Selfish motorists who
cause walking day chaos
by David Skentelbery
THE chaos and confusion which has surrounded this year?s round of walking days and street processions across Warrington could largely be avoided if it were not for the selfish, inconsiderate behaviour of a small number of motorists.
This is the view of Warrington Borough Council?s chief executive David Whitehead.
He told a meeting of the council?s executive board: ?The root cause of the problem is irresponsible and selfish behaviour by a very small number of motorists.?
The board was considering a report on the criteria for the council and police offering to support walking days.
This year, a number of walks have had to undergo changes and some processions have had to be cancelled because a shortage of funding to pay for road closures and policing of road closures.
The board approved a list of ?guaranteed? walks which would be supported.
This consisted of Warrington Walking Day, Civic Sunday, Regimental Sunday, Remembrance Sunday, St George?s Day, Penketh Carnival, Birchwood Carnival, Westy Carnival, Stockton Heath Walking Day, Padgate and Woolston Walking Day, Orford Walking Day, Appleton Bawning of the Thorn and Lymm May Queen.
Mr Whitehead said the list had been compiled because a list was necessary. But it was the list for this year ? not necessarily for next.
Leader of the council Ian Marks said the council understood the importance of walking days and processions for local communities. Clear guidelines had to be established so that organizers of traditional events knew where they stood.
He suggested November as a ?target date? for decisions on which walks would receive support next year. This would enable organizers to make arrangements.
But he stressed that some compromise might be necessary on routes.
The meeting was told that this year there had been some ill-feeling in areas where routes had been forced to change.
Coun David Earl asked if some sort of rota could be drawn up so that, possibly, processions could be held every other year.
Coun Fiona Bruce said a further review was still needed as the council should not be bound by a lack of forethought by the previous administration.
Coun Roy Smith was concerned to learn that the Remembrance Sunday procession on the guaranteed list was the main one in the town centre ? not similar processions in other parts of the borough. These were a fundamental part of the Poppy Day collection, which could be affected.
Mr Whitehead said that unfortunately some ?rationing? of funding for supporting events was necessary. He hoped that some compromise would be possible to enable a maximum number of events to take place.
College takes languages
out on the road
by staff reporter
THE languages team at Warrington?s Priestley College has been doing their bit to raise the profile of modern foreign languages by taking a road show out and about to second schools in the town.
College chiefs are keen to promote this particular part of the syllabus and the road show was just the latest in a line of events which have seen relationships blossom between the sixth form college and the secondary schools.
Indeed during the academic year, the college with the backing of Warrington Learning Partnership packed out the Pyramid centre with secondary school pupils, who took great delight in watching plays performed in German and Spanish by the Onatti Theatre group.
The Road Show made stops at Cardinal Newman RC High, Sir Thomas Boteler CE High, William Beamont High and St Gregory’s RC High to allow the pupils to take part in taster classes for French, German and Spanish.
Carol Mtitimila, head of modern foreign languages at Priestley said: “The main emphasis of the visits was to show pupils just how important a languages qualification can be with direct relation to employment opportunities.
“The sessions were a big success with fantastic participation and enthusiasm. It was also useful for the pupils to meet some of our own languages students who gave them first hand experience of how they have benefited by choosing a languages option as part of their continued studies at Priestley.”
Motor cyclist killed
in collision with car
by David Skentelbery
A MAN has died after a collision between his motor cycle and a car at LIttle Bollington, near Lymm.
The crash was on the A56 Lymm Road, outside the Olde No Three public house and occurred as the car, a red BMW driven by a 53-year-old man from the Warrington area, was leaving a private car park.
Police said the Suzuki motor cycle, travelling in the direction of Altrincham, was in collision with the car and the rider, 41-year-old Mark Watson, from Lymm, was thrown from the machine.
He was rushed to hospital at Wythenshawe but was found to be dead shortly after his arrival.
Police are seeking witnesses of the crash, which occurred shortly before 6.30pm. Anyone who can help is asked to ring PC Mark Shawcross on 01244 613694.
National helpline boosts
scheme for runaways
by Terry Johnson
A UNIQUE project for Warrington’s teen runaways is linking up with a national helpline.
Three thousand Cheshire children and young people run away each year – an alarming statistic of the vulnerable and confused.
Warrington has successfully pioneered a ?Talk…Don’t Walk? initiative to help young runaways and their families to overcome problems that spur the leaving.
This local service has now forged a link with Runaway Helpline – part of the National Missing Persons charity.
Said Alison McCausland: “We believe early intervention is key, so we can break the habit of running away and the effect it can have on families. To team up with Runaway Helpline enables children and young people to get help and advice 24 hours a day.”
Across the country, the runaway problem has escalated to 100,000-plus youngsters a year.
Friday nights a
“leisure desert”
by Terry Johnson
FRIDAY nights can seem like a ?leisure desert? to bored young people in Great Sankey, Warrington.
But that is set to change as community action workers and the borough council open up Great Sankey Leisure Centre for activity nights, between 8.00-10.00pm.
Said Coun Roy Smith, spokesman for community services: “This is all about helping ensure young people feel part of their communities. We want them to get involved in providing activities they will enjoy”.
Young people are invited to visit the centre and discuss their ideas.
Drugs crackdown:
20 now charged
by staff reporter
A 45-year-old man has been arrested and charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, following the major drugs operation carried out by police in Warrington and Halton last week.
The man has been remanded in custody to appear before Warrington Crown Court on Friday (July 21).
This brings the total number of people charged following the operation to 20.
