Pubs and clubs may
be forced to close
by David Skentelbery
SOME pubs and clubs in Warrington may be forced to close in November because licensees have failed to apply for new licenses in line with new national regulations.
Around 200 licensed premises in Warrington may have missed the deadline for applying to convert their licenses under the new Licensing Act 2003.
. A report to be considered by the borough council’s licences committee indicates that the latest estimate is that a total of 499 valid applications have been received.
But it is estimated that about 700 existing licensees were eligible to apply to convert their licenses to premises licences and club premises certificates.
The position in respect of personal licences is less clear, as applicants have to apply to the licensing authority where they live, making it more difficult to estimate the potential number of applicants.
“However it is clear that a substantial number of licensees who were eligible to apply to convert have not done so by the deadline date,” the report states.
The deadline was August 6. But licences under the new licensing regime come into effect on November 24, so it is still open for licensees to apply.
But because of the requirements of the application process they should do so as soon as possible to ensure they have a licence or certificate issued by the due date.
In the case of new applications for premises licences and club premises certificates, applicants are being recommended to apply by September 24 to enable their applications to be processed in time.
The report adds: “The onus is on applications to submit their applications in good time and obviously failure to do so could mean that premises will not be able to operate and individuals will not be able to work until such time as their applications are processed.”
Charity plays host
to Chernobyl kids
by Lesley Wilkinson
A WARRINGTON charity group played host to 12 young children from the Chernobyl area of the former Soviet Union – and gave them a chance to become police officers for a day.
The youngsters were brought to this country by the Burtonwood-based Chernobyl Children Lifeline charity and were taken on a trip to Cheshire Police headquarters.
Former Warrington police chief Graeme Gerrard – now Deputy Chief Constable of Cheshire – met the children and presented them with their own police helmets.
Officers and other staff also gave them donations to buy English souvenirs.
They enjoyed a tour of the Resource Deployment Centre where they were shown how 999 calls and other requests for police help are co-ordinated.
Then they went to see some specialist units including road policing, dog handling, and the Area Support Group that assists with incidents. Officers told the youngsters about their work and showed them some of the equipment and vehicles they use.
The charity was set up after the Chernobyl disaster in 1985 and has brought numerous groups of children to this country. Because of the high levels of radiation where they live, a visit to the UK is a medical respite that can increase their life expectancy by up to five years.
Teacher Elena Biryukova, who accompanied the youngsters, said: “The children were very impressed with what they saw at the police station, particularly the motorcycles, cars and the dogs. One of the main advantages the children get from visits like this is that they get to practice their English.
“They also get to learn a lot more about the history, customs, traditions of the country, as well as visiting many places they might never get the chance to see again. They have all been very happy here and don’t want to go home.”
Drama group
seeks members
by John Hendon
THE Bridgewater Players, who present three plays a year at Thelwall Parish Hall, Warrington are on the lookout for new members.
Men and women in the 28-40 age range are the most urgently needed, but other age groups would also be welcome.
Auditions for plays to be produced in February and April next year will be held later this year.
The next production will be staged November 24, 25 and 26 and will be “Summer End” by Eric Chappell.
It’s a murder-mystery thriller with a touching and humorous character study of two old ladies.
Tickets are available from Avis on 01925 730390 while people interested in joining the society should contact Beryl on 01925 756422.
Student musicians
at summer academy
by staff reporter
SEVEN students from Warrington Collegiate joined 50 of the most promising young musicians in the country to take part in the annual six day SAM (Summer Academy of Music) held at the prestigious Bretton Hall, Yorkshire.
While there Ash Harris (19), Anne LeHer (40), Chris Madra (20), Dale Ellis (18), Joanne Tanser (20), Katrina Patrick (20) and Kirsty Dignam (19) attended workshops and specialist lectures with top session players and producers who have worked with the likes of Craig David, Jamiroqui, Beverly Knight, Peter Gabrielle, Gorillaz and Mick Jagger!
Over the course of a week musicians formed bands and composed, performed and recorded their own original songs, culminating in the making of their own album.
The lecturers assisting them had more than 160 years of experience between them and several had enjoyed top 10 chart success, including producer Tony Briscoe who co-wrote the Artful Dodger hit “Rewind”.
SAM 2005 is part of Access to Music?s national events programme, offering performance and enrichment opportunities to musicians.
Vocalist Ash said: “The best thing about the summer school has been the amount of music we have been able to do. I?ve worked with three different bands over the week, all playing in different musicians styles!”
Kirsty, also a vocalist, added: “Being able to do music 24/7 has been great. We were able to totally relax and focus with none of the distractions of home. It?s been a good experience working with people you have never met before too.”
Bass student Joanne said: “The master-classes were really good as they helped with my technique. Talking to the bass and the drum tutor I?ve really gained an understanding of how the two instruments work together to form the rhythm section of a band.”
Council objects to
village stable plan
by staff reporter
A PARISH council is objecting to plans for a stable block at Risley near Warrington – on the grounds there are already too many stables in the village.
The proposed timber stables would be at Hope Farm, Warrington Road, Risley
Croft Parish Council says: “The development would add to the already high number of stables in the village.”
An L-shaped block of stables would be built at the rear of the farm on an elongated parcel of land accessed from Warrington Road and within the green belt.
Planning officers are recommending approval. They say there are numerous farms in the area and a stable is considered appropriate development in the green belt.
The objection on the grounds of the existing high number of stables is “not a material consideration in determining this application,” they add.
