Wednesday 23rd February 2005

Motorist dies after
collision with girl
by David Skentelbery

A 65-year-old man has died in hospital after a road accident at Culcheth, near Warrington.
It is believed the man may have collapsed at the wheel of his Honda Civic Car when it careered off the road in Common Lane and collided with a 10-year-old girl on the pavement.
Police are investigating.
The accident happened as the man, who lived locally, was driving along Common Lane near to its junction with Lodge Drive.
His car mounted the kerb and struck the girl, who was walking her dog. She suffered only minor leg injuries.
But the man was rushed to Warrington Hospital where he later died.
No other vehicle was involved in the incident and the possibility that the man may have suffered a heart attack or some other collapse, causing him to lose control of the vehicle, is being investigated.

Restaurant plan
thrown out again
by David Skentelbery

PLANNING chiefs have thrown out proposals for a 72-seater restaurant at Culcheth, near Warrington – despite a warning from a planning consultant that they could lose when the application went to appeal.
Members of Warrington’s development control committee decided the proposed restaurant on the site of the former Lloyds-TSB bank in Warrington Road would cause noise and smell problems for nearby residents and also add to the village’s parking chaos.
It was the second time the committee had refused consent for the development and the original application is already the subject of an appeal.
The scheme made provision for six parking spaces at the rear and the applicants stressed the availability of parking elsewhere in the village centre.
Planning consultant Alison Freeman said: “There is more than adequate parking in the village.” She said she had won her last four appeals against the refusal of planning permission for similar developments – and in one case costs had been awarded against the authority.
But councillors pointed out that most parking places were privately owned and were controlled by a clamping firm.
Coun Les Hoyle said he took exception to what appeared to be a “veiled threat.” It was not true that there were no parking problems in Culcheth.
Coun Eric Bromley said a 72-seater restaurant would have a huge impact on the area.
The committee was told the applicants had tried to address the concerns of nearby residents by increasing the number of parking places and providing a three metre brick wall and a 2.3 metre acoustic timber panel fence to protect properties in Newsholme Close.
Nine nearby residents and Culcheth and Glazebury Parish Council opposed the scheme and the committee voted unanimously to refuse permission.

A snapshot of
life at Oxbridge

A-LEVEL students of Priestley College, Warrington, have been given a snapshot of life at “Oxbridge”.
The challenges of university were outlined to Priestley’s high-achievers by Richard Partington, Admissions Director of Cambridge’s Sidney Sussex College.
Visiting the Warrington campus to provide an insight of uni-life, Richard faced a barrage of questions from eager students.
He stated: “The students proved to be an enlightened and lively bunch”.
Head of Performance and Management, Jan Costello, added: “It was exciting for the group to hear at first hand the opportunities available to high ability students.
“It was also pleasing to have a group of 23 such students”.

Wolves introduce ?4
“park & ride” scheme
by Terry Johnson

A DEAL struck by Warrington Wolves and the town’s Collegiate takes the strain out of match-day parking for RL fans.
Rugby supporters can park their cars at the college campus in Winwick Road for ?4 – including a two-way bus ride to the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
The return charge covers the occupants of a vehicle, which can prove quite a bargain for five people travelling by car.
It operates from 1.00pm Sunday match-days and one-and-a-half hours before evening kick-off.
Club spokeswoman, Gina Coldrick, said: “Our aim is to take the problem out of parking on match-days. The solution should equate to a hassle-free situation for everybody.”
The college grounds, clearly signposted on the second roundabout of the A49, can accommodate 450 vehicles.
“We shall be providing a bus service for car occupants from the collegiate car park to the west stand turnstiles on Dallam Lane – then collection after the match”, she added.

Musical society’s
French concert
by John Hendon

WARRINGTON Musical Society will be seeking to “lift the roof” off Stockton Heath Methodist Church on March 19 with a concert programme of French classics.
The Society was re-launched last year as WMS, having incorporated North Cheshire Orchestra with the long-established mixed-voice choir.
The programme includes the ‘Cantique of Jean Racine’ by Gabriel Faure; the Cesar Franck Symphony in D Minor and the ‘Gloria’ by Francis Poulenc.
Conductor is Eric Silk and soprano soloist, Kirsteen Rogers.
Further details are available from Jean Gibbs on 0794-7272308.

Watchdogs say school
is “doing better”
by Terry Johnson

EDUCATION watchdogs have up-rated their overall assessment of Warrington’s Cinnamon Brow C of E Primary School.
They note that the school’s effectiveness has “improved very well” since their last inspection.
Leadership and management, the curriculum and teaching have notched up from a “satisfactory” rating to “very good”.
Pupil behaviour is better, with improved attitudes to learning. Computer technology had helped raise achievement.
A very good nursery boosted children’s learning and the school had “a very good Christian ethos”. Pupils were expected to work very hard.
On the downside, attendance is well below average. The inspectors say too many parents fail to help the school turn this around.
And pupils’ cultural understanding is the weakest area of their personal development.
Achievement is seen as “very good overall”. Pupils’ personal qualities, attitudes and behaviour are marked highly.
But attendance is “unsatisfactory” and too many pupils are late into school.
Pupils also understood little about other cultures in Britain.
The inspectors say the school should now work with parents to improve children’s attendance, punctuality and learning.

Family escape
house blaze
by David Skentelbery

A FAMILY of five escaped unhurt from a smoke filled house early today – thanks to a smoke alarm which aroused them.
The blaze was at a house in Brook Avenue, Latchford, Warrington and is believed to have been started by lighted candles left on top of a television set.
Fire crews tackled the blaze – and later sounded a warning about the dangers of leaving unattended candles.
A spokesman said: “If it hadn’t been for the smoke alarm, we doubt if any of the five would have escaped from this fire. We must emphasise the danger of using candles and leaving them unattended.”
Fire crews also dealt with a number of minor arson incidents during the night, including a garden shed which was set alight at Hollins Green, a fence which was torched at Padgate and a wheelie bin set alight at Bruche.

An adrenalin rush –
all for charity
by Terry Johnson

AN adrenalin-rush charity event in Warrington on March 12-13 will help local children needing vital renal treatment or a kidney transplant.
People can take part in the reverse-bungee challenge at The Springbrook, Stockport Road, Grappenhall – providing they raise ?50 minimum donations from family, friends and colleagues.
Would be participants in the ejection seat challenge should register with the appeal office of Manchester’s Pendlebury Children’s Hospital, whose Joe Jaffe Renal Unit will benefit from fund-raising.One of the UK’s leading specialist kidney units, it extends its care to children from the Warrington area. Life-saving equipment will be provided from the challenge.
Spokesman Keith Coulter said: “The reverse- bungee is for free. All we ask is that a minimum ?50 is raised for each jumper – in donations, rather than sponsorship, from family, friends and colleagues.
“Participants should register their name, contact ‘phone number and the day and time they would like to do the jump, with our appeal office(0870-200-1003).
“Then all they need do is turn up on the day with the funds raised to do the challenge and receive a certificate of honour.”
Each person who raises ?100 will receive a free video of their reverse-bungee experience.