MACCLESFIELD-raised cricketer Peter Moores has been named as the new coach of the England cricket team.
Following disappointing Ashes series and World Cup campaigns, coach Duncan Fletcher’s reign has ended after nearly eight years.
The Zimbabwean’s resignation paved the way for Moores, a former pupil at King’s School and the director of the National Academy, to take over on May 1.
The 44-year old scored more than 7,000 first-class runs and took more than 500 wickets during his time behind the stumps for Worcestershire and Sussex.
Moores first confirmed a reputation as one of the country’s best young coaches by leading Sussex to the 2003 County Championship.
He also coached the England A squad on the tour of the West Indies in 2000.
Ian Wilson, King’s School’s former cricket coach, said: “We knew from an early age that we had a special talent in Peter Moores, we did not know just how special.
“It wasn’t just his cricketing ability but his sheer enthusiasm and immense love of the game that persuaded us counsel him to take up the offer of a place on the MCC groundstaff, rather than a place at Durham university.
“We knew he would carve out a good career as a professional cricketer and that was the best place to continue to learn his trade.
“We have continued to watch his career develop with great pride and I can say that I have never heard a bad word said about him.
“What makes him a great coach is his ability to understand the individual. Like his brother Steve, King’s current first team coach, he is a wonderful ‘people person.’
“That was something that their father Bernard instilled. He came to every game they played and was the strongest influence on them becoming the men they are today.”
Moores also has strong ties with Macclesfield Cricket Club, having progressed through their junior system. His brother Tony is still a member of Macclesfield’s third team, and Peter manages to return to watch at least one game each season.
Current club captain Barney Cutbill said: “We’re really proud of Peter’s achievements and wish him every success with England. We hope he can turn their fortunes around.”
Moores himself said: “Men like Ian Wilson and fellow coach Mark Harbord gave me a great grounding in the game. It wasn’t just a technical foundation that I learned at King’s, but a love of the game, its wonderful traditions and sporting ethos.
“I will always be grateful and always enjoying meeting my old friends when I return to Macclesfield.”
I only hope this isn't another Steve McLaren scenario.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-04-26 08:44:35
Showing posts with label macclesfield. Show all posts
Showing posts with label macclesfield. Show all posts
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Alcohol ban all over town
Boozy binges in Macclesfield’s streets and parks may soon be stamped out after the police were given power to seize alcohol from anti-social drinkers in the outer reaches of the town.
The centre’s alcohol ban implemented in 2002 has been extended in a bid to clampdown on alcohol-fuelled crime and behaviour, but is not aimed at law-abiding citizens.
In operation from Monday, April 30, the new order allows officers to confiscate alcohol from anyone acting irresponsibly and offers discretionary powers to deal with anti-social drinking in this area.
It is not an offence to drink alcohol in a designated public place, although police can request an individual not to drink there and seize it.
The new no-drinking zone will now be bounded to the north by Westminster Road, Coare Street, Beech Lane and Hibel Road; to the east by Fence Avenue, Buxton Road, Cranford Avenue, Brookfield Lane, Black Road, Gunco Lane and London Road; to the south by Star Lane, Moss Lane, Stamford Road to Ryles Park Road, and Park Lane; to the west by Oxford Road, Cumberland Street and Bollinbrook Road.
The Alcohol Designation Order for an extended area within Macclesfield town was approved this week by the council’s licensing committee, following extensive public consultation.
More than 8,000 cards were delivered to businesses and residents within the designated area asking for views.
Around 1,120 responses were received via card, letter or email – 1,098 were in support and just 25 against.
Chairman Coun Paul Whiteley stressed the prohibition was not a blanket ban and would not mean popular events such as Party in the Park would be ‘dry’.
He added: "This does not place any restrictions on responsible citizens acting in a responsible manner. It only gives police more convenience to address those acting in an anti-social manner and easier powers to take the cause of that trouble away – open alcohol containers."
The massive extension has been welcomed by Inspector Gareth Woods, Head of Macclesfield’s Neighbourhood Policing Unit.
He said: "This is really about recognising there is a link between anti-social behaviour and people drinking alcohol, whether they are underage or not, and in this day and age there are areas where it is inappropriate to drink alcohol.
"The overall aim of this is to set standards, educate people and my long term hope is that the problem will disappear.
"It makes it illegal to drink anti-socially and enhances the powers we’ve already got."
He said policing would be intelligence-led. And with that sentence all credability was lost.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-04-01 02:48:44
The centre’s alcohol ban implemented in 2002 has been extended in a bid to clampdown on alcohol-fuelled crime and behaviour, but is not aimed at law-abiding citizens.
In operation from Monday, April 30, the new order allows officers to confiscate alcohol from anyone acting irresponsibly and offers discretionary powers to deal with anti-social drinking in this area.
It is not an offence to drink alcohol in a designated public place, although police can request an individual not to drink there and seize it.
The new no-drinking zone will now be bounded to the north by Westminster Road, Coare Street, Beech Lane and Hibel Road; to the east by Fence Avenue, Buxton Road, Cranford Avenue, Brookfield Lane, Black Road, Gunco Lane and London Road; to the south by Star Lane, Moss Lane, Stamford Road to Ryles Park Road, and Park Lane; to the west by Oxford Road, Cumberland Street and Bollinbrook Road.
The Alcohol Designation Order for an extended area within Macclesfield town was approved this week by the council’s licensing committee, following extensive public consultation.
More than 8,000 cards were delivered to businesses and residents within the designated area asking for views.
Around 1,120 responses were received via card, letter or email – 1,098 were in support and just 25 against.
Chairman Coun Paul Whiteley stressed the prohibition was not a blanket ban and would not mean popular events such as Party in the Park would be ‘dry’.
He added: "This does not place any restrictions on responsible citizens acting in a responsible manner. It only gives police more convenience to address those acting in an anti-social manner and easier powers to take the cause of that trouble away – open alcohol containers."
The massive extension has been welcomed by Inspector Gareth Woods, Head of Macclesfield’s Neighbourhood Policing Unit.
He said: "This is really about recognising there is a link between anti-social behaviour and people drinking alcohol, whether they are underage or not, and in this day and age there are areas where it is inappropriate to drink alcohol.
"The overall aim of this is to set standards, educate people and my long term hope is that the problem will disappear.
"It makes it illegal to drink anti-socially and enhances the powers we’ve already got."
He said policing would be intelligence-led. And with that sentence all credability was lost.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-04-01 02:48:44
Last Rites for MBC
Macclesfield Borough Council is one step closer to being no more.
The death knell sounded yesterday when Secretary of State for Local Government, Ruth Kelly, approved the decision to replace the current two-tier system in Cheshire.
A consultation has now been launched to decide on an alternative – igniting the debate between Cheshire County Council and Macclesfield Borough Council.
In the CCC corner, councillors are fighting for one unitary authority, while their MBC opponents favour replacing the six district and one county council with two all-purpose unitary councils.
Cheshire chief executive, Jeremy Taylor, said yesterday: "The government has now given us the opportunity to test the validity of our case which we believe champions the best interests of everyone in Cheshire and meets the full criteria required by government."
On the two possible alternatives, he added: "It is now vital that stakeholders receive all the information required to enable them to make an informed and evidence-based decision on the two submissions."
MBC said they welcome the White Paper proposal to replace what they describe as the "outdated" two-tier system of local government in Cheshire.
However, they now want two unitary councils instead – East Cheshire, including Macclesfield, Crewe and Nantwich and Congleton, and West Cheshire, to include Chester, Ellesmere Port and Vale Royal. Vivienne Horton, Macclesfield Borough Council chief executive, said: "This is an exciting new vision for local government in this area and will get rid of the expensive and confusing two-tier system."
She added: "We feel Cheshire is too large for one local authority to provide the effective and accountable local government we need."
She said they had formally resolved to oppose the county council’s submission for a unitary county. MBC’s first preference was for three unitary councils for Cheshire, but that option was scrapped by the government, leaving the two council option as the next best thing.
Leader of the council, Wesley Fitzgerald, said: "As far as I am concerned it is the best of a bad lot to go for an East-West split and I welcome that opportunity.
"With a single authority for Cheshire people would not be able to engage with their local council and the local feel of the thing would be gone.
"If we split down the middle, it would have a chance of working and the ratepayer – which is all of us – would feel the benefit."
CHESHIRE County Council’s political leaders will meet in the near future to consider all aspects of the government’s decision. A total of 16 councils have been shortlisted for consultation, and it is hoped the new systems will save up to £200million per year. The successful proposals now go forward for a 12-week government consultation, until June 22, before a final decision is made in July.
The government expects those proceeding to implementation to be fully operational by April 2009 global warming permitting.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-04-01 02:41:58
The death knell sounded yesterday when Secretary of State for Local Government, Ruth Kelly, approved the decision to replace the current two-tier system in Cheshire.
A consultation has now been launched to decide on an alternative – igniting the debate between Cheshire County Council and Macclesfield Borough Council.
In the CCC corner, councillors are fighting for one unitary authority, while their MBC opponents favour replacing the six district and one county council with two all-purpose unitary councils.
Cheshire chief executive, Jeremy Taylor, said yesterday: "The government has now given us the opportunity to test the validity of our case which we believe champions the best interests of everyone in Cheshire and meets the full criteria required by government."
On the two possible alternatives, he added: "It is now vital that stakeholders receive all the information required to enable them to make an informed and evidence-based decision on the two submissions."
MBC said they welcome the White Paper proposal to replace what they describe as the "outdated" two-tier system of local government in Cheshire.
However, they now want two unitary councils instead – East Cheshire, including Macclesfield, Crewe and Nantwich and Congleton, and West Cheshire, to include Chester, Ellesmere Port and Vale Royal. Vivienne Horton, Macclesfield Borough Council chief executive, said: "This is an exciting new vision for local government in this area and will get rid of the expensive and confusing two-tier system."
She added: "We feel Cheshire is too large for one local authority to provide the effective and accountable local government we need."
She said they had formally resolved to oppose the county council’s submission for a unitary county. MBC’s first preference was for three unitary councils for Cheshire, but that option was scrapped by the government, leaving the two council option as the next best thing.
Leader of the council, Wesley Fitzgerald, said: "As far as I am concerned it is the best of a bad lot to go for an East-West split and I welcome that opportunity.
"With a single authority for Cheshire people would not be able to engage with their local council and the local feel of the thing would be gone.
"If we split down the middle, it would have a chance of working and the ratepayer – which is all of us – would feel the benefit."
CHESHIRE County Council’s political leaders will meet in the near future to consider all aspects of the government’s decision. A total of 16 councils have been shortlisted for consultation, and it is hoped the new systems will save up to £200million per year. The successful proposals now go forward for a 12-week government consultation, until June 22, before a final decision is made in July.
The government expects those proceeding to implementation to be fully operational by April 2009 global warming permitting.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-04-01 02:41:58
Bad Medicine for Macclesfield workers
David Brennan, chief executive of Astra Zeneca, is not a popular man in Macclesfield right now. Last month, barely a fortnight after reporting a 28% rise in full-year profits, the pharmaceuticals giant announced it was laying off 700 staff who work in manufacturing and warehousing at its Cheshire site.
The redundancies will claim 40% of those working in manufacturing and operations in Macclesfield. Morale has been badly damaged, with locals complaining of poor leadership and too many tiers of management.
Brennan, an American who took on the top job 15 months ago, is sympathetic. “We worry,” he said. “We don’t take a decision like that lightly. It impacts people’s lives, their families. But this is about the future of the company. We have an obligation to our shareholders. I am a straight shooter; I have to tell it as I see it. And we are not yet positioned where we need to be.”
This is the central conundrum with which Brennan has to wrestle. On the face of it, Astra Zeneca is in robust health. Sales growth of 11% last year, and earnings per share growth of 33%, put the company in third place in the performance league table of its “big pharma” peers.
With a sharply increased dividend and a big buyback of shares, the company returned more than £2.5 billion of cash to shareholders last year. And yet it is laying off 3,000 employees in its supply-chain operation.
£2.5 billion of cash buys a lot of jobs for a lot of years, but Brennan or his shareholders couldn't give a toss. Crocodile tears and no social conscience-typical yank really.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-04-01 02:35:04
The redundancies will claim 40% of those working in manufacturing and operations in Macclesfield. Morale has been badly damaged, with locals complaining of poor leadership and too many tiers of management.
Brennan, an American who took on the top job 15 months ago, is sympathetic. “We worry,” he said. “We don’t take a decision like that lightly. It impacts people’s lives, their families. But this is about the future of the company. We have an obligation to our shareholders. I am a straight shooter; I have to tell it as I see it. And we are not yet positioned where we need to be.”
This is the central conundrum with which Brennan has to wrestle. On the face of it, Astra Zeneca is in robust health. Sales growth of 11% last year, and earnings per share growth of 33%, put the company in third place in the performance league table of its “big pharma” peers.
With a sharply increased dividend and a big buyback of shares, the company returned more than £2.5 billion of cash to shareholders last year. And yet it is laying off 3,000 employees in its supply-chain operation.
£2.5 billion of cash buys a lot of jobs for a lot of years, but Brennan or his shareholders couldn't give a toss. Crocodile tears and no social conscience-typical yank really.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-04-01 02:35:04
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Beer Festival dates announced
The 13th annual Macclesfield Beer Festival will take place on Friday, May 11, and Saturday, May 12.
With more beer on offer than ever before, organisers are confident this year’s festival will be the best yet – while raising barrels full of cash for the East Cheshire Hospice.
Overseeing the organisation is Steve Briscoe, who will be officially named Macclesfield Round Table chairman next month.
He appealed for public backing to beat last year’s donation of £11,000 – which provided a new minibus for the Rossendale Trust.
"The hope is we can contribute a 25 per cent increase on last year’s charity donation, but we can only do that with the support of the community," he said.
"We always sell out on Friday, but we need people to support the Saturday afternoon and evening. There will be 125 different beers on offer, which is more than usual, and all have been carefully selected on merit, rather than volume, and approved by CAMRA. There will also be a comprehensive wines and foreign beers section.
"The marquee last year was the biggest we’ve had – an increase of 20% – so we’ve organised the same marquee and are hoping for the same weather as last year."
Music will be provided by The Glass Onion Band, supported by Dazed and Confused, and making a welcome return for the first time in four years will be a ‘Judge the Best Beer’ competition, which will open proceedings. the judge must have some constitution to try all 125 beers and then have a curry.
ANYBODY who wants to contribute sponsorship towards the event, or help behind the bar, can contact Steve on 07867 827533.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-05 23:13:40
With more beer on offer than ever before, organisers are confident this year’s festival will be the best yet – while raising barrels full of cash for the East Cheshire Hospice.
Overseeing the organisation is Steve Briscoe, who will be officially named Macclesfield Round Table chairman next month.
He appealed for public backing to beat last year’s donation of £11,000 – which provided a new minibus for the Rossendale Trust.
"The hope is we can contribute a 25 per cent increase on last year’s charity donation, but we can only do that with the support of the community," he said.
"We always sell out on Friday, but we need people to support the Saturday afternoon and evening. There will be 125 different beers on offer, which is more than usual, and all have been carefully selected on merit, rather than volume, and approved by CAMRA. There will also be a comprehensive wines and foreign beers section.
"The marquee last year was the biggest we’ve had – an increase of 20% – so we’ve organised the same marquee and are hoping for the same weather as last year."
Music will be provided by The Glass Onion Band, supported by Dazed and Confused, and making a welcome return for the first time in four years will be a ‘Judge the Best Beer’ competition, which will open proceedings. the judge must have some constitution to try all 125 beers and then have a curry.
ANYBODY who wants to contribute sponsorship towards the event, or help behind the bar, can contact Steve on 07867 827533.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-05 23:13:40
Saves a pub then loses house
Macclesfield planning bosses unveiled proposals for a walkway as part of a £100m revamp of the town centre. The Porter's Prince of Wales was due to be flattened but won a reprieve after fierce opposition from Mrs Wilkie and more than 1,500 others.
Now she faces another battle after new plans revealed that her £140,000 Georgian house has been earmarked for demolition along with four other homes in Roe Street.
Mrs Wilkie, 37, will fight the plans and said developers - Wilson Bowden - were breaking rules over maintaining the town's character.
She said: "I'm very annoyed about the way they have gone about this.
"When they came up with this idea they asked us `do you want a Tesco or Waitrose?' not `do you want your house smashing to bits?'
"I only found out when we were all invited to look at the plans in the town hall. It was a bit naughty because I walked in and find out my house is going to be demolished.
"Some of the people affected have lived here all their life and they are not sure what is happening and what is going to happen.
"We'll oppose the plans because the houses are in a conservation area and part of the character of Macclesfield, which the developers were asked to retain."
Planning permission has not yet been granted for the redevelopment scheme. A spokesman for Wilson Bowden said: "The proposals changed after the public consultation and the tremendous number of objections.
"We decided to amend the design and retain the pub. However, we still need to breakthrough Roe Street and will now need to take away five houses.
"We have been in consultation with the occupiers to make them aware of our intentions."
To hear Wilson Bowden talk you would think they can do anything they like. I just get the feeling that they have picked on the wrong person in the form of Macclesfield's answer to Lara Croft.
Give 'em hell, unless they offer you twice what your house is worth!
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-05 23:03:14
Now she faces another battle after new plans revealed that her £140,000 Georgian house has been earmarked for demolition along with four other homes in Roe Street.
Mrs Wilkie, 37, will fight the plans and said developers - Wilson Bowden - were breaking rules over maintaining the town's character.
She said: "I'm very annoyed about the way they have gone about this.
"When they came up with this idea they asked us `do you want a Tesco or Waitrose?' not `do you want your house smashing to bits?'
"I only found out when we were all invited to look at the plans in the town hall. It was a bit naughty because I walked in and find out my house is going to be demolished.
"Some of the people affected have lived here all their life and they are not sure what is happening and what is going to happen.
"We'll oppose the plans because the houses are in a conservation area and part of the character of Macclesfield, which the developers were asked to retain."
Planning permission has not yet been granted for the redevelopment scheme. A spokesman for Wilson Bowden said: "The proposals changed after the public consultation and the tremendous number of objections.
"We decided to amend the design and retain the pub. However, we still need to breakthrough Roe Street and will now need to take away five houses.
"We have been in consultation with the occupiers to make them aware of our intentions."
To hear Wilson Bowden talk you would think they can do anything they like. I just get the feeling that they have picked on the wrong person in the form of Macclesfield's answer to Lara Croft.
Give 'em hell, unless they offer you twice what your house is worth!
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-05 23:03:14
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