Walk to School Event 2025

Walk to School Event Celebrates VE Day 80th anniversary

The annual Walk to School Event in Holmes Chapel was a resounding success, as local children including pupils from Holmes Chapel Primary School and Hermitage Primary School donned red, white and blue to celebrate the VE Day 80th anniversary.

Organised by local voluntary organisation Holmes Chapel Partnership in support of Living Streets, this year’s walk to school event kicked off a day of local activities that culminated in the lighting of a beacon at St. Luke’s Church grounds in the village centre at 9.30pm.

Hazel Sutcliffe, Vice Chair of Holmes Chapel Partnership, was pleased with the event’s success: “Children from both primary schools accessorised for the walk and were delighted to be joined by our village firefighters, local PCSO’s, Parish and Ward councillors, teachers and Partnership members. Dignitaries reported afterwards that they had found the chance to meet and chat with parents really insightful, and I think the parents equally valued the opportunity to share their thoughts on how walking routes in Holmes Chapel could be made safer.”

Holmes Chapel Partnership runs the Walk to School event annually as part of its ongoing campaign for Safer Walking Routes through the historic village. 

Hazel added: “Holmes Chapel is a beautiful rural village but sadly one where vehicles are given priority over pedestrians.  Our historic pavements are incredibly narrow in places and we have a lack of pedestrian crossings, traffic calming measures and 20mph zones.  With over 2,000 children educated in the village and around 5,000 Harry Styles fans visiting each year, we are campaigning hard to improve the situation for all pedestrians.  

“A generation ago, 70 percent of pupils walked to school – now it’s less than half. Families in our village want to walk to school, but many of them are telling us they simply don’t feel safe to do so. It’s critical that as the village continues to grow and attract tourism that Cheshire East Council makes positive changes to improve our walking routes.”