Weaver Way opened in Audlem

The Weaver Way was formally opened in Audlem yesterday afternoon by Mike Cooksley, the Chairman of the Weaver Valley Management Board. The opening was attended by the Mayor of Crewe & Nantwich, Brian Silvester, and the Deputy Mayor, Rachel Bailey.

The new long distance path and cycleway will extend from Audlem in the south to Frodsham in the north of Cheshire. There will be investment in the route over the coming years, Mike Cooksley explained, all helping to bring the market towns and villages of central Cheshire closer together and providing an important facility for walkers, cyclists and all local people.

The Weaver Way is an important major project by the Weaver Valley Regional Park which aims to encourage economic, environmental and social regeneration in the area. It has certainly put Audlem on the map. Yesterday, speaking in the Mill shop after the formal opening, Mike Cooksley described his vision for the Weaver Way and the benefits it would bring. He explained how water, both the canals and the River Weaver, were important in developing leisure facilities and how that must always be balanced with awareness of environmental issues. He talked about how funding would be gained and thanked the many organisations, including Audlem Parish Council, for their efforts.

The opening was attended by large numbers who had earlier seen Saturn, the famous historical Shroppie Fly narrow boat that had been moored and loaded at Audlem Wharf, leave for Nantwich pulled by a horse that had been harnessed outside the Shroppie Fly pub.

The crowds were also entertained by the Day Star theatre with local actors Pete and Jane Marshall in fine form with their Ripples & Waves. Pete explained how the smallest of happenings can lead to the most earth shattering of events. That's the theme of this collection of scenes and songs with characters such as two elderly in-laws who reluctantly find themselves thrown together in charge of their son and daughter's boatyard. Next, a scene explores a disillusioned dairy farmer and his wife whose early ambitions have been lost, and their moonstruck hippie neighbour who lives by the canal, makes' moonshine' and wanted to be the first woman on the moon. Finally, Ripples and Waves looks at an insufferable boater whose wife finally gets her revenge!

The Crofters, Audlem's longest established band, provided their splendid and distinctive musical entertainment on the Wharf on both the Saturday and Sunday. With our local entertainers to the fore, it truly was a glorious weekend in the sunshine.

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