Tory leader to learn of
town’s success stories
by David Skentelbery
CONSERVATIVE leader Michael Howard is visiting Warrington today (Friday) – at the invitation of Warrington South Prospective Parliamentary candidate Fiona Bruce.
He is to visit The Gateway, the new one-stop charity and community centre which opens to the public tomorrow and also Dawson’s music shop to congratulate staff on their success in winning the music industry’s “Best Multiple Retailer” award at a ceremony in London on Wednesday.
The visit has been arranged as part of “Listening to Warrington” an initiative set up by Fiona Bruce last year in which key members of the Conservative Party are invited to the town to meet the local community, listen to their views and concerns and learn about a wide range of initiatives launched in the town.
Mr Howard will be taken on a brief tour of the town and while at Dawson’s will meet company chairman David Briggs.
At the Gateway, he will be shown the facilities provided by the independent charity which works with voluntary and statutory organisations to improve the quality of life for Warrington people, providing opportunities for advice, support, information and opportunities for voluntary groups to work together under one roof.
The Gateway will be officially open to the public from tomorrow.
Mrs Bruce – a solicitor and borough councillor – said: “Warrington people are pioneering the partnerships between the voluntary sector, the business sector and the community to improve the quality of life for everyone in the town. Communities work best when they encourage and release the skills, talents and abilities that every individual has to contribute.
“ I’m delighted to invite Michael Howard to hear stories of innovative projects and successful business initiatives like The Gateway and Dawson’s Music Shop. These are just two examples of the many positive projects happening in this town which makes Warrington the success it is today.”
Flagship media centre
boosts student numbers
by Gary Skentelbery
A FLAGSHIP Media Centre officially opened by Education Minister Dr Kim Howells has seen a staggering 80 per cent increase in media students since its launch.
Dr Howells, Minister of State for Lifelong Learning, saw first hand the newly refurbished North West Media Centre at University College Chester’s Warrington Campus.
After being given a guided tour of the facility Dr. Howells, said: “This is one of the best examples of a multi-media facility I have seen. I can see that this has been money well spent.”
The Minister officially opened the new North West Media Centre by unveiling a plaque. He also visited new nursing and midwifery facilities which are part of an increased number of courses being offered at the campus, which has also re-introduced teacher training.
College Prinicpal Prof. Tim Wheeler said: “We are delighted the minister took time to visit the campus which is undergoing a ?9 million investment.
“He was very complementary about the work the college does with our multi-media and the broadening of our courses, in particular teacher training and midwifery.
“He could see for himself the significant investment in the media centre and there is still major potential for growth and development.”
Prof. Wheeler said there had been a significant increase in the number of students applying for media courses since the new facility had been launched – as much as 80 per cent.
Warrington North MP Helen Jones, who invited Dr Howells to Warrington, said: “The ?600,000 refurbishment for the North West Media Centre provides state-of-the-art facilities which are held in high regard nationally and internationally. The facilities are recognised by Granada Television as one of its partner education and training centres.
“It is fitting that a Government Minister should be here to officially open the Media Centre as it will provide quality educational facilities and courses.”
Residents’ victory in
takeaway shop battle
by David Skentelbery
PLANNING chiefs have thrown out proposals for a hot takeaway food shop at Fearnhead, Warrington after hearing of massive opposition from local residents.
More than 200 people signed protest petitions or wrote letters of objection and the development was also opposed by Fearnhead Parish Council, Warrington North MP Helen Jones and by local borough councillors.
Officers had recommended the proposal in Orchard Street be approved. But after residents’ spokesman Robin Rowe warned of litter, smells, noise, unsocial behaviour and traffic and parking problems, the borough council’s development control committee voted unanimously to refuse the application.
Mr Rowe said the Orchard Street was the only access for 350 properties. There was only a small car park to serve the shops there and when, previously, there had been an off licence there had been problems.
“The quality of residents’ lives has improved by 100 per cent since that shop closed – but a takeaway would be even worse,” he said.
He said five previous planning applications, four of them for takeaway food shops, had been refused because of likely traffic problems.
Coun Albert Clemow (pictured) said the proposal was for a kebab shop and as such was catering for younger people. Few if any local residents would be interested in kebabs.
“The aim is to attract people from other areas,” he warned.
“The traffic and other problems will make life a hell for local residents – and once it is there it will be there forever,” he said.
Coun Les Hoyle said: “This site is quite unsuitable for this kind of development.”
Applicant Mr S Ali said he had recently moved to the area with his family and wished to become part of the local community. There was parking space at the side of the shop and he believed he could provide a useful service for local people.
But the committee heard there was another takeaway shop 100 yards away and voted to refuse the application.
Police in drive to
stop cash robberies
by John Hendon
CHESHIRE police are joining five other forces in the North West in a major initiative to crack down on cash-in-transit (CIT robberies) in communities such as Warrington.
The campaign sees police officers from Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire, Cumbria and North Wales joining officers from Warrington working to safeguard security vehicles during delivery and pick-up times. They will use both high-visibility and covert patrols on the ground and in the air.
Forces will share intelligence and provide assistance for cross-border deliveries to help stamp out CIT robberies throughout the region.
Police patrols, including firearms officers, CCTV vehicles and patrol cars, will escort the security vehicles as they carry out their normal deliveries. In addition, force helicopters will use the return journey from its call-outs to shadow the security vehicles, enabling them to be spotted from the air.
Detective Superintendent Ian Foster, regional intelligence co-ordinator, said: “Cash-in-transit robberies are taken very seriously by the police and by working together in partnership with neighbouring forces, we hope to use all the powers available to us to crack down on the offenders who make the lives of businesses and the public a misery.”
Loving people wanted to
adopt children in care
by Lesley Wilkinson
PEOPLE in Warrington are being urged to consider adopting a child to help those who are living in care and waiting for a new home.
Warrington Borough Council’s Adoption Service is asking people who may have thought about adoption to consider whether they could help a child.
Youngsters of all ages need homes and in Warrington there is a shortage of people wanting to adopt older children, family groups and children w
ith disabilities.
Adoption is open to a wide range of people, not just married couples. Single people, couples, adults from different ethnic and religious groups, gays, lesbians and people who are unemployed can all be considered.
Coun Colin Froggatt, the council’s executive Board member for health and social services, said: “There are lots of children who need caring and loving homes in Warrington and they have to wait a long time unless people step forward.
“We are encouraging anyone and everyone who feels they can offer love, stability and support to get in touch and find out more about what it involves. It is a special role and demands a huge commitment, is challenging but also very rewarding – you are the one making a difference to a child or children’s lives,” he added.
For more information contact Libby Addison on 01925 444100 or email [email protected]
Town’s tribute to
victims of conflict
by John Hendon
HUNDREDS of Warrington people are expected to join in the local tributes to mark Armistice Day on November 11 and Remembrance Sunday on November 14.
The events given people the opportunity to remember those who gave their lives during the First and Second World Wars and other conflicts, and to honour those currently serving their country.
At 11am on Armistice Day the town will fall silent and the Mayor and Mayoress of Warrington, Coun Edward Lafferty and Mrs Pat Lafferty, will lead the public tribute at Market Gate.
The firing of maroon rockets from the Town Hall roof will mark the start and finish of the Royal British Legion’s two-minute silence.
On Sunday a Service of Remembrance will take place starting with a parade through the town centre to the war memorial at Bridge Foot. The Mayor will lead the wreath-laying ceremony.
Members of the public who want to attend are being asked to gather at the memorial before 10.45am, and motorists are asked to avoid the Bridge Foot area between 10am and 11.45am.
Other Remembrance services will be taking place across the borough during the day.
Boost for bird
of prey centre
by Lesley Wilkinson
A VENUE that is one of the biggest bird of prey centres in the country is being promoted by Cheshire and Warrington Tourism Board.
The purpose-built Gauntlet Bird of Prey, Eagle and Vulture Park has recently opened on a one-acre site in Knutsford, after moving from its former site in Nether Alderley.
The board has awarded a ?10,200 cash boost to help build a 130-seat indoor display arena.
The grant is provided under the Cheshire Rural Recovery Programme to assist the regeneration of the rural economy and is designed to improve the infrastructure of smaller tourism businesses within the Cheshire and Warrington area.
Gauntlet was launched in 1996 by Graham Bessant, who was just 14 when he became involved in falconry. He started breeding eagles, falcons, owls and vultures from aviaries in his home when he was 19. He now runs the centre, at Fryer’s Rose Nursery and Garden Centre, Manchester Road, with his partner, Lisa Adams.
The centre employs two full time falconers and has a team of volunteer helpers. It has more than 70 birds of prey of many species, including a red and black kite cross, the only one of its kind in the world.
Falconry courses are regularly held, and there are daily displays by the birds. Visits to schools, shows and corporate events are also arranged by the team.
Tourism board chief executive Chris Brown said: “Graham and Lisa have shown remarkable dedication to this venture. They’ve already achieved so much through their hard work and I’m delighted to see the progress they have been able to make.”
He added: “Their efforts are enhancing the quality and increasing the choice of attractions that are available to visitors, which is vital to the future of tourism in the Cheshire-Warrington area.”
Rooftop blaze at
furniture shop
by staff reporter
FIREFIGHTERS were called to Greenwood’s furniture shop in Winwick Road, Warrington where fire broke out in the roof.
A hydraulic platform was used to lift firefighters up to the roof level of the three-storey building where they were able to extinguish with a hosereel jet.
It is believed the fire was started by workmen burning off paint on the gable end several hours earlier but only developed after they had left the scene.
A Fire Service spokesman said: “Fortunately the fire had not penetrated far under the slates or the damage could have been much more serious.”
News in brief
Seventies Night
A SEVENTIES night is being held tonight at Flares nightclub in Bridge Street to raise funds for Warrington Disability Partnership. The event starts at 8pm. During the evening a bike will also be raffled to raise funds for the charity.
Night shelter
WARRINGTON Action for Homeless are seeking planning consent to continue using premises in Suez Street, Warrington, as a night shelter for adult rough sleepers.
Phone mast
AN application has been made by mobile phone giant O2 to erect a 50ft high telecommunications mast on the A57, adjacent to Crosfields Amateur Rugby League Club’s ground in Sankey Valley Park.
Hospital lottery
WINNING numbers in the weekly lottery run by the League of Friends of Warrington Hospital were 9, 13, 14 and 16. There was no winner of the ?372 jackpot. Next week’s top prize will be ?600. The ?25 consolation prize was won by B. Mellor.
Homes bid
DAVID Wilson Homes and Barratt Chester have put in a planning application for 78 dwellings in Burtonwood Road, Great Sankey, Warrington to form the fifth phase of the Chapelford Urban Village development.
[ 08.11.2004, 13:47: Message edited by: DS ]
