Midcheshire Independent Issue 197

OCTOBER 2026 2 PDQ LANDSCAPE & BUILDING SERVICES 07763 923005 01270 421405 From inside to outside, whatever you can imagine, we can make it come true. IF WE CAN’T DO IT NO ONE CAN! FREE QUOTE Call Steve sredmond24707825@aol.com No part of this publicationmay be used or reproduced without the express permission of the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure that the articles and advertisements that are carried are authentic, however the publisher accepts no responsibility for claims made. © Investors in Publishing Ltd 2026. This newspaper is publishedmonthly by Investors in Publishing, Publishing House, 3 Bridgebank Industrial Estate,Taylor Street, Horwich, Bolton BL6 7PD. 01204 478812 EDITOR Mike Hulme mike@independentnewspapers.co.uk CONTACT JayneMeadowcroft 01204 478812 or 07703 045189 jayne@independentnewspapers.co.uk ADVERTISING Robin Atkins 07767 840274 robin@cheshireindependent.co.uk CONTACT US A GIFTED wood sculptor is flying high after setting a new world record. Self-taught Andy Burgess competed at Carve Carrbridge, Scotland’s premier speed chainsaw carving event. The Knutsford crafts- man was up against 21 top carvers including competi- tors from across the UK as well as Romania, Germany and Lithuania. In just four hours, in front of thousands of spectators, he turned a log of wood into three circling Red Kites. And his stunning work of art achieved the highest auc- tion price ever in the 23-year history of the competition. Dad-of-two Andy, 52, said: “I was thrilled. Two people really wanted it, the bidding went crazy. “It’s staggering considering the fabulous carvers who have been there over those years.” The stunning carving enti- tled ‘Kite Flight’ went under the hammer for £2,000 and now lives in a Scottish garden. The man who lost the bid has now asked Andy to create another sculpture as a per- sonal commission. Crowds flock to this annual village celebration in the Cairngorms National Park. Andy said: “It is a huge event, like a mini Highland Games. It’s the absolute epicentre of chainsaw sculpting. People from around the world come to it.” Strict rules are imposed as some of the best carvers in the world draw lots for their choice of a local log of Sitka spruce. With painstaking precision, competitors have to concen- trate to get each cut right. Andy said: “You just have to go for it. Each cut is your last cut. Only chainsaws are allowed, no power tools, screws, glue or spray paint. “I had a vision I wanted to create movement and scale in my piece. A CUT ABOVE THE REST! Chainsaw craftsman Andy Burgess with his sculpture entitled ‘Kite Flight’. (Image: Supplied) Sculptor sets new record with his stunning carving HAIR TODAY… GONE TOMORROW Cory before and after his charity haircut. (Image: Supplied) A NANTWICH teenager who grew his hair so it was almost 20 inches long has had it all cut off in aid of a children’s charity. Cory Turner, a Malbank School student, decided to grow his hair until his 14th birthday after reading about The Little Princess trust charity when he was 10. And after four years of growing it, he finally had it chopped off on his 14th birthday. Cory had it cut at The Turkish Barbers on Swine Market in Nantwich – who did it for free. The youngster, who has raised more than £400 so far, said he was incredibly nervous but the barbers and donations kept him positive. His proud mum Joanne Turner said: “He saw a post about a The Little Princess Trust just over four years ago and about the work they do for young children. “This touched him and made him decide to grow his hair for them and hope it would make another child happy. “The donations are a huge bonus too!”