Council sells land for
“affordable” homes plan
by David Skentelbery
COUNCIL chiefs have approved the sale of land at Robson Street, Warrington for ?100,000 to allow a major development of ?affordable? homes.
Members of the borough council?s executive board have agreed to sell the land at a ?restricted value? to Warrington Housing Association, who plan to build 32 houses and eight bungalows on the site.
Thirty two units will be for rent and eight for sale.
The decision was taken after consideration of a detailed report on the disposal of the land for a social housing development.
Warrington Housing Association will have development backing from Riverside Housing and funding from the Housing Association.
The board was told the site was particularly well suited and ideal to provide the type of social housing needed in the area.
Councillors had two other options ? one to leaving the land for disposal at a later date and leaving the site vacant.
Neither were recommended by officers because of possible difficulties selling the land on the open market, due to planning restrictions, and the possibility of losing an affordable/social housing scheme in the area which would bring investment totalling ?4.7 million into the borough.
Leaving the site vacant could jeopardise any future funding from the Housing Corporation and would result in the council incurring ongoing costs to secure and manage vacant terraced housing on the site.
On with the show
despite downpour
by Gary Skentelbery
DESPITE torrential rain it was on with the show for the Scott Street Carnival – which has been re-launched after a four year absence.
Members of the organising committee braved the elements for the event which helped raise funds for the Green Lane Special School.
Carnival Queen was 23-year-old Hannah Lloyd from the Albion pub while Carnival Princess was Abigail Worrall.
Special guests at the event included Warrington Wolves mascot Wolfie.
The event was well attended despite the fact there was no let up in the rain!
Town’s top tourism
talent being sought
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON?S top tourism talent is being sought ? to enter the annual Cheshire Awards for Tourism Skills.
Now in their sixth year, the CATS awards are open to visitor attractions, accommodation providers, education providers and other tourism-related business throughout the county.
Last year?s awards provided a big boost for Colin Taylor, of Warrington Library, Museum and Archive Service, after winning the top award in the ?Unsung Hero? section of the competition.
He said: “I have been lucky to have the same job for 41 years, which has been fascinating, full of interest, variety, and at times led to more excitement than one would ever imagine.
?I was really stunned to hear my name announced winner of the Unsung Hero section at CATS Award evening, as to me, I was only doing my job. I am so pleased that my line manager cajoled me into letting my name be put forward.”
CATS 2006 will have more categories than ever. They include Excellence in Customer Service; Unsung Hero; Most Outstanding Young Tourism Manager; Most Up and Coming Cheshire Chef; Most Valuable Volunteer; Most Promising Tourism Student; Award for Commitment to Industry, Most Impressive Tourism Trainee, Tourism Team of the Year and Best Practice in Tourism Training and Most Exceptional Cheshire Apprentice.
The presentation evening will be staged in the 1,600-seat Grand Marquee at Tatton Park on Thursday November 16.
The theme will be The Magic of the Orient, and the evening will include pre- dinner drinks and entertainment, a live Oriental extravaganza show, disco and a superb Cheshire menu.
Open air production of
Thomas Hardy classic
by staff reporter
THE Walled Garden at Arley Hall and Gardens near Warrington will be the setting for a spectacular open air play on Thursday evening (August 24)
An adaptation of Thomas Hardy?s classic novel ?Far From the Madding Crowd? will be performed by the acclaimed touring theatre company Theatreworks.
A passionate tale of rural love and obsession combines comedy with tragedy, telling the tale of Bathsheba Everdene?s rural journey through love and life. There is a spectacular sword-play scene involving the Sergeant Troy.
Rupert Attlee, business and events manager at Arley said: ?We are delighted that Theatreworks are performing at Arley.
?The historic Walled Garden is a beautiful setting for Hardy?s famous novel. The reviews so far have been fantastic and we are looking forward to an atmospheric evening full of comedy, colour and excitement?.
Although the performance starts at 7pm, the gates open at 6.00pm so the audience can enjoy a picnic in the award-winning gardens.
Tickets and Enquiries: 01565 777353 or www.arleyhallandgardens.com
Walton Hall’s autumn
concerts programme
by John Hendon
THE Friends of Walton Hall have announced details of a programme of music at the hall during October, November and December.
On Saturday, October 7, Matthew Sharpe, cello and baritone, and Sergei Salov, winner of the 2004 Montreal International Piano Competition will present a programme of cello sonatas by Brahms, Shostakovich and popular cello showpieces and songs by Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky.
Mr Sharpe is described as a cellist of considerable skill and singer with an exceptional range.
On Sunday, October 29 the Young Musicians Festival of Music will be staged, including prizewinners at the 2006 Warrington competition.
Saturday, November 18 will see a performance by Camilla Bisengaliev (oboe) and Jonathan Fisher (piano) play works by Bach, Telemann, Paladilhe, Morricone and Poulenc.
A Christmas concert will be held on Sunday December 3 with a Royal Overseas League 2005 prizewinner and local pianist James Willshire playing works by Scarlatti, Schubert, Chopin and Liszt.
The Young Musicians Festival will be at 3.30 and the other concerts are at 7.30pm.
