Cheshire Independent Issue 218

SEPTEMBER 2026 4 TATTON MP Esther McVey has hosted her first Politics Summer School. Ms McVey came up with the idea after being contacted by large numbers of young peo- ple across the constituency wanting to do work experience with her. The young people aged 16 to 18 experienced a taster of “everything politics” from speech writing to the passage of a Bill through Parliament (the complete process on how something becomes law); to hearing from the House of Commons head of outreach on how Parliament works. The summer school also looked at the plethora of careers in politics besides being an MP, from being a political journalist to holding other political offices; work- ing for an MP in the role of a parliamentary caseworker or researcher; working for a government minister as a Special Adviser (SpAd); or working as a civil service in non-partisan roles. Ms McVey said: “As part of an introduction into speech writing, each person wrote a speech on a topic of their choosing and then debated it with the other students. Some of the topics covered were assisted dying, proportional representation, abolishing the monarchy, VAT at on private school fees and abolishing tuition fees. I was mightily impressed by their research and oratory. “I’ve always offered work experience to Tatton students since I was first elected and I will continue to do so. This summer school was born out of the growing interest in politics by Tatton students so I thought I would do something a bit different this summer and I am glad I did. “I had a great time with the young people and have received some fantastic feed- back. I am delighted they took something from it.” Ms McVey also arranged for the students to hear from Wilmslow born and bred GB news presenter Patrick Christys, Conservative may- oral candidate for Cheshire and Warrington Ben Fletcher, as well as Gillian, head of education outreach from the House of Commons who provided an overview of Par- liament and explained how both the House of Commons and House of Lords run and Award winning Parliamen- tary Staffer of the Year Olivia O’Mahoney. CHESHIRE East Council has introduced a new ‘Letters to Loved Ones’ post box scheme across its cemeteries – provid- ing visitors with a unique and meaningful way to remember and stay connected with fam- ily members and friends who have passed away. The specially-designed post boxes have been installed at cemeteries in: Crewe,Meadow Brook, Sandbach, Nantwich, Alderley Edge, Wilmslow, Congleton and Macclesfield. A further post box is due to be installed at Weston Cemetery in the comingweeks. The initiative offers visitors an opportunity to write mes- sages to loved ones they have lost, whether to share memo- ries, mark anniversaries and birthdays, express thoughts and feelings – or simply con- tinue a conversation that remains close to their heart. The letters will be handled with dignity and respect and with complete confidential- ity. Letters won’t be opened or read. They will be collected THE owner of a partially destroyed church says he remains ‘very committed’ to its transformation. Emergency services were called to St John the Bap- tist’s Church in Bolling- ton after a large part of its roof collapsed. Entrepreneur Mark Simp- kin purchased the property over a decade ago, securing planning permission to con- vert it into 13 apartments in October 2010. However, he then went through a ‘very difficult per- sonal period’ as his marriage broke down, resulting in him losing 50% of his assets. At this point, the cost of the developing the church, first built in the 1830s, was around £2 million. “It knocked the project back badly,” Mr Simpkin said. “Once I was back on my feet, we went to re-establish the planning permission. “Cheshire East took the view that we hadn’t made a ‘meaningful start on-site, even though we believed we had we’d begun interior works and moved headstones. “By this point, the cost of the conversion had risen from roughly £2 million to over £4 million, which made the original scheme finan- cially unviable.” Mr Simpkin continued: “We applied to increase the scheme from 13 to 16 apartments to help make the numbers work. That was refused. “We currently have an application in for 13 apart- ments, but on its own it isn’t financially viable, we need enabling development per- mission alongside it to make the project deliverable. “I know a lot of people in Bollington have been incred- ibly supportive, and I’m grate- ful for that. But I also know people are forming opinions without the full picture, and that’s been hard to sit with. I won’t be commenting fur- ther on the personal side of this, anyone who wants to follow the project can do so through Bollington’s commu- nity channels. “Thank you for bearing with me and be reassured that me and my two sons are very committed to this project.” A spokesperson for Bolling- ton Town Council added: “The collapse is undoubtably tragic and has caused waves of emo- tion through the community.” FAMILIES, councillors and project partners joined Cheshire East Council at West Park in Macclesfield to celebrate the official opening of the park’s new ‘Showstopper’ play tower. The event marked the com- pletion of a major investment in the park, with local fam- ilies enjoying refreshments and activities as they explored the new play equipment for the first time. The impressive new play tower was chosen by local residents following a public vote that attracted more than 1,500 responses. Cheshire East Council delivered the project with funding support fromMacclesfield Town Coun- cil, replacing an ageing play structure that had reached the end of its lifespan. At the heart of the instal- lation is a large, multi-level play tower featuring climbing walls, ladders, tunnels and an ‘extreme’ tube slide, creating an exciting and challenging space for children to play, explore and be active. The new equipment is the largest single play installation of its kind in Cheshire East and is expected to become a focal point for families visiting West Park for years to come. Councillor David Jefferay, Cheshire East Council’s cab- inet member for environment, sustainability and waste management, said: “This is a fantastic improvement for West Park and a great exam- ple of how we’re working with partners to enhance our parks for local families. “The response from resi- dents has been brilliant, and it’s clear the ‘Showstopper’ is going to be a real centrepiece for West Park. “It was wonderful to see so many families enjoying the new equipment and making the most of this exciting new addition to the park.” Councillor Emma Gilman, Cheshire East Council ward member for Tytherington and Macclesfield Town Council- lor, said: “We’re delighted to support this exciting improve- ment at West Park, which is such a valued space for the town. “ C ou n c i l l o r Dav i d Edwardes and I worked hard to secure additional funding from both Macclesfield Town Council and Cheshire East The roof of St John the Baptist’s Church in Bollington has collapsed (Image: Supplied) Church roof collapses MP hosts Summer School to get a taste of politics The new‘Showstopper’ tower is open at Maccles!eld’sWest Park (Image: Cheshire East Council) New ‘Showstopper’ play tower ‘Letters to Loved Ones’ post box scheme launched and returned to the cemetery grounds through compost- ing process, allowing them to contribute to the natural environment and support new growth within the ceme- tery landscape. Council, enabling us to deliver a play area that goes above and beyond expectations, com- plete with a fantastic show- stopper attraction for local children to enjoy. “It was fantastic to see so many families at the open- ing, making the most of the new equipment and sharing in the excitement of what this investment will bring to the community. “This is a great example of what can be achieved when councils work together for local people, and I am look- ing forward to seeing gener- ations of children enjoy this wonderful facility for many years to come.” The project forms part of Cheshire East Council’s ongoing work to maintain and improve parks and green spaces across the borough.