War time relics found
on building site
by David Skentelbery
WAR time relics uncovered by workmen preparing the site of a new housing development at Warrington are proving as big a problem today as they did for Hitler in 1944.
Two giant concrete barges, up to 100 ft long ? similar to those used in the D-Day Landings – have been unearthed on the site off Gainsborough Road, Warrington where North Wales developers Anwyl Homes are building three blocks of nearly 100 apartments.
They are too big to move and will have to be broken up to be moved – and the big worry for site manager Peter Thelwell is that there could be more.
He said: “We didn’t know what on earth we had hit when we started drilling. But as we uncovered them it became apparent they were boats. Experts from the county archaeology department have been down and confirmed what they are.
“They were full of water which we had to pump out.
“I’m just hoping we don’t find any more because they will take some shifting.”
But local history buff Dave Fance remembers the site 40 years ago – and his recollection is that there were five.
He said: “The barges were sunk in a dead arm of the Mersey which has since been filled in – and that is where the apartments are now being built. I can remember local kids playing on them.
“They were absolutely enormous. They were built during the early years of the war and were made of concrete because of the shortage of steel and timber.
“Some were used in the D-Day landings and, in fact, played a crucial part in the invasion of Normandy.”
Concrete barges, or FCBs (Ferro Concrete Barges) have a long and honourable history. Some were built at the end of World War 1 but in 1939 the Ministry of Shipping commissioned 273 barges designed by London firm L.G. Mouchel and Partners. They were built in London, Hull and at Barrow-in-Furness and deployed all over the country. They played a key role in the D-Day Landings in June, 1944.
Mr Fance points out that the area is something of a graveyard for ships. The cargo ship Mary P Cooper, which sank in the Manchester Ship Canal in March 1961, closing the canal to shipping for weeks, was also dumped in the old river bed, near Walton Lock, after being moved from the canal.
“Someone will get
killed” warning
by Lesley Wilkinson
WORRIED residents have sounded a warning that “someone will get killed” by speeding traffic on busy Walton Road, Stockton Heath, near Warrington.
A deputation of residents concerned about traffic speed – including cars coming off the A56 dual carriageway – called for urgent measures to curb the danger at a meeting of Stockton Heath Parish Council.
Mia Huggins, of Walton Road, said: “If something is not done soon, someone will get killed on that road.
“Traffic is so bad that parents do not allow their children to walk along the road, and for elderly people it takes a while to cross the road as they do not have time.?
More than 30 residents have written letters of protest to Warrington Borough Council about the speeding traffic. They refute a council survey claiming the average speed on the road is 34 miles per hour.
Residents complained there were no 30mph speed limit signs on the road. But council chairman Coun Graham Roughsedge said the signs were on the A56 before people turned into Walton Road.
They complained that police did not monitor the road sufficiently, and that lorries often drove in the middle of the road.
Residents called for traffic-calming measures, including hatch markings to show the road is narrow, speed cameras and automatic message boards to show people their speed.
“Traffic has increased and is now unbearable,” said Mia.
“In March I came out of my driveway and a car doing nearly 70mph nearly hit me,” she added.
Her complaints to the council had been “dismissed” and officers said there was nothing they could do about the problem, she claimed.
Coun Roughsedge suggested residents join the Speedwatch scheme and monitor the road to collect evidence.
Members agreed to contact the borough to get details of the speed survey, to pass on residents’ fears and to invite a representative from the borough to a future meeting to discuss the problems. They will also liase with Walton Parish Council.
Residents were also advised to take their complaints to the next Warrington Police Forum.
Seventeen charged
after drugs blitz
SEVENTEEN men have been charged with supplying drugs following the major police operation targeting home in Warrington and Halton.
They were held in custody overnight and were due to appear before magistrates today.
Two men have been released without charge and one is still being questioned by detectives. The drugs involved include heroin and crack cocaine.
The people were arrested during the biggest drugs operation ever mounted by Cheshire Police, involving 300 officers and some 30 addresses in Warrington, Widnes and Runcorn.
Altogether, 20 people were arrested during ?Operation Crackdown? and were questioned by police.
The operation follows months of intelligence gathering by officers, coupled with information supplied by the community, keen to remove drug suppliers from their doorsteps. Police targeted suspected drugs suppliers in their homes, in a series of synchronised early morning raids.
The dangers of
binge drinking
by John Hendon
A WARNING of the dangers of “binge drinking” during the hot summer days has been issued by Warrington Borough Council’s Trading Standards.
The agency, a partner in the town?s alcohol information sub group, wants to ensure people do not spoil their summer by drinking to excess and suffering from dehydration.
Officers advise that people have a substantial meal to balance their alcohol levels and make at least every other drink alcohol-free to control their intake.
They advise adding mixers to alcoholic drinks to make them last longer and to quench their thirst with ice-cold water rather than alcohol. They also remind people not to drink and drive after summer parties and barbecues, and not to play loud music outside late at night, which could annoy neighbours.
Coun Roy Smith, the council?s executive member for community services, said: “While we all enjoy getting out into the sunshine it is easy to forget the dangers that hot weather can pose – especially dehydration. Of course, we want everyone to enjoy the summer and the events it brings with it, including weddings, parties and barbecues but it is important that we look after ourselves as well.”
Students turn tables
on their teachers
by staff reporter
STUDENTS turned the tables on staff when they took control of the classrooms at Warrington Collegiate.
Four students from the Legal Secretary Diploma course were teaching staff how to promote enterprise in their lessons. They had to plan the staff development programme and deliver it to 25 tutors throughout the college.
The “Project Catwalk” set teams of staff the task of negotiating for materials to design and create a garment of their choice, which they then modelled to compete for the title of most enterprising team.
Joanne Mason, enterprise co-ordinator for the collegiate, said: “We wanted to promote the idea of enterprise, so we challenged the students to be enterprising in the design and delivery of the programme, but also challenged the staff to be enterprising through actually taking part. It worked for everyone.”
One of the students Linda Robinson, said: “It was a very different experience but very rewarding. It was great to feel like part of the teaching team as oppose to our usual role as students, and to be trusted to teach our ideas to the staff.”
School’s healthy
eating course
by Lesley Wilkinson
FOLLOWING the success of television chef Jamie Oliver’s transformation of school dinners, a Warring
ton school is doing its bit for healthy eating.
As part of the Healthy School Initiative Sir Thomas Boteler C of E High School is providing a six-week course of healthy eating and cooking skills.
It is being run by Claire Halligan, a Liverpool student who has just finished a teaching degree.
Year Seven pupils have been invited to evening classes of the “Round the World Club,” where they learn about healthy food. And on other evenings pupils from the “feeder” schools St Augustines, Alderman Bolton, Our Lady’s and Latchford Primary School are invited to similar sessions.
Kath Tildsley, of Boteler, said: “The youngsters are building up their cooking skills and learning about healthy eating.
“The programme is proving to be very successful and hopefully will have a lasting impact on the youngsters,” she added.
Youths may have
seen distillery blaze
by staff reporter
POLICE investigating the major fire at the Greenall distillery warehouse site in Loushers Lane, Warrington, last year are appealing for two youths to come forward.
The pair – who were picked up by CCTV cameras in Wilderspool Causeway around the time of the fire on October 15 are not suspected of any involvement.
But detectives believe they may be important witnesses.
A 55-year-old man from Walton, Warrington, understood to be a Greenall employee, has been charged with arson being reckless as to whether life would be endangered following the blaze – the biggest fire in the town for many years.
Police said the two youths, one wearing a white top with black stripes on it were seen with a dog in Wilderspool Causeway. They were seen walking in the direction of Stockton Heath.
