Sandbach Mayor’s Diary – October 2026

By Cllr Sam Corcoran, Sandbach Mayor

The fruit and veg stall on Sandbach Market has been run by the Tinsley family for 80 years, but they will be retiring soon and Thursday 15 October will be their last day in Sandbach. I remember when I first moved to Sandbach 26 years ago the market filled The Commons car park and people would come from neighbouring towns to visit. Markets have been in decline across the country and many have already closed completely. It would be a shame if Sandbach, as a historic market town, lost its market, so please do get out and support the market traders and the indoor market in Sandbach Town Hall.

As we move into autumn the summer heatwaves seem a long time ago. It was a record-breaking summer; the hottest ever recorded. In August the grass was yellow but within a few days of heavy rain the grass was green again, but the long term forecast is for more extreme weather patterns in the next year due to ‘El Niño’ events in the Pacific. It is amazing that an ocean current on the Pacific coast of South America can have such an impact on the weather in Sandbach!

It is now clear that the climate is changing and that this is being driven by increased carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels.

It is easy to feel helpless when China is the biggest carbon emitter, but China is also (by far) the biggest investor in new low carbon technologies. China has seen the opportunity to develop the industries of the future and so can we. UK is currently a world-leader in offshore wind. Cheshire could be at the forefront of new technologies including hydrogen in the north of the borough, nuclear in Warrington, carbon capture and storage with the Peak Cluster Pipeline and new agricultural practices with expertise at Reaseheath College. We should be investing in the businesses of the future as China is doing.

On a personal level we can save money as well as improving our health & wellbeing in meeting the challenge of reducing carbon emissions with simple changes such as:

• Insulate your loft with 40cm of loft insulation – saving money as well as reducing carbon emissions

• Use your car less, walk and cycle more which is good for your health as well as being good for the planet

• Eat less red meat – this is also good for your health as well as being good for the planet. The carbon footprint of beef and lamb is much higher than pork, chicken or vegetarian options. Cheshire has some of the best dairy farms in the world, with grass-fed cows, but check where the meat in your burger has come from.

You can save money by installing solar panels and a battery. The Cheshire East Council Switch Together scheme ensures you get a trusted installer at a reasonable price.

The Mayoral charities for this year are Foden’s Band and the Sandbach Pantry. On Saturday 10th October, everyone is welcome to come along to a fundraising ceilidh, with a caller to instruct you on the dance moves and live music with The Well-Dressed Band. The event is in Sandbach Town Hall from 6.30pm with light refreshments provided by Park Lane Delicatessen including bread from Bradwall Bakery. Tickets at £15 for adults and £5 for under 18s are available from Burnell’s (cash only), online at EventBrite or by emailing sam@ncla.uk