Planners oppose homes
scheme everyone wants
by David Skentelbery
TOWN Hall planning chiefs at Warrington are urging councillors to throw out proposals for housing on a garden centre site ? despite the scheme having overwhelming local support.
Culcheth and Glazebury Parish Council supports the scheme in Church Lane, Culcheth ? adjacent to the Harrow pub.
Only one neighbour has commented on the proposal ? and he says it would enhance the area and remove an eyesore.
But planning officers have condemned the scheme for design deficiencies and claim it would cause harm to the character of the area.
The plan has been submitted by garage proprietor Owen McKay and involves the site of Culcheth Garden Centre ? which is shortly to close.
An earlier proposal for the site, involving 14 houses, was refused by Warrington?s development control committee.
It went to appeal in March – but a planning inspector also threw it out.
The new plan has reduced the number of houses by four and provided for off-street parking But planning officers say the application should be refused because it would contribute to an over-supply of housing land in Warrington.
They claim the original scheme was refused because little regard had been given to design or landscaping, detracting from the character of Church Lane by removing planting and introduce harsh, featureless built form close to the footpath.
The revised scheme does little to address these concerns and would have a ?dreary layout?. Landscaping is minimal.
Culcheth councillor Keith Bland is supporting the scheme. He points out the garden centre is to close shortly and the site will deteriorate if nothing is done. He says the developer has gone a long way to satisfy more of the concerns and can see no reason why it is being recommended for refusal.
Top honours for
cancer campaigner
by Gary Skentelbery
CHARITY Stalwart Sylvia Chorlton has been honoured with two prestigious awards in recognition of her outstanding charity work for Cancer Research.
In a cruel twist of fate Sylvia collected a national cancer award just days after coming out of hospital after receiving treatment for the disease.
The 74-year-old mother of three, who has two grandchildren, is even more passionate than ever about raising money for Cancer Research UK as one of her daughters, Valerie Higgins, 54, from Warrington, is currently being treated for breast cancer and her other daughter, Lesley Chorlton, aged 51, from Lymm, is in remission from cervical cancer.
Sylvia said: ?When I started to help out on the committee it was because I had time on my hands, but I grew to enjoy it and have always wanted to raise as much money as possible for such an important cause.
?Now that myself and my two daughters have been hit by the disease, I am more determined than ever to help Cancer Research UK fund as much research as possible and stop other families going through the same heartache and shock.
Professor Alex Markham, Cancer Research UK Chief Executive, says: ?Cancer Research UK?s Flame of Hope Awards recognise the vital role played by volunteers and supporters within the charity.
?Our remarkable achievements in cancer research are testament not only to the ground-breaking work of our scientists, doctors and nurses but also to those people in communities, schools and businesses who donate their time and skills so generously.
?The Flame of Hope Awards gives us the opportunity to formally recognise this contribution.?
Sylvia has also been presented with the Cyril Bell Award by the Rotary Club of Lymm – presented each year in memory of a former club president who died from a heart attack midway through his term of office.
She was presented with a commemorative certificate, a rose bowl and a cheque for ?500 for her nominated charity, Cancer Research.
Sylvia has been an active member of the Cancer Research committee for more than 40 years. She has done various other charity work over the years, including supporting a family in Bulgaria.
On receiving the certificate Sylvia thanked and praised all those who had worked with her over the years and said she was honoured to receive the award.
School unveils garden
in memory of Shannon
by John Hendon
A SPECIAL garden, featuring a mural depicting Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, has been unveiled at Sacred Heart RC Primary School, Warrington ? in memory of tragic former pupil Shannon Bradshaw Shannon, aged seven, from Great Sankey died four years ago after her brave fight against leukaemia captured the hearts of the nation.
The memorial garden and its colourful mural were unveiled as Shannon?s parents, Patti and Allan, announced that the fundraising group they set up ? The Shannon Bradshaw Trust ? has become a registered charity.
The Trust has already raised more than ?20,000 for children suffering from life threatening diseases. Mr and Mrs Bradshaw believe that becoming a charity they will be able to raise even more.
Shannon died after a heart-rending search for someone with matching bone marrow which featured on television and in the national press.
More than 6,000 volunteered to be tested and eventually a perfect match was found.
But by then Shannon was too poorly to receive the life-saving bone marrow and a few days later she died.
After suffering the trauma of losing Shannon, Patti and Alan decided to set up the trust to help other children and their families in similar situations.
They have been raising money, working with charities such as the Anthony Nolan Trust, Ronald McDonald House in Liverpool and The Butterfly Project.
Patti said: “Now as a registered charity, The Shannon Bradshaw Trust can more effectively continue to make a difference to sick children’s lives.”
Peace Centre awards
for high school pupils
by Mark Hemmings
PUPILS from Warrington high schools who took part in the “Full On” programme at the Young People’s Peace Centre have been presented with certificates.
The programme is nationally accredited by the Open College Network and includes units on anger management, anti-bullying, self-awareness, communication, conflict resolution, and citizenship.
It has been researched, developed and written by the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Trust and is unique in the UK, aiming to raise standards and attainment in schools, improve community relationships, overcome barriers to exclusion, increase access and participation in learning and enhance employability skills.
Pupils from St Gregory’s, Bridgewater, Sir Thomas Boteler and Penketh high schools all received certificates.
In the six years the Peace Centre has been open, more than 12,000 people have participated in Trust programmes with 3,000 of these participating in the “Full On” accredited programme.
Warrington students participating in the Trust’s Anglo-Irish youth exchange programme “Young Citizens for Peace” were also awarded participation certificates for their work on conflict resolution and leadership development.
Finally, seven international volunteers who supported the Trust’s anti-bullying programme during the two weeks of June 260-July 7 were presented with certificates in thanks of their work.
Making business
dreams come true
by Mark Hemmings
DREAMS can become a reality for Warrington entrepreneurs thanks to the people at Cheshire Chambers Enterprises Ltd.
Helping individuals considering starting up their own business to decide whether self-employment is right for them and if their chosen business venture is viable is all in a day?s work for CCE.
Offering advice in basic business skills such as marketing, book-keeping, personal selling and legal aspects is also available to clients.
The service can link in to other Cheshire Chamber activities such as business accommodation, business mentoring, training, networking and chamber membership.
John Dunning chief executive of South Cheshire Chamber who manages the business start-ups contracts said: “Successful new business start-ups are vital to the continuing growth of our local economy.
“The Chambers? offer ongoing support services to business start-ups such as mentoring, training and continuing advice and information which is an important factor in achieving good survival rates”
MP’s group on runaways
holds its first meeting
by staff reporter
A NEW all-party Parliamentary group on runaway children ? launched by Warrington South MP Helen Southworth ? has held its first meeting.
Politicians and charities made a united call to help the UK?s 100,000 runaways ? and the meeting was attended by Education Secretary Alan Johnson.
He told the meeting: “Every runaway has a different story, many heartbreaking – but they all tend to have one thing in common: a child’s life hitting crisis point – family, school, and personal problems – and the cry of help that running away signifies.?
Some 30 MPs and charities including The Children’s Society, National Missing Persons Helpline, the Railway Children and Get Connected attended the meeting and heard of the dangers faced by vulnerable youngsters on the run.
Mr Johnson said: “Our fundamental programme of reform to improve outcomes for children everywhere – Every Child Matters – is designed to ensure vulnerable young people receive local services that identify them quickly, give responsive support tailored to their needs, and ensure their safety. We are working across Departments and with other voluntary bodies to see if there’s more we should do.
“I congratulate Helen for forming this All Party Group. This is a vital area, and I hope this group will keep challenging all of us across Government to ensure we protect some of society’s most vulnerable children at one of the riskiest times in their lives.”
He also heard an urgent plea for the creation of children’s refuges and to secure the future of the Runaway Helpline (part of the National Missing Persons Helpline) from two former young runaways who were forced to sleep rough because they had nowhere safe to stay.
Mrs Southworth said: “The Secretary of State’s commitment to protection for children who run away is very welcome. We must make sure that children who run away or go missing have a safe place to go and someone to talk to. These children can become invisible and we must not let that happen. Children can run from danger into danger. It’s our job as adults to get our act together to keep them safe.”
According to The Children’s Society’s national research one in six runaway children are forced to sleep rough and one in 12 children get hurt or harmed by strangers they meet.
Girl hit by
flying jug
by John Hendon
POLICE at Warrington are searching for a man who hurled a glass jug across a crowded pub – hitting an 18-year-old girl in the face.
The 2.30am incident was in the Tiger Too public house in Bridge Street, Warrington.
The girl suffered cuts and a possible fracture to her nose.
Police say the offender was about 5ft 6 inches tall and was wearing a white tee-shirt with either writing or a logo on it.
He fled from the pub after the incident.
Anyone who can help with police enquiries is asked to call them on 0845 458 0000.
Man in fall from
canal bridge
by staff reporter
EMERGENCY services were called out when a man fell from the high-level Warburton Bridge, over the Manchester Ship Canal at Rixton near Warrington early today.
Police, fire crews and ambulance services were called to the scene.
The fire service provided lighting to assist in the operation to recover the man who had fallen onto the bank at the side of the canal.
No details are available as to how the man came to fall from the bridge.
