Binmen sign up
to new contracts!
by Gary Skentelbery
CONTRARY to Union claims all of Warrington’s binmen, who threatened strike action over a controversial four day week, have now signed new contracts.
Warrington Borough Council has confirmed that all 175 workers in its Environmental Services Department, which includes binmen, street cleaners, gardeners and cemetery workers, have signed up to new contracts of employment involving a four day week.
Paula Darlington, Head of Service Environmental Management, said: “This clearly demonstrates that staff are overwhelmingly satisfied with the recent environmental services review, aimed at modernising the service and improving conditions of employment.”
She confirmed that, contrary to Union claims, only a handful of workers had withdrawn their voluntary acceptance of the new contract – and all of these had subsequently gone on to accept.
Last week the unions claimed the majority of workers only signed under the threat of losing their jobs – and that nearly 70 of them subsequently retracted their acceptance of the contract.
They claimed all the workers – members of the Unison, GMB and T and GW unions – were to be balloted on industrial action. According to the unions, the 175 workers were originally asked to sign new contracts in July.
Busy litter pickers
by Gary Skentelbery
MORE than 50 local people turned out to support a communal litter pick in Padgate and Orford areas of Warrington.
The volunteers were from the Sutton Trust Tenants Association, parents and children, Councillors and police officers, backed by officers from the Council’s Environmental Management Service.
The Council’s Education and Promotions Officer Phil Chadwick said: “This was just about the best supported litter pick we have helped to arrange so far and goes to show how people can make a big difference to their local environment.
“We were amazed at the enthusiasm and commitment of residents, especially the youngsters. Numerous bags of refuse were collected in the three-hour litter pick and everyone had a great time.”
The residents intend to repeat the exercise in a few weeks time, adding to the growing popularity of volunteer litter picks across the borough.
Phil added: “Anyone who wants to arrange a litter pick for their area can count on support and advice from us.”
For further information contact Phil on 01925 443094.
Meanwhile Warrington Clean Team were out in force in the Greystone Road area of Penketh.
The team were responding to complaints from local residents about the state of the recreation ground in Greystone Road.
Trudi Wood, Secretary of the Clean Team said, ?We collected 15 sacks of rubbish, including more broken glass than we have seen before. We are not able to solve all the problems at Greystone Rec. but we did make a difference on the day. One thing Sunday showed us was that this was not just young people causing the litter, and it is up to older people to set an example.?
Penketh Parish Cllr. Joe Royle added, ?Thanks to the Clean Team for turning up and doing such a splendid job. It?s a shame that it it?s necessary in the first place.?
Local Borough and Parish Cllr. Fiona Bruce commented, ? The appearance of local areas is very important to residents. The new Lib Dem/Conservative administration are also listening to people?s concerns and taking action as part of a wider approach to improvement across the town.?
Barry catching up
in the fast lane
by Gary Skentelbery
WARRINGTON racing driver Barry Linley has raced to second position in the North West Formula Ford championship after securing two podium finishes recently.
The 19-year old from Lymm, who races in the Class B championship of the club series for the UCLAN Racing team, finished second in class in both races at the Anglesey racetrack.
In the first race, Linley started from sixth position, but made up several places to end the race in front of his nearest rival Nigel Doe, in the fight for the class win.
“I overtook the first car when it spun on the first lap. Then I overtook Doe around the outside of the first corner,” said Linley.
The conditions of the Welsh track made overtaking first-placed driver Neil Patten harder for Linley. “The track was very wet from the previous night’s rain. There was a lot of spray from Patten’s car, so it was hard to get passed him.”
In the second race, which was run in the dry, Linley finished fifth overall, landing him another class second.
UCLAN Racing manager, Nick Johnson, 32, was happy with Linley’s performance. “Barry was brilliant; he concentrated on what he had to do. He had a lot of pressure and coped with it like a veteran,” he said.
The results also mean that as well as second in Class B, Linley is now sixth in the overall championship, which includes Class A cars.
There are two races left until the end of the championship. The next race will take place at the Cheshire circuit of Oulton Park on September 23.
“I can’t wait until we get to Oulton where we are hoping to continue to close the gap to the lead group,” added Johnson.
Family bowled over!
by Gary Skentelbery
MORE than 30 members of the Douglas family teamed up for their first ever family bowling main at the Rylands Club, Warrington.
Although some of the group have played bowls for many years there were others who had never picked up a bowl before, so experienced players were teamed up with the novices.
Thirty-two members of the family took part in the competition, ranging from Jim, a young 81, to Robin, an old 8.
Non-players did an important job of scoring and adding up the results to determine the winner.
After a very enjoyable afternoon, where the sun shone on everyone, the final winner of the 1st Douglas Family Bowling Main was John Douglas, who received his cherished cup from the oldest member of the family Ann Lowe.
Thanks must go to the hard working organisers Jim Lowe and Suzanne Burton without who the day would not have been such a huge success.
Flower power
THE Culcheth and District Horticultural Society held their annual Flower Show at Newchurch Parish Hall.
Pictured judging the show from left, Philip Sayle, John Crow show manager, Bill Long and Catherine Hargreaves.
Spirited away!
A LARGE quanity of spirits were stolen during a robbery at a distribution centre on Birchwood Lane, Moore, near Warrington.
Two men overpowered a security guard and locked him in the back of a trailer before making off with two lorry loads of vodka and gin.
The tractor units were both white with Bayliss livery on the sides and were pulling blue trailers, also with the Bayliss branding.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Pc Neal Davison at the police investigation unti on 0845 4580000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Police hunt
flasher
POLICE are hunting for a jogger who exposed himself to two 14-year-old schoolgirls at the junction of Admirals Road and Chatfield Road, Oakwood, Warrington.
The girls were on bikes and waiting to cross the road when they were approached by the man who was jogging towards them. As the man approached he exposed himself before running off.
He was wearing a red shirt and blue shirts and was aged between 30-40 of slim build with brown hair.
