Opposition renews attack
on school closure plan
by David Skentelbery
OPPOSITION councillors have renewed their attack on Warrington Borough Council over the proposed closure of Woolston High School.
Labour?s education spokesman, Coun Colin Froggatt says the whole review process leading to the proposal to close the school has been flawed.
He said: ?The initial review of secondary education in Warrington, the review of central and eastern Warrington and now the proposed closure of Woolston High School ? the whole process has been flawed.
?The Labour Group?s submission is that Woolston High School should remain open.?
Coun Froggatt said the council?s executive board had resolutely refused to consider alternative partnering arrangements for primary schools with secondary Schools.
They had decreed that two primary schools in central and eastern Warrington are in south Warrington and had not consulted them during the central and eastern review.
?This has had the result of removing a potential of 105 pupils who could have been considered to attend either Woolston or Padgate High Schools – their nearest secondary schools,? he said.
He said in the two previous reviews, the council?s Children?s Services department refused to publish projected pupil numbers for each individual school.
This meant schools could not compare pupil numbers with each other. Even though Woolston?s figures were now published, they could not compare their numbers favourable or unfavourably with other schools.
Three schools with smaller pupil numbers than Woolston ? Padgate, Cardinal Newman and Sir Thomas Boteler ? were all doing very well.
Boteler was currently over-subscribed and prospective pupils were having to trigger the appeals process to gain access. Two of the partner primary schools for Boteler were actually in central and easter Warrington ? where Woolston High was threatened with closure.
Coun Froggatt said: ?The premise that smaller schools cannot operate a comprehensive curriculum is not proven. Newman and Boteler do it and they are not under threat of closure.
?It is a fallacy to say there are not enough pupils in central and eastern Warrington to sustain two secondary schools as pupils are being removed from this area to feed south Warrington.?
Coun Froggatt added: ?Insufficient account has been taken of population increases in the area which will boost the child population.?
Submariners show
their support
by Gary Skentelbery
THE crew of Warrington’s adopted submarine HMS Turbulent showed their support for the town’s football team Warrington town as part of a special civic visit.
But despite being cheered on by the crew Town’s promotion hopes came off the rails as they were beaten 2-0 at home by Belper Town in the Unibond Division One South clash at Cantilever Park.
The submariners were at the game as guests of Warrington’s Mayor Celia Jordan.
Following the match the crew hosted the Mayor Coun celia Jordan and civic guests during a special reception at the Fir Grove Hotel, Grappenhall and then took part in the annual Remembrance Parade on Sunday.
Pupils showcase
their artistic talents
by James Parr
VIBRANT youngsters from Warrington?s school have been showcasing their talents in a special show at the Parr Hall.
More than 600 children parents and guests celebrated the achievements of 10 schools across the town which have received the national Artsmark Award.
It was a drama, music and dance spectacular as the pupils treated the audience to an exciting show containing accapella choir singing and African dancing.
Members of Warrington Borough Council and guests presented the winning schools with their Gold standard Awards.
Coun Shelia Woodyatt, the council?s executive member for children?s services, said: “The Artsmark events are always well attended and we are always well represented by the number of schools achieving this status. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening and so my thanks go to all of those involved on the night in front and behind the scenes.”
Hat-trick of awards for showpiece gardens
by James Parr
WARRINGTON?S showpiece Walton Hall and Gardens have just completed a spectacular hat trick of accolades by scooping the Positive Actions award.
Organised by Warrington Disability Partnership and sponsored by the North West Development Agency, the award provides an opportunity to promote the innovative work undertaken by organisations and individuals in the region to support both disabled people and their carers.
Zookeepers Peter Cookson-Dean and Liz Clark from Walton Hall Zoo, were honoured for their dedication and long term commitment to creating learning opportunities for people to experience animal care.
This award came on the back to two previous successes for Walton Hall as they received the Visitors Choice Award at the Warrington Business Awards and a Green Flag Award from the Civic Trust.
Warrington Borough Council?s executive member for Environmental Services, Brian Axcell said: “This is a very attractive visitor destination for Warrington and all sorts of things go on there with activities ranging from outdoor theatre and breeding red squirrels to bat walks and crazy golf.”
There are also a variety of activities that take place throughout the year from Santa’s Grotto and Christmas activities to Easter Bunny Hunts, picnics and guided walks for everyone to enjoy.
Other Warrington facilities to receive Green Flag awards are Risley Moss, Fox Covert Cemetery, Walton Lea Crematorium and Burtonwood Cemetery.
Man disarmed drunk
armed with machete
by James Parr
A WARRINGTON man bravely disarmed a drunk who confronted him in the street brandishing an 18-inch machete.
Craig Somerset, 21, was jailed for four months at Warrington Crown Court after admitting causing an affray and possessing an offensive weapon.
Joanne Parson, prosecuting, said Somerset was already serving a suspended sentence for causing grievous bodily harm when he approached a Mr Lawless and his wife in Hallfields Road, Orford.
He produced the machete from under his shirt and told the unsuspecting couple: ?He?s going to get it.?
Mr Lawless took the blade off him but later, when he appeared to have calmed down, handed it back to him.
Somerset, of Glamis Close, Leigh, then again broke out into a rage and strayed into the road, brandishing the machete and forcing a bus to stop.
Simon Berkson, defending, said no actual harm had come from the incident and the machete was never used.
Somerset only became involved in incidents after taking alcohol.
Judge Nicholas Woodward said the defendant had behaved “in a worrying and threatening manner.?
Book bonanza
at village library
by staff reporter
A BOOK sale bonanza is to take at Culcheth Library – with book-worms getting the chance to bag themselves top titles at cut prices.
Prices will start from as little as 10p, which means library goers will be able to get their hands on books by their favourite authors, as well as CD’s, videos and textbooks.
All of the items on sale are titles that have been withdrawn from the library’s shelves, giving the people of Culcheth a perfect opportunity to snap them up.
The sale will run from Thursday, November 22 until Tuesday November 27 at normal library opening times.
