Jen Smith

Jennifer briefly worked as a paste-up artist and freelance journalist at The Chester Chronicle in the nineties, and then went on to work in Information Technology in various roles. She has had a career as a senior technical writer for the past 20 years, and is now studying for an English Literature and Creative Writing degree alongside the NCTJ diploma.

Betley

South Cheshire 20 returns with challenging route through the Cheshire countryside

Jul 31, 2026

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1 min read

South Cheshire 20 returns with challenging route through the Cheshire countryside

Runners will take on a scenic 20-mile circuit through villages and country lanes this September.

Jen Smith

Events

Record Number of Vehicles Draws Crowds to Audlem Festival of Transport

Jul 31, 2026

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1 min read

Record Number of Vehicles Draws Crowds to Audlem Festival of Transport

Record-breaking turnout sees visitors flock to one of South Cheshire's best-loved classic vehicle events.

Jen Smith

News: Fire

Firefighters Tackle Field Blaze Near Checkley

Jul 31, 2026

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1 min read

Firefighters Tackle Field Blaze Near Checkley

Two fire engines were called to a field fire near Checkley on Wednesday evening after a large area of straw caught alight.

Jen Smith

Events

Betley's BIG Weekend Returns for Three Days of Rural Celebration

Jul 20, 2026

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1 min read

Betley's BIG Weekend Returns for Three Days of Rural Celebration

31 July – 2 August 2026 | Betley Court Farm, Main Road, Betley | £5 per person

Jen Smith

Traffic & Travel

Two-Car Collision Causes Delays in Audlem Village Centre

Jul 18, 2026

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1 min read

Two-Car Collision Causes Delays in Audlem Village Centre

Emergency services called after two vehicles collide in the heart of the village.

Jen Smith

Events

Audlem Festival of Transport Returns with Battle of Britain Flypast and 250+ Classic Vehicles

Jul 18, 2026

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1 min read

Audlem Festival of Transport Returns with Battle of Britain Flypast and 250+ Classic Vehicles

Sunday 26 July | 9:30am - 4pm | Audlem | Free admission

Jen Smith

Events

Climb Wybunbury Tower for Panoramic Summer Views

Jul 17, 2026

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1 min read

Climb Wybunbury Tower for Panoramic Summer Views

Saturday 18 July | 5:30pm | Wybunbury | £5 per person

Jen Smith

News: Fire

Eight Acres of Crop Destroyed in Hunsterson Field Fire

Jul 17, 2026

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1 min read

Eight Acres of Crop Destroyed in Hunsterson Field Fire

Firefighters and farm machinery worked together to contain the blaze and prevent it spreading to neighbouring fields.

Jen Smith

Audlem

Jul 14, 2026

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1 min read

Man Dies Following Welfare Concern in Audlem

Emergency services attended a residential property as police reassure community there is no wider risk.

Jen Smith

Walgherton

Emergency Services Attend Collision at A51 Boars Head Junction

Jul 8, 2026

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1 min read

Emergency Services Attend Collision at A51 Boars Head Junction

Motorists faced delays after a road traffic collision closed the A51 at the Boars Head junction

Jen Smith

News: Fire

Firefighters Tackle Straw Fire Near Shavington Bypass

Jul 8, 2026

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1 min read

Firefighters Tackle Straw Fire Near Shavington Bypass

Two fire engines from Crewe were called to extinguish a straw fire and prevent it spreading to the surrounding area

Jen Smith

Walgherton

From York to New York: the Rural Gym Owner Putting England’s Kettlebell Athletes on the World Stage

Jun 21, 2026

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3 min read

From York to New York: the Rural Gym Owner Putting England’s Kettlebell Athletes on the World Stage

Five athletes from Walgherton's Wolf Pack Fitness represented England at the World Championships in New York, returning home with multiple medals.

Jen Smith

Community

Jun 4, 2026

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1 min read

£2,000 Summer Grants Available for Cheshire Community Projects

Funding scheme aims to support young people, boost wellbeing and bring communities together during the summer holidays.

Jen Smith

Events

Jun 2, 2026

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3 min read

What Makes a Champion Fig Pie?

Inside the curious traditions and competitive pastry engineering of the Wybunbury Fig Pie Wake

Jen Smith

News: Fire

Update: Electrical Fault Caused Major Chicken Shed Fire in Checkley

May 29, 2026

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3 min read

Update: Electrical Fault Caused Major Chicken Shed Fire in Checkley

More than ten fire engines from across two counties battled a large agricultural fire, with a vast smoke plume visible for miles around the village.

Jen Smith

Walgherton

Local Kettlebell Gym Crowned Champions at European Championships

May 23, 2026

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1 min read

Local Kettlebell Gym Crowned Champions at European Championships

Wolfpack Kettlebell Club brings home gold and the trophy from IUKL European Championships

Jen Smith

Walgherton

Jewellery Stolen in Break-In at Dagfields Craft & Antiques Centre

May 23, 2026

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1 min read

Jewellery Stolen in Break-In at Dagfields Craft & Antiques Centre

Police appeal for CCTV and dashcam footage after early-morning burglary at rural shopping destination

Jen Smith

Betley

The Man Who Turned a Garden into a Gallery

Apr 28, 2026

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4 min read

The Man Who Turned a Garden into a Gallery

Inside the summer house studio and sculptural Eden of Betley artist Mike Reeves

Jen Smith

Doddington

Apr 11, 2026

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4 min read

Country Walks: St.John the Evangelist

There is a view across the furrowed fields to a pointed stone bell-cote peeping above the hedgeline.

Jen Smith

Audlem

Apr 11, 2026

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3 min read

The Sound of Home: Juniper Bring their Newest Album to Audlem

Halfway Home tour arrives with special guests Wet The Tea

Jen Smith

Environment

Hatherton Solar Farm Waiting on Grid Connection Decision

Mar 11, 2026

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2 min read

Hatherton Solar Farm Waiting on Grid Connection Decision

Developer says nationwide grid queue reshuffle means connection date may not be confirmed until 2027.

Jen Smith

Combermere

Not Value but Virtue: Keeping Two Cheshire Rings Where They Were Found

Feb 25, 2026

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5 min read

Not Value but Virtue: Keeping Two Cheshire Rings Where They Were Found

After nearly a millennium in the soil and three years in the Treasure process, two gold rings found at Combermere and Audlem are close to coming home.

Jen Smith

Walgherton

Cheshire Kettlebell Athletes Aim for European Championship Glory

Feb 16, 2026

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6 min read

Cheshire Kettlebell Athletes Aim for European Championship Glory

Inside a rural gym, England contenders and a coach are determined to grow a little-known sport.

Jen Smith

Comedy

Feb 8, 2026

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2 min read

Paul Tonkinson Headlines An Evening of Comedy in Wrenbury

Comedy fundraiser returns to Wrenbury Village Hall

Jen Smith

General

Jan 25, 2026

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2 min read

About Us

Welcome to The Ruralist—an online newspaper focused on providing hyperlocal independent journalism for the South Cheshire countryside.

Jen Smith

Jen Smith

South Cheshire 20 returns with challenging route through the Cheshire countryside

Record Number of Vehicles Draws Crowds to Audlem Festival of Transport

Firefighters Tackle Field Blaze Near Checkley

Betley's BIG Weekend Returns for Three Days of Rural Celebration

Two-Car Collision Causes Delays in Audlem Village Centre

Audlem Festival of Transport Returns with Battle of Britain Flypast and 250+ Classic Vehicles

Climb Wybunbury Tower for Panoramic Summer Views

Eight Acres of Crop Destroyed in Hunsterson Field Fire

Man Dies Following Welfare Concern in Audlem

Emergency Services Attend Collision at A51 Boars Head Junction

Firefighters Tackle Straw Fire Near Shavington Bypass

From York to New York: the Rural Gym Owner Putting England’s Kettlebell Athletes on the World Stage

£2,000 Summer Grants Available for Cheshire Community Projects

What Makes a Champion Fig Pie?

Update: Electrical Fault Caused Major Chicken Shed Fire in Checkley

Local Kettlebell Gym Crowned Champions at European Championships

Jewellery Stolen in Break-In at Dagfields Craft & Antiques Centre

The Man Who Turned a Garden into a Gallery

Country Walks: St.John the Evangelist

The Sound of Home: Juniper Bring their Newest Album to Audlem

Hatherton Solar Farm Waiting on Grid Connection Decision

Not Value but Virtue: Keeping Two Cheshire Rings Where They Were Found

Cheshire Kettlebell Athletes Aim for European Championship Glory

Paul Tonkinson Headlines An Evening of Comedy in Wrenbury

About Us

THE RURALIST