Parry’s plea
for peace
by Terry Johnson
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PEACE campaigner Colin Parry has called for world Governments to ‘unite for peace’ in the wake of the terrorist bloodbath in Beslan.
He made the plea on the eve of the 9/11 atrocity which rocked the world three years ago today when two jets hijacked by terrorists brought down the twin towers.
Colin, who heads an educational peace charity at the pioneering peace centre in Warrington, said he did not believe that a conventional armed response could defeat terrorist groups.
“Unfortunately Governments in the UK, US and Russia seem only to recognise the military option in the fight against terrorism”, declared Mr Parry.
Based on the British experience in Northern Ireland, an armed response could not eradicate the terrorists.
“Governments are then faced with the option of abandoning the rule of law and undertaking covert and illegal operations – which results in reprisal killings and a greater death toll”, said Mr Parry, chair of the Tim Parry – Johnathan Ball Trust, formed after the 1993 IRA bomb attack on Warrington, which claimed the lives of his 12-year-old son Tim and three-year-old Johnathan Ball.
Mr Parry said there had to be recognition that dialogue was legitimate.
“For many Governments, talking to terrorists through intermediaries goes on anyway – but is not officially acknowledged for fear of loss of face. I am more concerned about loss of life.
“Our work over the last 10 years has shown us that there is a potential for tolerance if you get people of differing viewpoints together.
“People need to see that they have more similarities than differences in order to accept each other and live peacefully together.
“It is not a quick-fix solution. It takes time – but it can be done”.
The Warrington Peace Centre is a unique living memorial to schoolboys Tim and Johnathan, killed by a bomb placed in a town-centre bin on Bridge Street, the day bother Mother’s Day on March 20th 1993.
The ?3m fully equipped learning centre, officially opened by the Duchess of Kent and supported by former Prime Minister John Major, helps young people develop ‘a passion for peace’.
Countess to open
new deaf centre
by John Hendon
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The Countess of Wessex is to visit Warrington next Tuesday (Sept 14) to open a new concept centre for deaf people and look round an arts-based children’s fun club.
Countess Sophie will open a centre for deaf people in her role as Mencap Patron.
The facility is home to the British Deaf Association, Deaf Plus and the North Regional Association for Sensory Support.
The Countess will move on to the Pyramid Arts Centre, Palmyra Square, to visit a project for children with a learning disability.
She will listen to a musical recital by children and also meet Mencap employees with a learning disability.
They will discuss the work they do with The Cheshire Self-Advocacy Service which helps people with learning problems to speak up for themselves.
MP opens
art suite
by staff reporter
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Art has been taken into the community with the opening of a vibrant new creative venue at Birchwood High School, Warrington.
The ‘art block’ comprises two art rooms, exhibition and ITC suites.
Warrington North MP, Helen Jones, who opened the centre, said: “I am impressed with the work the school has put into securing this facility, which will be available to schoolchildren and the extended community”.
The school, which last year received the Gold Artsmark Award, runs a Saturday morning performing arts academy of contemporary dance, music and drama tuition.
A local artist and a Salford University student studying the visual arts have already booked display time in the new exhibition suite.
Parents win
safety battle
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Angry mums who petitioned town hall chiefs over double-parking of buses in Warrington look to have won their safety battle.
More than 100 parents in the Callands Road area of Westbrook asked Warrington North Labour MP, Helen Jones, (pictured) to support their campaign after a child was seriously hurt in a road accident.
The mums claimed the positioning of bus stops opposite each other, near St. Asaph Drive, created a ‘blind hazard’ for children crossing the roadway.
The council ruled out special bus bays – but now says that it will re-examine the issue in the light of community feeling.
Ms Jones said : “People are extremely concerned about the safety issue. I am pleased that this matter is to be looked at again when school buses pick up in the mornings”.
Fans urged to
strut their strips
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Warrington Wolves fans are being urged to ‘strut their strips’ at a community walk on Sunday, September 19.
The National Walking Day event at the Wolves’ Halliwell Jones Stadium is geared to increasing supporters’ fitness and raising awareness of bowel cancer, the UK’s second biggest cancer killer.
People are invited to don their team colours and walk circuits of the pitch, between 3.00-5.00pm.
Team mascot, ‘Wolfie’ will launch the walk, which will be a real family event. Wolves players, past and present, will join in the fun.
It spills over to a Touch Rugby Festival at Latchford’s Grange Club.
Bank Park’s Mini Leaguers will also show off their skills, playing in a Wolfie Tail Tag match.
People attending the walk will be invited to make a ?1 donation to raise funds for ‘Lynn’s Bowel Cancer Campaign’.
Quality schools
celebrate
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Three Warrington primary schools are celebrating awards for their teaching skills, pupil performance and parental involvement.
Primary Quality Marks have been gained by Locking Stumps School at Birchwood, St Paul of the Cross RC Primary, Burtonwood, and St. Margaret’s CE VE School.
The national awards recognise planning and commitment to raise standards in literacy and numeracy.
They will be presented by Alan Wells, Director of the Basic Skills Agency, at a ceremony on October 8.
Councillor Maureen Banner, Executive Member for Education, said: “We have reason to be proud of our schools in Warrington and of their continuous achievements”.
News in brief
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Newcomers
Warrington has seen a population bulge of 1,400 newcomers.
Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics puts the mid-2003 population estimate for the borough at 193,200.
New home-building is being concentrated on ‘brownfield’ sites at Westbrook and Burtonwood and recovered industrial land ringing the town-centre and also at Latchford.
Hospital lottery
WINNING numbers in the weekly lottery run by the League of Friends of Warrington Hospital were 10, 13, 14, 15. The ?374 jackpot went unclaimed and the consolation prize was won by Anne Ward. Next week’s jackpot will be about ?600.
