Hale Independent Issue 184

OCTOBER 2025 2 SHOWROOM: 410 Flixton Road, Flixton M41 6QY DOMESTIC & COMMERCIAL ROLLERS - ROMANS - WOOD VENETIANS - VERTICALS bd BLINDS DIRECT Flixton For a FREE no obligation quote call: 0161 749 8525 A PATIENT from Sale inManches- ter has become the first person in the North West to have radiother- apy treatment as part of a major new non-melanoma skin cancer trial at The Christie hospital. The study is recruiting patients with high-risk skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the second most common form of non-melanoma skin cancer in the UK. Professor Agata Rembielak, consult- ant clinical oncologist at The Chris- tie in Manchester, said: “This is an important trial which will provide vital evidence as to whether radiotherapy should be used after surgery to reduce the chances of skin cancer returning.” Non-melanoma skin cancer, which includes skin SCC, is more common but less aggressive than melanoma. There are at least 50,000 new cases of skin SCC diagnosed each year in the UK, and this number is increasing by at least five per cent a year. Grandmother Pauline Short, 76, from Sale, is taking part in the study. Pauline first noticed a small, regu- lar-shaped growth on her arm. She wasn’t worried initially, but it continued to grow and was painful if she pressed on it. Pauline’s husband later encouraged her to see a derma- tologist just before Christmas in 2024. The dermatologist immediately referred Pauline to a surgeon so that the lump could be surgically removed in January. When the sample was ana- lysed, it was confirmed to be skin SCC. The surgeon was confident he had got all the cancer out, but referred Pauline will primarily focus on sports, education, wellbeing, and com- munity events. In addition, a small part of the programme will include activities with a cultural or faith element, such as reflection and wellbeing circles, interfaith conversations, or family celebrations linked to community traditions. The charity says more than 90 per cent of the programme will focus on sports, education, wellbe- ing, and community events, with up to 10 per cent dedicated to reflec- tive and faith-based activities. All activities and facilities will be fully inclusive and open to everyone. New changing rooms would be provided for the existing playing field with football pitches. The project would be subject to planning approval and need to include strategies for parking and green transport, as well as protect- ing and improving the existing sports facilities on the site. Consultation with local people is set to get under way as part of this process. Land would be leased by the council at full market rent for 25 years, with a right to renew after that. If the scheme did not proceed, the lease could be ended. Three Meem has its own finances and benefactors, and Trafford says the development would not be funded by the council or taxpayers. Liz Patel, the council’s executive member for economy and regenera- tion, said: “This development could provide a significant community facility open to all residents in line with our council priorities of bring- ing sport and culture to all and supporting people to live healthy and independent lives. “As part of our local voluntary and community network, Three Meem has an excellent track record of delivering support and opportunities to a wide range of Trafford residents. “They have been working posi- tively within the Sale West commu- nity for many years. This proposal could provide a sustainable, long- term base for this highly-valued community organisation.” Three Meem has been working in Sale West for six years, includ- ing providing support during the pandemic. It works closely with Our Sale West and its community centre on Newbury Avenue. VISITORS to the eighth Moor Nook Apple Festival at Sale Moor Community Centre had pressing matters to attend to. People were urged to bring their apples to the park for free pressing – and juice for all. The park also has its own fledgling community orchard set to offer a delicious autumn harvest for residents to share, for decades to come. Park volunteers organised free entertainments and activities and launched a crowdfunding page to help cover the £500 cost of the event. Speaking before the event Rachel Evans, who chairs the Friends of Moor Nook Park, said: “Eating a crisp, juicy apple straight from your own tree is a treat to be savoured and that’s what our fes- tival is all about. “There’ll be a chance to try dif- ferent varieties of apples – and edible apple ‘leather’ – at our tast- ing stall and swap cooking tips. Plus, we’ll be using our press to make delicious fresh apple juice for everyone.” The community orchard of 21 trees, including 14 of local and heritage varieties, was planted in 2018 with help from charity The Orchard Project, Greggs environment fund and commu- nity donations. The Friends group is looking for newmembers and for volunteers to help prune the trees in November. Email friendsofmoornookpark@ gmail.com l Continued frompage one There is a wellness assessment room, an enlarged fitness suite, two flexible studio spaces, an indoor cycle studio, a four-court sports hall and a gymnastics hub, as well as changing areas, staff rooms and offices. Jo Cherrett, chief executive of Trafford Leisure, which manages the centre, said: “We are commit- ted to contributing to Trafford’s economic and social wellbeing and we do this by encouraging our community to move more every day. “Working for us is more than just a job, we offer meaningful job satisfaction and the chance to be part of a team, with excel- lent benefits. “Trafford Leisure is a Real Liv- ing Wage employer, which applies to all our people, regardless of age, role, years of service or the number of hours they work. It’s been fan- tastic to see them all settling into their roles at their new home, and welcoming our customers back.” Community centre plan unveiled No part of this publicationmay be used or reproduced without the express permission of the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure that the articles and advertisements that are carried are authentic, however the publisher accepts no responsibility for claims made. © Investors in Publishing Ltd 2025. This newspaper is publishedmonthly by Investors in Publishing, Publishing House, 3 Bridgebank Industrial Estate,Taylor Street, Horwich, Bolton BL6 7PD. 01204 478812 EDITOR Ged Henderson ged@hendersonnewsandmedia.com CONTACT JayneMeadowcroft 01204 478812 07703 045189 jayne@independentnewspapers.co.uk ADVERTISING Robin Atkins 07767 840274 robin@cheshireindependent.co.uk CONTACT US A NEW multi-purpose com- munity centre and sports hall could be developed in Sale. Trafford Council is set to con- sider in principle the lease of land it owns at Goodwood Field, off Fir- sway and Manor Avenue. Not-for-profit charity the Three Meem Foundation currently uses six rented properties in Sale for sports activities, careers and social support for women and children, faith-based activities, education and courses, and mental health clinics. Formed in 2018 the charity now wants to bring activities together in its own community centre that would be open for all local people to use. A 1,500 square metre mul- ti-purpose community centre is proposed, featuring a sports hall, multi-purpose halls, gym, class- rooms, and car parking. If it gets the go-ahead the centre Cancer trial aims to make a difference Relieved: Pauline is taking part in the trial (Photo credit: The Christie) to The Christie to see if she was eligi- ble to join a clinical trial offering the possibility of additional radiotherapy to her treatment. Pauline is grateful that the cancer was found early and removed quickly. She said: “You never think it is going to happen to you, she says. I had never been one to lie out in the sun and didn’t go on hot summer holidays. “It was a relief when I found out I was eligible to join the trial. I was very pleased to have that opportunity, for myself, my family, and to help others.” As part of the clinical trial, Pauline received ten sessions of radiotherapy in April and May. She describes the treatment as “straightforward, causing only minor skin irritation.” Pauline said. “The trials team talked me through everything and answered all my questions before we started, which put my mind at ease.” Three months after the radiotherapy, Pauline says her recovery is going well. She said: “It’s also very reassuring that I will be followed up regularly for the next three years.” Festival shows core values Fruit fun: Organisers getting ready for the festival (Photo credit: Trafford Council)