I visited Waitrose in Wilmslow to present one of their Community Matters cheques to a local charity. This time it was Macclesfield Bereavement Support which has volunteers who counsel and support bereaved families in the Macclesfield and Tatton constituencies. Pam Jagger told me a little about this very valuable service which is able to help people in time of need. I also congratulated Waitrose on
their Big Society Award which was presented to them by the Prime Minister for their work with local communities through the country.
I was delighted to visit The Welcome again this week to see the changes they are making and talk to local people who are attending their Work Club. The team and the volunteers are doing a great job which is really appreciated by the local community. I also wanted to congratulate them on receiving a Big Society Award and see the plaque which was presented to them at Downing Street by the Prime Minister. I have accepted their invitation to become a Patron of the The Welcome charity and will continue to support their work.
The Welcome in Knutsford was recently awarded the Prime Minister's Big Society Award in recognition of its achievements in promoting social action, empowering communities and opening up public services.
The centre, which serves the Longridge, Shaw Heath and other communities of Knutsford, comprises a Community Café and runs a number of activities including adult literacy, numeracy and ICT skills, youth clubs, craft and fitness clubs for the elderly, and activities for children, young people and families. Chancellor and local MP George Osborne praised the achievements of The Welcome on a visit to the centre last year.
Wilmslow hosted another Christmas market this year along Wilmslow Road which I was able to visit before Christmas. Stallholders from the area were selling their produce and it was great to meetthem, sample some of the food which was being sold and make a start on my Christmas shopping.
“I was delighted to visit the Wilmslow Charity card shop again this year at Wilmslow Library. This is the 40th year of the Christmas Card Shop, Sheila Hallas having started in a tiny shop in Alderley Edge in 1971. Congratulations to Sheila and her team of local volunteers!”
“Congratulations to the organisers of Knutsford’s Christmas market at the weekend. Before switching on the lights I walked around the market meeting the stallholders and lots of local people with their families. The atmosphere was fantastic – what a wonderful start to the Christmas season”
George visits Lacey Green Primary School to celebrate its newly awarded Academy status.
George recently attended Tesco for Schools & Clubs equipment presentation at the Handforth Extra store.
Last Friday George visited Knutsford Library's Homework Club during its 'Help with Homework Week', 17 - 21st October.
George said,
“I was delighted to visit and learn more about this excellent initiative to help pupils from Knutsford schools with their homework. It is a great idea and I’d encourage students to visit for themselves and learn more.”
On Friday, George visited and opened Alderley Edge's new American deli. He said:
"It is great to see a new business opening in the area, employing young people. AlDeli will, I’m sure, one the best places to see and be seen. "