Midcheshire Independent Issue 190

11 APRIL 2026 Visit our website: www.independentnewspapers.co.uk HANDFORTH Town Council has successfully taken over control of Handforth Community and Youth Centre from Cheshire East Council. The asset transfer is on a long lease basis and will allow the town council to run and look after the centre. All the user groups and per- manent hires and tenants of the community centre have been informed of the change. Susan Moore, who chairs the town council, said: “This will allow the town council to look after the centre without its future being possibly jeop- ardised by closure by Cheshire East and will also preserve the site in case the land was ever to be sold off for development.” Town councillor John Smith said: “The work on this was started over 10 years ago, but there were many obstacles to overcome. “The proper legal process started in earnest in 2022 fol- lowing a town council motion to accept the heads of terms proposed by Cheshire East. I am extremely pleased to see the project finally come through to fruition.” THEMia Jennings Memo- rial Fund has completed its 2,000th life-saving heart screening test for young people at the King’s school in Macclesfield. Former King’s pupil James Jenning, tragically lost his daughter in 2023 after she suffered a cardiac event aged just 19. The devastation felt by Mia’s family, friends and the community in which she was so well-known and loved, has inspired a memorial fund to help support the charity, CRY (Cardiac Arrest in the Young). The charity raises aware- ness of young sudden cardiac death and fundraises to pro- vide vital heart screening tests for people aged 14-35 across the country. Each test, which is valued at £70 per young person, screens for several heart conditions that can cause sudden death. The Mia Jennings Memo- rial Fund has raised a total £250,000 to provide the oppor- tunity CRY screening service across five schools, incorporat- ing seven Macclesfield High Schools in the local area so far. King’s invited James and the CRY team into school, to offer its pupils in Years 10, 11 and 12 and 13, the opportu- nity to be screened through the ‘To Macclesfield, Love Mia’ project. With a total 203 students benefitting from the two-day clinic, the memorial fund also marked its 2,000th screening since being founded in 2023. James Jennings said: “We are grateful to local schools supporting our campaign, today was a huge success in terms of hitting another tar- get and providing potentially Special moment for heart screen drive Milestone: The CRY screening team at the King’s School Community centre handover A MACCLESFIELD man is starting a jail sentence after admitting dealing class A drugs. Paul Gostelow from Duke Street, appeared at Chester Crown Court for sentencing after admitting to possession with intent to supply cocaine at an earlier hearing. The 58-year-old was jailed for five years, seven months and two weeks. On Monday January 19 this year, PCs NathanManley and Izzy Morrell were on patrol when they stopped a silver Tiguan on Macclesfield Road in Prestbury. They signalled for the car stop and when it did, the front seat passenger, Gostelow, fled from the vehicle and ran through a car park. The driver, a woman, remained in her seat. One of the officers chased Drug dealer jailed Sentenced: Paul Gostelow (Photo credit: Cheshire Police) WORK has finished on the first phase of on a new 1.5- mile walking and cycling route between Wilmslow and Handforth. The project – funded by Active Travel England – is designed to improve acces- sibility and provide a safer, dedicated route for people walking, wheeling and cycling along Manchester Road, which connects Wilmslow town centre and Handforth. Phase one has delivered several key improvements, including a new segregated cycleway, two pedestrian and cyclist crossings with pedestrian and cycle access at Stanneylands junction and the introduction of a bus stop island. A reduction in the speed limit along the route from 40mph to 30mph has also been introduced. Additional improvements delivered as part of the wider scheme include resurfacing works, new kerbing, and improved crossing points at side roads – all designed to make the route safer and easier to use. Ben Wye, Cheshire East Council’s Active Travel mem- ber champion, said: “This first phase is a really encouraging step in delivering a route that makes it easier and safer for people to travel in more active and sustainable ways. “Features such as the new crossings, segregated cycle- way and improved junction layouts all contribute to a much more welcoming envi- ronment for all road users however they choose to travel. “As the scheme continues, these improvements will increase the confidence of everyone in making active and affordable travel choices for everyday journeys between Wilmslow and Handforth.” The next phase of works will start in the summer and will include a continuation of the segregated cycleway, new pedestrian crossings and an enhanced streetscape around Styal Road junction. New route on track recovered from the scene. Gostelow was also searched and found to be in possession of white powder. He was subsequently arrested and the car was searched. A phone was seized, and following this, a search of his address recovered drugs, phones and other items. Speaking after the sen- tencing PC Orry Barnard of Cheshire Police, said: “This is another brilliant example of our officers out on patrol proactively stopping and searching those suspected of criminality. “We are out there 24/7 act- ing on information and would urge anyone with information on drug dealing in your com- munity to contact us on 101 or via website so that we can continue to put people like Gostelow behind bars and disrupt illegal drug activity.” after Gostelow as he ran across the bowling green and detained him. Gostelow had been seen dropping something as he fled and a search was made by the other officer resulting in blocks of white powder being life-saving screenings for cardiac conditions. It’s vital that we sustain momentum and expand our operations with CRY to local towns and schools.” Stephen Moores, head of community outreach at the school, added: “We feel privi- leged to be part of the cardiac screening initiative in Mac- clesfield, set up by James Jen- nings and funded through the Mia Jennings Memorial Fund. “Pupils across Macclesfield schools have been offered the opportunity to be screened, and with more than 200 of our pupils taking part this week, we could not be prouder of James and the work he and his family are doing in Mia’s memory. “To play a part in reaching the 2000th test for the Mia Jennings Fund is a testament to James’ dedication to rais- ing awareness of sudden car- diac death.” To advertise, contact Robin Atkins on 07767 840274