“Save our school” group
takes to the streets
by Terry Johnson
AN action group battling to save a popular Warrington school takes its protest to the streets today (Saturday).
Shoppers in Stockton Heath’s bustling centre will be asked to sign a petition seeking abandonment of plans to tear down the locally-listed primary school.
Members of the Save Stockton Heath Primary campaign hope that hundreds of villagers will join them in a forceful petition to Warrington Borough Council.
Patrick Mullee, who recently resigned his parish council seat over the issue, said: “We want as many people as possible to back our fight to retain the primary school.
“We should not be prepared to lose the finest building in Stockton Heath without lifting a finger.” Mr Mullee,57, said that four generations of his family had attended classes at the red-brick primary, which opened in 1910.
He is furious that a replacement building with a flat aluminium roof was now being discussed.
This ?office-style? building could be knocked down at a future date and the site – donated by former brewer Greenall Whitley – used for re-development.
“Warrington Council has said that the indication of their focus groups is that 70 per cent of people want to see a new school built. But from what we can assess, only two per cent of people have actually been consulted on the school’s future.
“We want villagers to tell us whether they have been questioned about this issue – because we feel there has been a very low level of public consultation and participation”.
Mr Mullee added: “The existing school can be repaired or renovated in accordance with English Heritage guidelines”.
Performing arts students
swing into action
by staff reporter
STUDENTS from Warrington?s Priestley College Performing Arts Department got into the swing of things with their first showcase of the academic year.
After a day of rehearsals, they performed in the college hall in front of an informal audience ? idea experience for the year ahead when they will have to showcase their work in front of the public and the examination board.
Dance students hit the stage first followed by those on the performing arts pathway who presented their unique play ?Worse Things Happen at Sea.?
The evening show also allowed music students to showcase some of their Solo material.
Staff and students used the occasion to raise more than ?50 for breast cancer awareness.
Head of performing arts Sarah Mawson said: “It was great to see the students put on their show having been back at college for such a short space of time.
?I’m very confident the group will further develop as the year unfolds.”
Dance tutor Nick Manley added: “Our students worked long and hard on their pieces and spent many an hour working on the project in their free time. They are to be congratulated on their efforts.”
Club rescue plan will
go ahead despite refusal
by David Skentelbery
A PLANNING inspector has thrown out a plan to build four houses on a club car park at Warrington ? but the scheme will go ahead anyway.
While the inspector was considering an appeal by the Alford Sports and Social Club, off Manchester Road, borough council planners were considering a second application by the club.
And while the inspector ruled that the first scheme was unacceptable, councillors decided the second could go ahead.
The successful application will allow a rescue plan to go ahead to save the club ? one of the oldest in Warrington ? from closure.
Selling the land will provide extra funding to allow the club to carry out improvements and overcome current financial difficulties.
Nearly 30 nearby residents opposed the move on the grounds that increased parking and traffic problems would result in Bennett Avenue along with noise, pollution and road safety hazards.
But club manager John Skelton argued that if the club failed it would probably be demolished anyway ? leaving room for far more than four houses.
In addition, some 1,000 members would lose a valuable recreation amenity.
The committee heard that current figures show the club to be, at best, only marginally viable. Recently it had ceased to break even.
But it provided a valuable social amenity in the area, offering accommodation to community and charity groups – sometimes without charge.
Youths sought after
stolen car torched
by staff reporter
TWO youths are being sought by police after a stolen car was dumped in a car park at Warrington and set alight in the early hours of today (Saturday).
The youths were seen running away from the car park at the end of Lilford Avenue, Bewsey, near Sankey Valley Park.
Fire crews were called to the scene and extinguished the blaze, but the car was burned out.
In another incident, around midnight, a car was dumped in Delph Lane, Winwick and set alight. Fire crews believe it too was arson.
Parking ban experiment
to solve safety issues
by John Hendon
EXPERIMENTAL parking restrictions are to be introduced at Birchwood, Warrington to meet the concerns of residents worried about road safety issues.
The effect of the initiative will be to restrict parking between the hours of 8.30am and 4.30pm in the Birchwood Park area.
The borough council has made an order to enable the restrictions to come into force from Monday, October 24 for a period not exceeding 12 months.
Anyone wishing to object must apply to the High Court within six weeks of October 6.
A Town Hall spokesman said local residents, businesses, the emergency services, councillors and other affected bodies had been heavily involved in the formulation of the proposals.
However, it was considered prudent to introduce the changes on an experimental basis so those affected could express their opinions after experiencing the impact.
If there was a satisfactory feedback the order could become permanent.
Festive
lights
by staff reporter
CHRISTMAS lights in Stockton Heath village will be turned on at 6pm on Friday December 2.
School choirs from Stockton Heath Primary and St Thomas’ CE Primary will sing. Carol sheets will be provided for spectators.
A 30-feet Christmas tree will be provided in Victoria Square, a 15-feet tree at the junction of Sandy Lane/East Avenue and other trees in the village will be decorated with lights, at a total cost of ?3,871.
News in brief
Hospital lottery
WINNING numbers in the weekly lottery run by the League of Friends of Warrington Hospital were 2, 9, 10, 15. Jackpot was ?331 – there was one winner. The ?25 consolation prize was won by Mrs C Owens. Next week’s jackpot will be about ?250.
Traffic ban
WARRINGTON Borough Council intends to make an order temporarily prohibing drive in Old Alder Lane, Winwick, in an easterly direction from the entrance to Causeway Bridges Farm for a distance of 25 meters while bridge repairs are carried out. The closure will be from Monday October 31 for about five weeks.
Shops plan
PLANS have been approved for three shops in Winwick Road, Warrington, on the site of the former Tile Wizard store.
School lights
GREEN Lane Special School, Padgate, Warrington has won planning consent for new car park lighting.
One way
A ONE-way system is to be introduced in Whitefield Road, Stockton Heath, Warrington. Anyone wishing to object must apply to the High Court within six weeks of October 6. The restriction is due to come into force on Thursday, October 20.
