Midcheshire Independent Issue 181

JULY 2025 12 QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 South North American republic (6) 5 Warning (3-3) 8 Version still being developed (4) 9 Boss (8) 10 Packages (7) 11 Literary work (4) 13 Donkey (5,2,6) 16 Close (4) 17 Commander in chief of a fleet (7) 20 Parasol (8) 21 Wicked (4) 22 Gorge (6) 23 Loftier (6) DOWN 2 Lift up (7) 3 Hebrew patriarch (5) 4 Fail to notice (8) 5 Class (4) 6 Flourish (7) 7 Eats (5) 12 Submissive to authority (8) 14 Soft and moist (7) 15 Scrutinise (7) 16 Sweatbox (5) 18 Standard of perfection (5) 19 Futile (4) Answers on page 19. HALE Barns Carnival will return later this month bringing the community together for two days of entertain- ment, live music, family attractions and fundrais- ing fun. The hugely popular annual event will take place on Sat- urday and Sunday July 19 and 20. Now in its eighth year, the 2025 carnival will be staged differently and will take place across Hale Barns – with the main stage and entertainment area located within the grounds of The Bull’s Head on Wicker Lane and the grounds of Holy Angels Church. While it’s a new setting, the annual event remains the same size with a traditional funfair, inflatables, gift and craft stalls, food and drink showcases and amazing live music and entertainment. The daytime events, which are free to attend and open from noon to 4pm on both Saturday and Sun- day, promise fun for all ages with a traditional funfair, iconic movie and TV vehi- cle displays, a gift and craft market, local food pop-ups, family entertainment and live music celebrating the best in local talent. The ticketed evening events also return, with this year’s headline acts featuring award-winning tribute performances. On Saturday there will be full band tributes to Roxy Music, Tina Turner and disco icons Chic featuring Nile Rodgers. Sunday brings the carni- val to a rousing close with tributes to two of the UK’s most iconic groups, Madness and the Bee Gees, along with a homage to superstar Dolly Parton. Tickets for the evening concerts start at £28 for adults and there are child concessions along with special premium table tick- ets for two, four or six. Carnival organiser Max Eden said: “I’m delighted we’ve been able to find a way to continue to deliver the carnival for the community to enjoy, and I can’t wait for everyone to see what we have in store. “We’ve got as much fun and as many attractions as in previous years, but in a new location, which has meant we’ve been able to ensure the return of the carnival to Hale Barns. “I’d like to especially thank our sponsors and to The Bulls Head in Hale Barns for helping our community event continue.” The carnival was founded in 2016 to provide a local large-scale event for all ages to enjoy and raise funds for community causes. Tickets and PremiumTable Seating for the evening con- certs are on sale now at www. halebarnscarnival.co.uk WILMSLOW Library has been awarded a £1,000 community grant from the town council to support this year’s Summer Reading Challenge. The challenge is a free, national programme held each year during the school summer holidays. It encourages children of school age to develop positive reading hab- its and become active members of their local library. Wilmslow Library is inviting every child in the community to take part by reading six books and visiting the library at least four times over the holidays. The grant will fund a variety of events designed to inspire children to complete the challenge. Planned events, subject to final confirmation, include an animal and insect encounter, and illustra- tor workshop and a nature-themed craft session. In addition, the funding will pro- vide materials for library-led craft activities throughout the summer. Town mayor Sally Harrison, who presented the cheque, said: “Wilmslow Town Council is thrilled to support Wilmslow Library’s Sum- mer Reading Challenge once again. “As well as being fun and edu- cational, these free events funded by the grant enhance the reading challenge, helping to boost partici- pation and welcome more families into the library. “Thank you to the library staff for organising such a great programme - we hope it’s enjoyed by all!” Presentation: Town mayor Sally Harrison hands over the cheque to library sta! (Photo credit: Wilmslow Town Council) Cash support for reading challenge Carnival returns with a difference Family fun: Hale Barns Carnival is always a summer hit (Photo credit: Max Eden)