Garden centre wins
approval for
major re-vamp
by David Skentelbery
A MAJOR plan to re-develop Bents Garden Centre, at Glazebury near Warrington, has been given the go-ahead by borough planners.
The scheme involves new access arrangements from Warrington Road, demolition of buildings and the erection of new buildings for a mini-farm, nature centre and falconry, an adventure play area, new areas of woodland, etc.
Objections were received from Culcheth and Glazebury Parish Council and three nearby residents who feared a loss of privacy, noise and increased traffic problems.
But the scheme was supported by the borough’s highways department, the Environment Agency and The Mersey Forest, who welcomed proposed woodland planting as a contribution to tree planting targets in the area.
Plans for a miniature railway within the garden centre and a public address system for use in connection with falconry, which had caused local concern, were dropped from the development.
Parish councillor Delia Caswell told the borough’s development control committee that Bents had been part of Glazebury life for many years and provided valuable employment.
She said nearby residents and the parish council would like to see the northern entrance to the garden centre closed and off-road parking provided for residents living near the southern entrance.
There was a high level of discontent among residents, who believed their views were being ignored, she added.
Garden centre chief Ron Bent said the firm had taken a comprehensive look at the whole site. The proposals would be good for the Green Belt because a large number of trees would be planted and would help integrate the site into the countryside.
The changed access arrangements should provide a solution to the highways problem.
The committee was told officers believed that granting permission for the proposal would give the council more control over the site than they had at present. The northern access point was being altered to become “in only” rather than the three lane access and egress currently in use.
Students’ Africa adventure
A TRIP of a lifetime was enjoyed by students from Priestley College, Warrington, when they took part in a 10-day expedition to Kenya.
Students have been visiting the African country for nine years and the college has built up strong links with the community.
The 24 students taking part in the recent trip had been planning and fundraising for a year.
During the expedition they studied in the heart of the East African Rift Valley and completed fieldwork and research by the remote Marich Pass in the northern part of the country.
Trip highlights included a visit to a primary school where they were given an insight into Kenyan education. Many were moved by the impoverished school conditions and vowed to help -a task that began during on Red Nose Day.
Senior tutor Geoff Rudall who accompanied the students said: “As in previous years our Kenyan adventure proved just as enjoyable in 2005. It was a joy to spend time with this particular group of young adults and I’m sure the experiences that they brought back with them will last for a lifetime.”
Student Lisa Houghton said: “Kenya will remain one of the most exciting, different and eye opening experiences of my life. There was not a part I did not enjoy!”
Melissa is region’s
volunteer of the year
by Lesley Wilkinson
HER skills with a sewing needle earned Melissa Mackay a top award when she was named Regional Millennium Volunteer of the Year for the North West.
Melissa, from Latchford, Warrington, stitched her way to success when her efforts in the Arts category were rewarded at an awards ceremony held at the University of Central Lancashire.
The 22-year-old, who studied for a Design and Textiles degree, works shifts and manages her time so that she can volunteer for three organisations. She has developed a programme of art activities for each organisation and feels she has worked to earn the trust of those she works with.
Once a week she runs a textile class for teenage girls at Birchwood Community Centre, Warrington and helps support 40 young people aged eight to 16 working on art activities at Padgate Youth Group.
She also helps at the Macintyre Care Learning Centre helping adults with learning difficulties to express themselves through art therapy.
Melissa feels that working with Millennium Volunteers has increased her awareness of social issues, as she has worked with teenage girls excluded from school and people with autism.
“Volunteering is a great opportunity to help others realise their full potential. Millennium Volunteers has given me the opportunity to give something back to the community through activities I enjoy doing,” she said.
Melissa hopes to become an art therapist and feels her volunteering experience will be useful. She starts a postgraduate course in October to work towards her new career.
Ivan Lewis, Minister for Skills and Vocational Education said: “The Millennium Volunteer of the Year Awards recognise those volunteers who have shown exceptional levels of dedication, achievement and personal development.
“The contributions of over 176 000 young people who have become Millennium Volunteers have made a real difference to people’s lives across England. The award winners should be proud of their achievements.”
NHS patients “used as
political cannon fodder”
by Lesley Wilkinson
SCATHING criticism of the use by Conservatives and Labour of patients as “cannon fodder” in the row over the health service has been sounded by Liberal Democrats in Warrington.
They urge a return to the values of Florence Nightingale – hand washing and basic hygiene – to combat the spread of infection.
The Lib Democrats complain that the cancellation of a Penketh woman’s shoulder operation was thrown into the national press for political gain by the other parties.
Coun Ian Marks, the Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Warrington South, said, “The unseemly row in Warrington implied criticism of the highly committed staff we have at Warrington hospital. All it did was obscure the fact that there are still chronic problems in the health service up and down the country, despite all the extra spending.
“The Tories are happy to use an individual case to harangue Government ministers but their solution is simply to take money out of the NHS to subsidise private operations for those who can afford them.”
He complained that excessive centrally imposed targets and bureaucracy prevented staff from being allowed to use common sense and critical judgement to best meet patients’ needs. He said medical staff should be free to make decisions based on need, not political targets.
“An obsession with targets and tick-boxes gets in the way of very basic things like infection control. We think MRSA figures at Warrington have come down although contradictory figures have been published. We must re-learn what Florence Nightingale taught us years ago and give top priority to simple things like hand-washing to combat superbugs,” he added.
Green Belt housing
plan gets go-ahead
by David Skentelbery
DEPUTY Prime Minister John Prescott has given the go-ahead for a housing development in the Green Belt at Warrington – on the grounds the scheme will improve the area.
The scheme involves demolition of old industrial buildings on land at Deans Lane, Thelwall and the construction of 10 dwellings, office accommodation and parking space.
Planning chiefs at Warrington indicated last year they would be prepared to grant permission for the development.
But Mr Prescott decided to “call-in” the application and appointed a planning inspector to consider the proposals.
His brief was to consider if the scheme was appropriate for a Green Belt site, whether it would lead to an increase i
n traffic and whether it would meet the aims of government policy relating to sustainable development in rural areas.
The inspector has decided although the proposal is inappropriate for the Green Belt, the removal of the existing buildings and commercial uses will have a positive impact on the area.
Previously used land will be used, the area covered by handstanding will be reduced by 64 per cent and there will be an overall reduction in vehicle movements – in particular heavy lorry movements.
Warrington’s environment director, Alan Stephenson, said: “The Secretary of State’s decision reflects the view of the council.
“While the decision goes against the normal presumption against inappropriate development in the Green Belt, this is based on very specific issues relating to the character of the existing use of the site and its location.”
Warehouse damaged in
suspected arson attack
by David Skentelbery
EXTENSIVE damage was caused to an unoccupied warehouse in Wharf Street, Warrington during the night.
Three fire engines were called to the scene after the blaze – which started in a skip outside the building – spread to the main structure.
There was severe damage to external cladding and internal damage to wiring and timber fittings. The whole building was damaged by smoke.
A Fire Service spokesman said it was suspected arson was involved in view of the number of similar attacks in the area recently. It appeared the skip may have been moved close to the building and then set alight.
He added: “We would like to repeat the warning we have given before – to make sure skips and wheelie bins are secure and kept well away from buildings.”
Easter Egg hunt
at stately home
by staff reporter
AN EASTER Egg hunt around the grounds and a sale of specialist plants are two of the attractions on offer at Arley Hall, near Warrington, this Easter.
More than 20 specialist nurseries will attend the Arley Spring Plant Fair offering visitors the opportunity to buy choice plants including herbs, shrubs, ornamental poppies and herbaceous perennials.
Visitors to the fair on Sunday March 27, which opens the hall’s 2005 season, will be offered reduced entry to the Grade II gardens. It is open from 10am to 4pm and admission is ?2.50.
For younger visitors there is an egg hunt around the gardens also on Easter Sunday. Youngsters need to search for a special golden egg to receive an Arley Easter Egg. Normal garden admission rates apply for the hunt and there will also be egg painting and mask making.
