A plan to bring together community groups in Sandbach has taken a step closer – after a third scoping meeting was held.

Representatives from groups and town councillors gathered at Sandbach Rugby Club in Bradwall Road for another meeting on Monday (July 18th).

And now the group, facilitated by Sandbach Co-op Pioneer, Arnie Laing, is to meet again on Aug 15th to take the plan forward and anyone is welcome to attend.

A generic title 'Working together for Sandbach' was discussed for the group who have pencilled in a focus on sports groups for their September meeting.

Various representatives from groups spoke at the third meeting including Aoife Middlemass, development officer with CVS, the Cheshire East volunteering hub.

Aoife explained what help was available and how the organisation worked and talked about how groups could use the service to help them grow.

Graham Whitehouse, chair of Sandbach Walking Festival and an avid member of Sandbach Footpaths Group, spoke about how beneficial the CVS had been in helping with a funding bid.

Sandbach town councillor Ann Nevitt talked about one of her projects – weeding in the town with a group of volunteers.

She said: "Comments had been made about how untidy parts of the town centre were looking so I decided to do something about it.

"We've worked around the town and I am amazed at the number of cigarette ends we have picked up.

"There is no need to drop them on the ground. Everyone has worked very hard on this project and areas are looking a lot better."

Celia Lyon, secretary of Sandbach Hockey Club, talked about how much the club was growing, how it started and how it was now about to celebrate its 10th year.

Sandbach Nub News told in May here https://sandbach.nub.news/news/local-news/new-community-organisation-could-be-set-up-in-sandbach-following-successful-meeting-134838 how the first meeting was attended by around 30 people, again chaired by Co-op Pioneer, Arnie Laing.

When Co-op Members buy selected Co-op branded products and services, 2p for every pound spent goes into their Co-op Membership account and Co-op gives the same to support community organisations and local causes.

Co-op Membership helps support Co-op's national charity partners and Local Community Fund causes. See https://www.coop.co.uk/membership