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What’s on - p5
Mar/Apr FREE
TRAGIC FIND Missing Sandbach man’s body found in a well in Crete
HUMAN remains discovered at the bottom of a well in Crete have been confirmed as the body of missing Sandbach man Steven Cook. Steven (pictured), then 20, vanished on a night out in Malia with friends in 2005. Detective Inspector Gary McIntyre said Cheshire police had been in close liaison with the Greek authorities. He said the remains were taken to a local hospital and were confirmed as belonging to Steven after forensic
examination. He added: “Steven’s family have been kept fully updated on the developments and are currently being supported by Cheshire officers.” Steven’s brother Chris said in a statement: “Whilst we always carried hope in our hearts that Steve would come back much sooner and once again be able to share in our lives the laughter, love and happiness that he brought in the 20 years he shone amongst us, sadly we will be bringing him home
to say our farewells. “Having a loved one go missing is a vacuum full of pain. “If they are no longer with us then the idle mind imagines horrors of ‘what ifs’ in order to account for them being alive and not in touch. “The ‘not knowing’ hurts but not as much as the thoughts
that your imagination conjures in the dark hours whilst also having to try and quench the flames of ‘what ifs’, rumours and gossip that becomes accepted as fact. “Knowing that Steve is now coming home is an end to all of that and the fog can lift at last. “In getting Steve home then we have truly found him again, and we he will now continue to live through the shared memories of all that knew him. “Rest in peace Stevie - you will never walk alone.”
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@SandbachUtd Great to see the new stand being placed at #Sandbach
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Sport - p8
Rick’s pay back AFTER retired pub landlord Rick Bradfield from Sandbach recovered from a sudden stroke he suffered at a Freemasons’ meeting, he decided he wanted to pay back those who helped him. As a result, the Stroke Association received a welcome cash boost thanks to Rick and his friends in Cheshire Freemasons. As well as helping to raise funds for the charity, Rick has gone on to become an active volunteer with the Stroke Association in Crewe helping others overcome the problems that such a condition brings about. Rick, who was landlord of the Foresters Arms in Winterley and a football referee with Crewe
FA league for many years, said: “After all the help I received from the Stroke Association in helping me recover, I wanted to give something back. “I am delighted to have received such generous support from my fellow Freemasons in Crewe and Sandbach.” Rick with fellow Freemasons is pictured handing over his cheque to Hilary Belshaw, co-ordinator of the Stroke Association’s support group linked to Leighton Hospital that helps patients recover and move on from a stroke. Members of Rick’s Lodge of Installed Masters in Sandbach raised £200, and Masons at John Brunner Lodge in Middlewich donated £500 towards the charity’s local work.
@SandbachHigh We did it!! Young Engineers school of the year. A massive well done to all our students and staff YOU HAVE DONE US PROUD! @ SandbachCollege @Elworth_Hall March from Sandbach School to the cobbles 18th March -11.00am in support of schools and the budget cuts they are facing #whatwouldyoucut @CarneyCheshire We have an open day on the 15th April. Come and check us out and meet our director @DirectorRuth @SandbachRUFC Lots of very positive talk re: this years Annual Ball. Not been for a couple of years? Please come and see what everyone is talking about. @Claire33193163 @SandbachDrama enjoyed intensity of the Monstrum, cast were fantastic .... providing crucial creative opportunities for Sandbach students.
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M6 crashes CHESHIRE firefighters cut a driver free from a vehicle following a crash between a lorry and a van on the M6 between Sandbach and Crewe on Wednesday March 15. The collision happened on the southbound carriageway between junctions 17 and 16 at around 10.53pm. One fire engine from Sandbach and one from Crewe were called to the scene of the crash. A Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “Firefighters were called to a road traffic collision with one person trapped. “The collision involved a van and a heavy goods vehicle and one casualty was extricated from a vehicle and handed
over to the ambulance service.” The crash came just hours after an earlier multi-vehicle pile-up on the M6 at junction 18 at Holmes Chapel and Middlewich. The air ambulance, police, fire crews from Holmes Chapel, Sandbach, Congleton, Winsford and Crewe and paramedics were called to the southbound carriageway at 12.10pm following the crash involving six vehicles. The motorway was closed in both directions while fire crews released one person who was trapped in their vehicle and the scene was cleared. Another six people were treated by paramedics at the scene, assisted by Cheshire firefighters.
Ready for new season THE cricket season may be weeks away but things are progressing apace at the London Road home of Elworth Cricket Club. There is activity around both on and off field matters as the club prepares for another promotion campaign. The league programme opens on April 22 with the Foxes travelling to take on Moddershall, with the first home game a week later against Cheadle. Winter nets have begun and are being held on Sundays at Sandbach School. The junior session is from 9.30 to 11am and the senior sesssion is from 6pm to 7.30pm. Amongst new initiatives for 2017 is the ECB’s All Stars Cricket for five to eight-year-olds. Elworth has become an All Stars Cricket Centre which will present fun cricket activities for this age group on Saturday mornings. The present junior age group training for under nines and
under 11s will also continue on Saturday mornings. Other age groups train, practice and play their matches on weekday evenings with some junior matches on Sundays. For more information contact Paul Herrington, who is also planning to establish a girls’ team, on 07769 440 660. The club is holding an open day on Sunday April 23, to give visitors a chance to inspect the developments that have transformed Elworth’s HQ. The new junior cricket pitches and new nets give the ground an expansive aspect which enhances an already attractive ground. The club house too has received a makeover and an invigorated bar regime sees new products and special offers available. The club continues to offer a variety of activities including Thursday evening bingo, regular quizzes, Sky Sports on the big screen and music nights.
Stage craft
YOUNG Sandbach actors are to perform at the Lowry theatre in Manchester next month. Members of Sandbach School Theatre presented The Monstrum by Kellie Smith at the school this month as part of National Theatre Connections festival. The Monstrum is one of ten brand new plays written especially for Connections by a selection of the best playwriting talent in the UK. It is about a cold village in the middle of nowhere where a disease has broken out infecting the young and transforming them into monstrous creatures. The Gothic architecture of Sandbach School’s theatre provided the perfect backdrop to the play and the stage was transformed into a wooded village with houses, trees and a laboratory.
The melodramatic style of the play was underscored with piano music and songs written exclusively for Sandbach by composer Tom Lockett. The set had to be flexible to allow for an easy transfer to The Lowry on April 2. The festival at The Lowry will give students the chance to perform on a professional stage and experience the intensity of a setup, rehearsal and delivery of a play in one day. David Anderson, curriculum leader of performing arts and play director, said: “The group have worked incredibly hard to deliver a combination of music, drama and dance as part of the performance. “The tech crew have also added tone and atmosphere using projection, lighting and sound to give a real sense of isolation in the mysterious village where the play is set.”
THE Rotary Club of Sandbach Crosses joined forces with Just Helping and St Lukes Hospice to organise collections of Christmas trees this year. Registration involved a donation for the service, 80% of which goes to St Lukes Hospice. Rotary Club coordinator David Walls said: “I’d like to thank
my fellow recyclers for all their efforts over the weekend. “Overall we collected 300 trees in Sandbach, which is 50% more than last year. “This increase has been reflected across the area, with 1,200 being collected, which means a significant increase on the £16,000 donated last year.”
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SOUTH CHESHIRE COLLEGE ARE CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF OR ABOVE PASS RATE ON THEIR A LEVEL PROGRAMME REASONS TO STUDY A LEVELS AT SOUTH CHESHIRE COLLEGE:
• Over 30 subject choices • College’s partnership with University of Oxford through SCC Futures Programme • Extensive work place links with regional and national companies • Free transport to College • Industry-standard facilities • Library with access to over 16,000 books and 5,000 e-books
Lieutenant Annabel Broad
ALUMINI SUCCESS
PRIMARY SCHOOL: Haslington Primary
HIGH SCHOOL: Sandbach High School
COURSE: A Levels - 2009-11
BRITANNIA ROYAL NAVAL COLLEGE: Officer Training
CURRENT WORKPLACE: Commanding Officer of HMS BITER
I really enjoyed my time at College and went on to win Student of the Year in my second year. I’ve returned to College recently to speak to current Public Service students about my career in the Royal Navy and hope to inspire them to consider this as an option for their future.
Tel 01270 730115 Wed Mar 29 - Live Concert St Mary’s Church, from 7pm Sandbach Concert Series presents the Consone Quartet, with a spotlight on local young musicians and art exhibition Tickets £8.50 adults, £3 children Sun April 2 - Record Fair Sandbach Indoor Market, 10am - 4pm Record Fair and memorabilia, staged by Backtrax Music Free entry Sun April 2 - Live Concert Sandbach Town Hall, 7.30pm Performance from Sandbach Voices, featuring the music of Mozart and Handel Tickets £12 / £10 concessions. Accompanied children free. Visit www.sandbachvoices. co.uk for further details or 07974058761 for tickets Tues April 4 - History Society Sandbach Library, 7.45pm Sandbach History Soceity presents a talk by Jeremy Nicholls entitled ‘Britain’s Railways of the First World War’ Tickets £3. Call 01270 760810
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Tues April 11 - Film Night Sandbach Town Hall, 7.30pm Sandbach Community Cinema presents a movie on the big screen Tickets £5, call 01270 600800 Wed April 12 - Blood Donor Session Sandbach Town Hall, 1.40pm 7.45pm Sat April 15 - Drama Open Day Sandbach Town Hall, 10am 4pm Open day for the Carney Academy, which offers acting, dance and singing classes for youngsters. Call Ruth Carney on 0800 0209122 or visit www. carneyacademy.co.uk Mon April 17 - Flower Club Bradwall Village Hall, 7.30pm Elworth Flower Club presents demonstration ‘Shaken not Stirred’ by Nigel Whyles Tickets £5, call 01270 753302
Fri April 21 - Ornithological Society Ettiley Heath Church Community Centre, 7.30pm South East Cheshire Ornithological Society stages AGM and members evening Call Derek Owen on 01270 650766
Sat/Sun April 22/3 - Transport Festival Across town centre, all day The annual Sandbach Transport Festival returns to the town. For details visit www. sandbachtransportfestival.co.uk Wed April 26 - Live Concert St Mary’s Church, 7pm Sandbach Concert Series presents David Thornton of Foden’s Band. Featuring a spotlight on local young musicians and an art exhibition Tickets £8.50 (adults) £7 (concessions) Visit www.sandbach-concertseries.co.uk
Sat April 29 Caberet St Mary’s Church Hall, from 7pm
Steampunk Cabaret Night featuring Victor & The Bully, Foxee Stole, Moth, Erwyd The Conwy Jester, and The Retro Clones Tickets £12, call 01270 600840 Sat/Sun April 29/30 - Market Sandbach Town Hall, 10am 4pm Steampunk Market featuring stalls and entertainment Visit www.crewe-steampunkconvivial.co.uk
Transform your home... Sat April 8 - Maker’s Market On the cobbled square, 9am - 3pm Stalls available from Victoria Jackson on 07879 684184
Fri April 21 - Art Exhibition The Masonic Hall, 11am - 4pm Sandbach Art Club opens a new exhibition, running until Sunday April 23. Free entry
Fri April 28 - Blood Donor Session Sandbach Town Hall, 1.40pm 7.45pm
Sun April 30 - Horse Trials Bradwall Manor, all day For details call 01270 762036
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Fine margins leave Sandbach sweating for points SANDBACH RUFC endured a frustrating afternoon away to Syston, drawing 20-20 despite dominating much of the game. They failed to come away with an important victory, when a combination of lack of precision, injuries and refereeing decisions, all contributed to them not overcoming a dogged Syston outfit. It is a disappointment after the side got back to winning ways with hard fought victories against Towcestrians and Sheffield. This result now sees Sandbach looking over their shoulders as they dropped two places with both Bridgnorth and Lichfield gaining important wins, making their next game against second from bottom Bedford Athletic critical for both teams. Sandbach had started the game strongly and took the lead early on, when after
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a great break from Liam Carpenter, they got behind the Syston defence and neat hands put winger Elliot Morris in out wide, who ran under the posts to score. Benny Elliot adding the conversion. Five minutes later Sandbach suffered a double blow when first scrum half Mark Bird left the field, when a stray Syston boot left a nasty gash in his cheek. He was soon followed on the side lines by centre Jack Robinson, as he pulled a hamstring. This rather disrupted proceedings and despite dominating territory Sandbach started to make a few errors and didn’t quite have the composure, that resulted in them not getting the points on the board which their play deserved. With both sides trying to play
Dan Stubbs on a charge against Sheffield
Upcoming First Team Fixtures
Apr 1 3pm Birm & Solihull (A) Apr 8 3pm Bridgnorth (H)
Apr 15 3pm Caldy (A) Cup Apr 22 3pm Broadstreet (A)
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Leicester feeling frustrated and disappointed. With a difficult league run-in Sandbach will have to work hard to avoid the drop.
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