Local News

Police are urging residents and businesses affected by the recent flooding to be aware of rogue traders.

More than 1,400 volunteers have come forward to support Cheshire’s COVID-19 vaccination programme.

Directors of Public Health across the region are appealing to all supermarkets and food/convenience stores to adhere to the COVID secure public health guidance.

Plans have been unveiled for a new task force of 20 police officers to spearhead a crime prevention drive across North Wales.

Cheshire West and Chester Council has been administering grants available to businesses throughout the pandemic into the current national lockdown.

New dedicated cycling infrastructure is proposed at Frodsham, Helsby, Hartford, Weaverham and Northwich. Cheshire West and Chester Council is hoping to hear from as many people as possible on the proposals.

Chester pride is pleased to announce that a total of 2,022 items have been collected via their Reverse Advent Calendar campaign in aid of The West Cheshire Foodbank.

Drivers are being advised the M6 at Knutsford in Cheshire will be closed again at the weekend to complete the operation to lay bridge beams over the motorway as part of Highways England’s £43 million junction 19 upgrade.

Cheshire West and Chester Council is supporting business growth with a steady flow of enquiries for new premises.

A team of Cheshire advocates who have provided outstanding support to children with Down’s syndrome, their families and teachers with their learning are in the running for a national award.

Delivery of lifesaving Covid-19 jabs will begin today at pharmacies in Crewe, Alsager and St Helens as the NHS accelerates the biggest vaccination programme in its history.

Following the review of the feedback from Clubs in connection to the recent Clubs meeting, a Board meeting this morning decided to halt the participation in the North/South Divisions for a two-week period, effective immediately.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) has been praised by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) for its work supporting the local community during COVID-19.

Network Rail’s helicopter team is surveying the railway as flood waters recede across the North West after Storm Christoph.

A passion for helping children with special educational needs and disabilities has driven a student at the University of Chester to achieve outstanding academic success while undergoing and recovering from complex surgery herself.

A man from Chester has been jailed for drug dealing offences following a police stop check in the city.

As part of Northern’s ongoing work to transform rail travel in the North, customers are now seeing £650,000 worth of improvements at car parks across the network.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service is continuing to support communities across the county following the major flooding incident caused by Storm Christoph.

The six million Jews who were murdered between 1941 and 1945 will be remembered on Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January.

Emergency services and other agencies are continuing to work together to support local communities across Cheshire following persistent rain and severe flooding.

RSPCA rescuers have been called in to rescue animals and people caught up in the floods after Storm Christoph battered England and Wales.

Residents of Cheshire West and Chester are being asked for their views on a proposed waste strategy which will shape how the Council delivers waste and recycling services over the next 10 years.

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Health chiefs have praised the heroic effort to protect Cheshire residents via the county’s COVID-19 vaccination programme.

Cheshire police and crime commissioner David Keane is encouraging community groups to apply for emergency funding to support residents who have been affected by flooding.

Northern customers are still being asked to check ahead before travelling as the region continues to feel the impact of flooding.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is urging people to continue to be alert today (21 January 2021) as a further severe flood warning has been issued for North Wales.

A Deeside sign maker has transformed the Bridge Community Farms van which delivers their popular veg boxes across West Cheshire and the Wirral.

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A University of Chester academic is placing the spotlight on the city’s important role in a global network of trade and commerce during the Middle Ages.

Retail Wellbeing CIC is planning to open Cheshire’s first Meeting Centre and is looking for support from the local community.

Motorists in Cheshire are being urged to take extra care on the county’s roads this morning following Storm Christoph.

Heavy rain from Storm Christoph falling on already saturated ground has continued to affect parts of Merseyside and flooding is expected in places.

Northern is advising customers across the North West of England NOT TO TRAVEL due to increasingly poor conditions following torrential rain across the region.

Cheshire Police is pleased to be supporting a new government scheme to enable victims of domestic abuse to access much needed support from thousands of pharmacies across the UK.

Heavy rain and flooding continue to cause disruption on some routes across the Northern network.

Applications from businesses looking to trade at Chester’s new indoor market are now being taken, currently under construction and due to open in summer 2022.

Chester residents have been trying out new rental e-scooters over the last few weeks and have already clocked up 11,226 miles from 3,776 journeys, the equivalent of nearly 13 trips from Land's End to John o' Groats.

Leaders, Lettings and Estate Agents in Chester, are offering their printing services for parents who are struggling to print off school work for their children while home schooling.

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Railway engineers across the North West are battling the effects of Storm Christoph as they try to keep passengers and freight safely on the move.

A 59-year-old man has been charged in relation to an allegation that a woman in her 70s paid a large amount of money for work that was not completed at her home.

The UK’s biggest citizen science project has been recording the winners and losers in the garden bird world for over four decades with the help of half a million people, and now the RSPB is counting on Cheshire residents to join in too.

A charity set up to alleviate loneliness brought on by the pandemic has been able to hire its first paid member of staff, following a £10,000 donation from Cheshire-based Equilibrium.

There are growing calls for a special recovery fund to be set up for the tourism and hospitality industry that’s been pushed into economic freefall as a result of the pandemic.

Chester were left with just a point at the end of a six goal thriller tonight, as Bradford battled back twice to secure a point at the Horsfall Stadium.

Residents across Cheshire are being urged to be prepared following the arrival of Storm Christoph, which is set to bring heavy rain across the county this week.

The RSPCA is urging animal owners and farmers to prepare for potential flooding this week after flood alerts were issued across the country and a major incident was declared in the north.

Chester FC are pleased to announce that defender Connor Taylor has extended his loan spell with the club initially until the end of January.

Following two Saturday postponements for this fixture, the Blues will now visit the Horsfall Stadium, under the lights, tonight.

With the North West experiencing extremely wet weather, rail passengers are being advised to check before they travel.

The stabilisation of Dee House in Chester will be carried out this year, following a £500,000 investment from the Council.

Detectives are issuing a warning to the public following reports of phone calls purporting to be from the police demanding money and gift cards from residents.

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s network of community champions have been helping keep residents safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, sharing important and trusted information with their communities.

An interest in gardening to boost wellbeing has transformed into an internationally recognised collection preserving endangered plants for an academic at the University of Chester.

Following the announcement by the Government of a national lockdown, the Council and education providers across the borough have been working together to ensure children and young people are supported to continue with their education while restrictions are in place.

A social care campaigner is calling on the Welsh Government to urgently invest in higher grade PPE to defend against the new coronavirus variant sweeping care homes.

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Libraries Service has moved Health and Wellbeing Week 2021 on-line between Monday 25 and Sunday 31 January 2021.

Drivers who have to travel are being urged to take extra care on motorways and major A roads overnight and until Thursday (21 January) due to heavy rain.

Cheshire Police has received a report regarding a stolen quad in the Chester area.

The online survey, launched earlier this month by police and crime commissioner David Keane, asks Cheshire residents whether they feel safe in their area and what they would like to see Cheshire Police prioritise over the next 12 months.

Chester BID launch an ‘’Independent Business Guide’, in response to dramatic change in city’s retail and hospitality sector – and in their continued battle to save the high street.

Waterways and wellbeing charity, the Canal & River Trust is launching a new 12 week ‘Wellbeing at Home’ programme for Cheshire residents.

Cheshire’s largest provider of post-16 education is hosting their first Virtual Open Day of 2021 this month to give local learners an opportunity to discover what College life is like.

Growth Track 360 calls for Union Connectivity Review to recommend coordinated cross-border transport investment benefitting Wales and England.

Drivers in Cheshire are being reminded the M6 motorway is set to be closed at Knutsford over the next two weekends as the £43 million junction 19 upgrade reaches an important milestone.

Did you know almost 100,000 people filed their tax returns on 6 April 2020, which is the first day of the tax year? With the 31 January deadline fast approaching, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) shares some little-known facts about Self Assessment tax returns.

At Warrington Magistrates’ Court on Saturday 16 January, Robert Forbes was remanded into custody.

Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner David Keane and Chief Constable will hold their final virtual public engagement session tomorrow.

A second centre opens in Cheshire West and Chester today, Monday, 18 January, to offer COVID-19 tests to targeted groups of residents who do not have symptoms of the virus.

Four Ellesmere Port neighbours have started the week with an amazing surprise after winning £30,000 each thanks to their postcode.

Cheshire Fire Authority is seeking residents views on its plans to increase its share of council tax (called its precept) for the 2021/2022 financial year.

We can confirm that Chester FC's scheduled game this afternoon against Bradford (Park Avenue) has been postponed.

A 40-year-old man from Ellesmere Port has been charged following a robbery in the town.

Detectives investigating a robbery in Ellesmere Port have arrested a 40-year-old man from the town.

The University of Chester has won a prestigious industry award for an innovative communications project, designed to help school and college students applying to university and enhance their education under lockdown.

The Blues will be looking to build on their perfect start to 2021, as they travel to Yorkshire to face Bradford (Park Avenue), seven days later than originally anticipated.

This week Cheshire, Staffordshire and Derbyshire Police came together to work on Operation Triplet.

Tourism and hospitality businesses from across Cheshire and Warrington have joined forces to call on the Government for more support during the country’s third national lockdown.

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s bid for £1.075m Government funding has taken a step forward as the Council joins 17 applications invited to submit a business case for phase two assessment.

North West Academies Trust is spearheading a campaign to help ensure children across Cheshire have access to a laptop for home-schooling.

Residents in Cheshire West and Chester are being asked to take extra care while exercising outside during lockdown.

After more than £82,000 was raised through a crowdfunding effort launched by Cheshire West and Chester Council, community initiatives across the borough are receiving much-needed financial support.

New market research released today reveals how many people in the North West are looking to 2021 for the career plan shake-up they had envisaged at the turn of the new decade, before the Covid-19 pandemic struck.

As part of the Ellesmere Port plant’s many biodiversity projects, the latest product to roll out of the Vauxhall plant won’t be a new car, but rather jars of honey thanks to a new workforce of bees and beekeepers situated on the factory site.

A social care leader has vented her frustration about people not turning up for appointments for anti-covid jabs.

Despite the challenges of COVID-19 this winter, NHS staff in the North West have played their part in the largest national NHS flu immunisation programme which has seen record numbers of people being vaccinated.

Three people in Little Budworth are celebrating after winning £1,000 each thanks to their lucky postcode.

The RSPCA has welcomed new guidance from the UK Government which will make it easier for people in England to walk and exercise their dogs amid ongoing lockdown restrictions.

If the events of the last year have made you reassess your career and lifestyle and you’d like a fresh start for 2021, focusing on making a positive difference for both yourself and others, fostering could be the role for you.

Work is progressing well in Ellesmere Port, following the opening of the Bus Interchange in November, work has moved to the Hub building.

Cheshire West and Chester Council company Vivo Care Choices has been given accreditation by the National Autistic Society (NAS) for its supported living services at Dover Drive in Ellesmere Port.

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The RSPCA has launched an investigation after two cats were found dumped in a desolate layby at the side of a closed road in Cheshire.

Transport for Wales will be re-introducing an essential travel Covid-19 timetable in response to the tighter restrictions in place across Wales and England.

Diabetes UK is calling people across Cheshire to sign up to the first ever FakeAway Feb. The charity is challenging people to swap processed foods for healthier, homecooked meals throughout the month of February, to raise vital funds for diabetes research.

Cheshire Constabulary regularly undertakes short surveys to help them to understand how the public of Cheshire feel about policing in the county.

GP led vaccinations for COVID-19 have started.

Cheshire East Council has launched a new jobs and training support programme to help more than 5,000 young people and adults across the county to achieve their goals.

Cheshire College – South & West is now displaying Chester-based creative Nicky Thompson’s artwork which features iconic city landmarks including the Groves, Eastgate Clock, Chester Racecourse and Chester Zoo.

Northern, alongside the rest of the UK rail industry is to introduce amended timetables from Monday 18th January to continue to help those who need to travel get where they need to be.

As the COVID-19 pandemic enters a new phase, Dr Andrew Furber, Regional Director of Public Health (North West), Public Health England, warns against complacency and directly appeals to everyone to follow the rules and stay home as much as possible to help save lives.

Detectives investigating a burglary at an address in Chester have charged a man in relation to the incident.

Leaders of Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Warrington and Halton Councils, the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Chair of the Local Enterprise Partnership write to the Secretary of State for Health and the Secretary of State for Housing and Local Government about Covid.

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Professional carers from Carefound Home Care have given an inspiring insight into what they enjoy about caring for people living with dementia.

Tonight Arriva Bus Wales is temporarily closing its Wrexham Depot until further notice, due to a number of employees being diagnosed with COVID19. This decision has been taken in full consultation with Wrexham Council and Public Health Wales.

A church in Mold has launched an appeal for help to raise funds to restore a stunning series of beautiful stained glass windows by one of Wales’s most talented 20th century craftsmen.

Cheshire West and Chester Council is warning residents to be aware of COVID-19 vaccination scams.

Organisations in the private, public and charity sectors across Cheshire are being offered free and subsidised access to a range of professional courses, designed to enhance skills and boost wellbeing and motivation in the workplace.

When National League clubs agreed in October to start the season playing behind closed doors, this decision was based on reassurances that grants would be provided to compensate for essential revenue lost from fans not returning on 1st October.

Cheshire Constabulary is urging residents to stay at home and stick to the rules after issuing more fines last weekend compared to the month of December.

Stay at home and stay safe. This is the message from Cheshire West and Chester Council to residents who have been classed as Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV).

Whilst many local businesses are being impacted by the pandemic, causing a rise in unemployment, one local business has 45 jobs on offer for people with or without sector experience.

A dedicated care home worker has only been home to North Wales for three weeks since the pandemic hit in March 2020.

Sports clubs, Scouts, hospices, and a local band are among the organisations to benefit from Manchester Airport’s Community Trust Fund, which has handed out almost £30,000 to 18 beneficiaries.

Community groups in Cheshire are being encouraged to apply for an emergency fund set up by police and crime commissioner (PCC) David Keane to support communities through the latest national lockdown.

Cheshire is opening the door on unhealthy relationships.

The first of two weekend closures of the M6, at junction 19 at Knutsford, has been postponed for a week due to last week’s cold snap.

Coronation Street actor Harry Visinoni has told of the moment he went to brush his teeth in the bathroom of his home and was left shaken when a four-foot long snake appeared on the toilet!

Aldi has announced plans to increase the amount of food and drink it buys from British suppliers over the next five years by £3.5bn as it continues its rapid expansion across the UK.

A man from Ellesmere Port has been charged following a robbery at a convenience store in the town.

Detectives investigating a series of burglaries across Cheshire and Merseyside have charged a man in connection with the incidents.

Cheshire Police Chief Constable Darren Martland and Police and Crime Commissioner David Keane will be holding three virtual public engagement sessions over the coming weeks for Cheshire residents to attend.

Directors of Public Health across the region are urging people to abide by the latest lockdown rules and stay at home.

A police boss says a new get tough approach is essential to crack down on Covid rule-breakers who are putting lives at risk.

We can confirm that Chester FC's trip to Bradford (Park Avenue) tomorrow has been postponed, due to a frozen pitch and heavy snow.

Tributes have been pouring in for Flintshire County Councillor Kevin Hughes who died at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital after a long battle against Covid-19.

Scammers have quickly taken advantage of the vaccine rollout, through bogus phone messages and texts, inviting people to apply for their vaccine appointment.

Cheshire West and Chester Council has announced how its services in towns and villages across the borough will be affected by the national lockdown.

As the pandemic reaches a new high point in infection rates and a new variant of the virus is spreading so quickly, authorities want to emphasise the need to avoid any unnecessary travel.

It’s not too late to take part in Cheshire West and Chester Council’s consultation on how it manages wildflower planting, parks and open spaces, and outdoor play and youth areas in the borough.

Businesses in Cheshire West and Chester which are required to close due to the national lockdown Stay at Home Covid-19 restrictions are able to apply for a grant from the Cheshire West Covid Support for Businesses scheme.

Each year, Oliver & Co choose a charity of the year to focus their fundraising efforts on. For 2020/21, the chosen charity is Claire House.

Cheshire’s police and crime commissioner (PCC) David Keane has launched a recruitment drive to find a new chief constable to lead Cheshire Constabulary.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is urging anyone lucky enough to live within walking distance of the coast during lockdown to stay safe and not take any unnecessary risks that may put extra pressure on emergency services.

Cheshire Constabulary is launching its first ever Fast Track Detective Programme, which will see those successfully recruited fast tracked to undertake the nationally accredited detective training programme.

The University of Chester is one of only two finalists up for a prestigious industry award for an innovative communications project designed to help school and college students applying to university and enhance their education under lockdown.

As Cheshire West and Chester experiences some of the coldest temperatures this winter, the Council’s Highways team has moved up a gear to keep the road network running smoothly.

National Express will fully suspend its national network of scheduled coach services with effect from 23:59 on Sunday 10 January 2021.

The daughter of a care home resident has spoken of her massive relief after her mother became one of the first in Wales to receive the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine to protect her against deadly Coronavirus.

A University of Chester student has scooped a national award after the judges recognised the winning style in her fashion-forward interior design project.

Construction work has started on Monument Meadow Natural Burial Ground in Farndon, Cheshire.

The COVID -19 vaccine rollout has begun. Unfortunately, we have already had reports of scam recorded phone messages and emails asking you to press a number or click a link to make a vaccine appointment.

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones is standing down.

Did you know it is actually illegal to leave your vehicle running unattended while you de-ice it or warm it up in cold weather?

Cheshire Police have received a few incidents around Landrover Defenders that they want to make you aware of.

Cheshire’s police and crime commissioner is asking Cheshire residents what their policing priorities are as part of a new consultation.

Eight huge steel beams will be lifted into place over the M53 in Merseyside this weekend to help create a new bridge over the motorway.

The key role a former Cheshire officer played in solving a serial killer case will be broadcast in an ITV crime drama this month.

Vulnerable people across Flintshire are to get free face-to-face legal advice thanks to a £260,000 partnership between local Citizens Advice services, law firms and a leading university.

Cheshire West and Chester Council is urging everyone in the borough to follow the restrictions and stay at home following the latest government announcement of an England-wide lockdown.

Police are appealing for witnesses following a collision in Ashton near Chester.

Following tonight's announcement from the Prime Minister, you must stay at home and follow the Government's guidance.

Despite strict coronavirus restrictions being felt by the majority of the region the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) still had to respond to a high level of demand this festive season.

Sixteen new GP-led COVID-19 vaccination services are set to start vaccinating people across Cheshire in the first weeks of 2021.

Primary schools, special schools and alternative educational settings in Cheshire West and Chester will open from Monday, 4 January, subject to any previously scheduled INSET days.

Chester Lions Club is a local charity made up of volunteers, who raise funds and provide support to local good causes.

Congratulations to Simon Grand, who made his 100th appearance for Chester FC this afternoon against AFC Telford United!

Chester made the perfect start to 2021, with a thumping win over AFC Telford United at the Deva Stadium.

Chester’s first game of 2021 takes place at the Deva Stadium, as AFC Telford United visit CH1 in the National League North.

Following the announcement that Cheshire West and Chester is now under Tier 4: Stay at Home restrictions, to bring coronavirus infections under control, businesses required to close are being encouraged to apply for support.

A 22-year-old man from Saltney has been charged in connection with a fatal collision in Ellesmere Port.

Cheshire Constabulary is urging residents to stay home this New Year’s Eve following the news that many parts of the county have moved into Tier 4.

The RSPCA teamed up with the fire service to rescue a stricken grebe who had become trapped in a part of a disused canal which is blocked by a flood defence gate in Chester.

Claims by the Conservative Government that they are giving North Wales Police an extra £9.4 million in funding have been described as “sheer and shameless dishonesty”.

Cheshire West and Chester will move into Tier 4 (Stay at Home) from the beginning of Thursday, 31 December 2020, after the Government reviewed the borough’s high infection rate of 266 cases per 100,000 population and decided tighter restrictions were needed to suppress the spread of COVID 19.

Blood, plasma and platelet donors in all Tiers are urged by the NHS to keep attending as normal if they are fit and healthy. Giving blood and plasma – including in Tier 3 and Tier 4 – is classed as essential travel and donation sessions will stay open, with appointments remaining as normal.

A social care leader has warned of catastrophic consequences if care home residents are not given “absolute priority” in the roll-out of the newly approved Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine.

The UK Government has invested more than £88 million into the development of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine developed and made by scientists in the UK and has pre-ordered 100 million doses.

A £23 million project to secure a vital road link over the M56 in Cheshire, supporting communities and businesses for decades to come, is set to start in the spring.

More than 2,700 customers filed their Self Assessment tax return on Christmas Day, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) can reveal.

The quick turnaround over the festive period sees the Blues host Chorley 48 hours following their Boxing Day success.

Cheshire West and Chester Council today welcomed a £10 million investment from the Future High Streets Fund, to support its ambitious plans for Winsford.

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Electricity distributor SP Energy Networks has shared power cut safety advice to ensure people can stay safe during Storm Bella.

The traditional Boxing Day fixture for the Blues this year sees them take a trip to AFC Telford.

Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, Councillor Louise Gittins, has expressed her relief at the announcement of a potential UK trade deal with the EU.

Cheshire West and Chester Council is urging people to prioritise their mental health over this year’s unusual festive period.

Storyhouse is closing its doors as Cheshire enters Tier 3 on Boxing Day. With theatres included in the ban they have had no choice but to bring the curtain down for live audiences to its acclaimed and joyous production of A Christmas Carol.

A closure order has been imposed on a house in Ellesmere Port in response to relentless anti-social behaviour and drug activity.

Action Fraud has seen a surge in reports relating to fake emails and texts purporting to be from DPD.

In a major boost for the region, four high streets across the North West have been awarded up to £66.7 million to help them implement ambitious local plans to transform their high streets for generations to come, the Government confirmed today.

Responding to the government’s decision to move Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire East and Warrington into Tier 3, the Council leaders have commented.

Cheshire West and Chester will move into Tier 3 from Saturday, 26 December, after the Government reviewed the borough’s high infection rate and decided tighter restrictions were needed to suppress the spread of COVID 19.

An 80-year-old woman who killed a close friend in a car accident has been fined for causing death by careless driving.

Cheshire’s police and crime commissioner, David Keane, is calling on the government to protect women and older people within law crime law.

Cheshire Fire Authority is asking the public to give their views on its plans to increase its share of council tax for the 2021/22 financial year.

Children at two schools with entrances to the Millennium Greenway in Chester have helped design colourful artworks as part of efforts to slow traffic in the area and encourage more walking and cycling to school along the traffic free path.

Officers from Chester have charged a man with drugs offences following a police stop check in the city.

The number of people killed or seriously injured on Cheshire’s roads has reduced by 38 per cent over the last five years.

Cheshire West and Chester Council is advising residents that travel across the border into Wales will only be allowed for essential reasons for the foreseeable future.

Plans for a £590 million tidal lagoon have taken a major step forward after the “encouraging” preliminary results of a seabed survey.

A seafood shack, a home furnishing stall and gourmet cake bakery are the latest new entrepreneurial traders to move into the award-winning Chester Market.

Chester has officially hired its new postcode gardener, becoming the first city North of London to do so.

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Three intensive care doctors from the Countess of Chester Hospital have teamed up with colleagues from across the UK to enter this year’s Christmas chart battle.

Cheshire West and Chester Council will suspend its garden waste collections for a slightly longer period this year to ensure core waste collection services continue during the ongoing pandemic.

While Christmas is a happy and celebratory time of year for many, it can also be a stressful period for some residents.

Ten people in Weaverham were celebrating at the weekend after winning £1,000 each thanks to their lucky postcode.

People living with memory loss and/or a sensory loss have enjoyed a special festive afternoon tea thanks to a charity.

Chester residents are being challenged to kick start the New Year by taking steps to support Cancer Research UK.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the community sector has arguably been in the spotlight more than ever before, delivering valuable services for people needing support across Cheshire West and Chester.

Most Cheshire West and Chester libraries will close over the Christmas period, but services will continue on-line until Monday, 4 January 2021, when libraries re-open.

The Government will provide cash refunds for domestic rail and coach tickets for the previous Christmas travel window between 23-27 December, bought before the change in regulations and guidance that were announced by the Prime Minister on Saturday 19th December.

The Rural Crime Team would like to thank you for your continued support and wish you a Merry Christmas.

The Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council has issued a statement following government announcements today.

Chester FC were knocked out of the Buildbase FA Trophy at the Third Round stage, as Altrincham advanced with a narrow win.

Chester play in the Buildbase FA Trophy, for the second time this week, hosting Altrincham at the Deva this afternoon.

The NHS in the North West is urging people to plan ahead to keep themselves and their families healthy over the festive period.

Given their extraordinary work during the pandemic, joint winners have been named for Special Contribution to COVID-19 Response as part of Volunteer Awards Month.

Large scale investment projects like The Ellesmere Port Hub building and Chester’s Northgate project bring long term benefits for residents and the wider economy.

Police are appealing for information from the public after a pensioner was injured during a burglary in Ellesmere Port.

Police and council workers in Chester have joined forces to make sure that everyone who lives, works and visits the city has a safe Christmas.

A number of organisations are coming together once again this winter to help people in Frodsham and nearby areas access food.

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Business owners who have used Government grants to stay afloat during the COVID -19 pandemic are urging others to follow their example and apply for funding.

Chapel House Care, which runs two care homes in Puddington, Cheshire, has been included in a book about life in care homes during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Even though a crowdfunding effort set up by Cheshire West and Chester Council has now reached its target, there’s still time for people to donate and support local initiatives that have been at the forefront of the community response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following a recent contract award by Openreach, Merseyside based telecommunications company, MJ Quinn will create 400 new opportunities across North West England and South Wales.

An actress whose theatrical journey began with appearances on stage at venues in Wrexham, Mold and Chester has teamed up with a whole host of well-known celebrities to save a much-loved Christmas tradition by creating an online pantomime for people to watch from the comfort of their own homes.

Cheshire Constabulary’s problem solving teams have added real value to community policing across the county since being introduced last year.

Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP) are encouraging all Cheshire residents to take care of themselves and others this festive period.

Chester is ready to welcome shoppers for what’s expected to be the busiest weekend of the year to complete their Christmas shopping.

The University of Chester has taken a significant step forward in developing its vision for a medical school to serve Cheshire, Wirral and Shropshire.

Supermarket vouchers, winter clothing and funding for utility bills are among the support now being offered to vulnerable families through the government’s Covid Winter Grant Scheme (CWGS) announced last month.

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Here's the December edition of the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service e-Newsletter.

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Here's the December edition of the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service e-Newsletter.

Cheshire West and Chester will remain in Tier 2 (High Alert) from 19 December, following a Government review into the borough’s current COVID-19 infection rate.

The University of Chester has been chosen to run a significant project to help improve students’ mental health and tackle female inactivity.

The only college in Cheshire set to fast-track learners’ careers with the next level qualification is working with local businesses to support the workforce of the future. Cheshire College – South & West was selected by the Government to offer T Levels, a new two-year qualification for 16-19-year-olds which comprises of 20% on-the-job experience.

Lateral Flow Tests (LFT) are now being delivered to care homes nationally as part of a phased roll-out. Some care homes in Cheshire West and Chester are involved and are planning to start using the tests.

Councillor Bob Rudd, Chair of Cheshire Fire Authority, has written a letter to the Prime Minister outlining his concerns regarding the recent announcement of the public sector pay freeze.

Student volunteers with a passion for food and nutrition have adapted their project, which promotes healthy eating to disadvantaged adults in Chester, to enable it to continue during the pandemic.

COVID-19 tests for people without symptoms of the virus will start for targeted groups of Cheshire West and Chester residents today, Wednesday, 16 December.

The team at Chester BID has announced the winners of their festive window competition. The competition was initiated to bring the Christmas cheer back into the city after a year of lockdowns and uncertainty for retailers and hospitality.

As part of Volunteer Awards Month, 87-year-old Dyson Brown has been given the Inspirational Volunteer of the Year award, recognising the difference all his calls have made to Neston Angels clients.

Children in Willaston will be excited to see the new large piece of play equipment that has been installed at Johnston Recreation Ground, thanks to a grant from funding body FCC Communities Foundation.

A major new study has been launched in Cheshire to understand the impact of COVID-19 among Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, as well as views about the COVID-19 vaccination.

More than £4m has been paid out this autumn to businesses in Cheshire West and Chester in grant aid to help them through the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Chester’s historic Northgate Steps have officially reopened to the public, just in time for the Christmas holidays.

There is plenty to see at West Cheshire Museums over Christmas with exhibitions and activities for the whole family.

Drivers using the M6 in Cheshire will see big changes in the New Year when a new bridge across the motorway begins to take shape.

Storyhouse is looking forward to 2021 with a must-see programme of classic comedy, thought-provoking drama and stand-up silliness.

Jag Virdie has applied his engineering knowledge to create the ‘Conker Visor’ to help glasses wearers stay protected.

Almost five years ago, flooding on an unprecedented scale caused devastation and misery for thousands of people across Cheshire.

Groups of GP practices will begin rolling out the COVID-19 vaccine to residents in Cheshire West and Chester from today.

Groups of GP practices in Cheshire this week begin the crucial task of rolling out a COVID-19 vaccine in local communities.

Caroline Wright is the lead artist for the Ellesmere Port Hub. Caroline has started working with local people to develop a programme of artworks with a focus on their ideas of place, identity and community.

Parents in the North West are being urged to register the birth of their newborns, so HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) can verify their Child Benefit claims.

A little girl from Chester has been out on family bike rides every weekend since receiving a charity grant for an adapted trike.

A Chester manufacturer, supported by Made Smarter, the movement helping SMEs join the Industry 4.0 revolution, is taking its next step on its digital transformation journey.

Plans are in place across Cheshire West and Chester to co-ordinate providing food for those in need this Christmas.

The Thomas Brassey Society has unveiled a new interpretation panel outside Chester railway station. It celebrates the life and achievements of Chester’s unsung hero, Thomas Brassey who died 150 years ago on 8 December 1870.

Residents in Cheshire West and Chester could get help with their bills during the cold weather with one-off grant payments.

Cheshire residents who have been affected by road traffic collisions will be supported by a specialist charity thanks to funding from the county’s police and crime commissioner (PCC).

Jobseekers across Cheshire have the chance to access a new jobs portal as part of an initiative to support those whose jobs have been impacted during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Police are appealing for information from members of the public as part of an investigation into bicycle thefts in Chester.

Cheshire West and Chester Council and the Cheshire West and Chester Safeguarding Children Partnership is supporting a national campaign to help young people recognise the signs of abuse and exploitation.

North Wales Police have been hailed as a role model for the rest of the UK’s forces in the way they investigate serious road crashes and their use of high-tech methods including drones.

Chester picked up their first away clean sheet of the campaign yesterday afternoon, as well as a solid point against ten man Boston in an eventful encounter.

Chester FC are delighted to announce that Declan Weeks has extended his contract at the Deva Stadium until the end of the season.

Chester will be the second visitors to Boston United’s brand new stadium in their 12th National League North clash of the season.

Beth Linton has always loved writing, often taking to her mother’s old typewriter to craft her stories. Now the University of Chester English graduate has realised a lifelong dream having not only published the first three books in her debut romance novel series, but also being commissioned to write two more for the collection.

A support package worth up to £3million that will enable coach operators to provide additional scheduled services over the Christmas travel window, has today [Saturday 12th December] been announced by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.

Arrests of children by Cheshire Police have been reduced by 47 per cent since the Howard League for Penal Reform began a major campaign to keep boys and girls out of the criminal justice system, new figures reveal today (Monday 14 December).

Cheshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner has been out with officers from Cheshire police to warn people of the dangers of drink or drug driving over Christmas.

Police in Ellesmere Port are warning people to be vigilant following recent bogus caller incidents.

Officers are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage following a collision in Christleton.

A social care leader has urged people to act responsibly and “not give Granny covid for Christmas”.

Girls at The Queen’s School have pledged to support the older generation by helping to raise funds for local charity, Age UK Cheshire this Christmas.

Chester Civic’s Christmas Tree, along with other entries, will be available for viewing until Sunday, 3rd January 2021 at the Cathedral. This year’s festival will also support the Alzheimer’s UK Charity.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and Arts Council England has today announced further awards from its £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund: £58.9 million has been awarded through the Fund’s Capital Kickstart grants programme and over £165 million has been offered through the Repayable Finance programme.

Two brothers from Chester are walking 12 miles a day for 12 days, after work, in aid of Walking with the Wounded.

As well as keeping roadworks to an absolute minimum, Highways England’s traffic officers will help you stay on the move by changing their working hours to meet peaks in traffic volumes.

A new walkway, which will allow residents and visitors to move around the section of Chester’s historic City Walls that collapsed in January 2020, will be open before Christmas.

People in Chester will soon be able to get around using hired electric scooters, as part of a trial to encourage greener travel methods.

The coronavirus pandemic has escalated incidents of domestic abuse, with lockdown making it a difficult and worrying time for adults and children who live with it.

Tilston Road in Malpas will be closed from Monday, 14 December until Thursday, 17 December (inclusive) for essential tree safety work.

Storyhouse today announce the Storyhouse production of August Strindberg’s Miss Julie, following its acclaimed run earlier this year. The production, adapted by Amy Ng and directed by Dadiow Lin, tours the UK, 5 - 31 March 2021, opening at Storyhouse in Chester.

On Sunday 13th December, from 11am to 2pm, the Friends of the Countess of Chester Country Park will be collecting donations for Crossroads Community Hub, Blacon Action Team and Soul Kitchen, who are addressing need in the local community this Christmas.

A unique homeless charity in Liverpool will be able to deliver Christmas cheer to its residents this year, thanks to a £5,000 donation from a Cheshire business.

Kathy Parker has been named Trustee of the Year as part of Volunteer Awards Month for the support she has shown Here and Now over the years.

The RSPCA is urging people with birds to follow the latest Government measures to keep birds contained indoors to limit the spread of bird flu after a number of confirmed outbreaks of the virus this winter.

The first ever virtual careers festival has been held at the University of Chester featuring a graduate and motivational speaker who has worked for some of the UK’s biggest banks and telecoms companies.

The RSPCA has launched an investigation after a dying young dog - which is believed to have been used for breeding - was found dumped in a park in Ellesmere Port.

This year has been an important time for Chester resident LAL Kelly to release her debut memoir, 'Surviving Bleak House'. Her book tells of her experience of living in a women's aid refuge for over twelve months.

Cheshire West & Chester Council Labour Group are seeking to pass a motion at Full Council tomorrow which recognises the threat of Trail Hunting on Council-owned land, with the endorsement of the Cheshire West Labour Parliamentary Group.

Chester FC can confirm that Joel Taylor has joined National League side Chesterfield.

Hereford visit the Deva Stadium tonight, as Chester FC welcome fans back for the first time in nine months!

People across Cheshire are being urged to ‘put Alzheimer’s Society on their Christmas list’ as the charity seeks to ensure no one affected by dementia goes without the support they need over the festive season.

With the busy festive season approaching, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is calling on the North West’s 967,000 Self Assessment customers not to miss the 31 January deadline.

Alexandra Park, Hoole is officially the bee’s knees, after its pollinator habitat project created a buzz and scooped a national award.

Cheshire’s Lord Lieutenant and High Sheriff have joined forces to launch a major new fundraising campaign to tackle food poverty across the county.

Officers investigating a fatal collision in Saughall have renewed their appeal for witnesses to come forward.