Top concert venue
under scrutiny
by David Skentelbery
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WARRINGTON’S ageing Parr Hall, the town’s top concert venue, is again coming under scrutiny from Town Hall culture and entertainment chiefs.
The 108-year-old hall – which has played host to big name artists such as Ken Dodd, Jools Holland, Acker Bilk, etc – is now suffering from major problems such as poor lighting, cramped seating, poor acoustics and an inadequate stage.
In addition, much of the building is in need of refurbishment.
Members of the borough council education and culture scrutiny sub-committee are reviewing the future of the hall, originally given to the people of Warrington by wealthy banker Charlton Parr.
They have already identified a number of serious weaknesses which are preventing the hall from achieving its potential as a prominent, town centre venue.
Top artists who don’t tour with their own equipment say the sound and lighting systems are inadequate.
A production company wanting to stage a musical found their scenery would not fit through the main doors and there was insufficient back-stage space.
Kitchen facilities cannot cater for high profile functions, the audience for a local operatic society complained about uncomfortable seats and a college which wanted to hold an awards ceremony found the accommodation unsuitable.
But the hall does have some strengths – including street level access, good sightlines, a modern bar and a prominent town centre location.
Members of the public and user groups have been consulted and council officers hope soon to be able to come up with positive recommendations.
Problems at the Parr Hall are not new. In the three years up to 1979 ?50,000 was spent on repairs. In 1981 a ?118,000 revamp was proposed, despite claims by some councillors that the money would disappear in a “bottomless pit.”
In 1988, a ?200,000 facelift was wiped out by an arson attack which required a further ?200,000 on repairs. In 1993 a further ?50,000 refurbishment was needed and in 1996 ?20,000 repairs were required on the organ alone.
Councillors will consider the progress of the review of the hall next week and it is expected a final report, with recommendations about its future, will be ready next month.
Mr Owzat does a
runner again!
by John Hendon
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MR Owzat, the cricketing scarecrow who did a runner from his home to a bus stop at Lymm, near Warrington has now disappeared altogether.
The 6ft 4 inch scarecrow has been stolen from his pitch in Booths Hill Road.
The theft, presumably carried out by late night revellers, has angered Lorraine Wright and Ann Oakes, the two women who created him for the Lymm Festival scarecrow competition.
Ann said: “The thieves must have been pretty determined. We fastened the scarecrow down with industrial wire but someone still managed to cut through it.
“We don’t expect to see Mr Owzat again. But it’s very sad that someone has spoiled the competition for us.”
Mr Owzat was one of nearly 40 scarecrows made for the competition and displayed outside homes, schools and business premises in various parts of Lymm.
The competition is to be judged next week.
He was dressed and equipped with items from the lost property department at Lymm Oughtrington Park Cricket Club and took guard in the front garden of a house in Booths Hill Road.
Pranksters moved him to a nearby bus shelter where he caused some amusement for early morning commuters (see the Friday page in our review of the week) but was taken back “home” by Ann and Lorraine.
Now, however, they fear he has gone for good.
Picture shows Mr Owzat at the bus stop with Ann and Lorraine.
Assault victim spent
night in hospital
by staff reporter
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POLICE are searching for a man who carried out an unprovoked attack on a man in Winwick Road, Warrington – after asking him for directions.
The attack took place late at night as the 31-year-old victim, from Longford, Warrington, was walking home with his girl friend.
The offender approached and asked for directions, which the victim gave. But without warning, the man struck him in the face, causing a wound which required three stitches and left the victim in hospital overnight.
Afterwards, the offender got into a white car, thought to have been a Citroen AX, containing three other men, and drove off.
Police are seeking witnesses of the attack, particularly the three men in the car, who took not part in the attack.
Anyone who can help should contact PC Pam Hopkins at Warrington Police Station, 01925 652222.
Appeal for town’s
leisure memories
by Terry Johnson
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AN appeal has gone out for memories of a town’s leisurely past.
Heritage Lottery Fund money will underwrite an exploration of Warrington’s yesteryear leisure in a “Gateway through Time” project.
The exhibition opens on July 17 at Warrington Museum and Art Gallery, with organisers seeking to capture the leisure memories of older townspeople.
A Boro. spokeswoman said: “The exhibition will include snapshots of the past, showing locals enjoying sport, holidays, music and more.
“Youngsters can have fun playing traditional games and there will be the chance to view old home movies and trace the history of local cinemas.”
Visitors to the museum can indulge nostalgia by playing tunes on a 1950’s jukebox. They will also get the chance to see inside the museum’s own pub interior.
There will be a display charting the history of the bicycle, special features on Warrington boxing legends, the history of Warrington Wolves and famous local athletes.
Memories of Warrington at leisure should be sent to Heather McAlpine at Warrington Museum, email [email protected]
A ‘Wish You Were Here’ display is now open at the art gallery, focused on travel and holidays with paintings and objects from the museum’s collection. It runs until September 11.
Cycling can provide
“life-changing freedom”
by Terry Johnson
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A CYCLING roadshow in Warrington – one of Britain’s most congested towns – will drive home the message that people can find “a new, life-changing freedom”.
Thousands of local schoolchildren and members of the public will be urged to join in the fun and fitness benefits offered by cycling.
The roadshow starts on Monday, July 12, with major public events on July 17 at Tesco Extra, Winwick Road(10.00am-3.00pm) and July 18 at Walton Hall Gardens(11.00am-4.00pm).
People will be able to try out a huge selection of cycles, including tandem-bikes, electric cycles and trailers.
Council travel-plan spokeswoman, Lesley McAllister, said: “Cycling is more than a sport, more than just transport. It’s a way of finding freedom. Rarely is it so much good fun to help make the world a better place.”
Jim McGurn added: “There are many excitingly different types of cycle, which are never seen in bike shops. We thought it time to let people ride them, instead of just looking at them in books.”
Maths whizz kids in
inter-school contest
by staff reporter
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MATHS whizz kids from Warrington schools pitted their problem solving skills against each other in the inter school maths challenge of the year at the Fir Grove hotel, Grappenhall.
Schools including Birchwood High, Cardinal Newman High, Culcheth High, Great Sankey High, Lymm High, Penketh High, St Gregory’s Catholic High, William Beamont High, Woolston High and Green Lane School took part in the maths slam, which saw Year 7 and 8 pupils joining in with the mind bending mathematical activities that themed the
“crystal maze” style event.
Teams of four worked together on a series of mathematical puzzles and logic problems through which they accumulated time to carry forward to the ultimate challenge!
Teams were judged on their capability to work together, as well as by their final solution.
The teams from Lymm High School won both the year 7 and the Year 8 Challenges with Woolston High School as very close runners up.
The day was enjoyed by all – proving maths is fun! All participants were awarded with certificate of achievement for entering the challenge.
