Borough blueprint
to be put on show
by staff reporter
A BLUEPRINT to shape the future of Warrington and its services over the next 10 to 15 years is to be unveiled by the borough council next week.
The community strategy – entitled ‘Warrington – Towards Tomorrow’ – sets out a series of far-reaching proposals and priorities for the borough.
It provides a framework to bring about new or improved ways of working between the major public service bodies, voluntary organisations and groups throughout the borough.
Warrington Partnership involves representatives from more than 80 organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors. Together, they have been working over the last 18 months to develop the strategy and will get together at the Town Hall on Tuesday to unveil the document.
The mission throughout has been to create a framework for improved local services that will break down barriers, encourage greater shared and partnership working between organisations across the town and help improve the quality of life for everyone living and working in Warrington.
Key issues such as health, community safety, education, jobs, business development, transport, housing and the environment are dealt with in the strategy.
It sets out a shared long-term vision for the future of Warrington and shorter-term priorities and actions, with targets to measure success.
Coun Paul Ross, chairman of the Warrington Partnership and deputy leader of the council, said: “The next 10 to 15 years will be an exciting time for Warrington. This community strategy, put together thanks to the dedicated hard work and commitment of so many people and organisations, provides a clear statement of our aspirations for the future and our priorities for achieving them.”
An annual review will check the progress being made against the targets set out in the strategy.
Gareth flies the
‘plane in Spain!
by staff reporter
FLY guy Gareth White has been left jumping for joy after being accepted by a prestigious flying academy where he hopes to study towards obtaining a full commercial pilot’s licence.
The 19 year-old from Appleton spent a week at the Flight Training Academy in Jerez, Spain where he took part in a range of aptitude tests and interviews.
Now the Priestley College student, a former pupil at Bridgewater High School, has been offered a place, which he will take up following the completion of his degree course in Aeronautical Engineering at Salford University.
Gareth is currently coming to the end of his studies at Priestley where he is taking A-Levels in Physics, Graphics, ICT and General Studies. He has always wanted to pursue flying as a career.
A keen member of the College’s Aviation enrichment programme, Gareth regularly files at Shropshire Aero Club.
He said, “It was a big thrill to be invited to spend a week at Jerez in the first instance. I found the setup to be extremely professional and now hope to use the opportunities that have presented themselves to me, in order to realise my ambitions.”
Gareth is the fourth Priestley student in recent times to sample life at Jerez following on from a trio of female pilots; Samantha Smythe, Amy Worsley and Ann Ibbertson who all visited in January.
Historic marina wins
political backing
by Terry Johnson
A HERITAGE marina threatened by a plan for canalside homes is being backed in its survival fight by Warrington Liberal-Democrats.
Historic Thorn Marine on the Bridgewater Canal at Stockton Heath would be swept away and the site developed for housing if owner Manchester Ship Canal’s proposal is approved.
The marine business, which brings 4,000 tourists to the village each year, is at the centre of a planning battle.
Now Ian Marks, Prospective Parliamentary candidate for Warrington South, has pledged his support to the growing number of village protesters.
“Thorn Marine is part of Stockton Heath’s heritage. It would be a tremendous loss if it were to disappear”, declared Mr Marks.
He continued: “For several years it was at the end of the canal and formed a major trans-shipment point. Today it provides facilities to boat-users and is the major supplier for miles.
“It offers multi-services to canal users – including water, pumping-out facilities and boat hire.
“When the present team took over the marine it was run-down. Now it’s a successful, much respected business.
“I object to the planning application for this site and I will do everything I can to keep Thorn Marine alive”.
Mystery blaze
wrecks house
by David Skentelbery
A MYSTERY fire caused major damage to a three-storey house in Bewsey Road, Warrington, during the night.
The blaze was so severe that fire experts have so far been unable to establish the cause as the room where it started was completely wrecked.
It took three hours to extinguish the fire and three fire appliances were involved in the operation.
The house, next to the Co-op funeral department, was unoccupied and under renovation and fire experts will today be trying to find out what work was being carried out yesterday to see if that can explain the fire. If not, arson has not been ruled out.
A spokesman said: “We were unable to contact the owner so he is in for a nasty shock when he arrives today.”
Firefighters wore breathing apparatus to search the property and ensure no-one was in the building.
Babies toddle on
down to the cinema
by Terry Johnson
WARRINGTON’S UCI cinema expects the screening of romantic comedy, ‘Hitch’, to go down a scream…the place will be full of babies and toddlers!
The showing on March 17 will be specially for babies, toddlers, mums and carers at the reduced admission charge of ?4.50.
National Childbirth Trust worker, Sara Barwell, has teamed up with UCI to ensure the ‘chick flick’ is seen by child-carers.
She said: “The idea has worked well in the US and Australia. Now we are bringing it to Warrington”.
UCI have agreed to open the cinema for the special presentation, reserve buggy-parking space in the foyer, adjust the cinema lighting and keep ice-cream and popcorn stands topped up.
NCT is a charity which supports mums in pregnancy, childbirth and early parenthood.
Of each cinema ticket bought, 50p will go to the cost of training an ante-natal teacher for the local NCT branch.
Motorists warned: don’t
make it easy for thieves
by John Hendon
MOTORISTS in Warrington have been given a warning by police: Don’t make it easy for thieves.
Despite numerous warnings from police crime reduction advisors, motorists in the town continue to leave valuables on display while their vehicles are unattended.
The biggest attraction for thieves is CD players and radios which they can then sell on for a profit.
Police say the frustrating thing about this type of crime is that people can protect themselves against it. The vast majority of modern CD players and radios have removable control fascias – and without these the units are rendered useless and are of no value to thieves.
Warrington’s Community Safety Officer, Neil Jukes, said: “It’s so quick and easy to remove your radio fascia and yet so many people still take the risk by not bothering. If you are unlucky enough to fall victim to an opportunist thief, you won’t just be looking at the cost of a new car radio, or CD player – the damage caused to your vehicle is likely to outweigh the cost of replacing the stereo itself.”
Youth is victim
of gang attack
by staff reporter
A 17-year-old youth was punched in the face and knocked to the ground when he was attacked by a group of six young people.
Four youths and two girls, all aged about 15-16 were involved in the attack in Statham Avenue, Orford, Warrington near to the Jolly Tanner pub.
The victim was walking
home with his girl friend when he was approached by a group of young people – two of who were girls. One asked if he had a cigarette.
He did not have any and said so – and was immediately attacked. He suffered injuries to his face which required hospital treatment.
One of the attackers was small, of slim build and had short brown hair. Anyone who witnessed the attack or who has any information is asked to call PC Chris Davies on 01925 652222.
