Mystery of motorist’s
death plunge into canal
by David Skentelbery
POLICE are investigating a mystery crash in which a 31-year-old Warrington man died.
His car apparently went out of control in Thelwall New Road, Grappenhall, crashed through railings and plunged into the Manchester Ship Canal.
Police were called to the scene in the early hours of Sunday morning after a member of the public noticed the gap in the railings.
A police underwater search team was sent to the scene and recovered the man’s body after a search.
They also discovered a Volkeswagen car in the canal.
Now they are appealing for witnesses of the crash which, is is assumed occurred either late on Saturday night or in the early hours of Sunday.
Anyone who saw, or heard anything, is asked to call Sgt Mike Jones at Warrington Police Station on 01244 613813.
Seven-storey homes
will “blight the skyline”
by Terry Johnson
A COMMUNITY has protested at home-building plans which ?would blight their skyline?.
The row has erupted over Manchester Ship Canal Company proposals to redevelop a former timber mill off Chester Road, Lower Walton, Warrington.
The old industrial site is separated from Stockton Heath by the Ship Canal – and although Stockton Heath Parish Council did not object to initial plans for homes and apartments of between two and seven-storeys, a new scheme proposing five and seven-storey homes has sparked strong protest.
Councillors say the buildings would be significantly higher and ?especially overbearing? to residents of Ellesmere Road. They would damage the overall street scene.
Other homes surrounding the site, south of Landseer Avenue, would be affected by new, dominant structures.
The canal company wants to provide 95 houses and 180 apartments on the timber mill site, which includes railway sidings and a wharf area. A linear park would be developed and the nearby Trans-Pennine Trail improved.
But the parish council questions the total of 275 homes proposed, in view of the restricted building target of 380 homes per year for the whole of Warrington.
“The parish council wishes to see the site developed – but feels the proposal is an over-development which will have a detrimental impact on the immediate area and on Stockton Heath”, it declares.
Company in finals
of business award
by Lesley Wilkinson
A DELIVERY company, with a base at Appleton, Warrington, is one of the finalists in the National Business Awards for the second year running.
Target Express has achieved success in the competition described by the Chancellor of the Exchequer as “the UK’s Business Oscars.” The company is named in the 10-strong shortlist for the HSE Health and Safety Award category, following its selection as a finalist for the Customer Focus Award last year.
Petar Cvetkovic, chief executive officer at Target Express, said: “The National Business Awards is one of the biggest events in the British business calendar, and being named as a finalist for the second year running is a tremendous honour for Target.
“We are operating at the highest standards in the industry, and being named in the national shortlist for this award is testament to our commitment to health and safety,” he added.
To gain a place in the shortlist the company had to demonstrate outstanding commitment and results with regards to health and safety over the past year. It has invested in new training schemes such as a bespoke interactive game it launched in May that is now a key element of its national training programme.
The finalists will make a presentation to the judges later this month.
“Spiritual journey”
wearing headphones
by Lesley Wilkinson
VISITORS to a Warrington church have the opportunity to take a “spiritual journey” by walking along a large mat while equipped with a personal CD player and headphones.
“Labyrinth,” an interactive installation, is based at St John’s URC, Wilderspool Causeway, from Sunday, October 15 for a week.
Minister the Rev David Coaker said the giant mat, the size of a badminton court, is a maze-like path that leads people on a symbolic journey offering them the chance to meditate on the world, their relationships with people and with God.
“Labyrinth is an interactive installation for spiritual journeys. It’s for anyone who wants a break from surfing the surface of culture to contemplate the deeper things of life,” he said.
People have their own CD player and each track contains meditations, instructions and music relating to a part of the labyrinth. At each station people have a certain task to complete such as helping someone or planting a seed.
Eyesore building
faces demolition
by Mark Hemmings
AN eyesore building in a Warrington park should be demolished as soon as possible, according to a borough councillor.
The former Community Centre in Poole Park has been subject to vandalism since it closed three years ago and borough councillors have been calling for some time for its demolition to help improve the local environment for nearby residents.
Coun Kate Hannon said: “The facility has deteriorated rapidly since closure and is subject to vandalism. Ideally I wanted to see new users taking over the centre, but this proved not to be the case.
“The building is shabby and boarded up and it needs to be demolished now so that the park environment is not damaged further and nearby residents are not subjected to an eyesore every time they look out of their window.”
Scottish Power have yet to cut the power supply so that demolition can go ahead but council officers say this will be done soon.
Coun Hannon added: “I have pressed council bosses to get Scottish Power to cut the supply to the building so that demolition work can start on site. I see no reason why this shouldn’t happen now!”
Church plans a
“festival of trees”
by John Hendon
NEWCHURCH Parish Church, Culcheth, Warrington is planning a “Festival of Trees and Cribs” this Christmas. Local organisations and businesses are being invited to place a decorated Christmas tree or crib in the church over the weekend December 8-10. The church will be kept open to visitors to view the exhibits. Organisations and firms exhibiting trees and cribs will get a mention in a programme on sale to visitors together with a small write-up. Because of space limitations in the church, the trees and cribs should be no more than three feet wide and five feet high. They can be decorated in a traditional manner or with a theme appropriate for the exhibitor. There is no charge for entering an exhibit although exhibitors will be expected to deliver their tree or crib and collect them again afterwards. Spaces will be allocated on a first come first served basis. The event will be in aid of the YMCA Homeless at Christmas appeal and Newchurch Parish Church. Anyone interested should contact Irene Johnson on 01925 733748 or Janet Gunnill on 01925 765380.
Soccer club’s
offer to fans
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON Town Football Club is inviting new and existing fans alike to join a newly re-launched supporters club.
A spokesman for the club said: “This is your way to voice any thoughts on how to help Warrington Town continue to grow and become more successful over the coming years.”
Membership is ?5 for Adults and ?3 for Concessions and includes free entry to supporters club meetings, which take place every month.
Also included in the membership is discount on selected items in the club shop. Anyone interested in becoming a part of the supporters club should email “Pieman” at [email protected] for more information.
