June | 2026 | Knutsford Town Council

18Jun2026

Community Grant Helps Knutsford Runners Grow

Knutsford Runners has received £500 from Knutsford Town Council’s Community Grant Scheme to support the training and development of new run leaders within the club.

The funding will go towards two Leader in Running Fitness qualifications, helping the club expand its volunteer-led sessions and support a growing membership base.

Established as a new running club in the town, Knutsford Runners aims to provide welcoming and inclusive opportunities for people of all abilities to enjoy running, improve their fitness and connect with others in the community. The group currently meets twice a week, offering a choice of continuous runs on Mondays and interval training sessions on Wednesdays. With routes and sessions designed to suit a range of abilities, members are encouraged to run at their own pace in a supportive and friendly environment.

A group of people in fitness gear stood smiling under a bus shelter after finishing their group run. — *Knutsford Runners – New Members from Couch to 5k join the Monday night session*

Its first Couch to 5K programme recently concluded and was a huge success, with participants building confidence, improving their wellbeing, and forming new friendships along the way. As well as promoting physical fitness, the club recognises the importance of positive mental health, social connection and creating opportunities for people to feel part of a supportive local community.

Jo Lenderyou of Knutsford Runners said: “Knutsford Runners are incredibly grateful to the Town Council for supporting our new running club with this grant. Funding two new Leader in Running Fitness qualifications will help us continue to grow our club. We became affiliated to England Athletics earlier this year and by having more qualified leaders we can ensure we can offer a wide range of running groups for all abilities at each session.”

By investing in volunteer training, the club will be able to increase the number and variety of sessions it offers, ensuring runners of varying experience levels can participate safely and confidently while supporting healthier, more active, and better-connected communities.

The Town Council’s Community Grant Scheme provides grants of up to £1,500 to support community projects and initiatives within Knutsford. Funding priorities include projects supporting young people and older residents, improving community services and assets, and enhancing the town’s profile and community life.

For more information about Knutsford Runners, visit the club’s website https://knutsfordrunners.co.uk/ or Instagram @knutsfordrunners.

For more information about the Town Council’s Community Grant Scheme, visit www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/services/community-grants

16Jun2026

Knutsford Alfresco Dining returns

Knutsford Alfresco Dining Returns with Summer Atmosphere in Town Centre

Knutsford town centre hosted its latest alfresco dining event on Sunday 14 June, with King Street and Silk Mill Street providing the perfect setting for a day of outdoor dining.

The sun made a welcome appearance, adding to the atmosphere as families, friends and visitors of all ages embraced the opportunity to dine together outdoors, spending the day socialising and enjoying Knutsford’s unique town centre setting.

Hospitality venues taking part included the Rose & Crown Inn, Gusto Italian, Morgan Edwards, Mowgli Street Food, Patrick’s Irish Pub, Smokehouse & Cellar, Wallop, Six Knutsford, Piccolino and Smoke Knutsford, all of which offered outdoor seating, allowing guests to enjoy the town centre in the summer sunshine.

The event forms part of Knutsford Town Council’s summer alfresco dining programme, which aims to support local businesses, increase footfall in the town centre and bring people together in shared community spaces.

Steve Mitchell, owner of Six, said, “We were delighted with the response to our first Alfresco event. Summer 2026 so far hasn’t been brilliant, but the weather stayed dry and we had a great turnout. It was lovely to see families enjoying themselves. Here’s to the next one.”

Caroline Haynes, Events Manager at Knutsford Town Council, said, “Alfresco dining is a real highlight of the town’s summer programme, and it was fantastic to see so many people out enjoying the town centre on Sunday. Events like this are all about creating a welcoming atmosphere, supporting our local hospitality businesses, and giving residents and visitors a chance to experience Knutsford in a different way. We’re looking forward to the next dates in the programme.”

The summer programme continues with two further alfresco dining dates planned; Sunday 16th August, alongside Paint Knutsford, and Sunday 13th September, offering more opportunities to enjoy outdoor dining in the town centre.

For further information on our events programme, visit www.discoverknutsford.co.uk or @DiscoverKnutsford on our social channels. Enquiries can be sent to enquiries@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk or call 01565 653 929.

Photo by Knutsford Town Council – Alfresco Dining, King Street

16Jun2026

2026 Knutsford Town Centre Map launched ready for the summer

The 2026 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 ever-busy Knutsford Christmas Markets. The map will also be distributed to tourist information offices across the county as well as local hotels and self-catering accommodation. 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”

16Jun2026

Knutsford Family Fest Returns for its Fourth Year

Knutsford’s popular Family Fest is returning for its fourth year this summer, expanding into a full weekend event packed with family-friendly activities.

Taking place on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th July, the festival will see Knutsford Town Council collaborate with local shops, restaurants, and community spaces to deliver a vibrant weekend of entertainment. Many of the activities across the town are free of charge and suitable for all ages.

Family Fest takes place across the town’s shops, restaurants, and community spaces and sees Knutsford Town Council collaborating with local businesses to organise a jam-packed weekend of family friendly activities.

The event takes place on 11^th – 12^th July with a host of events including suitable for all ages with many activities free of charge.

A major highlight of the weekend is the return of Movies on the Moor, taking place on Saturday 11th July from 1pm to 9pm. Sponsored by Princess Street-based insurance specialists NFU Mutual, the open-air big screen will kick off at 2pm with a special sing-along version of Encanto. This will be followed by a ‘People’s Choice’ screening (voted for by the public, to be announced soon), before wrapping up with the blockbuster hit Jumanji at 6:30pm

Holly Duxbury, Partner of NFU Mutual, said, “We are incredibly proud to support Movies on the Moor this year. Knutsford has such a fantastic community spirit, and free, family-friendly events like this are exactly what makes our town so special to live and work in. NFU Mutual has a long history of backing the communities we serve, and helping to bring this wonderful open-air cinema experience to The Moor is a brilliant way to celebrate the summer season together. We hope everyone has a magical time and the sun shines!”

A diverse range of Knutsford businesses are opening their doors with special events, workshops, and offers across the weekend, including:

Face painting and sweet treats at Knutsford Olde Sweet Shoppe
Paella party at Evuna
Four family friendly yoga sessions at Satya Sanctuary
Phonics with Robot Reg at the Tatton Room in Curzon
Children’s Disco with DJ Pete Deane at Knutsford Market Hall
PopCat’s Music Time at Knutsford Market Hall
Family Bootcamp run by Fitism on The moor
Nail file and polish for children at Roberta Beauty Redefined
Guess the number of olives competition at the Stolen Lamb (to win a voucher)
Special familyfest dining offers at Piccolinos

Caroline Haynes, Events Manager added “We are delighted at the number of businesses taking part in Family Fest this year. Thanks to their incredible support, the festival has grown into a full weekend itinerary. There is truly something for everyone, so we encourage everyone to pick up a leaflet and enjoy everything Knutsford has to offer.”

Official Family Fest leaflets containing the full schedule are currently being distributed to Knutsford’s primary schools and will be available to pick up from participating town centre shops and businesses from next week

16Jun2026

Publication of Unaudited Accounts 2025/26

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

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026

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

Date of announcement Tuesday 16 June 2026

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 2026, 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 17 June 2026
and ending on Tuesday 28 July 2026

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 2025/26 (unaudited)

5Jun2026

Hunt is on for Knutsford’s best ponds

Residents with garden ponds are being encouraged to log them as part of the Knutsford Nature Action Plan with the opportunity to submit them into the Knutsford’s Best Ponds Competition.

This year’s theme of the Knutsford Nature Action Plan is Frogs and Pondlife, aiming to raise awareness of the important role that ponds of all sizes play for nature. Ponds might seem small or unimportant, but they are some of the best places for wildlife, supporting amphibians such as frogs and newts and insects such as dragonflies and beetles.

As part of the Nature Action Plan work, the council is looking to map garden ponds to understand the network and is inviting residents to log their ponds online, with the option to enter them into the competition.

Alongside this, the Town Council’s Nature Action Plan working group is encouraging residents to create a pond in their garden – whether a small patio pond or a large sunken pond – all help support a plethora of wildlife and help reverse the 60% decline in natural ponds in Cheshire since 1870.

The Knutsford’s Best Ponds competition has two categories – Best New Pond for ponds created in 2026, and Best Established Pond for ponds created pre 2026.

Ponds do not need to be large; small, shallow ponds often have even more wildlife because many species prefer shallow water. However, there needs to be plenty of ponds in the area so that animals can move easily from one to another as their life cycles and the environment require. Having many ponds close together matters more than the size of each pond.

Entries to the competition will be judged on three criteria:

Value for wildlife – how the pond has been created and located to support wildlife
Attractiveness – the overall visual attractiveness of the pond within its setting
Sustainability – the use of recycled or sustainably sourced materials

“Whether you are entering the competition or not, we want to understand how many garden ponds there are in Knutsford” said Town Clerk Adam Keppel-Green.

“Logging your pond will help us create that map and identify if there are spaces where ponds could be beneficial so the whole town is supporting the wildlife that depends on them”

You can find out more about the importance of ponds, find resources to create your own pond, and log your pond or enter the competition at www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/pondlife

3Jun2026

Children learn about newts and pond wildlife

Children from two Knutsford schools learnt all about newts and pondlife with guest speaker, David Orchard from the Amphibian and Reptile Group of Lancashire (ARGL) on Wednesday 25^th and Thursday 26^th May.

As part of this year’s Nature Action Plan theme – Frogs and Pondlife, Knutsford Town Council organised for David to attend St Vincent’s and Bexton primary schools where groups of children gathered to learn lots of interesting facts about newts. They learned that newts are amphibians, that they can be found in Britain, and the sort of things that newts eat and their predators.

All the children had the opportunity to hold a Palmate newt, and David highlighted what sorts of ponds newts can be found in, where they lay their eggs and how quickly they grow.

The children were given a pondlife diary, created by the Town Council, which contained guidance on creating a pond at home and space to record their first year’s findings.

“Most children have never seen a newt, so bringing these animals into school is an important educational experience. Being able to see a newt close up means so much more than seeing one on the TV or internet and seeing the children’s excitement and interest in these animals is great to see. Such experiences help children to understand and connect with nature, which is essential if we’re going to protect our environment in the future,” said David.

Liz Ledwith, PPA teacher from Bexton Primary said, “Thank you again for organising David ‘The Newt Man’ to come in and talk to the children regarding these amazing amphibians. The children loved holding the creatures and I’m hopeful we have many budding ecologists for the future”.

The Town Council is looking to map garden ponds to understand the network and is actively encouraging residents to create ponds, big or small, in their garden with the opportunity to enter the Knutsford’s Best Pond competition.

You can find out more about the importance of ponds, find resources to create your own pond, and log your pond or enter the competition at www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/pondlife