New Chadkirk website launched

The Friends of Chadkirk now has a new website. We’ve created the new website with the goal of promoting far greater use of Chadkirk Chapel and Country Estate.

Many people tell us, the first time they come to Chadkirk, that they had no idea that it exists – and when they visit once, they come back again and again. Clearly, Chadkirk is a ‘hidden gem’ but it’s also one of Stockport’s most valuable recreational and historical assets. We want more people to find it, visit it, use it – and fall in love with it.

Our new website provides information about Chadkirk Chapel and Country Estate – the woodland, the farm buildings, St Chad’s Well, the Chadkirk Trail (an easy one-mile walk) and more.

You can also find out about events at Chadkirk (everything from the regular Tai Chi sessions to Christmas concerts). 

We have plans to significantly expand the website in the future, to include everything from detailed local history to popular walking and cycling routes, from rare local wildlife to where you can get a drink and a meal.

This blog, which has been – for many years – the key means of updating people with news about Chadkirk, is moving from here to be an integrated part of the new website. So, to keep up with all that’s going on at Chadkirk, please go to the updates page on the new website.

You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter, too.

Last

Photos from the gardening team’s last (most recent) morning’s activity. Thanks, Linda for these beautiful photos of flowering plants and blossoming beauties.

You are invited…

MEETING MONDAY 13th SEPTEMBER 2021

You are invited… to a meeting in Chadkirk Chapel at 11-15am on Monday 13th September 2021.

Over 100 visitors came into Chadkirk Chapel during the afternoon of August Bank Holiday Monday . Enjoying the space, relaxing with a cuppa and some cake*. Convivial conversation, in the heart of our community.

So, what are our next steps? How would you like to take part in future openings?

• Demand outstripped supply of cake on August Bank Holiday Monday. Apologies to those who missed out. We are learning as we go. Cake for future openings might well be on the agenda of our meeting on 13th September. Any ideas for our next opening ?

Looking ahead: The next two dates that the chapel will be open to the public are SUNDAY 26th SEPTEMBER and SUNDAY 31st OCTOBER, both dates 12 to 4pm.

Latest

news (from our Secretary):

MEETING MONDAY 13th SEPTEMBER 2021All Friends of Chadkirk are invited to a meeting in the chapel at 1115am on Monday 13th September 2021. Following the very successful opening of the chapel on the afternoon of August Bank Holiday we need to discuss future arrangements for opening the chapel to the public. We had over 100 visitors to the chapel during the afternoon demonstrating clearly that local people want to see the chapel open for the community. The next two dates that the chapel will be open to the public are SUNDAY 26th SEPTEMBER and SUNDAY 31st OCTOBER, both dates 12 to 4pm.
GARDENING GROUPThe garden was looking very sad and neglected after the lockdown and therefore it needs a lot of work to bring it back to its previous condition.  The gardening group has agreed to increase the frequency of the task days to help make progress. As before there will be a task day on the first Saturday of each month between 10am and 12. The Thursday task days will be on alternate Thursdays between 10 and 12. The Thursday dates to the end of the year are:-
16th September , 30th September , 14th October , 28th October , 11th November , 25th November , 9th December.
The gardening group would also welcome new volunteers who can give some time to help in the gardens. No experience is required, free tea, coffee and biscuits provided.
HARVEST FESTIVALThe Harvest Supper and Quiz will be held in the chapel on the evening of Friday 8th October.
The Harvest Festival service will take place in the chapel on Sunday 10th October.

Chadkirk Chapel opening for visitors this Bank Holiday Monday

Perhaps you’ve been wanting to have a look around Chadkirk Chapel?

If so, here’s a chance to call in and soak up the atmosphere, see evidence of it’s long history and enjoy a cuppa.

Monday 30th August: Bank Holiday Monday. 12 Noon – 4pm

Friends of Chadkirk will be opening Chadkirk Chapel. Volunteers will be there. Some of the volunteers will be in the kiosk and offering drinks for visitors. All proceeds go to the Friends of Chadkirk fund which is used for the upkeep of Chadkirk Chapel, the Walled garden and the Chadkirk Country Park and Estate.

Diary dates

Sunday 26th September Chapel open to visitors 12-4pm*

Friday 8th October – Harvest Supper and Quiz

Sunday 10th October – Harvest Festival Service

Sunday 31st October Chapel open to visitors 12-4pm*

Sunday 5th December – Carol Service (2)

Saturday 18^th December – Christmas Concert

*Volunteers from Friends of Chadkirk to open Chadkirk Chapel and offer refreshments. All funds raised are used for the benefit of Chadkirk, The Chapel, The Walled Garden and The Country Park.

More details of the events listed to follow.

Gardening in September

There’s a slight change to the pattern of our gardening days. As you will see, we are now meeting up on the first Saturday of every month and also on every alternate Thursday. Same time, same place, just an extra Thursday a month (or – in the case of September – an extra 2). We are doing what we can to catch up after disruption of recent months. Join us if you like the idea of time in fresh air, in beautiful space, with folk who live locally and enjoy gardening, Chadkirk and good company.

Thursday 2nd September between 10 and midday is gardening time at Chadkirk. We’ll meet in The Walled Garden.

Saturday 4th September between 10 and midday is gardening time at Chadkirk. We’ll meet in The Walled Garden.

Thursday 16th September between 10 and midday is gardening time at Chadkirk. We’ll meet in The Walled Garden.

Thursday 30th September between 10 and midday is gardening time at Chadkirk. We’ll meet in The Walled Garden.

For Covid safe practices : Guidance on gardening

August Bank Holiday Monday 2021

Perhaps you’ve been wanting to have a look around Chadkirk Chapel?

If so, here’s a chance to call in and soak up the atmosphere, see evidence of it’s long history and enjoy a cuppa.

Monday 30th August: Bank Holiday Monday. 12 Noon – 4pm

Friends of Chadkirk will be opening Chadkirk Chapel. Volunteers will be there. Some of the volunteers will be in the kiosk and offering drinks for visitors. All proceeds go to the Friends of Chadkirk fund which is used for the upkeep of Chadkirk Chapel, the Walled garden and the Chadkirk Country Park and Estate.

Gardening time in September

There’s a slight change to the pattern of our gardening days. As you will see, we are now meeting up on the first Saturday of every month and also on every alternate Thursday. Same time, same place, just an extra Thursday a month (or – in the case of September – an extra 2). We are doing what we can to catch up after disruption of recent months. Join us if you like the idea of time in fresh air, in beautiful space, with folk who live locally and enjoy gardening, Chadkirk and good company.

Thursday 2nd September between 10 and midday is gardening time at Chadkirk. We’ll meet in The Walled Garden.

Saturday 4th September between 10 and midday is gardening time at Chadkirk. We’ll meet in The Walled Garden.

Thursday 16th September between 10 and midday is gardening time at Chadkirk. We’ll meet in The Walled Garden.

Thursday 30th September between 10 and midday is gardening time at Chadkirk. We’ll meet in The Walled Garden.

For Covid safe practices : Guidance on gardening

Gardening

The Kiosk Question

Entering Chadkirk Chapel through the main door, to your left is a hatch. In times past, this has been open at weekends, with people from our Museum Service serving refreshments. This is referred to as The Kiosk.

In these changing times, there is a question about future openings. Given that the much depleted Museum Service will be unable to open the Chapel and Kiosk, opening Chadkirk Chapel at weekends means a new way of doing things. 

One possible way forward is for volunteers to begin to take on this aspect of the work previously done by the local authority. At the most recent Friends of Chadkirk meeting, our Chairperson, set out the possibilities.

In principle, volunteers from the Friends of Chadkirk could take on this work. In practice, success will depend on a number of factors. Some of those factors are not in our control, so success depends to an extent on others.

At our meeting, there was agreement to give it a try and see what’s possible.

We are looking to open the Chapel on Bank Holiday Monday, with volunteers from the Friends of Chadkirk. Visitors to the Estate and Gardens would be able to visit inside the Chapel. There would be light refreshments in the Chapel.

It’s a first step too managing a change.

For local people, it is also an opportunity to get involved. Come along on Bank Holiday Monday and see how you can make a difference and take part in community development of this wonderful community resource.

* As I write this (Sunday 8th August), I don’t have information about the opening times for August Bank Holiday Monday, or the list of other future dates. They will be published here as soon as I have them. Watch this space…