Dozens see church get connected
DOZENS of residents of all ages celebrated the opening of the latest Connected Communities Centre in Macclesfield.
Almost 100 people were at the Untied Reformed Church, at Park Green, to mark the occasion and see Councillor Liz Wardlaw cut the ribbon.
It is the sixth place in the Macclesfield area to become a Connected Community Centre as part of the Cheshire East Council scheme.
Churches, community venues and cafes can be part of the project and a grant of £2,500 is handed over to develop services that have been requested locally.
Coun Wardlaw, Cheshire East Council deputy leader, said: “It was fantastic to see so many people of all ages come along to the celebration event at the church.
“I would like to give special thanks to Marion Tugwood, the church minister, for her personal contribution and making it possible for the church to be a place everyone in the community can attend.”
At the unveiling volunteers and community groups had stalls showcasing their activities.
These included Just Drop-In support service for young people, Macclesfield Heritage Trail and Cycling Routes, Citizens Advice Bureau, Mac- clesfield Castle Rotary Club and the fire service.
Across Cheshire East there are now 14 centres that between them offer activities including language learning, computer classes, stroke support and coffee mornings.
The council’s communities team gives ongoing support and each centre has a tablet connected to the Live Well community information website.
Coun Wardlaw added: “I was pleased to be able to recognise so many great community volunteers who work really hard to make good things happen, like this event, and on bringing the whole community together.”
The plan is to establish a total of 30 such centres across Cheshire East by the end of the year.
Currently, other nearby ones are at the Bridgend Centre, Bollington, St John’s Church, Wilwick Lane, Macclesfield, Poynton Civic Hall, Park Lane, Church of the Resurrection, Upton Priory, and St Barnabas Church, Lyme Avenue, Macclesfield.
To find out more email communities@ cheshireeast.gov.uk or call (01270) 685880.