Hale Independent Issue 195

AUGUST 2026 2 No part of this publicationmay be used or reproduced without the express permission of the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure that the articles and advertisements that are carried are authentic, however the publisher accepts no responsibility for claims made. © Investors in Publishing Ltd 2026. This newspaper is publishedmonthly by Investors in Publishing, Publishing House, 3 Bridgebank Industrial Estate,Taylor Street, Horwich, Bolton BL6 7PD. 01204 478812 EDITOR Mike Hulme mike@independentnewspapers.co.uk CONTACT JayneMeadowcroft 01204 478812 07703 045189 jayne@independentnewspapers.co.uk ADVERTISING Robin Atkins 07767 840274 robin@cheshireindependent.co.uk CONTACT US SHOWROOM: 410 Flixton Road, Flixton M41 6QY DOMESTIC & COMMERCIAL ROLLERS - ROMANS - WOOD VENETIANS - VERTICALS bd BLINDS DIRECT Flixton For a FREE no obligation quote call: 0161 749 8525 TICKETS are now on sale for the 10th year of Christmas at Dun- hamMassey, running from 20th November to 2nd January. Dunham Massey’s popular Christmas light trail is set to return this winter with an all- new illuminated route through the National Trust estate, marking the event’s 10th year. Christmas at Dunham Massey 2026 will see the historic house and gar- dens transformed after dark into a mile-long trail of light and sound installations, with new displays in the gardens and, for the first time this year, projections across the grand facade of the house itself. Produced by interna- tionally acclaimed light trail creators, the experi- ence pairs seasonal music with large-scale visual displays, with organis- ers promising plenty of photo opportunities along the route. Entry is timed and capacity is limited, so early booking is advised to secure preferred dates and arrival times. • Adults: £19.50 off peak, £28.00 peak • Children (3-16): £13.00 off peak, £19.00 peak • Infants (0-2): Free Tickets are available now at premier.ticketek. co.uk A FREE detec - tive-themed trail is coming to Altrin- cham town centre this summer, challenging families to solve a football-inspired who- dunnit before the new season kicks off. The Case of the Missing League Ball, launched by Altrincham BID, runs until Monday 31 August. The self-guided trail asks budding detectives to work out who has sto- len the brand-new league ball ahead of the foot- ball season. Clues are hidden along a route through the town centre, with each one revealing something about the mystery thief. Participants eliminate suspects one by one until only the culprit remains – discovering some of Altrincham’s shops and businesses along the way. Taking part is free. Families can download the Visit AltrinchamApp and head to the Tours section to start the trail. A list of suspects is avail- able in the app, or as a printed Suspect List from Everyman Altrincham. Detectives who solve the mystery can return to Everyman Altrin- cham to collect a sweet treat, and will be entered into a prize draw to win a family ticket to an Altrincham Football Club home game of their choice. Mandy White, Altrin- cham BID Director, said: “We’re delighted to be bringing this fun, family-friendly trail to Altrincham this sum- mer. It’s a fantastic way for families to explore the town together, enjoy a lit- tle friendly competition and discover everything Altrincham has to offer.” The app also features the Discover Altrincham: A Journey Through Time heritage trail, local events listings and busi- ness offers. The trail runs through- out the school holidays and is open to detectives of all ages. DAVENPORT Green Hall has fallen into disrepair and emer- gency action now needs to be taken to stop it from further ruin, planning documents reveal. The Grade II building, in Hale Barns, dates back to the year 1617. It is linked to Richard Grantham, a commander during the English Civil War, and recognised as a ‘monument of exceptional architectural and his- toric interest’. But rotting timbers, ‘ongoing struc- tural movement’ and ‘significant historic deformation’ feature in the list of concerns raised over its cur- rent condition. The hall, off Shay Lane, needs emergency repairs to prevent further deterioration and a plan to save it has been submitted to Trafford Council by applicants Dr Noman Ehsan and Mr Asim Zafar. The applicants are seeking permis- sion to convert part of the building’s ground floor into a ‘boutique coffee bar.’ They say this will help fund the required repairs. The remainder of the building would be retained in its exist- ing residential use. The scheme would not be the first time the historic setting has been opened up to the public. The wider estate, which also includes The Coach House and The Cheshire Barn, became a point of local notoriety in the 2010s after its then owners were ordered to pay more than £60,000 for breaching food hygiene and safety laws. At the time, it was considered to be an upmarket wedding destination charging up to £14,500 for a couple’s A WOMAN from Sale has com- pleted a 155-mile trek to raise money for charity. Simone Haworth took on the challenge just a year after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND), a terminal neuro- logical condition that affects the brain and nerves. Ms Haworth was diagnosed after noticing changes in her speech and now relies on a voice app to communicate. She said: “The travelling bug has always been my thing and hikes have always been my pas- sion and volunteering is nowmy thing as I can no longer work. “I started losing my voice a while back and then a friend asked if I’dhada strokedue tomy mouth drooping. “That prompted me to see my doctor straight away and they referred me to Salford Royal Hospital after a check at the Altrincham Health and Wellbeing Centre.” Originally from Namibia, Ms Haworth has lived in the area for more than 30 years. Despite her diagnosis, she remained determined to take part in the trek, from Porto in Portugal to Santiago de NEWS IN BRIEF TWO independent food businesses in Altrincham town centre have closed down. Fusion Plate Altrincham and Jenna Patties, located just a couple of doors apart on Moss Lane, have both shut up shop. LOCAL families can again access free pre- loved school uniforms ahead of the new school year. Stretford Community Hub who will be hosting a free pop-up uniform week until August 25. Eligible parents can simply turn up at the Hub, based at Stretford Public Hall on Chester Road, to pick up uniforms and shoes. Football whodunnit Christmas at Dunham Davenport Green Hall needs emergency action (Image: Google Earth) Emergency plan to save historic hall areas would remain completely sepa- rate from the new use, with a ‘private’ and ‘secure’ entry corridor and ‘acous- tically considered partitions’. The scheme would ‘secure the vital investment required to execute emer- gency structural stabilisation’ without losing the building’s ‘unique residential character’, the applicants argue. Simone Haworth (Image: Supplied) Simone completes 155-mile trek after MND diagnosis big day. The company behind it, Dav- enport Green Hall Ltd, pleaded guilty to ten food hygiene and two health and safety offences at Trafford Magistrates’ Court in 2014. Dr Ehsan and Mr Zafar acknowl- edged the problems previously discov- ered at the venue, but said these were related to the adjacent barns and not the hall itself. They added: “Those his- toric issues relate to the adjacent venue operation and should not be treated as a reason to resist the sensitive reuse of Davenport Green Hall itself. “The Hall can be controlled through its own operational framework, includ- ing conditions relating to opening hours, servicing hours, waste collec- tion hours, external lighting, ampli- fied music, outdoor seating and a final Operational Management Plan.” Under the plan, the ground floor of the building would be remodelled, with new fittings, kitchen facilities, toilets and improved access added. Residential Compostela in Spain. She com- pleted the journey in 15 days alongside a friend she met while walking the Camino Frances in 2024, before her diagnosis. Ms Haworth said: “We smashed it in 15 days and loved it. Walking is my therapy now and I’m determined to keep my muscles functioning. “Iwant to fight back for as long as I can never just give up. “I’m thinking about doing a tandem skydive to raise more funds for the Association – I’ve never done one before so it will be a good experience forme.” Funds raised from the trek will support the Manchester and District Branch of the MNDAssociation. To advertise in the Independent, contact our team on 01204 478812