Residents win battle
to block ‘phone mast
by David Skentelbery
RESIDENTS are celebrating after winning a battle to block proposals for a mobile phone mast only yards from a Warrington leisure centre used by 1,600 children every week.
Members of the borough council’s development control committee threw out the plan, on land next to the David Lloyd Centre on the A57 at Great Sankey after hearing of parents’ health fears for the youngsters.
They were warned by planning officer John Groves that health issues were not appropriate grounds to refuse planning consent.
But after hearing that a similar proposal on the opposite side of the A57 had been refused on health grounds they voted 5-3 to refuse permission.
Rob Woodward, health and safety officer at the David Lloyd Centre, told the committee that about 800 children attended gymnastics or fitness classes at the centre.
In addition there was a day nursery and creche which meant a total of 1,600 children were using the centre every week.
He said: “No-one knows for sure what the long term effect of exposure to mobile phone radiation will be. We won’t know for years.
“This is an inappropriate location for this mast – we should not be gambling with the health of our children.”
Coun Liz Smith said she was supporting residents worried about safety issues. More than 520 had signed protest petitions.
Just across the road, hundreds of children used the Crosfield recreation ground and there was also a day nursery nearby.
Coun Celia Jordan said the applicants, O2, had acted in a high-handed manner and appeared to have done little to find a more appropriate site. Coun Barbara Mawer added: “It seems a particularly insensitive move to ask for a mast here.”
After the meeting, Coun Smith said: “All the residents are delighted with the decision. There must be a more suitable site for this installation somewhere.”
Out of Africa!
by Gary Skentelbery
A MODEL who was voted “face of Africa” has now set up home in Warrington.
Shendez, a 21-year-old catwalk model from Tanzania, has teamed up with Warrington based photographer Tony Wadham from Sankey Bridges.
Tony spotted Shendez’s potential while he was working in Tanzania for a local celebrity magazine.
He said: “I immediately recognised her potential and together we worked on launching her career.”
In 2001 she became M-net “Face of Africa” and subsequently modelled in fashion shows in Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Malawi and South Africa. She modelled many products and services in print and on TV.
Tony and Shendez went on to form Tanzania’s first model agency, training both male and female models, helping change the face of advertising in Tanzania, whic h had previously been dominated by models from Kenya.
Tony returned to the UK in 2002 and now he has been followed by Shendez, who has already appeared in fashion shows in London, Glasgow and Paris.
Shendez’s distinctive name comes from her Somali, Ethiopian and Tanzanian decent.
Commenting on her move to Warrington, Shendez said: “I am looking forward to when it gets a little warmer!”
For more info visit www.shendez.com
Air ambulance survives
the tsunami disaster
by Terry Johnson
FLYING medics feared their ?1m-a-year North-West service could be grounded as charities suffered a crisis cash backlash from the massively-supported Asian tsunami Appeal.
Scores of charities have been hard hit by the avalanche of giving to tsunami disaster victims.
But the region’s Air Ambulance Service has managed to buck the trend. Underpinned by public and business support – including many from the Warrington area – it has maintained its helicopter lifeline.
The operation responds to emergencies among a seven million population across Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Lancashire, Merseyside and South Cumbria.
These include major M-way accidents, horse-riding, rugby and motor-cycling accidents and airlifts from locations with restricted road access, such as fells, woods and beaches.
Lynda Brislin, the charity’s chief executive, said: “The Asian Tsunami had a serious impact on many charities. But, fortunately, the region’s Air Ambulance continues to be supported as a vital service.
“We have served for the past six years and are very dear to everyone’s heart”.
On average the flying medics are called out four times a day – rising to 10 incidents daily in the summer.
With a maximum 10 minutes flying time to the nearest hospital, patients’ survival chances and speed of recovery are dramatically improved.
Donations can be made on 0800-587-4570.
Cricket club wins
?500 council grant
by Lesley Wilkinson
A GRANT of ?500 towards improvements to Appleton Cricket Club has been made by Stockton Heath Parish Council.
The parish council heard that the club, off Lyons Lane, has to raise ?265,000 and is organising fund raising events and applying to grant-making bodies. The grant was approved subject to the funding being successful.
Members heard the club had 150 members and a strong junior section.
Coun Celia Jordan said: “I always feel there are not enough facilities for young people, so we should support this.”
Coun Marilyn Timmins said that St Thomas’ Church, Stockton Heath, planned to apply to the parish council for a grant. She said it had dry rot in the roof and that the situation was getting worse, so fundraising was important.
A grant of ?200 was also approved for Stockton Heath Playmakers, towards its running costs.
Boy injured as
school bus crashes
by staff reporter
A 13-year-old boy suffered minor head injuries when a school bus was involved in a collision with a car at Warrington.
The bus was carrying pupils aged 11-16 to Cardinal Newman RC High School at Latchford when it was involved in a collision with a red Rover 414.
None of the other pupils on the bus were hurt.
The car failed to stop after the collision and police are seeking information about the driver. Anyone who can help is asked to call police on 01244 350000.
Agency optimistic
over laboratory
by David Skentelbery
THE Warrington-based North West Development Agency has welcomed the government announcement, confirming funding of the Synchrotron Radiation Source at Daresbury Laboratory until December 2008.
Although the announcement means the SRS facility at Daresbury will then close, with a possible impact on about 150 jobs, the agency says it is confident the laboratory will remain at the cutting edge of scientific research.
The NWDA is investing ?25.7 million to develop an international science and technology park at Daresbury.
In partnership with the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils (CCLRC), Halton Borough Council and the Universities of Manchester, Liverpool and Lancaster, the NWDA aims to create a world leading facility to combine science and business through research, business incubation and business support.
Work has already begun on a prototype for 4GLS, a revolutionary new device, which will allow scientists to develop the next generation of computers, medicines, and catalysts that have the potential to create ?150 million investment for the site. This latest announcement, alongside NWDA investment, bodes well for the future of the Daresbury Campus.
NWDA chief executive Steven Broomhead said: “The NWDA is committed to the development of Daresbury International Science and Technology Park and is pleased that SRS funding has been confirmed until 2008.
“Science is a key driver for regional economic growth and Daresbury is an important site to deliver that growth. I am confident that Daresbury’s outstanding record of achievement will ensure the region remains at the forefront of scientific endeavour.”
Shoppers invited to
be “Fair 4 All”
by staff reporter
SHOPPERS at Warrington Market today (Saturday) will be invited by the Fair 4 All stall to “wear the mark with pride” – with a Fairtrade Mark painted on their face or hand for free.
The stall is celebrating National Fairtrade Fortnight and customers can also enjoy a large range of Fairtrade foods which will be freely available for everyone to sample.
A selection of Fairtrade recipes, including one by Jamie Oliver, will be available.
There will also be a leaflet briefly explaining what Fairtrade is all about, the many places Fairtrade goods can be purchased in Warrington and outlining progress so far in making Warrington a Fairtrade Town.
