Welcome to this week's newsletter.
It was a pleasure to meet with Sgt Steve Munday this week in Parliament, the winner of Cheshire Police's Brave Officer Award. Steve won the award after acting quickly, putting his own safety on the line, to save a woman who slipped off a roof and was hanging over a 30ft drop. It was great to speak with him and his guests!
The Government announced a new public sector pay deal, accepting recommendations of the independent pay review bodies for public sector workers - delivering one of the highest pay settlements in 2 decades. This pay deal is a fair settlement for workers, with increases in line with those in the public sector. It is also fair on the taxpayer, ensuring that we do not fuel inflation by borrowing more - which would hurt all families across the country.
A new report into the future of women's football has been published. We all remember the amazing success of the lionesses last year, so it is important that we support women's football, giving the sport the opportunity to grow to its potential.
The Government has announced that funding for childcare providers will be increased. In Cheshire East, childcare payments for children aged three to four will see a 6.8% increase, while the hourly rate for two-year-olds will receive a significant boost of 32%. By supporting and expanding our childcare sector, it means that more families will be able to rely on affordable child and help them ease the transition back into work.
This week, I went along to the UK Sport Parliamentary Reception and met with Ed Clancy, a former Team GB cyclist who has won 3 gold medals and a bronze at the Olympics. Well done for all of your work!
Over the Summer holidays, local organisations will once again be providing a wide range of activity and meal sessions available for children on benefits related free school meals. Read on below to find out more.
And on that theme a series of free family events are coming to Leighton Brook Park! The first is a 'Family Bootcamp' session which will be at 9.30am this Sunday 16th July with further events on 23rd and 30th July in the park off Frank Webb Avenue. The whole family can involved with games and movement during the bootcamp sessions with experienced instructors. It's perfect way to let off some steam at the weekend and feel instantly better.
Crewe St Barnabas Ward Councillor James Pratt has been working with Crewe Town Council to bring these free family events to Leighton Brook Park as part of a series of Pop Up In the Park events across Crewe this summer. There are other events taking place across Crewe, weblink below for more info.
Have a great weekend.
Brave Officer Award
Public Sector Pay
Women's Football
More Funding for Local Childcare Providers
UK Parliamentary Sports Reception
Leighton Brook Family Events
Holiday Activities and Food Programme
Traffic Report
Brave Officer Award
I was delighted to invite Sgt Steve Munday, the winner of Cheshire Police's Brave Officer of the Year Award, to Parliament this week.
Steve won the award after acting quickly, putting his own safety on the line, to save a woman who slipped off a roof and was hanging over a 30ft drop.
He was joined in Parliament by his wife Natasha, and Jamie, Dave and Dan from Cheshire Police Federation - who were all joining him at the award presentation in London.
It was great to be able to chat with Steve about the event and his experience as a police officer. I come from a policing family - my dad was a policeman and I served as a special constable myself - so I know personally that our police are the one's who run into danger when others run away.
I am glad we get the chance to mark these special acts of bravery. Thank you Steve for all that you do to keep us safe!
Public Sector Pay
Yesterday, the Prime Minister announced that the Government will be accepting recommendations of the independent pay review bodies for public sector workers - delivering one of the highest pay settlements in 2 decades.
This includes:
📖 A pay increase of more than £2,700 for teachers, taking typical take home pay to almost £44,300 a year.
🚑 A 10.3% rise for Junior Doctors. GP's will see increases of £3,900 and consultants an average of £6,300. Other NHS workers have already agreed a 5% rise with a one-off award for nurses and ambulance workers
👮 Police Officers will typically see an increase of nearly £5,000
💂♀️ A £2,000 increase for armed forces personnel, with a 10% rise for the lowest paid personnel.
⚖️ Prison Officers will get somewhere between £1,600 and £5,000 with a 10% increase for the lowest paid.
The war in Ukraine and fallout from the pandemic is fuelling inflation. It is important that we are responsible and do not fan the flames by meeting unrealistic pay demands. This will only make inflation worse and would not be fair or affordable.
This pay deal is a fair settlement for workers, with increases in line with those in the public sector. It is also fair on the taxpayer, ensuring that we do not fuel inflation by borrowing more - which would hurt all families across the country.
Women's Football
We all remember the amazing success of the lionesses last year, winning the EURO's. Women's football is bigger and better than ever.
The Government asked former lioness, Karen Carney MBE to lead a report into the future of Women's Football - which was published this week - and includes recommendations of how the sport can be improved. These include raising minimum standards across the game and calling for the Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship to become fully professional environments.
The future of women's football is bright - it is important that we support it, giving the sport the opportunity to grow to its potential.
Find out more here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/major-review-of-womens-football-published
More Funding for Local Childcare Providers
Many parents want to get back to work, earning more money for their families. However, childcare costs can, too often, be a barrier – preventing a return to the workforce from being affordable.
The Government has announced that funding for childcare providers will be increased.
In Cheshire East, childcare payments for children aged three to four will see a 6.8% increase, while the hourly rate for two-year-olds will receive a significant boost of 32%.
This funding is crucial in supporting the childcare sector as the Government implements major reforms, including the goal of providing 30 hours of free childcare to all children under four by 2025.
By supporting and expanding our childcare sector, it means that more families will be able to rely on affordable child and help them ease the transition back into work.
UK Sport Parliamentary Reception
This week, I went along to the UK Sport Parliamentary Reception.
It was a pleasure to meet with Ed Clancy, a former Team GB cyclist who has won 3 gold medals and a bronze at the Olympics as well as many other medals at other championships.
We talked about the importance and benefits of sport, as well getting more people involved in cycling.
Well done for all you have achieved and for being a fantastic ambassador for your sport!
Leighton Brook Family Events
A series of free family events are coming to Leighton Brook Park. The first is a 'Family Bootcamp' session which will be at 9.30am this Sunday 16th July with further events on 23rd and 30th July in the park off Frank Webb Avenue. The whole family can involved with games and movement during the bootcamp sessions with experienced instructors. It's perfect way to let off some steam at the weekend and feel instantly better.
Crewe St Barnabas Ward Councillor James Pratt says "I’ve been working with Crewe Town Council to bring these free family events to Leighton Brook Park as part of a series of Pop Up In the Park events across Crewe this summer. I'm really pleased that we have secured these events for residents of St Barnabas in their local park and look forward to joining in. These events are open to everyone of all ages and abilities, comfy clothes and trainers recommended!"
SUNDAY 16TH, 23RD & 30TH JULY. 9.30AM FREE! NO NEED TO BOOK!JUST TURN UP AND TAKE PART!
Leighton Brook Park, Frank Webb Ave, Crewe CW1 3NE
Its part of a series of events at places including Queen's Park and Queen Street Park. For more information visit the website:
https://everybody.org.uk/pop-up-in-the-parks/
Holiday Activities and Food Programme
Over the Summer holidays, local organisations will once again be providing a wide range of activity and meal sessions available for children on benefits related free school meals.
Below is a list of sessions happening locally:
Sports Coaching Group – 25th July – 1st September 2023
Sports Coaching Group are an organisation who provide a service during term time where we coach/teach Physical Education in over 50 primary schools around the Cheshire/Shropshire and Staffordshire area with the main area being Cheshire East. Each school we work in is different and we pride ourselves in creating a bespoke service for each one, whether that be offering PPA cover, CPD lessons, childcare services, breakfast, lunch or after school clubs. Alongside this, we provide extra curricular activities during the holidays which range from sport specific to multi-sport holiday camps. Our mission/vision statement is to inspire the next generation to enjoy, improve and excel in sport and physical activity. We want to provide every child with the opportunity to learn and develop fundamental skills in sport and physical activity, to encourage better health and wellbeing for current and future generations.
During this holiday period we wish to provide a service across Cheshire East at four different locations to enable benefit-related free school meals children to attend a safe, enjoyable and fun environment at a secure location. They will receive a hot meal, cold snacks and a cold drink as it will be the summer period and the children will undergo many different enrichment activities based around the summer. This will include different activities which help physical activity in other ways than just sport. For example, children playing together and creating their own “outside” games. Children will be able to interact with others from local schools due to Sports Coaching Group’s contacts which enables us to invite all children in all the different schools within the local area. We have developed a secure database from other HAF holiday camps which enables us to ensure that our holiday clubs will always go ahead and all staff on the camps are DBS checked, first aid trained and safeguarding qualified.
Age appropriate: 4 – 13 years
SEND: We can support SEND children but families would need to ring Sports Coaching Group prior to booking.
Location:
Holmes Chapel Primary School, Middlewich Road, Crewe, CW4 7EB
Sandbach Boys School, Crewe Road, Sandbach, Cheshire, CW11 3NS
Pear Tree School, Pear Tree Field, Stapeley, Nantwich, CW5 7GZ
Vernon Primary School, Clumber Road, Poynton, Cheshire, SK12 1NW
Chelford C of E Primary, Oak Road,Chelford, Macclesfield, SK11 9AY
Dates: 25 – 28 July, 1 – 4 August, 8 – 11 August, 15 – 18 August, 22 – 25 August, 29 August – 1 September 2023
Time: 9.00am – 15.00pm
Booking details: Sports Coaching Group – Services – HAF 2023 – click venue choice – book in online.
Main organisation website: https://www.sportscoachinggroup.co.uk
The Social Farm – 25th July – 31st August
The Social Farm is located at Lakemore Farm Park in Haslington, between Sandbach and Crewe and our goal is to “help people feel better through farming”. We are home to many different farm animals including pigs, donkeys, cows, sheep, alpacas, and many more, all of them having their own unique personalities. We focus on education and healthcare by providing educational farming experiences for both children and adults, and activities and courses designed specifically to help people improve their physical and mental health. We combine clinical expertise with extensive farming experience allowing you to gain real farming experiences and share in the highs and lows which come with caring for animals, whilst learning new skills and improving your overall health and wellbeing.
The Social Farm is offering a limited number of free places throughout the Easter and summer holidays for children in receipt of benefit-related free school meals; this is called the Holiday Activity Fund (HAF) programme. This programme will run over several weeks and children will be given the opportunity to learn about farming and animals, not in the classroom, but out on the farm. We will be feeding animals, performing animal health checks, cleaning out stables and grooming animals. We will be growing small-scale crops to eat and depending on the child’s age, there will be opportunities for nature conservation activities, free play, mini-golf, crafts, and pond dipping. Each child will also be given a home-cooked meal meeting national nutritional requirements.
Age appropriate: 4 – 16 years
SEND: Unfortunately, we cannot offer SEND placements at this time.
Location: The Social Farm, Lakemore Farm Park, Clay Lane, Haslington, Crewe, Cheshire, CW1 5SQ
Dates: 25 July – 27 July, 1 – 3 August, 8 – 10 August, 15 – 17 August, 22 – 24 August and 29 – 31 August 2023
Time: 10:00am – 14.00pm
Booking details: Please book online at www.thesocialfarm.uk - If there are no available spaces please email HAF@thesocialfarm.uk to be added to the waiting list.
Main organisation website: www.thesocialfarm.uk
The Wishing Well
Description: The Wishing Well is a health and wellbeing charity on a mission to help provide opportunities for children to start well, adults to live well and older people to age well in Cheshire.
Our Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programmes aim to provide children with opportunities to take part in a range of sport, play and physical activities within local parks, playing fields and our Children and Families Hub. These sessions offer healthy food options and a safe place to get active within the local community.
Age appropriate: 4 – 16 years
SEND: Yes, please contact the provider to discuss need and to ensure our programmes are suitable.
Location: Crewe (Queen Street Park, McLaren Street Park, Samuel Street Park, Derby Street Park). Please contact provider to confirm venue for specific dates.
Dates: 31 July, 1 August, 3 – 4 August, 7 – 8 August, 10 – 11 August, 14 – 15 August, 17 – 18 August, 21 – 22 August, 24 – 25 August 2023
Time: 10.00am – 12.00noon and 13.00pm – 15.00pm
Booking details: mabyn.meredith@wishingwellproject.net / 01270 256919
Main organisation website: www.wishingwellproject.co.uk
Little Sports Group
Description: We are the leading provider of professional sports coaching for children of all ages in the north-west. We have formed close partnerships with schools and parents across the region to deliver a wide range of sports programmes such as school clubs, PE and school sport, soccer schools, holiday courses, grassroots football teams, parties and events.
Our HAF Holiday Clubs provide a range of fun, enriching, innovating, motivational, physical and well-being activities which will vary daily to ensure a rich mix of provision. All activities are suitable for various ability groups, including SEND children.
Sport and Nutrition will be included within the programme daily.
A healthy, nutritious lunch will be provided each day.
Age appropriate: 4 – 11 years
SEND: All activities are suitable for various ability groups, including SEND children; however, we can’t provide staffing for one to one care, but we would welcome carers to accompany the children
Location:
Wistaston Church Lane Academy, Church Lane, Wistaston, Crewe, Cheshire, CW2 8EZ
Wrenbury Primary School, Nantwich Road, Wrenbury, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 8EN
Dates: 1 – 4 August, 8 – 11 August, 15 – 18 August, 22 – 25 August 2023
Time: 9.30am – 3.30pm
Booking details: https://wearelsc.co.uk/programmes/holiday-courses
SMART Club at St Mary’s
Description: Before and after school and holiday club provider for pupils registered and attending St Mary’s Catholic Primary School and Nursery, Crewe. Activities will be interactive, theme-based and child-led and will include a variety of sports events, board games days, arts and crafts, baking, social interaction and outdoor play.
Age appropriate: 4 – 11 years
SEND: SEND children are welcome if needs can be met following discussions with parents and school SENCO
Location: SMART Club at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Dane Bank Avenue, Crewe, Cheshire, CW2 8AD
Dates: 31 July – 24 August 2023 (excluding Fridays)
Time: 10.00am – 14.00pm
Booking details: Book directly via Class Dojo or by emailing smart@stmarysrc.cheshire.sch.uk
Monks Coppenhall Academy and Day Nursey
Description: We have planned an incredible summer of activity that will keep your children happy, entertained and engaged throughout the school holidays. On our enriching courses, your child will benefit from playing a range of sports, learn how to cook and prepare healthy foods, try new activities (new sports, music, singing, science experiments and more) and learn all about how to stay happy and healthy whilst having a great time in a fun and safe environment!
Age appropriate: 4-11 years old
SEND: Children with Special Education Needs and Disabilities are very welcome to attend; please discuss your child’s individual requirements with one of our team when booking your place
Location: Monks Coppenhall Academy and Day Nursery, Remer Street, Crewe, Cheshire, CW1 4LY
Dates: 31 July - 3 August, 7– 10 August, 14– 17 August, 21– 24 August 2023
Time: 9.00am - 13.00pm
Booking details: Email h.brown@oymcic.co.uk, call Helen on 07729 181241 or speak to the school office.
Main organisation website: https://monkscoppenhall.cheshire.sch.uk
Crewe Alexandra in the Community
Description: Crewe Alexandra in the Community provide multi-sports opportunities in primary and secondary school settings including curricular and non-curricular sessions throughout Crewe and other surrounding areas. We also provide football coaching from children from 4 years old to both girls and boys at our facility at Crewe Alexandra in the Community, Crewe Road, Crewe.
Crewe Alexandra in the Community will offer physical activities, enrichment activities and education concerning nutritional and healthy eating. An example of one session :–
One daily session (4 hours) will consist of:– Invasion and fundamental activities, enriching activities of cultural sports, new sports for children to try and creating a diverse environment for children to engage in sport. Nutritional activities regarding healthy lifestyles, understanding balanced diets, recognising and understanding the different types of food groups and overall awareness of healthy eating.
Age appropriate: 4 – 11 years.
SEND: We can support SEND children and young people. Families do need to contact us to discuss their child’s/young person’s needs.
Location: Pebble Brook Primary School, Balmoral Avenue, Crewe, Cheshire, CW2 6PL – (Visit – Crewe Alexandra FC, Gresty Road, Crewe, CW2 6EB)
Dates: 31 July, 1 – 3 August, 7 – 10 August, 14 – 17 August, 21 – 24 August 2023
Time: 10.00am – 14.00pm
Booking details: Through Crewe Alexandra in the Community Web-Site (Contact Us link on the front page), Pebble Brook School Reception and Guinness Housing
Main organisation website: www.crewealexandrainthecommunity.com.
YMCA Crewe
Description: Free play activities, food, and healthy activities, and Holiday Villages.
Age appropriate: 4 – 16 years
SEND: Can be accommodated.
Location:
27 Sherborne Road, Crewe, CW1 4LA
St Andrew’s Church, Bedford Street, Crewe, CW2 6LA
St Peter’s Church, Earle Street, Crewe, CW1 2AG
Dates:
Sherborne: 31 July - 2 August, 7 - 9 August, 14 - 16 August, 21 - 23 August 2023
St Andrew’s: 10 - 11 August, 17 -18 August,24 - 25 August, 31 August - 1 September 2023
St Peter’s: 8 - 9 August, 11 August, 14 August, 16 August, 18 August, 21 - 22 August, 29 - 30 August, 1 September 2023
Time:
Sherborne: 11.00am-15.00pm
St Andrew’s: 11.30am-15.30pm
St Peter’s: 10.00am-12.00pm
Booking details: Visit www.ymcacrewe.org.uk for information on booking
Main organisation website: www.ymcacrewe.org.uk
Traffic Report
Prunus Road, Crewe - until 21st July
Flag Lane, Crewe (Between Bridle Road and Castle Street) - Until 7th August
Delamere Street, Crewe (Between Flag Lane and St Mary's Street) - Until 7th August
Mill Lane, Oakhanger - Until 31st October
Flowers Lane, until 26th Nov
Smithy Lane - Until 1st Nov
Primrose Hill - Until 21st July
Minshull New Road (Between Badger Avenue and Rolls Avenue) - Until 31st August
A5032 (Between B5472 and A500) - 16th July