News in Frodsham

Frodsham and Helsby residents who test positive for coronavirus will now be contacted by Cheshire West and Chester Council instead of the national Test and Trace service, as the local authority launches a new pilot scheme aimed at communicating test results more quickly.

The joint initiative – created in partnership with NHS Test and Trace - brings the Council in from the start of the tracing journey, at the same time that the case is entered into the national system.

Electrical vehicle charging points will soon be available to use in Frodsham's Moor Lane Car Park.

From mid-May, Cheshire West and Chester Council will be opening such facilities across the borough, to allow residents and visitors to charge their electric vehicles in more locations, especially in areas where residents have no off-street parking.

Cheshire West and Chester Council is encouraging local schools to get involved with this year's Big Pedal Challenge, which is organised by Sustrans, a charity which works to promote walking and cycling.

The challenge will run between 19 and 30 April, with schools competing each day to see who can record the greatest number of pupils, staff and parents cycling, walking, scooting or using a wheelchair to get to school.

As well as elections for Cheshire West and Chester Council and the county's Police and Crime Commissioner, on Thursday 6 May there will also be a vote for a new town councillor to fill a Waterside ward vacancy.

The candidates campaigning to be elected to this position are Lucy Sumner, representing the Labour Party, Chris Basey, representing the Conservative Party, and Patrick Eakin, who is standing independently for this vote.

Frodsham Library has partnered with Artistic Director Emily O'Shea on an exciting new Arts Council England funded project called 'Rough and Tumble'.

Emily is a choreographer, dance maker and community artist, trained at The Hammond, who tells everyday stories through movement and performance.

Frodsham pub The Ring O' Bells has announced that it will be opening its garden for takeaway customers who wish to sit outside in the sunshine.

Although the pub won't be opening fully until May 17, it is continuing its successful lockdown takeaway menu from Thursday to Saturday, 4pm-6pm and on Sundays from 12pm until 5pm. Those collecting their orders are welcome to sit in the garden during these hours.

The Kingsley Players have announced summer dates for the performance of two one-act plays, originally billed for January.

Between Thursday 10 and Saturday 12 June, the Players will debut Alice's Quest for Wonderland, written by award-winning writer and director, Lynn Pegler.

At the end of March, many local residents and walkers in Overton and Five Crosses ward were intrigued and happy to see the paths and seating areas of Manley Road Copse being made more accessible for visitors, as maintenance work was carried out to spruce up the space.

Work has continued in earnest since then, and the Copse is looking like a very welcoming place for people to come and sit, meet, socialise and picnic!

As well as Frodsham's non-essential shops, hairdressers and outdoor hospitality, April 12 was also the day that local tattoo parlours were allowed to reopen.

Local tattoo artist, Billie Jo English, was excited both to return to her Q Bee Studios 44 on Main Street, and to share her new creative offerings and artworks with customers old and new.

This week, coronavirus case numbers in Frodsham, Helsby and neighbouring towns and villages remain as low as they have been since late last summer.

In Frodsham, Helsby, Kingsley, Manley, Alvanley, Sutton Weaver, Elton, Hapsford Norley and Hatchmere put together, a maximum of eight new infections were recorded in the week leading up to April 15.