Hale Independent Issue 182

AUGUST 2025 4 ALTRINCHAM has been held up as a great example of the impact a Business Improvement Dis- trict (BID) can have on a community. Its success was high- lighted by Macclesfield Town Council as the Cheshire market town moves closer to its own BID, which has been described as a potential ‘game-changer’ for its town centre. Its town council has granted funding to the Macclesfield Means THE number of people catching measles is rising across Greater Manchester, health chiefs have warned. Measles is a very infectious disease – just a cough or sneeze can spread the virus to other people. It spreads easily and quickly among those who are not vaccinated, especially in nurseries and schools. Measles can also be very dangerous. Some people get very sick from measles and can develop pneumonia and menin- gitis. One in five people with measles will go to hospital and in very rare cases people can die from the disease. People in certain at-risk groups including babies and young chil- dren, pregnant women, and people with weak- ened immunity, are at increased risk of compli- cations from measles. Measles is an infection that spreads very easily and can cause serious problems in some peo- ple. Having the MMR vaccine is the best way to prevent it. Symptoms of measles appear seven-to-10days after contact with the virus and include cold- like symptoms such as runny or blocked nose, sneezing and cough and sore, red watery eyes. Other symptoms include a high tempera- ture (fever), which may reach around 40C/104F. A non-itchy, red-brown rash usually appears three-to-five days later. It sometimes starts around the ears before spreading to rest of the body. Spots may be raised and join to form blotchy patches – which may be harder to see on darker skin tones. Small white spots may appear inside cheeks and the back of lips for a few days. If you have symptoms of measles, stay at home and phone your GP or NHS 111 for advice. Stay away from GP surgeries, A&E departments and other healthcare venues. You need two doses of the MMR vaccine to be fully protected against measles, mumps and rubella. There’s no specific medical treatment for measles, so it’s impor- tant to get the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine. The MMR vaccination is a safe way to protect yourself and your chil- dren. You will also be protected against mumps and rubella, which can also be very serious. Measles is not just a childhood disease and STAMFORD Brook Community Woodland in Broadheath is to be officially designated as a Local Nature Reserve. Trafford Council and the National Trust have been working to establish the status, in consultation with Nat- ural England. To qualify as Local Nature Reserves (LNR), places must be rich in wild- life and offer opportunities for study, research, or enjoyment of nature. The beauty spot near Altrincham is a mix of partly ancient woodland with broadleaf, scrub and wetland, with a circular, accessible trail. It borders Stamford Brook, a devel- opment of 700 homes on land that was formerly owned by the National Trust as part of the DunhamMassey estate. Managed by the National Trust, the woodland is home to a myriad of plant species – including the uncommon wild angelica, lady’s glove, red campion and wood horsetail – and is popular among dog walkers, cyclists, runners and local walking groups. Birds known to breed locally include sparrowhawk and kestrel, warblers such as blackcap and willow warbler, and seasonal visitors including the spotted flycatcher and mistlethrush. Over the coming years, the National Trust plans to further improve the quality of habitats, create new maps to help visitors navigate the site and identify wildlife and habitats, repair and improve paths, and create an area where communities can stage events for families and groups. The designation of this new Local Nature Reserve aligns with the wider Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Greater Manchester, which will shortly be published following pub- lic consultation. Stamford Brook Community Wood- land will be part of a network of local nature sites including those with special scientific interest, conserva- tion areas and irreplaceable habi- tats, where the natural environment is prioritised. These could include places across Trafford such as Sale Water Park, Dunham Massey and Altrincham golf course as well as the Timperley Brook corridor. Aidan Williams, Trafford Council’s executive member for climate change, said: “We’re delighted to be able to work towards designating Stamford Brook Community Woodland as a Local Nature Reserve, as a way to protect and enhance this beautiful place for more people to enjoy.” A NEW surfaced path around a popular green space between Altrincham and Broadheath is set to provide a route for scoot- ers, wheelchairs and prams as well as people on foot. Cowfield at Oldfield Brow has been a popular place to play, walk and visit for 100 years. It is renowned as an optimum location to see the sun rise and set, and to spot wildlife such as a kingfisher and nesting swans on the adjacent Bridgewater Canal. Now Trafford Council is creating said: “It’s really wonderful to see the commitment of active residents and local partners deliver such amaz- ing results for the Oldfield Brow community. Well done to every- one involved.” Cllr Liz Patel, Trafford’s executive member for economy and regenera- tion, said: “Cowfield is an important place for children and adults want- ing to play and walk close to their homes, but it hasn’t been very acces- sible for wheelchairs and prams. We’re delighted to add this new walking, wheeling and cycle route.” Green light for nature reserve plan Beauty spot: An aerial view of Stamford Brook CommunityWoodand (Photo credit: Trafford Council) On the right path Alert as measle cases on the rise A WINNING BID can be serious at any age. If caught during pregnancy it can cause stillbirth, miscarriage and low birth weight. Anyone can catch up at any age on any missed doses. It’s never too late to protect yourself. Children under one year old are most at risk if family members and social contacts are not immunised. An NHS spokesperson said: “Starting nursery and school increases the risk of children being exposed to infectious dis- eases so it is important to protect your child. “Parents who are unsure if their child is up to date with all of their routine immunisations should check their child’s Red Book (personal child health record), check the NHS app, or contact their GP practice. If children have not had their vac- cinations, then their GP can arrange a vaccina- tion, free of charge. “Adults who are unsure of their own vaccination status can speak to their GP who will arrange for a catch-up immunisation if necessary – this is also free of charge. “If you are immuno- compromised, please seek advice before you have the vaccinations. Your local GP or special- ist will advise you on the what to do.” a surfaced route all the way around the square field, also known as Old- field Brow Recreation Ground, that will mean people can enjoy the envi- ronment on foot or on wheels, even in wet and boggy winter weather. Pupils of Oldfield Brow Primary School will be among community members to benefit from the safe route, away from traffic, that will provide an alternative entry and exit point to school. The path, costing £73,000, will be funded from financial contributions secured from approved development. It will be built later this year, and include a new school gate. The coun- cil is also set to develop nine new homes off nearby Stokoe Avenue. Community group G-Force and the Friends of Cowfield were involved in drawing up plans based on local people’s wish list for further improvements and the council and its partners are looking for match funding to help cover all costs. Paul Huxley, leader of G-Force, Business group to carry out a feasibility study into the idea. Macclesfield MP Tim Roca has welcomed the idea. He said: “It’s an ambitious approach that has worked in other towns and cities and there’s no reason why Macclesfield shouldn’t be leading the way here in Cheshire.” Announc i ng the feasibility funding a Macclesfield Town Coun- cil spokesperson said: “BIDs vary in size and shape and responsibility, and a good local example is Altrincham.” It went on to list some of Altrincham’s achieve- ments. Its BID won the national Sustainability Award at the House of Lords in March 2024 for leading local green initi- atives and helped secure Purple Flag status for the town’s night time econ- omy in 2023, citing BID- led safety, transport, and cleanliness efforts. It also gained top hon- ours at the RHS North West in Bloom Awards in 2024, earning Best BID and Gold for public realm planting projects like living walls and street planters. The town’s BID, which has just been extended for another five years, is also active in arrang- ing and supporting events and initiatives to drive footfall.