A January catch-up with some of our advertisers
We’ve got some great offers for our readers as well, including a free mortgage review and a free cookbook!
Saturday 6 January 2024
NEXT HOME GAME: Walsall – Saturday 13 January, 3pm
NEXT AWAY GAME: Notts County – Saturday 20 January, 3pm
NOTTS COUNTY COACHES:
Bredbury Con Club: 10.30am – £20 – bookings can be made in the Con Club County Coaches group on Facebook
Crofter: 11am – £20 (adults) and £16 (under-14s) – text Steve on 07983 580582 or message Crofter Coaches on Facebook
Fingerpost: FULL
If you’d like to write an article for The Scarf My Father Wore, share a few snippets or photos, or advertise your business, please email thescarfmyfatherwore@substack.com.
Dear County fans, Stopfordians, and anyone else joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Saturday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.
You can blame County for losing at home to Aldershot, or have a go at Gillingham for beating Charlton, but the fact of the matter is that we don’t have a game this weekend. (And even worse, we’ll probably be knocked off the top of League Two by Mansfield this afternoon.)
With a blank Saturday in the diary, in terms of our usual County content, I thought I’d spend some time catching up with a number of our advertisers from the last year, to reflect on 2023 whilst also looking forward to the next 12 months. As always, if you’re ever in need of a particular product or service, have a look at The Scarf My Father Wore directory first to see if we can assist you, before you use Google or Yell.com.
Today’s edition is sponsored by UK Sports Coaching. A big thank you to Matt. Aside from the coaching, they also have a great studio available to hire in Welkin Mill. An ideal space for dance, martial arts, children’s parties or local community groups. To check availability, call 07891 205763 or email info@uksportscoaching.co.uk.
Finally, I’m currently walking every street in Stockport to raise money for mental health charity Mentell. If you’d like to make a donation to help me reach my target, please click here.
Total distance so far: 46.68 miles
Total steps so far: 83,302
Total raised so far: £1,037
Total completed streets so far: 24 (Click here for the full list, which includes reports and photos from every day of the walk.)
Further information on the walk can be found by clicking here.
Des Junior
Do you enjoy your daily dose of The Scarf My Father Wore? If you do, please consider joining our paid subscribers. It’s £5 a month, or £45 for the year, which will enable us to grow the website with even more articles, photos and interviews.
A huge thank you to each and every one of the following paid subscribers for their support.
Jeremy Axten / Nick Babrovskie / Jonathan Baker / Andy Baldwin / Mike Bell / Kelvin Briggs / Ian Brown / Bob Carey / James Farrar / Steven Hargreaves / Steve Jones / David Laycock / Keith Mills / Kev Richardson / Ben Roach / David Shasha / Peter Snape / John Snellgrove / Mike Wilson
James Morrell, The Mortgage Mill
What’s been your favourite moment with the business in 2023?
The launch of our commercial arm is now what separates us from almost all mortgage brokers. Brokers are either traditional mortgage brokers or commercial brokers, there aren’t any we know of that offer both. We’ve opened our will service, plus fleet insurance, which means clients can have one point of contact for almost anything they will ever need for financing.
What’s your plans for the business in 2024?
The business is now set up to be a one-stop shop for specialist financial services. Products are available elsewhere, but specialist financial advice isn’t. A general mortgage adviser probably won’t have knowledge of the specialist market like we do, and they almost certainly won’t offer you any other products you will need with the house buying process, so you’ll need to look elsewhere for your home insurance, life insurance, income protection etc. This is where we excel: life insurance for diabetics; income protection for self-employed people; mortgages for people with poor (even really bad) credit or unusual income streams, or criminal convictions. I don’t know of another firm that is offering what we do anywhere else in the industry. A high street bank will do it, but they will only offer their own products. And only if you qualify.
What was the best present you received on Christmas Day?
I’ve long given up on expecting good presents for Christmas. I give good presents, and I excelled this year. A pal did buy me a nice bottle of whisky, and I got some slippers from the kids, and a back scratcher, which I’m more than happy with.
Do you have any New Year’s resolutions going into 2024?
No. I’ve already given up smoking, so continuing to give up feels like a resolution every year.
What would you like to promote to our readers in January?
We have a referral offer which has always been open to everyone, but I’ll offer a free mortgage review for The Scarf My Father Wore readers. They can contact us and ask us anything about their current mortgage and what their options are. This sounds like effort but it will be very quick and to the point, in plain English, and bespoke to you and your circumstances – not “off-the-shelf” advice you’ll get from Citeh fan Martin Lewis. If they then want to use us for a mortgage we will give a 25% discount on our standard mortgage fee. (Other fees might not be standard depending on case to case specifics, but will still receive a discount, even if it’s a difficult specialist case.)
Any referrals to us will receive a £50 Amazon voucher should a referral take a financial product with us.
For your free mortgage review, give James a call on 01422 366366 or 07843 803128, or email james@themortgagemill.co.uk.
Shlean, Slimming World Reddish & Bredbury with Shlean
What’s been your favourite moment with the business in 2023?
Giving up my job in January to make Slimming World my full-time job.
What’s your plans for the business in 2024?
Helping as many people as possible understand that they don't have to suffer and that at Slimming World we have more than 50 years of experience, expertise and science. Our programme is rooted in the psychology of slimming, and has helped millions of people just like you to lose weight and stay slim for life.
What was the best present you received on Christmas Day?
The joy of life, spending time with my family and friends, and being happy and healthy.
What would you like to promote to our readers in January?
If you sign up for a 6-week or 12-week course you’ll receive a free cookbook. We’ve also got free memberships on offer this month. Please get in touch for further details.
Start your weight loss journey in 2024. Give Shlean a call on 07725 088549 or email shlean@sky.com.
Pete and Tom, R ‘N’ B Window Cleaning
What’s been your favourite moment with the business in 2023?
Securing a big contract with McVitie’s.
What’s your plans for the business in 2024?
To expand to six vans.
What was the best present you received on Christmas Day?
Family time.
Do you have any New Year’s resolutions going into 2024?
Don’t really bother with them, just to work harder.
If you’d like a quote to have your windows cleaned, whether it’s for your home or your business, call 07970 024993.
Johnny, Stockport Hero Hire
What’s been your favourite moment with the business in 2023?
Too many to mention, but working in John Lewis at the Trafford Centre for the weekend as Spider-Man, entertaining all the children and families was a highlight. I’ve attended some fantastic parties over the year, and collaborated with other entertainers as well.
What’s your plans for the business in 2024?
2024 is going to be an exciting year for Stockport Hero Hire. We already have a number of parties booked in the diary, and we have plans to bring on more heroes in addition to our wall crawling spidey so we can offer more than one hero at a visit. We also have plans to recruit new team members so we can expand our entertainment services.
What was the best present you received on Christmas Day?
Vinyl record player with an Oasis vinyl of (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?
Do you have any New Year’s resolutions going into 2024?
In terms of the business, to remain focused and committed to making Stockport Hero Hire the best it can be. We want to be the best superhero kids entertainers in the north-west.
What would you like to promote to our readers in January?
Just to make people aware of the business really. We’re an entertainment business covering Stockport and the whole of Greater Manchester. If you’re planning a birthday party or any type of children’s event, or even a corporate one, Stockport Hero Hire can add something to the day and make it an unforgettable one. We'd love readers to head over to our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram to check out our videos, pictures and 5 star reviews.
If you’d like to surprise your kids with a visit from Spider-Man this year, give Johnny a call on 07753 275408 or email heroes@stockportherohire.co.uk.
Aaron Shepherd, STUDIO26 Haircare
What’s been your favourite moment with the business in 2023?
Being part of the charity football match we were involved with.
What’s your plans for the business in 2024?
To grow the barbershop into the best in Stockport.
What was the best present you received on Christmas Day?
An ice bath.
Do you have any New Year’s resolutions going into 2024?
No, I don’t really believe in them. I start something when it feels right.
What would you like to promote to our readers in January?
We offer people the opportunity to train to be a barber through our STUDIO26 Education programme.
Looking for a career change this year? Do you think you’d be a dab hand with a pair of scissors? For further details give Aaron a call on 0161 222 4760 or email studio26haircare@outlook.com.
Ben, BGM Decorators
What’s been your favourite moment with the business in 2023?
The continued great feedback from our customer base. Without them, we can't succeed and are forever grateful whenever we receive positive messages of support.
What’s your plans for the business in 2024?
Gentle expansion and increasing availability to meet demand.
What was the best present you received on Christmas Day?
The Metal Gear Solid trilogy on PS5. I love my throwback games and this was one of my favourites growing up! [Des: Mine too!]
Do you have any New Year’s resolutions going into 2024?
Start playing 5-a-side football again. I miss playing and never seem to find time for it anymore. I need to get my bum in gear and get back on that pitch!
What would you like to promote to our readers in January?
We’re currently taking bookings from March onwards, including the re-commencing of exterior work.
Are you planning on having any painting and decorating done this spring or summer? Give Ben a call on 07816 589989 or email bgm.decorators@yahoo.co.uk.
Gary Walmsley, GTG Gary the Gasman
What’s been your favourite moment with the business in 2023?
Taking on my son Ben for work experience.
What’s your plans for the business in 2024?
Keep building up the business, and taking on my son Ben as an apprentice.
What was the best present you received on Christmas Day?
As always, the best Christmas present is time with the family.
Do you have any New Year’s resolutions going into 2024?
To take more time off.
What would you like to promote to our readers in January?
Our usual discount for OAPs, as well as police, fire service and NHS.
If you require any heating or plumbing services, give Gary a call on 07931 416165 or email garythegasman@yahoo.com.
Claire Ash, Greenshoots Yoga
What’s been your favourite moment with the business in 2023?
Teaching yoga to a mother and son as part of their support programme in order to help them reconnect after a rather traumatic time. Another high has been teaching a yoga session to an academy youth team at a local high profile football club.
What’s your plans for the business in 2024?
Further my training in helping children, teens and their families with their mental health, by empowering them with yoga, breathwork and mindset activities.
What was the best present you received on Christmas Day?
Putting dates with my friends on my calendar.
Do you have any New Year’s resolutions going into 2024?
To factor at least five minutes of reflection or meditation into my day. Also to laugh more at life's antics and stress less.
What would you like to promote to our readers in January?
I’d like to promote my Teen Wellness Workshop on 3 February in Heaton Mersey with drama teacher Ainsley Howard. Please see my Facebook page and website for further information.
If you’d like further information on Claire’s yoga sessions, give her a call on 07940 914579 or email claire@greenshootsyoga.co.uk.
Andy and Glenda, The Rectory
What’s been your favourite moment with the business in 2023?
We have many happy memories from our first year in business. A standout moment was the first time we had Celtic Notes play in the bar. It was a really great atmosphere.
What’s your plans for the business in 2024?
Growing the business further during 2024, including private events and group nights for clubs etc.
What was the best present you received on Christmas Day?
Just being with family.
Do you have any New Year’s resolutions going into 2024?
No, just to enjoy life.
What would you like to promote to our readers in January?
Just come down and join us for a warm welcome and good quality beers, wines and spirits.
If you’d like to book The Rectory for a private event this year, call 0161 478 6969 or email info@rectory.online.
Grant Evans, Rub A Dubz Detailing
What’s been your favourite moment with the business in 2023?
All of it really! I’ve loved building up the business, meeting lots of lovely customers who have now become friends.
What’s your plans for the business in 2024?
To continue to grow the business and offer affordable valeting for everyone.
What was the best present you received on Christmas Day?
My little 3-year-old daughter’s face.
Do you have any New Year’s resolutions going into 2024?
To make the business better and help others.
What would you like to promote to our readers in January?
We’re an affordable car valeting and detailing business and we’ll come out to visit you with our own power and water on board.
If you’d like to book your car in for a valet give Grant a call on 07786 729166 or email rubadubzdetailingltd@gmail.com.
Alan, The Petersgate Tap
What’s been your favourite moment with the business in 2023?
Winning awards for Pub of the Year and Cider Pub of the Year.
What’s your plans for the business in 2024?
Just to keep going really! We’re developing our programme of tastings and other events.
What was the best present you received on Christmas Day?
All of the family together for Christmas dinner.
Do you have any New Year’s resolutions going into 2024?
Don’t stop going to the pub! If you are giving Dry January a go, we’ve got a great range of no alcohol beers.
I’d like to take this opportunity to say a massive thank you to all of the businesses who advertised on The Scarf My Father Wore in 2023, and here’s to a great 2024! If you’d like your business to be featured, please email thescarfmyfatherwore@substack.com.
Register now for the Greater Manchester Cup in 2024!
UK Sports are currently taking bookings for the Greater Manchester Cup, which kicks off in April.
All competitions are sanctioned by the FA, with low, medium and high level groups available.
For further details, please call 07891 205763 or email info@uksportscoaching.co.uk.
Photo of the day
Stockport train station
Sod off back to London, Rishi.
Today in SK
🍺 Food and drink
Ignore the “beer police” and support your local pub in January. If you’re in Stockport this weekend, pop in to The Petersgate Tap (SK1) for a drink or two.
Lite bite meal deal at The Friary (SK3). Cod or haddock, served with chips, and a side of peas, curry or gravy. Plus tea or coffee. £9.95. 11.30am - 6.30pm.
Treat yourself to lunch at Mediterranean Cafe & Bar (SK23). A full range of mains, salads, jacket potatoes, paninis, baguettes and wraps.
🎤 Karaoke
Lee at The Nelson Tavern (SK1). 8pm - 1am.
🎵 Live music
Andy Lee at The Crown Inn (SK6). 9pm.
The Scarf My Father Wore works closely with venues on a daily basis to bring you the most comprehensive guide to all of the best offers and events taking place across the whole SK region. Click on the links below for full details of everything taking place in your area over the next few weeks.
SK1 / SK2 / SK3 / SK4 / SK5 / SK6 / SK7 / SK8 / SK9 / SK10 / SK11 / SK12 / SK13 / SK14 / SK15 / SK16 / SK17 / SK22 / SK23
Random County fan of the day #6 – Phil Brennan!
One final thing before you go… if you’re looking to learn to drive in January, or lose a few pounds after Christmas, or even get some work done at home, please contact our fantastic advertisers!
🎨 Art & Gifts: Kate O’Brien Art
💈 Barber: STUDIO26 Haircare
🪟 Blinds & Shutters: Bauhaus Blinds & Shutters
📚 Bookkeeping: Eleven Accounts Services Ltd
🍰 Cake Maker: Claire Green Bespoke Cakes and Catering
🧽 Car Valeting: Rub A Dubz Detailing Ltd
🧼 Carpet Cleaning: Pro Clean Carpet Services
🏠 Carpets & Flooring: Kingsway Carpets & Rugs Ltd
🐈⬛ Cat Sitting: The Crazy Cat Ladies Cheshire
👶 Child Health: The Sleep Nanny
🤹♀️ Children’s Entertainment: Stockport Hero Hire
🧹 Cleaning: Beespoke Cleaning
🚙 Coatings: Colourtone Ltd
🦮 Dog Training: Paws High Peak Dog Training
🚘 Driving School: CFN School of Motoring
💷 Financial Services: The Mortgage Mill
🔥 Fire Protection: Radial Fire And Security Limited
🍸 Gin: Hatters Gin
🛁 Grout Refresh & Recolour: GroutGleam Stockport
💇♀️ Hairdressing: C West Hairstylist
🛠 Home Improvements: Menzies Develop & Build
💻 IT Services: Bridge Computer Services
🪚 Joinery: SAW Contracts Ltd
👨🍳 Kitchen Appliances: SW Appliances
🔑 Locksmith: APL Locksmiths Ltd
🚐 Minibus Hire: Westfield Minibuses
🧤 Oven Cleaning: That Oven Girl
🖌 Painter & Decorator: BGM Decorators
🧱 Plasterer: Tate Plastering Services
🚰 Plumber: GTG Gary the Gasman
📕 Publishing: Victor Publishing
🛖 Roofing: ADM Roofing Services Ltd
☀️ Solar Panels: Malbern Solar Ltd
⚽️ Sports Coaching: UK Sports Coaching Ltd
🖊 Tattooist: Heatons Tattoo Club
🪵 Timber Supplies: Portwood Timber Division of Illingworth Ingham (Manchester) Ltd
👨💻 Web Design: SITEZO
⚖️ Weight Loss: Slimming World Reddish & Bredbury with Shlean
🪟 Window Cleaner: R ‘N’ B Window Cleaning
🏋️♀️ Women’s Fitness: Sophie Pavey Fitness
🧘♀️ Yoga: Greenshoots Yoga