Ten to fight for
Parliamentary seats
by David Skentelbery
A TOTAL of 10 candidates will be fighting the two Warrington Parliamentary seats in the General Election on May 5.
Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties are fighting both constituencies, along with the anti-Europe UK Independence Party.
In Warrington North, former Labour leader of Warrington Borough Council Mike Hughes will be standing for the Community Action Party.
An independent, Paul Kennedy, is standing in Warrington South.
The Warrington South contest is considered a key fight. Tory leader Michael Howard has already visited the constituency twice and has made it clear it is a seat the Conservatives must win if they are to form the next Government.
Tory candidate Fiona Bruce has already shown she can win by capturing a borough council seat from Labour in the local elections.
But the Warrington North seat is likely to remain solidly Labour.
The full election line-up is:
Warrington South
Helen Southworth (Lab)
Fiona Bruce (Con)
Ian Marks (Lib Dem)
Gerald Kelley (UKIP)
Paul Kennedy (Ind)
Warrington North
Helen Jones (Lab)
Andrew Ferryman (Con)
Peter Walker Lib Dem)
John Kirkham (UKIP)
Mike Hughes (CAP)
At the last election in 2001, the results were:
Warrington South: Helen Southworth (Lab) 22,419; Caroline Mosley (Con) 15,022; Roger Barlow (Lib Dem) 7,419; Joan Kelley (UKIP) 637.
Warrington North: Helen Jones (Lab) 24,026; James Usher (Con) 8,870; Roy Smith (Lib Dem) 5,232; John Kirkham (UKIP) 782.
One election has
already been held!
by staff reporter
ONE “General Election” has already been held – a mock poll at Lymm High School.
The result was an easy win for Liberal Democrat Ian Marks, who gained 67 per cent of the poll held after he and Conservative candidate Fiona Bruce had addressed 200 sixth formers.
Mrs Bruce got 14 per cent of the poll and Labour’s Helen Southworth, who did not attend, got seven and-a-half per cent.
Afterwards, Ian Marks said, “This was a great result and I am very pleased with it. Coming on top of our victory against Labour in the recent Whittle Hall parish council by-election, this shows we can beat the Tories too.
“Our policies are in tune with what young people are thinking. They support our view that tuition fees and top-up fees should be scrapped so that school leavers are not deterred from going to university because of fears of running up mountainous debts. “They are also in tune with our green policies. Young people agree with us that global warming is a massive threat facing mankind and we must take radical action now.”
Fiona Bruce said: “It’s said that young people are not interested in politics; that clearly isn’t the case at Lymm High!
“I was impressed with the wide variety of questions raised by the students, ranging from the environment and transport to immigration and issues local to Warrington.
“I was delighted to attend; it’s important that Parliamentary Candidates listen to and talk with voters directly so that they can make a fully informed decision at the ballot box. For this reason I’ve been attending similar meetings with residents across Warrington South in the run up to the General Election.”
Logging on
to success
by staff reporter
SCHOOL secretaries across Warrington are going back to the classroom as they pilot a new computer training scheme.
Warrington education authority’s Continuous Professional Development Service, which delivers training for all support staff throughout schools in Warrington, has teamed up with the Learning and Skills Council Cheshire and Warrington and Warrington Collegiate to deliver the Information Technology Qualification (ITQ) to school support staff.
The ITQ programme was launched at Warrington Collegiate and offers the 20 trainees taking part an ITQ at level 2.
The scheme aims to provide IT skills training in a flexible way and help staff improve their skills in the workplace.
The course can be tailored to suit individual needs, whether people are beginners or at advanced levels.
Neill Harris, Senior Remodelling Advisor, said: “The importance of school administration support staff in the new school workforce reform is paramount. They are key members of the school team and have to develop and demonstrate many skills and competencies to support the headteacher and teaching staff. Their positive impact on pupils learning is clear.
“The ITQ give those candidates a first class opportunity to demonstrate these skills and gain a nationally recognised vocational qualification. We wish them well on their academic journey.”
Pot fair returns
to boost market
by John Hendon
THE popular Staffordshire Pot Fair is returning to Warrington to help launch the celebrations for the 750th anniversary of the town’s retail market.
For one week from Monday 9-14, the traditional pot fair will be located outside the market and around the Time Square area.
The Staffordshire Pot Fair traders will bring character and pitching banter to the heart of the town, creating a different and memorable event with quality china at bargain prices.
There will be plenty of entertainment and craft demonstrations, plus a chance to have a go on a potter’s wheel.
Market manager Stephen Pickering said: “This specialist event, organised in partnership with the Warrington Markets Traders Association, adds to the attractions Warrington has to offer.”
” I am delighted that this unique show with its special atmosphere is to come to Warrington.”
“Events like this add vitality and interest for our customers, with corresponding benefits for the market and for all town centre retailers.”
Lottery boost for
World War 2 event
by David Skentelbery
WARRINGTON Borough Council has won a ?600 lottery grant towards the cost of a special event to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of World War 2.
The money comes from a ?12.3 million fund set up to support commemorative parts being held across the county.
Many areas are holding festivals, street parties, WW2 memorabilia exhibitions, reunions and other events to celebrate both VE Day and VJ Day.
The money comes from the Home Front Recall scheme – a joint initiative from the Big Lottery Fund and the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The aim is to support activities commemorating the part played by those on the home front during the war years – former fire fighters, auxiliary services, nurses, Bevin Boys, dock workers, etc.
Warrington is planning an event for local elderly people in one of its day centres.
Big Lottery Fund North West Regional Manager, Tessa Wiley said: “Home Front Recall recognises the importance of the sacrifices and contribution made by millions of people who may not have been fighting in the strict sense but were, nonetheless, indispensable. By preserving their memories we will ensure that everyone will have an opportunity to learn from these times and give recognition to home front veterans.”
Organisations, veterans, widows and widowers and anyone wanting to organise a commemorative event can still apply for grants from the scheme until May 31. A special Home Front leaflet, which gives details on how to apply for a grant is available from the Big Lottery Fund on 08454 102030.
Lorry drivers
trapped in cabs
by staff reporter
TWO lorry drivers – one believed to be French – were trapped in their cabs when three heavy lorries were in collision on the M6 at Croft, near Warrington.
Fire crews were called to the scene to help rel
ease the men after the crash – reported briefly in Warrington-Worldwide yesterday (Tuesday)>
Two lanes of the northbound carriageway were closed as the rescue operation went on.
The two lorry drivers were eventually released and taken to Warrington Hospital, believed to be suffered from serious but not life-threatening injuries.
A Fire Service spokesman said: “We understand the men suffered leg injuries.”
Young vandals
start roof fire
YOUTHS are believed to have started a fire which damaged the roof of an unoccupied storage building in Gladstone Street, Warrington.
A number of tyres were set alight on the building’s flat roof and the flames spread to roofing felt and timbers.
Two fire engines were to the scene and firefighters quickly extinguised the blaze.
FIREFIGHTERS from Stockton Heath, worked for several hours dealing with a barn fire in Camsley Lane, Lymm.
