Stockport Independent Issue 182

FREE YOUR LOCAL GOOD NEWS-PAPER FREE STOCKPORT www.independentnewspapers.co.uk ISSUE 182 OFFERTON • THE HEATONS • EDGELEY • DENTON BREDBURY • CHEADLE HEATH • HAZEL GROVE • CHEADLE HULME • HEAVILEY • MARPLE • REDDISH • ROMILEY • WOODLEY • HIGH LANE Looking for Flooring Inspiration? Let us help you find the perfect flooring for your home. With great advice, home styling, measure and planning service, plus quality fitting of top brands and designs, youwill be glad you did . Visit our showroom: Tuesday to Saturday or call 01260 224445 for a private appointment Thornycroft Farm, Pexhill Road, Siddington, Cheshire SK11 9JN ● Modern, Traditional & Luxury Carpets ● Natural Wood Flooring ● Laminate Flooring ● Stair Runners & Rods ● Luxury Vinyl Tiles ● Bespoke Rugs & Runners STOCKPORT is celebrating the life of Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding with a spe- cial fundraising event and the unveiling of a plaque in her honour. The event, part of The Stock- port Music Story Walking Tours, was organised in support of The Christie Charity and the Sarah Harding Breast Cancer Appeal, dedicated to identifying young women at increased risk of breast cancer. The plaque, honouring her life and musical legacy, was being unveiled on High Street close to the Little Underbank as The Independent went to press. Sarah - who grew up in Stock- port - attended Hazel Grove High School, followed by Stock- port College where she studied hair and beauty. She also studied dance and drama at The North Cheshire Theatre School in Heaton Moor. The singer went to work for two nightclubs at the Grand Central leisure complex in Stock- port before she auditioned for Pop Stars: The Rivals in 2002. It was here she met her future Girls Aloud bandmates, who became one of the UK’s most successful pop groups. Following her diagnosis of breast cancer in 2020, Sarah was treated at The Christie in Manchester. Her final wish, before she died at just 39 years old in Septem- ber 2021, was to find new ways of detecting breast cancer early when it is more treatable. The BCAN-RAY (Breast Can- cer Risk Assessment in Younger Women) study is her legacy and is supported by Sarah’s family, friends and Girls Aloud band- mates Cheryl Tweedy, Kimber- ley Walsh, Nadine Coyle and Nicola Roberts, as well as Dr Sacha Howell who was Sarah’s consultant at The Christie. The plaque is located next to the Sarah Harding mural - on the side of the former Royal Oak at 11 High Street - which was created earlier this year by street artist Degsy and is one of a series of new artwork commis- sions in the area. The unveiling is part of the Stockport Music Map Tour, created and hosted by John In memory of Sarah Girls Aloud singer’s life is celebrated Barratt, renowned for his work promoting the town’s rich musi- cal heritage. Following the plaque unveil- ing, John was conducting a fundraising walking tour around the sites of other com- memorative plaques and signif- icant locations that have played a pivotal role in Stockport’s vibrant music history. The tour was finishing at Thread Bar, with a Girls Aloud themed party and screenings of their performances. John said: “Sarah was such a huge part of Stockport’s story, and her journey from here to the global stage is truly inspir- ing. We’re honoured to celebrate her legacy while supporting The Christie Charity, and the Sarah Harding Breast Cancer Appeal. “The Christie is particularly close to my heart, as my wife, Rosemary was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago. It was shocking and frightening but everyone at The Christie was amazing. “We’ve experienced firsthand the fantastic work that they do. Luckily Rosemary was spotted early through a routine screen- ing, and – after a lumpectomy and radiotherapy treatment – she has made a good recov- ery and now goes for annual check-ups. ● Continued on page two