and activities. During the afternoon they will be sending selected voice messages as radio transmissions to the Moon, bouncing them off its surface and catching their returning echoes with the Lovell Telescope!

Friday night has an Elvis tribute at Gawsworth. Will it be Michael next year?

The Big lunch http://www.thebiglunch.com/big-lunch/south-park-big-lunch
Jodrell Bank www.jb.man.ac.uk
Butterfly jam Sat 18 June Old Millstone 9pm
www.myspace.com/butterflyjamspace facebook.com-butterflyjam
Gawsworth Hall Open air Theatre 01260 223456 www.gawsworthhall.com

Something for the weekend?

Well we got a long to Gawsworth last night in beautiful evening sunshine. What a great set up: splendid lawns for a picnic and a glass of wine and then undercover tiered seating and stage with the back drop of the glorious old Hall. We like the idea that if you are booked to see a show in the evening you can arrive as early as 2 pm so you can view the house and garden (incl in event price) and take your time. Benn was everything we hoped for and more: wise, thought provoking, idiosyncratic, effortlessly engaging and very funny.

Anyway back to weekend action. We are going to the view of the Festival Flog it auction on Saturday at North Rode, because we are nosy and have a terrible weakness for certain types of textiles. Remember its the last weekend of the Three Shires Festival so try to see those things you've been meaning to get to. Have a look at their web site for all the events to catch.
There's Trad Jazz tomorrow night with Anniie`s Saints and Sinners Band playing at the Egerton Arms, Chelford and local non jazz Dazed & Confused at the Nags Head on Saturday.
Ofcourse its the wonderful Clover Bank farm Farmers Market on Saturday with over 45 stalls and this time featuring a special Book Launch by Cheshire author John Lea with readings of 'A Rural Meander' at 9.30, 10.15 and 11am.
Also On Saturday, Congleton Writers' Forum is performing "Yarns and Yesterdays" at Victoria Mill, Foundry Bank, Congleton, as part of the Three Shires Textile Festival, the theme being their mill-town heritage and the River Dane. There is also an exhibition in an upstairs room including the Beartown Patchworkers and Quilters and other artists.

Picture: old petrol pump by Blockbuster Macc. Lovely.And odd.

Sat 18 July Clover Bank Organic Farm, North Rode www.cloverbankorganicfarm.co.uk
Fri 17 July Annie's saints and sinners Egerton Arms Chelford 8.30pm 01625610059
sat 18 July Dazed & Confused, Nags Head, Waters Green. www.nagsmacc.co.uk

Parking Survey in Macc

The loop is ostensibly concerned with the arts but is known to stray off- topic at times. We are passionate about the Heritage of Macc, its general cultural vibrancy and anything that impacts on them. So we thought you should know about this. It is is an exhibition after all.....

Macclesfield ‘On-Street’ Parking Exhibition Cheshire East Council will be holding an exhibition at Macclesfield Town Hall entrance foyer until Saturday 18^th July. The exhibition will be manned by members of the Highways Department to obtain the views from all concerned parties, residents, workers and the business community and it will be used to decide on any changes to the existing situation with regard to on-street parking. There will be a questionnaire to complete to make your views known. The exhibition and questionnaire will also be available online from the 13th of July at the following web page; www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/roads.

We are all very good at moaning about council decisions so this is a chance to get your oar in. Whether they listen or not.

Textile buzz

The loop felt there was a real buzz in town last weekend and people were to be seen marching around with their Three Shires Festival programmes in hand. We nipped into see Stephanie Ramage and her gloriously varied textiles in the charming King Edward St Chapel. It was only on for the weekend but you can still see her work Upstairs at Sevens. We finally stormed the Town Hall and were delighted by the atmospheric and beautiful Journeys installation by Claire de Ruiter. Make a point of getting down to see it before it disappears next Sunday. Its really worth it. You'll also see the eclectic Spoons and friends arranged somewhat eccentrically around the bar!


The Loop is off to see Tony Benn at Gawsworth tonight. The sky's looking a bit iffy but were taking a picnic, and a bottle with our brollie. We'll report back.
If you get to the Merchants of Cool (see below) tell us what they are like.

pics: Close up 'Journeys' & Stephanie's textile wreath

Macclesfield town Hall Mon -Fri 10am -5pm Sat & Sun 10am-1pm until 19 July
Gawsworth Hall Open air Theatre 01260 223456 www.gawsworthhall.com
Sevens, 38 Chestergate, Macclesfield 01625 434312

Keeping it Cool

Local band The Merchants of Cool are down to play Windystock in August but why wait that long? You can catch them live in the meantime at Ronnie’s on Wednesday 15 July.

The Merchants of Cool are less of a Free and Bad Co. tribute-band – that infers they look like them and they don’t – it’s more of an appreciation thing. The band’s website is currently under reconstruction but you can still sample their sound at: www.merchantsofcool.co.uk
They are currently recording a CD too.

More on Windystock in the next copy of the loop due out later this week and as always keep your eye on this blog.

Wed 15 July

Ronnie's Bar, Duke's Court, Mill St,Macclesfield www.ronnies-bar.co.uk

Cinema: Cinemac

Until 28th July for your delectation at Cinemac:

Public Enemies (15)
Ice Age - Dawn of the Dinosaurs (U)
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (12A)

Tickets £4- £5.50
Don't forget cheap tickets on a monday night £3
If you have not yet discovered Cinemac, an unconventional and charming cinema, check out the website: http://www.cinemac.org.uk/ for further information, and listings.
Cinemac
Heritage Centre,
Roe St, Macclesfield.

Local Wisdom

Did you get along to Local Wisdom in Bollington last week? It sounded so intriguing we asked organiser Kate Fletcher how it went. :
'The Local Wisdom fashion shoot drew some inspiring individuals to Clarence Mill on Sunday... an ex-punk in a never-laundered denim jacket, a beautiful hand-embroidered shawl that inspired a career and a wealth of garments with stories, emotional attachment and shared use.'

The work will be on show in the White Gallery, Bollington during the month of August.More details later and in the next loop.

Something else for the weekend?

Yes theres more... The loop is fanatical, whoops no, passionate about Childrens Art so we're heading to the Open day at the Heritage Centre today to have a look at the local schools art competition, and textile demonstrations too.
Hope to have a look at long last at the Journeys instalation at the Town Hall if we are quick.
I think we'll nip to Langley for their weekend of textiles at Doe Meadow house and at the Village hall too.
Maybe we'll have breakfast with the Sunday papers at the Waterside Cafe in Bollington whilst enjoying their current exhibition of unique textile/photographic images by Dandy Lewis.

Hope to see you there.
pic: from a claire de ruiter workshop with children

Cafe Waterside Clarence Mill Bollington 01625−575563
Heritage Centre macclesfield www.macclesfield.silk.museum 01625 612045
Langley Exhibition 07759 126392

Something for the weekend?

Lots of good stuff this weekend; that's the summer for you. Buxton Festival kicks off tomorrow with its usual enticing range of theatre, music, exhibitions......and more. This side of the Cat and Fiddle there's plenty of entertainment closer to home. There's a lecture on Friday at the Heritage centre The principles of Braid and Trim as part of the Three Shires Textile Festival. Stephanie Ramage shows her work at the uniquely lovely King Edward St Chapel from Friday and you can busy your hands at a Felt Making Workshop with Carol Mowl, in Poynton on Saturday.
Get nautical with the Pirates of Penzance in the Open Air Theatre at Gawsworth from Friday to Sunday but if Gilbert and Sullivan are not your thing try Straight From The Wood at the Hollins on Friday night.

Whatever you get up to tell them you saw it in the loop!

Buxton festival www.buxtonfestival.co.uk
Buxton Fringe Festival www.buxtonfringe.org.uk
Felt workshop 01625 859403
King Edward St Chapel Stephanie.ramage@btinternet.com
The Hollins Pub 01625 424920

Three Shires Textile Festival 2009

Fourpenny Poetic Feats

Fourpenny Circus, a new poetry roadshow featuring the remarkable talents of The Fearless Andrew Rudd Master of Mayhem, the intrepid Joy Winkler High-wire Queen, The Daring Jo Bell Mistress of the Ring and The Supreme John Lindley Self Liberator. Expect a worded wonder of escapology, high-wire walking and lion taming, all whip-cracked into a show that will make you laugh, blush (it contains some adult language) and think.

A Little Top of poetic tricks absolutely not to be missed.

You got a taste of them at the last loop social but sadly they are not in macc this time. Make the effort they're worth it!

Sun 12 July (£5) Knutsford Civic Centre: 01565 633005

Thurs 23 July (£8) Biddulph Town Hall: 01782 523277 or email bidliterarysoc@hotmail.com

Visit http://www.fourpennycircus.co.uk/ for venue details, autumn tour dates, photos and information about the show.

Playing with sand

As you know the loop is a bit of a fan of Tim Woodhouse (he played a loop social and we profiled him in loop 5) and you can catch him tonight with Loose Elastic, Arthur Wakefield, Steve Durrant and many others. New audience members and performers are welcome as they are on every first Tuesday of the month.

For a taste of Tim and the flavoursome short films of him by Blord 111, google 'Tim Woodhouse' on You Tube.Then get up to the Puss.

The loop is all for 'beaches in buildings' as the British weather is so fickle. With that in mind, that dynamic local vicar is in action again: Taffy is directing Sutton stage group PURVIES in 'Sandcastles' a light Summer comedy. The play runs from tomorrow, July 8 till Saturday.

Incidently what is Tim doing in that picture exactly?

picture: still, from ''God' by blord 111

Sandcastles, Scout & Guide HQ, Sutton 8-11 July Tickets £7 01260 253264

Folk at the Puss in Boots. Buxton Rd. Tues 7 July

Cinema:Cinemac

For your delectation at Cinemac until Thursday 16th July :

Public Enemies (15)
Ice Age - Dawn of the Dinosaurs (U)
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (12A)

Tickets £4- £5.50
Don't forget cheap tickets on a monday night £3

If you have not yet discovered Cinemac, an unconventional and charming cinema, check out the website: http://www.cinemac.org.uk/ for further information, and listings.
Cinemac
Heritage Centre,
Roe St, Macclesfield.

User Review of Heritage Centre day School

The loop really likes to hear what you have been along to see or do, and what you thought about it. So a big thank you to June Howard for her overview of her day at The Colour and Texture in Needlework Day School at the Heritage Centre last Saturday:

'I had a wonderful day, we were welcomed with coffee and at 10am, Alistair Macleod told us about his company "Hand and Lock" and his talk covered embroidery from its very beginnings of sewing skins together to the most modern techniques of today. He inspired us all to enter his next embroidery competition.

The next speaker faced problems when it was realised that the equipment provided was not able to show his work on the screen and then the two microphones both failed! Enough to make the average speaker run away screaming but this was no average person, this was Kaffe Fassett! He gave his talk in semi darkness and told us about his work over the years and his clients and friends who had worked with him to produce the wonderful pieces associated with him and how he had brought colour into knitting and needlework. We were enthralled. We only saw one piece of his work and he had that in his hand.... but it was wonderful to see and so inspiring again!

Lunch was excellent though there were not enough chairs and barely any tables. We were a jolly crowd though and sat, eating, on the stairs.

In the afternoon it was fascinating to see Diana Springall's work on screen, massive pieces we could hardly believe our eyes! She was really charming and approachable. Finally, the surprise speaker was Jacqueline Holdsworth, who spoke on the subjects of "Tokens of Love", (Quaker Pin Balls), made to give to prisoners in jails and she also told us about her work with the Ackworth School where childrens' samplers from the 1700's had been discovered and how work has been done to raise money for the school by producing a book, and then there was more as she told us about the "Australian Bonnet Project", which was based on the women convicts who were transported from this country and Ireland to work in Australia and Tasmania.

A wonderful day, cannot stop thinking about it...and been on the internet to find out more.'

Thank you June. The loop would love to have more reviews, good or bad from you so please send them to maccloop@googlemail.com

Local Wisdom this Sunday

You are invited to join in a very special Fashion Shoot: a project for the London College of fashion, called Local Wisdom. The idea is to share the story of your clothes with the project team and be photographed wearing them.

Do you have a skirt that you share with a friend or a jumper that has never been washed? Do you wear something that is made up of separate pieces that can be interchanged? Or trousers that help connect you to nature, with expandable pockets perhaps in which to carry home your foraged supper? If so, they’d like to hear your story. Go and be part of a unique fashion research project organised by the Centre of Sustainable Fashion, London College of Fashion to record and celebrate the clothes we wear and the way that we wear them.

The project team is looking for garments that:are shared between people/ have never been washed -and aren’t leather! Have the character of a particular place in them or link you with the natural world or make you feel part of a community (but not a uniform). Perhaps they are enjoying a third, fourth or fifth life or catch your attention each time you wear them.


Go on it sounds great!

Local Wisdom Sun 5 July
Drop in between 10am & 4pm (last entry 3.30pm)
Clarence Mill, Clarence Road, Bollington
www.localwisdom.info more@localwisdom.info

Something for Sunday?

We ran down to the Town Hall today to catch the Journeys Installation and the Spoons and friends, but the doors were just closing at 1pm. Be warned about the times but its open again tomorrow so we'll persevere, after a trip to the Hollins Farmers market for some nice veg to go with the Sunday roast.Then it gets tricky as to what to opt for: There's an rare plant & ART fair at Jodrell Bank or music in the garden at Lyme Park? Bollington Art Centre shows textiles by the students of Ann Ford at Threads of Inspiration and then you can nip along to the White Gallery's 'New Threads' work by contemporary textile artists including Lynn Setterington's quilt made out of recycled plastic bags.

picture: Vessel 3 by Claire de Ruiter who is showing at the White Gallery

Bollington Arts Centre 01625 560459 see link
The White Gallery 13 Wellington Rd Bollington 01625 260016
The Hollins Macclesfield town Hall Mon -Fri 10am -5pm Sat & Sun 10am-1pm until 19 July
Lyme Park www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-lymepark

Something for the weekend?

Apologies, the weekend will be over by the time we post all the things to do locally. Thanks to the Three Shires Festival there is so much to see and do we are spinning . The loop went to the opening of Visualize at Fence House on Buxton Rd. The work was really good and the three contemporary artists' work contrast strikingly and look beautiful in this delightful old building. Some good 'Ten Eight' photography too. Highly recomended.
St |James Church in Gawsworth has an exhibition of ecclesistical textiles, guided tours and cream teas.I think we'll pop a long on Sunday afternoon.St James Church in Sutton also has beautiful textiles, just without the cream tea bit. Get along to 'Upstairs at Sevens' on Chestergate to see work by Anne Ward and Stephanie Ramage or pop into The Weave in Bollington for their exhibition of Oriental rugs and carpets.We cant wait to see Clare de Ruiter's 'Journeys' installation in Macclesfield Town Hall ( see picture). A glorious felt work inspired by our local scenery. .Oh mustn't forget you can make and fly your own kite at Lyme Park today. You could take a picnic or grab some very reliable tea and cake in the cafe there. Mmm might just watch others with kites and concentrate on the cake. If you are quick you can join Dorothy Bentley Smith in the Market Square at 10.30 for the start of a guided Historic textile Walk of Macc. Next Saturday too.

Sevens, 38 Chestergate, Macclesfield 01625 434312
Macc Town Hall, Market Place
Lyme Park www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-lymepark
The Weave Bollington 01625 261276
Textile walk 01625 504114 to book
Visualize. ten Eight Studios ,84 Buxton Rd www.teneightstudios.co.uk

And the winner is...

What a grand and sweltering evening at Jobling Gowler's office to announce the winners of their first biennial prize. The winner, applauded by an unanimously approving audience was Jackie Brough and her beautiful translucent textile hanging constructed from silk organza and locally manufactured ribbon which represents a vast 1752 Congleton Silk Mill. We love the apparently randomly placed beads which some how seem to stand for the souls of the anonymous workers who have worked in the huge building over the years. The loop had a quick chat with Jackie, who seemed really taken aback to have won. We weren't. That said the show represents a very high standard of entries and a most varied interpretation of the brief: We also liked Gareth Cowlin's ghostly 2 D piece 'silk' produced with Adobe Illustrator. Go and decide for yourselves.

pictures: Gareth Cowlin & Silk. And my thumb.
Jackie Brough & Silk Mill. Go and see how good it looks in the flesh.

Jobling Gowler 250 Park Lane, Macclesfield 01625 614250
www.textilefestival.com

On the radio:Butterfly Jam

Switch on your radio and catch Butterfly Jam playing live on All FM tonight at 9pm. If you missed their brilliant gig at mezzaluna this is a chance to get a flavour of their bass heavy, funky soul before getting your diary out. They are playing the Old Millstone on Saturday 18th July. More details later

All FM lilsten on your computer.

Textiles and more

Before we tempt you with more textile treats from The Three Shires Festival a quick reminder that you can catch Jamie Walker and his guitar tomorrow night (Thursday) at the Hollins on Black Road.

Meanwhile Friday sees the unveiling of the winner of the Jobling Gowler prize.You can view this at the exhibition of the finalists and winning entries at Jobling Gowler's solicitors office/ light and spacious exhibition space on Park Lane.
Saturday has the Colour and texture in needlework day school at the Heritage Centre with prestigious speakers Kaffe Fassett, Diana Springall ( hope you've seen her collection at the Silk Museum?) and more. Booking essential.
The loop is an architecturally nosy creature, so we'll be heading along to Visualize for a double treat: an exhibition of work by three contemporary artists, creating fine art contemporary textiles and a chance to have a look at the newly restored Fence House on Buxton Rd.
If there weren't so many things happening locally we might nip into Manchester on Saturday to scour the first Manchester CONTENTS MAY VARY Art Car Boot Fair: an exhibition about the high-end art market delivered within the format of low-end trade.....but there's no time!

The Hollins, 262 Black Rd 01625 424920
Jobling Gowler 250 Park Lane www.art.250parklane.co.uk Heritage Centre, Roe Street, Macclesfield 01625 612045
Art Car Boot, Chips Building, Old Mill St, Great Ancoats, Manchester.
Three Shires Textile Festival www.textilefestival.com
Visualize at Teneight Studios, Fence House, 84 Buxton Rd www.teneightstudios.co.uk