Trumpet Major Smith

Trumpet Major Smith

Trumpet Major William Smith lived in Knutsford after his years of military service which included Afghan Wars and the Crimea. He was a trumpeter in the Charge of the Light Brigade. Each troop would have had their own trumpeter so he was not unique. There are even doubts that the order to charge was ever given!

He and his wife lived on Stanley Road (in his day called Love Lane) where the house still has a plaque commemorating him. I wonder if the school you remember was Miss Brydons? This was a few minutes walk away from Smith’s house.

Plaque on Stanley Road

The plaque outside Smith’s home, records that he sounded the charge at Balaclava, but, as with everything concerning that event, controversy has raged. Various claimants were put forward, by themselves or others, but it is usually accepted that no official charge was sounded, all was chaos, each troop had a trumpeter and Smith was certainly there with his trumpet.Until the 1930′s the mouthpiece of this was still to be seen in Knutsford. A letter from T. Edwards of 10 Heathfield Square read “I may also add that I have in my possession a mouth-piece given to my father by Trumpet-Major Smith who told him it was the same on that the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava was blown”. Another correspondent added, “I remember him well. Of good appearance and address he mostly appeared wearing a fancy waistcoat. He was respected by everyone”.

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* At the discretion of Knutsford Online

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BeWILDerwood is an award-winning attraction currently operating in the heart of the Norfolk Broads, which is run by the company.

The company, working through their planning consultants have been liaising with the Council and Tatton Park to bring the BeWILDerwood concept to the North West’s premier estate. Tatton Park was identified by them as their preferred location for a similar adventure park.
A public exhibition, which anyone can attend, will start on February 23 at the Verandah Suite at the Cotton’s Hotel, in Manchester Road, Knutsford. This will start at 12noon and end at 8pm. The exhibition will then move to Tatton Park for a further two weeks. The public exhibition is being organised by Bidwells, property consultants, of Norfolk, on behalf of Bure Valley Adventures Ltd.

Full details will also be available online at www.BeWILDerwoodTatton.co.uk .

The exhibition will provide more details about the proposal and allow residents’ views on the emerging design to be considered before the application is finalised and submitted to the Council.

Cheshire East Council Cabinet member with responsibility for prosperity, Councillor Jamie Macrae said: “This proposal is a huge part of Cheshire East Council’s ambitious plans for the Tatton Vision.

“Tatton Park is already the premier major attraction in the region with more than 800,000 visitors a year. Our vision is to realise its full potential at national level and raise the visitor to over 1,000,000 visitors a year By working closely with this prestigious company, we are showing our real commitment to improving the facilities and enhancing the whole visitor experience. In turn, this will bring a major boost to the local and regional economy and provide jobs for local people. “

Members of Cheshire East Council were joined by their partners across the region at Jodrell Bank on Friday, February 3 as part of Connecting Cheshire; a project which aims to ensure everyone has access to superfast broadband by 2015.

The Connecting Cheshire partnership comprises Cheshire East Council, Cheshire West and Chester Council, Warrington Borough Council and Halton Borough Council.

The partnership has so far received more than £3 million in Government funding for the roll-out of superfast broadband but needs up to £40 million in order for the project to reach its potential.

To do this, Connecting Cheshire hopes to attract further funding from the Government and European grants to ensure full coverage of superfast broadband across the sub-region. Friday’s event was a chance to present interested parties with the reasons behind the project and the importance of superfast broadband to the local economy.

Speaking at Friday’s event, Cheshire East Council’s head of development, Caroline Simpson, said:  “Superfast broadband will transform businesses and communities over the coming years. It is especially relevant and critical that, during times of economic downturn, we put in place this essential foundation to economic and social growth.

“Reliable, high speed broadband is vital to ensure and stimulate our future growth, innovation and productivity; supporting business growth by providing access to new markets.

As well as boosting the economy, it is hoped more people will have better access to the internet and the services available on the world wide web, especially those in rural and semi-rural areas.

Commenting on superfast broadband, Macclesfield MP David Rutley said: “It’s all about creating a level playing field so that people can compete in today’s markets. At the moment not all businesses in Cheshire have that access and it’s vital we get hold of it for them. Not having superfast broadband holds our businesses back. It’s as if they’re trying to do business with one hand tied behind their backs.”

Anyone who wants to get involved with Connecting Cheshire, can contact the team a number of ways:

• Follow Connecting Cheshire (@SFB_Cheshire) on Twitter
• Search for Connecting Cheshire on Facebook
• Visit the website www.connectingcheshire.org.uk
• Email info@connectingcheshire.org.uk

The Diamond Jubilee celebrations will take place across an extended bank holiday weekend between June 2^nd and 5^th. Just a couple of days before the royal celebrations, the party atmosphere will hot up as the London Olympic torch relay passes through Crewe, Congleton, Knutsford and Macclesfield.

Councillor Rachel Bailey, Cabinet member with responsibility for safer and stronger communities, said: “This is going to be one of the most memorable weekends of our time and so it’s a wonderful opportunity to have a party. This is such a momentous occasion and we are delighted to offer community groups the chance to apply for £100 of funding to celebrate in their community. We are very grateful to the Duke of Westminster for his donation and we would encourage as many people as possible to take advantage of this opportunity to celebrate and throw a street party or use their local park or playing fields to host an event.”

To apply for the £100 funding, community groups should log on to: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/jubilee and click on the event notification/funding form. The deadline to apply for funding and road closures is Monday, April 9. Alternatively, contact Jane Kavanagh on 01270 685854.

Buckingham Palace is encouraging communities to take part in ‘The Big Jubilee Lunch’ which is all about community, friendship and fun and offers ideas on what to do and how to make it a day to remember.

Each customer nominating their favourite shop will be entered into a prize draw to win a voucher for £200 to celebrate with on Valentine’s Day.  The winning shops will receive a free business makeover review from expert ‘shop doctor’ Bill Smith who helps small businesses master entrepreneurial skills. The winning shops will also be given a year’s free subscription to the Love Local Life scheme, which is helping high streets across the Borough beat the economic downturn.

The Love Local Life card, which has so far been launched in seven Cheshire East towns, gives discounts to regular customers and promotes local shopping. Amanda Fazelynia, the business woman behind the campaign, said: “Love Local Life is going from strength-to-strength and these awards are our way of recognising all the hard work undertaken by the business community to keep our high-streets alive and thriving. It’s also a way of encouraging customers to support their local shops and join the Love Local Life scheme which offers great discounts on everyday shopping.”

For more information on the scheme, either as a card-holder or retailer wanting to participate, simply log on to the Love Local Life website.

KNUTSFORD ‘ROYAL’ MAY QUEEN

&

MAIDS OF HONOUR

will take place at Egerton Youth Club, Mereheath Lane, on Saturday 4th February 2012 at 2pm. Admission £1.00

For further information see the official Royal May Day website at
http://www.knutsford-royal-mayday.co.uk.