A SPARKLING celebration of all things Cheshire has been held in the Houses of Parliament.

Middlewich MP Fiona Bruce was the driving force in organising the bustling event, which was the first of its kind, and showcased the benefits of living, working and visiting the county.

The day was held in conjunction with the Cheshire and Warrington Enterprise Partnership and also focussed on ways to attract new business and job opportunities to the area, as well as including speeches from MP Stephen O’Brien and Chancellor MP George Osborne.

All Members of Parliament were then treated to an appetising spread of Cheshire meat, cheese and bread from Rudheath-based Roberts Bakery, washed down with Tatton Beer.

And after their mouth-watering lunch, several Cheshire-based representatives highlighted positives for the county’s business, including Government investment in roads in Crewe and Middlewich, as part of a special Question Time session.

Talking of the day, MP Bruce said: “I do not believe that the event could have been more successful - feedback from fellow MPs from across the country who visited Cheshire Day told me their eyes had been opened as to many positive aspects of the county and they are all wanting to have similar days for their regions - but Cheshire got there first.

“It was incredibly hard work to organise the day but a great privilege and what was especially positive was how all three local authorities Cheshire East Council, Cheshire West and Chester Council and Warrington Borough Council worked together, with the LEP, Marketing Cheshire and all the Cheshire MPs who were so enthusiastic in supporting the day, to make the day happen.

“It is this kind of joint working which will really benefit the whole country and achieve the objectives of Cheshire Day on an ongoing basis.”

BREAKOUT ONE A KINGSMEAD chef and ambassador for Cheshire’s food said the celebration was a ‘proud’ day for the county.

Dave Mooney, co-owner and chef at The Lord Binning, in Kelsall, was a guest at Cheshire Day and said: “It was a very proud day for Cheshire and all the local food producers who work so hard to make sure that our region is at the pinnacle of the UK’s local produce industry.

“At The Lord Binning, it’s very important to us that we source our ingredients locally which is why we were so thrilled when we were recently honoured with the award of Best Use of Local Produce in a Menu at the Chester Food and Drink Awards.”

BREAKOUT TWO PHOTOGRAPHER Cliff Astles, who has volunteered his services to Middlewich Town Council for the past four years, was invited to Cheshire day by MP Bruce.

The Falcon Close resident said he was sponsored by by Paul Cochran, owner of The White Bear, to attend the unique event.

Armed with his camera, Cliff, who now also takes snapshots for Cheshire East Council, managed to capture about 750 photos to tell the story of the day.

He said: “It was a very unusual and very satisfying experience.

“I have never been to Parliament before and it was an opportunity to see what goes on.

“I had a very long day - I got up at 4am and arrived home at 10pm.”

Talking of Middlewich representatives at the event, MP Bruce added that town clerk Jonathan Williams gave a ‘stirring’ speech about community life in the town, as well as promoting this year’s FAB Festival.