Base memories
set to live on!
EXCLUSIVE by Gary Skentelbery
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MEMORIES of the former Burtonwood airbase at Warrington look set to live on in the shape of a new visitor attraction which aims to be one of the best in the North West.
Working in partnership with members of the Burtonwood Association, Warrington based family theme park Gulliver’s have unveiled outline proposals for a new heritage attraction located on the former airbase.
Centre piece of the attraction on land adjoining the existing theme park would be a “main hanger” housing the majority of the exhibits currently on show in a temporary museum on the last remaining part of the base.
It would also include an 80 bedroom hotel with conference facilities, 1940’s silver screen cinema, restaurant, gift shop, 4D interactive show of “Manchester in the Blitz” and even a flight simulator showing what it would have been like to land a plane at the base in its hey day.
A “troop carrier” would take visitors on a guided tour and there would also be a selection of military vehicles, nissan huts and a control tower. There would be a special meeting room for members of the association, who would all have free admission to the visitor attraction. The proposals would all be subject to gaining planning permission from the local authority.
Gulliver’s director Julie Dalton, together with her brother Duncan Phillips and father Ray Phillips, who founded the family run theme parks with sites in Warrington, Matlock and Milton Keynes, outlined the proposals to members of the Burtonwood Association during a special meeting at the base.
The dedicated band of volunteers, together with members of the British Berlin Airlift Assoc., the South Lancashire Regiment at the Royal Air Force Assoc., have been running a temporary museum in the last remaining warehouse on the base, which was once the biggest US military depot in Europe. It has to be vacated next year to make way for a housing development as part of the new Chapelford urban village.
Julie said: “Having had talks with members of the Burtonwood Association over the past couple of months I have been greatly impressed by their enthusiasm and dedication in keeping the memory of the base alive.
“We are committed to this project and I am tremendously excited by it.”
Outlining the vision to members, Duncan, the company’s Design and Development Director said: “We are looking to combine education and fun. Our business is about getting repeat visiotrs so this will be a high end entertainment feature.
“We will be trying to recreate the base architecture so visitors will be able to touch and feel elements of the air base.”
There would be a reunion lounge and hotel facility allowing visitors from all over the world to visit the attraction.
“Clearly everything is subject to gaining the necessary planning permission. But we are a realistic organisation and during the past 25 years we have achieved every one of our projects,” added Duncan.
It is hoped the facility could be up and running in around two years time with a temporary facility housing some of the base artefacts.
Used as a base by the RAF and the US Army, Burtonwood was home to tens of thousands of GI’s during the second world war and attracted Hollywood celebrities including Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and James Stewart to entertain the troops. It provided a massive boost to the economy of Warrington and the North West and many local girls becoming GI Brides and now living in the States.
It saw active service during the Battle of Britain, the Berlin Airlift and finally during the first Gulf War, closing in the early 1990’s. The Burtonwood Association has UK and American branches with regular reunions.
Pictures show Association members with the Gulliver’s team and Design and Development Director Duncan Phillips discussing proposals with members.
Police to target
prolific offenders
by Gary Skentelbery
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POLICE in Warrington are preparing to target prolific offenders as part of a pioneering scheme being launched across ther country.
Around 100,000 offenders will accumulate more than three convictions during their criminal career and, although representing only 10% of active offenders, they commit at least 50% of all serious crime.
Now police have launched a national PPO (Prolific Priority Offenders) scheme targeting offenders who choose to continue to cause misery for local people by taking them off the streets and putting them before the courts.
Ex-offenders who show willingness to reform will be provided with assistance and advice on health, accommodation or employment issues.
In Warrington a total of 19 men and women have been identified for the PPO scheme. It has three main themes; to prevent and deter, catch and convict, rehabilitate and resettle.
Inspector Damien Smethurst has been assigned to the initiative. He said: ?This scheme will have a positive impact on the drug use and offending behaviour of those individuals who have the greatest negative impact on the communities and people around them.
?The persistent and prolific offenders identified have been responsible for a variety of crimes including; drugs offences, theft of vehicles, robbery and burglary – offences which create ‘fear of crime’ in the local community. These people will be approached and offered support to help them stop offending. But if they continue to commit crime, they will be targeted.?
David Whitehead, Chairman of the Warrington Crime and Disorder Partnership (CDRP), said: ?This scheme gives a clear choice to persistent offenders and those people who cause repeated nuisance in the community. They will be monitored very closely and we will not hesitate to act against them if they continue to cause problems.
?On the other hand if they show a desire to change and to become useful members of society we will be ready to help them do so. The choice is up to them.?
Anyone with information about crime can contact Cheshire Police on: 01244 350 000, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on: 0800 555 111.
Dodgy dealer
arrested
by staff reporter
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DODGY DVD dealers have been caught red-handed by eagle-eyed Trading Standards Officers in Warrington.
One salesman was caught in possession of counterfeit stock after Trading Standards officers received complaints from disgruntled businesses in the town centre.
There have know been three seizures made in similar circumstances by Trading Standards within the last six weeks. The sellers have been found with a large quantity of counterfeit DVDs, including pornography and titles not yet in the cinema, which were seized by officers to prevent further sales of the illegal goods. One of the sellers was also arrested.
The seizures were made possible after Trading Standards were made aware of the “dodgy sales” after receiving numerous complaints. The salesmen have been offering the DVDs to businesses around the town centre and approaching shoppers with the products.
Roger Mapleson, Principal Trading Standards Officer, said: “We urge members of the public to be cautious when considering buying from people who approach them in this way. These DVDs often do not work and the money made from sales is often used to fund organised crime.
“If any town centre business or members of the public are approached by people who they suspect are selling counterfeit goods, then we ask that they contact Trading Standards on 01925 442678 or inform a town centre warden.”
The arrest was made possible by strong partnership work between Trading Standards, town centre management and the police, all of whom are endeavouring to prevent sales of illegal products to the public and local businesses.
Search for top
tourism stars
by Lesley Wilkinson
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THE top performers in tourism business in Warrington and Cheshire will be rewarded at an Oscar-style gala dinner in November. Tourism organisations are being invited to nominate their star workers for the Cheshire Awards for Tourism Skills (CATS) . The deadline for nominations is Friday October 8. Winners will receive cash awards, trophies and a star named in their honour, at the ceremony at Mere Golf and Country Club. Chris Brown, chief executive of Cheshire and Warrington Tourism Board, said: “These awards provide a great opportunity for organisations to recognise the efforts and achievements of the brightest stars amongst the thousands of individuals who work or are training within the area’s multi-million pound tourism industry.” Awards are made in a variety of categories including customer service, young tourism manager, new chef, most promising student and tourism team of the year. Last year’s winner of the Most Up and Coming Chef award Scott Surtees said: “Nominating a team member is a tangible way of recognising efforts and successes. It also helps promote the participating businesses in their community and underlines tourism as a first-class career choice. I was delighted to win last year and feel everyone – guests and staff – have benefited.” Application forms are available from the tourism board on 01244 346543.
Pic -Searching for this year’s top CATS with CWTB chief executive Chris Brown (centre) are some of last year’s winners (left to right) Most Valuable Volunteer Stephen Dent, chairman, Middlewich Boat Festival, Most Outstanding Young Tourism Manager, Michael Stott, of the Green Bough Hotel, Chester, Most Up and Coming Cheshire Chef, Scott Surtees, who was nominated by Rookery Hall Hotel, and Best New Entrant to the Industry, Pam Ball, of the Holiday Inn, Runcorn.
MP urges women to
join breast cancer survey
by Gary Skentelbery
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Warrington North MP Helen Jones has joined the call to encourage 100,000 UK women to participate in an ambitious investigation into the causes of breast cancer by the charity Breakthrough beast Cancer and the Institute of Cancer Research.
She will be seeking further information about joining the survey herself.
The ‘Breakthrough Generations Study’ will attempt to carry out a unique dedicated examination of the genetic, environmental, behavioural and hormonal factors thought to influence the risk of developing breast cancer.
It is thought that a better understanding of these factors could reduce the incidence of the disease. The study will take place over the next fifty years and aims to enrol 100,000 women aged 18 and over from all walks of life.
Each woman would be asked to fill in a questionnaire about themselves and their lifestyles and give a blood sample. The study will then keep in touch with them about their health. Preliminary results should be available within the first 5 to 10 years.
Those backing the study include actresses Michelle Collins, Meera Syal, Angela Griffin, Jill Halfpenny, Pam St Clements; newsreaders Fiona Bruce and Katie Derham; and TV presenters Tara Palmer-Tomkinson, Gail Porter, Jayne Middlemiss, Lowri Turner and Jenni Falconer.
Helen said: ” Currently 40,000 women per year are diagnosed with breast cancer and 13,000 or 35 per day, die from the disease. However scientists believe that around half of these could be prevented if the cause of breast cancer were better understood. This area of research does not receive enough attention. Within a few years, the first results will emerge giving a unique insight into the causes of breast cancer which will help scientists work out methods to prevent it occurring in the first place.
“I would urge women in Warrington to join the survey. I will certainly be obtaining further information with a view to taking part. “
Women aged 18 and over from any background living in Britain who are interested in taking part in the Breakthrough Generations Study can visit www.breakthroughgenerations.org.uk or telephone 0870 242 4485 to request further information.
Having a ball!
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SUPPORTERS of the charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer are to ?have a Ball? in Warrington during Breast Cancer Awareness Month!
Breakthrough?s Cheshire Group is organising a black tie Charity Ball at the Daresbury Park Hotel, Chester Road, Warrington on SaturdayOctober 23. Tickets are ?30 each and can be obtained by phoning 01925 751769 or 244459.
Lymm resident Liz MacPherson, Breakthrough?s representative in Cheshire, said ?What better way of raising money than to have a great night out at a superb venue, whilst at the same time raising money for vital research into this awful disease.?
