Stockport Independent Issue 209

NOVEMBER 2026 2 No part of this publicationmay be used or reproduced without the express permission of the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure that the articles and advertisements that are carried are authentic, however the publisher accepts no responsibility for claims made. © Investors in Publishing Ltd 2026. This newspaper is publishedmonthly by Investors in Publishing, Publishing House, 3 Bridgebank Industrial Estate,Taylor Street, Horwich, Bolton BL6 7PD.Tel: 01204 478812 EDITOR : Mike Hulmemike@independentnewspapers.co.uk CONTACT: JayneMeadowcroft 01204 478812 / 07703 045189 jayne@independentnewspapers.co.uk ADVERTISING: Robin Atkins 07767 840274 robin@cheshireindependent.co.uk CONTACT US THE Blood Science Laboratory in Stockport NHS Foundation Trust’s pathology department have been presented with a top award in recognition of their efforts to enhance sustainability. They received My Green Lab (Gold) certification, a globally recognised stand- ard for laboratory sustainability. The department was presented with a plaque and certificate from the national My Green Lab team, together with Sie- mens Healthineers, who supported the certification process. A presentation cake was also shared with colleagues to mark the achievement. The My Green Lab certification is widely regarded as the ‘gold standard’ for sustainable laboratory practices. The program provides a science-based approach with clear assessment tools and practical guidance to help laboratories reduce their environmental footprint. By undergoing this rigorous process, the teams in Biochemistry and Haema- tology based at Stepping Hill Hospital have demonstrated a deep commitment to environmental responsibility. THE head of midwifery for the Stockport NHS maternity service has received a top national award in recognition for her outstanding care and leadership. Sharon Hyde, Stockport NHS Founda- tion Trust Director of Midwifery received the Cavell Star award, which celebrates the best standards of nursing care and leadership across the UK. Sharon has worked in the NHS for over 40 years, and has been a midwife for 37 years. She took up the role of head of midwifery based at Stepping Hill Hospital seven years ago, having previ- ously held the same position at Wythen- shawe Hospital. During that time she has headed a ser- vice bringing over 22,000 new babies into the world in Stockport. The Cavell Nurses Trust is a charity which supports nurses, midwives, nurs- ing associates and healthcare assistants, providing grants, advice and a listening ear to those who may be experiencing PLANS to improve sup- port for children and young people with spe- cial educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Stockport have received government approval. Stockport’s Local SEND Reform Plan sets out how we’ll work with families, schools, health services and other partners over the next three years so that children and young people can get the right help at the right time. The plan focuses on offer- ing help earlier, making education more inclusive, improving access to specialist services and providing more high-quality support closer to home. The government has agreed that the plan is ready to move into delivery, while highlight- ing areas where we need to do more. Approval is an impor- tant milestone, but it’s the start of the next phase, not the end of the journey. Cllr MacAlister, Cabinet Member for Children, Fam- ilies and Education says: “The approval gives us a strong basis to move for- ward, but what matters most is the difference this work makes in the everyday lives of children, young people and their families.” A HUGE street party is taking place in Stockport town centre this month. The ‘Spectacular Sunday’ event will be returning for the fourth time on Sunday 15 November, with free perfor- mances taking place through- out the day. Expect festive bands, giant puppets, street performers and muchmore – all scattered throughout Market Place, the Underbanks, Merseyway, Red- rock and Suffragette Square. The programme of events is expected to last from 12-5pm, with hundreds of performers. This year, 200 performers will be taking to the streets in more than 50 free live shows – the event’s grand finale per- formance alone will involve 100 drummers. Some of the highlights this year include a giant snow lion, a circus adventure into space and the world’s small- est nightclub. This year’s event will also coincide with the town’s Christmas lights switch on, and is due to take place at 4.45pm on the day. Entertainment will be tak- ing place across Merseyway, Suffragette Square, the Under- banks, Market Place and Red- rock – meaning there will be entertainment around every corner you turn. The event is being organised by a joint partnership of Stock- port Council, Totally Stock- port, Merseyway Shopping Centre and Stockport Market. Mark Ross, CEO of Totally Stockport, said: “There’s something very Stockport about finding the world’s small- est nightclub on your doorstep, encountering a giant snow lion and then watching a finale with over 100 drummers. “Stockport’s Spectacular Sunday gives us the chance to be imaginative and bring something out of the ordinary to the town. We want people to explore, discover an act they’ve never seen before and enjoy a unique Christmas celebra- tion with a personality all of its own.” Cllr Micheala Meikle, cab- inet member for economy, regeneration and skills at Stockport Council, said: “It’s fantastic to see Stockport’s Spectacular Sunday return for a fourth year. “The event has become a much-loved part of Christmas in Stockport, bringing together creativity, community spirit and plenty of festive cheer. It’s also a great opportunity to experience everything our town centre has to offer, from our historic Market Place and Underbanks to the vibrant spaces that are help- ing bring more people together in Stockport. “We’re looking forward to welcoming residents and vis- itors for what promises to be another memorable start to the festive season. Victoria Nichol, Mersey- way Centre Manager, added: “It brings families into town, gives them plenty to enjoy and creates a fantastic atmosphere throughout Merseyway and the town centre.” CALLS are being made to improve rail services through Marple on Sunday. Lisa Smart, MP for Hazel Grove, has said the current provision is ‘not good enough’ and that a resolution is needed soon. Trains fromMarple to Manchester run every one to two hours on Sunday, and Ms Smart said cancellations and delays have been adding to existing issues relat- ing to rolling stock and work agreements. Government rail minister Lord Hendy said a new order of rolling stock from Northern was on the way to replace aging trains going to Marple – but that this would not be until 2031. The Lib Dem MP said in response: “Simply put, the rail services to Mar- ple are not good enough. 2031 is too far away, and there are other improvements that could be delivered sooner. A resolu- tion to the issues around staff working on Sundays is needed.” ‘Spectacular Sunday’ will feature street performances. (Image: Supplied) Massive free street party is back MP calls for better Sunday rail services New homes approved Arson attack was ‘targeted’ STOCKPORT Council’s Planning and Highways Committee has granted out- lineplanningpermissiontohousebuilder Taylor Wimpey for a development of up to 160 new homes off Jacksons Lane in Hazel Grove. The scheme proposes up to 160 homesonapreviouslyundevelopedplot of agricultural land off Jacksons Lane in Hazel Grove, opposite Hazel Grove High School and the Laurus Trust SEND school. 50% of homes are to be made available as affordable housing. The site is currently classed as Green Belt, although has been allocated for housing provision in the final draft of the borough’s new Local Plan, due for submission to the Housing Secretary in December 2026. The council’s planning officers recommended approval for the scheme. Local councillors on the Stepping Hill Area Committee in early September, however, disagreed and recommended the planning application be rejected, reflecting local opinion: the scheme attracted over 130 comments from local residents in opposition to the plans, cit- ing loss of Green Belt. Stockport Council’s Planning and Highways Committee, however, voted to approve the scheme; committee members expressed their reluctance at releasing a Green Belt site, but agreed with planning officers’ assessment that the development would help to alleviate housing shortages in the borough. POLICE believe that a sus- pected arson attack at a restaurant in Cheadle Hulme was a ‘targeted’ inci- dent with no wider threat to the community. Emergency services were calledtoablazeat theRures- taurant and shisha lounge on Station Road in the early hours of 27 October. Police suspect that the suspects threw bricks through the window before starting a fire inside the building. At the time, the building was unoccupied, and no injuries have been reported. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has launched an investigation into the inci- dent and is now appealing for anybody with informa- tion which may be helpful to come forward. No arrests have been made as yet. GMP’s Inspector Peter Luscombe said: “We are also awareof rumours circulating regarding a firearm dis- charged at the location, but I would also like to assure you that this is not the case and there is no evidence linking a firearm to this incident. “I urge anyone who may have information to assist our enquiries to please come forward.” Blood Science services wins Green award National award for midwife Sharon Hyde receiving her award from deputy chief nurse Helen Howard. (Image: Stockport NHS) difficulty. Its Star Awards are offered to outstanding members of these professions across the UK, who go above and beyond in their duties. Helen Howard, Deputy Chief Nurse for Stockport NHS Foundation Trust said: “It’s fantastic to see Sharon being awarded with the Cavell Star award, which she truly deserves.” Government backs SEND improvement