Click Image to Enlarge

There was plenty of messing about on the river in Handbridge this weekend.

The 35th annual Raft Race, organised by Rotary Club of Chester to raise cash for local charities and Help for Heroes, got underway by the Boathouse at 10.30 on Sunday 4th July.

44 teams, decked out in the theme: ‘great historical events through the ages,’ navigated the weir to finish by the Old Dee Bridge.

Handbridge pub The Ship Inn, entered a pirate themed team of 6 staff and 2 customers with manager Captain Davin Harris at the helm.

Police Photo

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) have admitted that they have no routine compliance checks in place which would have prevented a Handbridge conman defrauding pensioners out of £1.3 million.

A Freedom of Information Act request, on behalf of Handbridge.com, revealed that "As a matter of resource allocation, the FSA does not, generally speaking, carry out internet sweeps in respect of unauthorised business. The unauthorised business function of the FSA operates on the basis of specific information or complaints received." 

61 year old Michael Francis Mawdsley was jailed for 8 years in May, following a trial at Chester Crown Court, for what the judge described as "despicable and disgusting" actions.

Update 12 July: Additional Information Added

The historic city of Chester is in the grip of Rhino Mania! 62 stunning rhinos created by the regions artists.

One of these spectacular works of art has been placed at the entrance to Queen's Park High School. Another five rhinos have been positioned along the Groves riverside walkway.

The Rotary Club of Chester River Dee Annual Raft, in aid of Help for Heroes, was held on Sunday 4 July and a good time was had by all.

Here is our video showing the highlights of the event.

Click Image to Enlarge

Sources close to Handbridge.com have told us that a buyer has been found for the former Bank of Scotland site in Handbridge. We believe that the buyer is a major hotel group but we have no formal confirmation of this.

Following our previous stories about the site we have received many comments, from local residents, expressing their concerns about the present management of the site and possible future plans.

As the princess ants swarm over Handbridge, they provide plenty of food for hungry swallows, swifts and martins.

Please keep sending us your photos and reports of wildlife in Handbridge, air, land or water dwelling.

Our apologies that this was originally captioned as a swallow. We have been reliably informed that it is actually a house martin as identified by the markings. Martins and swallows are from the same family of birds (Passerines) whereas swifts, which exhibit similar feeding behaviour, are from a different family (Apodiformes).

Click Image to Enlarge

Your local branch of Living Streets (formerly the Pedestrians Association) is presently carrying out a West Cheshire Pedestrian Actions Survey online. It is aimed at people who live and or work in West Cheshire who walk, run, or use a wheelchair or mobility scooter.

The survey is located on the Living Streets Homepage (a link to the survey is on the right of the homepage). The closing date for responses is until 30 June 2010.