Stockport Independent Issue 170

NOVEMBER 2023 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 2023. This newspaper is publishedmonthly by Investors in Publishing, Publishing House, 3 Bridgebank Industrial Estate,Taylor Street, Horwich, Bolton BL6 7PD. 01204 478812 EDITOR Ged Henderson ged@hendersonnewsandmedia.com ADVERTISING Robin Atkins 07767 840274 robin@cheshireindependent.co.uk CLASSIFIED JayneMeadowcroft 01204 478812 or 07703 045189 jayne@independentnewspapers.co.uk CONTACT US Why choose us? ● Expert clinical dental technicians ● Highly skilled in creating bespoke natural-looking dentures ● Dentures made at our on-site laboratory ● The very latest materials and techniques used ● Improve your facial aesthetics and chewing ability ● Implant supported dentures We’ll create that perfect smile Call now for a FREE consultation 0161 477 5448 Mr J. Kamal Bsc (hons) Dental Technology (Manchester) Dip CDT (UCLAN Preston) Stockport Denture Clinic Stockport Denture Clinic 37 Great Portwood Street, Stockport SK1 2DW stockportdentureclinic@gmail.com www.stockportdentureclinic.co.uk Come smile with us! ONE of Stockport’s famous frogs has gone under the hammer to raise cash for an NHS charity. Fredison the frog was designed by artist local Toubie Jack and was inspired by and themed around inventor Thomas Edison, who created the first light bulb in 1879. He was being auctioned off in early November to raise funds for Stockport NHS Charity which supports Stepping Hill Hospital and local community services. The Stockport frogs are the brainchild of Totally Stockport. The 18 gigan- tic, brightly coloured frogs, with each vibrant design created and painted by a local artist to depict one of the world’s greatest inven- tions, were previously on display around the town centre. Kate Leadbeater, Stockport NHS Charity manager, said “We’re really thrilled that Fre- dison has gone from lighting up the streets of Stockport to sup- porting our very own Stockport NHS Charity.” GREAT-GRANDFATHER and epic fundraiser Derek Farn- dell has been clocking up the miles by going nowhere. The 72-year-old from Hazel Grove got on his static bike and started pedalling to raise cash for local charities. The Rising Sun pub on Buxton Road played host to Derek’s two- day, 200-mile ride to raise funds for the Treehouse Children’s Unit at Stepping Hill Hospital and the When You Wish Upon a Star organisation. Derek, pictured, is classed as disabled, yet it hasn’t stopped him getting on his push bike over the years to raise tens of thousands of pounds for various good causes. He said: “It’s my way of say- ing thank you for the wonderful care Stepping Hill hospital staff gave my wife Mary when she had breast cancer and me seven years ago, when I was severely ill in intensive care. “In 2016 I was rushed to the Hospital’s A&E. During surgery they tell me I died three times in theatre and was in an induced coma for over four days.” Although his life was severely threatened, thankfully he was able to recover and go home with the help of the hospital’s surgical, ITU and medical teams. Since then, former JCB-driver Derek, a dad of four, grandad of five, and great-granddad of one, has taken part in a few long-dis- tance sponsored bike rides to support the local NHS charity, Stockport NHS Charity. Previous routes have taken him to London, Scotland, Teamwork: Members of Vernon’s staff celebrate at the awards CONSTRUCTION work has begun to transform a vacant eight-acre brownfield site in Stockport into modern indus- trial and office units with the capacity to support around 700 jobs. The redevelopment of the Vaux- hall Industrial Estate will see up to 28 new buildings created across six blocks, with parking for over 170 vehicles, 56 electric vehicle charging points and cycle storage areas. The new complex will have pho- tovoltaic rooftop solar panels to generate electricity for occupiers. The units will have an A-rated energy performance certificate. Once completed, the site on Greg Road in Reddish will provide 206,000 sq ft of new space. Foundation works have already been completed and the installa- tion of steel frames and cladding is now under way for each block. RECOMSolutions is managing the project for real estate devel- oper and investor Western UK Property Group (WUKPG). RECOM director Jason McKnight said: “We’re thrilled with the progress being made on this prestigious project to transform the Vauxhall Indus- trial Estate, which is soon to be renamed Vauxhall Trad- ing Estate. “We have been involved in the scheme from its conception and are excited to be supporting it through to completion.” Society’s award win VERNON Building Society has been recognised for its ‘passion for the borough’ at the Stockport Busi- ness Awards. It received ‘The Stockport Award’ at the annual event which was held at Edgeley Park. The society, which has branches in Bramhall, Poynton, Marple, Hazel Grove, Stockport and Reddish, will cel- ebrate its centenary next year. Steve Fletcher, chief executive at Vernon, said: “We are delighted to be awarded The Stockport Award and have our dedication and support for the bor- ough recognised by businesses across the region. “The award is a great testament to all the hard work the Vernon team do day in and day out to better serve the people of Stockport. “We exist to help our members flour- ish and our local community thrive, and I couldn’t be prouder of our team, our members and Stockport in the run up to our centenary year.” Charity’s frog chorus DEREK’S BIG BIKE PUSH Wales, Dorset, Lincolnshire, and Coventry. Derek said: “This time I’ve chosen to support the When You Wish Upon a Star charity, which grants wishes to chil- dren living with life threatening illnesses, and the Treehouse Chil- dren’s Unit. “We lost our daughter with cancer when she was just six and that was a difficult time for the whole family. Now, with happy and healthy grandchildren, and our first great grandchild, we feel so blessed. Karen James, chief executive of Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Derek is an inspi- ration to all who meet him. His determination and generosity to support others knows no bounds.” Work starting on industrial scheme