Hale Independent Issue 190

APRIL 2026 4 ALTRINCHAM has turned pink once again with the com- munity coming together in the fight against breast cancer. The Paint Altrincham Pink campaign returned to the town’s events calendar in support of Pre- vent Breast Cancer, the charity based at the Nightingale Centre within Wythenshawe Hospital. Organised by Altrincham BID, the team behind Visit Altrin- cham, the campaign included a programme of fundraising events and awareness initiatives, all with the shared goal of supporting breast cancer prevention. A highlight of the campaign, the hugely popular Paint Altrin- cham Pink Fashion Show, returned for its fourth year in 2026. This year’s event was tak- ing place at Nell’s Pizza on George Street, promising an evening of style and fundraising fun. The fashion show featured col- lections from an exciting line-up of Altrincham retailers, with BBC North West presenter Annabel Tiffin hosting. Mandy White, Altrincham BID director, said: “The fashion show is a standout moment in the Paint Altrincham Pink calendar, the event has built a strong repu- tation for bringing together local businesses, supporters and fash- ion lovers, with previous years selling out well in advance. “Since its launch, Paint Altrin- cham Pink has raised an impres- sive £91,000 for the charity, and we are setting our sights on exceeding the £100,000 milestone in 2026.” This year’s programme also included the return of Pink the Rink in partnership with Man- chester Storm and a special charity screening of Grease at Everyman Altrincham. Throughout the campaign, businesses across Altrincham once again got behind the cause by decorating shop windows in pink displays, hosting bake sales, creating special edition pink prod- ucts from cakes to cocktails, and organising their own fundrais- ing initiatives. Mandy said: “Paint Altrincham Pink has become a standout moment in the town’s calendar. It’s inspiring to see so many businesses and residents come together to support Prevent Breast Cancer. Celebration: Staff at Allingham House following the inspection findings Padel aims to be a hit ALTRINCHAM’S Ulti- mate Pudding Compe- tition served up a host of tasty treats. The event was part of A Taste of Altrincham – the town’s food and drink event celebrating the very best of the local culinary scene. The competition, organ- ised by Altrincham BID, invited budding bakers of all ages to showcase their creativity, technical skill and passion for puddings across three categories: Child, Student and Adult. Entries were judged by a panel including Carl Newton of Myerson Solicitors, Lisa Warnes of Cheshire Cookery School, Matt Townley of MOST Bakery, and Great Brit- ish Bake-Off Star and author MaisamAlgirgeet of La Maisam. Judges were tasked with selecting winners based on taste, pres- entation, originality and overall execution – no easy feat given the exceptional standard of entries. Speaking on behalf of the judging panel, Carl, chief executive of Myerson Solicitors and headline sponsor of A Taste of Altrincham, said: “The quality of entries this year was truly outstanding. “The creativity, tech- nical ability and atten- tion to detail on display THE fast-growing racquet sport of padel is set to come to Trafford’s leisure facili- ties with first courts aiming to open this year andmore to follow. Subject to planning permission, two open-air, green asphalt-surfaced courts are set to be added at Altrincham Golf Course on land near the reception area, with aims for construction to begin this summer. It is hoped the facilities can open to the public in the autumn. More courts are planned for Sale and Stretford as part ofwider plans to revamp the leisure centres at the two towns, which are run byTrafford Leisure. Thegame, whichoriginated inMexico but is taking the world by storm, is usually played in doubles and encom- passes elements of tennis and squash. According to the Lawn Tennis Association, there were only 15,000 British players in 2019 but by the end of 2024,thatfigurewasmorethan400,000. Jo Cherrett, chief executive at Trafford Leisure, said: “Trafford Leisure always tries to stay ahead of fitness trends and we are excited at the prospect of being the first community owned venue in the area to bring this great game to our local community! “Padel is a fantastic sport that is becoming increasingly popular as it’s easy to play, low impact and can appeal to a wide range of people from children to pensioners.” Glowing report for care centre ALLINGHAM House Care Centre in Tim- perley has retained its ‘Good’ rating across all catego- ries following a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection. The purpose-built home, which offers res- idential, nursing, and dementia care for up to 86 people, was found to have a “relaxed and pleasant environment” where people were “sup- ported and treated with dignity and respect”. The home is rated ‘Good’ across all five assessment categories: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive, and Well-led. Inspectors found the home promoted the independence of those living there, ensuring they “knew their rights and had choice and control over their own care, treatment and wellbeing”. People were vocal about being “happy living in the home”, the inspectors’ report also notes. Olubunmi Odumosu, home manager, said: “We were delighted to receive another shining CQC report – a reflection of the love and care poured into the home every day. “Our colleagues work incredibly hard to ensure everyone here feels com- fortable, happy, and cared for – and for the inspectors to see this too feels fantastic.” FACILITIES at Sale leisure cen- tre are to be reviewed so that its forthcoming redevelopment leads to best-possible sports and recre- ation for local people. Trafford Council’s Executive Com- mittee has approved the approach to the latest in a string of improvements to sports centres and swimming pools in the borough. A leisure consultant and experienced design teamwill put together new con- cepts for how Sale Leisure Centre can best meet the needs and aspirations of local people in the future. The exercise will also look at the redevelopment of Stretford leisure cen- tre, with proposals set to be firmed up by the end of the year. They will follow the eco-conscious refurbishments of Urmston and Altrin- cham leisure centres, rebranded as move Urmston and move Altrincham. Both centres have seen transformed facilities and more people using them. Eve Parker, Trafford’s executive member for leisure, arts, culture and heritage, said: “The redevelopment of Stretford and Sale’s leisure centres are the next steps in an exciting pro- gramme of renewal and opportunity, supported by grant funding and invest- ment from our partners. “I’m delighted that our plans are tak- ing shape and that the ways forward for these two much-loved leisure centres will be joined up, to make sure that Trafford people will receive the best possible range of sports and leisure facilities that we can offer.” Back in the Pink! Campaign: Paint Altrincham Pink is a mix of community events and fashion Pudding winners get their just desserts LEISURE CENTRE GETS SET FOR ITS REVAMP Winners:TheUltimate PuddingCompetitionwas a hit (Photo credit: AltrinchamBID) made judging incredibly difficult. We were so impressed by the passion shown in every category from our youngest bak- ers to the experienced adult entrants. “Competitions like this perfectly showcase the talent within our com- munity and highlight why Altrincham has such a strong and grow- ing food culture.” A Taste of Altrincham has grown to become a flagship event celebrating the town’s food and drink sector, bringing together independent businesses, local producers and the wider community.