New school plan: council
puts designs on show
TODAY we give a glimpse of what the planners are proposing to replace the historic Stockton Heath Primary School, near Warrington.
These pictures are artists? impressions of what the new school will look like.
The pictures went on show at a special meeting of Stockton Heath Parish Council. They can also be seen at Warrington Borough Council?s planning department at New Town House, Buttermarket Street, Monday-Friday, 9am to 5pm.
A number of changes have been from the original scheme which caused an uproar among local residents when they were first revealed last November.
The design changes include:
A redesigned roof, with a steeper pitch to enable the use of slates rather than a shallower roof requiring metal sheeting.
The external finish to the main admin block has been revised to enable the use of brickwork rather than render. Bricks used will be as close a match as possible to local brick colour.
The cill heights to ground floor classrooms have been reduced for an improved view and to provide window sizes and design appropriate to the proposed building.
A planning application for a replacement school has now been submitted to the borough council.
Tim Warren, the borough’s interim operational director of education, said: “The council has responded positively to the concerns expressed during the consultation process by some residents, who felt the design could better reflect the local streetscape.
“As a result, our architects have added a pitched slate roof to the school, instead of the flatter aluminium sheet, and have changed the face of the building to incorporate more use of red brick.”
More than 5,000 people have signed a petition opposing plans to demolish the existing school and replace it with a new building.
They favour refurbishment of the existing building which they say is a fine example of a Victorian school and stands on a site steeped in local history.
Now Walton Parish Council has voted to support retention of the old school building.
Spokesman for the Stockton Heath Primary School Action Group Patrick Mullee said: ?Although the school is not in Walton, most children from Walton go to the school.
?We are continuing to fight to save the old school which we believe is an integral part of the historic heart of Stockton Heath and should be retained.?
Another action group member, Gary Bebbington, accused the borough council of having a ?hidden agenda? behind the demolition and re-build proposals.
He said: ?We believe that if the borough council has its wish granted, then it opens the floodgates for developers to start building houses and apartments in the south of Warrington, in close proximity to the school.?
Top picture shows the new look for the front of the proposed school. Middle picture shows the main entrance in more detail and the lower picture shows a side view.
“Flasher” strikes
twice in three days
by David Skentelbery
TWO incidents of indecent exposure in the Warrington area may involve the same man, police believe.
In the first, a 29-year-old woman and three friends were riding horses on the Trans-Pennine Trail, at Pickerings Bridge, Stocktport Road, Thelwall when they were approached by an unknown man.
He indecently exposed himself to the group before making off.
Police say he was about 5ft 6 inches tall, aged 34-36 and with dark brown greasy hair. He was wearing a blue, zip-up bomber jacket and dark jeans.
Two days later, a 16-year-old girl was walking along Cawdor Street, Stockton Heath when she was approached by a man of slim build with short, dirty blonde hair. He was about 5ft 8 inches tall and was wearing a collarless, waist length cream coloured jacket and stonewashed jeans.
Anyone who can help police in connection with either offence is asked to call PC Amanda Cotterell on 0845 4586372.
Generations come together
for Holocaust remembrance
by John Hendon
MEMBERS of school councils from across Warrington took part in the Holocaust Memorial Day service at St Elphin?s Parish Church.
Theme of the event was ?One person can make a difference? and the youngsters made a number of presentations to represent the scheme as part of the service and to reflect on one of the most valuable lessons of the Holocaust.
Holocaust Memorial Day is an annual national event when thousands of people across the country hold various activities to raise awareness and understanding of the Holocaust.
Warrington Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) organised the event and children from a number of schools across the borough came together to illustrate the theme through drama, music, pictures and reflections.
Coun Colin Frogatt, the borough council?s executive member for Children’s Services, said: “I am very proud to see so many of our young people taking part in Holocaust Memorial Day as it is important that they learn about what happened to commemorate all those who suffered as a result but also to help ensure they never happen again.
?The theme of the day is as relevant now as it was then – that one person really can make a difference.”
Home Secretary still
wants police merger
by staff reporter
POLICING in Warrington looks set for a big change ? with a merger of Cheshire Police with the Merseyside force.
Home Secretary Charles Clarke has indicated he wants to see the merger take place, despite opposition from both police authorities.
Mr Clarke met Police Authority chairman Peter Nurse and Chief Constable Peter Fahey to discuss future funding of the police and the merger proposals.
He indicated that he still would like to see the Cheshire force merge with Merseyside.
In a statement today, Cheshire Police Authority said they would now await further information from the Home Secretary.
All three parties on Warrington Borough Council have expressed opposition to the merger.
Nursery picks up
coveted award
by staff reporter
MAYFIELD Day Nursery, at Grappenhall near Warrington, has won the coveted Investors in People award.
The nursery, which caters for 22 children in the 2-5 age group, was assessed in October and has now been informed that it has been successful.
Owner-manager Susan Thompson, who took over the nursery three years ago, said: “We are delighted. We are a small team and everyone has really worked hard to ensure we were successful in achieving the award.”
Mayfield has a team of four full-time staff and two part time, including Ms Thompson. The others are deputy manager Paula Robinson, senior nursery nurses Louise Horne and Lucy Doveaston, Rachel Miller and Margaret Dommett.
During the assessment period they were assisted by two students on work placements, Wing Yip from South Trafford College and Sophia Hutchinson, from Warrington’s Priestley College.
Ms Thompson believes the enthusiasm of the two students and hard work and professionalism of the regular staff, full and part time, all contributed to the success.
She said: “About 18 months ago we decided to work towards the award and about 12 months ago we got stuck in. Everyone worked really hard – it was a real team effort.”
Following museum
dinosaur trail
by Terry Johnson
JURASSIC thrills are building in Warrington to the museum’s special Dinosaur Week(Feb 18-25).
Children and adults will be transported back to ‘The Land Before Time’ with dinosaur hunter, Dr Phil Manning, palaeontologist with Manchester Museum.
There will be a daily dinosaur trail, with fascinating facts about 60m-year-old T-rex from Hell Creek and dinosaurs which once stalked Patagonia.
Families will be able to touch real fossils and life-size casts of dinosaur bones(advance booking 01925-442733) or can drop in to make a dinosaur mask, 10.00-12.00 noon and 1.00-3.00pm).
Residents’ association
faces “meltdown”
by Terry Johnson
CRISIS moves are under way to try and save the campaigning Statham Residents’ Association at Lymm, following impending meltdown of its management.
The association has represented tenants and private residents in Lymm for almost 10 years, during which time it has achieved some notable community successes.
But its main officials will be stepping down at the April annual meeting and new blood is being urgently sought.
Former secretary Marie White, who has served as chairman for the past two years, said: “We are at a crossroads – it is time for new people to get involved in the running of the association”.
Current secretary, Elaine Leytham and treasurer, Liz Cross, are also stepping down. So, too, is vice-chairman, Len Sorrell, in his 70’s, who is retiring on health grounds.
Said Marie: “It would be a great shame if the association had to fold. Some 840 leaflets are to be delivered to area homes appealing for participation. People can nominate themselves for posts within the association”.
The start-up initiative for Statham Residents’ Association was taken by Warrington Borough Council in April, 1996.
Since then the association has improved the lives of people in the area. It provided the driving force for compensation grants of between ?900 and ?3,000 to people whose homes were affected by noise from the second Thelwall Viaduct. It was also involved in provision of a skateboard area for youngsters at Lymm’s Ridgeway Grundy Park and the re-surfacing of local roads.
“There have been a number of new developments in Lymm and we are hoping the incoming residents will be supportive to the Statham Association, as well as long-standing residents”, said Marie.
Golden Gates Housing ? which manages many rented houses in Lymm – is also anxious that the association should continue.
