New medical centre ends
health workers’ row
by Terry Johnson
A ROW which led to midwives and other health workers walking out of a Warrington medical centre has finally been resolved.
The storm erupted two years ago when some community health workers were in dispute with a leading doctor at the Birchwood Medical Centre.
In a bitter exchange, community staff refused to work at the health centre and aired their complaints in public.
As the tirade became more heated, patients of the veteran GP leapt to his defence. He was praised for his high level of patient care.
Community health services in north-east Warrington have been affected by the wrangling and lack of a convenient and accessible new base for health visitors, midwifery, foot health and physiotherapy services.
Now a partnership between the town’s Primary Care Trust and Birchwood Council has found a new home for these community services in Spencer House, Dewhurst Road – just a few hundred yards from the medics’ practice.
The centre officially opens on Friday (April 7). Training facilities for PCT staff and partners and office space for the PCT team will also be provided.
Coun Chris Fitzsimmons, chairman of Birchwood Town Council, who will open the centre, said: “We are pleased to have been able to work in partnership with the PCT for the benefit of the people of Birchwood”.
Bus station set to
open in three months
by David Skentelbery
WARRINGTON?S multi-million ? new bus station is expected to open in the first week in July.
In its new position, between the Golden Square shopping centre and Warrington Central railway station, it will be a major transport gateway to the town centre.
And the owners of Golden Square ? Lend Lease Real Estates Investments Ltd ? look set to win the contract to manage the facility.
The borough council?s executive board will be urged tonight (Monday) to accept a ?2,602,709 bid from Lend Lease for the cleaning, waste management, security, mechanical and electrical maintenance and lift maintenance.
Four companies originally expressed interest in the contract but only two tenders were received.
The borough council?s internal property and facilities service were invited to tender but declined to do so.
Only one other tender is on the table ? in the sum of ?4,911,587.
A report to the executive board recommends accepting the Lend Lease bid which is described as ?very reasonable.?
All Greek for pupils
IT was “all Greek” to Year 5 pupils at Grappenhall Heys Primary School, as they “earned their laurels” at the end of a full half term history study on Ancient Greece.
Dressing up for the day as Ancient Greeks, tasting Greek food, taking part in a mini Olympics, and performing a Greek themed production for parents and pupils, was the culmination of the work for the 9 and 10-year-olds.
Teacher Vicky Jones said: “Each class has to present an assembly to all of the school, so we decided to use of work on Greek history. This enabled the children to couple this with their home learning by making their various outfits, or ‘Khitons’ as the ancient Greeks knew them.”
Art students stage
city centre exhibition
by Terry Johnson
THE talents of first-year students from Warrington’s Priestley College have been applauded at a Liverpool city centre art exhibition.
The BTEC National Diploma Art and Design students worked on a project producing three-dimensional textiles, graphics, photography, printmaking, drawing and painting with a theme of urban regeneration.
Professional artists worked closely with Priestley students and staff, together with the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment.
College graphic design students produced the exhibition layout, advertising posters and invitations to view.
Priestley’s head of art and design, Andrea Marren, said: “It is wonderful for our students to be able to put on their own exhibition. The experience is a big buzz.”
The exhibition runs until April 7 at The Renew Rooms, 82, Wood Street, Liverpool, 9.00-5.00, admission free.
Neighbours oppose
bungalow scheme
by John Hendon
NEIGHBOURS have lodged objections to a plan to build a detached bungalow and demolish an existing flat in Grappenhall Road, Stockton Heath near Warrington.
Stockton Heath Parish Council has also objected to the scheme on the grounds the access involves a narrow, single vehicle width track from Victoria Road already used by two other properties and causes problems.
They say construction of a new, larger property will worsen the problems and make access by emergency vehicles difficult.
But planning officers are recommending the scheme be given the go-ahead. They say a turning area is proposed which will actually result in an improvement in highway and pedestrian safety.
The plan is not contrary to council policy on restricting the housing supply because the new property will replace one to be demolished ? and the demolition will enhance the Grappenhall Conservation Area.
