Vandals and drug abusers
target primary school
EXCLUSIVE by Lesley Wilkinson
A WARRINGTON school targeted by vandals and drug abusers is being forced to take extra security measures after suffering more than ?20,000 worth of damage in just one year.
Syringes used by drug abusers have also been found on land at Evelyn Street Primary School.
Now head teacher Louise Smith believes a high-quality security fence is the only solution to keep out vandals and drug abusers who use the site after hours.
Neighbours are concerned about the impact of the fence on their environment. But staff say the isolated nature of the school means it is a “magnet for disaffected youth.”
Mrs Smith has written to neighbours to explain that after more than ?20,000 worth of vandalism in one year and evidence of drug taking in the grounds, the school feels the fence is essential.
“The school for a number of years has suffered considerable damage from vandalism,” she said.
“The level of damage and destruction done to the school is damaging the quality of education that is being provided and the environment in which our children are being educated,” she added.
She said CCTV cameras had been introduced at the school but had little impact. Police have agreed to step up patrols around the premises.
Mrs Smith added: “In recent years we feel there has been a more sinister use of our school grounds. We are continually clearing away drug-related apparatus.”
She said the caretaker has to check the premises every day and syringes have been found in the bushes.
“We are fearful because of the isolated nature of the school that we are proving to be a magnet for large numbers of disaffected youth who are engaging in criminal activities,” she added.
Staff are concerned that these activities are also having an impact on local businesses and residents. It is believed the new security fence will help alleviate the problems.
The school is anxious that the fence is approved by residents and is currently negotiating with local people and planners, to ensure it is suitable.
Mrs Smith said the green paladin fence, made from fine wire mesh has been chosen to blend in with the environment. She said there will still be railings at the front of the building to maintain the character of the school.
She has sent out letters explaining the need for the fence and asking neighbours to complete a reply slip saying whether or not they have objections to it.
Concert for Abbie
by Gary Skentelbery
WARRINGTON girl band Jademic are staging a special concert to help raise funds for three-month-old Abbie Tinkley from Orford, in her battle against Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).
Mica-Hope Phillips a multi talented 11-year-old, has written a song “True Love” in a fundraising effort – with the girls going into Darkline Audio’s Studio in Penketh to record the single.
Mica said: “We hope Jademic can help in some way to making Abbie better, I wanted the song to be used as it is about the love for a family member and I thought Abbie’s mum would like it.”
George Greenall of La Kat, the record label which Jademic are signed, added: “All my girls have worked extremely hard these past few months with Lauren set to release her debut single on September 27, just a few weeks after giving birth, while Jademic have been busy appearing at numerous events for charity.”
Lauren and Jademic recently teamed up in a fundraising show at Ryfield’s Retirement Village where they helped raise over ?600 for a new piece of rehabilitation equipment. They also appeared at the Haliwell Jones Stadium prior to the recent match against St Helens.
The girls have teamed up again to put on a show for Abbie at Cinnamon Brow Farm, Friday 24th September, 7.30pm – tickets ?4 with all monies going to Abbie’s fund.
Hopefully also appearing on the show will be Simon Cowell’s X-factor contestants – JABB, 13-year-old Rock Guitarist – Sam Barnett and other members from La Kat.
Battle to save
historic hotel
by Gary Skentelbery
THE battle to save the historic Lymm Hotel, made famous by Pele and the Brazilian World Cup team in 1966, is underway.
Local councillors are firmly behind residents in their fight to defeat the double appeal for development on the site.
The first planning application by the developer was turned down in January of this year and a modified application was turned down in May.
In a statement to the Public Inquiry at Warrington town hall local Councillor and prospective parliamentary candidate for Warrington South Ian Marks said, “ If these developments were allowed, either of them would completely change the character of the area. These massive blocks are suited to inner city Manchester but certainly not to a semi-rural location in Lymm. Residents feel very strongly that developers should not be allowed to come in and wreck the village in this way.
“The proposed blocks are massive with a density above the government’s guidelines. Four storey buildings with a car-park underneath would be completely alien to the area and would be far higher than anything surrounding. It would completely dwarf the bungalows next-door in Statham Avenue. The site is next to the Green Belt, a Conservation Area, the Trans Pennine Trail and the Bridgewater Canal. It would be highly visible and destroy the character of the village.
“The second application was turned down on housing supply grounds. The Council has a clear policy on this and there is no way that this number of extra homes is required. There may a need for genuinely affordable housing but there is no way these apartments would be ‘affordable’.
Although the planning committee at Warrington did not consider it a reason for refusal, there are serious issues about highway safety in the vicinity of the hotel. This would be especially bad during the actual construction period,” he added.
The hotel was made famous by Pele and the Brazilian World Cup team when they stayed in the area during the 1966 tournament. They complained that trains on the neighbouring railway line, which is now the Trans Pennine Way, kept them awake at night.
The result of the planning appeal will be made at a later date.
Police hunt
attackers
by staff reporter
POLICE are appealing for witnesses following an incident in which a 15-year-old boy was knocked off his bike and punched repeatedly in the face by a gang of youths.
The assault took place at about 9.10pm on Thursday September 2 when the boy was cycling home to Fearnhead.
He was attacked by a group of five of six males and one female, all aged between 15 and 16.
The boy was punched in the face and knocked off his bike. He was then punched several more times in the face.
He managed to escape and was later treated at Warrington Hospital for facial injuries.
There is no description of the offenders. One of the boys was wearing a dark blue or black hooded top, and the girl is white with blonde hair.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to ring PC Graham Elliott on 01244 350000, or call the confidential Crimestoppers number on 0800 555 111.
Valuation day
a big hit
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON’S Golden Square Shopping Centre held a hugely successful valuation event raising more than ?500 for St Rocco’s Hospice in the town.
Over 400 people queued to have their household items valued by experts James Braxton, famous for his appearances on BBC programmes Flog It! and Bargain Hunt, and his colleague Philip Knapper.
The pair spent hours valuing all sorts of items including pictures, jewellery, plates, tea cups, vases and books.
James is one of the UK’s leading auctioneers from Dreweatt Neate, and he and Philip valued the items for a ?1 donation in aid of St Rocco’s.
The winner of the ?100 worth of gift vouchers to spend in the Centre
is due to be announced shortly. Participants had to guess the value of several items.
Andrew Ward, Golden Square’s Centre Manager, said: “It was a great day that proved to be hugely appealing to people of all ages. We were amazed to see people arriving from 7am to get to the front of the queue, and we were then busy all day. Although we knew it would be popular, we had no idea just how popular!”
Concerns over late
night noise from bar
by staff reporter
LATE-NIGHT noise at a bar had caused disturbance on a summer evening, Stockton Heath Parish Council heard.
Coun Patrick Mullee said from 10.30pm on a Sunday evening he received complaints about noise and music coming from Bar 101 on London Road. He tried to ring the bar but got no reply, so called the restaurant and staff said they would pass on the complaints.
Members heard the bar was planning to extend into former office premises next door, and were concerned that this could make the disturbance worse.
Coun Mullee said residents on London Road were concerned that loud music could be a regular feature at the bar. Clerk Peter Briggs said he would investigate the regulations regarding music at the premises.
