Defiant councillors
reject recycling plant
by David Skentelbery
DEFIANT councillors have thrown out plans for a giant medical waste recycling plant at Warrington – despite warnings from officers they were risking a heavy bill for costs in the event of a successful appeal.
Members of the borough council’s development control committee voted unanimously to refuse permission for the plant off Winwick Road.
The decision was taken at a special meeting at the Parr Hall attended by about 250 angry members of the public.
During the, at times, noisy meeting, one committee member, Coun Albert Clemow, walked out claiming he was being put under too much pressure. But he said he would have voted against the plan.
Another member, Coun Ann Haddow, had to leave the meeting because she had to declare a personal interest in the scheme.
But the 10 remaining members, in a named vote, all voted to refuse permission.
Planning and legal officers repeatedly stressed that in the event of a successful appeal against the decision, the council could be liable for costs.
The council has previously refused permission for a medical waste recycling plant on the site, but the decision was overturned by a government-appointed inspector after a public inquiry.
But the scheme was unable to go ahead because the council refused to sell part of the site which it owned.
The new proposal had been scaled down so it could be accommodated on a privately owned part of the site.
Local residents strongly opposed the scheme because of fears that emissions from the site might result in health problems. They also claimed the development would result in traffic problems on roads already struggling to cope.
If built, the recycling centre would process medical waste from hospitals, clinics, etc from all over the North West.
Making a splash for free
YOUNGSTERS throughout Warrington are making a splash by taking part in free swimming sessions throughout the summer holidays.
Four leisure centres – Broomfields, Fordton, Great Sankey and Woolston – are taking part in the Free Swim for Kids scheme until September 4.
All children under 16 and full time students up to 18 can swim free as part of the ?40,000 Warrington Borough Council project aimed at improving the health of young people.
Admission is on a first come first served basis, and at busy times sessions may be full. Youngsters can take part in unlimited sessions, subject to space.
Children under eight must be accompanied by an adult.
Mature student Vicky
overcomes the odds
by Paul Saville
MATURE student, Vicky Smith is celebrating after overcoming the odds and successfully gaining a 2.1 in Performing Arts Management.
Studying at the Warrington Campus of the University of Chester, 33-year-old mother of two Vicky’s success is a real achievement as she had to endure the tragic loss of husband shortly before her three-year course began.
The student from Padgate said this had a destructive effect on the first two years of her course, but with a new outlook she was able to achieve what she had originally set out to do.
“I was snappy with colleagues and lecturers, and my grades were disappointing. By the third year I felt better about life and started to feel like the outgoing, friendly, confident person I had been prior to the tragedy” said Vicky.
In the second year of her degree course, the Warrington graduate had the opportunity to produce, perform in, script, direct, market, budget for, and arrange sets and props for an educational performance aimed at teenagers.
The show, which was in conjunction with Warrington based officers from Cheshire Fire Service, was performed at schools across the town and highlighted the dangers of making hoax calls.
During her time at the College, Vicky was able to co-produce shows, such as adaptations of Samuel Becket’s Come and go and A woman alone by Dario Fo and Franca Rame.
In her second year, she participated in two work placements. The first was at a Gulliver’s World Theme Park where she worked on the entertainment team, and the other was in the marketing department at Bolton’s Impact Theatre School.
After spending time in front of the camera, Vicky now intends to learn more about life behind it, and will therefore be participating in a media training programme at Digi-telle, which was offered through Media Training Northwest.
She said: “I really enjoyed my time at the Warrington campus, and will miss the friends I’ve made at University. The staff were excellent too, especially those at the student service centre, who were a great help to me in difficult times.”
A taste of college life
for high school pupils
by Lesley Wilkinson
PUPILS from Birchwood High School had an action-packed morning when they were given a taste of college life including tours, taster sessions and a football match.
Year 10 pupils visited Priestley College, Warrington, to see what it could offer them after leaving school. They toured the Loushers Lane campus and had a range of taster sessions including media, business, psychology and geology.
They met other students from Birchwood who now enjoy college life and took part in a football match against the College’s Centre of Excellence squad.
There are strong links between the college and school, and recently a Year 10 pupil Chris Potts spent two weeks on the campus completing his work experience assignment.
Senior tutor Mel Jackson, who organised the day, said: “It was great to welcome the Birchwood pupils into college for what proved to be an interesting and exciting day.
“From the feedback received it was safe to say they enjoyed the experience and we look forward to seeing them again in the not too distant future.”
MP Helen elected to
Parliamentary group
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON South MP Helen Southworth has been elected to a high-profile group that will study diabetes and its treatment.
She is now secretary of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Diabetes, and will work with other MPs and healthcare professionals. The MP is pleased to join the group as she has a personal and professional interest in the condition.
“With the number of people being diagnosed with diabetes increasing, it is vital that we have a better understanding of its causes, as well as the most effective means of prevention and treatment,” she said.
“Given the link between unhealthy lifestyles and Type Two diabetes, I am especially keen to learn more about how this form of diabetes can be prevented. I am looking forward to helping the group in its work to raise awareness, not just in Parliament, but also in my constituency as well.”
A dog’s life on the
streets of Warrington
by Lesley Wilkinson
INCREASING numbers of stray dogs in the town – which can lead to road accidents or frighten children – are causing concern for Warrington Borough Council.
Last year 455 dogs were collected by the council’s Dog Warden Service, and there were 196 reports of lost dogs.
Earlier this year the council increased the penalty for recovering stray dogs from council kennels to ?50 for those collected in the first three days, and ?75 for those collected between four and seven days. Fees increase if vets treatment is needed.
After seven days the dogs become the property of the council, and can be given to a new owner.
Officers say that strays can bite or intimidate people and other animals, and indiscriminate dog fouling is a threat to public health.
Coun Pat Wright, executive member for community, said: “We recognise that dogs are important companions in a home and that the vast majority of dog owners are responsible, but we must ensure that public health is protected and that dog owners take their responsibilities seriously.”
Phil Woods, the council’s environmental health manager, said: “We a
im to protect public health and send a strong message to the minority of dog owners who are careless or irresponsible about their dog. Such anti-social behaviour cannot and will not be tolerated.”
Patient missing
from hospital
by staff reporter
POLICE at Warrington today expressed concern over a patient who has disappeared from a ward at Warrington Hospital.
Charles Humphrey, aged 44, was said to have walked out of the hospital.
He was last seen at about 10am yesterday (Wednesday) morning.
Police say he is about 5ft 10 inches tall, of skinny build and has a shaven head.
He has bandages to his wrist and throat.
Anyone who has seen Mr Humphrey is asked to contact Warrington Police on 01925 652223.
Pupils take on
role of detectives
by Lesley Wilkinson
PUPILS are becoming detectives in a mock courtroom at Great Sankey High School, Warrington, to examine a famous historical crime.
The project is part of two Summer Challenges for high-flying Year Six and Seven pupils from schools across Warrington, which aims to stretch their abilities with a series of projects.
The first challenge, running this week is called Crime and Punishment and 60 pupils are looking at the links between geography, crime and a selected historical crime.
Pupils taking part in the challenges have been nominated by their high and primary schools across the town. The scheme is provided free to the young people by Warrington Borough Council with Government funding.
The second challenge will be at Lymm High School starting next Wednesday (August 3) and continuing until August 12. The Modern Foreign Language challenge will involve 30 pupils exploring languages in novel ways.
Coun Colin Froggatt, the borough council’s executive member for children’s services, said: “We have some incredibly talented young people in our schools and the Summer Challenges are the perfect projects to find new ways to stretch their minds, enhance their learning and develop their skills.
“We hope that many of these youngsters will take a lot of positives from this experience.”
Neighbour injured
tackling blaze
by John Hendon
A NEIGHBOUR was taken to hospital with cuts to his hands after tackling a blaze at a house in Keith Avenue, Great Sankey, Warrington.
The fire involved a tumble dryer in a detached garage and the man dragged the blazing machine out of the garage before fire crews reached the scene.
His action averted more serious damage to the garage and its contents, but a Fire Service spokesman said the man had risked being burned or electrocuted by his action.
“It is better and safer to leave fires for us to deal with,” he said.
Another neighbour used a dry powder extinguisher to try and put out the fire, but the tumble dryer was completely destroyed.
