Newsroom

Cheshire West and Chester Council has worked with travel partners to arrange free travel for Armed Forces personnel and veterans for Armed Forces Day this weekend.  The Cheshire West and Chester Enhanced Partnership is an agreement between the Council and local bus operators to work together to improve local bus services.

Agreements exist with Chester’s 'Park & Ride' services, dial-a-ride, Stagecoach, Arriva, and Warrington’s Own Buses.  Different agreements for different days - see below to view the detail:

Some of the travel offers available this weekend include:

• Changing Lives Together are going to offer free dial-a-rides to those from the Armed Forces, a valid identity card would be needed. Community Transport | Changing Lives Together (changing-lives-together.org.uk) Telephone: 01606 784100 to book.
• Nationally, Stagecoach is offering free travel during the weekend of 25 and 26 June. Any serving personnel in uniform or on proof of military ID or a Veteran wearing medals, or a Veterans badge, will be allowed free travel. Stagecoach (stagecoachbus.com)
• Arriva is offering free travel on Saturday 25 June 2022. Simply show the driver your Armed Forces identification card, Armed Forces Veteran identification card or MOD issued Veteran’s Badge.. North West Ticket Zones | Arriva Bus
• Warrington’s Own Buses will offer free travel on 25 June 2022. Warrington's Own Buses - Buses in and around Warrington (warringtonsownbuses.co.uk)
• Ginger Scooters in Chester offer two free trips per day to Armed Forces personnel.  For more information see: Chester — GINGER and search ‘offers’
• The Armed Forces community which includes serving personnel including regulars, reservists, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers and veterans - together with their immediate families can travel free on Chester's Park and Ride services.
  
  

Check your local operator’s website to see if there are other offers available, check time tables if planning to travel by rail this weekend.

Ukrainians fleeing conflict by staying with family in Cheshire West and Chester are offered support to help them settle into the borough.  Cheshire West and Chester Council is appealing for anyone who has arrived in the borough through the national Family Visa Scheme to get in touch to find out what help and support is available.

The Council is funded by government to provide support for refugees coming to the UK under an alternative scheme, Homes for Ukraine, which enables residents to become sponsors and offer accommodation to a Ukrainian guest for a minimum of six months.  Under this scheme the Council has full details of each arrival, but not for those who have arrived in the borough under the Family Visa Scheme, which makes it very difficult for the Council to engage and offer support.

Regardless of which route Ukrainians have arrived, the Council’s role is to help to make sure that all arrivals, including their sponsors, are safe and supported, that refugees have access to services like health, education, work and benefits and that Ukrainian families are supported to integrate into local communities.Alongside this, the Council has been working with partners in the community and voluntary sector to help refugees arriving through the Family Visa Scheme to access support.

To get in touch and find out what support is available visit: www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/ukrainefamilyvisa.

PRESS HERE to view the full Media Release.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, John Dwyer, has launched a survey for people living and working in rural communities to better understand their policing needs. The feedback will be used to hold the police to account on tackling criminal activity in rural areas.

With around two thirds of Cheshire classed as rural, protecting these communities is a priority in the Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan. Unfortunately, many of the crimes committed within rural areas often go unreported. The Rural Crime Survey aims to gather a range of people’s experiences and build on the relationship that rural communities have with the police. You can have your say at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ruralcrimesurvey2022.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, John Dwyer, said:
“I would like to encourage anyone who lives and works in or visits Cheshire’s countryside to share their feedback through my survey.  I am committed to protecting our rural communities and it’s vital for me to hear from as many people as possible so I can identify both where the police do well and what more can be done to prevent and tackle rural crime.  Rural Crime committed in Cheshire can have a devastating effect on a victim’s livelihood and tends to fall into one of five categories; agricultural (theft of farm machinery, livestock or damage to property), equine (theft from working stables), wildlife (poaching and interfering with protected species), heritage (theft from churches or protected monuments) and environmental (fly tipping or polluting land or water)."

John Dwyer added:
“In Cheshire we are fortunate to have a fantastic Rural Crime Team and I will continue to work alongside them, the Chief Constable and partners such as the Environment Agency to ensure rural residents feel confident in their police service.  If we work together, taking on board the views of residents we can make Cheshire’s countryside an even safer place to live, work and visit. Please do have your say.”

The Rural Crime Survey will be open throughout the summer. To take part please visit: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ruralcrimesurvey2022.

Our local historian, Jill King, is writing a book for St John The Evangelist Church, Sandiway.  It is based on people's memories of St John's.

She is on the look out for wedding and baptism photographs that were taken at the church before 1970 and any memories/photos people have about St John's before 1990 - Vicars, Choir, Youth Club, Lay Readers, The Sunday School, flower arrangers, cleaners, gardeners etc...etc.

Please email any recollections and photographs to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or deliver/post to 4, Moorlands Avenue, Cuddington, CW8 2LU - electronic communication is preferred but any actual photographs would be treated with great care and returned speedily.

Thank you

Main Citizenship Award

John & Eileen Kerrigan deserve the adult Citizenship award due to their selfless voluntary service to the community for many years.

John & Eileen have lived in the village for a considerable number of years.  They both set aside many hours between 2012-2015 in helping create a Village Plan - John is the 'go-to man' whenever the Parish Council need a village consultation carrying out; his voluntary work in the community is second to none!

John was also Chairman of the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group during the production of the “Neighbourhood Plan” in 2015-2019, which now forms part of the Development Plan for Cheshire West and Chester Council, and this plan is taken into account when planning applications are decided by Cheshire West.

More recently, John was the village spokesperson for the resident’s action group, “Save Our Surgery”

He is also a school Governor at St Nicholas High school.

Eileen is a long serving parish councillor and has worked tirelessly to make the village a better place to live. She was instrumental in the refurbishment of the Norley Road playing fields in 2018, and the creation of the new car park at Mere Lane in 2016.

Eileen, sat on the Neighbourhood Plan committee as well as the Village Plan.  When it comes to big projects like this, John and Eileen very much work as a team.

Currently Eileen is as busy as ever liaising with Highways about the installation of Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs), which residents requested back in 2012.

Junior Citizen of the Year

Mason  Karpinski.  For his birthday this year, Mason asked for donations instead of presents.  He spent that money on Easter Eggs which he gave to Northwich Community Support who were collecting Easter Eggs for families in need. 

Volunteers have just finished planting our herb garden and bee-friendly garden planters at Cuddington Station as part of this year's entry for the "Best Kept Station" competition. 

New volunteers are always welcome; if you’d like to find out more email Val Godfrey on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Our local policing team covers the Weaver and Cuddington Community Area which also includes Acton Bridge and Weaverham as well as Sandiway and Cuddington.  Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Michelle Gillett and Constable Daniel Grimshaw are dedicated to this Community Area.  PRESS HERE to see an overview of this Community Area on the Cheshire Constabulary website.

So, Michelle Gillett is our PCSO for the Weaver and Cuddington area.  She believes that communication is key to a happy community whether that’s over the telephone, social media or emails. Once a week she will send a report of her community engagement which has enabled her to reach out to many elderly/vulnerable persons that don’t access social media - these are displayed on this website under 'Police Matters' on the Home page. Please feel free to have your say and call her (by phone, 07894-510064, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) if you feel there is something which you feel she needs to address.

PCSO surgeries have returned to a physical location (see dates and contact locations below for June):

• Monday 6th June 1900-2000 hours, WEAVERHAM community centre carpark
• Sunday 12th June 1200-1300 hours, ACTON BRIDGE parish room CW83RA 
• Monday 13th June 1200-1300 hours, SANDIWAY LIBRARY carpark CW82NS
• Thursday 16th June 1900-2000 hours, CUDDINGTON NORLEY ROAD VILLAGE HALL
• Monday 27th June 1900-2000 hours, DELAMERE PARK leisure centre carpark CW82UJ
  
  

Other dates for July are:

• Thursday 7th July 1900-2000 hours, WEAVERHAM community centre carpark
• Thursday 14th July 1200-1300 hours, ACTON BRIDGE parish room CW83RA
• Saturday 23rd July 1200-1300 hours, SANDIWAY LIBRARY carpark CW82NS
• Sunday 24th July 1200-1300 hours, CUDDINGTON NORLEY ROAD VILLAGE HALL
• Thursday 28th July 1900-2000 hours, DELAMERE PARK leisure centre carpark CW82UJ
  
  

Michelle encourages you to go along to discuss your community issues/concerns.  Alternatively register your concern(s) on the following link: www.cheshire.police.uk/residentsvoicenorthwich.  PCSO Michelle may also be available on her email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

For general police enquiries, please visit www.cheshire.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us/

To report a crime please ring 101 or in case of an emergency ring 999.

For daily updates regarding whats going on in our ward please follow your local community policing on Facebook/Twitter
     Weaver and Cuddington police Facebook 
     @weaverCudPol - Twitter

PRESS HERE for the new train timetable which applies until mid December.

Monday 20th to Thursday 23 June: The 22.52 from Chester to Manchester (due Cuddington 23.13) will be a bus, calling at Cuddington at 23.42.
The 22.42 and 23.41 from Manchester Piccadilly to Chester (due Cuddington 23.52 and 00.48 respectively) will be buses calling at Cuddington to set down only at 00.37 and 01.36 respectively. Additional buses to Chester will depart Knutsford at 23.25 and 00.25, calling at Cuddington at 00.09 and 01.08

Always check before you travel, alterations can happen at short notice: www.northernrailway.co.uk, or 0800 200 6060.

"A nationwide rail strike has been called by RMT union to take place for 3 days on 21, 23 and 25 of June.

We advise customers not to travel between 21 and 26 June and make alternative plans. There will be no replacement buses or alternative travel provided.  

On strike days most routes and trains will not run. The days in between strikes will see a very limited number of trains running with first trains being much later in the morning and the last trains being earlier in the afternoon. Therefore, we advise you not to travel between 21 and 26 June."

See www.northernrailway.co.uk/travel/strikes for the latest information.

Cheshire West and Chester Council is delivering a wide range of regeneration projects across the borough; to transform Winsford town centre, Weaver Square in Northwich, Chester’s Northgate, Chester’s Rows, and the area around Chester railway station.

Further work is taking place in Northwich to address challenges along the Winnington Lane corridor. The plans include a new road bridge across the River Weaver and converting the existing Listed Bridge for use by cyclists and pedestrians. Improving the links to the town centre, station and bus interchange through a number of road and junction improvements will provide better access for cyclists and walkers to use the Winnington corridor and reduce car traffic. 

The Council’s Cabinet on 8 June will consider submitting an application under the Government’s Levelling Up Fund round 2 for the Northwich projects.

PRESS HERE for the full Media Release from the Council.

Following news of her nomination, local charity volunteer Hannah Thompson at Duster’s Ark animal sanctuary in Sandiway, has been awarded Volunteer of the Year in the Petplan & Association of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH) Animal Charity Awards 2022.  Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the awards recognise the remarkable work carried out by animal charities and not-for-profit organisations across the UK, Ireland and Channel Islands who have gone the extra mile to help rescue and rehome animals in need.

On receiving her award, Hannah said: “It feels unbelievable to have won, I can’t believe it. There are no words really. I can’t explain what it means, it just means so much. I’ve never really needed this. Working with the animals is just an incredible feeling and it’s what I want to do for the rest of my life, this is just amazing. Thank you.”

Hannah suffers from Ehlers Danlos syndrome – her mum Jennifer Thompson also commented on the impact that volunteering has had on her: “Volunteering at Dusters Ark has literally changed Hannah’s life… . Over the past 5 years, with continuous support from Cat and Jonathan and the love of the animals, she has gained knowledge, skills and confidence and is looking forward to starting a degree in animal management, behaviour and welfare later this year.”

Well done to Hannah!

PRESS HERE to view the Facebook pages for Duster's Ark animal sanctuary.

Spring has arrived at Sandiway Miniature Railway.  The bluebells are out and the woods are turning green.

The miniature railway operates most Sunday afternoons from behind Blakemere Village in Sandiway Wood.  The track has just been extended - well worth a visit.

PRESS HERE for their Facebook page.

Music Trains are back in 2022! 

They have a programme from May to October, starting with Chester to Plumley and the Golden Pheasant on Wednesday 25 May as part of national Community Rail Week.  On Friday 10 June, the Music Train runs from Chester to the Angel in Knutsford as part of Knutsford Music Festival.  Then from Wednesday 13 July and every month until October it runs from Chester to Plumley and the Golden Pheasant.  Plus they will have a Music Train from Altrincham to Alexanders in Chester in August and lunchtime Music Trains for groups from Chester to the Railway Inn in Mobberley.

Although they can now run Music Trains again, COVID has not gone away and is still a risk.  I know that some people will not want to travel for the time being.  And it is always possible that train services might be affected by staff shortages.  There is therefore a small possibility that a Music Train might have to be cancelled at short notice.  In that case you would receive an email notification if you are on the mailing list and a note would be put on the Community Rail Partnership website and its social media accounts.

There is no charge for the Music Train, though there is a collection on the way back for the band and you will need a train ticket.  There is music on the train both ways and at the pub.  No need to book unless you are a group – just get into the rear carriage.  Music Trains from Chester leave Chester at 19:00 (Cuddington at 19:22) and the return train arrives back in Chester at 23:15 (Cuddington 22:48).  You can get on or off the train at the intermediate stations along the way. 

You must buy your ticket from the platform ticket machine.  At Chester you can also buy it from the ticket office.  If there isn’t a ticket machine at your station or if the machine isn’t working then you can buy a ticket from the conductor on the train.

Wednesday 25 May – Chester to Plumley and at the Golden Pheasant

It’s the Deportees with a mix of old and recent songs from both sides of the Atlantic and Tom Durkin, bluegrass singer-songwriter.  You'll hear songs to join in with, songs to make you think, songs to move you and songs to get you moving.

Friday 10 June – Chester to Knutsford and at the Angel

Nelson Peach -  ‘The basis of our music is English Traditional, though we mix in contemporary folk and pop, and also some American versions of traditional songs’.

Wednesday 13 July – Cheshire to Plumley and at the Golden Pheasant

The Time Bandits, are musical time travellers, ‘raiding and pilfering over 500 years of musical material for a modern audience’.  They mix Renaissance dance music with traditional folk tunes and songs - and their own compositions.

PRESS HERE to see their website page.

We can confirm that the Shell Station on the A49 will be closing on 9th May for a major refurbishment.  It is anticipated that the closure will last for a number of months.

According to the approved planning application, the work involves "Demolition of existing sales building and construction of a new sales building, delinking of canopy, repositioning of HGV fuel dispenser and new underground diesel tank, provision of car parking provision of single EV charger, alteration to the access arrangements, creation of new egress and associated works".

Cheshire West and Chester Council is encouraging residents and carers who access support in their communities to share their views on current services and what they’d like to see in the future.  Working in partnership with NHS Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group, the Council currently offers, through providers, a range of services to ensure everyone can remain healthy and independent for as long as possible and access the right support at the right time.

Community-based services can range from befriending schemes, wellbeing activities and carer breaks to more intense support with long-term conditions, following a stay in hospital, help and care at home and rehabilitation.  The consultation, which is now live, will ask for people’s views on the council’s proposal to create a more co-ordinated single service with an increased focus on prevention and partnership working.

PRESS HERE for more details from the CWaC Media Release together with how to respond.

People will be able to share their views up to Sunday, June 19 2022.

There is a freephone to contact Citizens Advice (CAB) situated in the corner of the Church Hall.  Appointments may be made to meet an advisor at the Ark on a Tuesday morning, or advice may be given over the phone.  There is public access to the hall Sunday & Tuesday mornings 10-11 am and Fridays 9-2pm.

If you wish to ring from home, call 0808-2787-806.

CAB is an independent organisation specialising in confidential information and advice to assist people with legal, debt, benefits, consumer, housing & other problems in the UK.  It provides advice for people & the problems they face.

Every year, the Ark community café shares its profits with local charities. Thanks to your support, in March Steve Chivers, Chair of the newly formed Cuddington & Sandiway’s Youth Club, received a donation of £400 from the Ark Team. He said this will be used to purchase games equipment for the Youth Group, a microwave, help fund safeguarding training and if any left, be put towards improving the heating system.

Thanks to all our customers who’ve enabled this donation.

The cheque was presented to Steve - see below.

     The Ark team

Message from Sandiway Pantomime Group:

We are aiming to re-start rehearsals for Dick Whittington on Sunday 23rd October at the Church Hall. (If that changes for any reason we will let you know [PRESS HERE for their facebook page]). The production dates will be 26th-29th January 2023. Having already rehearsed the show to some extent, we are considering leaving out Wednesday evening rehearsals for the first few weeks, but will keep this under review. We really hope that everyone will still be available for the show, which would mean we do not have to worry about any recasting, but if anyone already knows or becomes aware through this year that they will not be able to take part, please let us (Bob Barker, Steve Liddle, Judith Melia) know as as soon as you can so we can plan accordingly. That’s it for now. Thanks everyone. Have a nice spring!

The next stage of the redevelopment of Winsford town centre can now begin after planning permission was approved to transform a key part of the centre, following the development of the new Aldi last year.  The Council has planning permission to demolish Queen’s Parade and Fountains Court and replace them with modern retail shops and restaurants, a drive-to/through coffee shop, new car parking and the relocation of war memorials to a new public square.

Work is expected to start on site later this summer.

PRESS HERE for the full Media Release from Cheshire West & Chester Council.

The Council secured £9.98 million from the Government’s Future High Street Fund and is also investing £11 million of Council funding to pay for the scheme.

The following message is from Cuddington Parish Council:

From March 31st all Parish Council information can be viewed on their own website at 

www.cuddingtonpc.uk

Several pages are still in progress but visit the site frequently as more Parish Council information will come available.

We hope you will enjoy the site and find the information you are looking for.

We shall be pleased to receive any comments at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Please note: 

Our community website is not bound by the legal requirements of the public body, such as a parish council, and this fabulous website full of information will continue to serve the community and further afield: www.cuddingtonandsandiwayonline.org

On 3 February the government announced a Council Tax Energy Rebate scheme to support the many households dealing with the rising cost of household bills in 2022-2023, driven by increasing energy bills. Residents paying Council Tax by Direct Debit will receive the Government’s £150 Tax Rebate in April in response to the rising costs of energy. There will be payments directly into bank accounts from mid-April to early May.  Households living in band A to D properties will automatically qualify for this rebate (others may not).

PRESS HERE for the Media Release from Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Scam Warning:

The Local Government Association (LGA) urged people to be alert to the scam and not give out personal information.  It emphasised that councils would never request bank details over the phone.

Anyone who unexpectedly received a text, email or phone call seeking information or payment should not give out personal information, including bank details, click any links or respond until they could be sure it was genuine, the LGA said.

Eligible households in England that pay council tax by direct debit should receive the payment directly into their bank account.  The government has urged people to set up direct debits and the LGA said those who did not pay their council tax by direct debit would be sent a letter with details of how to claim.

A new charging scheme for residents disposing of large amounts of construction waste is being introduced at our local household waste recycling centres (Winsford & Northwich) from April 2022. This will include waste such as soil, rubble and hardcore which is not classified as household waste and the Council (apparently) has no obligation to accept.

The Council do, however, recognise that residents rely on the existing service when carrying out small DIY projects.  To ensure everyone can continue receiving this service and avoid having to rent a skip or source another outlet (or fly tip!), there will be no charge to residents leaving small amounts of construction waste (up to three bags).

A £3.70 per bag charge to leave four or more bags of construction waste or ceramic items at the recycling centres will begin from 1 April 2022.  Charges will only apply for construction/DIY materials and not for domestic waste materials.

PRESS HERE for the (earlier) Cheshire West & Chester media release.

Update on March 29:

A proposed new charging scheme for residents disposing of construction waste will be reviewed at a Council Scrutiny Committee meeting on 11 April 2022.

Following agreement to the Council’s new waste strategy, the case for charging will be considered by the Scrutiny Committee, who will review the evidence and options for introducing any charges at Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs). The meeting will take place on 11 April 2022. Until the scrutiny committee recommendations can be properly considered, no charges will be applied to residents delivering waste from home improvements or repair and alterations to homes or domestic properties.

Update on April 12:

Cheshire West and Chester Council has decided not to implement any charges at this time, but to include any issues on charging for non-household waste at its Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC) within its current review of the centres themselves.

The Council’s decision follows discussion of the issue considered at a Places Overview and Scrutiny Meeting held on 11 April 2022, where Members of the Scrutiny Committee reviewed information regarding the options to implement charging for some types of waste received at the HWRCs (such as soil, rubble and hardcore from building work) to cover the increasing costs of disposal and processing of these types of material.

PRESS HERE for the latest Media Release from the Council.