Cheshire Independent Issue 199

APRIL 2025 4 Clamping down on car meets CHESHIRE Police issued a dispersal order issued following reports of a planned car meet in Alder- ley Edge. The force said the order was issued after it had been made aware of a number of illegal car meets in the Wilmslow and Alderley Edge areas. In a statement it said: “The meets can attract hundreds of people, many in high powered motor vehicles driving danger- ously causing excessive noise and anti-social behaviour, all of which have caused alarm and distress to local residents. “As part of ongoing efforts to tackle the issue officers have now issued a dispersal order which will be in place from 10am on Saturday 15 March until 10pm on Sunday 16 March. “The order has been put in place following multiple reports of offences being commit- ted on the A34 over the last few weeks, as well as several social media messages about a car meet planned in the area this weekend. “Many of the messages suggest that the meet has been authorised by Cheshire Police. These messages are false, and Cheshire Police has not given authorisation to any car meets in the area. “Any criminal offences being committed will be dealt with robustly both during and post event.” Chief Inspector Zoe Bowden, head of Mac- clesfield Local Policing Unit, added: “I under- stand the frustration and anger that illegal car meets cause, and I hope that this dispersal order will provide reas- surance to local residents by demonstrating that we are taking action. “This is an ongoing problem in the local area, and I want to reassure residents that we are committed doing all we can to tackle the issue. “We have a zero-toler- ance approach to those who break the law, and I want to make it clear that action will be taken against anyone who breaches the dispersal order this weekend. “This could include vehicle seizures, pen- alty notices, notifying insurance companies, or arrest and prosecution where necessary. “This order is not aimed at people meeting in their cars peacefully, simply those disrupting local communities and acting in an anti-so- cial manner. “Our message is clear – anti-social behav- iour and anti-social use of vehicles will not be tolerated.” STRIKING artwork featuring pop legend Harry Styles has been unveiled at Holmes Chapel railway station. The work is one of sev- eral to be installed at the station that celebrate Harry’s home town and the surrounding area. The stunning piece in tribute to Harry Styles was created by local artists Eamonn Murphy and Victoria Holland. The international pop star, actor and song- writer features alongside local landmarks such as St Luke’s Church and Hermitage Bridge. C r a i g Ha r r o p , regional director for Northern, said: “Art- work that pays tribute to a local area – or in this case, a very famous for- mer resident – is always a welcome addition to a station. “This new artwork adds to the station’s personality and charm and will no doubt prove very popular with Harry Styles fans visiting the village.” Peter Whiers, chair of Holmes Chapel Part- nership that led on the creation of the artwork, added: “Eamonn and Victoria are both incred- ibly talented local artists and we are delighted with how they have brought our vision for this mural to life. “This new installation not only honours Harry Above: Crowd pleaser: The festival attracted many visitors to the town Right: Flag !ying: The 2020 festival adapted to the pandemic’s challenges Line drawing shows Harry in fine style Unveiling: The artwork is unveiled by TonyWright and Graham Blake of Northern (Photo credit: Northern Rail) Styles and the impact his global success has had on our community but also enhances the station and creates a colourful new welcome to the village.” In 2024 Northern employee Graham Blake was nominated for a National Rail Award for his work with Holmes Chapel Partnership to help fans of the sing- ers visiting the musi- cian’s hometown. Barnaby’s farewell on film Cultural celebration: LizWest at Christ Church (credit Travelling Simon) A FILM commissioned by Macclesfield Barnaby Festi- val (MBF) to celebrate all the event has delivered over the years premiered at a special event in Townley Hall. The final commission ‘Barnaby. Painting the Town’ set out to cap- ture the spirit of the event as well as celebrating how the festival enriched cultural life. Over the years it provided opportunities for artists to cre- ate new work and for people to participate in cultural activity in the town. Barnaby was established in 2010 and has, in recent years became a biannual event across venues in the town centre. Co-directed by father and son Mike and Danny Thorpe, the half hour documentary features some of the people involved in Barn- aby over the years, including art- ists, performers, volunteers, and team members. The film aims to act as a visual record and celebration of the past 15 years of creative ambition delivered by the festival as well as exploring its ups and downs. A digital copy of the film will be donated to North West Film Archive and will be available to view on its Vimeo channel. Mike is a graphic designer and artist based in Maccles- field while Danny was brought up in the town and works in sports broadcasting. Mike said: “We were keen the film didn’t feel too nostalgic or posthumous. Barnaby has had a positive impact on people within the town. “So many people were involved either producing work, or volun- teering and it had a real ripple effect, with many of them going on to do something else crea- tive. It really was a great thing for Macclesfield.” Danny added: “We couldn’t capture everything that Barn- aby created. It is our vision of the festival. We wanted to show- case its legacy, as well as touch on the challenges it faced. We also wanted to ask what comes next?” The film ends with a new piece of work written and performed by Ailsa Holland and Angie Aiken, which was filmed in Paradise Mill, part of the Silk Museum. The piece features original spoken word and new music per- formed on the cello and was writ- ten especially for Barnaby. A spokesperson for Maccles- field Barnaby Festival Trustees said: “There is sadness in saying goodbye to Barnaby but now is the right time for the festival to close and to celebrate all that has been achieved. “Barnaby leaves a strong leg- acy and can proudly say that it has been a catalyst and support for so many artists and groups who have established themselves in Macclesfield. “At the heart of the festival has been the community, its partnerships, its sense of place and distinctiveness. “We are grateful to all those who have supported Barnaby Festival over the years, either as trustees, volunteers, artists, partners, funders, or venues. We would not have been able to do this without them.”