Man About Town – May 2026

By Greg Hall

Welcome back to another edition of Go Local Sandbach. If you’re reading this article then one of two things is true: either you have precious little else to do, or we are related/acquainted and you feel unduly obligated to support my inane ramblings. Whatever your reasons for reading, I’m grateful.

Sometimes, when I sit down to write one of these articles, a key event is scheduled for the following month which instantly makes my job easier (Christmas, Valentine’s Day, the filling of a pothole etc.) but, other times, like May, nothing instantly jumps out at me. On a personal level, I have both my sons’ birthdays troubling my diary and bank balance, while my eldest will shortly be embarking on his GCSEs with more than a modicum of teenage angst and morosity. Still, at least the weather should be nice.

So, without any major events to inspire me, I turn in times like this to the ever-useful ‘What’s on in Sandbach?’ calendar and, it seems, we actually have a rather busy month of – with the greatest of respect – ‘lesser’ activities to look forward to.

For example, with May barely hours old, residents can look forward to a free talk at the library entitled “Never Trust Someone Else’s Family Tree”, which is either a cautionary tale against accepting genealogical advice from someone else without careful scrutiny yourself, or alternatively a generic warning about placing any faith in your neighbours and associates. Either way, it should be interesting and it doesn’t cost anything. A free scrutiny of the family tree at the library, if you will.

There then follows two evenings of music at St Mary’s Church Hall. On Saturday 9th May, the Ashton on Mersey Band will be performing (alongside tea and cake, which frankly should be obligatory at all concerts) to raise funds for church roof repairs, after which on Wednesday 20th May locals can enjoy the ‘Victoria String Quartet’ for less than a chippy tea (concessions apply – to the concert, not the chippy tea). I haven’t checked whether this ensemble features musicians from Victoria in Australia, Victoria in Canada, or simply four women who share the same name alongside a passion for stringed instruments, but, in any event, it should be a lovely evening. There might even be Victoria sponge on offer (and, quite frankly, if there isn’t they’ve missed a trick).

Finally, at the other end of the spectrum, Smallwood Vintage Rally follows our own Transport Festival between 23rd and 25th May, boasting not only classic vehicles and engines, but also vintage accessories and antiques, vintage music, and various food/cake options (not necessarily vintage).

A busy month ahead, then. June has a lot to live up to.