Cheshire Independent Issue 205

SEPTEMBER 2025 4 WhatsApp or Tel: 07592 433613 Website: www.allcapscomputers.co.uk Email: info@allcapscomputers.co.uk • NO CALLOUT CHARGE • No fix, no fee • No job too small • Advice availability • Fully qualified • Patient and professional • 6 years of experience in the trade SERVICES • Repairs • Security • Lessons • Device Setups • Old Devices • Remote Support What do we do? ALL CAPS COMPUTERS is a mobile repair service which is comprehensive and easy to use, as most repairs can be completed in the comfort of your own home. We provide a range of services including computer repairs, lessons, software installs, device setups and more. EVER been to Gnat Hole? Know anyone from Blackdog? The long-forgotten place-names are just some of the fascinating new discoveries that have come to light as Cheshire’s archives ser- vice continues its prepa- rations for its move into two new state-of-the- art centres. Cheshire Archives looks after more than 5,000 Ordnance Sur- vey maps and some of these go back more than 150 years. The archives team and its volunteers have already carefully cata- logued more than 2,000 maps, which date back to 1871. All editions of the familiar 25 inch-to-a mil- scale maps between 1871 and 1944 have ALDERLEY Edge Vil- lage Show has been handed £250 after Tatton MP Esther McVey took part in a charity bet on the Grand National. Dozens of MPs took up the offer of a free £50 charity bet on the world-famous steeple- chase, funded by the Bet- ting and Gaming Council (BGC). It was part of its Grand National Charity Bet Campaign which raises money for good causes up and down the country. Esther bet on Iroko at Ladbrokes shop in Wilmslow Road. One of the favourites in the Ain- tree race and trained in Cheshire the horse came fourth. Even so the MP’s chosen charity – Alder- ley Edge Village Show – was still a winner and was handed a donation of £250 from BGC for her participation. MP’s bet has a grand outcome for show Winnings: Esther McVey hands over the cheque for £250 to the show (Photo credit: Esther McVey MP) MAPPING OUT THE PAST Archives: Giving a sense of history (Photo credit: Cheshire East Council) business stamps, includ- ing those from John H Davies & Son, Architects and Surveyors, and The Salt Union – offering a glimpse into how these maps were once used in everyday life. Previously, finding this kind of detail would have meant sifting through over a well-thumbed paper index. But thanks to the ongoing work of the archives service and its volunteers, this infor- mation will now be more easily available when a new digital platform launches next spring. The two new centres will open in Crewe and Ches- ter next yar. Jill Rhodes, Cheshire East Council’s heritage champion, said: “Our archives team is under- taking an enormous amount of work behind the scenes to prepare for the move to our fabulous new centres next year. “It’s great to see that what they are doing now is already creating a positive impact for people who will be com- ing to our new centres and accessing the dig- ital archive next year. I’m sure many appetites are already whetted!” Louise Gittins, leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council said: “As a keen walker, exploring new areas always requires a good map. “Whilst today we all rely on our phones and satnavs, looking at old maps takes us back to a landscape over 100 years ago. “Maps are just one of the many priceless archives that hold the history of Cheshire and next year they will be more accessible in the two new Cheshire Archives centres.” The project has been made possible thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Wolfson Foundation, an independent charity with a focus on research and education. been checked, producing some intriguing results. Among the discoveries are some wonderfully quirky and long for- gotten place names such as Bogginshill, Snape Farm, Gnat Hole and Blackdog. Alongside these, the team has found curious annotations and historic She said: “The Alder- ley Edge Village Show is a fantastic annual event enjoyed by so many and I am delighted they are benefiting from this dona- tion. It was a pleasure to hand over the cheque and I look forward to attending the show later this month.”