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Operations delayed at Macclesfield Hospital after virus outbreak

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:50:02 -0000

Bosses have been battling for over a week to halt the spread of the Diorrhea and Vomiting virus (D&V) at the hospital on Victoria Road.

A total of four wards have had to be closed which has limited the number of beds available to patients. Three of the wards, Wards 10, 4, and 6 have now re-opened but a fourth, Ward 5, has been shut.

Fire crews tackle farm blaze

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:31:17 -0000

Macclesfield firefighters were called to a 'Dutch barn' in North Rode at the weekend when a number of wooden pallets and cardboard caught alight.

The crews were called to a farm on Shellow Lane at 12.36pm, on Saturday, February 4, and used two water jets to extinguish the fire.

Unions vow to minimise AstraZeneca redundancies

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:59:03 -0000

Union bosses have warned that job cuts by pharmaceuticals giant AstraZeneca will be a blow to the UK economy and have vowed to minimise compulsory redundancies.

Two more wards closed at Macclesfield Hospital as health bosses battle to halt virus spread

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:43:15 -0000

The Langley Unit, formerly Ward 10, was closed last week to try and limit the spread of the Diarrhoea and Sickness (D&S) virus.

That ward has today been re-opened but Wards 4 and 6, the Respiratory and Orthopaedic wards, have been shut by the East Cheshire NHS Trust.

Council bins its waste plan after £500,000 fiasco

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:29:28 -0000

The council has withdrawn an application to itself to build a waste transfer station – after spending £500,000 of public money on site work without planning permission. The U-turn on the Lyme Green site pleased hundreds of Sutton residents who had campaigned against Cheshire East Council’s plan.

Thank you so much! Macmillan appeal smashes target and raises amazing £41k

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:35:00 -0000

A huge thank you to our readers who have smashed the target to raise £35,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support. We embarked on 2011 with the aim to make £35,000 – but you have managed to raise £41,400 in the charity’s centenary.

Two centuries of reporting the news and going strong

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:28:14 -0000

As The Express arrives at the end of its 200th year in print, we’ve got a lot to write about. To mark our double centenary starting on February 2, 2011, our year-long party has featured radio shows, open days and much more.

Council aims to freeze council tax and defer a decision on levy

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:19:01 -0000

Council tax is likely to be frozen in Cheshire East and residents in Macclesfield will be spared having to pay an extra charge for a year at least. The Conservative group on the council is proposing the basic rate remain the same for the second year running.

Now you can be hot on the trail of police with Twitter patrols

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:14:24 -0000

Police in Macclesfield have brought crime fighting into the social networking age by joining the website Twitter. Officers hope that publishing short updates on the site, known as ‘tweets’, will give the public a better insight into police work.

Mill is star as pioneer film looms into view

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:56:13 -0000

The town’s historic Paradise Mill came to life this week when a film crew used the working museum as a set. The Park Lane museum will appear in the Co-operative Group’s new film The Rochdale Pioneers, which tells the story of the Co-op movement which began in Rochdale in 1844.

School goes from ‘rock bottom’ to scale heights

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:39:11 -0000

A primary school on the verge of closure three years ago has been named as the second most improved in the country. Ash Grove on the Moss Estate, Macclesfield, hit ‘rock bottom’ in 2008 and was set to be closed, but it won an 11th-hour reprieve after a campaign by parents.

Policewoman injured during arrest on the Moss

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:29:56 -0000

A policewoman was taken to hospital after an assault during an arrest on the Moss last night.

Officers were called to a domestic incident on Mayfield Avenue at 9pm and a man was arrested.

‘Axe hovers over AstraZeneca jobs’

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:02:08 -0000

Speculation is rife that AstraZeneca will announce hefty job losses when the drugs giant posts its annual results on Thursday.

Analysts have estimated that up to 3,000 posts could be axed across the group, which employs about 7,000 staff at two sites in Cheshire and a total of 11,000 in the UK.

Hit-and-run driver knocks cyclist of her bike in Macclesfield

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:05:59 -0000

A hit-and-run driver knocked a cyclist off her bike in broad daylight and then drove off without stopping. It happened at the Sainsbury's roundabout in Macclesfield at 1.30pm today.

Praise for Cheshire Police's crime recording

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:02:57 -0000

The way Cheshire Police records crime has been rated excellent, according to a new report. It follows an audit of 120 crime reports Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary.

The inspectors analysed how accurately crimes - including burglary, robbery, vehicle crime and violence - were recorded and if appropriate action had been taken.

New rescue boat for Cheshire Fire and Rescue

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:01:52 -0000

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service has taken delivery of another water rescue boat. The county now has three state of the art inflatable craft.

Ward at Macclesfield hospital closed after outbreak of a diarrhoea and vomiting virus

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:20:59 -0000

Health bosses have shut down a ward at Macclesfield Hospital after an outbreak of a diarrhoea and vomiting virus.

The Langley Unit, formerly Ward 10, at the hospital was closed yesterday.

Driver from Sale who caused six-car crash in Macclesfield was too drunk to stand

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:59:03 -0000

A driver who caused a six-car smash was so drunk she could not stand up when police got to the scene. Lynn Knapton, 53, had drunk a large glass of wine and another of sherry before the crash involving five other cars just before Christmas. She had been drinking heavily the previous evening.

‘It’s fantastic’: Archbishop’s verdict on youth scheme - video

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:07:41 -0000

The Archbishop of York paid a visit to a pioneering youth group in Macclesfield as part of a tour of the region. Dr John Sentamu, the second most senior figure in the Church England, met members of the Cre8 group, which runs several projects for young people on the Moss estate.

Brian Cox: ‘I want PM to come to Jodrell Bank and be inspired like I was’ - video

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:07:17 -0000

Professor Brian Cox has challenged David Cameron to visit Jodrell Bank and formally recognise its importance on the world stage.

Mistake over address ends in a punch-up

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:04:50 -0000

A drunk punched an innocent man after knocking on his front door by mistake. Paul Barber, 31, was in the Golden Lion pub on Moss Lane shortly before the attack in August last year.

Fisheries boss to the rescue after Charlotte plunges into freezing lake

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:58:02 -0000

The boss of a fish farm rescued a little girl who plunged 3ft into a freezing lake as she was feeding trout. The owner of Danebridge Fisheries, Lorne Chadwick, grabbed Charlotte Farber after she slipped and disappeared under the icy water by a weir.

Charismatic teacher ‘was an inspiration to all pupils’

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:24:53 -0000

The King's School has paid tribute to one of its most charismatic and inspiring teachers, who has died following a battle with cancer. Deputy headteacher David Pook, 47, lived in Bollington and had taught religious studies and philosophy at King’s for the past seven years.

Holy smoke! My barge home has gone... but it's God’s will - video

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:15:24 -0000

A barge owner who lost his home and all his belongings after a blaze tore through his boat says the fire was ‘God’s will’. John Eastwood, 24, says he’s lucky to be alive after waking up to the fire and fleeing barefoot before grabbing fire extinguishers.

Fire crew tackles Gawsworth chimney blaze

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:55:28 -0000

Fire crews were called to Gawsworth Court, off Church Lane in the village at around 8pm yesterday.

They discovered a fire in the chimney stack of the property.

Row over Cheshire East Council recycling station plans

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:26:02 -0000

The council spent about £500,000 of public money on work for a new recycling station – without getting planning permission from itself.

Councillors have condemned the decision to start work at Lyme Green, Sutton. The work was stopped after protests.

Fire crews called after food blaze at elderly people's complex

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:17:48 -0000

Firefighters from Poynton and Wilmslow were called to Oaklands Court, Oak Grove, at 6.30pm last night.

Initial reports were of a fire in the property. On arrival they learnt it was a fire caused by a pan on a cooker.

Driver charged after car crashing into disused toilet block in Bollington

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:50:10 -0000

A man has been charged after a car crashed into a disused toilet block in Bollington. Police were called to Shirgley Road shortly after 4am on Sunday.

Firefighters help secure Esso garage sign damaged by high winds

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:27:24 -0000

Firefighters were called to a petrol station after a sign became unsafe during high winds.

A fire crew attended the Esso garage on Churchill Way at around 8:15 am on Sunday after reports of a dangerous structure

Probe launched after scrap set alight on Moss Estate

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:22:54 -0000

An investigation has been launched after a large amount of scrap was set alight on the Moss Estate.

Firefighters were called to Turf Lane at around quarter to 5 in the evening on Saturday.

Deaf people to get lifesaving advice

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:15:38 -0000

Deaf people from Macclesfield will be given lifesaving advice at a special event next week.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Deafness Support Network will be on hand to show the specialist equipment designed to alert them to a fire.

Video: Barge destroyed by fire on Macclesfield Canal

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:52:03 -0000

Firefighters were called to the Macclesfield Canal off Buxton Road, near the Puss in Boots pub, at 4.30pm yesterday.

They found the domestic barge well alight on arrival.

Police reveal under-25s were main culprits in drink-driver figures

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:28:41 -0000

Cheshire Police says between December 1 and January 1 a staggering 181 motorists were caught drunk behind the wheel on local roads over Christmas.

Analysis of the figures reveals 26 per cent of drivers arrested were under 25 and 39pc were under 30.

Have your say on how Cheshire Police spends its funding

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:26:40 -0000

People in Cheshire are being asked for their views on police spending for the coming financial year.

Owners of Land Rovers warned after spate of thefts

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:14:00 -0000

Eight of the vehicles have been stolen across Macclesfield and Wilmslow since the start of December.

Cheshire Police has been stopping Land Rovers to check they belong to the driver, but officers warned owners to take basic crime prevention steps.

Crime down over all across Cheshire East, but robberies up 26 per cent

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:48:31 -0000

Crime has fallen across Cheshire East, according to new figures.

Cheshire Police recorded 18,968 crimes between October 2010 to September 2011, a fall of 1,335 (seven percent) than the previous year.

Renault Clio set alight in Macclesfield

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:50:20 -0000

A car was torched in Macclesfield in the early hours of the morning.

Firefighters were called to Heapy Street at 1am.

Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire visits Macclesfield primary school

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:25:15 -0000

Pupils at a Macclesfield primary school enjoyed a music lesson with a difference, after a visit from the Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire.

David Briggs, who is the Queen's representative in the county, this morning dropped in at Ash Grove Primary School on the Moss Estate.

Pair escape from flat fire in Macclesfield

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:51:30 -0000

Clothes draped over an electric fire caused a flat fire. Firefighters were called to the blaze on Hibel Road, Macclesfield, at 8.15pm last night.

They found the fire was out on arrival in the first floor flat but used a fan to clear smoke.

Archbishop of York visits Macclesfield youth group

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:38:37 -0000

The Archbishop of York paid a visit to a pioneering youth group in Macclesfield today as part of a tour of the region.

John Sentamu, the second most senior figure in the Church England, met members of the Cre8 group, which runs several projects for young people on the Moss estate.

Video: Battle of skills for our young jobless

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:05:29 -0000

The young people of Macclesfield are crying out for jobs but employers just aren’t listening, according to local teenagers. Gathered around at table at King Edward Street’s Sovereign House, Josh Hall, Lorraine Hall, Lacey Baker, and Steph Bracegirdle, have all been job hunting for at least a year.

Man in court after jewellery stolen from care home

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:03:46 -0000

A man will appear at Crown Court charged with stealing jewellery from acare home.

Brian Leonard, 35, appeared at Macclesfield magistrates court charged with burglary after a box containing jewellery disappeared from Prestbury House Care Home on West Park Drive on January 12.

Jailed, drunk who pushed ex-girlfriend after a row

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:38:39 -0000

A drunken man who assaulted his ex-girlfriend then ripped a door off its hinges when he was told to leave her home, has been jailed. David Martin, 22, of Brynmore Drive, Macclesfield, got into a row with his former partner Karen Mcfarlane when he went to her house drunk, Macclesfield magistrates heard.

England goalie helps schools' sports facilities

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:33:50 -0000

A primary school is getting a helping hand from a former England goalkeeper to improve football facilities for youngsters. Christ the King School on The Moss wants to raise cash to improve its playing fields, allowing them to put in three new football pitches.

Shocking £31m cost of problem drinkers

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:18:57 -0000

A booze-busting campaign is targeting drinkers who cost the PCT more than £31m a year – with one incident costing services £10,000. Police, the council and health bosses are tackling alcohol abuse which costs the Central and Eastern Cheshire PCT £31.5m a year, increasing by more than £500,000 a year.

Street’s Tracy dazzles thanks to designer Slim

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:08:06 -0000

It's the Corrie wedding everyone’s been waiting for – and the designer behind the dress graces Macclesfield’s own cobbled streets. Couturier Slim Chadwick, based at Lower Withington, has been working in preparation for character Tracy Barlow’s marriage to Steve McDonald.

Claudia has long blonde ambitions

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:32:13 -0000

A young girl is proving she is a cut above after pledging to chop off her long blonde locks to help people with cancer. Claudia Cunningham, 10, of Mulberry Drive, Macclesfield, has been growing her hair – now 2ft long– since she was three.

Blessed inspiration in lock-keeper hunt

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:22:32 -0000

Volunteers are needed to take on the iconic role of ‘lock-keeper’ at Bosley Locks on the Macclesfield Canal. Brian Blessed, actor and adventurer, is backing the campaign.

We will help town’s traders says Tesco

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:08:45 -0000

Tesco has submitted plans for a multi-million pound superstore on the edge of town despite the company’s biggest sales dip in decades. The company’s share price fell by 15 per cent after its lowest Christmas sales figures for 20 years.

Police appeal for witnesses after crash in Disley

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:21:37 -0000

Police are appealing for witnesses after a crash in which a car failed to stop.

The incident happened on Buxton Old Road, close to Elizabeth Avenue, in Disley at around 8pm on Saturday.

Jodrell Bank scientist wins unfair dismissal case against Manchester University

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:21:44 -0000

A scientist who quit his job at Jodrell Bank after a bust-up with bosses has won an unfair dismissal case.

Dr Andrew Faulkner sued Manchester University after resigning from the Cheshire observatory, which it runs.

Chemical alert after Macclesfield man suffers burns while opening package

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 09:54:23 -0000

A chemical alert was triggered after a worker at a warehouse in Macclesfield suffered a reaction to a substance delivered to the company by mistake.

The man, an agency worker at Music Magpie, was investigated at Macclesfield Hospital for suspected chemical burns to his hands at about 4.30pm on Friday.

Police disappointment at Christmas drink-drive figures

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:40:37 -0000

Cheshire Police says between December 1 and January 1 a staggering 181 motorists were caught drunk behind the wheel on local roads.

Seven drivers tested positive for drugs when pulled over by police.

Council's multi-million pound plan to invest in local farmers

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:42:52 -0000

Councillors are planning to sell off swathes of farm land to invest in the next generation of farmers.

Cheshire East council owns a 5,119 acre estate worth more than £32m. It includes 73 farms, mostly dairy and livestock, woodland and dozens of farm buildings.

Celebrity gangster-turned-author hit with drink-drive ban

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 13:25:52 -0000

A celebrity gangster-turned-author has been banned from the road after being caught more than one-and-a-half times the drink-drive limit.

David Courtney, 52, was pulled over on the M6 in the early hours.

Police seeking cyclist as witness to crash which left man seriously injured

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:56:38 -0000

The incident happened on Burleyhurst Lane at around 4pm on Tuesday, January 10.

A blue Ford Fiesta was travelling along the road in the direction of Mobberley when it was overtaken by a Black Porsche Cayenne. The two vehicles collided and the Fiesta left the road and smashed into a tree and overturned.

Graffiti vandals in town centre rampage

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:21:40 -0000

Police are investigating three separate incidents of criminal damage in the town centre overnight.

One includes three garages on Bond Street which were sprayed with paint using the tag "RD".

Fire crews use platform to battle chimney fire

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:19:49 -0000

Crews were called to the blaze in a terraced house on Tunstall Road, Bosley, at 12.15am this morning.

They initially tackled the fire using chimney rods but were forced to use the hydraulic platform to put it out from above using a hose reel.

Macclesfield rugby star’s ban after shame of drink-drive smash

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 07:51:27 -0000

A Macclesfield rugby star who drove home drunk after his club’s Christmas party has been banned from the road for more than two years.

Matthew Simpson, 24, downed seven pints then crashed his car into a tree on the A538 in Mottram St Andrew at 11.30pm on December 10.

Dog is saved but owner homeless after house blaze

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:50:47 -0000

A dog was rescued when a blaze started by a cigarette tore through a house in Macclesfield leaving a woman homeless. Border collie Storm was trapped in the kitchen when the fire took hold at Dorset Walk, Upton Priory, on Saturday afternoon.

Protesters rally against plans for 50ft phone mast near a primary school

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:29:33 -0000

A primary school has hit out at plans to install a new mobile phone mast nearby. Vodafone wants to erect the 50ft-high pole on Moss Lane in a bid to improve signal in the area.

‘Jim would be so proud of this farewell’

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:57:39 -0000

Hundreds of mourners turned out for the funeral of former policeman Jim Genders on Monday, who tragically died just a week before Christmas. Jim, who was a town centre police officer for 30 years and played soprano cornet with Bollington Brass Band, died of a suspected heart attack on December 22.

Lifelong Macc fan has his ashes buried at the ground he loved so much

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:48:32 -0000

A lifelong fan of Macclesfield Town FC had his ashes buried at Moss Rose. The club allowed the rare honour to Eddie Furlong in recognition of his support which spanned five decades.

Snap-happy Lucy down in dumps after camera lost

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:25:02 -0000

The family of a little girl who lost her camera on New Year’s Eve with their only Christmas pictures on is hoping readers can help get it back.

Councillor case is adjourned

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:13:38 -0000

The case against a Macclesfield councillor accused of harassing his neighbours has again been adjourned. Brendan Murphy, Cheshire East councillor for Tytherington, is charged with pursuing a course of conduct which amounted to the harassment of Margaret and Christopher Boyd between November 2010 and July 2011.

Drink-driver shopped by his teenage son

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:06:40 -0000

Cops nabbed a drink driver – after he was shopped by his teenage son. David Howell was almost twice the limit when he was caught. The 51-year-old from Macclesfield was banned from driving for 18 months and fined £460.

Woman jumps from first-floor window to escape flat fire

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:35:34 -0000

A woman jumped from a first floor flat in the Hovis Mill on Saturday after a light switch caught fire.

The small fire was already out when fire crews from Macclesfield and Congleton arrived at the scene, on Union Road, shortly after 2pm.

Suspected burglar is scared off by neighbour

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:32:06 -0000

He was caught out smashing glass in order to enter the house on Robin Lane, Lyme Green.

The neighbour, who had just returned home, went into her garden to investigate. The man then fled the scene empty handed.

Elderly couple seriously hurt after being struck by car in Macclesfield

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 11:32:43 -0000

An 81 year-old man and his wife, who is 76, were crossing the road at the traffic lights on Mill Lane.

They were struck by a silver Vauxhall Vectra as it turned onto Mill Lane from Park Street.

Roads blocked by fallen trees after Macclesfield rocked by 60mph winds

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 10:30:06 -0000

Cheshire Police said the bad weather had taken 27 incidents relating to fallen trees, branches, power lines and debris in the road since 6am today.

Police confirmed that power lines fell at the roundabout in Chelford which links Chelford Road, Holmes Chapel Road, Peover Lane and Alderley Road.

Video: Workers axed as Macclesfield firm Churchill's Cabinets goes under with loss of 21 jobs

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 11:08:59 -0000

There was anger and confusion on Friday when staff turned up at at Churchill’s Cabinets, on Bond Street, to find the premises had been emptied and the locks changed.

Managing director Craig James Paterson said he was putting the business, which manufactures radiator cabinets, into voluntary liquidation because it could not afford safety improvements demanded by the Health and Safety Executive.