Threatened schools
on the agenda again
by David Skentelbery
THE future of two of Warrington’s high schools will be discussed at a Town Hall meeting on Monday – following a storm over partnering arrangements with primary schools.
Members of the borough council’s executive board will be asked to consider the issue of whether pupils from Oakwood and St Elphin’s Primary schools should go to Woolston or Padgate high schools – the two schools facing the prospect of closure.
Currently they are normally sent to Sir Thomas Boteler CE High School at Latchford.
Education chiefs are considering whether to close either Woolston or Padgate high schools, or close one of their sixth forms, because of dwindling numbers of pupils.
But a former Labour education chief, Coun Colin Froggatt says the proposals currently under review are too narrow and that the whole process should be scrapped and started again.
He believes it may be possible to keep both Woolston and Padgate high schools open.
Both schools have been campaigning vigorously to stay open, backed by parents and pupils.
Education officers have stressed, however, that parental preference can be expressed for any school.
If parents at Oakwood and St Elphin’s primary schools had expressed a wish for their children to go to Padgate or Woolston, they would have been able to do so. All secondary schools in the area have admitted pupils from non-partner schools.
The issue will come before the council’s executive board on Monday.
Summer ball raised ?6,000
SUPPORTERS of a Warrington school helped raise almost ?6,000 at a Summer Ball held at the Park Royal Hotel, Stretton. More than 170 parents and friends attended the event to raise funds for St Wilfrid’s CE Primary School. Almost 60 businesses and organisations also supported the fundraiser. The evening included a raffle and auction, music and dancing with a live band and DJ. Money raised will go towards buying IT equipment including interactive whiteboards. The event marked the end of the 160th year celebrations, which have included a Victorian Day and being part of the television programme “Lost Treasures” on the history of the school.
Plan to convert
pub into houses
by John Hendon
PLANS have been drawn up to convert a historic Warrington pub into three houses.
The scheme, for the General Elliot, in Lord Street, Croft, has been submitted to the borough council?s development control department by Bankside Properties, the property arm of pub company London Town.
In recent years, the pub ? known locally as ?The Elliot? ? has suffered a decline in business, despite a number of people attempting to revive it.
A restaurant area was created and a conservatory added. But for dining out, it always remained in the shadow of the nearby Horseshoe.
Attempts to draw customers with big screen soccer, etc., also failed.
The pub has been closed and boarded up for some months.
London Town and Bankside Properties own numerous pubs across the country ? including the Railway, at Lymm, which also recently closed.
But while the Railway is being offered for lease, Bankside want to convert the General Elliot into houses.
The pub has a large car park and an outbuilding which one recent tenant briefly attempted to convert into a village store ? a move which won the support of Croft Parish Council because of the lack of shopping facilities in the village.
But this venture also failed.
Major review of
polling districts
by John Hendon
A MAJOR review is to be carried out into polling districts, polling places and polling stations in Warrington.
Councillors, MPs and other interested parties ? including registered voters ? are entitled to have a say and will be consulted.
Under Section 16 of the Electoral Administration Act, the borough council is required to carry out a review of all the polling districts, polling places and polling stations in the borough.
A council spokesman said: ?The council welcomes all views on this matter including alternative suggestions for locations, in particular those places more suitable for disabled access.?
The review will be completed by October 26 and representations should be made by no later than September 1.
Representations can be made in writing and sent to the electoral registration office, Town Hall, Sankey Street, Warrington, WA1 1UH or by e-mail to [email protected]
?51,850 prize money
missing in Warrington
by staff reporter
NEARLY 1,000 people believed to be living in Warrington are missing out on Premium Bond prizes worth a total of ?51,850 ? and a search is on to find them.
The 927 unclaimed prizes range in value from ?25 to ?500 and National Savings and Investments is keen to make sure winners get their money.
Borough councillor Paul Kenny (pictured) has carried out research which suggests the missing prizewinners live in Warrington and he wants local people to check if they are missing out.
He said: “Recent research revealed that one in six people who moved house in the last 12 months forgot to pass on their change of address details to all their financial providers. This is why prizes go unclaimed.
“National Savings and Investments is keen to reunite winners with their prizes and I would urge Premium Bond holders to get back in touch and check if they are a winner.
“There is no time limit on claiming. Each unclaimed prize is held until the winner can be tracked down. The oldest unclaimed prize dates back to the first draw in June 1957.
“Some people might not be aware they have Premium Bonds which are entered into the prize draw each month. They might not remember making their original investment or perhaps they, like many others, were given Premium Bonds as a child and have simply forgotten about them.
“That’s why I’m highlighting this issue locally – we must reunite Premium Bond customers with the ?51,850 in unclaimed prizes including five lucky winners of ?500.
?I am urging those bond holders who’ve forgotten to tell National Savings they’ve changed address to get in touch to check if they are a winner.”
If Premium Bond holders have changed their address and told NS&I, it’s unlikely they have any unclaimed prizes, but if they think they have missed out on a Premium Bond prize they should either visit the web at www.nsandi.com and use the Premium Bond prize checker or write to Premium Bonds, National Savings and Investments, Blackpool, FY3 9ZW.
Claimants who do not know their bond or holder numbers will need to provide as many details as possible, such as past names and addresses.
Doorstep thieves
left empty-handed
by David Skentelbery
POLICE have issued a warning after what appears to be a failed attempt at distraction burglary at Warrington.
Three men went to the home of an 85-year-old man in Windermere Avenue, Orford on the pretext of checking gas pipes.
Two men gained entry to the house and while one engaged the occupier in conversation in the kitchen, a second man went into the living room.
However, the pair appeared to become wary and left without taking any property.
One was about 25-29, 5ft 7 inches tall of stocky build and with short dark hair. He was wearing a white shirt.
The second man was a similar age, about 5ft 6 inches tall and slim, with short, brown hair. He was wearing a check shirt.
After leaving the house, the men drove off in a blue Ford Mondeo.
Police believe the same men were involved in another incident at Macclesfield several days later when they got away with a quantity of cash from the home of a 75-year-old man.
Anyone who thinks they can help police with enquiries is asked to call DC Jackie Gee on 0548 458 0000.
