Handbridge.com

The residents and businesses of Handbridge are looking forward to welcoming the Olympic Torch to Handbridge, on 29th May, on its relay round Britain.

The honour of bearing the torch through our streets goes to 16 year old Alex Staniforth, an outdoor pursuits enthusiast  from Kelsall. 

Alex told us "In December 2011, I received the best e-mail I'd ever had- telling me that I had been chosen as one of the London 2012 Olympic Torch-bearers, which only 8000 people had been given this amazing opportunity to do. It was the happiest day of my life so far, and has literally changed my life since."

Alex was nominated because last July, after becoming the youngest person in history to successfully complete the National 3 Peaks Challenge solo, raising £1,700+ for Breakthrough Breast Cancer and the Red Endangered Animal Connection Trust, of which he serves on the fundraising committee.

After suffering epilepsy during childhood, Alex has actively been involved in community and environmental campaign work.

In July Alex will be climbing Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps at 4810m aiming to raise £4,810, a pound for every metre climbed.

Proceeds will be equally split between Cancer Research UK, in memory of Alex's Grandad and to support his aunt who is currently extremely ill, and the Red Endangered Animal Connection Trust.

The Trust runs vital conservation work in Asia for Orang-utans and other endangered species. Alex said "I have decided to wear an Orang-utan suit on the summit of the mountain to raise awareness about their conservation! I will be 17 at the time of the climb.

"In August, I will cycle from John O'Groats to Land's End on a 960 mile adventure to raise £1000+ for Cancer Research UK and Epilepsy Action, with two other torch-bearers, Huw Barrett from Christleton and Holly Worthington from Watford."

If you would like to donate to support Alex's work, visit his Virgin Money Giving page.

You can follow Alex's progress on his blog.

By Stuart Bull

On June 18th 2012 St. Mary without - the - Walls celebrates the 125th Anniversary of its consecration. The Chester Chronicle reported the events of 1887, saying that Handbridge "was brilliant with flags and decorating" and the congregation had included "the nobility, gentry and aristocracy of Hough Green, Curzon Park and Handbridge, with others of lesser degree".

The name of the parish is St. Mary on - the - Hill, Chester. It is an ancient parish and the original 12th century Church was situated next to Chester Castle, the residence of the Earls of Chester. It had been rebuilt during the Middle Ages and served a large parish stretching south of the River Dee towards Eccleston and Saltney, and also with substantial northern areas in Upton and Mollington.

Claverton Court, a retirement home for architects, is to close at the end of May.

The complex of 17 flats, off Queen's Park Road, has been put on the market by owners the Architects Benevolent Society. 

Handbridge.com understands that residents have been given notice to vacate by 31 May 2012. Local sources have advised us that no alternative accommodation has been offered to those affected by the closure.

Graham Gordon & Steve Rogers of Friends of Edgar’s Field plant a cherry tree with Cllr Razia Daniels

The Friends of Edgar's Field Park, local Councillors and Handbridge residents have celebrated the 120th anniversary of the official opening of Edgar's Field.

A cherry tree was planted in the park to mark the occasion with the ceremony attended by ward councillor Razia Daniels.

Edgar's Field was given in trust to Chester Corporation as a public park in 1892 by Hugh Lupus Grosvenor, the First Duke of Westminster, for the enjoyment of the residents of Handbridge but also the inhabitants of Chester generally.

Update: 10:30am Mon 30 April. Power now restored.

Road works at the corner of Eaton Road and Percy Road as power engineers repair the fault (Photo: Graham Gordon)

At approximately 2am on Monday 30 April, excess rainwater caused a short circuit in a power cable at the corner of Eaton Road and Percy Road in Handbridge. A fault in a backup cable then occured resulting in 47 properties losing power.

Engineers from SP Power Systems were quickly on site and power was restored at about 10:30am.