Hat-trick of
ancient finds
by Gary Skentelbery
A WARRINGTON based archaeologist has unearthed a third ancient settlement in a Cheshire village after discovering more than 200 flint tools and arrowheads dating back to prehistoric times.
James Balme, who discovered ancient prehistoric settlements in Warburton and Heatley, near Lymm, dating back thousands of years, has uncovered yet another prehistoric settlement in the area.
He has already recovered a vast amount of worked flint tools and implements from the site which he is continuing to excavate.
James, said: ” What makes this find all the more important is the vast range of high quality tools and implements.
“Over the past few years I have made many important discoveries that have continually re-written the ancient history of the are. But what makes my latest find different is the extremely high quality and concentration of the tools and implements I am finding.
“This must have been a settlement of very high status and the flint knife is especially exciting as it is rare to find one in such good condition and more importantly complete.
“I have recovered in excess of two hundred flint implements and blades from what must have been a major prehistoric settlement. No doubt our ancestors would have been hunting and fishing in and around the rivers that flow through the landscape especially during the summer months and the evidence that they left behind has now been recovered and recorded.
“I suspect that my latest discovery highlights a major meeting place of the various groups who inhabited the surrounding area where they could share their experiences and exchange ideas. The recovery of so many worked flint implements from just one field is very rare and may indicate that I am close to a prehistoric burial ground although much more work will be needed to confirm this theory.”
James, who also discovered a previously unknown Roman fortlet at Warburton is continuing his research at his latest site over the winter months. He also plans to put all of the prehistoric artefacts he has discovered on display in the near future at Warrington central library.
He also hopes new excavations will begin at the Roman fortlet in the Autumn, with the help of the South Trafford Archaeological group.
Further details on his finds can be seen at www.warburtonvillage.co.uk
Steam fair to be
a two day event
by David Skentelbery
THE popular Stockton Heath Steam Party, near Warrington – which celebrates its sixth birthday this year – is to be expanded to become a two-day event.
It will move from its previous “home” in Victoria Square, Stockton Heath to a field adjoining Warrington Sports Club at Walton and will widen its appeal by taking on the role of a village fete.
Dates set for the event are Saturday and Sunday, May 7-8.
Founder and organiser Patrick Mullee said: “We want to get more people involved – perhaps the churches and women’s groups.
“It will still be a steam fair but it will be a village fete as well. There will be food and drink, fairground rides, steam engines, vintage buses and all sort of things.” Mr Mullee said the event had outgrown Victoria Square and would face difficulties in continuing in its previous format.
Vintage buses would run a free service from the village centre to the field and there would be trips from the field to Walton Gardens in a steam omnibus. Parking would be available in an adjoining field.
Food and drink would be served in a marquee.
“If, as seems likely, there will be no Stockton Heath Walking Day this year, we hope we can help fill the gap in the local calendar.”
A farmer’s market would be held on the Sunday.
The whole event will be in aid of charity – St Rocco’s Hospice has been chosen – although Stockton Heath Lions Club will, as usual, be involved and may be collecting for other charities.
Tsunami disaster
fund-raiser
by John Hendon
A special fund-raising show is set to take place at the Cockhedge Shopping Park on January 22 in aid of the tsunami-hit regions in South East Asia.
The event is being organised by George Greenall from local record producers La Kat.
La Kat’s Lauren O’Donnell will be performing a song dedicated to the disaster appeal – ‘I Never Believed’ also appearing will be local girl band Jademic and other members linked with GLR Productions and La Kat.
The event will start at 12 noon and other acts performing will include Heather Skidmore, winner of WANT ME 2004 and a new duo called “Age Don’t Matter.”
Any one interested in helping out can contact George at [email protected]
Warrington Light Opera are joining forces with a number of other musical groups to stage a concert at the Parr Hall on February 6 to raise money for the disaster victims.
Residents urged to “go
green and stay green”
by staff reporter
RECYCLERS in Warrington are being encouraged to “go green and stay green” by television impressionist Alistair McGowan.
The star sported a unique jacket made entirely from Christmas cards when he appealed to local residents to get recycling.
Warrington Borough Council is encouraging residents to support the Woodland Trust and remind them that while Christmas cards can’t be recycled in the blue bins for paper, they can be recycled at WH Smith and Tesco.
Special bins are available at these stores throughout Warrington until the end of January.
Mr McGowan said: “More than a billion cards will have been sent by people in the UK this Christmas and we want people to recycle as many of these as possible to raise money to plant more trees and cut down on the amount of waste that traditionally gets binned at this time of year.
“This year’s national target is to recycle 50 million cards, but we can only do that with everyone’s help.”
Coun Terry O’Neill, the council’s executive member for Environment and Regeneration, said: “We all produce far more waste at Christmas than at any other time in the year. Just think how many Christmas cards you put in the dustbin and add them to all the extra glass jars, bottles and cans -all of this ‘waste’ can be recycled.
“Every little helps and even if you divert one extra newspaper or one bottle then its one less we have to worry about and one less we have to pay to dispose of.
“Recycling has never been easier as residents can use the kerbside recycling schemes that have been rolled out across the borough.
Residents who need a new blue bin or details of their local recycling scheme can ring the Council’s recycling team on 01925 442604/442527.
Pupils do well
at GCSE again
by John Hendon
HIGH school pupils in Warrington are continuing to achieve excellent GCSE results well above the national average.
Today (Thursday) the Government released the Achievement and Attainment Tables for secondary schools in England for both GCSE and Advanced Level results for exams taken last summer.
In Warrington 58.6 per cent of pupils achieved five or more passes graded A*-C, which is above the national average of 53.7 per cent. Five or more A*-C grades are now classed as a national Level 2 qualification.
In addition, 93 per cent of pupils achieved at least a Level 1 qualification – five or more GCSE grades A*-G. Nationally, the average was 88.8 per cent.
Education chief Coun Maureen Banner, executive member for education said: “Pupils in Warrington continue to achieve GCSE results above the national average. It is extremely pleasing that so many of our young people achieve Level 1 and Level 2 qualifications by the age of 15. This gives them a foundation from which they can progress, either through more formal education or by work-based training.”
Tables for advanced qualifications are also available. These show results for schools and colleges in GCE (A levels) and VC
E (Vocational A levels), and other advanced qualifications.
Education director Malcolm Roxburgh said: “There are now a variety of academic and vocational routes to obtaining higher level qualifications. These tables include explanations of the different types of awards, which parents may find useful.”
The government’s Achievement and Attainment Tables are available from the following website www.dfes.gov.uk/performance tables
High winds disrupted
refuse collection
by staff reporter
HIGH winds have been causing problems for Warrington Borough Council’s waste collection service.
Weather conditions forced the landfill sites used by the council to close on Wednesday.
Despite the difficulties, refuse collections teams continued to collect as much waste as possible using the usual collection vehicles and spare vehicles.
However, as they were unable to unload the waste, the vehicles filled up and, as a result, were unable to make some collections.
Weather conditions are expected to improve today and the refuse collection teams will be doing their best to catch up any backlog.
The council is urging householders who have not had their waste collected to leave their bins out.
Alan Fitzpatrick, waste services manager said: “We have collected as much waste as possible, however, the high winds have meant that we have not been able to dispose of it. We apologise for that, but we would ask people who have not had their bins emptied to leave their bins out and we will be working hard to catch up.”
Question mark still
hangs over walking days
by David Skentelbery
A QUESTION mark still hangs over the future of a number of walking days and other festivals in Warrington following a heated debate at a meeting of the borough council.
Both the Liberal Democrat and Conservative opposition groups attempted to move resolutions urging the council to take action to safeguard traditional festivals in the borough in the light of the refusal by police to continue accepting responsibility for traffic control.
But council leader John Joyce told members the council was already acting as mediators and trying to persuade police to agree to help.
“We are already talking to the police” he said.
Coun Graham Welborn, Liberal Democrat, said walking days and other similar events made a significant contribution to the religious, cultural and historical fabric of Warrington. But they were at risk because of changes in the way the events were policed.
He said: “A Guide has been prepared for event organisers and council officers are helpful in their advice. But strict application of these prescriptive guidelines is resulting in a number of organisations giving thought to cancelling their events. Small local celebrations can do much to foster neighbourhood involvement and a sense of belonging and well-being within the community. The effect is likely to be borough-wide.
“The key issue is safety but that has always been the case. The role of the police has now changed and they will not accept responsibility for the control of traffic to allow a procession on the highway. Alternative arrangements may involve extensive road closures or the requirement for more voluntary marshalls than may be available. A large helping of common sense is needed to allow these events to continue.”
Liberal Democrat leader Coun Ian Marks added: “We must find a way through this problem. The issue has been brewing for a couple of years. It came to a head last year with the Penketh Fun Run, which had to be cancelled.
“We cannot allow these traditions to die out because it would be a heavy loss to our town. We urge everyone involved to get round the table and thrash out a solution.”
Coun Sheila Woodyatt, Conservative, said the council should send an all-party delegation to meet the police and urge them to reconsider their position on marshalling events.
Man injured in early
morning robbery
by John Hendon
POLICE are investigating a robbery in which a man was attacked by two thugs in Winwick Road, Warrington. The man was walking along Winwick Road near Warrington Collegiate in the early hours of the morning when he was approached by two men. During a struggle he suffered cuts to his arm, although his injuries did not require hospital treatment. Police are seeking witnesses. Anyone who can help should contact PC Stephen McVeigh on 01925 652222.
Attack victim hit
over the head
by staff reporter
A MAN was taken to hospital after being struck over the head with an object thought to have been a bottle.
The victim was walking home with friends in Collin Street, Warrington, when a motorist stopped his car in the middle of the road, got out and hit him over the head, causing a wound.
He was able to walk to Leicester Street before requiring assistance and an ambulance was called and took him to hospital where he was treated for cuts to his head and eye.
Police are seeking witnesses of the attack, or anyone else with information about the attacker. Anyone who can help should call PC Julie Morse on 01925 652222.
[ 17.01.2005, 16:34: Message edited by: DS ]
