Man About Town – September 2026

By Greg Hall

While the month of September usually signals the end of summer (at least, as far as the schools are concerned), there is still much to look forward to before the evenings start to draw in and the town prepares itself for Halloween, Bonfire Night and, ultimately (whisper it) Christmas.

If you’re brave enough to venture outside the relative safety of Sandbach, there are not one but two duck races on offer locally this month, in Congleton and Wistaston respectively (honestly, you wait all year for a duck race, and then two come along at once), as well as a food and drink festival in Nantwich and the biennial World War II event in Middlewich.

However, if you’d rather not leave the confines of CW11 – perhaps because your passport has expired or your vaccinations are not up to date – there is still plenty to do right here in the Bach.

For example, there are as many Dementia Coffee mornings as there are duck races, at the Library on Tuesday 1st September and then at the Rugby Club on Thursday 10th, before Rev. Bee Boyde is running a 10k to raise funds for the St Mary’s Church Roof Repairs on Saturday 12th. A worthy cause, I’m sure you will agree (although the Sandbach 10k was in July, so I’m not sure what route he is taking, and frankly they should have called it ‘Reverend Runs’ rather than ‘Vicar Runs’, purely for the alliteration). Still, God moves in mysterious ways – even though, on this occasion, I’d recommend as straight a path as possible.

The main event this month, however, must surely be the return of our traditional Wakes Fair on the Commons across the final weekend. The usual rides, attractions and sugary treats will all be available from Friday 25th to Monday 28th September, with fun for all the family.

Sandbach Wakes dates back to at least 1874, when Gala Field on Wheelock Road played host to all manner of races – pony, donkey, foot and bicycle to name but four. Nowadays, the traditional races have been replaced by fairground rides and fast-food stalls, but there is still much to enjoy. Unless you don’t like fairground rides, fast-food, and cheap looking plastic toys, I suppose.

Finally, if you really can’t be tempted by the array of ducks on offer (racing them or hooking them), the Wakes, or watching a vicar run 10k, then there is always the Comedy Night to look forward to on Saturday 12th. This month, the laughs will be provided by the very talented Aaron Twitchen, Sean Percival, Tony Cowards and Maureen Younger. Tickets are a bargain at just £15.

Have a lovely September, everyone.