Chatbox

Surprisingly, even farmers have responsibilities to their neighbours, the environment and the law. Yes, farmers do an important job but so do many others and some of those will be working long night shifts (especially doctors,nurses,care workers and retail workers at the present time) and need to sleep during the day. The National Farmers' Union is very clear on this. " Use audible scarers as a last resort." ......... " Never use noisy scarers near buildings where people sleep or where quiet is important." Even townies and semi-urban types have certain rights. I have lived in Audlem for over thirty years and have never heard anything as loud as this. It seems that the farmer is mainly trying to deter starlings from flying over from Ireland.

Thank you Megan for your continuing to offer Audlem a Post Office service. It is too easy these days to comment anonymously and far too often the wrong people get caught up in the cross fire. And the chocolates are Llovely too.

Megan . Keep up the good work young lady . Above all don't be put off by the small moaning brigade . During these depressing you need a holiday. I thank you for your service. Well done

I have to agree with Chris on this one. I am currently working at the cricket club adjacent to the farm and have witnessed first hand the problems faced by the farmer trying to keep the migratory starlings from devouring his cattle feed.
Maybe an alternative solution can be found to satisfy the semi-urban dwellers amongst us who appear to have scant knowledge or concern of agricultural life and practices.
If enough the noise sensitive volunteers can be mustered a rota could be organized to stand around the affected areas of the farm dressed in their best Worzel Gummidge costumes. When the starlings look like mounting an attack all they would have to do is jump up and down flapping their arms thus keeping the noise nuisance to an absolute minimum.
If the idea is feasible I can be contacted to hire out the costumes as I have a plentiful supply.

Adrian, I enjoyed your article about the lonely swan. Astute observation, lyrical prose and a delight to read on a cold winters day.

Can I make a suggestion with the 'booming' noises.

If it is indeed a bird scarer being used at the farm by the cricket club. Can we maybe just leave the farmers to carry on doing their job? And stop complaining about countryside activities taking place in the actual countryside!

Given a lack of other noise at the moment with few cars on the road, planes in the sky, and general background noise, maybe, just maybe the sound may be travelling that little bit further.

Rather than making complaints to Cheshire East, let's just cut the farmers some slack for the important job they are doing.

Having just got in from a walk down Mill Lane, opposite Corbrook Court down to the canal and along back to the village, I was surprised to never be out of earshot of the 'booming' noises for the duration of the walk which is a fair way from Buerton. According to the NFU, noise disturbance is 'what an ordinary, reasonable person would consider unacceptable.' Factors taken in to account include time, frequency and duration. As quite a few people who I would consider ordinary and reasonable have expressed concerns about firework noise with a duration of a matter of minutes, surely these frequent disturbances seeming to last hours are what most people would deem unacceptable and a complaint to Cheshire East I think would result in action being taken (assuming Cheshire East ever take action over anything any more). At present when few are in their gardens or with windows open it is perhaps less troublesome, but the weather will change soon.

Further to Rachel Bailey's interesting post, I was pleased to discover that Cheshire East Highways have recently re-connected with FixMyStreet (fixmystreet.com), the website platform for reporting incidents such as potholes, drainage and lighting etc. Cheshire East were connected to it in the past but then disconnected from it for a while for some reason – I can't imagine why they would do this!
For those who are not familiar with FixMyStreet, it is very simple to use and not only forwards a report directly to the Local Authority, complete with its location, but also raises follow-up reminders to both parties. Having used FixMyStreet a few times in the past, I have found it very successful and would strongly recommend it.
I reported a large pothole (just one of a growing number) which I drove (dropped!) into last night on Woodhouse Lane, and within a few minutes received acknowledgements from both the website and Cheshire East Highways.
Of course, only time will tell as to whether these problems will be attended to but the more of us who use FixMyStreet, it can only help.

Was the reference to the number 42 in the note from the AOL Science Correspondent a tribute to Lewis Carroll, or just to the old favourite Douglas Adams?

Yes Ed, you've deleted the Ringo Starr advert but what of the Veg? That's all I really wanted...the fancy coloured cauliflower in particular! And NOT his autograph......not that he would have given it me anyway..not that I want it of course but IF I did...he wouldn't. Don't want it anyway..................................................................

Watched the Coriolis Effect in the brook in Turnpike Fields yesterday. I can confirm that we live in the Northern Hemisphere.

Can I ask whoever is giving away the free Ringo Starr does he come with the Veg please? If not I'm afraid I wouldn't be interested as I think having the veg to eat would be a decent trade off for having him banging away on his drums all the time and refusing to give me his autograph even though, to be quite honest, I don't want it. He wouldn't give it me even if I DID want it though so I suppose that's not quite so bad.
How old is the veg please because if it's un eatable, I don't want it....or his autograph which he wouldn't even give me even if I DID want it...which I don't.

We had our vaccines today at Nantwich Civic Centre and like others have done already, we must congratulate and thank everyone involved in the whole operation there. It was extremely well organised and everyone was so friendly and supportive. THANK-YOU!

When I was first elected as your local councillor in 1998, we were already experiencing the impact of a reduction in government funding for maintenance of our roads, this has continued to be replicated in council budgets, although I don't recall neglect akin to that we have experienced in the last eighteen months.
I agree with and indeed represent to the council so many of the salient comments made on AoL as I battle on behalf and along with you, to get basic services to our area. I also share your frustration at the waste when issues, are left unresolved, eg, 'waiting to be approved for funding' whilst the ensuing cost to the highway escalates nevermind impact on you.
I would ask however, to remember that highways teams are allocated/contracted work based on their share of the council budget and it is not those front line workers who are ignoring us.
There is currently a smoke screen of reasons being promoted as to why the Cheshire East Cabinet are proposing a council tax increase of 4.99% but little or no explanation as to why they are proposing a further cut to the highway budget; this is this is on top of the proposed winter gritting cut for rural roads such as Coole Lane and Longhill Lane.
I have noted and share concern that on occasions the council appears to be more interested in headlines and possible 'vanity projects', rather than delivering on its core responsibilities.
The Council will vote on the 2021/22 Budget on 17 February, perhaps a distraction to lockdown is to take a look at the proposals on the CE website and let me know your views.

Try Phillip Jones who replaced our oil tank. Pipjones26@icloud.com or 07727195566. He is based in Grindley Brook, Whitchurch.

It's strange to think that in the future, when friends are gathered together outside, they can turn to a young child and tell them 'this used to be illegal!'

Lived in this area.for 60years plus .Got to say the condition of both as reached a new low Suggest C E is top heavy with chiefs and computers and very short on real workers doing real jobs. We are lucky in Audlem we've got Gavin keeping our village in good clean condition C E need lots of Gavins

Thanks guys it's driving me mad as well. As bounces off double glazing .and said starlings are in Buerton ,in my garden mostly .

Cheshire East Councillors seem more interested in issues such as badger vaccination than matters of minor importance to some of them, such as road drainage and road repairs arising from the damage caused by blocked road gulleys. Does anyone have Brian May's phone number ? Perhaps we could ring him and ask if he would have a quiet word with a few influential Councillors. And if your road gulleys are blocked up at Royals Green and Whitchurch Road, Mike, then there is little hope for the rest of us down in the village, is there Rachael?

Cheshire East have been a complete failure with drains,been trying to mend royals green lane for 3 years now,still flooded today.
Also whitchurch road going up from the river seems to be washing away from a blocked drain,most dangerous in the cold weather

Can anyone recommend someone to move the oil tank in our garden please.

Fully endorse what Celia has recommended. Peter is very good and very reasonable + he's local!

I would like to say a HUGE thank you to Norman and helpers who worked hard to clear the flood at the Bagley Lane end of Wood Orchard Lane.
You have done a really fantastic job and I'm sure I speak on behalf of many local people who are using this Lane for their daily exercise (as we do!) It's good to walk with dryer feet!!
Thankyou Norman!

Pete Bentley Audlem electricals Windmill Drive..........

It is interesting to observe on Audlem Online the many accusations of the ineptitude of Cheshire East, especially in relation to the dysfunctional Highways Department. I'd like to add that it is now 232 days since I reported the failure of a light bulb in the dark Churchfields alleyway and subsequent requests now do not even get the courtesy of a reply. At the same time, the News section is fully of almost weekly glossy statements from Cheshire East about plans and consultations. I suggest that Cheshire East and its population would be better served with fewer plans and consultations and more basic maintenance. Too many chiefs and not enough indians? (apologies if this phrase is no longer politically correct).