Tag: crosspool forum

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Crosspool Ghost Sign

Ghost signs are silent storytellers, etched into the very brickwork of our communities. These faded, hand-painted advertisements offer a nostalgic glimpse into bygone eras, snapshots of commerce, culture, and everyday life.

One striking example lives on the gable end of the Cocker and Carr building: the “Natural No. 1 Processed Peas” sign. Timeworn but enduring, it speaks volumes about the area’s local identity and trading history. Its survival is thanks to the resilient oil-based paints of the past, whose pigments have weathered decades of wind, rain, and urban change.

Now, with the Crosspool Forum seeking to partner with local artist to safeguard this visual relic, its importance becomes even more poignant. Preserving it is more than just restoring a wall, it’s about protecting a piece of living heritage.

That it has remained so legible is a testament to past craftsmanship. Losing it would mean losing a window into the soul of Crosspool and that’s something too precious to fade away and disappear forever.

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Scarecrow Competiton Results

A Farmyard Festival of Fun!

The 2025 community scarecrow competition brought the countryside to our doorsteps with this year’s theme: “On the Farm.” From front gardens to schoolyards, a whimsical wave of straw-stuffed creations popped up across the neighbourhood, each one bursting with charm and imagination.
Think mooing cows with cheeky grins, hens donning bonnets, and tractors made from wheelbarrows! The standard was sky-high, making the judges’ job delightfully difficult. With so much talent on display, every corner turned revealed another masterpiece.
Hats off to all who took part—you turned Crosspool into a patchwork of playful rural magic!

After careful consideration scrutinising all the scarecrows entered, Rob & Jan at “Pet Supplies” chose the following winner and runners-up.

First Prize winner – “Clarkson and his Cow” Denbank Avenue, receives a certificate and a £25 voucher kindly donated by Green Cross Chemist, Crosspool.

First runner-up – “Henelope” Lydgate Hall Crescent, receives a certificate and a voucher for two fish & chip dinners kindly donated by the Crosspool Fish Bar, Crosspool.

Second runner-up – “Superhero farm to fork” Sandygate Road, receives a certificate and a £20 voucher kindly donated by Hudsons Kitchen, Crosspool.

On behalf of the community of Crosspool, we would like to take this opportunity to give a big” Thank You” to Jane Saxton and family for organising this year’s scarecrow competition, and also to express our gratitude to Rob & Jan for making the time in their busy diaries to support the Crosspool community by selecting this year’s winners.

Thank you to everyone who entered this year’s competition. The organisers hope that the variety of entertaining individual creations encourages everyone to enter next year’s competition.

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Exhibit Winners

After two days of enthusiastic public voting, the winning exhibits have been revealed!
Thom from Cocker & Carr had the honour of announcing the results and generously sponsored all the prizes: £15 for each winner and £10 for the runners-up.
You can admire all the shortlisted entries on display in the windows of Cocker & Carr (estate agents), pop by and take a look!

Art

  • Under 16s: – 1st prize. “Man with Guitar” by Daniel Lott. 
    2nd prize, “Women with Headgear” by Matthew Lott.
  • Adults: –        1st prize, “The Sportsmen, Crosspool” by Lynne Rossiter.
      2nd prize, “Castleton” by Linda Glover.

Craft   

  • Under 16s: – One entry and prize, “Crochet Animals” by Lauren Kirkland.
  • Adults: –         1st prize “St Ives Cushion” by Chloe Haines.
    2nd prize “Needle Felted Fungi” by Amy Barrett.

Photography

  • Under 16s: – 1st prize, “Macro Jumping Spider” by Toby Jones.
       2nd prize, “The Best Dog in the world” by Oliver Barrett.
  • Adults: –         1st prize, “Kestrel and Capture, Crookes Cemetery” by Eddie Sherwood.   
    2nd prize, “Tranquillity” by Eric Stevens.
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Crosspool Street Market a Big Success

The street market buzzed with life and colour, bursting with stalls offering everything from delicious food and homemade cakes to plants, crafts, jewellery, clothing, and books. Live entertainment added to the festive atmosphere, with music from the band,” C’est la Vie”, an energetic performance by “Shimmy School dancers”, and heartwarming songs from Lydgate Infant School children!


Visitors to the street market took the opportunity to admire this year’s wonderful Well Dressing at the top of Selborne Road, which remains on display until the end of this week!

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Crosspool Festival Art, Craft & Photography Exhibition

Crosspool Festival Art, Craft & Photography Exhibition – Now Open! 

Step inside St Columba’s Church to explore over 70 stunning exhibits, including 13 created by talented young people under 16.

Open today until 5pm and again tomorrow from 10am to 5pm. 

Don’t miss the announcement of the public vote winners—happening at 4:45pm on Wednesday!

Enjoy live demonstrations of artistic techniques and craft skills throughout the exhibition. Plus, take a behind-the-scenes look at how 25 dedicated volunteers brought this year’s well dressing to life, captured in a special video on display.

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Crosspool 2025 Summer Fayre this Saturday

The Crosspool Summer Fayre, this Saturday at the CDYST on Coldwell Lane, is shaping up to be a fantastic community celebration, with sunny skies forecast and plenty of outdoor fun in store

But even if the weather takes a cheeky turn, there’s no need to worry, this year’s event is ready for anything, with a wide range of indoor activities lined up to keep the atmosphere buzzing.

Thanks to thoughtful planning and a cheerful dose of Crosspool spirit, it’s the perfect chance for neighbours and friends to come together and enjoy the best of summer—whatever the weather may bring.

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Scarecrows have taken over the neighbourhood!

As part of this year’s Crosspool Festival, households & schools are decking out their front gardens & playgrounds with fabulous, funny, and farmyard-themed scarecrows for our much-loved competition. 

Wander the streets, follow the trail, and see how many you can spot—there’s a straw-stuffed surprise around every corner! 

Check out the list below to see where the fun begins. 

Happy scarecrow spotting!

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Petal by Petal: A Tribute in Bloom

A dedicated Petalling Team of local residents, with a passion for tradition and creativity, are hard at work crafting a breathtaking mosaic for this year’s Crosspool Festival. Their design celebrates the bond between people and their beloved pets, capturing the tender moment of animals patiently awaiting their owners’ return.

Using a time-honoured technique, clay is pressed into wooden boards and a design is traced before being brought to life with carefully placed flower petals and natural materials, each one chosen and laid to brave the British weather. It’s a labour of love and a testament to the power of community spirit.

The Crosspool Well Dressing is more than just a beautiful display; it’s a celebration of heritage and a fundraiser for local causes. This year’s event supports Fir Vale Food Bank and The Family Work with every donation, no matter how small it will make a difference.

You’ll find the main display on Sandygate Road at the junction with Watt Lane from the evening of June 27th to July 6th.  The dedication ceremony is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

Come for the flowers, stay for the spirit and be part of something blooming wonderful.

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Scarecrow Competition – “On the Farm”!

Crosspool Festival invites you to create your own farmyard friend! 

Open to all ages. 
Residents, shops, and local groups are invited to design a scarecrow and display it proudly from Friday 27th June to Sunday 6th July.

Entry is just £4 (cash) via the Crosspool Pet Supplies (proceeds go to Crosspool Festival charities). Forms can be collected in-store or print one off via Crosspool News Website (crosspool.info).  Entry closes Thursday 26th June!
Scarecrows should be visible from the road, be it your front garden, driveway, or pavement.
All entries will be judged up to Friday 4th July.

Print a copy from here

Winners will be announced at the Crosspool Summer Fayre on Saturday 5th July.
With fabulous prizes up for grabs and community creativity at its best, it’s an opportunity to show your inventiveness. Join in the fun and let your imagination run wild!

A reminder to make your Scarecrow sturdy and wildlife-friendly!

Share your Scarecrow photos online: – Email crosspoolforum@gmail.com