Midcheshire Independent Issue 191

5 MAY 2026 Visit our website: www.independentnewspapers.co.uk NEWSINBRIEF CHESHIRE East Council has confirmed a major milestone in its climate work, having successfully created 120 hectares – equivalent to approximately 170 football pitches – of new woodland across the borough. WILMSLOW Street Fest is back. The family- friendly celebration of music, entertainment and street food in Bank Square has announced three Friday dates: May 15, July 24 and September 4, running from 5pm-9pm. MACCLESFIELD Town Council’s rangers and volunteers have been busy sowing the wildflower seeds that have been brightening up various spots around town for the last few years. AN East Cheshire charity link-up is putting fund- raising for local hospitals in the picture. Portait specialist Ollier Photography has announced the return of its popular char- ity partnership with East Cheshire NHS Charity. The fundraising effort offers people a unique way to capture family milestones while directly supporting their local hospitals. Building on the momentum of its 2023 collaboration, the firm has opened a dedicated charity window, offering pro- fessional portrait sessions, complete with a 10x8 gallery print for a set donation of £25. To ensure maximum ben- efit to the community, 100 per cent of the funds raised will go directly to supporting patients and frontline staff at Macclesfield, Knutsford, and Congleton hospitals. The initiative offers the public an accessible entry point to professional-grade photography, with sittings available for families, couples, and pets with the added flexi- bility to book your session well in advance. Joe Ollier, from Ollier Photography, said: “We’re happy to be working with East Cheshire NHS Charity again, helping raise funds for an amazing cause and giving Cash raising: The partnership has raised cash for the NHS charity Putting fundraising in focus Edible hedgerow bears fruit Planting: Volunteers taking part in the park project (Photo credit: Wilmslow Town Council) Initiative: Lata Anderson, councillor for Wilmslow Dean Row with the mayor of Cheshire East David Edwardes at Browns Lane Park (Photo credit: Wilmslow Town Council) something back to those who support it.” Lily Preston, fundraising and events manager at East Cheshire NHS Charity added: “We’re delighted that the team at Ollier Photography have again chosen to partner with our charity following the success of the 2023 scheme. AN edible hedgerow has been planted at Browns Lane Park inWilmslow in a bid to boost biodiversity and community learning. Wilmslow Town Council, which is behind the project, says the aim is to create an attractive and educational new feature. Planted in March, the 20-metre hedgerow contains a variety of soft fruit and was established by volunteers, town councillors, and coun- cil staff. Costing £300, it represents the first stage of councillor Lata Anderson’s initiative to transform two large mounds within the park into an inter- active and engaging space. Her vision is to create an area where children and adults can play, learn about fruit and nuts, and enjoy tasting produce grown in a natural setting. She led the planting, sup- ported by the town council’s Rangers andWilmslowGuid- ing Rangers. Additional help was provided by students and parents from Wilmslow Academy, local people, and volunteers from Transition Wilmslow andWilmslow u3a. Informative signage will be installed alongside the hedgerow, enabling park vis- itors to learn more about the varieties planted and their environmental benefits. The project has been supported by contribu- tions from local businesses and organisations. Town mayor Sally Harri- son said: “This is a wonder- ful project that will benefit nature while providing valu- able educational opportunities for both children and adults. “We thank councillor Lata Anderson for her dedication in initiating, planning and steer- ing this project, as well as all the volunteers and donors who have contributed.Initi- atives like this demonstrate how communities can come together to create lasting ben- efits, and the town council is proud to be part of it.”