THIS week The Knutsfordian has had his ear well and truly bent by Ms Pole, who claims to be the direct descendent of the Cranford Ladies’ leading gossip Miss Octavia Pole.

Instead of meeting in the town’s tea and coffee bars, the modern Cranford Ladies ‘hang out’ in whichever hostelry is offering cut- price champagne to exchange their gossip.

Ms Pole informs me this week’s ‘buzz’ was generated by the Knutsfordian photographic exhibition organised by the Promote Knutsford Forum.

The Knutsfordian (who is still looking for his invitation to the launch) has been informed that the main talking point on the evening, and ever since, is the future of the Old Town Hall, which has lain empty since August 2011 when Allen & Appleyard moved out.

Squire Brooks of Peover, who owns the Old Town Hall, which was built in 1872, is, apparently, determined to get some commercial type to take it on – early rumours pointed to Mr JD Wetherspoon, officially denied.

Knutsfordians have been salivating over the prospect of a Marks and Spencer or, expressing more muted resignation to Mr Morrison moving in.

The Knutsfordian calls on the people of the town who have been muttering for months about making this into a community-owned building to lobby the Squire and put a firework up the town council to, as Captain Jean Luc Picard famously said: ‘Make it so’.

Moving out of town, The Knutsfordian is stocking up on popcorn and readying the deckchair for the next meeting of Cranage Parish Council.

Having read the account of September’s meeting in last week’s edition of this august journal, Cranageites versus Parish Council over Paddockgate round two on October 15 is set to be a classic night out.

The People’s Paddock was donated to Cranageites in 1782 to provide income to benefit the poor. By June 2012 the discussion on selling the paddock for affordable housing began.

Just 37 Cranageites out of 420 asked were in favour of the sale. Still the parish councillors led by Clr John Irlam, plough on with his/their plans for the sale.

The Knutsfordian notes in May 2011 Cranage Parish Council was formed unelected as just the right number of people put themselves forward to avoid an election.

Interesting to note that all proposed were by each other or names which could make The Knutsfordian assume they were wives, husbands or relatives of those proposed. Taxi for Clr Irlam?

  •  PS – Shame on the Knutsford resident who contacted police about the “False Widow Spider”. What a tangled web has been weaved about these poor beasties who just want food and warmth.
  •  PPS – HS2, Knutsford or Notsford?