Human Interest

Sam James and campaign to save Brookfield Hall

Nantwich campaigner fights to save Brookfield Hall from auction

A Nantwich mum is driving a major campaign to save a community asset in the town being auctioned off.

Sam James has stepped forward to try and save Brookfield Hall which Cheshire East Council are looking to sell off later this month.

June 10, 2026
Plans for new Leighton Hospital approved by Cheshire East councillors

Plans for new Leighton Hospital approved by Cheshire East councillors

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East councillors have given the go-ahead for a new Leighton Hospital in South Cheshire which will “secure the future of healthcare provision for decades to come”.

The strategic planning board was unanimous today (June 9th) in approving the outline application for a new six-storey hospital, ancillary buildings, multi-storey car park, access points, parking and associated infrastructure.

June 9, 2026
Ex England star Jill Scott cycles through Nantwich on UK challenge

Ex England star Jill Scott cycles through Nantwich on UK challenge

By Jonathan White
Former England football star Jill Scott cycled through Nantwich today (June 9th) as part of an extraordinary charity challenge crossing the country.

Scott is taking on Comic Relief’s Sport Relief “Coming Home Challenge” — a gruelling five-day journey covering nearly 400 miles from Wembley Stadium in London to the Stadium of Light in Sunderland.

June 9, 2026
Cheshire Police carry out 160 strip searches in a year, figures show

Cheshire Police carry out 160 strip searches in a year, figures show

Cheshire Police carried out 13,675 stop searches over the past year and 160 strip searches which involved the ‘exposure of intimate parts’.

The 2025/26 figures were released by the force following a request by the county’s police and crime panel, which had also asked for a breakdown of the numbers, including ethnicity and children.

June 9, 2026
Nantwich headteacher blasts council for using new crossing to axe free school bus

Nantwich headteacher blasts council for using new crossing to axe free school bus

A furious headteacher has hit out at council officials who are to remove free school transport between Willaston and Nantwich after opening a new crossing.

Malbank School head John Harrison says Cheshire East’s decision to deem a near three-mile hike between Willaston and his school a “safe to walk” route raises “serious concerns about student safety”.

June 8, 2026
Hospitality owners pack meeting in Nantwich to discuss VAT costs

Hospitality owners pack meeting in Nantwich to discuss VAT costs

Dozens of hospitality owners across Nantwich and Crewe packed into a meeting today with MP Connor Naismith to discuss the crippling costs they are facing.

The meeting in the Methodist Hall in Nantwich was organised by Kelly Woodnutt, owner of St Martha on Hospital Street and Edward’s on Pillory Street.

June 8, 2026
Cheshire East Council chief executive leaves after six-month absence

Cheshire East Council chief executive leaves after six-month absence

Cheshire East’s chief executive Rob Polkinghorne has left the council by mutual agreement after being absent for more than six months.

Mr Polkinghorne took up the role in January 2024.

June 8, 2026
Nantwich Police face busy weekend with 35 arrests in 48 hours

Nantwich Police face busy weekend with 35 arrests in 48 hours

Nantwich Police have had a busy weekend already and have made 35 arrests before midday on June 7th.

The most recent included Sunday a 35-year-old man from Stockport who was arrested in Nantwich earlier today (June 7th) after failing to provide a sample for analysis.

June 7, 2026
Nantwich Food Festival - town square crowds

Nantwich Food Festival organising team recruits new members

Organisers of the Nantwich Food Festival have recruited a number of new team members to help with the 2026 event.

The festival, which is volunteer-run, will be staged over three days between September 4th and 6th, attracting tens of thousands of visitors to the town.

June 6, 2026
Work underway on Cheshire East new Local Plan, says authority

Work underway on Cheshire East new Local Plan, says authority

Work is set to formally begin on developing a new Local Plan for Cheshire East, says the council.

The Local Plan is designed to be a “blueprint” for how the borough will grow and thrive well into the 2040s.

June 6, 2026
A530 road closed after two-car smash near Nantwich

A530 road closed after two-car smash near Nantwich

The busy A530 Whitchurch Road near Nantwich was closed today after a two-car crash.

Emergency services were called to the incident at around 7.15am today at the junction with Cock Lane, in Sound.

June 5, 2026
Cheshire East leader’s warning over Webb House religious group protests

Cheshire East leader’s warning over Webb House religious group protests

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Council’s leader has urged out-of-town protesters outside Webb House in Crewe to go home – saying they are not helping anyone and are making residents feel very vulnerable.

Protests outside the HQ of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light on Victoria Avenue have continued since the building was raided by more than 500 police officers at the end of April.

June 5, 2026
Cubs enjoy event at Peacock Railway with rail safety lesson

Cubs enjoy event at Peacock Railway with rail safety lesson

By Jonathan White
Youngsters from the 26th South West Cheshire (1st Willaston) Cubs enjoyed an evening of railway rides and important rail safety education during a visit to Peacock Railway.

A group of 23 Cub Scouts and their leaders visited the miniature railway attraction, operated by the South Cheshire Model Engineering Society.

June 3, 2026