2023 in pictures: Images around Northwich and Winsford

Over today and tomorrow, we will be remembering some of the great images which featured in the Northwich and Winsford Guardian.

This article will feature pictures from January to June. Be sure to look out for the next story which contains images from July to December.

January

The meteor 'landed' at the school (Image: Charles Darwin Primary School)The year got off to an out-of-this-world start for pupils at Charles Darwin Community Primary School, who were welcomed back by an extra-terrestrial visitor in their playground.

The event, which delighted the children, was staged by teachers to kick off a two-week project about planet Earth.

Later in the month, nurses striking over pay and staffing levels braved the cold weather to demonstrate outside Northwich's Victoria Infirmary.

Nurses strike outside the Victoria Infirmary in January 2023 (Image: Supplied)

February

Northwich received a special visitor in February as legendary charity fundraiser Speedo Mick popped by on his 'Final Stomp'.

Speedo Mick in Northwich on his 'Final Stomp' (Image: Newsquest)Speaking to the Guardian as he made his way through the town centre, Mick said the support he had received on his way through Northwich had been ‘absolutely fantastic’.

The Liverpudlian, whose real name is Michael Cullen, has raised more than £1 million in aid of mental health and suicide prevention by trekking across the UK in a pair of Everton speedos.

February also saw the 10-year anniversary since demolition work began on the town's Regal Cinema.

The Regal Cinema, left, and again in 2013 as it was being demolished (Image: Newsquest)Readers shared their memories of the iconic cinema which played a huge role in people's lives.

March

Northwich at dusk (Image: Nathan Lever/Cheshire Eye in the Sky)

This month, drone photographer Nathan Lever shared some unique images of Northwich taken from above.

The Cheshire Eye in the Sky captured some truly stunning images of the town and the surrounding area.

Castle Locks and Greenbank (Image: Nathan Lever/Cheshire Eye in the Sky)World Book Day also took place in March and as usual, parents in Mid Cheshire did not disappoint with some fantastic costumes on offer.

Oskar-James Smith as an Oompa Loompa, left, and Rosie Roberts as Mary Poppins (Image: Gemma Smith/Lisa Yould)

April

Cheshire West and Chester Council announced this month work would begin imminently on the £22 million regeneration of Winsford town centre.

A CGI picture of what the finished Winsford regeneration project could look like (Image: CWAC)

But it was bad news for bus passengers in Mid Cheshire as Arriva confirmed the closure of its Winsford and Macclesfield depots on April 22, meaning a number of services were cut.

May

The town basked in glorious sunshine as it joined the rest of the country to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III.

Ready to parade through the town (Image: Newsquest)

Also in May, petitions gained momentum against the FA's decision to move Northwich Victoria and Winsford United into the Midlands League.

The clubs and their fans shared their thoughts on the decision.

Winsford United fans (Image: Gary Moore)

June 

Early in the month, staff at Roberts Bakery had to be evacuated after a fire broke out at its Gadbrook Park base.

Firefighters tackle the blaze at Roberts Bakery (Image: Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service)

Thankfully everyone was safe and sound as firefighters arrived to extinguish the blaze.

Later in June, singer-songwriter Tom Grennan performed to a sell-out crowd at Delamere Forest as part of the Forest Live series of music gigs.

Tom Grennan at Delamere Forest (Image: Paul Dulac)