?4.3 million new
school to be built
by Lesley Wilkinson
A ?4.3 million plan to build a new St Elphin?s CE Primary School on a new site has been revealed at Warrington.
The school will be moved from its present site in Fairfield Street to a new one in St Elphin?s Park, in College Close.
At the same time, the school will be expanded from one form entry to one-and-half form entry and its capacity will be increased from 210 to 315. A total of 45 pupils, aged four, will be admitted each years from September 1, 2008.
Anyone wishing to object or make other representations can do so over the next six weeks by writing to the School Organisation Committee at Warrington Town Hall.
A final decision will be made in April.
Warrington Borough Council, in partnership with the Diocesan Education Authority, undertook a review of primary provision in autumn 2004, which included plans for St Elphin’s. Proposals were approved, following consultation, by the council executive board in January last year.
The council, together with the Liverpool Diocesan Board, was successful in bidding for a grant, which includes contributions from the school governors.
Plans are for the current school to continue on its existing site until the new building is opened.
Coun Colin Froggatt, the borough council?s executive member for children’s services, said: “St Elphin’s is a very popular school and there is no opportunity to expand this site. As with any decisions relating to Children’s Services and education, the needs of the children are always put first and it is believed that relocating the school will have a positive impact on its present and future pupils.”
Further detailed consultations will be undertaken with parents and local residents as the plans are developed.
Four men banned
from village pubs
by David Skentelbery
FOUR men have been banned from entering pubs and bars in the villages of Culcheth, Glazebury and Croft, near Warrington.
The men, all in their 20s and from Culcheth, are known to each other and have been banned from all pubs and bars in the area under a scheme which aims to crack down on drink related disorder.
The bans, imposed by the local Pub Watch scheme, will last for 12 months.
At a recent Pub Watch meeting, licensees voted to take the action after discussing a violent incident which took place on New Year’s Eve at the General Elliott pub in Croft.
Culcheth PCSO Steve Dodd, said: “These lengthy bans should send out a strong message that licensees will take positive action against those who cause trouble in their premises. Hopefully this will reassure local residents that Pub Watch is working and that together we aim to provide a safe environment for people to enjoy a social drink.”
The scheme has been running for approximately six months in the area and it is the first time troublemakers have been barred.
Wayne Bibby, Pub Watch Secretary for Culcheth, Glazebury and Croft, said: “When we reviewed the New Year’s incident everyone said ‘enough is enough’. We’re not going to tolerate this unacceptable anti social behaviour within any of the premises on our patch and we will not hesitate to take similar action again in the future should the need arise.”
College staff put
fitness to the test
by staff reporter
COLLEGE staff have been putting their fitness to the test to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Care Nurses.
Franny Dunn and Pete Connor from Warrington Collegiate staged a 183-mile sponsored run, row and cycle at the newly opened Roger Hunt sports hall at Beamont High School.
Franny, Information Learning Technology manager at the Winwick Road campus and sports tutor Pete, have both had members of their family struck down with cancer.
“I lost my brother Tony to cancer. He was just 44. I wanted to do something which would provide practical support for the Macmillan nurses who do such tremendous work caring for cancer sufferers,” said Franny.
Other staff and sports studies students joined in the marathon task – the equivalent of running from Warrington to Dublin.
Health chiefs to
stay in office
by Lesley Wilkinson
FOUR non-executive board members of Warrington Primary Care Trust, responsible for making important health decisions for the town, have had their tenure extended until April next year.
The extension by the NHS Appointments Commission, is to allow continuity while the PCT makes changes to strengthen its commissioning role to ensure its services are more responsive to patients’ needs.
The four, who have been with the PCT since it was set up in April 2002, are Bill Ravenscroft, Dr Farath Arshad, Peter Ashley, and Peter Edwards.
The decision follows the extension of the tenure of chairman Robin Brown in November.
Mr Brown said: “I am really pleased that we will be able to oversee the changes which will ensure the PCT becomes much more patient-focused. We are working with our staff, patients and the public of Warrington to really improve services.
“We are all proud of the PCT’s achievements so far and we are looking forward to seeing through some of the important developments we have started, such as increasing choice for patients and expanding the role of services based within the community.?
Police search for
missing woman
by John Hendon
POLICE at Warrington are becoming increasingly concerned about a 69-year-old woman who has been missing from home since Sunday.
Doreen Dunning, (pictured) of Orford, was last seen by a relative at around 2pm.
She is described as being 5ft 4 inches tall, of proportionate build with a pale complexion and shoulder length grey hair. She wears oval shaped gold rimmed spectacles.
When she was last seen she was wearing a pink and maroon three quarter length coat.
Police say she often frequents the town centre.
Anyone with information about her, or who has seen her since Sunday, is asked to call police on 01925 652222.
Schoolboy’s fun run
for cancer research
by staff reporter
A 15-year-old schoolboy has organised a two and-a-half mile fun run in Victoria Park, Warrington, to raise money for cancer research.
Chris Kirk, a pupil at William Beamont High School has organised the event as part of his Duke of Edinburgh?s Bronze Medal course and also in memory of a family friend, Lesley Davies, who died some years ago.
He has dubbed the run ?Lesley?s Smile.?
More than 120 people have already agreed to take part in the run on March 18 at 1pm and local councillors Mike Hannon and Terry Whelan are to support the event.
Many of those taking part are fellow pupils from William Beamont.
Anyone who would like a sponsorship form or make a donation should call Chris on 01925 495645.
Men were selling
fake leather suites
by court reporter
TWO men, who were selling fake leather suites in Warrington, have each been fined ?500 by the town’s magistrates.
Roy Jason Smith, 30, of Sandbach and Robert Parsonage, 33, of Crewe, were prosecuted by Warrington Trading Standards.
Smith pleaded guilty to attempting to obtain property by deception. Parsonage pleaded guilty to obtaining property by deception.
The court was told the offences were committed in 2004 and relate to adverts for “leather three-piece suites,” placed in several Warrington shops. Trading Standards carried out a test purchase and discovered the suite was not made from leather.
Smith was fined ?500, ordered to pay Trading Standards costs of ?913, legal costs of ?150 and ?185 compensation. Parsonage was fined ?500, ordered to pay costs of ?690, legal costs of ?150 and ?185 compensation.
Edwina Greenwood, principal trading standards officer, said: “We would urge any businesses who think they can make money by ripping off consumers to be wary. The level of fines indicates that the cour
ts treat these matters very seriously and we will leave no stone unturned in our fight to bring the perpetrators of such crimes to task.
“Our advice in all cases such as this is that if you are approached by someone with an offer which seems too good to be true, then it usually is.?
