Church trustees accused
of being “un-Christian”
by Lesley Wilkinson
THE installation of a gate on a footpath on church land at Appleton near Warrington has caused confusion over public access – and led to a row at a meeting of the parish council.
Two parish councillors accused the trustees of Hill Cliffe Baptist Church of acting in an “un-Christian” way over the path and claimed local people’s lives could be put at risk.
Following complaints of dog-fouling on the path, which runs from the church through the cemetery to the lychgate, the church installed a gate at the church end of the path.
The council heard this had resulted in increased numbers of people walking along dangerous Red Lane, rather than along the path.
Coun John Price said he found a letter from the church to the parish council on the issue offensive and “un-Christian.”
He said: “I have walked this path for many years and it is a good idea to use it to get out of the way of cars. Lots of people want to use the path as a shortcut to Stockton Heath.”
He said people should not be deprived of using the path because of the actions of minority of people who could not control their dogs.
Coun Val Davies said Red Lane carried a lot of traffic and could be dangerous for pedestrians, particularly in bad weather.
She said the church trustees appeared to be adopting a “legalistic” approach rather than a Christian one.
Members agreed to investigate the status of the path and that Coun Ray Hancock, a member of the church, should raise their concerns with church trustees informally.
After the meeting, Coun Hancock said there had been a misunderstanding. Although a gate had been erected on the path it was not kept locked and there was no intention to prevent people using the path.
Rockers going back
to their roots
by Gary Skentelbery
TWO rock musicians have “gone back to their roots” returning to their home town of Warrington with Canadian rockers Ryecatcher.
The bands frontman Dan Newton, left his Padgate home for Canada as an eight-year-old when his parents emigrated to start a new life.
Now together with his cousin Paul Gibbons, they have returned to Warrington as part of a UK tour with their four piece rock act, performing at a Warrington college campus at the end of January. Having worked with rock legend Randy Bachman, of Bachman Turner Overdrive fame, the band has been playing for six years with a strong following in their adopted home of Vancouver.
The Ryecatchers have presented their distinct big/melodic sound to enthusiastic audiences at most of the area’s independent and major music stages. Their energetic and engaging sets deliver memorable songs with great hooks ranging from up-tempo rockers to dark and moody ballads.
Dan (vocals/guitar) and his cousin Paul (vocals/bass) play alongside Mark Christopher (lead guitars) and Gary Grace (drums). Dan’s powerful vocals deliver the lyrics to most of the Ryecatchers songs while he plays rhythm guitar. His charismatic stage presence is fun, energetic and genuine.
Paul delivers expertly crafted bass lines while singing harmony vocals and lead vocals on several tracks. Similarly to Dan, Paul has an on-stage presence that is characterized by the sharp wit borne of their common origins.
Commenting on his return “home” to Warrington, Dan said: “I was 8-years-old when my parents decided to emigrate to Canada for a new life.
“Both my parents grew up in Warrington and my dad was even in a band called “The Templars,” who were quite popular in the late sixties. They even played the Warrington campus back when it was a teacher college.
“My cousin Paul is also from Warrington and we both still have family here, which not only makes for cheap accommodation but it also gives us a bit of a home base. We will be playing all over the uk over the next few months.
“Our dream would be to get signed by some sort of record label and be able to have a successful career playing around the world with the Ryecatchers!”
Dan says the band have been influenced by Oasis, the Who, the Beatles and Radiohead.
They can be seen performing in their home town on January 31 at University College Chester’s Warrington Campus.
Further information on the band and samples of their music can be downloaded from www.ryecatchers.com
Glowing report for
college day nursery
by Terry Johnson
SCHOOL inspectors have given a glowing report for the day nursery within the grounds of Warrington’s Priestley College.
The OFSTED inspection of The Little Learner’s Day Nursery at Loushers Lane highlights the ‘well-motivated staff’, good hygiene and nutritious meals provided to pupils and the sound relationships with staff and patients.
The nursery has shared the south Warrington college site for four years, providing a day-care service to staff, students and public.
The latest inspection report is further good news for Priestley, following on from the assessment of the college’s 16-19 provision which flagged up a ‘particularly successful’ college.
A delighted Mike Southworth, Principal, said: “We remain committed to the highest standards across all aspects of our operation”.
Community “shop”
is on the move
by John Hendon
A COMMUNITY “shop” which offers advice to young people on sexual health and relationships is on the move.
The Warrington Youth Advice Shop on Wilson Patten Street re-locates to Garven Place Clinic, off Sankey Street, as a temporary option – before final settlement in the nearby Gateway Resource Centre in the spring.
The youth service is run by Warrington Primary Care Trust and the Boro. Council.
Further details from 01925-644217 or www.waryas.co.uk
Unique concert in aid
of tsunami survivors
by Terry Johnson
TSUNAMI disaster survivors will benefit from a unique concert featuring seven choirs and amateur societies across Warrington on February 6.
The 200-strong cast will perform at the town’s Parr Hall at 7.15pm.
Choirs taking part are Warrington Light Opera, Warrington Male Voice Choir, Warrington Musical Society, Lymm Young Voices, CODYS, C.A.T.S and Centenary Operatic and Dramatic Society.
The concert is supported by Warrington Borough Council, tickets ?5.
Further details from Light Opera chairman, Malcolm Kindon, on 01925-852958.
Action call on
“dentistry crisis”
by staff reporter
A CALL for urgent action to solve the NHS “dentistry crisis” has been made by Ian Marks, Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Warrington South.
He asserted: “Cheshire and Merseyside perform particularly badly. These areas have the second worst percentage of adults registered.
“There are only 26.7 per cent of people covered by NHS dental care. The figure for children is 33.3 per cent.”
He continued: “The Government is sitting idly by while NHS dental care becomes harder to find. It is worrying that some dentists have pulled out of contract negotiations.
“As NHS dental cover declines, so does dental health. Every patient deserves to be able to register with a local NHS dentist – not have to travel miles in search of service”.
