Midcheshire Independent Issue 196

SEPTEMBER 2026 6 • No more moss or lichen • Maintenance free • Choice of colour (suit all homes) • Hassle-free installations • Improve domestic efficiency • Fully guaranteed IMPROVE AROOF THERMALLY EFFICIENT • ENERGY SAVING • WATERPROOF CALL NOW FOR YOUR FREE NO OBLIGATION SURVEY 01625 879787 0800 046 9686 or simply click www.improvearoof.co.uk & request a free roof survey 25% DISCOUNT FOR INDEPENDENT READERS T r u s t I m p r o v e A R o o f ’ s y e a r s o f e x p e r i e n c e t o p r o v i d e : PEOPLE in Brinnington are being invited to help shape how £20 mil- lion of Pride in Place investment is used in their community, as the new Brinnington Pride in Place Board is appointed and prepares to meet for the first time. The long-term Government funding is a major opportunity for Brinnington, with decisions about the future of the programme guided by the people who know the area best. The newly formed Board brings together 13 local residents, commu- nity representatives, public services and decision makers, with local voices at the centre. The Board includes Nicola Thomp- son, Chair of the Brinnington Pride in Place Board, Paul Ansbro, Practice Manager at Brinnington Surgery, Andy Kindness, Brinnington Neigh- bourhood Sergeant with Greater Manchester Police, Sue Lea, Amanda Daniels, Leigh Curry, Donna Rasheed, Liz Evans, Philip Robinson, Charlee Smith, Navendu Mishra MP, Cllr Dan Oliver, Stockport Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Public Protection, and Cllr Christine Carrigan, Councillor for Brinnington and Stockport Central. The Board’s role is to listen to the Brinnington community, champion A NEW bus route has been introduced connecting Woodford with Stockport town centre. The new service – the 377 – runs from Stockport Interchange up to Chester Road inWoodford. From Stockport, it travels up the A6, past Cale Green, through Davenport and Bramhall before heading on to Woodford village centre. The trip back follows the same route. Cheadle MP Tom Morrison joined the inaugural trip for its full length, along with Dallas Jones, councillor for Bramhall South&Woodford. Mr Morrison said the new ser- vice felt like a ‘genuine win’ for the community. “Residents in Woodford have been asking for a proper connection into Stockport for a long time, and today we finally delivered it”, he said. “But this can’t be the end of the story. We need a Sunday and evening service on the 377 too, and I’ll keep making that case.” Cllr Jones similarly said: “Getting the 377 up and running has taken real, sus- tained pressure, and it’s fantastic to see it finally on the road. Mr Morrison has also said he will be campaigning with local councillors to reinstate the 307/308bus service, which would restore a direct link between Bramhall, Cheadle Hulme and Stepping Hill Hospital. ALTRINCHAM law firm Myerson Solicitors has appointed Richard Lloyd as chief executive, with current CEO Carl Newton becom- ing non-executive chair of the board. Lloyd took up the role at the start of the month after 26 years at the firm. He previously led its commercial property team and became chief operating officer in 2019. Newton has been chief execu- tive since 2005. As chair he will oversee governance and the firm’s employee ownership trust. Myerson, founded in 1982 and based in Altrincham, became Manchester’s first 100% employ- ee-owned law firm in 2024. It employs about 165 people and has annual revenues of more than £19 million. TWO couples at a Knutsford care home have celebrated special wedding anniversaries. Balloons, flowers, cards and a special cake festooned Cranford Grange in Mobberley to mark the double celebration. Bill and PamCowburn who cele- brated their diamond anniversary, met through close friends at Tat- ton Park. They got married at the Unitar- ian Church in Knutsford on 25th June 1966. The couple said ‘making time for each other and small acts of kindness’ had made their mar- riage special. Bill and Pam ran Tabley Grove Post Office in the early 1970s, with Bill’s family, before taking it over themselves in the mid 1980s. Bill worked in the shop and post office in Knutsford, while Pam worked in the shop and managed the accounts. This well-known local couple worked side by side in the family business before retiring together in the 1990s. Eileen Mackay , 88, and Bill, 91, met at a dance. Their romance blossomed quickly, with Bill treating Eileen to her first ever Chinese meal for their first date. Law firm’s new Chief Exec Bill and Eileen Mackay celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary (Image: Supplied) Couples celebrate double wedding anniversaries New bus route Residents to help shape £20m investment local priorities and help turn what people say into a long-term Pride in Place plan. That plan will help shape how investment is delivered over the coming years, ensuring funding is focused on the opportunities and ambitions that matter most to local people. At its first meeting on 17 Sep- tember, the Board will discuss how people across Brinnington can get involved and share views. Before wider plans are developed, the Board wants to hear from people who live, work, volunteer and spend time in Brinnington, so investment reflects local hopes, challenges and ideas. The feedback gathered will help shape priorities for the Pride in Place Plan before it is submitted to Government. Before the Board develops a long-term Pride in Place Plan, people who live and work in Brin- nington are being encouraged to share their views and help shape priorities for the future. Residents can get involved in several ways. An online survey is now open, giving people the chance to tell the Board what they love about Brin- nington, what could be improved and what they would like to see in the future. Residents can find out more on how to apply for a community engagement grant, complete the survey and view upcoming events at Stockport Council’s Pride in Place Brinnington page. The newly appointed Board has already made its first decision, backing the return of Brinning- ton’s much-loved Lantern Parade after hearing how important it is to local residents. The community-led parade will bring residents, families and local groups together through lantern-making workshops and a neighbourhood procession cele- brating local pride, creativity and community spirit. Its return is an early example of how community voices will help shape the programme from the very beginning. It will also provide another opportunity to speak with people, gather feedback, promote local services and strengthen links between the community and part- ner organisations. The date is to be confirmed, with the event expected to take place in late autumn. The Board will continue to share updates as engagement pro- gresses and local priorities begin to emerge. Bill and Pam Cowburn opening their card from King Charles and Queen Camilla (Image: Supplied) Bill proposed shortly before he had to go to Cyprus for two years of National Service. The pair mar- ried on June 3, 1961. Zoe Smart, home manager at Cranford Grange, said: “Reaching 65 and 60 years of marriage is an extraordinary achievement. “Everyone here has enjoyed cele- brating this special milestone with the happy couples. “Both couples never cease to amaze us with their wisdom. “It’s been wonderful to recog- nise such significant days for both couples alongside their fellow resi- dents and our team members.