VILLAGERS and visitors to Holmes Chapel can find out more about the community’s history thanks to a group of volunteers.

The Conservation Area in Holmes Chapel has been improved by the installation of four information panels.

The panels provide information as to the history of the area in the vicinity.

This is the result of extensive work by a group of volunteers with an interest in history, which was supported by Holmes Chapel Parish Council, and led by council vice-chairman John Clowes.

The four boards describe the history of some of the old buildings in the heart of the village which it is hoped will be of interest to residents and visitors.

The group has a number of other initiatives under way, including the installation shortly of new heritage style street signs in the Conservation Area.

The parish council has also submitted a bid to Cheshire East Council for a New Homes Bonus grant to contribute to improving the appearance of Church Walk but the outcome will not be known for a few weeks.

The information panels have been installed at Barclays Bank in The Square, the Beer Emporium Bottle Bank in London Road, the Jalfrezi Indian takeaway in Church Walk and Bridgfords estate agents in The Square.

Mr Clowes said: “We have been pleased at the supportive response from businesses to our efforts to raise awareness of the Conservation Area, including the Co-op, which has contributed to the cost of the information boards.

“Making the Conservation Area more attractive will make a contribution to keeping Holmes Chapel centre vibrant and active.”

The Co-op supported the project via the Co-op Community Grant Fund.

The entranceway work at Holmes Chapel Community Centre is now finished, providing additional car parking.

This is the first step towards re-organising the car park space at the centre.

The fence has been moved across the front of the site, defining the entrance more clearly.

Removing the internal fence has also opened up a better view of the Community Centre.

In the longer term the car parking at the centre will be optimised to provide further benefit for the community and users of the centre.

The current parish council clerk, Sue Davies, is moving to Kidsgrove Town Council to become its town clerk after working in Holmes Chapel for a year. Holmes Chapel Parish Council is hoping to appoint Sue’s successor in the next few weeks.