Stockport Independent Issue 121

OFFERTON • THE HEATONS • EDGELEY • DENTON BREDBURY • CHEADLE HEATH • HAZEL GROVE • CHEADLE HULME • HEAVILEY • MARPLE • REDDISH • ROMILEY • WOODLEY • HIGH LANE ISSUE 121 Independent FREE STOCKPORT www.independentnewspapers.co.uk FREE YOUR LOCAL GOOD NEWS-PAPER STOCKPORT has received a £51,000 cash boost from the government to back efforts to clean up high streets and town centres across the UK. The money is part of a £9.75m pot and Stock- port is one of ten boroughs across the North West to benefit. Councils in partnership with existing com- munity groups will be able to use the one-off funding to support volunteers. They will be able to buy tools such as litter pickers, gloves and brushes and provide train- ing for residents on how to remove graffiti or tackle fly-tipping, as well as organise events to encourage more families to get involved. The funding will give Stockport and the other councils the opportunity to do more, encourage communities to take greater pride in their local area and support tidy-up campaigns. Announcing the funding, Communities Secre- tary James Brokenshire said: “High streets are at the centre of our communities, and as places that are well loved, they sometimes need a bit of a spruce up to look their very best. “That’s why we will be providing councils with £9.75 million to work with community groups who need that extra money to give their local high street a spring clean, making sure their town centres are really spick and span.” The money will also prime councils and com- munities ahead of the ‘National High Street Perfect Day’, a locally led and funded commu- nity clean-up planned this summer. Meanwhile, Stockport’s regeneration plans continue to move forward. Public consultation on the proposed Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) to lead to the regeneration of the Town Centre West is now complete. As a walkable neighbourhood in the heart of Stockport, Town Centre West will provide a choice of homes and workspace where people and business will have enviable access to public transport and be amongst the best connected in the region. Work is also on-going to transform the town centre with a new Transport Interchange and two acre park. The £50m Interchange will be completed by 2022 and will further boost Stockport’s position as one of the best-connected town centres in the North West. YOUNG detectives at Greenbank Preparatory School solved a who- dunit for World Book Day as they celebrated the mystery sus- pense novel. Miss Marple, Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot and even Agatha Christie herself roamed the corridors in search of the criminal who stole the golden pen. Pictured from left to right with Year Three teacher Neil Delaney as Hercule Poirot are Gigi Switzer as Miss Marple, Polly Briggs as Agatha Christie, Huzaifa Farooq as Sherlock Holmes and AmeliaMarsh as Nancy Drew. Book success is no mystery We’re cleaning up! Government funding for town STOCKPORT entrepreneur Rachel Shapey has won a pres- tigious industry award less than ayearafterlaunchingheronline music educationplatform. The former teacher received her award for the Outstanding Music Education Product at the Music Teacher Awards for Excellence in London’sMayfair. They celebrate the “best and brightest in performing arts education”, according to the organisers. Aimed at students and teach- ers, Rachel’s ‘I Can Compose’ platform provides interactive step-by-step courses to help students compose music in a range of styles andgenres. Rachel, pictured, said: “The aim of the site has always been to make composing fun and accessible, and I’m thrilled that pupils and teachers are enjoying using the site and gaining confidence in the com- posingprocess.” She uses tried and tested methods from her years of teaching composition at GCSE and A level to develop courses teaching everything from how to follow a score to how to com- pose a jazz piece. To advertise in the Independent contact Robin via email robin @ cheshire independent .co.uk or call 01625 501675 Rachel hits the high notes WIN DINNER FOR TWO SEE PAGE 9 PLUS A BOTTLE OF HOUSE WINE AT PAREA