Midcheshire Independent Issue 195

AUGUST 2026 4 PLANS are underway to cre- ate a new specialist cancer care centre for patients in Mid Cheshire. It would be part of the new Leighton Hospital as part of a partnership between the ChristieNHSTrust and theMid CheshireNHSTrust. The Christie Neighbourhood Cancer Centre would allow patients in Mid Cheshire to receive high-quality cancer treat- ment closer to home instead of travelling to the Christie’s Withington site in SouthManchester. Dr Clare Hammell, Chief Medical Officer and Deputy Chief Executive Officer at the Mid Cheshire NHS Trust, said: “This is a hugely positive moment for our trust and our local communities. “Our Healthier Futures plans have always included bringing a new and more developed ambulatory can- cer unit to Leighton Hospital, as part of our commitment to delivering more care closer to home. “Continued close working withtheChristiegivesusafan- tastic opportunity to improve access to specialist, life-sav- ing treatment and to create a more joined-upexperience for patients and families. “This partnership also reflects the direction of travel for the NHS nationally – work- ing across organisations to improve cancer care, reduce inequalitiesandmakeservices more accessible. The Christie Neighbourhood Cancer Centre shows how national ambitions can be turned into practical, local improvements for patients.” The proposed centre is part of the trust’s Healthier Futures programme and the long-term ambition to create a health and care neighbour- hood at LeightonHospital. The partnership aims to bring services together around what matters most to local communities, sup- porting more joined-up, accessible care. The trust and the Christie already work together to deliver cancer services throughsharedspecialistlead- ership at LeightonHospital. The new agree- ment sets the stage for expanded collaboration. Dr Neil Bayman, Medical Director and Deputy Chief Executive at the Christie NHS Trust, said: “This agreement is a very exciting step and demonstrates what can be achieved when organisa- tions work together with a shared purpose. “We are proud to be build- ing on our strong relationship with Mid Cheshire to develop a Christie Neighbourhood Cancer Centre that brings specialist cancer care closer to people’s homes in line with our neighbourhood oncol- ogymodel.” AMIDDLEWICH commu- nity centre is celebrating its 40th anniversary with big ideas for the com- ing years. Middlewich Community and Youth Project, or the Wych Centre, first opened its doors to the community in 1986. Since January of this year, the community centre has had a new committee with big ideas about what they want to do for the young people of the town, including repairing the table tennis table they have on the premises and intro- ducing more sustainable and nature-focused activities. After receiving funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner, the charity was able to open their sec- ond youth club in February, specifically catering towards 12-to-18-year-olds. Anya Hesketh, the trustee for bookings, events and fund- raising for the Wych Centre, spoke about the importance of youth clubs for young peo- ple today. She said: “It is really impor- tant for local areas to have youth club spaces for young people today. There is a lot of chatter in communities nowa- days that there is nothing for young people to do. We just want to let people know that the spaces are there. “We are open and available for the young people to come and improve their social and emotional well-being.” Activities available include football, a games console and a pool table as well as a youth worker who makes home- made pizzas with the children. There is also a youth group for those aged six to 12 on Thursdays, with an entry fee of £3. Anya also said that the team are looking to do an event at the end of the year to celebrate the past 40 years in the com- munity and everything they have achieved so far. Christine Williams, head teacher at the academy, said: “The Colour Run was a fan- tastic way for our school community to come together to celebrate the end of the school year while supporting an important cause. “It was especially mean- ingful as we raised money in memory of our much-loved col- league, Gaynor Allcock. “We are incredibly proud of our pupils for embracing the day with such enthusiasm and kindness, and we would like to thank our families for their generosity and support. “It was wonderful to see so many smiling faces and everyone enjoying themselves while raising money for Can- cer Research UK.” The event was made possible through the support of families IF railways or history are what float your boat, a new event in Northwich this summer could be one for you. Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership (MCCRP) is hosting two guiding tours of Northwich train station and its surroundings led by rail- way historian, Trevor Booth. The railway arrived in Northwich in 1863, connect- ing it with the rest of Britain’s ever expanding network, and helped to change the face of the town for ever. The tours last an hour, in which Trevor will show visitors where the original station was, talk about how passengers, goods, and coal were dealt with, and share hear tales of the stations very busy locomotive shed, including problems with its water supply. They will also hear about the construction of the branch lines to serve the salt indus- try, which indirectly lead to Britain’s first fatal colli- sion between a train and a motor car. Tour tours are planned: Thursday, August 27, at 6.30pm, and Saturday, Sep- tember 5, at 2.30pm. Visitors should meet in the car park outside the North- wich station ticket office, CW9 5LY. Since April 2026, the bor- ough’s HWRCs have been managed by its own wholly owned company, Cheshire West Recycling (CWR). The council says the new system will have many ben- efits for residents, including the end of paper permits, IDs, and proofs of address. It is also designed to crack down on those abusing the service with excessive vis- its, as well as trade waste producers, meaning the tips can be more easily and fairly accessed by residents when they need them. Cllr Karen Shore, deputy leader of the council and cab- inet member for transport and highways (including waste), said: “HWRCs are a crucial part of managing waste and recycling in the borough. They are places where res- idents can dispose of extra household waste or recycling, as well as items which are not collected through the kerbside waste and recycling collec- tion service. “Waste from commercial premises, businesses, or any paidfor work is not permitted at any HWRC site. Full steam ahead for new rail tour NEWS IN BRIEF CONFIRMATION of the opening date for Northwich’s long-awaited Chester-style market is just around the corner. Located within Barons Quay, and part of a wider regeneration of the town centre, the new retail and dining outlet will feature a mix of food, drink, and shopping options. Cheshire West and Chester Council says a final opening date will be confirmed in the coming weeks, and it is confident this will be towards around mid September. A MIDDLEWICH pub is under new management and new ownership after the departure of its manager and owner of more than a decade. Punch Pubs & Co has added The White Bear on Wheelock Street to its portfolio of pubs in England, Scotland and Wales. The historic high street pub was out of business at the beginning of 2010, but was back in business by the following year. SPARROW Lane in Knutsford has had a makeover. Residents and volunteers from Bruntwood worked to help improve access along the well-used footpath. Knutsford Town Council arranged a volunteering session to help clear the build-up of detritus and overgrowth which has been narrowing the path from Delmar Road to Higher Downs. All households must register their vehicles to be allowed to use any of CheshireWest and Chester Council’s seven household recycling centres (Image: Cheshire West Council) Major changes to tip rules in force Leighton Hospital may have new cancer centre Centre celebrates 40th year CAPTION: Pupils at Rudheath Senior Academy took part in a colour run to raise funds for Cancer Research UK (Image: North West Academies Trust) ‘Colour Run’ raises more than £200 “The new registration system aims to ensure that HWRCs remain accessible to all residents who need them, whilst tackling the minority of excessive users and commer- cial users who are bringing unauthorised waste.” Those who do not have a smartphone or access to a computer and only want to register a non-commercial type vehicle can contact 0300 123 7026, where assistance will be provided. Residents can also get sup- port with online registration at their local library, where staff can assist with accessing the website or completing the form. RESIDENTS in North- wich and Winsford must now register their vehicles before they will be allowed to use the tip. Cheshire West and Ches- ter Council (CWAC) has announced its household waste recycling centres (HWRC) will be using a auto- mated number place recogni- tion system at all its sites. Going forward, all visits to its tips will be strictly moni- tored, with residents allowed no more than 30 trips a year before applying for spe- cial permission. These changes to the rules require all households in the borough to register their vehi- cles via on online portal, over the phone, or in person on spe- cific days in August. Registration is a one-off process unless you move house or change you car, and each household can register up to three vehicles, including one commercial-type van. CWAC operates seven HWRCs across the borough in Northwich, Winsford, Chester, Ellesmere Port, Frodsham, Neston, and Tattenhall. Each year, they are visited around 740,000 times and pro- cess 40,000 tonnes of house- hold waste and recycling. RUDHEATH Senior Acad- emy pupils swapped their uniforms for a vibrant burst of colour. The Middlewich second- ary school held a Colour Run in aid of Cancer Research UK, raising £251 in mem- ory of member of staff Gay- nor Allcock. Pupils from all year groups took part, crossing the finish line in clouds of bright powder. who sponsored pupils and con- tributed to the fundraiser. In addition to the Colour Run, pupils enjoyed games of tug of war, cooled down with ice creams, and spent the afternoon celebrating with friends and staff.