Angry residents oppose
school licence bid
by David Skentelbery
ANGRY residents have lodged objections to an application to renew an entertainment licence – at a Warrington school.
But their anger is not directed at the William Beamont High School – but to the commercially run Vida sports centre which forms part of the school complex in Long Lane.
Residents say they never had any problems with the school, which has held an entertainment for years, until the sports centre opened.
Now they claim their lives are being made unbearable because of noise, vandalism, late night hooliganism and drunkenness involved youths using the sports centre.
The Vida centre opened after William Beamont School was designated a specialist sports college.
Enhanced sporting facilities were provided at the school by Vida – along with a bar. It holds an “on” licence but not an entertainment licence, which it does not need because only private functions are held there of an evening.
It is the school which is applying for a renewal of its entertainment licence.
Five nearby residents have lodged objections. One said: “Opening a bar in a school was always going to cause a problem, but I was not expecting to be half as bad as it turned out to be. It is attracting the wrong type of people to the area.”
Others complain of gangs of youths vandalising gardens, fences, parked cars and causing noise and disturbance. Another says her garden is littered with bottles and plastic glasses.
One objector asks why, if the school application is nothing to do with the sports centre, it is for midnight – a time when students should be at home in bed.
All claim there were no problems before the sports centre opened.
The issue is to be discussed by borough council licensing chiefs next week.
Shopping centre scheme
reaches a milestone
by John Hendon
THE multi-million ? redevelopment of Warrington’s Golden Square shopping centre is rapidly taking shape.
A major milestone in the scheme has been achieved – erection of the first steel column on the site.
The traditional “Golden Spanner” ceremony was held on the site, involving key representatives of developers Lend Lease and building contractors Bovis Lend Lease.
A symbolic golden bolt was fitted with a golden spanner.
Among those in attendance was Dave Humphries – consultant operations manager at Golden Square – who also worked on the existing shopping centre as supervisor for the electrical contractors when construction began on the original site in 1974.
Eventually, 90 concrete filled steel columns will be erected, each weighing in at seven tonnes. The columns will form part of a new bus route which goes under the development.
Project manager Simon Pritchard said: “This is a highly significant and momentous point in the development project.
Six months of in-depth research and intricate design have gone into the development of the steel frame and this was aided by a 3D modelling process whereby a 3D model of the entire building was produced.
“Each nut, washer and bolt needed for the structure is counted and allocated with a unique number to show its position, size and weight, with the whole superstructure steelwork package valued at a staggering ?13 million.”
Rupert Wood, Lend Lease Development Manager added: “When complete in Spring 2007, the development will signify an eight year journey involving conception, design and construction through to the completion of a town centre Warrington can be proud of.”
College trio win
World Cup places
by staff reporter
ANOTHER year of success for Warrington’s Priestley College on the Rugby League field has been rewarded with the news that two of the current crop of star performers have made the full Ireland squad for this year’s Student Rugby League World Cup.
Danny Shaw from Orford and Dave Heathwood from Wilderspool who are both aged 18 made their way through the rigorous selection process to be named in the squad for the July tournament, which will take place on the Gold Coast in Australia.
Further good news has also followed with Priestley’s Rugby League coach Matthew Richmond named assistant coach to the Wolfhounds for the same event.
It has been a superb year for the college after they followed up being crowned league champions in 2004 with a cup triumph this season when the side defeated St Helens College 33-16 in the SRL U19’s Final.
The college also had three players named in the initial training squad for England – Luke Andrews, Matt Barber and Simon McEvoy. However, none was eventually selected.
Matt Richmond said: “I congratulate all five of the students for getting as far as they did in the selection process. It is extremely unfortunate for the English lads that they didn’t make the trip but they should remain confident in their abilities. As for Danny and Dave, the World Cup will be a great learning curve and I, along with them, look forward to our trip with eager anticipation.”
Neil’s back from
his China challenge
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON’S Rugby League development officer Neil Kelly is back from the challenge of a lifetime – a 300 mile cycle ride across China to raise money for learning disability charity Mencap.
Neil joined a squad of 30 cyclists to take part in the 10-day challenge, riding from the Great Wall of China to Tiananmen Square.
His aim was to raise ?2,750 for the charity and Neil’s first statement on his return was to say: “Thank you to all who have helped me achieve my target.” He added: “It was an amazing adventure. What a challenge…full of physical and mental barriers.
“The ride went through a whole host of sites, from the depths of poverty to the neights of commercialism in Beijing. It is a country steeped in history, hard to understand. A mysterious place which has certainly captured my heart.”
Neil was full of praise for the hospitality of the Chinese.
On the final day he visited a learning disability school where sport broke through the language and communication barrier.
Neil said: “I introduced my passion for rugby to the Chinese and they loved it. Wolves fans forever!”
Phone stolen from
broken down car
by David Skentelbery
POLICE are hunting two youths who stole a mobile phone from a broken down car – while the driver was using his other mobile phone!
The theft took place in Chester Road, Walton, Warrington after the motorist had got out of his car to try and get a better signal on his mobile.
He had broken down near the Stagg Inn and got out of the car, leaving it unlocked, while he walked a few yards away to get a better signal on his mobile.
Two youths walked passed and he saw one reach in through a window and take his other mobile. They then ran off.
The motorist gave chase and the phone was recovered – but the youths got away. Both were aged abut 16 or 17. One had short mousey coloured hair and was about 5ft 8 inches tall.
Anyone who saw the incident is asked to call PC Amanda Cotterell on 01244 612636.
Anti-bullying campaign
raises cash for charity
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON Collegiate’s anti-bullying campaign has helped raise vital cash for a children’s charity.
Students raised money for ChildLine by selling blue bands at the Winwick Road campus during Friendship Week. The blue bands symbolise an anti-bullying stance among staff and students.
Student Amanda Bridge, who is on the Access to GCSE course, said: “I missed out on most of my last year in secondary school through bullying, but things have been much better for me at college. Lots of people have got involved with this campaign which is a good thing.”
Learning coach co-ordinator Jenni Wood said: “This campaign involves everyone and has been really positive. The aim of the anti-bullying campaign is to raise awareness among students. The Co
llegiate is always confidential when dealing with this issue, and there are certain sanctions that we use to try and stamp bullying out.”
Homes damaged after
shed fires spread
by staff reporter
TWO shed fires which broke out at the same time at different parts of Warrington both spread to damage adjoining properties.
A garden shed at a house in Harding Avenue, Orford, spread to the kitchen of the house next door and fire crews had to use a hosereel to extinguish the flames.
Another shed in Bristow Avenue, Great Sankey, spread to the roof of the adjoining house and fire crews had to break into the roof space to tackle the outbreak.
Fire crews were also called to Loushers Lane, Warrington to rescue a seven-year-old boy who had climbed a tree and couldn’t get down.
News in brief
Village carnival
TEMPORARY road closures will take place in Croft, near Warrington on July 2nd to enable the Croft Carnival procession to pass through the village.
Hospital lottery
WINNING numbers in the weekly lottery run by the League of Friends of Warrington Hospital were 1, 3, 10 and 15. There were no winners of the ?130 jackpot. Next week’s prize will be ?300. The ?25 consolation prize was won by J. Higham. An extra prize of ?10 of Sainsburys vouchers was won by Phil.
Extension refused
PLANS for a first floor side extension, above a previously approved ground floor extension, at a house in Avery Close, Warrington, have been refused by the borough’s development control committee.
History walk
WARRINGTON Archaeological and Historical Society is to hold a guided walk on Tuesday (June 28) at 7pm. Interested people should meet at the Church of the Ascension car park in Hillock Lane, Woolston.
