Digital Hearing Aids Leek – Digital Hearing Aids Staffordshire

Digital Hearing Aids Leek – Digital Hearing Aids Staffordshire

Calling all of you who live in the Leek area in Staffordshire.  Have you heard we have lots of advice for you about hearing loss.  Whilst we know it is a condition that we are often in denial about not least because it creeps up on us slowly, acknowledging a problem is the starting point.

Our website identifies reasons why you might be experiencing a loss of hearing  and which will help you decide if you have a problem or not.

If you would like more information for yourself or a loved one, please call our local office on 01782 698090.

All about Leek
What a great market town Leek is and it’s just 10 miles from our office.  You’ll find Leek stands at about 600ft above sea level surrounded by the Staffordshire Moorlands and is just at the foot of the famous Peak District National Park.  Leek has two other names that it is often known by or referred to as – ‘Queen of the Moorlands’ and ‘Gateway to the Peak District’.

The Peak District
The Peak District covers 550 square miles mostly in Derbyshire but also in Staffordshire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester and South and West Yorkshire.  The Park gets about 22 million visitors every year, making it the second most visited national park in the world.  Number 1 is Mount Fuji National Park in Japan.

The first roads through the Peak District were built by the Romans linking settlements like Buxton to Manchester, Glossop and Doncaster.  These were followed by packhorse routes and paved causeways in the medieval era, with toll roads appearing at the beginning of the 19th century.  Then came the railways and now of course several main roads traverse the Peak District, including Snake Pass aka A57 linking Sheffield and Manchester.

Tourism accounts for 24% of the employment in the Park, followed by 19% in the manufacturing industries.  These include cutlery for David Mellor, brake linings and electronic equipment and a further 12% in quarrying.  Just 12% are also employed in the agriculture industry.  There are just under 3,000 small farms in the area, many run on a part-time basis.  Timber is also produced from several plantations within the region.

Back in Leek
Leek was given a Royal Charter way back at the beginning of the 13th century and has hosted a regular cattle market for centuries.

There is a wealth of Victorian and even older buildings still to be found in the town which help to give it its character.  Much of the local architecture is the work of local 19th century architects Sugden and Sons.  They had a big influence on the town and were sympathetic to the older buildings.  Their offices still exist on Derby Street with the ground floor currently occupied by Boots the Chemists.  Some of the buildings designed by them include the Congregational Church now known as Trinity Church with its spire of 130 feet, Myatt’s Mill, the Mill Street Methodist Church and Ragged School.  They also built the Cottage Hospital and their own houses (Queen Street), West Street School, the District Bank and the Leonard Street Police Station.

One of their best is acknowledged as the Nicholson Institute.  This Queen Anne style building was built in 1882 and is partially obscured behind the 17th Greystones.  Busts of four famous men of the arts and sciences were incorporated in this Institute, Shakespeare, Newton, Reynolds and Tennyson as a nod to 400 years of achievement in these areas.

The Nicholson War Memorial was commissioned by Sir Arthur Nicholson and his wife to commemorate their son who died in the First World War.  It is also dedicated to all local men who died in that war too.

Local attractions
Leek is less than 15 miles from Alton Towers theme park.  Built on the ancient site of an Iron Age Fort, Alton Towers attracts more the 2.5 million visitors every year.  They come to indulge in thrills from the rides and as with theme parks the world over it has a number of fantasy areas and scary rides.

In a completely different mood, Rudyard Lake is also popular and it is where you will find the Rudyard Lake Steam Railway.

Leek’s Double sunset
It was back in the 17th century that the double sunset was first noticed in Leek.  It is rare but Leek is one of the most likely places to see one.  Basically the sun sets twice on the same evening usually around the summer solstice in June.  This attracts visitors too, who traditionally watch it from the parish church grounds or across Rudyard Lake.

Other double sunsets have been spotted in the area at Chrome Hill, Parkhouse Hill and Thorpe Cloud.

Who do you know from Leek?
• A number of famous people have connections with Leek.  For instance the canal builder James Brindley lived here for much of his life.  Home schooled he set up a wheelwright business in Leek and progressed to a master canal engineer, responsible for many of the canals throughout the country.  The Brindley Water Mill & Museum was built by him and has been renovated.

• Founder of the Arts & Crafts Movement, William Morris lived in Leek for a few years where he studied the techniques of dyeing with a local silk firm.  He is probably best known for his intricately designed textiles.  He was a member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and also founded the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings.

• It was architect Sugden’s connection with this Society which preserved the Greystones building in Leek which is now a tearoom.

• Averil Cameron, once Warden of Keble College, Oxford and Professor of Late Antique and Byzantine History there, grew up in Leek.

• Dave Hill and Mal Spooner both of heavy-metal band Demon are from here too.

• Professional darts player and 5 time world champion darts player Eric Bristow lives here.

• Musician James Ford comes from Leek.  He composes and produces music and has produced 3 Arctic Monkey’s Albums.  He was also guest guitarist on one of their tracks, ‘Only ones who know’.

• Olympic double skulls gold medallist Anna Watkins was born here.

Loud and clear
For quite a small market town, Leek certainly has a few interesting connections.  The question is how well do you connect?  Are your communication skills hampered by poor hearing?  If this is the case contact us for details of how we can help you.  You can email us or call us on 01782 698090.

Digital hearing aids Buxton and Leek – Digital hearing aids Derbyshire

Digital hearing aids Buxton and Leek – Digital hearing aids Derbyshire

We’re sure you’ve heard or at least read about some of the most famous Buxtonians before, but we thought we’d refresh your memories.

One of the most revered was author Vera Brittain who wrote Testament of Youth all about her experiences of the First World War.  She lost a dear brother and two friends to the ravages of this horrendous war and never really recovered from the impact.  She was a feminist and became a pacifist, but also gave birth to the famous labour politician Shirley Williams.  Vera moved to Buxton when she was 11.

Tim Brooke-Taylor was born in Buxton and found fame as a comedian.  It all started when he was at Cambridge studying Economics and Politics.  He joined the Cambridge Footlights and met fellow comedians John Cleese, Bill Oddie and Graham Chapman.  The rest as they say is history.  Brooke-Taylor is probably best known for the comic TV series The Goodies with Bill Oddie and Graeme Garden.  And more recently for radio series I’m Sorry I haven’t a Clue.

1980s singer-songwriter Lloyd Cole also claims the town as his birthplace.  He formed Lloyd Cole & the Commotions whilst at Glasgow University and went on to have 4 charting LPs.  After that Cole went solo and is still performing to this day.  Cole now lives in America with his wife and two sons.

Heading down the list of the famous names of Buxton we find retired English footballer Mark Higgins who also played for Everton, Man U, Stoke City and Bury.

Another famous sportsman from here is Carl Mason, a professional golfer.  Back in 1980 he tied for 4th place with Jack Nicklaus in the Open championships.  More recently since turning 50 he has had success playing with the Seniors in PGA European Tours.  In his first tour he won 4 of his 11 events and won the European Senior Masters in 2007.  The same year he achieved highest career earner status with an income of €412,376.  The same year he won the PGA Seniors Championship.

The late RSC actress Elizabeth Spriggs hailed from Buxton too as did the late Disney film director Robert Stevenson.  He moved to California in the 1940s and although he directed many Disney films, the one he is most famed for is Mary Poppins.

Dave Lee Travis, DLT or the Hairy Monster, a Radio 1 DJ was also born in Buxton.  He began his very successful DJ career on Pirate Radio Station, Radio Caroline.

Coronation Street’s one time Todd Grimshaw, the first openly gay character was played by Bruno Langley who grew up in Buxton.

Losing your hearing
We’re sure there are many famous Buxtonians you would like to hear perform.  Is your hearing letting you down though?  Many of us suffer with loss of hearing as we get older, but age isn’t the only cause.  You could suffer hearing loss if you’ve been close to a very loud explosion or been exposed to loud noise over a long period of time.  Often these causes mean we lose our hearing slowly over a period of years.  It is sometimes hard to admit that your hearing isn’t as good as it used to be and get some help.

At Hearing Aids we recommend that you take 5 steps to hearing better.  These are:

·         Actually admitting that you have a hearing problem
·         Decide once and for all to seek help with the problem
·         Learn all about your hearing problem
·         Be positive about the options, but don’t expect more than can be achieved
·         Lastly practice, time and patience are needed

Why not give us a call or get someone to call for you on 01782 69 80 90.

What’s great about Buxton?
It’s a spa town for a start and claims to be the ‘highest’ market town in England.  It’s a geothermal spring that marks Buxton as a spa town and has done for many years.  The warm spring is piped into a shrine for St Ann at St Ann’s Well in the centre of the town.  The water is always 28°C and every year the well is decorated for well-dressing weekend when the whole town takes on a carnival atmosphere.

The Buxton Ten
The well is only one of a number of buildings of great interest in the town of Buxton.  These include:
1.       The Crescent built to mimic Bath’s Royal Crescent in the 18th century is Grade I listed.  After a somewhat chequered career the building is now being developed as a luxury 5* hotel with a thermal mineral water spa, natural baths, a visitor interpretation centre and shops.  The project is not expected to complete until 2015.
2.       The monument at St Ann’s Well is not very old, but it is built on the site of wells that have been there since Roman times.  The spring water is also bottled and sold as natural mineral water, aptly known as Buxton Mineral Water.
3.       The 18th century Devonshire Dome is now part of the University of Derby’s campus but it has been a hospital in its time.  The dome is unsupported and was once the largest of its kind, beating more famous domes such as The Pantheon, St Peter’s Basilica in Rome and St Paul’s Cathedral in London.  This record has now been surpassed by modern space frame domes.
4.       Buxton Opera House is only just over a century old and is the highest opera house in the UK.  A strange but true fact.  The Opera House has full programs of events including the annual International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival.  The Pavilion Gardens are attached to the Opera House.
5.       Joseph Paxton who designed Crystal Palace was also responsible for the design of Buxton Railway Station.
6.       The Natural Baths are on the site of the old Roman Baths at the end of The Crescent.  They are Grade II listed.
7.       At the opposite end of The Crescent you’ll find The Pump Room where visitors could ‘take the waters’ as recently as 1981.  It is right next door to St Ann’s Well.
8.       The 19th century Palace Hotel is on the hill behind the railway station and is still operated as a hotel.
9.       The Old Hall Hotel owned by the 6th Earl of Shrewsbury is the oldest building in the town dating back to the 17th century.
10.   High on hills overlooking Buxton stand 2 monuments.  Grinlow Tower is a folly built in the 19th century and nick-named Solomon’s Temple.  In the opposite direction, Corbar Cross stands tall on Corbar Hill.  This simple wooden cross was given to the Roman Catholic Church in 1950 but was replaced in the 1980s.  During Pope Benedict XVI’s visit in 2010, the cross was cut down.  It was replaced by a slightly smaller cross in the summer of 2011.

Dealing with hearing loss

If you are still concerned about how much or little you can hear, take a look at our website and see if you recognise any of the symptoms.  This  will help you to identify whether or not you need a hearing check.  In fact when in doubt go for it – a test can’t hurt and can certainly assess what can be done to help.

We have a wide range of hearing aids and other accessories to make your life easier and let you hear more clearly.  Get in touch with us today either by emailing us or telephoning 01782 69 80 90   We look forward to hearing from you!

Digital Hearing Aids Crewe – Cheshire Digital Hearing Aids

Digital Hearing Aids Crewe – Cheshire Digital Hearing Aids

Crewe was once the centre of the railways in the UK.  Not centre as central but centre as in one of the most important hubs in the industry.  Crewe Works is the big engineering facility for British Railways built in 1840 to manufacture and maintain locomotives and rolling stock.  A small ‘village’ of 200 houses was purpose built at the same time to house the staff, many of whom transferred from the original depot of Edge Hill in Liverpool.  This meant an influx of 800 men, women and children to the area.

This era when the railways were emerging meant that Crewe Works was constantly busy.  By 1845 the Grand Union Railway who had built the depot had merged with several other railway companies and space was at a premium.  In fact by 1948 1,000 men were employed here and one locomotive per week was in production.

Two decades later carriage manufacture was moved to Wolverton in Buckinghamshire and Earlestown in Merseyside.  By the end of the steam era, Crewe Works had built more than 7,000 locomotives.  After 1957 it was responsible for building a number of diesel trains too.

At its most thriving, Crewe Works employed more than 20,000 people, but by the end of 2005 numbers were down to 700.  Crewe Works suffered at the hands of privatisation with much of the site sold off for redevelopment.

As such a busy hub, Crewe Railway station just a mile from the centre of the city was one of the largest in the North West.  It still has 12 platforms in use and fast links with many large towns and cities in the UK including London, Manchester, Liverpool, Cardiff, Glasgow and many more.  It also links to Holyhead for the ferry connections to Ireland.

Can you hear us?
Can you imagine how noisy those engine sheds must have been?  Did you know that working in a noisy environment can be one cause of hearing loss?  In fact there are several causes of impaired hearing and anyone can suffer with this condition.  Of course our old friend – or enemy – old age can also play a part.  But if you find yourself asking people to repeat what they’ve just said, or are struggling to hear all of a conversation, then it might be wise to get your hearing checked out.

If you think you might have a problem get in touch with Hearing Aids Stoke on Trent to talk about free audiology tests which measure the hearing ability of each ear.  We can also talk to you about hearing aids.  Please call us for more information on 01782 69 80 90.

Other engineering in Crewe
Crewe was also home to Rolls Royce car production for well over 50 years.  When they sold up, the sale was split with Volkswagen securing a deal to produce the engines and BMW the grille and marquee.  Volkswagen declared more of an interest in the Bentleys also manufactured by Rolls Royce at the time of sale.  These are still produced in the factory in Pyms Lane by Volkswagen.

Other industry
Small arms ammunition is produced for the British Armed Forces in nearby Radway Green.  IT production – Fujitsu -  gas and chemical production and ice cream van manufacturers Whitby Morrison also operate in the area.

Crewe Heritage Centre
Once called Crew Railway Age, the renamed Crewe Heritage Centre can be found on part of the old Crewe Works site.  In this old railway yard you’ll find 3 signal boxes including the large, electrically operated Crewe North Junction signal box.  Visitors are able to go inside this box and operate the signals for a real hands-on experience.

Visitors can also participate in Brake Van rides at specific times and events.  There is a lot to see including a miniature railway which shows off steam, diesel and electric trains.  There are lots more exhibits in the Main Exhibition Hall which highlight this area’s history in locomotive production.

You can also catch a glimpse of the prototype of a Bentley Continental GB car.

A bit of culture
Crewe can also boast a share of historic buildings like the Grade II listed Lyceum theatre of Edwardian origin.  Although built in 1911, it still has a full programme of shows of all types.

Grade I listed Crewe Hall is a Jacobean mansion which can be found in the east of the town near Crewe Green.  It was built in the early 1600s by Sir Randolph Crewe.  It is now a hotel, restaurant and Health Club.

Famous sons and daughters of Crewe
·         A few famous players have a link to Crewe’s football club – Crewe Alexandra FC – who are called The Railwaymen.  Crewe has a reputation for developing young players.  These include retired Geoff Thomas, Danny Murphy from neighbouring Chester who now plays for Blackburn Rovers, Craig Hignett also retired, David Platt now team coach for Manchester City, Doncaster Rovers player Rob Jones, Celtic manager Neil Lennon, Dean Ashton now retired and Nick Powell who plays for Man U
·         Retired South African player Bruce Grobbelaar also played for Crewe for a while
·         Actor Richard Beckinsdale who died tragically early from a heart attack at the age of 31, worked at Crewe Repertory Theatre before finding TV fame in series Rising Damp and Porridge

·         Suffragette Ada Nield Chew was working as a tailor in Crewe when she had letters published in the local paper complaining of poor pay and conditions.  She later took an even more active role in women’s suffrage
·         A recent inhabitant of Crewe is Chris Hughes one of the regular contestants on the BBC’s Eggheads quiz program.  Chris, once a railway worker, is also a good karaoke singer with a 4 octave vocal range!
·         Australian Olympic medallist for swimming Neil Brooks was actually born in Crewe
·         Golfer David Gilford was also born here and has been in European Tour and Ryder Cup teams
·         Cricketer John Morris also born in Crewe played in 3 Tests and several One Day Internationals

·         Local actor, model and singer turned fundraiser Adam Rickitt is probably best known for playing Nick Tilsley in Coronation Street
·         Gymnast Beth Tweddle from the Crewe and Nantwich Gym Club won a gold medal at the World Championships in Qatar earlier this year and a Bronze at the London Olympics in the summer

We know this has been simple as you’ve been able to read all about Crewe’s railway background and its industries historically.  If it would be more difficult to hear someone tell you all about it, you’re missing out.  So get those ears checked out today – you might be surprised to learn how we can help you.

Give our local office a call on 01782 69 80 90 or use our online form to explain your problem to us.

Hearing Aids Congleton – Digital Hearing Aids Cheshire

 

Congleton is in the east of the county of Cheshire, less than 10 miles from Macclesfield and about 25 from Manchester.  Cheshire has wealthy pockets though Congleton is not known for its wealth, near neighbour Wilmslow is.

 
Congleton is also known as Beartown.  Yes you did hear that correctly.  The name’s heritage dates back to Elizabethan times when bear-baiting was popular.  One year, just before the annual holidays when traditionally the bear-baiting took place, the town bear died.  Or some rumours say it was too old and feeble to fight.  Which ever version you read, it is agreed that in a radical decision, the town’s people used money which was allocated to buy a new bible to buy a bear instead.  Supposedly they returned the money to the funds generated by attracting more people to the bear-baiting.  Since those times though, Congleton has also been known as Beartown.

A folk song that dates back to last century (20^th) records the evidence:

‘Congleton Rare, Congleton Rare

Sold the Bible to buy a bear’

Congleton is an average sized town of almost 26,500 people whose economy relies on the manufacture of airbags, golf balls and light engineering.  Congleton acts as a dormitory town for larger conurbations like Manchester and Stoke on Trent in the main.

Back in the 18^th and 19^th centuries the town was known for its production of textiles, particularly lace and leather gloves.  It had a silk throwing mill – where silk is wound onto bobbins – and cotton mills too.  Silk ribbons and labels were still woven in the area into the 20^th century.  Although the industries have died, many of the old mill buildings remain either as residential or industrial units.

 

Hearing about Congleton

Imagine trying to hear above the noise of those weaving shuttles.  They would have made such a noise.  Sometimes it is loud noises, like an explosion, that cause wear on our hearing abilities.  Probably more likely is just the general wear caused by aging.

 

Are your ears in full working order?  Do you find it difficult to make out what people are saying when there is a lot of background noise for instance?  Difficulty like this is often the first sign of wear and tear on your hearing.  If you are having problems, then we can definitely help.  Just give us a call on 01782 69 80 90 and our professional audiologist can visit you at home at your own convenience.

 

Country houses

Whilst the town may have been an industrial centre, many of the landed gentry had fine houses built in the surrounding areas.

 

Little Moreton Hall

Just 4 miles away Little Moreton Hall still stands.  It dates from the 15^th/16^th centuries and has a moat.  It is also a timber framed building, one of the best examples in the UK.  Owned by the National Trust now, this building has Grade I status and has Scheduled Monument protection.  It was originally built for local land-owner Sir Richard de Moreton and remained in the hands of the Moreton family until the 20^th century.

 

In 1996 it featured in the TV production of Moll Flanders and in 2007 featured in a documentary called How we Built Britain by David Dimbleby.

 

Capesthorne Hall

Another nearby house, Capesthorne Hall is the family home of the Bromley Davenports and has been for almost 3 centuries.  This Jacobean Manor house is surrounded by 100 acres of parkland, with gardens and lakes.  Research suggests that the exterior of Capesthorne Hall ‘looks like Mr Darcy’s Pemberley’ in the TV production of Pride and Prejudice.  However there is no substantial evidence for this and the TV production company claims to have used Lyme Hall in Disley, which is further north in Cheshire.

 

Tatton Park

This house and park is some 15 miles from Congleton but is described as one of ‘the UK’s most complete historic estates’.  The old manor house known as the Old Hall was replaced by the Mansion in the 17^th century.  Today the Old Hall is used as an education centre for visitors and the Mansion hosts several exhibitions every year.  Visitors are privileged to be able to use the library and see the collection of rare books and paintings.

 

Tatton Park has 50 acres of landscaped gardens, 1,000 acres of deer park and a working rare breeds farm.

 

Throughout the year Tatton Park hosts more than 100 events including the RHS Flower Show, Summer Picnic Concerts which star the Halle Orchestra as well as antique fairs, car shows and more.

 

Gawsworth Hall

Another Grade I listed building, the Tudor, Gawsworth Hall is still occupied by the Richards family who bought the property in 1960.

 

Originally it was occupied by the Fitton family.  The daughter Mary Fitton made a brief appearance at the court of Elizabeth I as her Maid of Honour.  After an affair with Lord Pembroke, Mary became pregnant and they were sent to the tower for an unspecified time by the Virgin Queen.  The Fitton’s finances never recovered after this.

 

At one time playwright and comic, Samuel ‘Maggoty’ Johnson lived here and his violin is displayed in the dining room for all to see.  He is buried in nearby Maggoty Johnson’s Wood!

 

Arley Hall

Arley Hall is the home of Lord and Lady Ashbrook.  It has been the family’s home since the 15^th century.  Now the house and gardens are open to visitors at selected times and it is also an event location.  Familiar scenes have been filmed here including Coronation Street’s Steve and Tracy’s wedding, Hollyoaks, Cold Blood, The Forsythe Saga, Four in a Bed, Islands at War, Bargain Hunt and a variety of adverts.

 

The rich and famous of Congleton

Local girl Emma Bosson designs pottery for Moorcroft who are based in Stoke on Trent.  She’s a self-taught artist and has become a treasure for Moorcroft being responsible for 40% of their annual sales.  They were advised to insure her for £1.5 million.

 

Retired footballer Ian Brightwell grew up in Congleton.  He played for city teams, Manchester, Coventry and Stoke and later played and then managed Macclesfield Town.  Brightwell’s brother David also played for Manchester City too.  The boys’ parents are Olympic gold medallist Ann Packer and Robbie Brightwell, a 400 metre runner.  Ian’s parents still live in Congleton.

 

Award winning children’s author Alan Garner was also born in Congleton.  He’s best known for his fantasy novels such as The Owl Service and Red Shift.  Many of his peers recognise him as a great fantasy writer.

 

Clockmaker and scientist John Whitehurst was also born here in the 18^th century.  He was a member of the Lunar Society and was involved with clock-making, barometers, compasses, sundials and anything to do with hydraulics and pumps.

 

Retired International Cricketer Laura Newton was born in Congleton too.

 

Conservative MP Ann Winterton was the representative for Congleton from 1983 until 2010.  She has twice lost her post for publically telling racist jokes.  Both she and her husband, also a conservative MP, were both investigated for misuse of MP’s expenses.

 

Help with hearing

Remember if you have difficulty hearing the television, following a conversation in a restaurant or other noisy public place or maybe hearing on the telephone, you may have a hearing disability.  We know that it is often hard to accept that you need help in this area, but the benefits of regaining an ability to feel part of conversations again is more than worth it.

 

If you need to know what is available and how it will help you, please contact us for Hearing Aids in Cheshire by calling 01782 69 80 90.  We look forward to hearing from you!