Town bids for high tech
waste disposal trial
by David Skentelbery
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AN experimental high tech waste disposal facility may be sited in Warrington for a trial, three-year period.
It would enable the borough council to dispose of 20,000 tonnes of waste that would otherwise have to go to landfill sites.
No decision has yet been taken on where the facility would be located – but it would be on an industrial estate away from residential or environmentally sensitive areas.
Coun Terry O’Neill (pictured), the council’s executive member for environment and regeneration, said: “This is not an incinerator. There will be no ash.
“It is steam heated and it dissolves the waste.
“As far as I am concerned it is a win-win situation for Warrington. It is the start of our battle against waste.” Fairport Engineering, based in Chorley, Lancashire, who have developed the system, will apply to the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) for permission to trial the process in Warrington for three years under DEFRA’s new waste technologies demonstrator programme.
The borough council has agreed, in principle, to support the company’s application, subject to an agreed location being found.
Coun O’Neill said various sites were being looked at. Wherever the site was, that was the area the waste would come from. If it was in North Warrington, the waste would be from the north of the borough.
The facility would deal with Warrington waste only. The borough would expect areas like Manchester and Liverpool to develop similar programmes to avoid the need of sending waste to Warrington.
“This should mean less waste coming to Warrington,” he said.
Currently, large quantities of waste are brought to Warrington from the Manchester and Liverpool areas for disposal on the giant Arpley Meadows landfill site.
But the operation has angered local residents because of the large number of heavy lorries pounding local roads.
School celebrates
successful year
by Gary Skentelbery
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YOUNGSTERS at St Stephen’s RC primary School, Warrington, had plenty to celebrate after a highly successful year.
Warrington Wolves stars Darren Burns and Warren Stevens, were on hand to present awards to successful pupils, including members of the schools Rugby League team which won the Coca Cola Shield this year, for the first time.
The successful team also managed to secure sponsorship from local companies SDL Recruitment and Padgate Appliances, who sponsored the team kit.
Pupils from the school also triumphed in the highly successful Mayor of Warrington’s Warrington Wolves “Tag Festival.”
Head Teacher Maria McGarry said it had been a highly successful year at the school, which was holding its “first ever” prize giving assembly for Year Six pupils.
She said she believed the school had made big improvements during the year with significant improvements in numeracy, literacy and science. “Our results have been absoultely outstanding,” she said.
Numeracy has increased from 44-77 per cent, with 35 per cent gaining Level 5.
English Literature had increased from 55-77 per cent with 20 per cent gaining Level 5 and science had increased from 61-81 per cent, with 35 per cent Level 5.
The results are expected to show St Stephens as one of the most improved schools in the borough.
Award winning youngsters are pictured with Darren Burns and Warren Stevens and Head Teacher Maria McGarry.
Three Peaks challenge
earns ?2,000 for charity
by staff reporter
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A TEAM of staff from the Warrington branch of Target Express has completed the Three Peaks Challenge – climbing the three highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales.
Ben Nevis, Snowdon and Scafell Pike were conquered during the 36 hours ordeal, which involved staff from the marketing and IT departments, along with chief financial officer Keith Broom.
The party encountered difficult weather conditions, with cloud cover on Ben Nevis and freezing rain on Scafell.
Only Snowdon provided good weather – and the group enjoyed stunning views in brilliant sunshine.
The adventure raised money for four charities, Macmillan Cancer Relief, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Leukaemia Research and the National Deaf Children’s Society.
Keith Broom said: “The Three Peaks Challenge is a real team event and calls for commitment, stamina and determination. I am really proud of the way everyone approached the challenge, despite difficult conditions and setbacks.”
Marketing manager David Parkin added: “I’ve never done anything like this before and it felt like such an achievement. It was a real test of our ability to work as a team and everyone made a huge effort. Most importantly we raised more than ?2000 for our chosen charities.”
The team, despite nursing sore limbs, is already planning next year’s fundraising challenge.
Picture shows members of the team at the summit of Ben Nevis.
Car parks scoop
top awards again
by John Hendon
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WARRINGTON’S two multi-storey car parks have each scooped two “secured car park” awards – for the sixth year running.
The awards, supported by the Home Office, British Parking Association, AA and the Association of Chief Police Officers, were given for the borough council’s commitment to cutting car crime and the development of links between the town’s major shopping areas and the Golden Square and Market car parks.
Facilities manager Doug Crank said: “These awards are reward for a series of important initiatives which make Warrington town centre a better place to both shop and park.
“These awards show our car parks provide a safe, secure place for people to park, so they can enjoy their shopping and have peace of mind.”
Since the award was first obtained, reported crime at the car parks has been virtually eliminated with less than a handful of incidents reported in the last six years.
Only car parks that clearly cater for the safety and security of customers and their property can win the award.
They must provide an effective combination of preventative security measures, including:
24-hour surveillance – more than 80 cameras in place covering all areas of the car park.
Boundary security – such as metal security fencing.
High level lighting.
They must also have customer charters, suitable codes of practice, quality policies and customer complaints procedures must all be in place.
Heart charity’s
dog walk
by John Hendon
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THE British Heart Foundation stages its second annual Wag-a-Tail sponsored dog walk at Walton Hall Gardens, Warrington on Sunday, August 1.
Alice in Wonderland from the Louis Carroll Society – 11-year-old Cat Hudson – will be there to start the proceedings at 10.30am.
The two and a half mile walk takes in the beautiful countryside of Walton Hall Gardens and the Hill Cliffe area and can be enjoyed by everyone – young or old, two legs or four!
Registration is ?5 to cover administration costs and entrants and their dogs should be sponsored to raise vital funds for the BHF so it can continue to fight heart disease – the UK’s biggest killer.
Lynn Brown, regional director for the British Heart Foundation said: “Walking is such a great way to spend a Sunday morning; it’s extremely good for you and your dog. We are so grateful to all of our supporters who come along to events like the Wag-a-Tail Walk and help us to raise funds. Our supporters and volunteers are the lifeblood of our organisation and without them we simply couldn’t continue to do what we do”.
Anhyone who wants to register should contact Shirley McNally, BHF Area Organiser for South Ma
nchester and Cheshire on Tel: 0161 288 7355 or email [email protected]
Shopping centre’s
fun for kids
by staff reporter
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A WIDE range of entertainments to keep children happy while out shopping with Mum has started at the Golden Square shopping centre, Warrington.
There are fairgrounds, railways, puppets and face painters – and mucb more.
The fun will carry on until the end of August – and there will something for everyone.
In addition to the fun for children, there will be live jazz from Hi Brass and the Wigan Youth Jazz Orchestra, magicians, games shows and, from August 23-27 the annual “Warrington by the Sea” event when Golden Square puts on donkey rides, candy floss, Punch and Judy and other events associated with the beach.
Prince’s Trust
presentation
by Lesley Wilkinson
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YOUNGSTERS who have taken part in a 12-week personal development programme for the Prince’s Trust in Warrington are planning an end of course presentation on August 12.
The Cheshire Fire Service Prince’s Trust team will stage the event at Drivetime, Centre Park, Warrington from 6.30pm.
After an introduction by the chief fire officer, each team member speaks for a few minutes on what they have achieved during the course. They are presented with certificates to mark their achievements.
The course, for people aged 16 to 25 both employed and unemployed, sets a range of challenges to boost confidence, skills and motivation. Organisers say that after the courses, many unemployed people find work and those who are already in jobs are often promoted.
