News in Frodsham

Today's walk is surely a familiar one for many of you, and it's definitely one of the most spectacular that the Sandstone Trail has to offer.

Looping up and over Helsby Hill, it also moves through Harmers Wood and past Spirit of the Herd, where you can pick up a sweet treat from the sanctuary's pop up stall, in exchange for a small donation.

Cheshire West's Cabinet member for finance has refused to rule out a council tax rise above two per cent, meaning that Frodsham and Helsby residents could soon be seeing an increase in their bills.

Cllr Carol Gahan, when asked by host and former BBC reporter Dave Guest at a public Question Time session if the council would seek a referendum to raise council tax above two per cent, said: "Our plans have been prepared on the basis of a two per cent increase in council tax. This is the extent to which we can increase before we need to go for a referendum [by law].

Tomorrow (Saturday 5th), the Christmas in Frodsham working group will be visiting the town's shops and businesses, judging entries for this year's Best Dressed Window Competition.

Christmas in Frodsham would like to remind any businesses located beyond the Church Street and Main Street area to please get in touch by 6pm tonight (Friday) if they would like to get involved.

Are you wowed by Billie's beautiful paintings? Then you'll be even more amazed to know that she doesn't even need a paintbrush to create them!

Billie Jo English, who runs Q Bee Studios 44 Tattoo Parlour, has recently hung a collection of paintings across one of the walls in her shop, in a sort of mini exhibit for her customers.

Some Frodsham and Helsby residents might soon have access to asymptomatic coronavirus tests, as Cheshire West and Chester Council prepares to roll out serial testing for priority groups.

Cheshire West and Chester has been chosen as a pilot borough for asymptomatic testing, which will help to prevent people from spreading the virus unknowingly.

This Christmas, the Ho Ho Helsby working group have continued their tradition of remembering those loved ones and pets who are no longer with us, through their Helsby Hearts in Memoriam.

The hearts are now available to collect from the counter at The Old Bank Tea Rooms, for people to decorate as they wish.

While being interviewed on today's edition of North West Today about the release of his new album, Gary Barlow reminisced briefly about his childhood in Frodsham.

"Gary Barlow rose to fame in Take That, but now he has a new solo album out. And he says the style of music has been inspired by the tunes he listened to as a child growing up in Cheshire," said the programme's host, Annabel Tiffin.

Former chief reporter for North West Tonight, Dave Guest, will be hosting a Cabinet Question Time with Cheshire West and Chester Council tonight (Thursday 3rd December).

This live event, which will run from 7pm-8:30pm, will allow local people to raise their questions on the current Council budget consultation.

Local interiors business, Ivy&Bee-Interiors, has been nominated for two of this year's Living in Cheshire Awards.

Ivy&Bee, which was set up earlier this year by Beth Greer, is up for Best Newcomer and Best Homeware Retailer.

Now that lockdown has lifted, non-essential stalls have returned to Frodsham Market, meaning that you can now get hold of all your household supplies, as well as doing a spot of Christmas shopping!

Here's a list of the pitches present at the market when we went by this morning: