Storm over pub’s
“raucous music”
by David Skentelbery
AN application by licensee Mark Walker for renewal of the annual entertainment licence at the Walton Arms in Chester Road, Walton, Warrington, has brought a storm of protest from nearby residents.
They claim their lives are being made a misery by loud music and drunken, foul-mouthed revellers late at night.
Ten residents of Chester Road lodged objections when the application came before the borough council’s licenses committee.
One resident wrote: “We have enough problems from the Walton Arms in respect of drunkenness and foul-mouthed behaviour from people coming from the pub.
“In the past they have had live music and karaoke well into the night. We cannot leave our bedroom windows open because we cannot sleep for the noise.”
Another resident said: “The pub is obviously aiming at the younger element sd we know we can expect bad language, behaviour and the like because this what we already get from time to time.
“There are enough pubs and clubs in the centre of Warrington – please leave Walton Village alone.”
One neighbour said when they telephoned the pub to complain the telephone was put down.
“This is a lovely village environment and should be allowed to stay that way,” he said.
Another neighbour said: “My wife and I purchased our property because it is situated in a quiet conservation area but it is now becoming spoilt with the Walton Arms getting bigger and bigger all the time. There is too much noise, with music, car doors banging and people shouting and making a noise, especially at the weekend.”
One resident said in the past entertainment had been provided at the pub on a Friday night by a jazz trio, who did not play loud music.
“But the present landlord squashed this as he obviously felt this kind of entertainment did not generate the kind of custom he felt would benefit the pub. We now had loud raucous music, noisy customers and car horns blasting away in what used to be a quiet, residential village.”
The application was withdrawn but is expected to be submitted to the committee again at a later date.
Danielle’s
dancing year
by staff reporter
TALENTED dancer Danielle Hardman has a busy year ahead of her.
She has won an audition with the Norwegian National Ballet – and that will mean a trip to Norway next month.
In March she will be taking a leading role in the ballet version of “Carmen” when it is performed in Runcorn by Warrington’s Kate Simmons School of Dancing.
She’s already been to London to audition for a role in the touring Irish dance spectacular “Spirit of the Dance” and has been touring schools across the North West in various productions by the Kate Simmons school.
Danielle, 19, from Longbarn, Warrington, is a full time student with Kate Simmons where she has trained in ballet, tap and jazz dancing.
She has been tipped as another Jennifer Ellison – and she’s quite happy to have the former Brookside star as a role model.
“She trained as a ballet dancer but went on to other things because she could act and sing as well,” said Danielle. “I also enjoy acting and singing so it would be marvellous if I could follow in her footsteps.”
When she’s not dancing, Danielle loves swimming and is a part-time life guard and coach at Woolston Leisure Centre.
But she has to limit her time in the water.
“The trouble is, swimming develops the wrong muscles for dancing, so I can’t swim as much as I would like to,” said the former Padgate High School pupil.
“No dental crisis here”
say health chiefs
by John Hendon
HEALTH chiefs have hit back over claims of a “dentistry crisis” by Liberal Democrats in Warrington.
They say there is no crisis in Warrington with four dental practices currently accepting new NHS patients and many signing up for a new contract which will enable practices to expand.
At the weekend, Coun Ian Marks, Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Warrington South, called for urgent action on what he described as a “dentistry crisis.”
He said Cheshire and Merseyside were performing particularly badly, with only 26.7 per cent of people covered by NHS dental care.
But Keith Milsom, Consultant in Dental Public Health at Warrington Primary Care Trust, said: “We are negotiating a new NHS contract with a substantial number of the NHS practitioners in Warrington which we hope will further improve access to NHS dentistry across the whole of the town.
“One of the key benefits of moving to the new contract is that dental practices in Warrington will be able to expand, taking on new NHS dentists who in turn are able to take on new NHS patients. This expansion enhances the level of service provision.
“Many dentists in Warrington have already signed up to the new contract and are now offering an open access session every day. This allows patients with urgent problems to be seen promptly.”
The average number of NHS patients on each dentist’s list in Warrington is around 1,580. This compares with a national average of around 2,000.
Across Warrington four dental practices are currently accepting new patients. Patients who are not registered with a dentist can get NHS treatment at the PCT’s Dental Access Centre at Cockhedge Shopping Park in the town centre on 01925 243620. It is open 9am – 9pm Monday to Thursday and 9am – 5.30pm Friday and Saturday.
For a list of dentists currently taking NHS patients, contact Warrington PCT’s Patient Advice and Liaison line on freephone 0800 389 6973.
Voters say “No”
to postal ballots
by staff reporter
VOTERS in Warrington have given the “thumbs down” to postal voting, following the experiment at last year’s council elections. Sixty one per cent of people polled by Warrington-Worldwide said they did not agree with postal ballots.
Thirty five per cent said they supported the initiative and three per cent said they did not know. A total of 502 votes were cast in the poll.
Postal voting did increase the number of people who took part in the June elections. But there were allegations of fraud, “lost” votes and other irregularities.
The Government was accused by many people of pushing ahead with the experiment because they believed postal voting would benefit Labour more than the other parties.
A new reader poll has now started on Warrington-Worldwide and can be seen on our front page.
Now we are asking people what their voting intentions are in the forthcoming General Election.
Voting is free and confidential.
Award success
for PR firm
by Lesley Wilkinson
AN INTERNATIONAL public relations firm, with offices in Warrington, has been awarded Highly Commended in the Best Use of PR category at the national Construction Marketing Awards.
Chelgate, with offices in London, Brussels and Dallam Court, Warrington, promoted the launch of the re-modelled Trafalgar Square in London in 2003 for both the Greater London Authority and TPS Schal, the project managers.
The team handled media relations for the project team and the launch event, hosted by Ken Livingston and Lord Foster.
The team, including workers from Warrington, had to co-ordinate activity between the various partners and organisations surrounding the square, such as the National Gallery, South Africa House and St Martins in the Field.
The project work on site includes new lighting and improved access and facilities for tourists at the popular spot.
Neighbours fight plan
for residential home
by staff reporter
MORE than 50 neighbours have signed a petition opposing plans to convert a house into a home for people with learning difficulties.
They claim the change of use at Heath Lodge, in Green Lane, Padgate, Warrington would leave to road safety problems on an already busy road and conversion of the building would damage a house of
historic interest.
In addition, residents of the home with diminished social skills might go a local play area used by small children.
Four years ago, plans to convert the house into offices were refused.
