COMMUNITIES are rallying round to help celebrate their ‘Amazing Women’.

In preparation for From Station to Station, the specially-commissioned highlight of Knutsford Promenades’ annual heritage and culture festival in September, the first community workshops to make the props have taken place.

Led by artist Russell Kirk, Northwich Library was the first venue and volunteers enjoyed creating props to represent Elizabeth Raffald, Lady Mary Rochester and the town itself.

Sarah Flannery, chairman of Knutsford Promenades, said: “The national Heritage Open Days theme is ‘Extraordinary Women’ and, as we are also locally partnering with Mid-Cheshire Community Rail Partnership and their ‘Amazing Women by Rail’ project, From Station to Station celebrates women connected by the Mid-Cheshire Line.

“It focuses on Mrs Gaskell and Alison Uttley and weaves in other stories.

“It’s a brilliantly researched and written piece of community theatre with professional musicians and wonderful props that will do justice to the legacy of many amazing local women.”

The second workshop took place at the RHS flower show at Tatton Park, at Bruntwood’s show garden, where Knutsford Promenades was featured as one of the cultural projects supported by Bruntwood, the headline sponsor.

The programme for Knutsford Promenades was launched at the flower show and will be widely available from next week onwards. Every event is free to attend.

“Amazing Women by Rail encourages people to take the train and find out more about extraordinary women who are part of Cheshire’s cultural powerhouse,” said Sally Buttifant, Mid-Cheshire Community Rail Partnership’s officer.

“This exciting collaboration with Knutsford Promenades enables the story of these amazing women to reach wider audiences through station, on the train and at community locations.

“They have curated a wonderful programme, and we can’t wait for people to discover well-known and hidden histories.”

The performance details for From Station to Station are as follows.

Brook Street Chapel, Friday, September 8 and Saturday, September 9, 7.30pm to 8.30pm. Doors open 6.30pm – first come first served.

The Train from Chester to Manchester – Thursday, September 13 – leaves 11.02am from Chester – standard rail fare applies.

Manchester Piccadilly Railway Station main concourse – Thursday, September 13, 1pm to 2pm.