Doctor’s tsunami relief
expedition triumphs
over difficulties
by David Skentelbery
CLOTHING, medicines and tents donated by Warrington people to help relief work after the Tsunami disaster have now been distributed.
Local GP Dr Sri Kumaraswarmy and his wife, Leela, who took the goods to Sri Lanka have sent messages back home on their progress.
But their mercy mission has been fraught with difficulties.
Poulton-with-Fearnhead parish councillor Geoff Settle, who has been in touch with the couple this week, said: “All did not go smoothly The medicines and tents were confiscated and dished out by the authorities whilst all the bags were ripped open by customs officials and Leela AND friends had to re-bag the clothes prior to distribution.”
The clothing was taken to an area of particular devastation, where a train had been washed away.
When they got there they were assisted in the distribution by the Navy.
Nearby, Mrs Kumaraswarmy found an orphanage where they were delighted by all the soft toys and games given by Warrington people.
Said Coun Settle: “They send a everyone a great big hug and heart-felt thanks.”
Mrs Kumaraswarmy is returning to Warrington this weekend with her son Harry but the doctor is staying on for a bit longer.
She has taken photographs of the orphanage to show to people when she gets back to Warrington.
Dr Kumaraswarmy, who lives in Old Hall and practices at the Bold Street surgery in Warrington, was born in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo and has a home there.
The couple regularly travel back there to help local charities.
After the Boxing Day tsunami he launched an appeal in Warrington and thousands of local people donated clothing and other goods.
Councillor joins fight
over apartment blocks
by staff reporter
A LABOUR councillor has thrown her weight behind a campaign to block plans for six apartment blocks around the historic Cheshire Lines warehouse building at Warrington.
Members of the borough council’s development control committee have already decided to visit the site before reaching a decision on the scheme, after hearing of fierce opposition from nearby residents.
Now local councillor Yvonne Fovargue is supporting residents who have raised a petition to demonstrate opposition to the apartments, which will overshadow properties on the St Peter’s estate.
Coun Fovargue said: “The current plans will provide for six blocks of apartments around the Cheshire Lines building. Residents in St Peter’s Way will be severely affected by this development.
“I am also extremely concerned that the transport infrastructure will not be able to cope with the traffic generated by this development.
“This area already suffers from traffic congestion and with several developments in Howley already granted outline planning permission the area will suffer gridlock at peak periods. In fact, this is already the case!
“Residents are not opposed to development. They want a dialogue with the developer about how the development can be improved to address resident concerns. The petition signed by over 100 local residents demonstrates the depth of feeling on the St Peter’s estate at this application.”
Howley is already subject to several outline planning permissions along the River Mersey waterfront and work is underway at Trinity Green, Church St and Spinning Fields at Dalton Bank.
The Grade 2 listed Cheshire Lines building has been standing empty for years and would also be converted for residential purposes as part of the scheme.
New service planned
for pre-school kids
by John Hendon
GROUND breaking services for pre-school children and their families are planned for Brook Acre Primary School, Padgate, Warrington.
The school, in partnership with Birch Grove Neighbourhood Nursery and the borough council, intends to provide health services, family support, home visiting support for families and links with many other services to add to the existing facilities.
Anyone wishing to find out more or who want to contribute to this development should go to the after school club classroom on Friday 4th March between 8.30am and 4pm.
Anyone who would like to find out what the Children’s Centres can offer should contact the Children’s Information Service on 01925 443131, or email [email protected] or visit www.surestart.gov.uk/surestartservices/childrencentres
There are four Children’s Centres in the process of development in Warrington – Brook Acre, Sandy Lane, Alderman Bolton and Dallam schools. All four will be open before end of March next year.
Hold-ups predicted
as busy road closes
by John Hendon
TRAFFIC chaos is expected this weekend when the southbound carriageway of Wilderspool Causeway, Warrington will be closed for structural maintenance.
The closure comes into forced at 8pm tomorrow (Saturday) and remains in force until 6am on Monday.
A borough council spokesman said: “We will endeavour to have the road open earlier if possible.”
He appealed to people travelling into Warrington to seek alternative routes into town.
Charity’s “nearly new”
sale of kids clothes
by staff reporter
MUMS and dads at Warrington can kit out their new babies and children with virtually brand new clothes and equipment at a fraction of high street prices, thanks to the North Cheshire branch of the National Childbirth Trust (NCT).
A Nearly New Sale of clothes, equipment and toys for babies, toddlers and children up to six will take place on Saturday March 5 in St John’s United Reformed Church, Wilderspool Causeway, Warrington.
NCT Nearly New Sales give parents the chance to buy everyday necessities like jeans and T-shirts for their children.
They can also find items such as coats and clothing for special occasions, as well as toys, videos and other items such as buggies, high chairs and safety equipment, all for a fraction of retail prices! Mums-to-be can even find inexpensive maternity clothes.
Most items will sell for a maximum of about 25-50 per cent of their original price with many items such as push chairs and toys going for much less.
Parents, grandparents and carers are welcome. There is no entrance fee although a donation to the charity would be welcome.
Lisa Reid, chairman of the North Cheshire branch of the NCT, said: “Parents always want the best for their children but many of them simply can’t afford the latest ‘must have’ item on the market as well as all the everyday clothes an active child can get through.
“The cost of kitting out a child for the first five years can run to thousands of pounds. But on the other hand, parents don’t want to dress their children in hand-me-downs. Our Nearly New sales are the perfect solution – high street quality at knock-down prices.”
All the proceeds from the sale will go towards training new NCT antenatal teachers for Warrington to provide better access to preparation for childbirth classes.
News in brief
Hospital lottery
WINNING numbers in the weekly lottery run by the League of Friends of Warrington Hospital were 1, 5, 11 and 15. The ?549 jackpot went unclaimed so next week’s top prize will be around ?750. The ?25 consolation prize was won by C Edmundson.
Nursery plan
PLANS to change the use of a house at 198 Knutsford Road, Grappenhall, Warrington, into a children’s day nursery are to be considered by borough planning chiefs – after they have made a site inspection.
Bus lane
WARRINGTON Borough Council intends to make an order temporarily suspending the bus lane in Golborne Street, from its junction with Sankey Street for a distance of 35 metres in a northerly direction. This is considered necessary because of work on the Golden Square re-development sche
me.
Flats scheme
PLANS to convert two adjoining houses at 88 and 90 Knutsford Road, Grappenhall, Warrington into a total of four self-contained flats have been approved by the borough’s development control committee.
Disabled parking
DISABLED person’s parking places are to be introduced in Winifred Street, Dudley Street, Wellfield Street and Chester Road, Warrington from the end of February, the borough council has decided. Objectors have six weeks in which to apply to the High Court.
