by James BalmeHISTORIC St Oswald’s Church at Winwick provided the backdrop for rising stars ‘Gustaffson’ as they recorded their latest video for the upcoming release of their new single.Gustaffson was formed by former Great Sankey High School student, singer & songwriter Andrew Gower, in 2020 with lifelong friend and guitarist James Webster.Along with band members Dave Gleave (bass), Graham Bennett (drums) and Liam Morson (keys) Gustaffson are truly rising stars and there is no doubt in my mind that they are heading right to the top.Lead singer Andrew is best known for his work as an actor in TV, Film and Theatre. Starring in hit shows such as Black Mirror, Outlander, and Carnival Row. His voice as a singer is incredible and his vocal range is simply incredible!!!In August 2023 the band released their latest track ‘CHAMPAGNE SOCIALIST’ recorded live on the Liverpool Empire stage.It’s received rave reviews from BBC Introducing, The Book of Man, Louder Than War, Liverpool Noise, Upcoming Bands and Uncover and pays homage to past performances in the same theatre by acts such as; The Beatles, The Rolling Stones & Chuck Berry.Gustaffson are certainly a band to watch out for as they rise to new heights in 2024 and beyond and I for one am waiting with bated breath for the release of their first album in the coming months !Published by Warrington Worldwide- October 2023
September 2023The Archdeacon of St Helen’s and Warrington recently made this announcement:-"I’m really pleased to commend the Revd Martin Cox to you as the next Rector of Newchurch and Croft and Priest-in-Charge of Winwick. Martin will be joining us from Manchester Diocese where he is currently Team Rector of Astley, Tyldesely and Mossley Common. Martin will bring with him a wealth of experience in ministry and in leading a team of churches and ministers. He will be a real blessing to us here. We look forward to welcoming Martin and his wife Heather to Winwick, Newchurch and Croft. A date for Martin’s arrival has yet to be arranged and will be announced as soon as possible.”Please hold Rev Martin and his wife Heather in your prayers as they plan their move to our parishes.A message from Revd Martin:“Dear friends in Christ, Heather and I send you our warmest greetings as my appointment is announced in the parishes. We are thrilled to be moving the short distance across the diocesan border to join you. We look forward to getting to know you and to serving our Lord with you in the months and years ahead. Revd Martin Cox”
THE early autumn sunshine welcomed hundreds of visitors to the first day of a heritage weekend at St Oswald’s Church in Winwick, today Saturday, September 9 with a repeat showing on Sunday. Opened by the Bishop of Warrington, the Venerable Beverley Mason, the event began with the unveiling of a fabulous artwork painted by the children of Winwick CE Primary St school in celebration of it’s close connection with the ancient church. A fantastic display of Titanic memorabilia marking the church’s links with the Captain of the famous Red Star liner was on show and members of the Titanic Society are on hand all weekend to answers questions and show off their incredible collections.Elsewhere in and around the grounds, children are invited to complete a treasure hunt style quiz searching for the many historical dates and artefacts that have built up over the ages ever since the church was documented in the doomsday book. A wonderful display of artwork by 1st Winwick Brownies (Girlguiding Croft District) is on show and visitors have been given rare access to the Gerard Chapel with its own museum, the Legh Chapel with its many interesting features including unique brass rubbings and the beautiful chancel which was designed by Augustus Pugin, who also designed the interior of the Palace of Westminster. To top everything off there is an exhibit of religious artefacts collected by James Balme, History Columnist for Cheshire Life Magazine.https://www.warrington-worldwide.co.uk/author/gary/
A WARRINGTON church with a history dating back hundreds of years will be opening its doors next month.And among the fascinating items on display at St Oswald's in Winwick will be its connection to the world famous ship, the Titanic.The event will be opened at 11am on Saturday, September 9, by the Bishop of Warrington, the Rt Rev Beverley Mason. She will be greeted by children from St Oswald’s CE Primary School and 1st Brownies group Winwick and will unveil a tableau of art work created by them of paintings and drawings of the church. In a more 'modern' phase of its long history the church on January, 13 1887, the church was the setting for the wedding of Sarah Eleanor Pennington, the daughter of a farming family of Woodhead Farm, Winwick, to Edward John Smith, the then future captain of the Titanic. A copy of the couple’s marriage certificate and photographs will be on display in the church in addition to an exhibition by the British Titanic Society.Caroline Heaven and Jean Legg, members of the society, will be present during the weekend to talk to visitors about the items of interest on display from the Titanic some of which have not been seen by the public. Other exhibitions will include a display from the White Star Line. James Balme, You tube presenter/producer and history columnist, Cheshire Life magazine, will be displaying his extensive private collection of ancient ecclesiastical artefacts. In addition, there will be a small ancient collection of local archaeological finds.John Watkin, St, Oswald’s churchwarden, said: "The existence of the church was first recorded in the Domesday book in 1086."The 1,000 years old Anglo Saxon cross head you will see on display in the Gerard chapel would have stood on the original site when the church was a wooden building. It is carved with the images of King Oswald, an Anglo Saxon warrior king, who fought to bring Christianity to the country and was venerated as a saint after his death in AD641 when he was killed in battle."The Church treasures reflect the Norman and Tudor eras of the country’s history and the days of the Civil war. During the Battle of Winwick, which was fought nearby in 1648 when several thousand troops were killed, the church was used both as a prison for the defeated Royalists and a shelter for the Parliamentary troops led by Cromwell. Its present bell tower and spire were built in 1358 and the Legh family of Lyme Hall added a dedicated chapel. There are the family tombs of Knights of the Realm dating back to the 14th and 15th century. The chancel was designed by the famous architect Pugin.John added: “There will be so much to see. We are very much looking forward to the event and to giving visitors a warm welcome.”The church will open on Saturday, September9 from 11am to 4pm and Sunday, September 10 from noon to 4pm. Admission is free.From Warrington Guardian 24/08/2023
