Wildlife beats off
challenge of
the developers
by Terry Johnson
WILDLIFE is thriving in the heart of boom town Warrington.
The march of house-building and employment sites in the town, which has enjoyed huge growth, has not impacted harshly on wildlife species and habitats, reveals a new report from conservationists.
This is thanks to a New Town expansion plan – drawn up more than 30 years ago – which created a network of green corridors – ‘motorways’ for birds and small animals where they can move about unharassed.
The linear parkways have been planted with millions of trees and shrubs, bringing quiet habitats for species which would otherwise have been overrun by brick and concrete.
Dr David Bell, the borough council’s principal ecologist, said nature had coped well with the vast building work in boom-town Warrington.
Green corridors like the Sankey Valley Park, which has transformed one of Britain’s earliest canals, meant that birds and animals could move about freely and not be driven out by building progress.
“Wildlife is thriving and Warrington is home to such animals as the rare great-crested newt – a species declining across Europe – and pipistrelle bat, which has moved from barns and old farm buildings to roost in modern homes”.
Dr Bell and his team have drafted a biodiversity action plan for the town, which will take in ‘valuable public comment’ before publication this summer.
“This is the most important document to be published on Warrington’s wildlife for 10 years. It has taken the Warrington Nature Conservation Forum more than a year to prepare”, he stated.
The document identifies important wildlife and habitats and actions to protect and enhance them.
“The public response from our draft report is excellent”, said Dr Bell. “There has also been valuable input from English Nature and the Environment Agency”.
Steam party celebrates
with an expansion
by David Skentelbery
THE popular Stockton Heath Steam Party at Warrington is to celebrate its sixth birthday – by expanding into a two-day “village fete”.
There will still be plenty for steam enthusiasts – but the event is broadening its appeal to attract more people.
The event is moving from Victoria Square to Walton Lea Road, in a field opposite Warrington Sports Club, and will take place on Saturday and Sunday May 7-8 from 11am to 6pm.
Admission will be free, but there will be many stalls raising money for charity.
Among the attractions will be Silcock’s fair, with adult and children’s rides, Joe Davies with his fairground organ plus a vintage police display.
There will be a 105 key Leach concert organ, a 1923 fair ground organ, three traction engines, two steam rollers, a Fowler ploughing engine and a 1914 Foden steam omnibus which will be giving rides.
Warrington Model Engineering Society will be running a model steam railway, and there will be vintage cars, tractors, candy floss and the striker.
A number of stalls will be raising money for local good causes.
Organiser Patrick Mullee said: “We also intend to have arena events such as a tug of war – people against a steam engine – and women’s driving competitions – steering a steam engine around an obstacle course.”
There will be a licensed bar serving hot food and snacks.
On Sunday a farmer’s market is being held – and plans are also progressing for a dog show.
During the event, Stockton Heath Lion will be collecting for St Rocco’s Hospice and other local charities.
The whole festival is sponsored by Stockton Heath Parish Council and local businesses.
Parking problems
hit arts centre
by John Hendon
MOTORISTS who park all day on the car park at Warrington’s Pyramid Arts Centre could be affecting the viability of the centre.
Some drivers leave their cars on the car park at the rear of the building and disappear into the town centre or local offices.
Now the borough council plans to restrict parking on the site to resolve the problem.
The council proposes to make an order introducing off-street parking places on the car park – with a maximum period of three hours.
Staff will be given permits to allow them to park longer.
But other drivers will be allowed to park for up to three hours only – and not be allowed to return for 12 hours.
A spokesman said: “The council is concerned that some members of the public park on the Pyramid Centre car park all day.
“This practice reduces the amount of off-street parking available for people visiting the Pyramid Centre or the Heathcotes Restaurant and has a detrimental effect on the operation of these buildings.
“The proposed ordered will give the council the ability to control vehicles using the car park so there will be an increased availability of spaces for the bone fide visitors to these buildings.”
Objections to the proposals must reach council solicitor Howard Norris by May 12.
Beer festival’s
20 real ales
by Terry Johnson
A VILLAGE community association promises a frothing start to the summer when it taps into 20 real ales and cider.
Grappenhall Youth and Community Association’s annual beer festival on May 20-21 will help raise cash for a clubhouse project.
The community association is a registered charity that supports 40-plus user groups.
In the last two years the association has provided a new roof, costing ?45,000 and a ?100,000 re-furbishment of the main clubhouse.
Tickets for the festival are priced ?4 for Friday and ?3 Saturday – plus tickets for beer, including a commemorative glass.
Live music will be provided by rock band ‘Purple Toed’ and Irish and country group, ‘Hookline’.
Jungle fun at
church jamboree
by staff reporter
ST John’s United Reformed Church, Warrington, re-launches its popular children’s Jungle Jamboree Club from August 1-5.
The Wilderspool Causeway venue will stage jungle-themed art and crafts, drama, puppet theatre, videos, songs and team games.
And along with the fun, children will be told one of Jesus’ parables each day.
Just 40 places are available for sessions of the holiday club at ?1.50 per child each day. Details: 01925-264976.
Shoppers can reach
for the stars
by Lesley Wilkinson
VISITORS to Birchwood Shopping Centre, near Warrington, can reach for the stars when a three-day space spectacular is launched on Friday (May 6}.
The main mall will be transformed when a massive inflatable planetarium takes centre stage. There will be free literature and displays on space topics for visitors to enjoy.
Representatives from the National Space Centre in Leicester will visit to give talks inside the planetarium, known as the BT Stardome. Visitors will be told where to look for planets currently visible in the night sky.
Sessions in the Stardome take about 30 minutes and run between 10am and 4pm. The Friday sessions have been reserved for schoolchildren, and sessions on the Saturday and Sunday can be booked on the day.
For youngsters there will be a competition to win one of three space suits and a series of space workshops.
Centre manager Gary Jones said: “We’re very excited about the space event and expect it will prove popular with shoppers of all ages. I’m sure the BT Stardome is going to be a huge pull as we’ve never had anything like it in the centre before.”
Arsonists strike
by staff reporter
FIRE chiefs at Warrington urged people to keep yard gates and shed doors securely locked after a garden shed and its contents were destroyed by fire during the night.
The blaze was at a house in Dam Lane, Woolston, Warrington.
A fire service spokesman said: “We are always getting fires involving garden sheds, many of which could be prevented by taking the simple precaution of keeping the shed locked. Similar many nuisance fires could be preven
ted by keeping yard or garden gates locked.”
In a separate incident, hooligans drove a stolen car onto land at Gatewarth Tip, Sankey Bridges, Warrington and set it alight. The vehicle was burned out by the time fire crews could reach the scene.
