By-election win makes
“no difference” to
Lib Dem-Tory pact
by David Skentelbery
LABOUR and Conservative were left licking their wounds after the Liberal Democrats sweeping success in the by-election for the Poulton North seat on Warrington Borough Council.
The Tories came a poor third, with less than 10 per cent of the vote while Labour trailed 853 votes behind Lib Dem victor Sharon Wilson.
But as the dust settled after a hard fought campaign, Liberal Democrat leader Ian Marks said the result would make no difference to the partnership between his party and the Conservatives.
He said: ?We are very pleased with our relationship with the Conservatives.
We are working well together for the good of the town.
?Some people might find it strange that we compete against each other at a by-election while working in partnership in council. But it is not that unusual and people should remember that most council matters are not party political.?
The Lib Dem-Tory alliance has been running the council since the May elections resulted in a ?hung? council.
Tory councillors hold three seats on the council?s 10-strong executive board.
The by-election victory has made the Liberal Democrats the largest single party on the council for the first time ever.
A swing of more than 16 per cent to the Lib Dems lost Labour its last remaining seat in Poulton North which, in the past, was considered a Labour stronghold and included the seats of two former Labour leaders of the council, Mike Hall and John Gartside.
Sharon Wilson took 64.2 per cent of the vote while the Tories lost more than half the votes they secured only in May this year.
She said: “This is a great victory for positive Liberal Democrat action to tackle important local issues like crime and graffiti and a rejection of Tony Blair and Labour spin nationally and in Warrington.
?I will be a strong local voice, as part of the Liberal Democrat team for our area, standing up for the residents of Cinnamon Brow, Fearnhead, Padgate and Longbarn who have elected me today.”
The full result of the by-election (first reported by Warrington-Worldwide yesterday, was: Sharon Wilson (Lib Dem), 1358; Kevin Bennett (Labour) 505; Francine Leslie (Cons), 209; Michael Jackson, (Green), 43.
Businessmen’s hike
for children’s charity
by Lesley Wilkinson
TWO Warrington businessmen are attempting a record walk along Hadrian’s Wall this weekend.
Mark Watson and Mark Tomlinson, both members of Business Network International Warrington branch, started their 84-mile west to east trek today at 6am.
They are attempting to beat Mark Watson’s November 2004 unofficial record of 33 hours and 32 minutes, and raise money for charity.
So far they have collected almost ?1,000 for The Foresters’ Fund for Children, which helps small locally-based charities. Anyone interested in sponsoring the men should contact Sarah Burns on 07894194656.
Mark Watson, 42, is a self-employed events manager working in Warrington and throughout the North West. Mark Tomlinson, 41, has a car valet business operating throughout the region.
They start from Bowness on Solway and will walk 15-mile sections at a time followed by 15-minute breaks.
Mark Watson said they have been completing several 20-mile walks each week to train, going to the gym and eating a healthy diet. They have contacted the Guinness Book of Records about their attempt.
“We hope to beat my earlier record and are both looking forward to the challenge. Afterwards I don’t know whether there will be celebrations or just sleep,” he said.
Woman, 82, loses
bag to cycle thief
by John Hendon
AN elderly woman had her shopping bag snatched as she walked along a quiet road at Culcheth, near Warrington.
The woman aged 82 lost her bag to a thief riding a pedal cycle in Lansdowne Road. She was unhurt but was left badly shocked.
Her bag was later found dumped in a wood near Newchurch Primary School.
Police say the thief was of medium build with short cropped straight black hair. He was wearing a long sleeved jacket.
Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact police on 01244 612640.
Council supports
seven storey homes
by John Hendon
A MAJOR plan for 275 homes, some seven storeys in height, alongside the Manchester Ship Canal at Lower Walton, Warrington will not be opposed by Stockton Heath Parish Council.
The development, proposed by the Ship Canal Company, involves demolition of an existing timber mill on the site off Chester Road and on land to the south of Landseer Avenue and Cranborne Avenue.
It would also include highway improvements, the creation of a linear park and improvements to the Trans Pennine Trail.
The dwellings would be in blocks ranging from two to seven storeys in height.
Land involved includes former Manchester Ship Canal railway sidings and a wharf area alongside the canal.
Stockton Heath Parish Council?s planning, finance and general purposes committee decided to inform the borough council that it had no objections to the scheme.
Local artists in
city exhibition
by Terry Johnson
FOUR Cheshire artists come together to present a vivid exhibition in the heart of Manchester.
Gregory Fuller and Peter Oakley – both Warrington-based – together with David Stanley, from Haydock, and John Walsh, from Hale, are members of the New Manchester Group.
They present works with a theme which portrays and prompts questions about the world in their ‘Cheshire Connection’ exhibition at the city’s Blyth Gallery, Brazil Street, throughout October.
Gregory is a member of the Manchester Academy of Fine Arts whose work stems from a study of the landscape. Peter is a painter/printmaker who has exhibited globally for 50 years.
David’s abstract images in acrylic are internationally recognised. He won the Manchester Academy Award for most outstanding work. John is a modern life painter who has exhibited throughout the UK, Holland, South Africa, Spain and the USA.
The Cheshire artists will exhibit alongside three Lancashire members – Sheila Dewsbury, who produces powerful landscape oils; John McCombs, who paints people and places around Delph in Saddleworth; and Barbara Sykes, whose work “meditates on the human condition”.
[ 09.09.2006, 11:07: Message edited by: DS ]
