Vision of a world
class science park
by Terry Johnson
THE vision of a world-class science park at Daresbury near Warrington – offering the prospect of hundreds of jobs – is being backed by the North West Regional Development Agency.
Agency chiefs are backing the set up of a limited company to develop a business plan for the site, close to the M56 and the ‘Alice-in-Wonderland’ village of Daresbury.
Strong support is also being given by the Council for the Central Laboratory of Research Councils, the universities of Manchester, Liverpool and Lancaster and Halton Borough Council.
Land for an international science and technology park is owned by the Regional Development Agency and CCLRC.
The recent decision to locate a leading-edge research facility in accelerator science at Daresbury is underpinning enthusiasm.
Project partners hope that a state-of-the-art suite of accelerator-based light sources for research will now be drawn to Daresbury.
Professor Sir Martin Harris, who will chair the new company, said: “I am confident that the progress made will ensure we are able to grasp this unrivalled opportunity.
“Together we are developing a new approach to the way that advanced large-scale science and engineering research can be developed into products, profits and jobs”.
Highways chiefs poised
for nightmare road scheme
by John Hendon
ONE small stretch of road to renew…one huge traffic snarl-up.
That’s the nightmare of highways chiefs waiting for the green light to be flashed to improving the A49 Wilderspool Causeway, between Brian Bevan island and the Bridge Foot roundabout.
Work could begin as early as Monday, January 24, if the Borough Council’s Executive Board approve the scheme tonight (Monday).
The 12-week project crossing Wilderspool Bridge includes road surfacing between 8.00pm-6.00am, Monday-Fridays, and contra-flow traffic.
Bridgeworks are planned between 8.00pm Saturdays to 6.00am Mondays, with phased footpath closures.
Team leader, John Drake, said the small stretch of road carried high peak traffic flows.
“We are looking to limit the traffic impact caused by these roadworks”, he added.
?7,000 boost for peace
centre and nature reserve
by Terry Johnson
WARRINGTON’S peace project and a unique mossland gem are set to benefit from a ?7,000 charity fund-raiser.
The windfall will be shared by the Tim Parry-Johnathan Ball Trust and the Risley Moss Nature Reserve.
Seven thousand people bought tickets for a Christmas raffle at the Birchwood Shopping Centre in which Joan Jones, of Liverpool, won a ?2,500 holiday voucher donated by centre management and tour company, Thomas Cook.
“When I bought a ticket during a shopping trip I was hoping to win a Christmas hamper. I was amazed to get the star prize”, said Mrs Jones.
She added: “The fact that the Peace Centre is a main beneficiary from this raffle is marvellous. My husband saw the aftermath of the Warrington bombing and will never forget it”.
The peace project was formed after the IRA’s town-centre outrage killed two children.
Mrs Jones’ husband, Malcolm, was working as a security guard when two bombs left in litter bins on Bridge Street blasted the shopping centre.
Praised by leading politicians, the peace centre is dedicated to resolving conflicts at local, national and international level.
Risley Moss preserves the breeding grounds of bird, animal and dragonfly species in the setting of an ancient peat bog.
Top national award
for parent helpline
by staff reporter
A WARRINGTON helpline for parents has achieved a top national award.
The Warrington Children’s Information Service is one of only six groups in the UK to have gained the Matrix Quality Standard.
Team members of the borough’s Sure Start Partnership help hundreds of townspeople each month to find the right childcare. They also offer support to those wanting to start a career in childcare.
Service spokeswoman, Sandra Jones, said: “Providing accurate information tailored to individual need is key to our success. Since we began in August, 2000 we have worked hard to establish a service that is really relevant to parents and carers.”
Borough councillor, Maureen Banner added: “Finding the right childcare is one of the most daunting tasks that many parents face”.
The information service can be contacted on 01925-443131 or e-mail [email protected]
Prince’s Trust
launches a challenge
by Terry Johnson
“ARE you up for a challenge?” This is the message from The Prince’s Trust, which launches a 12-week personal development programme in Warrington at the end of January.
The nationally-recognised Prince’s challenge is being steered by Cheshire Fire Service.
Angela Murray, assistant project manager at Warrington, said: “We are giving 16 to 25-year-olds the opportunity to gain valuable skills and qualifications – while at the same time having fun and contributing to the local community.
“In 12 weeks young people can gain qualifications in food hygiene, First Aid in the workplace, Duke of Edinburgh Award, City and Guilds Profile of Achievement and Key Skills Units in working with others, problem solving and improving learning and performance”.
A team building residential course in Lakeland covers rock climbing, canoeing and gorge-walking. There are also community projects and individual work placements.
The programme is free to those on benefits and under-18’s can qualify for a ‘learner’s allowance’.
For more details, contact project manager, Judy Powell, on 01925-242899.
Campaign to gain
“Fair Trade” status
by David Skentelbery
A CAMPAIGN to win “Fair Trade Town” status for Warrington will be launched with a presentation at the Town Hall on February 22.
More than 100 invited guests will hear talks by representatives of the Fair Trade Town movement and see a number of drama sketches showing how the system works.
Guests will represent the retail trade, churches, community groups and others who need to get involved to enable Warrington to be designated a Fair Trade Town.
The borough council is backing the move and already serves Fair Trade tea and coffee at the Town Hall. Other Fair Trade goods will be considered wherever possible.
A number of supermarkets and stores in Warrington already stock Fair Trade goods and the Fair Trade stall on Warrington Market – staffed by volunteers – is entirely stocked with Fair Trade goods.
The aim of the movement is to ensure that producers in Third World countries receive a fair price for their goods and that their workers receive a fair wage and good working conditions.
Warrington’s campaign launch is particularly timely as many Fair Trade suppliers are from South East Asia and have been affected by the tsunami disaster.
Book discussion
programme
by staff reporter
A BOOK discussion group at Culcheth Library, near Warrington is inviting new members to join them.
Anyone who enjoys reading and would like to join the informal Thursday evening group should contact Karen Poolton on 01925 827491 for further details.
Books to be discussed during the new summer season are:
March 3: Wuthering Heights, by Emily Bronte
April 7: The Shifting Tide, by Anne Perry
May 5: The Great Gatsby, by F Scott Fitzgerald
June 9: The Bookseller of Kabul, by Asne Seierstad
July 7: The Kindness of Strangers, by Kate Adie.
The sessions start at 7pm and go on until 9am.
