Patriotism means different things to different people. For some, it's about flying the Union Flag or St George's Cross. For others, it's the values we see as British.

For me, patriotism starts much closer to home. Yes, I'm proud to be British and English — cheering on the Lionesses this summer was an absolute joy for example. I proudly wear Three Lions on my chest during tournaments and the Union Flag when cheering on Lewis Hamilton at the British Grand Prix. But my real pride is rooted not just in my country, but in my hometown: Macclesfield.

To be clear, I welcome seeing Union Flags and the St George's Cross being on display more (providing it's done in a safe and legal manner!). They're powerful symbols for many, and I'd never tell anyone otherwise. It is a deeply troubling that, across the country, we are seeing a rise in hate and division; fighting a culture war gets us nowhere and is the opposite of patriotism. Britishness, as we all take for granted, is inspired by a beautiful blend of different cultures from across the globe, and we should embrace that. Because for me, patriotism extends beyond flags and symbols. 

Too often, I see people online talking our town down. We've all read the comments: "the town centre is dead" or "there's nothing to do." And I get it — there's untapped potential here. Of course it's disheartening to see issues such as empty units and antisocial behaviour.

But that's not the full story of Macclesfield.

'For me, patriotism extends beyond flags and symbols' (Credit: Nub New)

This weekend's 1261 Festival was a perfect reminder of the best of our town. Thousands came together to enjoy a fantastic parade and activities arranged by Macclesfield Town Council that served as a celebration of our town's vibrancy, creativity and quirks. It was a day of nothing but joy, positivity and fun for all the family.

Our independent businesses felt it too. At Flour, Water, Salt the queue was huge. Cafés, shops and stalls all saw uplifts in customers. And through my work leading on Transport for the Town Council, our latest Free Bus Day saw residents travel easily to and from the event — showing how small but practical steps can make a real difference.

Moments like these show why I love this town, its people and its businesses. They remind me why I've dedicated the last six years of my life to public service as a councillor. My goal is simple: to help Macclesfield grow into the very best place to live, work and raise a family.

Outside of the Town Centre, we have fantastic sporting institutions such as our successful football club putting Macclesfield firmly on the map. We have AstraZeneca as a global hub for life-saving medicines. There's so much positivity that often gets lost amongst the criticism.

Of course challenges remain - we can't pretend the town centre doesn't face difficulties, as many towns across the country do. But the answer isn't constant negativity — it's working together to find solutions. Whether through events that bring people in, support for our thriving independents, or improvements to transport and public spaces, we can build on the things that make Macclesfield special.

That's why collaboration is key. We won't always agree on every step forward, but we share the same love for our town. And when we come together — residents, businesses, community groups, and the council — we achieve more than any one of us could alone.

My patriotism is rooted in that belief: that by serving our community, by celebrating our uniqueness and by supporting one another, we can shape a brighter future.

While I remain a Councillor, my promise is to stay accessible, open and understanding. You may not agree with my politics or views, but I'll continue to work to ensure that Macclesfield thrives. Because what matters most to me isn't just pride in a flag — it's pride in the place we call home.

Macclesfield at its best is welcoming, creative, and resilient. Let's keep building on that. Together, we can ensure future generations see this town not as something to talk down, but as something to celebrate. Our community spirit is something we should champion, and rather than divide I hope we can all remember what I perceive to be the best of British values: tolerance, empathy and collectiveness.

For me, that's what patriotism really looks like. And there's nowhere better to fight for, celebrate and serve than Macclesfield. I hope we can all share in that pride.

As always, my email inbox is always open to anyone locally - please feel free to get in touch: [email protected]

Councillor James Barber-Chadwick

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