Cheshire Independent Issue 197

3 FEBRUARY 2025 Visit our website: www.independentnewspapers.co.uk NEWS IN BRIEF MACCLESFIELD lit up the new year with a new town centre event. Northern Light attractions included a giant illuminated helter- skelter in Market Place, as well as fire pits for toasting marshmallows and a range of street entertainment including a fire show. POYNTON Civic Hall has hosted a new year Volunteers Fair. Organisers called on people thinking about volunteering to come along and meet local charities. THE mayor of Macclesfield’s Burns Night Ceilidh at the town hall was a sellout. The event raised funds for the mayor’s charities. THE deadline for applications for Macclesfield Town Council’s latest round of community grants is Monday February 3. Community groups and charities can apply online by visiting the council’s website. Grants range in size from up to £100 to up to £2,000. A RETIRED maths teacher is urging people to take part in research following his life-chang- ing experience on a study trialling a treatment for a condition that severely blocked his nose. Alan Towse, 74, who lives with his wife Linda, in Bramhall, enjoys photogra- phy and after his retire- ment developed an interest in beekeeping. Now, thanks to medical research, he can once again smell the honey he produces. Almost 12 years ago Alan developed a constant runny nose, lost his sense of smell and taste and started to suf- fer from headaches. After undergoing tests, he was diagnosed with severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, a condition that causes severe inflam- mation in the sinuses and nose. He was prescribed nasal sprays along with steroid tablets but they did not work for him, and Alan felt really despondent after suffering for so many years. In addition, he had a fear of hospitals which affected how he engaged with health- care and he was too scared to undergo surgery offered to patients with the condition. However, about 18 months ago, Alan was approached by the research team at Step- ping Hill Hospital, part of Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, to see if he wanted to go on a clinical trial looking at a new treatment option. The study, supported by the NIHR Research Deliv- ery Network, involved partic- ipants being given either the research drug or a placebo administered by injection. Alan agreed to take part in the study, generously donating his time to attend appointments each month for one-and-a-half years. Different participants are likely to have different expe- riences when taking part in research. However, following a couple of months on the study, Alan began to regain his sense of smell and taste, which greatly improved his quality of life. He said: “It’s the simple things. I smelt fresh coffee for the first time in 10 years, I can smell the onions cooking on the Christmas markets. It has improved my life so much. I would urge anyone who has the chance to go on a research study to do it and I hope others can benefit.” As part of his involvement, Alan also completed a daily diary on a provided mobile device. On completing the diary questionnaires, he said: “After a couple of days, it became very familiar, answering the questions to measure my smell and taste and it only took around seven or eight minutes to complete.” Abigail Pemberton, the clinical research nurse work- ing on the trial, said: “We are very grateful to patients like Alan who donate their time to help future patients by improving the treat- ment options available through research. “It is very rewarding as a research nurse when you can offer patients, especially the ones who have exhausted all treatments, hope and then see the direct benefits. “Alan benefited by taking part in research by helping himself and exploring other treatment options available through research. We have seen how his symptoms have improved greatly since being on the study. “The process has also helped him to overcome or face his fears of hospitals, which can only be a good thing, giving him the confi- dence to engage in healthcare services in the future.” SPECIAL REPORT ‘I smelt fresh coffee for the first time in 10 years’ Alan’s life changing research experience Trial: Alan Towse has regained his sense of smell Research centre: Stepping Hill Hospital MANCHESTER City legend Joe Corrigan spoke of his proud links to East Cheshire Hospice as the club’s fans cel- ebrated his MBE in the New Year’s Honours list. The former goalkeeper men- tioned the charity when receiving a rapturous reception in front of 53,000 fans at City’s home game with West Ham. Joe, from Tytherington, received the award for services to charitable fundraising. His role as a hospice patron includes supporting fundraising campaigns and visiting foot- ball-loving patients. Joe, whomade 603 appearances for City between 1967 and 1983 and played nine time for England, said the honour took him by surprise. He said: “Words can’t describe it – it was totally unbelievable and I’m still in a bit of state of shock. “It’s just an amazing honour to even be considered. My first emo- tion was one of disbelief. “It’s the highest honour you can get. I got the envelope and, on the cover, it said: ‘On His Majesty’s Service’. At first, I thought it was a tax bill! But then when I opened it and read the contents, I just filled up.” Joe would visit fans in hospital with teammates in his playing days. He said: “Now I’m in a posi- tion where I’ve got a little bit more free time to be able to do more charitable things. “I’m an ambassador for East Cheshire Hospice which is a huge honour and I’m also so proud to be chairman of City’s Former Players Association, where we raise and donate money to a host of charities.” THE banks of a Cheshire canal collapsed on New Year’s Day after parts of the UK were battered by heavy rainfall. Fields near the vil- lage of Little Bollington, which is close toDunham Massey, were swamped with water pouring from the Bridgewater Canal. Cheshire Police said nearby properties were evacuated and a section of the M56 had to be closed. The breach left boats in the dewatered section stranded. Tatton MP Esther McVey has called for actionplans toensure the “best flood prevention” in future, backed with extra government cash if necessary. The heavy rain also caused flooding on many roads including the A34 Alderley Edge bypass.PartsofStockport were also badly affected. Big Joe’s pride in hospice link Rain and floods greet new year