Hale Independent Issue 180

JUNE 2025 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 2025. This newspaper is publishedmonthly by Investors in Publishing, Publishing House, 3 Bridgebank Industrial Estate,Taylor Street, Horwich, Bolton BL6 7PD. 01204 478812 EDITOR Ged Henderson ged@hendersonnewsandmedia.com CONTACT JayneMeadowcroft 01204 478812 or 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 visitors and looking after books and other resources. Becoming a volunteer can also kickstart a new career. Three vol- unteers recently progressed to jobs with Trafford Council. Mark Prike began volunteering at Urmston Library in 2017 after a Job Centre worker suggested it as a way to pick up new skills. Now he is working part-time as a library and digital advisor. He said: “I’ve enjoyed pitching in with the team to help with day-to- day activities and connecting with visitors. Now I have a job working in this amazing community space. “My advice to anyone thinking about volunteering is, take the plunge and give it a go – your enthusiasm and hard work will be valued.” fellow library and digital advisor at Urmston, Clare Phelps worked in electronics and manufacturing when she started volunteering at Stretford Library on Saturdays. She said: “I learned a whole new way of working. I gained valuable skills. The staff were fun, sup- portive and kind. If I hadn’t vol- unteered, I’d still be stuck in a rut. “For anyone thinking about volunteering I’d say think about your goals – is it for your career, to refresh the skills you have, or simply to socialise? Don’t talk yourself out of it – be consistent, it will pay off!” Ophelia Phelps is another Trafford Libraries’ success story. She worked for fashion brands before having children and was keen for a fresh start when she began volunteering. This led to her completing a Level Three Library, Information and Archive Services apprentice- ship while in her current role. She said: “Volunteering gave me a fresh start. There are so many different jobs to do in the library. I love it, it’s not just about shelving and straightening! I do story time and crafts and help at events.” A POLICE operation targeting anti-social behaviour on motor- bikes, e-bikes and quadbikes con- tinues to make its mark. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) say that since its launch last June a number of arrests have been made and bikes seized from across the region. A GMP spokesperson said: “Our officers dealt with more than 500 incidents during the first four months of the operation, making more than 50 arrests and seizing more than 125 bikes. “The anti-social use of these vehicles causes misery within communities with districts running daily operations to deal with those who continue to cause danger and misery to those using the region’s roads and open spaces. “We have sadly seen incidents in recent times leave innocent members of the public with serious injuries and in some cases, fatalities.” MORE retail units are planned for Altrincham’s blossoming Stamford Quar- ter as its impressive transfor- mation continues. Property group Bruntwood and Trafford Council have submitted a planning application to rede- velop the former Poundland store. If the work gets the go-ahead the 7,000 sq ft space will be divided into three units, with the development designed to enhance the retail offering in the Stam- ford Quarter. The new plans form part of the major regeneration of The Stam- ford Quarter, which includes the creation of Foundation, a thriv- ing, collaborative workspace and leisure destination. With a living biophilic wall on the building’s external façade, it is also now home to leading independent and national hospi- tality brands. Last year the quarter saw a raft of openings including Moun- tainWarehouse and the first IRL concept store for major online retailer LOOKFANTASTIC. David Charlton, head of asset management at Bruntwood, said: “The Stamford Quarter has undergone an ambitious and suc- cessful transformation over the past 12 months. “It’s been brilliant to see a myriad of popular independ- ent and national businesses settle into the area, along with refreshed public spaces and how this has added life and colour to the high street. “This new development will solidify the area as a thriving town-centre destination, which will continue to serve the local community for years to come.” Liz Patel, Trafford’s executive member for economy and regener- ation, said: “The Stamford Quar- ter has become a fantastic place to visit, shop and do business. “This latest development will help it continue to evolve, attracting new and different traders and providing more rea- sons for people to spend time and money here.” The Stamford Quarter cele- brated a groundbreaking end to 2024 with a growing number of visitors enjoying its many attrac- tions new openings and new pub- lic realm improvements. Putting art in the shop window THE AltrinchamBID teamhas partnered with Trafford Col- lege to create a vibrant town- wide art exhibition. Now an annual event, the exhi- bition, which runs until June 24, will feature a wide range of art- work by Trafford College students, displayed in shop and business windows throughout Altrincham. Each piece is accompanied by a short description and a QR code linking to a digital gallery hosted on the college’s website, allowing visitors to explore the full exhibi- tion online. A downloadable map showing all the artwork locations is also available at VisitAltrincham.com, helping visitors navigate the trail and discover each piece. Jane Andrew, head of art and design at Trafford College, said: “We’re thrilled to continue this inspiring collaboration with Altrin- cham BID and local businesses. “What began as a creative solu- tion during the pandemic has grown into an annual celebration of student talent. The quality, ambition and originality of the work this year is exceptional, and we’re incredibly proud of what our students have achieved.” Mandy White, Director of Altrincham BID, added: “This exhibition is a brilliant exam- ple of how partnerships between education and local business can enhance our town centre. “It’s great to work with Trafford College again, and we encourage everyone to explore the displays, support the students, and celebrate the vibrant creativity they bring to Altrincham. “We’re very grateful to the businesses who’ve offered their windows for the exhibition - their support is key to making this event such a success.” A CALL has been made for more library volunteers to come forward in Trafford. Around 40 people give their time at 11 libraries in the bor- ough – but more are needed to cover a myriad of jobs helping Library volunteers needed Reclaiming the streets Police tackle bike menace Stamford Quarter’s growth journey continues Latest plan: An artist’s impression of the new units (Photo credit: Bruntwood) GMP has used data to devise a strategy and to highlight districts that have the highest reported ASB inci- dents and high-risk routes in Greater Manchester. The spokesperson said: “Our officers will be in these areas along with units from our Specialist Operations Branch, which includes units such as Roads Policing (RPU), Drone and Motorcy- cle Unit and the National Police Air Service (NPAS). “They will join neighbourhood teams in these districts in turning out to those specific hotspot areas to deter, detect and disrupt offences from taking place. “We understand the frustration residents feel by reckless riding, and we’re deploying every resource at our disposal - from specialist officers to cutting-edge surveillance technol- ogy - to identify offenders and hold them accountable. “This isn’t just about enforcement; it’s about reclaiming our streets and ensuring families can enjoy their neigh- bourhoods without fear or disturbance. “We’re sending a clear message: if you choose to ride anti-socially in Greater Manchester, we will find you, and you will face the consequences.”