?1.3m health centre
for rugby stadium
by David Skentelbery
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A ?1.3 million state-of-the-art NHS health centre is to be established at Warrington Wolves’ new ?11 million stadium.
It is believed to the first health facility of its kind to be located at a rugby stadium and will put Warrington at the forefront of a new generation of health services at sports grounds.
Construction work will start within the next few weeks and it is hoped the centre will be open by next March.
It will become a base for some 80 staff and will play a key part in Warrington Primary Care Trust’s plans to modernise the way community services are delivered.
PCT chief executive Jonathan Smith said: “I would like to pay tribute to the vision and commitment of the Wolves’ Board, who have offered us the opportunity to find a completely new way to develop health care services in the town. The background help and support of the borough council has also been vital.
“I would also like especially to thank those representatives of users of the services due to go into the new development who have been working closely with us to make sure that the design of the accommodation truly meets their needs.
“It is for patients, their families and the people across Warrington that this major new scheme is being developed. We will continue to review how best to maximise its considerable potential for helping to transform health services in the town.”
The new centre will include cardiac and stroke rehabilitation services, a continence service, a falls prevention service for older people and a chronic pain service.
A multidisciplinary team will deliver a range of other services including: vaccinations, the quit smoking campaign, exercise for health, healthy eating classes, weight loss, sexual health, physiotherapy, podiatry, orthopaedic triage, and children’s eye clinics. It will also provide general consulting rooms, as well as training rooms for PCT staff.
Andy Gatcliffe, Warrington Wolves’ chief executive, said: “Together, in partnership, Warrington Wolves and Warrington PCT are achieving a big ‘win’ for community healthcare and for the people of Warrington.”
Pictured celebrating the new health partnership are Wolves chairman Lord Hoyle, PCT chairman Robin Brown, forward Mark Hilton and coach Paul Cullen.
Skateboard event hailed
“best for 10 years”
by staff reporter
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THE Warrington Summer Concrete Jam – the event which officially launched the town’s new skatepark in Victoria Park – has been hailed as the best event of its kind in the UK for 10 years.
More than 80 of the UK’s leading professional skateboarders headed north for the event, organised by Warrington Borough Council and Afour Distribution – distributors of skate wear.
The event was promoted as one of the highlights of this year’s national skating calendar. It attracted some of the country’s finest pro and amateur skaters and skateboarders.
Youngsters mingled with pro-skaters to tackle some of the challenges offered by the freshly named ‘Viki Park’.
The Mayor of Warrington, Coun Edward Lafferty, named David Jackson, age 16 from Newton-Le-Willows, as the winner of the ‘name the skatepark’ competition. After receiving his prize of skate goodies from the Mayor, David helped finish the artwork of his design at the entrance to the skatepark.
David said: “I realised that every time me and my friends talked about the park we called it ‘Viki Park’ and that’s what everyone calls it. Even if you gave it some fancy name people would still call it ‘Viki Park’.
“As for the design, it is what skateboarding is – no hassle and stress-free. You only do these sports to have fun with your mates, or people you’ve met, because nothing else matters, so why make things complicated? Just keep it simple.”
Hundreds of pounds worth of prize money was up for grabs and there was music and food available.
Events and fun competitions were held for all ages, genders and all abilities.
The 80 pros were joined by 200 amateurs keen to show off their tricks and relish the fact they were skating with some of the best in the world!
Viki Skate Park was designed by Manchester’s pro skater Garry Woodward along with project designers Richards, Moorehead and Lang and project contractors Harry Fairclough (Warrington) and funded by Warrington Borough Council.
Coun John Joyce, leader of the borough council, said: “As well as showcasing local and national talent, this event celebrated the positive impact the skatepark has had within our local community, it really is a fantastic example of partnership working in action.”
Town “feels safer” after
tough police campaign
by John Hendon
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WARRINGTON’S “get tough” approach to drink related disorder this summer has made the public feel safer in the town centre.
This is the view of Cheshire Police, following the “Yellow Card” initiative which began on April 30 and ended on July 31.
During that time police officers worked together with borough council licensing officers and fire officers to crack down on alcohol fuelled disorder and to pre-empt problems by visiting licensed premises.
Police also worked with local taxi firms to make sure passengers were supervised whilst queuing for taxis.
Some 150 people were arrested in total during the three month campaign for a variety of offences including possession of drugs, theft, criminal damage and disorderly conduct. The majority of offences were drunk and disorderly (58) and public order (36).
Forty people were dealt with by a disorder fixed penalty ticket and 34 were charged and bailed to attend court. Thirty received a caution, 26 were released with no further police action 20 are currently on police bail, pending further enquiries.
As a result of the summer campaign, members of the public and taxi drivers have stated they feel safer due to the high visibility police presence, CID have had less serious assaults to investigate on Saturday and Sunday mornings and local licensees have experienced a reduction in the number of underage drinkers attempting to gain access to their premises.
Divisional police commander Supt Julia Clayton said: “The impact of this initiative has been to drive down crime and disorder. We will continue this robust method of policing the town centre throughout the remainder of the year with further Yellow Card operations.
“A key part of the operation has been the joint work undertaken by police and our partner agencies, but further work is yet to be done with the licensing trade. A clear message is being sent out to licensees that they need to be responsible in their sale of alcohol. If they are not, action will be taken.”
Warrington South MP, Helen Southworth, said: “I want to see our town centre made safer. When I went out on patrol with local police I saw the benefits of Operation Yellow Card for our community. I will continue to campaign to make sure the police have the resources they need to make our town safer.”
A fourth Yellow Card weekend operation is planned to take place in Warrington in the coming weeks.
Youth orchestra
has new president
by John Hendon
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INTERNATIONAL composer and conductor Carl Davis is the new president of Warrington Youth Orchestra.
He accepted the position at a concert at Liverpool’s Philharmonic Hall where he was conducting the “Phil” in a Summer Pops concert – The Sounds of Broadway.
Members and officials of Warrington Youth Orchestra were in the audience and were thrilled to hear Mr Davis announce from the stage that he had been invited to become their president and was honoured to accept it.
After the concert, chairman Roy Green and secretary Derek Price introduced the young Warrington music
ians to Mr Davis.
The orchestra members were delighted with the concert and were particularly pleased to be given the opportunity of comparing the Carl Davis interpretation of “Send in the Clowns” to the performance they had given on their own recent tour to Prague!
Mr Green said: “It is wonderful for the orchestra to have such a committed musician as president. We hope this will be the start of a long partnership which will bring pleasure to both parties.”
WYO rehearses every morning at Bridgewater High School, Appleton where new members are welcome.
The orchestra currently has a number of instruments available for rental at a nominal charge (bassoons, oboes, cellos and horns) for youngsters who wish to learn and can arrange lessons for beginners in woodwind, brass and strings.
Students get an
Oxbridge insight
by staff reporter
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STUDENTS at Warrington’s Priestley College who are hopeful of gaining places at some of the country’s most illustrious educational establishments next year have been given a taste of possible things to come.
During the course of the last few weeks senior managers Ian Ireland and Jan Costello have led trips to both Oxford and Cambridge as the college’s top performing first year students were given an insight to university life in the southern part of the country.
Outings to both Exeter College and St John’s College in Cambridge were completed before a further trip to Sidney Sussex College also in Cambridge rounded off the trio of excursions.
The outing to Sidney Sussex was perhaps the most enlightening of all as Priestley students were joined by high achievers from other North West college’s for a residential stay.
While in Cambridge the students were fully immersed in campus life. They learnt about the College’s admission policy and student life in general, whilst the highlight of the trip saw the group take part in Punting on the River Cam.
Jan Costello who led the Sidney Sussex residential stay commented, “It was a delight to see the way our students adapted to their new surroundings and I hope that the experience will spur them on to academic excellence during their final year at Priestley.”
Police searching
for park flasher
by staff reporter
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POLICE are investigating an incident of indecent exposure at Warrington.
Two 13-year-old girls were walking in Sankey Valley Park, near the adventure playground, when they saw a man who disappeared into some trees. A short time later he jumped out in front of them and exposed himself before running back into the trees.
The offender was aged 30-40, 5ft 10 inches tall and of slim build. He had a grey skinhead hair style and wore a black tee-shirt and shorts.
Police are appealing for witnesses and have asked that anyone who can help should call PC Stephen Page on 01244 3500000.
