School honours
“much loved” teacher
with ?1m centre
by David Skentelbery
WARRINGTON’S Bridgewater High School is to celebrate the launch of its new ?1m sixth form facilities and science laboratories next week with a dedication to a much-loved teacher who passed away in March this year.
It was the school’s decision to dedicate the new facilities to Mr Tom Capper, who taught history for more than 29 years, as homage to his time at the school.
Mr Capper’s mother will be in attendance for the unveiling of the plaque for her son.
Tom was a popular, highly committed and long serving member of staff at the school. He was also an Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) union representative and was known to many people across the community.
The refurbishment includes an infill extension to join the sixth form to the main school building. The extension has made it possible to create a new science laboratory and three new seminar rooms. The student’s common room has been refurbished and a computer suite has been installed in the existing part of the building.
A larger learning resource area has also been created to enhance students study facilities. In addition five science laboratories have been refurbished in the main school building, along side a new food technology room.
Headteacher Christopher Marks said: “We are absolutely delighted with our new facilities and the opportunities they will create for all our sixth form students. We are also very pleased to take the opportunity to dedicate the new building to the memory of Tom Capper, who contributed a huge amount to the school during his 29 years service.”
Man locked up for
breach of order
by court reporter
A 29-year-old Warrington man who was banned from part of the Birchwood area of the town has been remanded in custody for breaching his Anti Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) just one day after it was issued.
Karl James Breary, from Longbarn, breached his ASBO by entering the area he had been banned from visiting.
He appeared at Warrington Magistrates Court and was remanded in custody for one month.
Breary originally appeared at Warrington Magistrates Court earlier this month for offences of criminal damage and urinating in a public place. He was sentenced to one month in prison.
An Anti Social Behaviour Order was secured at the same time to come into effect upon his release. He was released after serving two weeks of his original sentence.
A police spokesman said Risley Police had received numerous complaints from local residents about Breary leading up to his conviction. These complaints included reports of drunkenness, criminal damage, urinating in public and other incidents of anti-social behaviour. A number of statements were obtained from local residents on the Longbarn housing estate, detailing the negative impact Breary was having on their lives and these statements assisted in police obtaining the Order.
Sergeant Alex Kane, of the Risley Community Action Team, said: “The hard work and professionalism of PC Darren Wright and the Risley CAT led to the arrest and conviction of Breary, who had caused considerable public nuisance to residents in the Pasture Lane area of Longbarn.
The ASBO imposed upon him and his subsequent conviction for breaching that Order should reassure the local community that we are taking positive action to tackle anti-social behaviour. If Breary should breach his conditions again in the future, we will take the appropriate action.”
The conditions imposed upon Breary are as follows and will last for a period of two years:
Not to urinate in any public place unless using a toilet provided for that purpose.
Not to enter the area bounded by the A574 Birchwood Way, Blackbrook Avenue, Liverpool to Manchester Railway Line and the M6 motorway.
Health care IT firm
moves into town
by John Hendon
HEALTH Care software provider Strand Technology, is moving its headquarters to Warrington.
The company, which develops highly specialised computer software for the mental health sector of the NHS, is moving from Skelmersdale to the Xpdia Centre at Birchwood, Warrington.
Strand, a new company formed as the result of a management buy out, is among a growing number of firms working at the cutting edge of technology that are being attracted to Warrington.
Managing director Graham Phillips said: “We needed to find a location that reflected what our company is all about.
“Warrington is a dynamic location, has a vibrant economy and is attracting state-of-the-art software and technology businesses – we are proud to be part of that community.
“We have also received incredible assistance from Business Link which has been crucial in helping the business move forward,” he added.
Strand Technology, which employs 11 people, provides I.T. solutions with specialist knowledge in the mental health/social care sector.
It has developed a highly-sophisticated software solution, called CareNotes, which allows hospitals and NHS Trusts to keep patient records electronically, on computer.
The CareNotes solution has the capability to revolutionise the way patient records are used within the health service and is already being used by 14 NHS Trusts across the country.
It can store a complete patient history, with built in security levels to ensure patient confidentiality. It can also be used to set up individual patient care plans involving care teams in hospitals and staff working in the community – saving both time and money for NHS Trusts.
Sales director David Hannam, said: “All our software is developed in consultation with the people who use it, this ensures it is exactly what they need – we believe that has been the key to developing such a successful product.
“We are now committed to further developing the software into the social care sector.”
Picture shows, left to right, Edward Gleeson, Strand’s finance director, with Sandra Brusby chief executive of Business Link Cheshire Warrington, David Hannam, sales director, Graham Phillips, managing director, and Chris Tyler, technical director of Strand Technology.
Rachel ready for
Oxbridge challenge
by staff reporter
HIGH-flyer Rachel Crane is busily preparing herself for the challenge of a lifetime having obtained a place at Cambridge University.
The astute teenager from Cinnamon Brow, Warrington has just completed her two-year stay at the town’s Priestley College and was one of many individuals who notched top grades.
Indeed 18-year-old Rachel picked up an astonishing four A’s at A-level in subjects Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry and Biology and will take up her place at Sidney Sussex College to read Natural Sciences later this month.
As a college, Priestley continued to support it students, who wished to apply for places at either Cambridge or Oxford during 2004 and after the dust had settled following this summer’s results, Rachel’s application was accepted following her superb achievements.
It was another fine year for Priestley, whose overall pass rate increased to 98 per cent, following the three previous years where the overall rate had topped 97 per cent. With a new academic year underway the College remains confident that many of its current students will follow Rachel’s and the class of 2004’s lead, come next years results day.
MP welcomes ?1.2m
boost for children
by John Hendon
MP HELEN Jones has welcomed the allocation of ?1,249,789 grant funding to Warrington for the Children’s Fund partnership for the next three years.
The Children’s Fund focuse’ on children aged 5-13 and seeks to provide preventative action for disadvantaged families, aiming at children and young people at risk of social exclusion.
The Warrington North MP said: “I am pleased to see the government remains committed to the work of the Children’s Fund. The three year allocation
of resources should give the partnership the future certainty they require as well as greater flexibility in resource management.
“One of the objectives of the Children’s Fund is to ensure that fewer people commit crime and fewer children are victims of crime. I will be looking to see how our local partnership targets projects which tackle anti-social behaviour and youth crime.”
Library to stage
art exhibition
by staff reporter
GRAPPENHALL library will be playing host to an exhibition by members of Warrington Art Group’s next month.
The event, which sees works of art created by members of the art group, will be showcased at the library on from Saturday November 2 to Saturday November 6.
It will feature some 20 paintings in different formats, some of which will be for sale to the public.
Further information is available from the library on 01925 262861.
