Midcheshire Independent Issue 198

NOVEMBER 2026 4 CHESHIRE Police have wel- comed two new four-legged crimefighters to the team. Although still yet to start their official training, 19-week oldMal- inois puppies Vinny and Nora are settling into life in the force with their new handlers. The pair were donated to the constabulary by Cheshire Dogs Home after their mum arrived as a pregnant stray. The home took her and nursed her as she birthed the litter. Inspector Nick Bamber said: “There is a lot of background work that goes into adopting puppies to welcome into the dog unit, ensur- ing that the welfare of the dogs is looked after, and that they are right for the constabulary. “When we were given the oppor- tunity to adopt these two puppies, of course we jumped at the chance. “Cheshire Dogs Home does an amazing job at looking after the dogs that find themselves in their care, so we knew their health wouldn’t be a question. On meet- ing them, it was clear these two stand every chance of becoming successful police dogs. “Vinny and Nora have now settled in with their handlers, THE team who support patients at Stepping Hill Hospital to stop smok- ing are celebrating this Stoptober with yet another success story; helping another long term smoker to quit. Helen Thomas from Heaton Norris came into hospital following a fall at her house in July. She needed a hip replacement and was in hospital for threeweeks. The surgical team put her in touch with the hos- pital CURE Team and she decided it was time for her to finally stop smoking. Now retired, Helen had along and stressful career in finance journalism, and saysshehasbeenasmoker for nearly 60 years. With advice from the team, and in particular with the nico- tine patches replacements they offered as support, Helen made a success of it and has not smoked since. Helen said; “Nicotine patches have been the key forme, they’vemade a real difference and have made giving up much less of an ordeal. I’m really pleased that I asked theCURE team for help, they’ve been a great support.” After months of non-smoking Helen already feels healthier, but she says the biggest thing she’s noticed is the big sav- ings in her bank balance. “It’s incredible the amount I’ve been able to save since I stopped. Smoking nearly twenty cigarettes a day meant I was spending over £100 a week – it soon adds up! I’m pleased to be able to spend this on thingswhich aremoreworthwhile.” The CURE team have now helped over 1200 people to quit smoking and stay stopped over the long term since they were set up in 2020. They’ve calculated this has saved these patients over £13 million between them, on top of the huge health benefits of stopping. The team are part of Greater Manchester-wide CURE project of compre- hensive secondary care treatment for tobacco addiction. They make sure all active smokers admitted to hospital are immediately offered spe- cialist support from the team, together with nico- tine replacement therapy and other medications for the duration of their admission, and after dis- charge too. Anju Baby, CURE Specialist Nurse said “We are very proud and pleased to hear how well Helen has done on her stop smoking jour- ney. Supporting patients through that process is a valuable and rewarding part of our role, and it is great to see the positive difference it can make to their lives.” MIDDLEWICH Primary School is at or above expectations across the board after an inspection by a team of inspectors from Ofsted. The Park Road primary school is at the expected standard in six areas and at the strong standard in a single area: its early years provision. Lead Inspector David Robinson and the other inspectors – Michelle Joyce, Peter Berry and Sarah Gow- er-Jones – said reception year in particular is ‘a superb first stepping stone’. Year One to Year Six pupils’ performance is largely in line with the national average and there is strong support for those with special educa- tional needs and/or disabili- ties (SEND). A MAN from Knutsford is planning a month-long expedition across Norway, Finland, Sweden and Den- mark to raise money for three charities. Ben Bradley, from Knuts- ford, is the director of COB- WOB CIC and lead of The Council of Bens. He’s planning a Sky- dive To The Nordics for late May or June 2027, with a £50,000 target for three char- ities: CALM, Combat Stress and Rock2Recovery. The plan is a skydive before each of four endurance chal- lenges – a month-long expedi- tion across Norway, Finland, Sweden and Denmark. Ben will be completing a skydive before taking on an endurance challenge in each country. These are: anArctic crossing in Norway, Skyathlon in Fin- land, 315km Vatternrundan cycle in Sweden and a coast-to- coast run in Denmark. Ben says: “This challenge is a new beginning for me. I left the Royal Marines after nearly eight years of service at the start of 2026 and have made it my mission to use adventure to raise money and create positive change. “These charities are so important to me because they represent my path in life so far, and are the causes that have helped me still be here. “Within the military, injury and major life changes can happen unexpectedly. My own life changing inju- ries happened to me in Nor- way, and changed the direction of my life. “It led me to understand the importance of mental health support, and how it can really truthfully keep people on this planet! “It will be the first time since my injury I will have returning to Norway. “I want this challenge to turn that experience into something positive, raising money for organisations sup- porting mental health, Mili- tary Personnel, and people in crisis.” AN ambitious plan to create a colourful ‘King- fisher Walkway’ along the River Weaver in Nant- wich has been backed by town councillors. Cllr Geoff Smith put for- ward the motion to create a walkway full of blossoming trees, colourful spring bulbs and a Kingfisher wooden sculpture for the river- side area. He wanted around £2,700 of the council budget to help fund the project, which Nantwich Town Council approved after a vote. The project has three phases starting with the planting of spring bulbs and flowers at the entrance to Brookfield Park, followed by the redevelopment of the walkway under the rail- way bridge with the new king- fisher sculpture carved from the existing tree stump, and then across the bridge over the River Weaver, the new King- fisher Walkway lined with wild cherry blossom trees. “Together these deliver a high impact contribution to the council’s green agenda and to the wider community, rec- ognising and celebrating the redevelopment of this area,” said Cllr Smith. Work will soon start on the walkway which will see blos- som trees and spring bulbs planted along the route. Its centrepiece will be a kingfisher carved from an old tree stump already on the site, giving new life to a piece of the riverside’s history. The aim is to create a more attractive walk and to “give nature a helping hand”. Cllr Smith said: “Early flowering blossom and bulbs provide vital food for bees and other pollinators at the start of the year, new trees will offer shelter and habitat for birds and insects, and the plant- ing will help strengthen the riverside as a green corridor for wildlife. “Carving the existing stump rather than bringing in new materials keeps the project sustainable, and the king- fisher is a reminder that a healthy river supports some of our most precious species. “I’m absolutely delighted the Town Council has backed the Kingfisher Walkway. “This is about giving something lasting back to Nantwich: a beautiful place to walk, a real boost for nature, and a better experience for residents and visitors enjoying the Nantwich Loop. “The kingfisher is a quiet treasure of our river, and this is our chance to look after the habitat it depends on while bringing the community together to plant and care for it.” At the town council ‘Kingfisher Walkway’ gets Council backing Charity Skydive To The Nordics Positive report card Helen kicks the fags thanks to CURE team Cheshire Police’s newest four-legged crimefighters Cheshire Constabulary’s newest recruits, Vinny and Nora. (Image: Cheshire Police) particularly Nora who is getting on perfectly with her handler’s other police dog, Conan. “The duo will be closely moni- tored as they grow, ensuring that remaining as a police dog is what is right for them, and when the time is right, they will enter full PD training before eventually becoming deployable. “I’d like to thank Cheshire Dog’s Home for raising them and doing such a good job of looking after them until they have come over to ourselves.” With Chief Constable Mark Roberts approaching his retire- ment, he was given the oppor- tunity to name one of the pups, choosing Vinny. His sister has been named Nora in tribute to the first-ever police dog to the constabulary, back in 1951. Vinny and Nora will now begin a detailed puppy development programme led by the force’s dog unit instructors with the support of our experienced kennel hands and their handlers, PCAlice Jones and PC Matt Richards. The aim is for the pair to be assessed for operational deploy- ment in late 2027. meeting, Cllr Peter Groves said: “I support this motion but I am concerned about where the money is going to come from as we have not budgeted for this.” Others asked if the plan could be approved in princi- ple and be entered into next year’s budget to give time to seek any necessary approv- als from Cheshire East and other organisations. An amended motion was put forward, but the original motion by Cllr Smith was approved and passed by nine votes to four. To advertise in the Independent, contact Robin Atkins on 07767 840274