Survey reveals need
for a “family
friendly” town centre
by David Skentelbery
A SURVEY carried out in Warrington town centre has revealed a strong feeling among the public that the town needs more attractions for families and older people.
There was also a feeling that the town should make more use of its river frontage and not turn its back on it.
The survey was carried out by local Liberal Democrats, led by Warrington’s two Prospective Parliamentary candidates, Coun Ian Marks and Coun Peter Walker.
People were asked what three changes they would most like to see to improve the town centre.
Coun Marks said: “There were strong views that the town needs more attractions for families and older people. A central cinema, an improved theatre, swimming baths and a skating rink were all popular.
“A number of residents were concerned about personal safety at night.
“Transport and parking was an issue. Congestion, particularly around Bridge Foot was a problem and there was a demand for better public transport around the town centre. Some older people wanted free parking for themselves and some younger people wanted areas where they could leave bikes secured.”
Coun Walker added: “I chatted to a number of young people. They wanted more than ‘pubs and clubs’. Somewhere to meet when it was wet would be a good start.
“Despite the hard work of the Street Scene team, there was a call for the centre to be kept tidier. Some people wanted more quality shops and others wanted better signage between the different shopping centres. There is goodwill towards the market and a hope that rents will not price stall-holders out.”
Coun Marks said many people commented on the Guardians “street art” – better known as the “skittles.”
He said: “They thought they were a waste of money and should never have been built. A surprising number would like to see them ‘ripped out’.
“Liberal Democrats believe it is important to listen to people and we will take note of all these views as we put together our policies for the town.”
Students gain insight
into life in the army
by Lesley Wilkinson
STUDENTS from Priestley College, Warrington were given an insight into the life of army recruits when they took part in a training day.
The youngsters, from the Sports Science department, completed an army assault course, team building activities and looked at methods of camouflage and concealment.
Several of those taking part in the college’s visit to the Swynnerton Training Area in Stone, Staffordshire, found it useful as they were considering a career in the forces. Others found out first hand that army life was not for them.
The army camp is used to train the modern armed forces and has extensive land including marshes, woodlands and swamps.
Sports Science tutor Danielle Toward said: “It is always enjoyable to get out of college and into the wider world, in order that the students get as much practical experience as possible.
“It was certainly an unforgettable experience for all concerned and we all returned with an even greater respect than ever for our armed forces.”
Pictures show students tasting army life.
Town’s tragic link with
“North and South” author
by John Hendon
A LITTLE-known grave in the grounds of Warrington’s Cairo Street Chapel provides a strong link between the town and the distinguished author Elizabeth Gaskell, whose work has just enjoyed a revival of interest as a result of the popular BBC television adaptation of her novel “North and South.”
“Mrs Gaskell” – as she was known at the time she wrote her series of what were often considered at the time to be controversial novels – lived for much of her early life at Knutsford.
She was the daughter of a Unitarian minister and later married another Unitarian minister and moved to Manchester.
Her novel “Cranford” is based on life in Knutsford and the town has numerous buildings, etc, which were depicted in the book. When she died in 1865 at the age of 55 she was buried at Brook Street Unitarian Chapel in the town.
But she tragically lost a child – and that child lies buried at Cairo Street.
A spokesman for the Unitarian Church said: “It is almost certain that Elizabeth Gaskell visited Cairo Street Chapel on many occasions.
“When she lived at Knutsford, it is almost certain she would have visited Cairo Street with her father and again, when she was the wife of the Minister at Cross Street Chapel in Manchester, she would almost certainly have visited Warrington.
“Certainly she must have had some affection for the chapel for her to choose to have her child buried there.”
In fact, Mrs Gaskell’s husband, William, originated from Warrington, where his family had
been in business.
Another link between the author and Warrington is that when Warrington Academy closed in 1786, its library and much of its belongings were moved to the then newly opened Manchester Academy – where Elizabeth Gaskell’s husband was a teacher.
Manchester Academy later became Harris Manchester College, Oxford – and today still boasts a fine stained-glass window known as “The Warrington Window.”
Roadshow hightlights
town’s business success
by Lesley Wilkinson
A TOUR of the streets of Warrington highlighted the success of the town’s business parks and development sites.
The first Warrington Roadshow, hosted by the borough council’s Economic Development Team, was attended by 18 property agents from the North West.
During the two-hour trip they were driven around successful Warrington sites such as Lingley Mere, OMEGA and Gemini Business Park.
Carsten Kressel, head of economic development, said: “We are delighted and encouraged with the support we have received for this event, which has helped to make it a success.”
He said the event was a good way of putting companies, business parks and development sites in the spotlight and highlighting their achievements.
“Warrington is a hive of commercial activity and is brimming with projects and schemes and the roadshow is one way of celebrating the positive steps being taken to encourage business and inward investment.”
The agents were also shown regeneration work in the town centre such as Golden Square Shopping Centre, the Pyramid and Palmyra Square Gardens.
At the Birchwood Centre there was a presentation by Jonathan Walsh, director of Birchwood Park Estates, on the new ?10 million development, Bridgewater Place.
Staff are planning a similar event next year.
Warning over “dodgy
drop-kerb merchants”
by John Hendon
TRADING STANDARDS chiefs in Warrington are warning residents to be on their guard against traders who offer to install drop-kerbs.
People across the borough have been persuaded to enter into contracts with people who knock on their doors offering to drop the kerb outside their houses to make it easier to drive cars across the pavement.
Although this work does not have to be completed by the borough council, there are a number of requirements which consumers must comply with before the work can be legally completed.
If the person you employ does not have the required permit or does not do the work in accordance with the relevant standard it may be necessary to re-build the footpath. In effect – the consumer will be paying to have poor illegal work done, which may ultimately have to be put back to its original construction.
This would be done at the council’s expense but the resident would end up without a vehicle access.
Warrington Trading Standards is warning residents to beware of people who call at their homes without being invited and persuade them to have any type of work carried out on either their property or gardens.
Principal Trading Standards officer Edwina Greenwood said: “”We conti
nue to receive complaints from residents who have contracted with these salesmen and have no way of contacting them when things go wrong! The best advice we can offer is to stay away from buying services from door stepping salesman.”
Police warn of cuts
due to cash shortfall
by David Skentelbery
POLICE in Warrington look likely to be under-funded next year – despite Cheshire receiving a better than expected settlement from the Government.
Peter Nurse, chairman of Cheshire Police Authority says the 3.9 per cent funding increase is not enough to maintain the current level of police services.
The average increase for police authorities is 4.9 per cent and Cheshire needed at least 5.5 per cent to maintain the current level of service.
Threats from the Government to cap council tax rises of more than five per cent mean the police authority will need to consider cuts in services.
Mr Nurse said: “The authority has already made a cut of ?2.1m in the budget, which includes making redundant 50 vacant police staff posts. If we increase council tax by 5 per cent – 9p per week – we will have to cut a further ?700,000 out of the budget. To prevent this further cut we would need to ask local council taxpayers to make up this shortfall, which would mean an increase in council tax of 7 per cent, or 13p a week”.
He added: “Home Office Ministers have listened to our case for additional funding and I welcome many aspects of the funding announcement which is better than we had feared but not as much as we need. We are still facing significant funding pressures next year and will be looking closely at the figures”.
A delegation of Cheshire MPs, the Chairman and Vice-Chairmen of the Authority and the Chief Constable will be meeting with the Police Minister, Hazel Blears on January 11, in an attempt to seek additional funding and protect policing services.
Mr Nurse concluded “We know the public want more Community Action Teams, which are proving successful in reducing crime in our local communities, providing a valuable visible presence and making a real difference, but our ability to maintain and enhance this critical area of activity, is threatened if the shortfall is not met”.
Body in river
still a mystery
by staff reporter
THE discovery of a man’s body in the River Mersey, off Chester Road, Warrington remains surrounded by mystery today.
A post mortem examination has been carried out but police say it was inconclusive.
Further tests may be necessary to determine the cause of death.
Police say they believe they know the identity of the man. But they have released no details as yet.
They say they believe it is a man reported missing from home some time ago. Members of the family of that man have been informed but as yet there is no formal identification.
“Investigating
death” talk
by staff reporter
DR Nigel Dennis Chapman, chief coroner of Nottingham, is returning to his home village of Culcheth, near Warrington to give a talk entitled “The investigation of death and the work of the coroner.”
The talk will be given on February 4 at Culcheth Methodist Church, where Dr Chapman’s parents, former member of Warrington Borough Council, Dennis Chapman and his wife, June, are members.
Further details are avilable from Morag Burton on 01925 762002.
