News in Macclesfield

Macclesfield residents are being given the chance to have their say on a new housing strategy for vulnerable and older people.

The Cheshire East Council proposed strategy sets out the approach and key priorities for ensuring older or vulnerable residents can access the right type of housing across the borough.

The Fallibroome Trust which runs nine schools – including five in Macclesfield - has unveiled plans for the return of the first tranche of pupils next month.

But trust CEO Peter Rubery acknowledges that while measures are designed to reduce the risk of coronavirus infection it can not be eliminated and parents and colleagues "will make their own judgement about the acceptance of risk".

Macclesfield's town centre pavements could be widened to aid social distancing after the council said it would be examined as part of the coronavirus response.

Cheshire East Council confirmed at its cabinet meeting earlier this month that they were looking into several options to ensure residents can be outdoors safely in their towns, as lockdown restrictions start to slowly ease.

Macclesfield's East Cheshire Hospice - celebrating its 32nd birthday today (Wednesday 20 May) - has issued a last-minute call to the local community to support a special initiative to help boost the spirits of nursing staff.

The hospice wants to compile a montage of video messages from supporters to share with the dedicated team.

Cheshire East Council has announced that pupils will return to Macclesfield's schools in a "phased opening".

Following discussions between the council, teaching unions, school heads and the Cheshire East parent carer forum, a programme of a phased wider opening of education settings is to take place. This will see a two-week period to allow staff to prepare classrooms and implement the significant changes that need to be made to ensure safe working practices with smaller numbers of children and young people.

Two brothers who go to King's School Macclesfield have been going the extra mile to put a smile on the faces of patients and raise funds and supplies for the hospital and East Cheshire Hospice.

Alex, 10, and James Price, 12, have both taken on separate fundraising campaigns to raise over £1,000 for their chosen causes.

Great sundew (Drosera anglica), one of England's few carnivorous plants, has been re-introduced into a secret location managed by Cheshire Wildlife Trust this week.

Whilst many think of carnivorous plants as exotic man-eaters from jungle films, great sundew has a much smaller appetite.

Tesco in Macclesfield is on the hunt for recruits to fill five positions that have recently opened up due to the increasing demand for online shopping during the lockdown.

The company said in the advert: "With the COVID-19 situation evolving every day, and unprecedented high demand, we urgently need to recruit extra temporary in-store colleagues. Working in our stores, you'll play a key role in keeping our shelves stocked, helping our customers get what they need during this challenging time."

A ferret rescued by the Macclesfield branch of the RSPCA is to be put to sleep after being found dumped in wheelie bin.

The albino ferret was found in a "terrible state" on Sunday by an Abbey Road resident who then took the bin into his shed to keep it sheltered until a branch volunteer could collect it the following day.

33 Macclesfield households and business premises suffered a power cut last (18th May) night following a fault at a local substation.

A spokesperson for Electricity North West said: "Our engineers attended site immediately and were able to restore power to all customers within the hour at 10:43pm.