Where do we meet?

The Macclesfield Castle Club is part of Inner Wheel District 5, chartered in 1979 and currently with 19 members. We meet at:

The Legh Arms, Prestbury, SK10 4DG

When do we meet?

Meetings are held at 7pm on the fourth Wednesday of every month. If you are interested in joining us, please contact us via district5innerwheel@gmail.com 

Club News

A fundraising coffee morning was held on the 26^th October at the Methodist Hall, Gawsworth with members contributing cakes, scones, jams and preserves and we also ran a raffle. Despite a rainy morning the hall was full, the local community and members from other clubs , Macclesfield, Manchester, Sandbach and Biddulph ,supported us and we raised  a little over £360 which is to go towards the Book Bus project. President Janet explained how funds and books are used to improve literacy in Zambia, Malawi and Ecuador. Since their inception in 2008 over 100,000 children have benefited and we are delighted to help this worthy cause. The hard work done by both bakers and jam makers in the run up to the event is greatly appreciated.

Focus on Macclesfield Castle

First of all, there is no castle in Macclesfield, just the history of a keep built by John de Macclesfield in 1398!

However, because we were formed as an off shoot of our mother club, Macclesfield, we had to have a unique name.  In 1979 we were chartered by District Chairman Dorothy Hiney and met at the Bate Hall . Over time we have moved venues and currently have our meal and meeting at the Legh Arms in Prestbury , on the 4^th Wednesday of the month.

For many years we have worked with, and supported, the Rotary Club at their annual events, the Swimathon, Senior Citizens Party and the Christmas Charities Bazaar. Our own fundraising efforts have included, Winter Balls, a Weekend Flower Festival, Race Nights, Home Cooked Brunches and Quizzes.

 Over the years 4 members have enjoyed serving on the District Executive in varying roles , so much so that  3 then became  District 5 Chairmen, Joan Lascelles in 95/96, Chris Earle (now Gravestock) in 02/03 and Adrienne Fox in 12/13. In addition Chris and Adrienne have also gone on to represent District 5 on the Association Governing Body as Members of Council.  In 2008 Chris appeared, with ladies from other clubs in the District, in “Eggheads” then on the BBC, to promote Inner Wheel to a wider audience. At the present time 2 members sing in the District Choir and at least 2 join the District Book Club sessions on a regular basis.

The Association Annual Conferences have also been well attended by members for over 25 years and the fun and fellowship enjoyed are always well remembered. The IIW Conventions have meant trips to Florence, Christchurch, Istanbul, Copenhagen and Melbourne where we have renewed friendships with members from all over the world.

In recent years we have suffered a decline in membership and the Covid pandemic restricted our efforts to help those in need both in this country and abroad. However, with great support from our members, we hold fundraising coffee mornings twice a year and District and club events are usually well attended.

 Our support for local charities has included  the East Cheshire Hospice, the Rossendale Trust, the Blind Society, the Christie at Macclesfield and we regularly donate clothing, household items and funds to the Womens Refuge and ROAR (Reach out and recover).  Aquabox, a charity founded by the Rotary club of Wirksworth in Derbyshire has received donations over many years and the Rotary shoebox scheme sees members meeting annually at Secretary Adrienne’s house to fill in excess of 40 boxes, nibbles and glasses of wine definitely helping!

Members also have knitted blankets, hats, gloves and even Teddie bears and we contributed many baby blankets to the SANDS charity, promoted by DC Helen Lamerton. We enjoy belonging to a wonderful worldwide organisation and hope to do so for many years to come.