New courts planned
for town centre
by David Skentelbery
TOWN Hall chiefs at Warrington have cleared the way for a new, modern magistrates’ court building in the town centre.
A private meeting of the borough council’s executive board has approved provisional terms and conditions for disposing of land now used as a council depot at the rear of Bank Park to provide a site for the court.
The idea is to set up a private finance initiative to fund construction of the building.
Council chiefs believe the site would be idea because of its proximity to the combined Crown and County Court building and to the Town Hall.
But nearby residents are likely to oppose any scheme that would have an impact on Bank Park itself.
A plan to use the park as a temporary car park some months ago caused such a storm of protest that it was dropped.
Magistrates courts are currently held in the old Victorian police station building in Arpley Street.
Although the courts were extensively modernised about 10 years ago they are no longer considered suitable for present day needs.
At one time, there were also magistrates courts in Palmyra Square – now converted into the Pyramid arts centre – and at Stockton Heath and Lymm, while the town also made use of courts in Winmarleigh Street and at Newton-le-Willows.
But in recent years, all magistrates courts have been concentrated on the Arpley Street building.
Town gives its support
to Children in Need
by John Hendon
PUPILS at Twiss Green Community Primary School, Culcheth, near Warrington raised ?1,790 for Children in Need as they worked out with the Warrington Wolves Rugby League Club.
Pudsey Bear was joined by Wolves’ popular mascot Wolfie at a sponsored circuit training event organised by the club.
Pupils Katherine Mahoney and Sam Fuller are pictured working out with Pudsey, alias Sam Fuller and Wolfie.
Numerous other Children in Need activities took place across Warrington as local people rallied round to support the appeal.
Local boy band JABB, Jorden Stacey, Craig Davies, Ben Hart and Ben Leigh – who recently appeared on the X-Factor television show – were in the Golden Square Shopping Centre singing to raise money for the appeal.
They were joined by Warrington girl band Bittersweet – Amy Pickering, Emma Matthews and Lauren Corbett – who were also singing for shoppers in the shopping centre.
Book characters
brought to life
PUPILS and teachers at Cherry Tree Primary School, Lymm dressed as their favourite characters from books to help celebrate the school’s “Book Week.”
A parade was held in the school and book prizes were awarded for the most original costume in each class.
Headteacher Irene Twine said: “The day was a huge success and everybody really enjoyed themselves.”
The prizewinners, shown left to right in the photograph, were: Back row: Luchy Hanrahan, Sam Thomas, Emily Tomlinson and Jorja Follina. Front row: Nicholas May, Charles David, Anna Dempsey and Juliette Davies.
Three storey apartments
plan alarms neighbours
by John Hendon
PLANS for a three storey block of 17 flats have alarmed neighbours in Folly Lane, Warrington.
They fear they will be overlooked by the three-storey building and that the development will open up land providing easy access for burglars.
The scheme is to be put to the borough council’s development control committee on Wednesday.
Coun Hitesh Patel, who represents the area, said it was fear there would be a loss of local amenity and that the building would have an overbearing impact on existing homes.
But planning officers’ main fear is a noise nuisance for residents of the new flats caused by the adjoining Hall Motors car dealership and Tyrol House Hotel.
They believe that if noise mitigation measures to minimise this external source of noise the proposals are acceptable.
The site is currently used for the storage of caravans and large vehicles.
Pupils given a taste
of college life
by staff reporter
YEAR 11 pupils and parents from schools across Warrington and outlying areas were invited to Priestley College to sample life on the Loushers Lane campus.
More than 560 teenagers, many accompanied by parents, had the opportunity to see at first hand just what the college had to offer.
Tutors were on hand to offer advice and guidance about specific courses and the college in general.
The visitors were also able to cast their eyes over the ever-improving facilities including the sports centre, fitness suite, caf? bar and food court, all of which have now been open for just over a year.
Top of the visitor attraction list was the recently opened languages centre, which boasts cutting edge technology and has already been of massive benefit to those students currently on foreign languages pathways.
Next date for prospective students thinking about pursuing their education at Priestley is January 27 when the next open evening will take place at Loushers Lane.
Guides short
of leaders
by staff reporter
A SHORTAGE of leaders is causing problems for the Girlguiding movement in Stockton Heath, Warrington.
While the village has many girls and young women involved in the organisation, either as Rainbows, Brownies or Guides, there is still a waiting list of more than 80 girls.
Guider Helen Smith said: “Helpers can be any woman between the age of 18 and 65. They don’t need any qualifications – just a desire to muck in and be friendly.”
Miss Smith said Girlguiding UK was one of the largest voluntary organisations for girls and young women in Britain, with more than 600,000 members.
But the shortage of leaders was restricting the number of girls who could take part in Stockton Heath.
“If just one more adult helper joined it would mean 12 more girls could benefit from guiding,” she added.
Anyone who can help is asked to call Barbara on 01925 604261.
News in brief
Car fire
POLICE are investigating an incident where a stolen Nissan Micra car was abandoned in Old Alder Lane, Burtonwood near Warrington and set alight. The vehicle was destroyed before fire crews could reach the scene.
Hospital lottery
WINNING numbers in the weekly lottery run by the League of Friends of Warrington Hospital were 3, 4, 6 and 15. There was no winner of the ?200 jackpot. Next week’s top prize will be ?350. The ?25 consolation prize was won by Mr Hughes.
Road closure
PART of Farrell Street, Warrington, near its junction with Kingway North and Kingsway South, will be closed to vehicles temporarily from Monday (November 22) for about three weeks to allow structural maintenance work to take place. An alternative route will be signposted.
Taxi rank
TAXI ranks in Sankey Street, Warrington are to be temporarily suspended from November 25 to allow statutory service diversions to take place in connection with the re-development of Golden Square.
