St Andrew’s Connected Communities Centre.

Reporter J White

St. Andrew's Church and Church Hall were open with displays showing all the activities and events that take place through the church throughout the year. Visitors could meet the church’s volunteers, try a range of activities, listen to live music, and enjoy the community café.

It was also an opportunity to celebrate St. Andrew's Church being designated as a Connected Communities Centre. Cheshire East Council has invested £150,000 to help community venues develop their services as well as providing on-going support and training. The council is recognising 30 local places, including church halls, community centres and community cafes, each supported by a neighbourhood partnership representing a range of agencies, including the police, health services and the voluntary sector. Every centre will also have a computer tablet connected to our Live Well community information website, helping residents to easily find out what’s available in the area. To find out more about Connected Communities in Cheshire East visit: http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/communities or email: communities@cheshireeast.gov.uk . People can also phone the council’s communities team on 01270 85880.

Attendees included Cllr Janet Clowes, Health and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder for Cheshire East Council, and Cllr Brian Roberts, the Crewe Town Mayor.

Priest-in-Charge of St Andrew’s Church, Reverend Lynne Cullens said, “It’s taken over a year of working with Cheshire East Council’s Communities Team, CVS and other partners for St Andrew’s to secure our Connected Communities Centre status, but we’re absolutely delighted to celebrate the fact that we have today. Hundreds of people from across the local community have joined us and taken part in dancing, painting, singing, kids’ crafts, games and challenges, as well as finding out about the support available from so many local organisations and, of course, sharing lots of delicious food from home-made scones to home-made pilau rice! A fantastic day of fun, support, friendship and great community spirit, all of which we’ll take forward as we develop our vision for St Andrew’s Connected Communities Centre.”