Cheshire Independent Issue 215

3 JUNE 2026 Visit our website: www.independentnewspapers.co.uk NEWSINBRIEF A POPULAR paddling pool is to reopen to residents. Church Walk Paddling Pool in Northwich has reopened for spring and the summer. The facility is free on a booking-only basis to residents and to non-residents alike although there is an optional donation for non-residents who do not pay a precept to Northwich Town Council. COUNCILLOR Dickie Fletcher has been appointed as Bollington Town Mayor for the Civic Year 2026-2027. The Mayoress is Mrs Carmel Fletcher and Youth Consort Isabella Cooke. WEST Bollington Post Office will be closing its doors on 23rd June with the managers retiring through illness. RETURNING for its thirdglorious year the 1261 Festival and Parade Day is going to be bigger and better! Organised by Macclesfield Town Council and taking place on Saturday 20th June, there will be plenty of return- ing favourites including Aerial Circus from Lets Circus, Buttonholes from Homestead Grown and the Choose Macc Park Green Party plus a whole host of newworkshops, gigs, exhibitions andmore. This year the Silk Museum at Park Green will be acting as a Wellness Hub with sensory spaces, writing workshops, music performances and sunflower planting, perfect for little ones. Macclesfield Market Hall will be showing off their refurb with a range of activities over the day including crafting with Artspace, caricatures, hanky print- ing and creative brick building. Make your way to Market Place via Castle Street where there will be songs from the Voice Box Music throughout the day plus a special performance from MagicVoices Choir. The Community Parade will be head- ing off from the Town Hall at 11am and looping around the town via Roe Street, past Christ Church and returning along Chestergate. A SMALL local charity, based in Alderley Edge, has been set up to offer that offers free weekly breath- work and meditation classes to the community. Jonnysbreath was born from personal tragedy. In May 2023, the founder Matt Barltrop lost his brother Jonny suddenly – he left behind his fiancée and their six-month-old son. The classes will take place on Tues- day evenings at Brook Lane Corner on Knutsford Road. No booking is required, people are invited to just turn up. Bramhall Hall has been awarded government funding to support vital upgrades BRAMALL Hall has been awarded £1 million in govern- ment funding to support vital upgrades to the Grade I listed heritage site, helping to pro- tect one of Stockport’s most treasured historic buildings for future generations. The funding has been awarded through the Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND) as part of the government’s wider Arts Everywhere Fund, a major national investment designed to protect and improve cultural ven- ues, museums, libraries and her- itage buildings across England. The funding will support upgrades to critical infrastruc- ture at Bramall Hall, one of the best preserved timber-framed manor houses in the country. The investment will help ensure the long-term protection of the historic building while allowing residents, school groups and visitors from Stockport and beyond to continue exploring its rich history and heritage. This latest government funding is in addition to the £1.6m that was awarded to Bramall Hall in 2024 to help fix long-term issues with its roof. Bramhall Hall gets £1m funding boost Macc Festival back bigger and better Free meditation classes start Cllr Dan Oliver, the Cabinet Member responsible for culture at Stockport Council, said: “Bramall Hall is one of Stockport’s most important and much loved his- toric landmarks, and this fund- ing is a big boost in helping us protect and enhance it for future generations. “The funding will support vital upgrades to this nationally signif- icant building, helping to protect its historic fabric while improving access for visitors, families and school groups. Bramall Hall is also hosting a behind-the-scenes insight into the roof restoration on Sunday 28 June from 11am to 4pm. Visitors can explore traditional crafts, conservation techniques, and the expertise required to safeguard a Grade I listed historic build- ing. Visitors can enjoy tours and hands on activities. The event is free and suitable for all ages.