MP flips her lid in
wheelie bin row
by David Skentelbery
A WARRINGTON MP has flipped her lid – because the borough council refused to empty her wheelie bin.
Warrington North MP Helen Jones fell foul of the council’s new rule that bins will only be emptied if the lid is firmly closed.
Her bin was left unemptied outside her home at Culcheth – along with hundreds of other bins across the borough on the first day of the new system.
The Labour MP called on the council – controlled by a Lib Dem-Tory coalition since the May elections – to show some common sense.
She said: “The new regulations are simply daft. I can understand there being a safety issue if the bin lid is wedged open by bags of rubbish, but to refuse to empty a bin with the lid only a centimetre from being closed flies in the face of common sense.
“My own bin was shut except for an empty plastic bag which had been caught by the lid – but it was left unemptied.
“I have had many other similar reports from constituents.
“Refuse collectors have been instructed to leave any bin which is not completely shut. This is stretching bureaucracy to its limits and is, in my view, madness.
“Under normal circumstances to leave rubbish rotting in a bin for a week could constitute a health hazard – in the current heat wave it could result in serious environmental health problems.”
Coun Terry O’Neill, leader of the Labour group on the council said: “It is clear to me that this policy is another half baked plan to take a sledgehammer to crack a nut. I have received reports of bins not being collected simply because the lids have been a couple of inches from the closed position.
“We need a common sense attitude to prevail. That’s why I have written to the leader of the council asking him to review this issue.”
Coun O’Neill is concerned that the binmen will take the brunt of public anger following the introduction of the new policy.
“I would appeal to the public to not give the binmen a hard time, the blame for this lies fairly and squarely at the door of the Lib Dems and Tories for introducing such a policy in the first place.”
Bob Williams, the council’s communications chief, said: “The majority of customers have responded positively to the new wheeled bin policy to encourage recycling, improve the local environment and some potential health and safety issues.
“However, with any new scheme there have been cases where some customers were not aware of the policy and others where they disregarded it.
“Only 406 bins were not emptied out of the normal collection run of about 15,000.
“Unfortunately it is clear to us that, in the case of some householders, the message has not got through. If correct use is made of domestic waste bins, blue bins and green bins, then there should be no need for bins to be over-filled.
“Once this new approach has bedded in we have every confidence that the people of Warrington will play their part in the critical national issue of recycling, one that is being faced by every local authority and community.”
A day at university
for biology students
by staff reporter
BIOLOGY students from Warrington?s Priestley College spent a unique day at Manchester University completing a range of interesting assignments.
They were able to get a fascinating insight into a range of Biology related subjects through the use of hands on experiments.
A number of interesting tasks were completed including extracting DNA from salmon sperm, staining and viewing chromosomes using light microscopes and observing live invertebrates – Daphnia-water fleas.
The group were also given a tour around the Electron Microscope Unit at the University where they looked into hair parasites on the surface of a bee’s leg.
Overall the trip provided an invaluable learning resource.
Biology tutor Clare Lancaster said: “It was really exciting to reward our students with a trip out of college at the end of term and it proved to be a rewarding experience.
?The students took a lot from the trip and it gave them an insight into the opportunities available them, if they wish to study Biology further at University.”
Building works starts
on new children’s centre
by John Hendon
BUILDING work has started on a purpose-built children?s centre at Brook Acre Primary School, Padgate, Warrington.
The centre, in Hilden Road, will be the fourth to be provided in Warrington under the Sure Start scheme.
Childcare, early education, training. healthcare, advice and family support will be available on the site, including a partnership with Birch Grove nursery.
A summer of consultation will research the needs of the local community, in particular children and young families.
Coun Sheila Woodyatt, the borough council?s executive member for Children’s Services, emphasised the importance of community involvement.
She said: “The Blackbrook team is looking forward to working with children, parents and carers on their ideas for improving services in their area. We are keen to meet as many families as we can and to take on board their views, ideas and suggestions to make this the sort of children’s centre the community feels they need and one that will work in the future.”
Family consultation sessions will be held on August 16, 23, 30 at the Brook Acre Primary School site from 1 – 2.30pm in a de-mountable classroom. The team will be pleased to meet any family member or carer and their children. Refreshments and arts and craft activities will be available.
The new centre is still lacking one thing, however ? it doesn?t have a name.
Anyone with ideas is invited to email by August 31 to [email protected] or contact the Blackbrook Team on 01925 656580. A prize will be awarded for the best name, which will be used once the centre is open.
Last ceremony as
students graduate
by staff reporter
SOME 150 students who have obtained degrees at the Warrington campus of the University of Chester were presented with undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications at a ceremony at the historic Whitworth Hall, at Manchester University.
It was the last ceremony of its kind as in future, Warrington-based students will received awards from Chester.
They had taken part and full-time courses ranging from Media and Business to Sport.
After the hour-long ceremony, an informal reception was held for friends and family.
It was the last time Warrington-based graduates would be awarded degrees from the University of Manchester. As from next year students will be awarded degrees from the University of Chester.
The University?s Pro Vice-Chancellor and Provost for the Warrington campus, Dr Malcolm Rhodes, said: ?The graduation ceremony is the culmination of years of diligent study, a proud occasion for families and friends and the point at which our students make their way into the world.
?For many who have undertaken part-time courses, the achievement is even more impressive, as they have been dividing their time between learning their subject, holding down a job and managing family commitments.
?Although this was the last Manchester graduation, we are looking forward to a new era, as Warrington students join those from the Chester campus to receive degrees in Chester Cathedral.?
Grass fire threatens
church and homes
FOUR fire engines were sent to a serious grass fire on waste land off Longshaw Street, Dallam, Warrington after numerous 999 calls alerted the Fire Service.
There were fears that the flames might spread to St Anslem’s Church and nearby bungalows.
But firefighters tackled the blaze quickly and within an hour were damping down.
Eyewitnesses claimed the fire had been started by four youths.
No property was damaged and no-one was hurt but dense smoke blanketed the area.
One local resident commented: “These youths don’t rea
lise the trouble they cause when they start fires like this.”
Victorian art
on display
by John Hendon
AN exhibition of Victorian watercolours has gone on show at Warrington Museum and Art Gallery until September.
The collection is on the Mezzanine floor above the Main Art Gallery at Warrington Museum, as part of a Victoria and Albert Museum celebratory promotion. The watercolours, fine examples of landscape painting in the Romantic tradition, were acquired with help from the MLA/V&A Purchase Grant Fund, which is celebrating its 125th Anniversary.
Launched in 1881, the grant was originally ?1,500 pounds, and had the aim to help municipal museums build up their collections. Operated and financed by the South Kensington Museum, now called the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), the scheme has always formed a key part of the Museum’s nationwide work.
This summer, museums, archives and specialist libraries in England and Wales will mark the V&A Purchase Grant Fund’s anniversary in a number of ways and objects supported by the Fund will be highlighted in displays and featured in exhibitions.
Warrington Museum is one of the earliest municipal museums in the country, dating from in Victorian times.
Police seek witnesses
of double death crash
by staff reporter
POLICE are still seeking witnesses of a horrific double fatal accident which occurred on the Daresbury Expressway, near Warrington on June 26.
In the crash, the drivers of a silver Peugeot 306 and a silver Citroen Xara both died when the two cars collided.
The two motorists were from Runcorn and Liverpool.
Police say they are anxious to speak to the occupants of another car, possible a dark colour, or silver, which was seen a short distance ahead of the Citroen travelling towards Warrington.
They stress that the car was not involved in the accident but say the occupants could be witnesses of what happened.
Anyone who can help is asked to call police on 01244 613928.
