Stockport Independent Issue 204

JUNE 2026 8 Crugan owners have access to facilities at The Warren Resort & Spa. 2026 Site Fees Included. CRUGAN HOLIDAY PARK Llanberog LL53 7NL 2026 Carnaby Chantry Lodge Price £125,000 For more information or to book into an open day please contact Sarah Jopling by: Email: sarah.jopling@haulfryn.co.uk Phone: 07887 341382 HOLIDAY HOME FOR SALE CLARITAS choir is planning a spectacular con- cert to celebrate its 20th anniver- sary in style. Rehearsals are already under way for the special show at MADS Thea- tre on Monday, July 13. The community choir has supported East Cheshire Hos- pice throughout its history, raising more than £71,000 in the process. The Hospice is close to the hearts of many choir members, includ- ing Clair Close. Her late hus- band David was a Hospice patient in 2000. He was just 45 when he died of a brain tumour. Cl a i r sa id : “David was a big rugby player and well known at Macclesfield Rugby Club. After he was diagnosed, it was A NANTWICH care home which was rated ‘inade- quate’ and placed into spe- cial measures to protect people is now improving, the Care Quality Commis- sion has said. St Catherine’s Care Home, which provides accommoda- tion and nursing care to older people, some with dementia, was found to have breached the legal regulations in five areas during an earlier inspection by the CQC in October last year. The breaches were in relation to safe care and treatment, safeguarding ser- vice users from abuse and improper treatment, meet- ing nutritional and hydra- tion needs, staffing and governance. A PROLIFIC offender has been jailed after admitting a series of shoplifting and theft offences committed across the Macclesfield area. Shannon Duncan, 27, of Mill Street in Macclesfield, appeared at Chester Crown Court where she was sen- tenced to 44 weeks in prison and ordered to pay £1,000 compensation. Duncan pleaded guilty to three counts of theft from a shop, two counts of theft from a vehicle, two counts of going equipped for theft and one count of possession of a Class B drug, namely cannabis. The court heard that between February 27 and April 9 2025, Duncan carried out a wave of offences across Macclesfield involving shop thefts and vehicle break-ins. Whilemany of the stolen items were of relatively low value, one incident involved the theft of expensive musical equip- ment worthmore than £3,500. On April 9, Duncan broke into a vehicle parked on Paradise Street in Macclesfield and stole the equipment from inside. THREE friends skate- boarded fromMacclesfield to Manchester for charity. Kane Hall and his pals Jay and Ben rode from Maccles- field Town Hall to Projekts Skatepark to raise money for Anaphylaxis UK. They were inspired to do so by Kane’s partner, who strug- gles with several serious aller- gies and has to carry an epipen on her at all times. Kane said: “I’ve seen her have many reactions, ranging from swelling and her skin getting blotchy and red to her throat closing and not being able to breath. “Any reaction can come on suddenly and can get much worse quickly. “So, I have seen first-hand how dangerous allergies can be. “That’s why I wanted to do something to try and raise money for Anaphylaxis UK, so they can continue with research for better help and preventative measures for serious allergies.” The trio, all in their 30s, met through their love of skate- boarding, which they fostered at West Park in Macclesfield. Kane was trying to think Prolific shoplifter jailed for 44 weeks Shannon Duncan (Image: Cheshire Constabulary) Care home ‘improving’ SKATEBOARDING MATES HIT ROAD FOR CHARITY Kane Hall (centre) and friends skated fromMaccles!eld to Manchester to raise money for charity (Image: Supplied) of a different way of rais- ing money when he came up with the idea of skating 17 miles from Macclesfield to Manchester. They have so far raised around £1,200 for Anaphy- laxis UK. “We started the skate very positive, the weather was bril- liant considering the forecast and we did the first 10 miles very quickly and with no issue,” Kane said. “We started slowing around Hazel Grove and once we entered Stockport the sky started to darken and the temperature dropped. “We had decided earlier on to go to a well-known skate spot while in Stockport. As soon as we go there, we felt a couple of drops of rain.” The trio took shelter in a nearby pub and, after a quick pint, set off again, now having to navigate wet and flooded footpaths. Kane continued: “We carried on and by the time we made it to Projekts, the weather had cleared up a bit. We were welcomed by my partner, my daughter and friends who had made signs congratulating us and even bought us a couple of beers.” Anaphylaxis UK is the only UK-wide charity oper- ating solely for the growing numbers of people at risk of serious allergic reactions and anaphylaxis. While there’s no treat- ment or cure for anaphylaxis, the charity aims to create safer environment. COMMUNITY CHOIR HITS HIGH NOTES seven weeks from start to finish. “David spent the last two weeks of his life in the Hospice and it was such a blessing that we had it on our doorstep. “It was a shock- ing time, as you can imagine, but the Hospice looked after him and our son Jonathan, and daughter Laura, a f t e r w a r d s . They were only children then.” The choir is one way Clair helps. She has volun- teered on reception for a long time and provided admin support for the sen- ior doctor for seven years. The Christ- mas tree collection is also a tradition for Clair. She said: “You want to give some- thing back because they gave a lot to my family when we needed it. “I joined the choir soon after it was formed. I’d never sung in a choir at school or anything and it was my first attempt at sing- ing with a group of people. “We’ve had three different musical directors, all with different styles. “It’s always been joyous and when we go out into the Claritas members (from left) Jane Cole, Angela Shaw, Joy Sykes and Clair Close. (Image: ECH) community with our buckets the public empty their pockets because so many people have a connection with the Hospice. They feel an affinity and want to help.” A collection at the Treacle Market where Claritas per- formed last month raised £300 in just half an hour. Claritas will feature at a music night at The Tytherington Club on Friday, July 3 (7 pm). For the anniver- sary concert, Clari- tas will be joined by guest singers from MADS Theatre and Macclesfield Ukulele group. Expect classic favourites from the 50-strong choir which is thriving two decades on. Tickets at £12 are available from claritassecretary@ gmail.com