1. A campaign to provide laptops to help with home schooling in Crewe has hit a landmark target.

Home learning hasn't been ideal for many families during lockdown. For those homes without access to the latest technology it can prove very difficult for parents to provide youngsters with the online platforms fellow pupils are resorting to.

So a super campaign, organised by local councillors, has done sterling work sourcing tech and distributing it to those pupils most in need. The Lockdown Laptop campaign is a great example of community work in action with councillors, teachers and industry experts working together.

Now more than 109 devices have been provided to seven local schools, including Underwood West Academy, Brierley Street School and The Oaks Academy, all in Crewe.

Local businesses who donated included Applewood Independent in Nantwich, Travel Visa Company and SG World, while the refurbishment work on the devices was carried out by Paul Clarke, an IT technician at Crewe's St Thomas More Catholic High School, and Nic Bunting of Nantwich Computer Consultant.

Crewe councillor Anthony Critchley says: "It was only possible to do this, because of the volunteers from the IT people to those who ferried devices to and from donors, to the donors themselves.

"We have ensured that children in our area can not only continue learning, but stay in contact with their friends."

Donations are still being taken at The 'Lockdown laptops for home learning in Crewe & Nantwich' Facebook page.

2. A baby-loss charity has launched to give vital support for bereaved parents at Leighton Hospital

CRADLE has distributed pregnancy loss comfort bags which contain essential items such as shampoo, shower gel and toothpaste, that can be given to women who are admitted following pregnancy loss up to 24 weeks gestation.

The charity is dedicated to providing extra support for parents who are currently going through baby loss.

The bags also contain a 'Dear Friend' letter which signposts women to where they can access extra support, such as counselling.

Jenny Butters, Head of Midwifery of Leighton Hospital, said: "Women can sometimes find themselves admitted to hospital at short notice and the bags, which contain a number of items they may not have with them, will go a long way in providing some comfort during a difficult time."

3. Local musician Tom Seals secures his own show on Sky TV

There is nothing like listening to your favourite music to cheer you up in these times. And Crewe troubadour Tom will be a familiar voice to many growing up in the area as he has honed his style of jazz/blues and pop from the keyboard.

After launching a Kickstarter campaign to get his show on the road, Tom stayed close to his Crewe roots when he filmed a pilot in his mum's garden and broadcasted duets with the likes of KT Tunstall and Matt Lucas on Facebook.

"Tom Seals Presents", in which you can see Tom chatting to some celebrity guests and performing three of their favourite songs, starts on April 4 on Sky.

4. If you run a community project you could get some money from Bentley's Covid fund

Charities and not-for-profit organisations can get a cash grant from a Covid Impact Fund set up by Bentley Motors.

The Crewe motor giant has teamed up with the Cheshire Community Foundation to distribute one-off grants ranging from £5,000 to £25,000 for groups planning a year of activities focused on making a difference across the community.

They are open to applications from projects that tackle food poverty, mental health and wellbeing, debt relief and financial education via the Cheshire Community Foundation website until March 31.

Bentley's Dr. Astrid Fontaine said: "Supporting the local community through our Come Back Stronger programme has been a key part of Bentley's response to Covid from the beginning.

"It is vital that we look again at the support in place for those that need it most."

The Cheshire Community Foundation works with small charities and voluntary groups across Cheshire.

5. What else then? Okay, what about the new bus station.

Alright, it might seem a long way off to when it is complete. But it is good to see what the new interchange will look like by 2023.

Crewe's bus station has become a most depressing signature of town centre decay in recent years and just looking at a picture of gleaming glass as well as a spacious passenger hall is enough to make you look ahead with some positivity.

You can see the images on hoardings at the corner of Queensway/Victoria Street, as well at the bus station. There is also an online public meeting being hosted by planners next Wednesday, March 10 at 6pm where you can sign up here. to ask questions.