East Cheshire Community Roundup: Local News, Sport & Music Highlights

A community radio studio in North East Cheshire with a presenter working at a mixing desk

There is always something positive happening across East Cheshire. From creative projects and community appeals to charity sport and live music, local people continue to show exactly what makes Macclesfield and the surrounding towns such welcoming places to live, work and visit.

This month’s roundup has a little bit of everything. We have music helping people feel less isolated, neighbours coming together to support a young family, a great live gig on the horizon, care professionals swapping the workplace for the football pitch, and a major tennis club upgrade opening sport up to more residents.

It is the sort of local news that sits perfectly alongside the community updates, interviews and music you can hear on Canalside Radio 102.8FM, broadcasting across North East Cheshire from Bollington.

1. Unknown Macc CIC uses DJing to build confidence and connection

Music can do much more than entertain us. It can bring people together, create new friendships and give someone the confidence to try something they might never have considered before.

That is the thinking behind the DJ School project from Unknown Macc CIC, based at Proper Sound on Chestergate in Macclesfield. The project uses DJing and music workshops to tackle social isolation, support mental wellbeing and help people build confidence in a friendly, face-to-face setting.

Participants can learn using both vinyl and digital equipment, with lessons designed for people at different stages. The project has already supported people aged from 12 to 56, showing that it is not limited to one particular age group or experience level.

There are one-to-one sessions, holiday activities and opportunities to perform at Proper Sound when participants feel ready. That final step is particularly valuable. Learning a new skill in private is one thing, but having the chance to share it with a supportive audience can be a fantastic confidence boost.

The project also includes fully funded places, helping remove the cost barrier for people who may not otherwise be able to take part. Paid sessions help support further community work and subsidise opportunities for those who need them.

You can read more about the Macclesfield DJ School project and its work tackling social isolation, or find out how the project was created to build community and confidence in budding musicians.

People learning DJ skills together during an inclusive community music workshop

2. A community rally to help a disabled schoolgirl get new wheels

One of the most heart-warming stories highlighted in the local community is the rally to help a disabled schoolgirl get a new set of wheels.

For the family involved, suitable equipment is not a luxury. It can make a real difference to independence, comfort, school life and the ability to take part in everyday activities. Specialist wheelchair equipment can also be expensive, which is why community support can be so important.

The response has shown the difference people can make when they work together. Local appeals often bring support from families, schools, community groups, small businesses and individuals who may never have met the people they are helping. A donation, a fundraising event, sharing an appeal or simply helping spread the word can all contribute.

It is also a good reminder that accessibility is a community issue. The best local areas are places where children and adults with disabilities can take part fully, whether that means getting to school, enjoying a day out, joining a club or spending time with friends.

There are many organisations across Cheshire East supporting children and young people with additional needs and disabilities. Friends for Leisure, for example, continues to provide valuable support for local families.

If you have heard about a community appeal that deserves wider attention, you can also share the details with local media such as Canalside Radio or submit a story suggestion to the East Cheshire Directory. Good local news deserves to be heard.

3. The Bluetones are coming to Cinemac this August

Music fans have another great reason to look forward to the end of August. Britpop favourites The Bluetones are scheduled to play at Cinemac in Macclesfield on Thursday 27 August 2026.

The band’s official live listings confirm the Macclesfield date, giving local fans the chance to enjoy a well-loved name without travelling into Manchester or further afield. For many people, The Bluetones soundtrack an important part of the 1990s, with songs that still sound right at a summer gig today.

The Cinemac show should be a fantastic opportunity to enjoy live music in a familiar local setting. It also adds to Macclesfield’s growing reputation as a town with a lively and varied music scene.

Before travelling, check the official Bluetones live dates and the venue’s own information for the latest ticket, timing and entry details. Event arrangements can change, and it is always sensible to confirm the details before setting off.

Whether you are a long-time fan or discovering the band for the first time, this is one to put in the diary. It may also be worth planning a meal or drink locally before or after the show, supporting the great independent businesses that help make a night out in Macclesfield memorable.

4. NHS nurses and care professionals raise money through football

Local sport is at its best when it brings people together for a good cause. That was certainly the case when nurses from Macclesfield Hospital faced care professionals from Carefound Home Care in a charity football match at Macclesfield FC.

The event formed part of Carefound’s annual Kick4Charity activity and brought together NHS staff, care workers, families and local spectators. The match was played at Macclesfield FC’s Leasing.com Stadium, creating a brilliant community atmosphere away from the usual care and healthcare settings.

The nurses reportedly won the match 4–2, but the result was not the main story. The event raised more than £1,500 for East Cheshire NHS Charity, which supports patients, families and staff across East Cheshire NHS Trust.

There was plenty for families to enjoy too, including a half-time children’s goal-scoring activity, refreshments and a raffle. That inclusive approach is what makes charity sport so effective. It gives people a reason to come together, enjoy themselves and support a cause that matters locally.

You can read the original report from Silk 106.9 and find out more about East Cheshire NHS Charity.

A grassroots charity football match taking place at a local Cheshire stadium

5. Macclesfield Tennis Club completes a £100,000 community upgrade

There is more positive news for local sport, with Macclesfield Tennis Club completing an upgrade programme worth around £100,000.

The investment is aimed at helping the club serve the wider community and strengthen its role as a welcoming local sports venue. It is a well-deserved boost for a club that has continued to develop its offer, including the introduction of pickleball sessions alongside tennis.

A modern, accessible and well-maintained facility can make a huge difference. It can encourage existing members to play more often, help new players take up the sport and create opportunities for schools, families and community groups.

Tennis is also a great activity for a wide range of ages and abilities. People can play competitively, enjoy a relaxed social session or simply get active outdoors. With pickleball growing quickly, the club has the potential to attract even more residents who are looking for an enjoyable way to exercise and meet people.

You can visit the Macclesfield Tennis Club information page for details about the club and its activities. It is also worth checking the club directly for current court bookings, sessions and membership information.

Freshly upgraded community tennis courts with players preparing for a game

Keep up with the positive side of local life

These five stories are a great snapshot of East Cheshire at its best. Creative projects are helping people connect, residents are supporting one another, local venues are welcoming major music acts, and sport is raising money for important causes.

That community spirit is also what connects the East Cheshire Directory with Canalside Radio 102.8FM. We want to help residents discover local organisations, activities, services and businesses, whether you are looking for a music project, a sports club, a care provider or somewhere good to eat after an event.

Explore the East Cheshire Directory to find local businesses and services, or browse our listings for dance schools and creative activities and home care services.

And if you have a feel-good story, community achievement, music event or sporting success to share, please let us know. There is always room for more great local news.