Pub landlords ban
anti-drink posters
by David Skentelbery
————————————————-
SOME pub landlords in Warrington have banned posters warning of the dangers of binge drinking because they consider them to be “too shocking.” The campaign carries the message “Drunk enough? – you decide” and features posters designed to appear in pub toilets.
Split-image ads show a young man drinking with his girl friend and, later, having been beaten up.
In another, a girl is seen drinking with a stranger – and later lying bloody and bruised in an alley while her male attacker steps over her.
Beer mats showing the images have also been produced – but a number of licensees in Warrington have banned both posters and beer mats.
The campaign is being promoted by the Safer Warrington Partnership and the borough council.
It is the ad featuring the girl with a stranger that has caused the controversy.
Helen Kirkley, of the Safer Warrington Partnership said: “The image used hints strongly that the young woman has been the victim of a serious assault. While all the landlords we spoke to are keen to encourage young people of both sexes to think about their safety when they are out enjoying themselves, some felt that this particular image is too disturbing for their customers.
“Binge drinking is a very serious issue and hard-hitting images such as this are crucial to raise awareness of this problem.” Coun Mike Hannon, the council’s executive member for community and wellbeing, said “If some people find it shocking then that is fine; the consequences of binge-drinking can be shocking and the council has a responsibility to help address the problem.
“I can understand some licensees finding the images shocking. They might feel they could affect their trade. But I would urge them to think again and get involved in the campaign.” The campaign targets 17 to 25-year-olds and involves the council, police, pubs and breweries, youth groups and parents.
Earlier this year, the council called for a multi-agency, co-ordinated approach to the prevention of alcohol abuse following a report which showed that 22.4 per cent of males and 7.5 per cent of females in the town drink more alcohol than is considered safe.
Between 1998 and 2000, a total of 69 deaths in Warrington were directly attributed to alcohol related conditions – including 36 women. This is 91 per cent more than the average for England and Wales.
The report showed there had been no new investment in alcohol treatment services in Warrington since 1995 and highlighted an urgent need for designated detoxification beds in the town.
Hotel demolition
inquiry date fixed
by John Hendon
————————————————-
THE date has been announced of the public inquiry into the controversial plans to demolish the historic Lymm Hotel, near Warrington and replace it with five apartment blocks.
It will be heard at Warrington Town Hall on September 15, starting at 10am.
The hotel is famous because soccer legend Pele and the rest of the 1966 Brazilian World Cup squad stayed there – and complained about the noise.
Borough planners have thrown out the proposals twice, but developers Linden Homes have appealed and forced the inquiry.
Hundreds of people have lodged objections, along with Lymm Parish Council and local members of the borough council.
Linden want to build 53 in five four-storey blocks.
When Pele and the Brazilian World Cup squad stayed at the hotel they complained that noise caused by trains on the now-closed Altrincham-Warrington railway disturbed their sleep.
Good school that is
“rapidly improving”
by staff reporter
————————————————-
EDUCATION watchdogs have labelled a Warrington school as “good” and “rapidly improving” with thanks, in main, to the very good leadership of the headteacher.
Oakwood Avenue Primary School was visited by inspectors from the Office for Standards in Education in April and was given a glowing reference as testament to its “good quality learning environment”.
The attitude, behaviour and personal development of pupils were deemed “good” in all respects. Alongside this, their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development was described as “good”.
The school’s particular success in meeting the personal and educational needs of the pupils, especially those with special education needs, was acknowledged by the report.
It was noted that parents have “very positive views of the work of the school and pupils are positive about their learning experiences and opportunities for them to express their views”.
The inspection also found that all pupils “achieve well overall throughout the school” and “pupils with special educational needs, particularly those in the resourced provision, make very good progress in some key areas of their learning”.
The main strengths picked out were the positive relationships and trust between all members of the school community and the development of pupils’ confidence and self-esteem.
Others included:
Staff expectations of pupils’ conduct are high and pupils respond well.
Pupils are achieving well due to a well-adapted curriculum, particularly in the case of pupils with special educational needs. The teachers’ strong emphasis on creating the right conditions for learning.
Staff use the accommodation very well to create a stimulating learning environment and provide interesting activities.
The report revealed that, during the inspection, teachers were “good or better in about three quarters of the substantial number of lessons seen and there was no unsatisfactory teaching”.
Teaching in the Foundation Stage is good with some very good features in the reception year. Teaching and learning are good in Years 1 to 6 because teachers’ knowledge and skills lead to activities that motivate pupils.
The headteacher and teachers were described as having a “joint sense of purpose” reflected in the way they went about their work.
Headteacher Michael Jackson, was especially commended by the report, which acknowledged his effectiveness as a leader.
He said: “This report celebrated the hard work of all the staff, children and governors. We all have a lot to be proud of.”
Chairman of governors Kath Bibby said: “I would like to thank the staff who have all worked very hard to achieve this result. This is something we are all very proud of.”
230 attended crematorium
service of remembrance
by Lesley Wilkinson
————————————————-
THE Annual Service of Remembrance at Walton Lea Crematorium was this year based on the theme of the seasons.
More than 230 people attended the service held in the grounds adjacent to the seasonal gardens.
Visitors were given the opportunity to write the name of those they were remembering on a card, which was then attached to balloons released as part of the service.
A bound poem and flower was given to those attending and there was an opportunity to unbind the card and flower to symbolise letting go.
A tree was planted at the end of the ceremony.
Rev Stephen Kingsnorth led the service with Father Christopher Cunningham and Rev Tom McNaughton-Owen.
Bereavement Services manager Angela Dunn said: “Everyone I spoke to said how much they enjoyed the service and that they found it uplifting. The bereavement services staff and Rev Kingsnorth worked extremely hard both in preparation for the service and on the day itself.”
Town prepares for
170th Walking Day
by Lesley Wilkinson
————————————————-
WARRINGTON’S annual Walking Day – which dates back 170 years – takes place tomorrow (Friday) when thousands of people will join in the celebration.
The event is organised by the town’s churches, and the procession begins at t
he Town Hall at 10.30am, to allow walkers to avoid peak traffic.
Traffic delays are expected as up to 4,000 people make their way to the town centre.
This year’s running order is different to previous years. Organisers are urging spectators to arrive early so they do not miss seeing family or friends taking part.
Rev Michael Finlay, Rector of Warrington Parish Church, said: “Walking Day is a tremendous tradition that brings the people of Warrington together every year and we want this year to be just as good, if not better, than ever before.”
After leaving the Town Hall, the procession will continue along Sankey Street, Arpley Street, Museum Street, St. Austin’s Lane, Friar’s Gate, Bridge Street, followed by a U-turn near Bridge Foot and returning along Bridge Street to Market Gate and Horsemarket Street.
The usual road closures will be implemented, with most town centre streets closed to traffic from around 9.15am to 12.30pm, while the main roads around the periphery of the town centre will remain open, eg A49 Mersey Street/Fennel Street/Brick Street, A57 Midland Way, Crosfield Street (one-way southbound), A5061 Parker Street/Wilson Patten Street and Bridge Foot.
Delays can be anticipated on these roads and the main roads leading to and from the town centre.
Any traffic southbound on Winwick Street from Pinners Brow will be diverted right into Tanners Lane and access will be allowed into Haydock Street. No vehicles will be allowed along Winwick Street southbound beyond this junction between 9.15am and 12.30pm.
Traffic flow along Crosfield Street will be confined to one-way only (southbound i.e. towards Sankey Street) for the duration of the walk to accommodate buses using it as a terminus.
Bus services will continue to operate normally, although they will terminate on the edge of the town centre.
MP’s praise for
winning school
by staff reporter
————————————————-
WARRINGTON North MP Helen Jones dropped in at St Margaret’s CE Primary School, Orford, to congratulate them on being awarded the prestigious Basic Skills Agency Primary Quality Mark.
The award is made to schools who meet certain standards in teaching literacy and numeracy.
A school has to demonstrate that it meets 10 elements, including having a whole school strategy, assessing and reviewing pupil performance, having a target for improvement of the school’s performance and involving parents in developing their children’s basic skills.
The MP said: ” This is tremendous news and shows once more that our schools are attaining higher and higher standards. It gives me great pleasure to personally be able to congratulate all involved. ”
