CPRE Cheshire Branch - Painting Competition: Gallery of Entries

Winner: Andrew Knighton – Macclesfield
Highly Commended: George Mather - Lostock Gralam
Certificate of Merit: Sheila Powell - Malpas

View from a Macclesfield window - My favourite Cheshire landscape is a humble, familiar one – the small patch of countryside I can see through my office window. Beyond the redbrick and slate of Macclesfield’s rooftops rises the crest of a hill, rich green fields interwoven with hedges and tall, sturdy trees. It radiates the calm, simple energy of country life, beneath a sky of shifting greys and blues. A sign of life beyond these concrete walls and glowing computer screens, I can look up at it during the day and find myself instantly transported to the outside world. These are the same fields that were walked by medieval peasants and Victorian gentlemen, and in my mind I walk with their ghosts across a verdant landscape, unchanged by the rush of modernity. These are the same hillsides that so many of us gaze across from our concrete cages, dreaming of the world beyond the nine-to-five. To lose that view, if it were damaged or destroyed, would be to lose a beacon of hope in the drab office day. But it would also be to lose something more, a common bond. You may see a different hillside from your window, but it is the same countryside, simple and invigorating, a shared pleasure connecting us to each other and to the past.

Lostock Gralam – Born in Lostock Gralam in 1947 I knew intimately every wood, pond and hedgerow within a several mile radius of where I lived, three working farms within the village kept the land in pristine condition, a walk across any field would have skylarks rising at your feet. Every hedge and gorse bush held its own secrets, was it home to a yellow hammer or linnet, maybe a long tailed tit. As lads we would spend hours fishing the many ponds which abounded with wildlife, not to mention crucians and perch. Our local cricket pitch was the focal point for most of the village youth, set at the bottom of Stubbs Lane, it was a magical place. Lostock was so quite on a still evening one could hear a dog bark in Wincham. Then along came the bypass gradually shattering the peace and quite, what was once glorious countryside is now permanently littered with all manner of filth thrown from passing vehicles, the dark starry nights I knew in my youth have gone, overwhelmed by mile after mile of monstrous street lights, and they tell us to save energy by turning off our lights. Our once closely knit village has trebled in size, all the farms have gone along with the enchanting ponds, even as I write this letter plans are afoot to concrete over the last remaining farmland in the village, which sadly includes the place etched forever in my memory – the cricket pitch.

My Corner of Cheshire - When the war was over, a returned Malpas soldier leaned on a gate in Love Lane and gazed with gratitude at the breathtaking view of gently rolling farm land. I see that view nearly every day when I walk my dog and am determined that I will never take it for granted. Close by, there is another such view from the Marches Way, a path here marked by ancient trees with massive girths and sheltering hollows, where people have walked for centuries. And just around another corner is an avenue of stately limes whose presence is uplifting whatever the season. I have discovered that although essentially flat, Cheshire has the power to surprise. Suddenly, from a narrow lane bounded by trees, an astonishing vista unfolds, of lush green fields and verdant hedgerows that fall away and lead your eye on to Moel Famau and the changing blues of the Welsh Hills. Only a walk away you can drop into a tiny, hidden valley where sheep graze, orchids and violets grow, and green woodpeckers fly - where once, in one secluded spot, I watched an otter in the stream. My children and I have walked the fields and lanes hereabouts for years with growing love and attachment. Now it's just me and the dog, and I notice some sad differences - reduced numbers of Friesian herds - uncut fields overrun with dock and thistle, empty cow byres - and farms for sale. If the farmers do not use the land, then who will - and to what purpose? The possibilities terrify me.

Pupils from Tarporley Community High School and Tattenhall Park Primary School

16 - 18
Winner:Tom Marley – Hidden Haven
Highly Commended: Martin Cosens - The Secret Sanctuary of Tirley Garth
Certificate of Merit: Katie Enwright - Winter Wonderland

Hidden Haven (Delamere Forest) – Last Sunday was a perfect autumn day for a cycle in Delamere Forest. Keats lines about Autumn, the season of ‘mist and mellow fruitfulness’ came to life before my eyes. Delamere is the perfect setting to bring the full glories of autumn to life. The forest is full of wildlife from the rare White Faced Darter Dragonfly to the more common rabbits and birds and the scenery is breathtaking. For me, Delamere provides the thrill of cycling between the trees, up and down slopes through water and in-between roots ensuring a bumpy but exhilarating ride, and as I cycle I can feel the wind blowing through my hair and the rustle of leaves beneath my wheels – it is incredible! As I surge down the leaf strewn I come to a stop and just gaze in wonderment – the lake, the reflecting autumn colours, the birds – amazing! The forest intertwines all aspects of natural beauty and forms a special wonderland, which I hold close to my heart. Every community needs a place to escape modern living – families, walkers, cyclists, nature lovers, historians and even teenagers love Delamere. The forest needs protecting from developers, disease, erosion, litter …. I would be devastated to lose this place and would fight to save it. Loving the place as I do, I know that my feelings must be shared by all who visit – the forest has many friends and we feel honoured that the forest is always willing to share it’s ever changing beauty with us.

The secret sanctuary of Tirley Garth – Shoots of cane sprout from the ground like fine hairs on the earths head; beyond the leaf laden soil a small crystal lazily snakes its way down next to a worn path, down towards a small pond where fish almost every colour of the rainbow bask in the golden rays of the sun. All around dancing shadows are cast by the swaying bamboo in the light breeze. A small wooden bridge runs over head, still a giant to the quaint running of water that lies in the ground like a life blood of the world, flowing down to be collected and to give life somewhere else. Inside the crowd of shoots and leaves cobwebs criss-cross making roads to run between the huge columns. The wild life quietly sings all around in the shade of the trees. Leaves of seasons past carpet the floor, shells of the plants all around, now a beige or brown; have been replaced by strong and vibrant greens that glow in the sun, a new plant born each spring. Were I to lose this place, were it to be changed at all, I would lose a part of who I am, the person I grew up as. The child that would bask in the lazy afternoon sun, who would hide in the warm dens of bamboo, avoiding rain, the leaves, a thousand tiny umbrellas, would catch the drops of silver rain, the insides staying warm and kind.

A Winter Wonderland – Primrose Wood is a place of natural beauty, situated at the top of Kelsall. In the freezing cold of winter, tiny flakes of snow swirl down in a harsh breeze that whips through the empty oak trees covered in their dark wrinkly skin. Pathways delicately frosted with snow, like white icing sugar, wind in and out of feathery bushes. They lead to a main walkway stretching down through the dense forest. I used to cycle down the path with my family, racing in and out of debris left by a raging storm the night before. You can always hear a woodpecker tapping, its echo racing through the creaking branches of the old pine trees. Their icy leaves rustling. My sister and our lively dog would race between the undergrowth, tossing big balls of snowy powder into the lifeless grey sky, narrowly missing my cold rosy cheeks. An old rope swing dangles lifelessly from a branch, broken from our childish summer games. If this beautiful winter wonderland was to be taken from my life I'd be devastated. It would be like calving out a piece of my heart and casting it away like an old rag doll. So many cherished memories, it would be wrong to destroy them. I have shared magical moments and had bundles of fun in Primrose Wood so that is why it is my favourite place in Cheshire.

9 – 11
Winner: Ayesha Kewley - Beeston Castle
Highly Commended: Olwen Marshall - Millbrook Stream
Cerificate of Merit: Felix Morriss – Delamere Forest

Beeston Castle – There’s no doubt about it, my most treasured place has to be Beeston Castle. Beeston Castle is one of the only places I can think of that is not surrounded by factories. When I am in Beeston Castle, it feels like the remaining parts of the historical ruins are repairing themselves. When I stand still and close my eyes, I can smell the countryside aroma, and the sweet sent of flowers filling the air. The thing I like about Beeston Castle is that it is so quiet around, so I have time to think about things I didn’t have time to think about before. Slowly, I like to take a walk after having a think, I like to experience how hard it must have been to trek up those high hills again and again. But the best part of the whole castle has to be the view. You can see it right at the top – it is beautiful, you can see the lush green trees and the golden corn fields, it is all right before your eyes. That is why Beeston Castle is my most treasured place in Cheshire.

Millbrook Stream – A place which makes me feel safe. A place which makes me feel free. A place which makes me feel secure is the field behind my house. A stream running alongside, and birds chanting words from an ancient language that people have never spoken is enough to make anyone believe their in a different world. The lush green grass clothes the field, and then a blanket of dew covers it. A lake to a caterpillar, a puddle to an elephant and a stream to you and me. My favourite place just has to be that place of rest by the stream.

Delamere Forest – If you haven't been to Delamere Forest than you must go, as it is undoubtedly the bet place in Cheshire. The thrill of the wind through your hair, as you cycle through the forest, truly is exhilarating. The sweet aroma of the countryside air is truly heavenly, combined with the beautiful sound of the birds singing. The view of the lake, situated in the heart of the forest, is like a shining pool of light amongst a vast ocean of trees. Delamere Forest is a special place to me as it is a place I can just sit down and think about things peacefully while listening to the sounds of the forest. It only holds happy memories for me, so it is a place I always look forward and remember going to. The best think about Delamere Forest is that it is good exercise walking around the forest and it makes me feel fantastic. So Delamere Forest is definitely the best place to be. .

Victoria Buildings

Lewin Street

Middlewich

Cheshire CW10 9AT

Tel/Fax: 01606 835046

E-mail: info@cprecheshire.org.uk

President:

Lord Grey of Codnor

Patron:

HM The Queen

Registered Charity No. 248304