Plan for new school
“in the balance”
by David Skentelbery
PLANS to build a new school on the site of Culcheth High School – one of the options being considered as part of a major review of secondary education in Warrington – could be affected by a change of government policy.
Parents, teachers and other interested parties have already been consulted on the proposal – but a change in the regulations governing the building of new schools or the merging of existing schools could render the consultation useless.
It was not clear at present whether the change would result in the development being more, or less, likely to take place in the foreseeable future.
But if, as seems possible, the borough has to open up running of the school to competition from other interested organisations it would seem, at the very least, another consultation exercise will be necessary.
Some ?18.6 million government money is available for secondary education provision in the borough – and building a new school on the existing Culcheth High School site is one option.
Another – which is being seen by many as the favourite – is the amalgamation of Woolston and Padgate high schools.
But education chief Tim Warren says the changed regulations might make such an amalgamation virtually impossible to achieve within the three year time limit. This could mean the Culcheth option would become more likely to be chosen.
The review is necessary because, in some parts of the borough, dwindling numbers of pupils could jeopardise secondary education.
Previously, government regulations required councils to run a competitive process to enable other organisations to bid to run schools only when a new school was being built. The change means a competitive process is also required for school amalgamations.
Culcheth High currently has 1,225 students – 25 more than its capacity.
Borough council chiefs are expected to decide which of a number of options to go for at a meeting on September 11.
Mo Mowlam honoured
at peace centre
by Gary Skentelbery
ONE year on from her tragic death former Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlam was honoured in Warrington – where she helped lead the campaign for a pioneering ?3 million peace centre.
Her husband Jon Norton was on hand to perform the official opening of a room named in her honour at the centre built in memory of the two boys who died following an IRA bomb attack on the town in March 1993. Mo played a major role by assisting in fund-raising for the centre.
In recognition of her efforts, which including visiting the town on several occasions and “turning the first sod” when building work started at the Peace Centre, The Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Trust has renamed its residential lounge, The Mo Mowlan Lounge in her honour.
Peace campaigner Colin Parry, whose 12 year-old son Tim died alongside three-year-old Jonathan Ball praised the work of Mo who died 12 months ago aged 55 after a lengthy battle with a brain tumour.
He said she had personally phoned influential people to help raise money for the centre and was instrumental in putting the Trust in touch with a wealthy American benefactor who effectively turned a dream into a reality. Colin’s wife Wendy added: “Mo did so much in our early days to help Colin and I to find not only the finances but also the will to pursue our dream of building a dedicated and unique centre for young people everywhere who are at risk from violent conflict.”
Jon said he had been unaware of what an active role his wife had played in ensuring the peace centre was a success.
“But that’s nothing new! When she went into the Maze prison to speak to prisoners the first I knew about it was seeing it on the news!
“The peace centre is a brilliant legacy to her and it is symbolic that forgiveness is the only way to move things forward in conflict.”
“Vulnerable” young man
goes missing from home
by David Skentelbery
POLICE are appealing to the public for help in tracing a vulnerable young man who has been reported missing at Lymm, near Warrington, over the Bank Holiday.
Mark Maggs, aged 27, was last seen in Oughtrington Lane, Lymm, walking with the aid of a blue zimmer frame and has now been missing for around 48 hours.
Police used a helicopter in a major search of the Lymm area.
Mark has learning difficulties and only limited physical ability. He was wearing a green, striped tee shirt, blue and black trousers and black training shoes. He is about 5ft 7 inches tall with short brown hair and brown eyes.
Police are asking anyone who may have seen him to call them on 0843 548 0000.
Joint project provides
new toddlers’ playground
TODDLERS at Appleton have a state-of-the-art play area….thanks to public and private investment funding.
A rock climbing frame, turnstyle wheel, ?holly hedgehog? and cradle swings can now be enjoyed by tots at Dudlow Green Park.
Funding for the play project comes from Warrington Borough and Appleton Parish councils, in partnership with landfill tax charity WREN.
Coun Graham Welborn, the borough council?s executive members for safer and greener communities, said: “This project just shows what can be achieved by people and organisations sharing a common goal”.
Gardeners poised
to receive awards
by Terry Johnson
GARDENERS who nurtured their plants through one of the most blistering summer’s on record are set to collect community awards.
Resilient gardeners of Birchwood, who kept their blooms from wilting in the big heat, have been declared winners of this year’s ‘quality garden’ awards.
Judges secretly viewed 5,000 front gardens in the Warrington suburb before making their assessment.
Now the winners have been invited to the Birchwood Park Garden Restaurant on September 29 to receive their prizes.
They will be entertained by jazz band Caf? Society, Birchwood Community Brass Band and singer Hollie Caddock.
The Birchwood in Bloom competition automatically enters gardens and is aimed to further enhance a heavily-landscaped homes and fast-growth employment area.
Birchwood Business Park is emerging as one of the top prestige work areas in the country.
Cricket club fun day
breaks all records
by David Skentelbery
GLAZEBURY Cricket Club’s major fundraising event of the year – the annual Fun Day at the Chat Moss Hotel – produced record takings on the day of ?2,450.
The weather was good and a good crowd of local people turned up to support the club. Stalls and side shows did thriving business, manned by volunteers from the club membership.
Chairman Paul Warhurst said: ” We are very pleased to report a total of ?2,450.00 raised on the day, which is a record for this event. Many thanks are due to Anita Gibbons and the team of volunteers for their hard work in putting the event on, to all our generous sponsors for their donations, and to the people who came along to enjoy the day and support us.”
The money will be directed to improvements to the playing area which has been somewhat neglected due to major refurbishment work to the pavilion. These improvements will eventually provide a bigger playing area to accommodate the increasing amount of cricket played at the club.
Paul added: “Ten years ago we had two teams at Glazebury. In 2007 we will have six. Over the same period our membership has risen from 25 to just under 100. We are proud of this development which could not have been achieved without the support of our members, our loyal sponsors, and our many supporters in the village”
The club’s thriving junior section did their bit by “bag packing” at Asda. Birchwood. They raised ?300.00 that will be spent on junior equipment.
More information is available from the club website at www. Glazeburycc.org.uk
Child seat belt laws
will be explained
by Lesley Wilkinson
A ROADSHOW event aimed at promoting new children’s seat belt laws is being held at Gullivers World, Warrington.
From September 18 all children under the height of 1.35m must use the appropriate child car seat. Tips for parents on the legislation will be offered at the event on Wednesday August 30 from 1pm.
Warrington Borough Council’s Road Safety team, together with the police and other emergency services will be at the event.
The team will be giving information and advice to parents about the new changes. Parents can have their car seats checked and there will be activities for children.
New guide for parents
parted from children
by Lesley Wilkinson
PARENTS who have limited access to their children following a marriage break-up may find help in a new guide being planned in Warrington.
Local charity The Relationships Centre has received funding for a service to help support parents who no longer have contact with or have limited access to their children and are finding it difficult to cope.
Stephen Leach, project manager, said: “We are only in the first year of launching the service entitled ‘Families Together’ and we have been piloting this service within the Warrington and Halton area with great success.
“This incident is very tragic for all concerned and our condolences go to the family,” he added.
The service offers a range of support including one-to-one counselling, legal advice and parenting tips.
Stephen said: “At the centre, we have the knowledge and expertise to help people through these difficult times, it is important to raise awareness that there is help available.”
The Families Together helpline can be contacted on 01925 246922 or via the website on http://www.familiestogether.co.uk.
