Today I awoke and as usual came downstairs, put the kettle on and opened the blinds to let the early morning sunshine into my lounge. Whilst looking out onto the street I couldn’t help but notice that there was something missing from my recently landscaped front garden. To my shock and amazement, I realised the missing items were the new fern trees that had been recently planted.

We moved to Ramsbottom from deepest Salford nearly 3 years ago and up to now we have had no problems with vandalism or people stealing our belongings. Now I know we don’t live in a picture book society but I did think that people around these parts wouldn’t have the bare faced cheek to take something from your front garden on a Monday night, not only one item but 5 fern trees worth about £25!!

Having previously heard stories of car jackings and other incidents, I felt lucky I hadn’t been a victim of any local crime. This incident has jaded my outlook a little on my adopted home, which I would like to add looked in very poor repair up until just over 1 week ago! It also leaves me to make a decision on what I do with the garden:
A) Replant the trees for the 2nd time in the same month and leave myself open to be out of pocket again along with someone walking past my house and inadvertently sticking two fingers up to me?
B) Leave it as it is and let them win and have an unfinished and untidy garden?
C) Replant the trees and ensure they get a very nasty shock if they attempt to take them again?

Anybody who knows me will know the answer. Garden thief beware….

Is this a one off incident? Has anybody had anything like this happen to them before? There are so many more attractive plants nearby in pots, why take mine, which are small newly planted trees not really worth a great deal, which you could barely see from the street? Mmm…
I was born & bread in Salford and never had anything stolen, less than 3 years in Rammy and I’ve had PLANTS stolen on a main road on a Monday night.

That is one statement I didn’t think I’d be making when I moved up here.

www.rammyunited.co.uk

Ramsbottom United will be trying to better the 1-1 draw they achieved at Colne’s ground a few weeks ago with a win in the home game.

Come and support your local team! Adults £5 Children & over 65s £2

www.retm.co.uk

Choc full of Bargains! As a sugar rush washes over Ramsbottom on 27 and 28 March, not even St Paul’s Church is immune. That weekend the town plays host to its second Chocolate Festival and on Saturday 27 March St Paul’s capture the flavour of the occasion in their annual Spring Fair.

Aside from the usual stalls, the event will feature a Chocolate Tombola and a yummy Chocolate Fountain. Add to these, the ever popular café and a delicious array of home produce on our cake stall and you can surely taste the day already.

Other stalls will include gifts, our revitalised book stall (now full of good condition modern paperbacks) and original design greetings cards courtesy of the Crafty Cat. There are lots of bargains to be had. The calorie count may be high but the prices are definitely low.

If you fancy indulging yourself, then come along. If you don’t, then still come along and think of it as a test of willpower!

The event commences in the church on Bridge Street, Ramsbottom at 10.30am and runs through to 2.30pm. Admission is free and we look forward to seeing you there.

www.incredible-edible-ramsbottom.co.uk

Since the first “Big Dig” meeting at the end of February Incredible Edible Ramsbottom is starting to take shape. Local interest has continued to grow rapidly. People have offered all kinds of skills and we are getting some very exciting information on places we can actually start digging and planting!

So there’s going to be lots to talk about at the next meeting on Monday 22nd March! Please come along with your ideas, knowledge and enthusiasm for local food.

Incredible Edible Ramsbottom – the future of local food in Ramsbottom, for everyone!

Regular Spanish Speakers Meet Up

The next meeting is on Thursday 30th April, 7.30 pm in The Lounge, Ramsbottom.

The group consists of Spanish speakers of all levels, from beginners to
fluent.

If you love to speak Spanish, we would love to meet you.

Hasta pronto!

www.rammyunited.co.uk

Rambottom United will be hoping to extend their unbeaten home league run to 8 games with a win over Bootle this Saturday. Both teams are in the running for a top 3 finish in the league so expect a hard-fought match.

Come and support your local team! Adults £5 Children & over 65s £2

Last week I was privy to an extraordinary sight – Ramsbottom Online’s very own Jamie Scahill stood in a bar with a pint… of Diet Coke. No, he hasn’t given up alcohol for Lent but in little over 4 weeks time Jamie will be digging out his white vest, squeezing into his 1980s Hi-Tec shorts and dusting down his strings of garlic in preparation for the Paris Marathon. On 11th April he will be running in aid of C.A.L.M. with the target of raising an impressive £1,000.

C.A.L.M (Campaign Against Living Miserably) is a charity that helps young men who don’t know where to turn to for advice on a large number of problems that can lead to depression and suicide. They offer advice via a helpline and online and use the music industry as its vehicle of delivery. The charity survives on donations and grants and is over subscribed with calls and inquires on a daily basis so any help is appreciated.

Supporters of C.A.L.M include Cream, Skiddle, Topman, Ear to the Ground, Dizzee Rascal, Another Media, Chibuku, Metro Newspaper to mention a few.

Suicide is the biggest killer of young men in the UK – in 2008 there were 4,603 suicides in England and Wales – 3492 were male (office of national statistics).

If you would like to find out more about C.A.L.M visit www.thecalmzone.net

Jamie has been training extremely hard over the last few months and is aiming complete the marathon in under 4 hours but in his own words ‘I will be happy to finish on the same day if I’m totally honest!’. Personally, I would argue that he has no excuses living in an area where flat land is rarer than rocking horse excrement!

His good lady Nicola will be tweeting every few miles so you keep an eye of his progress – http://twitter.com/rammyonline. There will also be a live feed on the website. Any drops in reporting can either be put down to fatigue, injury or Nicola drowning in a bottle of Pastis!

Bon chance Jamie and let’s hope he doesn’t do a Paula Radcliffe or he could be checking in with the Police Nationale.

You can sponsor him by visiting www.justgiving.com/jamiedoesparisforcalm

www.ramsbottomchocolatetrail.com

Indulge your taste buds in mouthwatering chocolate delights with the many free samples on offer and get your hands on exquisite Easter Eggs from master chocolatiers and chocolate related products (i.e. beauty products containing cocoa etc.). Due to the huge success of last years Festival, the organisers are looking to extend the festival over a weekend; looking at several ideas, including cookery demonstrations, evening dining experience, ELR Chocolate Express Train, Giant Easter Egg competition, wine tasting evening, World Record attempt, music and entertainment and much much more.

Dining Experience ‘An Evening with Hot Chocolate’

27 March, 7.30pm – 1am, Ramsbottom Civic Hall. The organisers have teamed up with local award winning chocolatiers and chefs to bring all chocolate lovers a pure indulgence treat. Entertainment during the evening includes the UK’s number one Hot Chocolate tribute act Kennie Simon. Not to be missed! Arrive for 7.30pm, dine at 8pm, bar open til late.

John Slattery (Slattery’s), Mike Harrison (Zest Fine Food), Paul Morris (The Chocolate Cafe) and wine samples from The Vineyard Ramsbottom.

Tickets cost £35 and are available from Bury Tourist Information 0161 253 5111.

Alfresco Dining Bistro

27 and 28 March, 10.30am – 4.00pm, Market Place.
Enjoy alfresco dining in Ramsbottom as Market Place is transformed into a outdoor bistro.

In-store Demonstrations/Tastings

23 – 26 March: The Chocolate Cafe, Bolton Street. ‘Zotter Organic & Fairtrade Chocolate Tasting’.
The Chocolate Festival starts early at The Chocolate Café with free in store tastings everyday. Sample some of the world’s finest organic and fairtrade chocolate from the Austrian Masters – Zotter.

27 March, 10.30am – 5.00pm: The Chocolate Cafe, Bolton Street. ‘Chocolate Pizza & Chocolate Beer Tasting’.
Come and sample our famous chocolate pizzas, together with a glass of Meantime Chocolate Beer (6.5%).

27 and 28 March: White Rock, Square Street. ‘Chocolate Beauty Products’.
Will be using chocolate shampoos and conditioners and free chocolate hair treatments. Chocolate scented spray tans and chocolate flavoured lip gloss also available. Book in advance.

27 and 28 March: The Lounge, Prince Street.
Chocolate Cocktails and Chocolate desserts.

27 and 28 March: The Vineyard, Square Street.
Sample chocolate wine and chocolate beer.

27 and 28 March: Room 54, Bridge Street.
On offer; hot or cold chocolate fudge cake, chocolate brownie, hot chocolate with cream, flake and marshmallow.

27 and 28 March: The Herbal Practice, Bolton Street. Beauty Demonstrations:

11.00am: How to make a Chocolate Tincture and the medicinal benefits of chocolate.
Watch our qualified herbalist make a tincture made from raw chocolate and try a little for yourself. Find out how herbalists use the tincture and the medicinal benefits of your favourite food.

1.00pm: How to make a Chocolate-mint lip balm.
A demonstration of how to make a delicious and simple chocolate and mint lip balm made from natural ingredients that you can make for yourself at home.

3.00pm: How to make Cocoa butter hand cream.
Watch our herbalist make a natural and nourishing hand cream from cocoa butter and find out what herbs you could add to treat dry or damaged skin.

27 and 28 March: Ramsons, Market Place. Chocolate Festival Menu.
(served Saturday evening dinner and Saturday and Sunday lunch). Dishes include chicken and chocolate spring roll with chilli and chocolate sauce, squid ink and chocolate shot with tarragon and chocolate infusion, roast loin of lyme park venison with pumpkin puree, beetroot and liquorice sorbet and bitter chocolate sauce, black pudding and chocolate ravioli with parmesan froth and much more.

28 March: The Chocolate Cafe, Bolton Street. Try our brand new Chocolate Café Premium Bars.
Our new Premium White, Milk & Dark Chocolate bars are made from some of the worlds finest cocoa. Come and taste real chocolate for yourself.

Sunday Chocolate Market

28 March, 10.30am – 4pm, Bridge Street.
A chocolate and chocolate related themed market will take place on Bridge Street, offering delights from chocolatiers from around the country (see list below of exhibitors).

Children’s Craft Workshop

28 March, 10.30am – 4pm, Ramsbottom Civic Hall.
Get creative with making Easter cards and Easter Bunny bags.

Children’s Chocolate Workshop

28 March, 11am and 3pm. Ramsbottom Civic Hall.
Ministry of Chocolate ‘the chocolate workshop specialists’ will run an interactive and eduational children’s chocolate workshop. Each fun packed workshop lasts approximately 40 minutes which will be both inspiring and engaging for children of all ages. There will also be a chocolate fountain and fresh fruit dips. For further information go to www.ministryofchocolate.com

World Record Attempt – Ferrero Rocher

28 March, 2pm, Ramsbottom Theatre Royal.

Do you have what it takes?
Can you eat more than 8 Ferrero Rocher within 1 minute?
If you want to break a Guinness World Record, then we want to hear from you!

The current world record for most Ferrero Rocher eaten in 1 minute currently stands at 8. It’s not as easy as it sounds! Participants must start with all Ferrero Rocher wrapped, but once the time starts, can start to unwrap the others. You must also finish eating each Ferrero Roche before starting the next one and must not take any liquids in that time.

To apply: send an email to towncentresteam@bury.gov.uk and state why (in no more than 50 words) why you should take part in the challenge.

3ft Giant Easter Egg Competition (primary schools)

28 March, 10.30am – 4pm, Ramsbottom Civic Hall (winner announced at 3pm)

Do you fancy the challenge?
Can you make the ultimate Giant Easter Egg?
If your class is interested in entering the competition, please register your interest by email in order to confirm numbers to towncentresteam@bury.gov.uk or fill out the form below and return freepost.

www.bellinipizzeria.com

‘Bellini Spectacular’ Black Tie & Glitz Night at Bellini, Ramsbottom. The event is in aid of Breast Cancer Care and will take place on Thursday 25th March at 7pm for 7.30pm.

The ticket will include a gala dinner, lingerie show & entertainment. We have a top of the bill singer and other surprises await. The dress code is black-tie & glitz. It really is one not to be missed, a glamorous event with Italian class… all in aid of a fantastic cause.

If you wish to purchase a ticket(tables of 2, 4, 6 or 8), please call 07786070329. Price per person is £45. Please note there are only 40 tickets remaining.

Tel: 01204 885888

Web: www.juniororiginals.com

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