Base secures a
hand of friendship
by Gary Skentelbery
THE memory of the former Burtonwood air base at Warrington is set to live on.
Volunteers from the RAF Burtonwood Heritage Centre have secured a helping hand from local theme park Gulliver’s in their bid to find a new home.
The centre, which has been searching for a new premises since its current site was earmarked for housing as part of a new urban village, has started working with Gulliver’s Warrington, to find a new location.
Run by a team of dedicated volunteers the centre is committed to preserving the heritage of the RAF Burtonwood, RAFA, British Berlin Airlift Association, and The South Lancashire Regiment and offers educational trips for schools and the general public.
UK President Dave Goulden, said: “We are delighted to be working with Gulliver’s towards finding a new home. It would be an absolute tragedy to lose the museum, as it is part of the military heritage of Warrington.
“As well as working with Gulliver’s we are also involved in talks with Warrington Borough Council.”
Visitors to the Burtonwood display are treated to talks from historian Peter Boardman and the museum takes a hands-on approach, making it extremely appealing to adults and children.
Peter said: “A huge part of what we do is educate people about Burtonwood and its role during the war and thereafter. I think it’s important that young people are educated so we never forget this hugely important part of our history.”
During World War II Burtonwood air base played a vital part in the US and UK war effort. Spitfires were supplied for the Battle of Britain during its RAF days.
Following the bombing of Pearl Harbour, Burtonwood was chosen as the USAAF’S primary maintenance and heavy repair facility for the European Theatre of Operations. It was chosen because of its location close to a major port (Liverpool) and because of the extreme range of German Bombers. At its peak it was the largest airbase outside America.
The base was home to more than 18,500 Gis and all USAAF B17 Bombers (Flying Fortress) used in Europe during WWII came through Burtonwood for fitting out, heavy damage repair and major maintenance. Burtonwood overhauled in excess of 2000 engines per month in what was the BRD site.
After WWII Burtonwood was returned to the RAF until 1948 when due to the Cold War the Americans returned. All USAF C54 Skymasters taking part in the Berlin Airlift were maintained at Burtonwood.
During the 1950’s the base virtually doubled in size. For many years it had the longest runway in the UK. The largest aircraft to fly into Burtonwood were Convair B36 Peacemakers, 10 engines, 6 prop and 4 jet. They certainly kept the population of south Lancashire awake while flying around to consume fuel before landing.
During the expansion of Ringway (Manchester Airport) BOAC (now British Airways) used Burtonwood for its long haul flights, using coaches to carry passengers to and from Burtonwood.
In 1967 France left NATO and American NATO forces in France were ejected and the US Army came to Burtonwood to use it as a Reserve supply Facility.
Header House on the base was the largest single storey warehouse in Europe. Unfortunately for RAF Burtonwood the US Army did not require the airfield flying facilities, the only aircraft in use were helicopters, hence the M62 motorway being built on the main runway.
On site there were ten 1,000 bed field hospitals, 750,000 ready to eat meals in storage, 19,000 parachutes and 4,000 military vehicles. The last major contribution made by RAF Burtonwood was in the 1990sfor “Operation Desert Storm,” the first Gulf war and Bosnia when the base was emptied of all its stores and equipment, this came at the same time as the end of the Cold War, and Burtonwood was closed in 1993.
The Americans stationed on the base made a massive contribution to the local economy in Warrington. In fact not only did the economy benefit so to did the local people with many parties for the local children, food and cigarettes, all in plentiful supply, at a time when the people of Warrington had been on rations for two years.
It is in the spirit of preservation and education that the RAF Burtonwood Heritage Centre and Gulliver’s Warrington hope to move forward to help locate a new site.
Knifeman rapes woman
in her own home
by David Skentelbery
POLICE at Warrington have launched a hunt for a man who entered a 19-year-old woman’s home in the early hours of the morning and raped her at knife point.
They are urging householders to keep their windows closed during the current hot weather and make sure their homes are secure.
It is not yet clear how the rapist got into the house, in the Orford area of the town, but it may have been through an open window.
The woman, has badly shaken by the incident and suffered minor injuries from the knife. She has described her attacker as in his 20s, about 5ft 11 inches tall, of slim build and with short dark hair. He was wearing a dark coloured track suit and spoke with a local accent.
Police are appealing to members of the public who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the Orford area, or loitering outside property in the early hours.
They are mounting extra patrols in the area of a night, but still advise householders to make sure their homes are secure.
Anyone who can help should call 01244 613830.
In a separate incident, police are searching for a man who indecently exposed himself to a 16-year-old girl in Sankey Valley Park.
He whistled to attract the girl’s attention before exposing himself. She ran away.
Police said he was aged 30-35, short, of stocky build and had straight brown hair with a centre parting. Anyone who can help is asked to call PC Carrie Burke on 01244 613820.
Awards scheme recognises
those who help disabled
by Lesley Wilkinson
A NEW award scheme – to honour business, service providers or individuals who enhance the quality of life for disabled people – has been launched in Warrington.
The first ever Positive Action Awards will take place on October 14, and will recognise those making a difference to the lives of disabled people and/or their carers in the North West.
It follows on from the recent Disability Awareness Day in Warrington which attracted more than 20,000 people.
Disabled people and carers can nominate people or organisations that they feel deserve recognition for promoting independence, delivering accessible and/or inclusive services or maintaining exemplary employment practices for disabled people and/or carers.
The awards have been organised by Warrington Disability Partnership and are principally sponsored by the North West Regional Development Agency (NWDA).
Dave Thompson event co-ordinator, said: “The awards aim to provide an opportunity to disabled people and carers living in the Northwest to nominate those organisations and individuals who are making a real and positive impact on their lives.”
Steven Broomhead, NWDA chief executive, said: “The NWDA is delighted to be sponsoring the inaugural Positive Action Awards, which will highlight the range of exemplar services that are available to disabled people in England’s Northwest.
“Disabled people make a valuable contribution to our region and these awards are a great recognition of those who are making a real difference. This event greatly assists the development of a socially inclusive region and I am sure that the awards will be a big success,” he added.
The awards will be presented by the Right Honourable Maria Eagle MP, Minister for Disabled People, at a Gala Presentation Evening at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington.
Mr Bert Massey chairman of the Disability Rights Commission will give the keynote address on elements of the Disability Discrimination Act being introduced on October 2.
Nominations can be made online via www.positiveactionawards.org.uk or by nomination form available from Warrington Disability Partnership on 01925 240064.
Motorists told: keep
your keys out of sight
by staff reporter
CAR owners are being urged to keep their vehicle keys out of sight in a bid to deter opportunist thieves.
Warrington Police say about 15 per cent of household burglaries are committed by thieves trying to get car keys for vehicles parked outside.
They use a variety of methods to get keys, such a hook and cane, breaking into the house or entering properties through insecure windows and doors.
Police are urging people to take steps to stop thieves targeting their vehicles, such as keeping keys out of site and not leaving them in easily accessible spots such as on the hall table, by the front door, on window ledges, or on the kitchen table.
Officers advise people to keep doors and windows in unattended rooms locked and to park vehicles in a locked garage or behind locked gates when possible.
Community Safety Sergeant at Warrington Police Mike O’Carroll, said: “Whilst these kinds of offences do occur, there is a great deal people can do to prevent it from happening to them. Any measures that can be taken to eliminate the risks are worthwhile and should be taken. We are trying to educate the public about the importance of keeping car keys out of sight to deter opportunist thieves.”
Cheshire Police’s Safer Homes initiative was launched at the beginning of April and focuses on how the police care for victims of burglary, their neighbours and the community. Details are available on the website www.cheshire.police.uk
Anyone with information about crime can contact Cheshire Police on: 01244 350 000, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on: 0800 555 111.
MP welcomes curbs
on use of fireworks
by Lesley Wilkinson
NEW laws to restrict the anti-social use of fireworks aimed at reducing the risk of injury, have been welcomed by Warrington North MP Helen Jones.
For some time she has campaigned for greater restrictions and actively supported a Private Members Bill on the subject introduced by her colleague Bill Tynan MP earlier this year.
A survey in 2002 among Helen’s constituents showed that 90 per cent thought fireworks should not be sold to the public, 91 per cent thought they should be restricted to public displays and 66 per cent had felt threatened by fireworks.
The new restrictions will regulate the supply and use of fireworks to curb their anti-social use, nuisance potential and possibility that use will lead to injury, death or damage to property.
Helen said: “I am delighted that these long overdue measures are being implemented. If used safely, fireworks can be thrilling and enjoyable but, sadly, in the wrong hands can be a real nuisance and potentially very dangerous.
“The vast majority of constituents who responded to my survey were calling for measures such as these. I hope that these new regulations will go a long way to tackling the anti-social use of fireworks that has become a real and persistent problem for so many people, ” she added.
It is now an offence for anyone under 18 to possess fireworks in public and for anyone who is not a fireworks professional to possess category four (professional display fireworks).
There will be a curfew for the use of fireworks between 11pm and 7am, except during traditional celebrations. And the public will be unable to buy category three fireworks, which exceed 120 decibels.
In May, measures were introduced to prohibit the supply of air bombs, tighten the definition of mini-rockets and restrict their sale, and strengthen retailers’ obligations to check the age of customers. Further measures will be introduced next year.
“Very effective” school
praised by watchdog
by John Hendon
A WARRINGTON school has been praised as “very effective” by education watchdog Ofsted.
Inspectors who visited Thelwall Infant School have praised it for many good features and high quality teaching and learning.
Standards in key areas, such as English and Mathematics, were found to be consistently well above national average and achievement throughout the school was seen as very good.
The school was described as a thriving community, with purposeful leadership and management and staff who provide a stimulating range of experiences.
Since the school was last inspected in 1998, inspectors found that standards have risen faster that the national trend. The school recently gained an Achievement Award for its work.
Inspectors said the school provided good quality education, good provision for pupils’ personal, moral, social and cultural development, and that pupils were well behaved, related well to each other and were eager to learn.
They praised provision for pupils with special educational needs, who achieved well.
The head teacher and key staff were praised as good role models, leading by example and sharing their skills and enthusiasm. They praised the school’s good governance, and said that parents and the community held the school in high esteem.
The inspectors found no substantial areas for improvements, but they called for the school to extend its practice of target setting and provide more opportunities for independent learning.
Head teacher Janette Snelson, said: “We are delighted that the inspection team highlighted some of the excellent work taking place at our school. We are very proud, not just for our tremendous staff and the governing body, but for our entire school community.”
Chairman of governors Colin Daniels, added: “We do not have one area or aspect of our school that shines brighter than any other. We are a very good school and we are very good throughout.”
