2025 | Knutsford Town Council

25Jul2025

Knutsford Market Hall sponsors Yoga in the Park

Knutsford Market Hall is sponsoring Satya Sanctuary’s August Yoga in the Park session. These free sessions take place on The Moor and the whole community is welcome.

Sandra Curties, Town Centre Manager, said, “Satya Sanctuary opened last September and has quickly become part of the fabric of Knutsford. The market hall’s ethos is ‘a vibrant hub for local life’ so sponsoring this event was an easy decision. We are pleased we have enabled this community initiative to be free to all”

Charlotte Montgomery, founder of Satya Sanctuary said, “We are delighted Knutsford Market Hall is sponsoring August’s Yoga in the Park. At Satya we are passionate about bringing the benefits of yoga to as wider audience as possible. These free sessions are suitable for all, just bring a mat or towel and enjoy the session.”

August’s session will take place on August 24^th August at 3.30pm on The Moor. Although the sessions are free pre-booking is essential. You can book via https://www.satyasanctuary.co.uk/book-a-class or download Satya’s app.

Knutsford Market Hall is located on Silk Mill Street, Knutsford and is open every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Makers Market Sunday from 9am to 4pm

Satya Sanctuary is located on Unit 6a, 44-46 King Street, Knutsford and offers a range of classes throughout the week. www.satyasanctuary.co.uk

22Jul2025

Market Hall Traders Join Taste Knutsford

Two new Knutsford Market Hall traders have joined the ever-popular food lovers tour Taste Knutsford.

Thai Kitchen run by May Lynch has proved extremely popular dining option since the market hall re-opened in May this year. Originally from Thailand, May moved to the UK 8 years ago and has worked in a variety of Thai restaurants as well as honing her skills as a sushi chef. There is already a Thai Kitchen Lymm and now Taste Knutsford tour guests can enjoy her authentic dishes made from fresh ingredients.

May Lynch, said, “I am delighted to be part of Taste Knutsford. A walking food tour is such a unique proposition for a small town such as Knutsford, and it is great that Thai food will now be added to the offer. We will be offering a range of Thai tapas such as spring rolls, fish cakes, pork dumplings, vegan crackers, and tofu satay.”

Polka Polish Bakery offer a cost friendly range of freshly-baked goods including sour dough, granary bread, challah bread and a range of delicious cakes and pastries. Their offer for the tour will be take-out samples from their speciality Polish range”

Kacper Serafin, Polka Bakery’s owner, said, “Taste Knutsford is a great way of promoting both our little bakery and the refurbished market hall to residents and visitors to the town. We can’t wait!”

Sandra Curties, Town Centre Manager, said, “We are thrilled to that Thai Kitchen and Polka Polish Bakery are joining fellow market traders, The Market Café and the Market butcher and taking part in Taste Knutsford. Taste Knutsford provides a wonderful introduction to our independent restaurants, bars, and cafes, and we are confident that they will both quickly become a much-loved stop for our guests.”

Any Knutsford based small regional or independent hospitality venue can take part in the tour. If you wish book a tour, please visit www.tasteknutsford.co.uk Private tours for 8 or more can also be arranged.

15Jul2025

Cemetery retains Green Flag Award

Knutsford Cemetery is one of only 80 cemeteries in the country to receive the prestigious Green Flag, the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

Management of Knutsford Cemetery returned to the Town Council in 2020 and over the last five years the council has undertaken a number of improvements to the way it manages the site, from the management of burial rights, the safety of memorials and the quality of the grounds. Knutsford Cemetery secured the Green Flag mark in 2022 and has retained it annually since.

Town Mayor, Cllr Bryan Hartley, who lives close to the cemetery said “I regularly visit the cemetery and am proud of the investment this council has made to improving the grounds for visitors.

The award is in no small part due to the dedication of our Cemetery Groundskeeper Fergal Owen, and I’d like to thank him for his excellent and continued work for us”

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE, said: “Congratulations to everyone involved in Knutsford Cemetery who have worked tirelessly to ensure that it achieves the high standards required for the Green Flag Award.”

14Jul2025

Bees’ Needs Champion Award

Knutsford Town Council has been awarded one of the 2025 Bees Needs Champion Awards in recognition of its work taking action to support pollinators.

Through its Nature Action Plan working group, the council has helped create wildflower meadows in locations across the town and this year launched the Knutsford Bee Trail to raise awareness of practical steps residents can take to help reverse the pollinator decline.

The award was made as part of Bees Needs Week, which runs from 14^th to 20^th July. The aim of the week is to raise awareness of the importance of bees and other pollinators and share ideas, actions and activities that highlight the ways in which everyone can help them thrive.

When most people think of bees, they think of honeybees, but there are over 270 species of bee in the UK, including the honeybee, 24 species of bumblebee and many different solitary bees. Honeybee populations are doing relatively well, however many wild bee populations, including solitary bees and bumblebees, are struggling. Causes of decline include habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change.

“Our focus this year has been on supporting pollinating insects as so much of the rest of nature, including us, relies on strong pollinator populations” said Cllr Rex Mears, Chair of the council’s Environment and Transport Committee.

“We are proud to have received the Bees Needs Champion Award this year recognising the importance of the work we are doing, and we hope this will help inspire others to take action. We will continue on our mission to enhance Knutsford’s ecology”

“I would like to thank the nature action plan working group volunteers and the residents that attended the bee trail launch event, without whom this would not have been possible.” Rex added.

The council has created an information page on its website to share steps residents can take to support pollinators at home, as well as finding out more about the Knutsford Bee Trail. This can be found at https://www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/bee-trail

There are 5 simple actions that anyone can take to help pollinators:

Grow more nectar rich flowers, shrubs and trees. Using window or balcony boxes are good options if you do not have a garden.
Let patches of garden and land grow wild.
Cut grass less often.
Do not disturb insect nests and hibernation spots.
Think carefully about whether to use pesticides.

The Town Council is also running a pollinator photography competition, with entries closing on 31^st August. Photos need to show pollinators in action, including at least one pollinator and flower. More details can be found at https://www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/bee-trail/photo-comp.

Bee Trail maps can be picked up at locations across the town and will be distributed through school bookbags ahead of the start of the summer holidays. To celebrate Bees Needs Week, you can also find out more about the Bee Trail and our pollinators on the Moor from 2pm to 4pm on Saturday 19^th July.

11Jul2025

60 King Street Update

The Council’s Assets and Operations Committee met on Monday 30^th June and received an update from Bruntwood in relation to 60 King Street.

As set out in the previous update (4^th June), Bruntwood had commissioned a detailed structural survey to inform discussions. The condition survey highlighted the scale of repair works required to the building; the majority of these works were known and identified in previous surveys for the building, these included major works to the rear courtyard and roof over the kitchen, and renewal of many of the different rooves. There were also further works highlighted which arise from the building being vacant for a long period.

Bruntwood remains of the view that it would be possible to find a residential use for the upper floors that could resolve the fabric issues and future proof the building, leaving a lettable asset on the ground floor for a more active public facing use, such as a bar/restaurant.

The Town Council has asked Bruntwood to develop this into a detailed proposal as to exactly how this could be taken forward. This will look at how the upper floors would be converted, how circulation in the building would work and developing interest from potential partners. It will also ascertain how the ground floor would be managed and future timescales.

The Town Council has asked for this to be submitted by 31^st August and it will then be discussed by the Assets and Operations Committee on 22^nd September when a decision on this option will be made. A further statement will be released after this meeting.

7Jul2025

Introducing Ward Walks

Knutsford Town Council is trialling a new engagement activity later this month – Ward Walks.

Walk Walks will see councillors taking a walk around their patch to meet residents, identify issues and generally engage with those they meet along the way.

The first Ward Walks will see Cllr Colin Banks out in St John’s Wood ward (25^th July) and Cllr Bryan Hartley around Nether Ward (15^th August).

Cllr Banks will be starting at local community venue The Welcome, the route will then proceed around Longridge from 11:30am until 1pm. Residents are invited to meet with Colin as he walks around part of the ward, raising any issues you have or would like to see the Town Council address.

Adam Keppel-Green, Town Clerk said “The Walk Walks are an active councillor surgery – instead of waiting for residents to come to them, the councillors will be out on the street looking to meet with residents to discuss issues affecting that ward and share more of what the council is doing”.

Subject to the success of the walks, it is intended that a rolling programme of the walks would be planned across Spring/Summer months.

The Town Council will be sharing more information on our social media, so don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook – or sign-up to our newsletter for the full range of town news by visiting www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/newsletter.

For more information about Ward Walks please visit www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/ward-walks or for enquiries please contact lucy.fox@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk or call 01565 653 929.

4Jul2025

Knutsford Young Artist of the Year 2025

Knutsford Young Artist of the Year was first held in 2022 to showcase young local artistic talent. Once again, we’re inviting young local artists to unleash their full artistic potential, whether that be in the form of paintings, digital art, ceramics, illustrations or something else!

There are two categories:

Junior artist: 4 to 11 years old
Young artist: 12 to 18 years old

The competition is open for entries until 18^th July.

A judging panel will shortlist several entries, who will then be invited to a special awards evening at Knutsford Market Hall on Sunday 17^th August. The artists’ work will be displayed in the newly renovated Market Hall for the evening, and a winner and runner up in each category will be awarded and receive a prize.

To enter a valid submission in the competition, you must:

Live in Knutsford, or
Study at a Knutsford school

To enter the competition, please deliver your submission by 5pm on Friday 18^th July, to:

Knutsford Town Council Offices, Toft Road, Knutsford, WA16 6TA. Entries should be accompanied by a piece of paper recording the entrant’s name, age and address and contact information for their parent/guardian.

The judging panel will then shortlist their favourite entries and those shortlisted will be invited to the awards presentation evening, which will be held on Sunday 17^th August from 5.30pm.

For more information, please contact enquiries@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk or call 01565 653 929.

30Jun2025

Knutsford Music Festival Success!

The 2025 Knutsford Music Festival, organised by Knutsford Town Council, has concluded with resounding success, drawing music enthusiasts from across the region and beyond. Held from June 5 to 8, the festival featured an eclectic lineup spanning folk, blues, gospel, and pop, transforming Knutsford into a vibrant hub of live music and community engagement.

The folk program, curated by BBC Radio presenter Mark Radcliffe, returned for its eighth year showcasing artists such as Katherine Priddy and Rusty’s Wild Rovers. Performances took place at St John’s Church and Knutsford Little Theatre, captivating audiences with intimate and heartfelt music.

Music on the Moor took place on Saturday 7^th June. This free, open-air event celebrated local talent, offering four hours of live music, craft workshops, and circus performances. Despite challenging weather conditions, attendees maintained high spirits, demonstrating the community’s enthusiasm and support.

Festival organisers as the town council have already began planning for the 2026 edition and would love to know what you would like to see included next year! Events Manager Laura Phillipson expressed gratitude to sponsors and attendees, stating, “A huge thanks to everyone who got involved and supported this year’s events, especially to the ticket buyers and attendees of Music on The Moor. The weather was against us, but the crowd were in great spirits.”

Local businesses reported increased foot traffic and sales during the festival weekend, underscoring the event’s positive economic impact on the town.

The Knutsford Town Council is committed to building on this year’s success, with plans to enhance the festival experience in 2026. Organisers are seeking feedback from attendees and residents to ensure the continued growth and relevance of the festival. Suggestions and comments can be directed to Laura Phillipson at laura.phillipson@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk

Photographs by Sadie Whitrigg @Whittriggsadie.

17Jun2025

Publication of Unaudited Accounts 2024/25

NOTICE OF PUBLIC RIGHTS AND PUBLICATION OF
UNAUDITED ANNUAL GOVERNANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY RETURN

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 Sections 26 and 27
The Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/234)

Date of announcement Tuesday 17 June 2025

Each year the smaller authority’s Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) needs to be reviewed by an external auditor appointed by Smaller Authorities’ Audit Appointments Ltd. The unaudited AGAR has been published with this notice. As it has yet to be reviewed by the appointed auditor, it is subject to change as a result of that review.

Any person interested has the right to inspect and make copies of the accounting records for the financial year to which the audit relates and all books, deeds, contracts, bills, vouchers, receipts and other documents relating to those records must be made available for inspection by any person interested. For the year ended 31 March 2025, these documents will be available on reasonable notice by application to:

Adam Keppel-Green, Town Clerk
Council Offices, Toft Road, Knutsford, WA16 6TA
townclerk@kntusfordtowncouncil.gov.uk – 01565 653 929

commencing on Wednesday 18 June 2025
and ending on Tuesday 29 July 2025

Local government electors and their representatives also have:

The opportunity to question the appointed auditor about the accounting records; and
The right to make an objection which concerns a matter in respect of which the appointed auditor could either make a public interest report or apply to the court for a declaration that an item of account is unlawful. Written notice of an objection must first be given to the auditor and a copy sent to the smaller authority.

The appointed auditor can be contacted at the address in paragraph 4 below for this purpose between the above dates only.

The smaller authority’s AGAR is subject to review by the appointed auditor under the provisions of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014, the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 and the NAO’s Code of Audit Practice 2015. The appointed auditor is:

PKF Littlejohn LLP (Ref: SBA Team), 1 Westferry Circus, Canary Wharf, London, E14 4HD / sba@pkf-littlejohn.com

This announcement is made by Adam Keppel-Green, Town Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer

You can view the unaudited return here: AGAR 2024/25 (unaudited)

16Jun2025

New Town Centre Shopping Map!

The 2025/6 Knutsford Town Centre map has been published in time for the summer season.

The unique illustrated map is designed to give a summary of what Knutsford has to offer, highlighting its markets, cafes and restaurants as well as the diverse retail offering. The leaflet also lists key town events for the coming year.

The map is supported with adverts from a selection of Knutsford’s shops, hotels, restaurants, and bars. It is distributed to key locations in the town centre including the railway station, Tatton Park and Knutsford Heritage Centre and is used as a promotion tool throughout the year at events including the Cheshire Show and the ever-busy Knutsford Christmas Markets. The map will also be distributed to tourist information offices across the county. The production of the map has been fully funded by local businesses through the advertising.

Sandra Curties, Town Centre Manager said, “We are delighted to publish a new edition of the town centre map. It is a key marketing tool for the town for residents and visitors alike. A huge thanks to those business who support the production of the map, many of whom are repeat advertisers”

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