Town’s future “healthy” as
jobless total goes down
by John Hendon
UNEMPLOYMENT levels in Warrington are continuing to fall – despite already being at a 30-year low earlier this year.
The town’s economic outlook is “healthy” according to figures released by the borough council.
Warrington’s unemployment rate has fallen to 1.5 per cent – a total of 1,758 people – from 1.8 per cent in the same quarter last year.
In terms of economic output, employment and investment, Warrington’s, economic forecasts also indicate a rosy long-term economic outlook up until 2015 – with average annual growth rates higher than the region and nationally.
The figures are revealed in the latest Warrington Labour Market Review. The review also found that Warrington has a higher demand for jobs than the working age when compared regionally and nationally. The borough is continuing to attract workers from other areas.
Coun Terry O’Neill,(pictured) the borough council’s executive member for environment and regeneration, said: “We are pleased that unemployment continues to fall in Warrington and that is testament to the efforts of so many people and organisations throughout the borough. We are proud of Warrington’s achievements in continuing to develop our economic prospects and attract inward investment – our employment potential remains strong and our future bright.
“Through our strong community and business partnerships we can create better jobs and build a stronger economy.”
College students go on
conservation crusade
by staff reporter
CONSERVATION was the name of the game as students from Warrington’s Priestley College headed for the Lake District to help out The National Trust on a range of worthwhile projects.
It was the second successive year that students from the college have spent time at the High Wray Base camp near Ambleside and again the trip proved enlightening.
In total 25 students and two staff members from the Early Years and Education department made the trip and stayed in Cumbria for four days working on a number of initiatives including dredge digging, removing trees and fencing and building bonfires.
The trip provided students with an ideal opportunity to live life independently, a useful experience taking into account many of the group will be heading for university next year.
In Cumbria, The National Trust are responsible for 144,000 acres of land and the contribution made by the Priestley students during their stay was a big help.
Bev Whittaker, curriculum manager for the early years and education department said: “Once again our students really enjoyed their time in Cumbria. For many it was their first trip to that part of the world and the picturesque setting provided an ideal backdrop for our conservation activities.”
Council wants more
nature reserves
by David Skentelbery
TOWN Hall chiefs at Warrington are set to seek designation of a number of open spaces across the borough as local nature reserves, to meet a local shortfall.
Guidance from English Nature indicates that the borough should have two and a half acres of local nature reserve per 1,000 population.
But Warrington has only two LNRs – Rixton Claypits and Risley Moss – and between them they provide only one and-a-half acres of space per thousand population.
Officers have drawn up a provisional list of other sites considered suitable for designation.
These are Burtonwood Moss, Burtonwood Nature Reserve, Paddington Meadows, The Dingle at Appleton and Lymm Dam.
Three others have been identified as potential longer-term candidates – Bewsey Tip, the St Helens Canal in Penketh, Cuerdley and Great Sankey and The Twiggeries at Howley.
Before designation, English Nature need to be satisfied of a long-term commitment to manage each site for wildlife.
Wolves queue up for
Early Bird tickets
by staff reporter
A RECORD number of Warrington Wolves fans have bought “Early Bird” season tickets for next season.
Sales are 25 per cent up compared with the same period last year.
The encouraging news has delighted Wolves bosses.
Last year’s sales were themselves a record – and were attributed to the novelty of the new Halliwell Jones Stadium and the play-off position secured during Super League VIII.
But despite the removal of the “new stadium factor” the upward trend is continuing with the number of Season Ticket holders close to 4,500 compared to 4,000 at the same time last year.
Community and marketing manager Sean Mellor said: “With this successful season ticket sales campaign the commitment of the Wolves toward continual improvements, as illustrated by the big name signings Martin Gleeson and Logan Swann and the capture of young stars Simon Grix from Halifax, Andrew Bracek from St Helens as well as the promotion of home-grown talent, Steven Pickersgill to the first team squad, has undoubtedly received the endorsement of the Warrington public”.
The next Wolves deadline is for Wolfpack Junior season tickets on December 24. Prices start at ?40.
Concert in memory
of piano teacher
by staff reporter
TOP musicians from the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra are to visit Lymm, near Warrington to give a concert in memory of a much-respected local piano teacher, Pat Bradshaw.
The concert, part of the “Music in Lymm” series will be at the United Reformed Church on Sunday, November 21, at 3pm.
String players from the Phil will play pieces by Haydn, Mozart and Vaughan Williams.
News in brief
Hospital lottery
WINNING numbers in the weekly lottery run by the League of Friends of Warrington Hospital were 2, 6, 8 and 9. A woman won the ?574 jackpot. Next week’s prize will be ?200. The ?25 consolation prize was won by Mrs Finnegan.
Footpath closure
WARRINGTON Borough Council has made an order to introduce a temporary footway closure on the east side of A49 Winwick Road near its junction with the A50 Long Lane while sewer works are carried out and new entrances to the grounds of Warrington Collegiate are created. The order will last for six months.
Flats plan
DEVELOPERS are seeking planning consent for a block of 18 apartments in Salisbury Street, Warrington.
Garage upgrade
VAUXHALL dealers PLP Motors, of Winwick Road, Warrington, have applied for planning permission for an upgrade to the external appearance of their premises.
