MP supports our heritage

Local MP, David Rutley, lent his support to the Heritage Open Days programme when he attended one of the events at Macclesfield Town Hall.

There he met leading local historian Dorothy Bentley Smith – who has lived in the town since 1977 – and who recently published “Past Times of Macclesfield Volume III”

During his visit, Dorothy talked to David about her latest displays, and about her work with other interested local residents organising the Heritage Open Days events in Macclesfield.

In addition, David also visited the event at King Edward Street Chapel, another of Macclesfield’s historic and architectural treasures, to see the local handicraft work on display there.‎

Established in 1994, Heritage Open Days is now England’s biggest festival of history and culture, involving over 40,000 volunteers. Every year in September, the programme hosts thousands of free events across the country which invite people to explore local treasures of every age, style and function. Macclesfield’s Heritage Open Days, supported by The Heritage Alliance, Cheshire East Council and Macclesfield Town Council, were held in Macclesfield on the 9th -11th September.

Speaking after the events, David said: “I fully support the work of Heritage Open Days, this volunteer led programme continues to flourish and gives local residents the opportunity to enjoy the local history and heritage on their doorstep. Macclesfield has a rich history which we can all be proud of, and this programme helps ensure that more people know what the town has to offer.”