Cheshire Independent Issue 138

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 2 Follow us on Facebook: Cheshire Independent Independent CHESHIRE No part of this publication may be used or reproduced without the express permission of the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure that the articles and advertisements that are carried are authentic, however the publisher of the Cheshire Independent accepts no responsibility for claims made. Investors in Publishing Ltd 2019. Cheshire Independent is published monthly by Investors in Publishing. Publishing House, 3 Bridgebank Industrial Estate, Taylor Street, Horwich, Bolton BL6 7PD. Tel. 01204 478812 Fax. 01204 667345. www.independentnewspapers.co.uk SalesDirector: ROBINATKINS 01625 501675 robin@cheshireindependent.co.uk Editor: JOHNPATRICK john@independentnewspapers.co.uk Classified Sales: JAYNE MEADOWCROFT 01204 478812 jayne@independentnewspapers.co.uk PEOPLE across the borough are now being invited to comment on the next phase of Cheshire East’s development plan for the next decade. The draft site allocations and devel- opment policies document (SADPD), which forms the second part of the council’s Local Plan, once finalised, will complete the approved framework for housing, employment and other key infrastructure up to 2030. The document sets out detailed pol- icies to guide decisions on planning applications as well as identifying new sites for small-scale developments. The majority of development needs have already been provided for through the Local Plan Strategy. Toni Fox, Chesh- ire East cabinet member for planning, pictured, said: “The current version of the SADPD document follows two previous rounds of pub- lic consultation and extensive engagement with town and parish councils during 2017 and 2018. “We want to ensure that everyone who wants to comment on this plan is able to do so as simply and easily as pos- sible. For that reason we have a range of ways available for people to view the document and to submit their com- ments as part of the consulta- tion process.” The document is available online and people can comment directly via an online consultation portal on the council’s website. Hard copies of the consulta- tion documents and support- ing reports are available at the council’s offices at Mac- clesfield Town Hall and Westfields in Sandbach. The main consultation documents are also available at local libraries during their normal opening hours. The deadline for receipt of comments by the council is 5pm on September 30. Have your say on local planning PATIENTS on wards at hospitals across Stock- port are now getting a regular treat thanks to visits from four legged friends. Dog visitors to wards are helping to relax them and put them at ease. There are now six sepa- rate therapy dogs regularly visiting different areas of both Stepping Hill Hospital and the community hospital settings of the Devonshire Unit on Cherry Tree Street and the Bluebell Unit at the Meadows Hospital in Offerton. A friendly donkey has now joined them too in visiting the Bluebell Unit. Pet therapy is a way of helping patients relax by the simple of means of let- ting them interact with friendly animals. It has been shown to release endorphins that produce a calming effect, and can help alleviate pain, reduce stress, and provide psychological support. The dogs’ – Callie, Pep, Thornton, Ivy, Bertie and Daphne – have now been joined by donkey Tiny Tim. Daphne is a recent recruit, a friendly mon- grel with a cute face who was saved from the street. She usually visits older patients, while others are assigned to children’s areas. Like the others she has a very gentle nature and has been certified as a ‘Pets as Therapy’ dog. Pet therapy runs aside other innovative forms of patient support run at Step- ping Hill Hospital and the community, including musi- cal therapy, film evenings, hand massages, manicures and craft activities. Emma Rogers, matron for patient experience at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, which runs hospital and community services, said: “The introduction of pet therapy in the past year has been a real suc- cess story. “Both the dogs and the donkey have been bring- ing a lot of joy to a lot of patients. “Patients who don’t have so many visitors find them particularly comforting, but they really have got down well across the board. In fact, they have gone down so well that we’re on the lookout for more.” If you have a dog or other pet who you think may be a good support for patients, then you can get in touch with Emma to discuss it. Contact her on 0161 419 5203 or at emma.rogers@ stockport.nhs.uk Pooches put patients at ease The winner of theWin Dinner for 2 at the Hollin Hall Hotel was Mrs DWood fromMacclesfield Many congratulations and enjoy! COMPETITIONWINNER MACCLESFIELD’S Park Fit initiative is growing with the introduction of a new evening session. The town council has also launched ‘PramFit’aimedat newparentswhoare looking to get back into fitness. The original Park Fit sessions were launched in June. The free, weekly half hour morning fitness session in South Park are led by a qualified per- sonal trainer. The evening session has been intro- duced to cater for those people who would like to take part but the morn- ing sessions don’t quite fit around their lifestyle. They began on September 5 Getting healthy: People taking part in the Park Fit sessions in South Park Kick-starting a healthier lifestyle and will place every Thursday for eight weeks starting at 6pm. The Pram Fit sessions will be based around slowly re-introducing exercise and incorporating prams and strollers. Pram Fit also began on September 5. Sessions start at 10.30am, last half an hour andwill run for a trial period of six weeks. Women taking part will need to be at least sixmonths post-natal. Helena Gowler, community engage- ment officer for the town council, said: “Over the last few years, Macclesfield Town Council has introduced a vari- ety of ways to access fitness in a fun and sociable way. “We are now trying out the evening sessions to see if even more people are able to take advan- tage of these free ways to get fit. “It isnot just about thephysical bene- fits, newparents attending pram fit will be able to meet others while socialis- ing with people on a similar journey to themselves. When on maternity leave, budgets can be tight so by providing these sessions free and removing the barrier of cost, we hope that lots of new parents can enjoy PramFit.” For more information on either Park Fit or Pram Fit, please contact personal trainer Matthew Rigby on 07769 211684. Independent Family Businesses Since 1853 Working together to serve the communities of Wilmslow, Alderley Edge, Prestbury, Bollington & Macclesfield Albert R Slack Ltd 84 South Oak Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 6AT 01625 525063 JW Brocklehurst Ltd 17 Macclesfield Road, Prestbury, SK10 4BW 01625 829232 www.cheshirefunerals.co.uk Albert R Slack Ltd & JW Brocklehurst Ltd Funeral Directors Antique & Collectors Fair For information regarding stalls call 07816 220136 Would you like to…VISIT OR EXHIBIT a lively Antique & Collectors Fair? Sunday 6th October & 1st December Opening 9:30am to 4:30pm Wilmslow Leisure Centre, Rectory Fields, Station Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 1BU Having operated for over 12 years, the fairs organisers have assembled a host of long-time, well respected traders along with new traders in a truly unique event. Refreshments available • Parking Available • £2 Entry £1.50 Concessions • Under 16s Free