Dear fellow residents,

I hope you're all keeping well and that you're ready for the festive season.

Here's my latest newsletter update with news on some of the work I've been doing across our area, as well as some of the recent events and brilliant local organisations I've visited.  There's much more on Facebook!

If you want to see my previous newsletters you can read them all online.

You can always see my latest updates on my facebook page.  Remember to click like and follow to stay updated.  I'm also on Instagram and now Tiktok too.

Please forward or share this newsletter with your St Barnabas area friends and neighbours so I can keep other residents up to date on what I am up to in our area.

Anyone can sign up to receive my newsletter by visiting

www.crewestbarnabas.org.uk/newsletter

If you've missed a previous newsletter, you can view them all online here.

FIRST WISHING WELL SANTA DASH

It was great to join Wishing Well earlier this month with Cllr Toni Mortimer for their first Santa Dash fundraising event at McLaren Street Park.

Thank you to everyone who supported the evening, including staff, volunteers, parents and of course our young people. Despite the chilly evening, there was a fantastic turnout and lots of festive fun.

A big thank you to Snap Fitness Crewe  for helping us get ready for our runs with warm-up activities. It certainly didn’t matter that it was a chilly night. We were also joined by the Rotary Club of Crewe, whose support was very much appreciated.

The children enjoyed hot chocolate and cookies, glow sticks to light the way, and a certificate and goodies for completing their Santa Dash. Well done to Briony who won the prize hamper!

NEW ST PAUL’S SHOP NOW OPEN IN TOWN

It was fantastic to be at the opening of St Paul's Centre's brand new shop on Victoria Street, right next to Chatwins bakery.

Many of you will know their centre on Hightown, well known for its Friday sales, and now you can pick up a bargain in town too.

The shop’s bright branding represents Hope, Dignity, Confidence and Opportunity, reflecting everything St Paul’s brings to our community in Crewe. Every pound spent goes straight back into supporting local people.

Do pop in, show your support and see what treasures you can find. I picked up a great bargain, you never know what you’ll come across!

They’re open Tuesdays (9.30am to 4.30pm), Wednesday (1.30pm to 4.30pm), Thursday (9.30am to 4.30pm), Friday (9.30am to 4pm) and Saturday (9am to 5pm).

Find out more about St Paul's Centre on their facebook page or at https://www.stpaulscentre.org.uk

WORKING FOR ST BARNABAS RESIDENTS

As always, I’ve been out and about across St Barnabas – speaking to residents, listening to your concerns, checking on local issues, and reporting problems that need fixing.

It’s important to me that we keep our community safe, clean, and well-maintained, and I’m committed to making sure things actually get done.

Whether it’s a pothole, streetlight, overgrown path, or anything else affecting your neighbourhood, I want to hear about it. If there’s an issue you’d like help with, please don’t hesitate to get in touch – I’m here to support you.

Get in touch here 👇

https://www.crewestbarnabas.org.uk/contact/

CREWE SHEDDERS - A VISIT TO MEN IN SHEDS

I had a lovely time visiting Crewe Shedders while they were running their Christmas pop up stall. It was a great chance to learn more about the fantastic work they do, see their excellent facilities and hear about the support they offer to people in our community.

Crewe Men in Sheds plays an important role in promoting social inclusion and supporting people who may be experiencing loneliness or social isolation. Their work helps those affected by retirement, unemployment, bereavement, old age, disability or ill health, whether mental or physical. It was inspiring to see how they create a welcoming place for people to connect, share skills and enjoy time together.

Many thanks to Graham for the tour and for taking the time to explain all the brilliant things happening at the Shed.

They are always happy to welcome new members. If you would like to learn more, feel free to drop in during the week. You can find them at Unit 16, Brierley Business Centre, Mirion Street, Crewe, CW1 2AZ. 

You can also find out more on their Facebook page Crewe Shedders or on their website at https://crewemeninsheds.org.uk

POTHOLE PATROL – WEST STREET

I’ve once again been out on my Pothole Patrols - one of these was along the West Street section of St Barnabas. Residents often raise concerns about the state of the road here – and I know it well myself, as I live locally and drive this way regularly. It's just not good enough.

If you follow my updates, you’ll know this is an area I’ve been calling for work to be carried out. I was told it would happen over the summer, but it hasn’t yet. I understand that the delay is due to ongoing work on the new housing estate opposite. I’m still pressing for both the road and footpath to be repaired!

In the meantime, I’ve reported all the potholes I came across while walking the stretch. If you spot one too, don’t ignore it – report it!

https://www.crewestbarnabas.org.uk/report-an-issue/

Hopefully they’ll be “made good” soon until a proper repair of the road, but I will keep an eye on it during my next Pothole Patrol!

🎄 HELP BRING CHRISTMAS JOY TO LOCAL CHILDREN 🎄

It was wonderful to pop in for a catch-up with the Start Well at The Wishing Well  Family Hub on Chester Bridge, and to make a small donation to their Christmas Toy Appeal.

It was also lovely to see their Santa’s helpers busy in the workshop, getting everything ready for Christmas!

They hope to help hundreds of children in our community enjoy the warmth and joy of Christmas, offering a little extra support wherever it is needed.

But they can’t do it without your help!

If you can still donate, here’s how:

🎁 Donate a new toy for children aged 0–16 years (no need to pre-wrap)

📍 Drop-off locations:

Wishing Well Children and Family Hub, 3 Market St, Chester Bridge, Crewe CW2 7EF

Wishing Well, Jubilee House CW1 2QA (near Asda)

📞 Call to arrange a donation:

Wishing Well Hub: 07984 123413

Jubilee: 01270 256919

Let’s make sure every child has a smile this Christmas! ✨

ALDER DRIVE / REDWOOD DRIVE FLOODING

Out and about with recent bad weather I noticed the flooding at the end of Alder Drive near Redwood Drive - this is making it difficult to access the footpath due to the standing water.

After speaking with Highways, the road still remains the responsibility of the developer, and that a drain gulley should likely have been installed here.

I have contacted Taylor Wimpey to ask if this can be addressed. Let's hope so!

You can report highways issues here:

https://www.crewestbarnabas.org.uk/report-an-issue/

🌟 CREWE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS CELEBRATION ✨

Thank you to everyone who came along for Crewe’s Christmas light switch on.  ⋆꙳•❅*🎄*❆•꙳⋆

It was fantastic to see so many people enjoying the celebrations, including the community lantern parade, the festive market, the brilliant music from the The Swinging Woodpeckers  and the Cheshire Pop Choirs, the entertainment from Father Christmas and the Crewe Lyceum “Jack and the Beanstalk” pantomime cast, as well as the all important light switch on earlier this month.

A special thanks to Crewe Town Council for putting together another brilliant event for our town.  Please follow their page for details of more events!

ACCESSIBILITY CONCERNS AT FORGE STREET STEPS

The southern gateway link in town is now finally open, improving access from High Street to Forge Street via Mill Street and Vernon Way. However, I’m still concerned about the steps from the “Home Bargains” car park to Forge Street by the Lifestyle Centre, which make access difficult for many.

Although this isn’t in St Barnabas ward, it’s an issue many of my residents have highlighted. I first raised this with Cheshire East back in August, but little progress has been made as the council doesn’t own the land the steps are on.

Ideally, a ramp would provide proper access for everyone. Residents have told me that even a handrail on both sides of the steps would make a huge difference, especially for shoppers to Dunelm, Home Bargains, and even those passing through to Tesco on foot or by other means. 

Whilst it would be great if Cheshire East took responsibility to get this sorted, I’ve already written to the owners of the retail park to ask for improvements, and I’m hopeful we can make this route safer and more accessible for everyone soon.  I'll keep residents updated as I hear more!

🎄 MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR, ST BARNABAS! 🎄

Wishing all residents and their families a wonderful festive season and a brilliant start to 2026!

A huge thank you to everyone who has supported me this year – your kind words and encouragement have been fantastic.

Next year will bring new challenges, and I won’t win every one, but I’ll always give it my best. Together, let’s keep making St Barnabas an even better place in 2026!

Enjoy the holidays and stay safe!

☃️🎅🎁❄️🦌

Cllr James Pratt

Cheshire East support over Christmas:

-Council (out of hours): 0300 123 5025

-Social Care emergencies: 0300 123 5022

-Guinness Housing tenants (emergency repairs): 0303 123 1890

That's it for now as I can't fit everything on this monthly newsletter - but there are many more updates on local issues and upcoming events on my Facebook, Instagram and now tiktok so please do follow them to stay updated.

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If you have something you'd like me to look in to please do get in contact.

Councillor James Pratt

Crewe, St Barnabas Ward

Cheshire East & Crewe Town Council

Promoted by James Pratt of CNCA, 13 Churchyardside, CW5 5DE