Cheshire Independent Issue 217

AUGUST 2026 4 BEECH Hall School is celebrating a remarkable set of A Level achieve- ments, as pupils secure coveted places at univer- sities following a year of hard work, determination and commitment. This year’s results reflect the diverse strengths and individual journeys of pupils at the Tytherington-based school, with success across a wide range of subjects and pupils achieving their individ- ual academic ambitions. Among this year’s success stories is Imogen Regan, a Year 10 pupil who has demon- strated exceptional math- ematical ability by taking A Level Mathematics three years ahead of the usual Year 13 cohort. Imogen, aged 15, achieved an outstanding A* in A Level Mathematics, having sat the exam three years earlier than most pupils would. Her latest achievement follows an excep- tional GCSE performance last year, when, aged just 14 and in Year 9, she sat both Maths and Further Maths GCSEs two years ahead of sched- ule, achieving a remarkable Grade 9 in both subjects. She also achieved the maximum possible 160 marks in Fur- ther Maths. Imogen will continue her studies in Year 11 at Beech Hall School and has her sights set on studying at an Oxbridge university. The school is also cele- brating the achievements of Dmytro Vasylevskyi, who has secured passes in three A Level subjects – Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics – following an extraordinary educational journey. Dmytro, who lives in Mac- clesfield, joined the Tyther- ington-based school on a scholarship programme fol- lowing the outbreak of war in Ukraine. Arriving in the UK alongside his siblings, he began his time at the school with no English language skills, facing the challenge of adapting to a new country, a new education system and learning in a second language. Also marking his A Level success today is AndrewKelly, who studied Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science. Andrew achieved a B grade in Mathematics, a significant achievement after overcom- ing the challenges associated with dyslexia throughout his education. THE Grosvenor Centre’s new owners have shared their vision for the site. Atree Management have taken over the running of Macclesfield’s shopping centre. The firm is looking to breathe new life into the venue, restoring it as the ‘heart of the town’. Jon Crouch, commercial and retail asset development manager at Atree, said: “We are all guilty of sitting at home and ordering online and this is one of the main issues for the high street. “We need retailers and ven- ues where you want to come and shop. “To us, shopping cen- tres should be the heart of the town. “For too long they have been held by large corporations who have let them decline. “Successive governments haven’t helped – with business rates and an unfair approach to major online retailers, high street shopping has had it tough, and the market isn’t getting any easier.” Over the last five years, Atree Management have expanded their retail portfo- lio and they now operate sev- eral shopping centres across the UK. “We see value and purpose in making sensible invest- ments within the sector,” added Mr Crouch, who has 28 years of experience in the property industry. “We understand that these older centres may not be as bright and shiny as the out- of-town offerings – but this is your home. “All retailers need to be sup- ported. We should encourage growth and get out of the house, shopping.” Vacant units are currently being refurbished ahead of the arrival of some ‘exciting’ new independent businesses over the next three months. A new centre manager will be in place by August and Atree Management say they are now exploring options to work alongside the council to regenerate the town. Looking ahead, they may look at diversifying the centre. Mr Crouch said: “Retail and leisure need to come together. Services and health can also play a part. Centres need to diversify. “Can we combine a health centre or diagnostic centre with retail? Can we add some leisure offerings to compli- ment the retail offering? Yes, we can. What we need to find are those synergies.” Supporting independ- ents will be a key focus for Atree Management. They are actively looking for small businesses that have made a successful start online and are now looking to take the next step. Mr Crouch adds that they could look at turning the large vacant unit between TKMaxx and The Entertainer into a maker’s market or food hall. THE full programme has been unveiled ahead of the inaugural Maccles- field Textile Week. Macclesfield will honour its global reputation for indus- try and creativity with a new community-led collaboration between Macclesfield Com- munity ArtSpace and the Silk Museum. Running from September 19 to 27, the festival will feature an 50 events across 15 locations, celebrating the town’s mighty industrial past and its vibrant, crea- tive present. Festival organiser Vicki Treanor from Macclesfield Community ArtSpace said: “Textile Week is an oppor- tunity to share and learn new skills, spend time together, and celebrate our unique heritage. “We’re incredibly grateful for the support and backing of Macclesfield Town Council and Cheshire East Council in making our vision a reality, and we’re looking forward to providing a fun-filled pro- gramme of community events that everyone can enjoy.” The festival programme is packed with unique experi- ences, including expert-led talks, hands-on workshops, and community showcases. A major highlight of the week is a talk hosted by the Silk Museum at Kings School Macclesfield by Patrick Grant, the acclaimed Great British Sewing Bee judge and founder of ethical clothing brand Community Clothing. Dr Clare Harding, direc- tor of the SilkMuseum, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Patrick Grant toMacclesfield. “His passionate advocacy for radical change in the fash- ion industry and his vision for valuing the makers behind our clothes resonates deeply with the spirit of our town. “Textile Week is a testa- ment to our enduring creative legacy, and hosting such a prominent voice is a fantastic CELEBRATING TOWN’S INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE CAPTION: Maccles!eld TextileWeek will celebrate the town’s industrial past and its creative present (Credit: Supplied) Full programme to honour Textile week way to honour that history while sparking important con- versations about our future.” Festival highlights: Macclesfield and the Bayeux: Celebrating 900 years of local heritage, this exhibition at the SilkMuseum will showcase the communi- ty-made Macclesfield History Tapestry alongside The Story of the Bayeux, an interactive exhibition provided by the British Museum. Fashion Show: TheWindy- way Trust’s Fashion Reworked runway event at ButtonWare- house, celebrates sustainable, upcycled style by showcasing local designs inspired by the natural landscape. Sustainable Living Fair: Macclesfield Commu- nity ArtSpace has partnered with The One Project and The Repair Café to host a sustain- able living fair at the United Reformed Church. Inclusive Crafting: Mac- clesfield Community ArtSpace will host Learn to Knit and Crochet sessions, including dedicated workshops for the visually impaired. Study Day: Weaving in Paradise: A brand new, deep- dive event exploring the past, present, and future of silk weaving in Paradise Mill. The Tailoring Academy Open Studio: An opportunity to explore the only UK-ac- credited Level 5 Diploma in Bespoke Tailoring. Film Screening: A show- ing of the acclaimed film The Nettle Dress at The Park Tavern. Visitors can also get hands-on in over a dozen workshops, learning skills ranging from belt-making and zine creation to weaving wall hangings, sewing book covers, and trying botani- cal printing. For families, the festival offers dedicated craft drop- ins and family workshops fromToyMaking toWeaving. Events will be held across a wide network of venues, including Paradise Mill, King’s School, Macclesfield Library, the Picturedrome, the Hope Centre, Macclesfield Market Hall, andmanymore. While many events are free and accessible on a drop-in basis, several workshops and talks are ticketed and have limited capacity. School celebrates top ‘A’ Level results ImogenRegan. (Image: Supplied) The Grosvenor Shopping Centre’s new owners have shared their vision for the site. (Image: Google Earth) Shopping Centre’s vision for the future