There will be a host of entertainment for youngsters in the town square as part of a 25-week programme of events.

The fun, organised by Nantwich Town Council, includes colourful Balloon Wyzzard who was so successful at last year’s Nantwich Jubilee Event.

He will be out and about creating amazing balloon features for the children and put a smile on everyone’s face.

Alongside him will be the very creative and talented Anni who will brighten up the day with face-painting.

Cllr David Marren, chair of town plan and partnership committee, said: “A great deal of thought has gone into this year’s entertainment programme to ensure there is something for everyone.

“The full programme of events is now to be included in the latest edition of Talk Of The Town.

“Retailers and shoppers alike are requesting copies of the programme as we know many look forward to the added bonus of some fun and entertainment to enjoy.”

Look out for further details in Nantwich Town Council’s Talk Of The Town, Nantwich town centre notice boards, the local press and on the Nantwich Town Council web site

That’s the hope of festival organiser Phillip Martin who believes luring Holland to the town is a real possibility.

Thousands of music fans descended on Nantwich over the Easter weekend for the 17th annual festival, with dozens of venues putting on a range of live performances.

Now Mr Martin has revealed his ambitious plan to grow the festival and attract massive names like Holland.

“For the 20th anniversary I want to have Jools playing free of charge in Nantwich town square,” he told Nantwichnews.

“It would cost a lot of money but I’m going to do it. We will take the festival up to another level with the right support and backing from sponsors.

“It would be a free concert for the supporters of the event and for local people!”

Mr Martin, who runs The Crown Hotel in Nantwich, believes the latest event was another big success in terms of the atmosphere around the town and the variety of music on offer.

And despite the unseasonably cold weather, many venues reported big audiences and takings.

“I think it was one of the best ever festivals,” he said. “There was something for everyone during the event.

“The licencees are happy which is what I set out to do. They had fantastic business and they all geared up for it.

“We don’t know how many tickets and wristbands we sold exactly, a lot of people still feel they can blag their way into venues during the festival.

“And we gave a lot of wristbands away to participating venues to reward their regulars.

“But we’ve had some fantastic comments on our Facebook and Twitter accounts and emails from people who came from as far afield as Kent, Hampshire, Sussex and Essex!”

Big draws during the festival were The Wonder Stuff’s Miles Hunt and his acoustic set, and the first performance by Sad Cafe for over 20 years.

“We also have to thank organisations like the BBC and The Cat radio who got involved and helped to broadcast and cover the festival as it happened,” added Mr Martin.

(pic courtesy of Chris Boland, Flickr)

Cllr Stuart Hutton (pictured) wants Nantwich to have a delicacy to represent the Dabbers – like Cornwall with the pasty, and Stoke with the oatcake.

The competition is inviting local businesses, residents and community groups to come up with special dish to celebrate the town.

It also aims to cement its place in the food calendar as host to the successful Food and Drink Festival and the International Cheese Show.

There are also a host of renown local food producers and specialist outlets and restaurants.

Nantwich Town Cllr Hutton said: “The Dabber’s Dish competition will give local people an opportunity to show off their creative, culinary flair.

“It will culminate with a judging event in Nantwich Town Square on Saturday July 20, when local people will be able to sample entries and have their say on which entry best represents their town.”

The date of the final of the competition will coincide with an exhibition at Nantwich Museum, celebrating the town’s culinary heritage.

“The rules of the competition are very straightforward. All entries must be connected with the town in some way, either through use of local produce, or by being themed on a local industry or historical event,” added Cllr Hutton.

“With a Roman Settlement, great fire, historic battle and local industries including salt mining, cheese making and leather working, there should be plenty to inspire competitors!”

More information can be found at Cllr Hutton’s website www.stuarthutton.com or from Nantwich Town Council.

John Dwyer, a former Crewe & Nantwich Borough councillor, is visiting every station across the county to introduce himself.

He will chat to Insp Dave Smithers, head of Nantwich Neighbourhood Policing Unit, and other officers.

It’s aimed at familiarising the PCC with the challenges different areas of the force face on a daily basis.

On the same day, the Nantwich police “community bus” will be  in the town square as officers hold a public surgery.

Insp Smithers said members of his team will be available for residents to drop in and chat with from 10am to midday.

The “community bus” idea is designed to reach out more to people in different parts of the Nantwich force area.

“We want to increase our community engagement both in the town and rural areas, and the “bus” gives us a fixed presence,” said Insp Smithers.

“It’s like a mobile police station and often it encourages members of the public to raise issues that they otherwise wouldn’t think to call us about.

“Our Nantwich team covers over 130 square miles from Bickerton to Audlem and Wrenbury to Wybunbury. It’s important we have a visible presence in these areas.”

Mr Dwyer, President of Royal British Legion Nantwich branch, presented awards to cadets who raised over £31,000 for the Poppy Appeal.

The fire cadet who collected the most money was Joe Young (pictured).

The Air Training Corps winner was Cadet Charlotte Vernon and the Army Cadet Force winner was Corporal Eleanor Walker.

The cadets helped to fill poppy boxes and collected on Nantwich Town square, Bridgemere Garden Centre and at Nantwich Town FC’s Weaver Stadium.

Mr Dwyer said: “As Police & Crime Commissioner I hear many views about young people and this clearly shows not all young people are bad.

“These young cadets are prepared to give up their free time for good causes and what a worthwhile cause it is to collect donations for fallen forces past and present.

“I commend their efforts and was proud to visit them and present their awards.”

Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalists The Jive Aces will headline an afternoon of live music and activities on Family Fun and Music Day, April 1.

The Cat community radio station will host face painting, balloon modelling, a magician and a Punch and Judy show among entertainment on Nantwich town square.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Scooby Doo, Buzz Lightyear and Woody are special guests as Residence bar and restaurant continues the fun under a marquee off Mill Street.

Face painters, indoor bouncy castle, a BBQ and other entertainment will be on as the venue hopes to play a part in transforming the final day of the festival.

Around 40,000 people attend the annual five-day event, spending an estimated £1 million for the local economy.

While Easter Sunday has become a staple for revellers across the North West, organisers hope to make the Monday equally as attractive to families.

Ben Rafferty, of the Residence Restaurant and Bar, said: “It was something Phil (Martin) pushed hard on last year and unfortunately the weather went against it. I think it’s a great idea to do something for the family.

“We’re looking to work with Phil over the next few years to build the Monday to be as big as the Sunday in terms of allowing children and families to be part of the festival.

“We’ve got a marquee here so if the weather strikes again, it won’t spoil the fun this time.”

Headlining the 17th festival over the Easter weekend will be jazz-funk legends Shakatak, rock ‘n’ roll icons The Blockheads and Sad Cafe, and award-winning blues singer Connie Lush.

UK jazz pioneer Courtney Pine will be performing at The Studio, while alternative rockers The Wonderstuff and Mike Peters of The Alarm will entertain audiences at the Civic Hall.

This year’s festival runs from Thursday March 28 until Monday April 1.

For tickets and more information on what is happening over the weekend visit www.nantwichjazz.com

A Police Surgery will be held on the square this Thursday February 14 between 10am and 2pm.

Officers and PCSOs from the Beam Street will on hand to answer queries and chat to the public.

And on Saturday February 16, a bike security marking event will be held from 1pm to 3pm on the square.

This is being staged in conjunction with the Safer Cheshire East Partnership and will help bike owners retrieve stolen or lost cycles.

For further information people can contact Nantwich PS 0854 458 6378.

The band, which celebrates its 30th anniversary next year, needs players for a range of brass, woodwind and percussion instruments, organisers say.

NDB is a regular fixture at events across the town and throughout the year, including formal concerts, fetes, Nantwich town square and Christmas carol events.

Forthcoming performances include Christmas carols at Sainsbury’s in Nantwich on December 12 and 21, and carols at Cronkinson Farm pub in Stapeley on December 19.

Instrumentalists are needed for Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Cornet and Trumpet, Oboe, Flute, Bass Clarinet and Bassoon, Saxaphone (Alto, Tenor and Bari Saxophone) and Percussion, Kit Drummer, and Timps.

Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings from 7.15pm to 9pm at Brookfield Hall, on Shrewbridge Road, Nantwich.

There is also an active junior/training band with players of all ages and abilities welcome. The training band meets and plays on Wednesdays 6-7pm, also at Brookfield Hall.

Anyone interested in joining can contact Dan Page, NDB chairman, on 07734 706135 or Ola Ness, musical director, on 07946 448284 or email olaness@hotmail.com

More details can be found at www.ndband.co.uk

Residents will be able to chat with local Community Support Officers Nick Jarvis, Sharon Jones and Stuart Mortimer.

They can ask questions regarding policing issues they may have. Free security bike marking will also be available.

For more information contact Nantwich Police Station on 0845 458 6378.

The festival, to run from October 8 to 14, will host unique performances in intimate venues around the town.

And this year it has attracted international stars including Athlete, Chris Difford, Tim Burgess and Thea Gilmore.

“We have once again brought together some really talented artistes from the worlds of music, literature and comedy”, said Words and Music co-founder Nigel Stonier.

“It was always our idea the festival grew kind of organically at its own pace and Nantwich has really embraced what we’re doing.

“The support for shows, especially over the last two years, has been fantastic,” said Nigel.

“That’s the reason we’ve extended the event to seven days, and have put together what we think is our most diverse and exciting bill yet. We hope the people of the town agree.

“Our goal has always been to bring original music, poetry and literature to Nantwich, of a calibre the town doesn’t get the chance to see the rest of the year.

“We love giving people the opportunity to see international artistes in small, intimate venues at the heart of the town and to give exposure to new up and coming artistes.”

Thea Gilmore is a regular favourite and her Saturday night show has already sold out.

And Mary Gauthier is travelling all the way from New Orleans via Nashville for just three UK shows, including Nantwich. She peforms on October 13 at Malbank Studio Theatre.

Also appearing are DJ and musician Mark Radcliffe, up and coming singer-songwriter Jack Savoretti, crime writer S J Parris, and Jemima Dury, daughter of legend rock singer Ian.

There will also be free events with local performers in Nantwich Town Square and cafes during the festival week.

Tickets are availabe from Grapevine on Pepper Street, and via the Words and Music website www.wordsandmusicfestival.com

(pic courtesy of www.wordsandmusicfestival.com)

It follows criticism of last year’s event which many felt was a damp squib.

The display was poorly illuminated at times due to problems with timers and fuses, and the size of the display was also criticised.

Now Cllr Christine Farrall has unveiled grander plans for 2012 after meeting with retailers and traders who will get involved.

They plan to put lights on trees in the centre of the town square and at the top of Mill Street, on the large tree outside the bank near Bratts, to illuminate the centre much more.

Cllr Farrall said: “The town traders have agreed to light up their shop fronts and buy small Christmas trees which will be adorned with lights.

“We’re also hoping to have a proper wooden Santa’s Grotto in the square, which is being organised by Steve Lawson at the Nantwich Bookshop.”

The town council agreed to free up extra funding of around £2,000 to buy a canopy for the stage where live performances could take place during the Switch On event.

The council also plans to stage a German Market in the run up to Christmas.

“We want Nantwich to be a shopper’s paradise at Christmas,” Cllr Farrall added.

“It’s one of the big events of the year. Traders are giving up their time and money, we will seek sponsorship and volunteer groups to help out too.”

That’s the message from Nantwich Food and Drink Festival organisers as the town prepares to host thousands of ‘foodies’ next month.

More than 30,000 visitors are expected in the town over the weekend September 14-16 for an event billed as “the biggest and tastiest food festival in the country” - offering a vast array of regionally-produced gourmet foods, beer and wine tastings.

With a massive footfall, the gastronomic gathering will set tills ringing across town, helping to give a big boost to trading figures at a time of year when things normally slow down for visitor numbers.

Festival chairman Deborah Robb said: “Surveys from 2011 show the festival helped to generate a huge income for the town.

“Some £2m was spent over the weekend proving a very welcome injection to the local economy.

“At a time when most towns are suffering adverse retail trading conditions and the general consumer mood remains dampened, the festive helps promote a feel-good factor.

“It’s all about organisers, volunteers and traders pulling together to create a real buzz. Everyone is looking forward to another huge crowd-puller.”

The town centre will be packed with foodie activities including tastings in shops and attractions such as a pasta-eating challenge, sausage-making workshops and cocktail-making classes.

Venues include the Mornflake Food Hall (Civic Hall), Gourmet Food Court (Bowling Green car park), Food Theatre (town square), White Horse pub car-park, Cocoa Yard and Methodist Church Hall.

Cheshire East Council is the main sponsor of the festival with major support also coming from breakfast foods producer Mornflake in Crewe.

Deborah added: “The vast majority of visitors came from Cheshire and neighbouring counties in 2011, but we also welcomed people from Scandanavia, Portugal, USA and Caribbean.

“As organisers, we are happy to say our hard work paid off with 97% of the people surveyed saying they loved the event and would return in 2012.”