Unique centre gets
Royal seal of approval
by Gary Skentelbery
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A UNIQUE new concept centre for deaf people was given the Royal seal of approval when it was officially opened by The Countess of Wessex during a visit to Warrington yesterday (Tuesday).
Countess Sophie opened the centre which is now home for the British Deaf Association, Deaf Plus and the North West Regional Association for sensory Support, in her first official duty as MENCAP patron.
The lottery funded facility also provides a base for Warrington and District Society for the Deaf and the Deafness Support Network.
She was greeted at the centre by brothers Fred and Alan Barlow, Chairman and Vice-chairman of the Warrington and District Deaf Society, who are both deaf.
Fred said: “I never expected to meet a member of the Royal family, or have a facility like this here in Warrington. It is a dream come true and I am still pinching myself.
“This Royal visit will stay in our memories for a long time.”
Countess Sophie was presented with a posey by youngsters Rosemary Bryan, whose parents are both deaf and Laura Hayes, Alan Barlow’s grandaughter.
The Countess said she was “very impressed” by the facility which brought all the services for deaf people under one roof.
“Lets hope the services will be here for a long time to come.”
The Countess then moved on to the Pyramid Arts Centre, Palmyra Square, to visit a project for children with a learning disability.
She listened to a musical recital by children and also met Mencap employees with a learning disability.
The Countess met representatives from The Cheshire Self-Advocacy Service which helps people with learning problems to speak up for themselves.
Report blocks chance
for new baths
by Lesley Wilkinson
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A NEW report commissioned by Warrington Borough Council has blocked any chance of a town centre baths in the near future, according to Liberal Democrats.
Lib Dem group leader Coun Ian Marks told a meeting of Warrington Council that the Labour group never showed serious interest in retaining town centre swimming facilities. He said efforts should have been made to attract private finance for a baths, as part of town centre development.
He said: “The consultants’ report has told us that doing nothing with the town’s leisure facilities is no longer an option and that the council must recognise the role and importance of leisure which has suffered from significant under-investment.
“They also are critical with the way the Labour has run Golden Gates Leisure,” he added.
He said Lib Dems supported the idea of setting up a leisure trust proposed some years ago, which he said would have saved ?250,000 a year and provided better facilities.
He criticised plans to spend a further ?225,000 on a further consultants report to look at leisure facilities.
The great
giveaway!
by staff reporter
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A BUMPER two-day giveaway of unwanted office equipment is being held by Warrington Council for Voluntary Service.
The CVS has accumulated various items of unwanted furniture, stationery and office equipment that are being offered free to voluntary groups.
The organisation moves to the new Gateway centre in Bridge Street from September 28. The giveaway day will be held at its old premises, 5 Hanover Street, on October 7 and 8.
The annual meeting of the CVS will be held at the Gateway on Tuesday October 5 from 7.30pm. People are being invited to visit the organisation from 6pm at the centre on the same evening.
Chip pan
warning
by Lesley Wilkinson
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FIRE chiefs are urging Warrington people to fit smoke detectors following a blaze in which a man was “very lucky” not to have sustained serious injuries.
A 24-year-old man, asleep at his home in Wellfield Street, Warrington, awoke on Monday night to hear youngsters outside shouting that there was smoke coming from the house.
He jumped out of bed and ran downstairs. When he saw the chip pan alight, he threw a dry cloth over the pan that then caught fire.
The man then carried the chip pan outside, sustaining minor burns. He then brought a hose-pipe into the house to try to extinguish some fat that had caught fire on the cooker, but the flames flared up.”
Leading firefighter Tim Robinson: said: “He was very lucky to escape with minor injuries. He was only woken up by the people outside shouting.
“We would advise people to have smoke detectors fitted as an early warning of fire,” he added.
He said fire chiefs at Warrington can advise people on fitting smoke detectors and can visit them at home to discuss fire safety if help is needed.
He said people not to tackle a chip pan fire unless it is in the very early stages and advised people to turn off the heat and use a damp cloth, shielding their face and hands as they move to cover the pan with the cloth.
“We would only advise people to do this in the very early stages, otherwise they can soon be overcome with dense smoke,” said officer Robinson.
“Otherwise, in all fires we advise people to get out of the house and call 999.” He added.
It is believed the blaze started when the cooker was left on low under the pan. There was extensive damage to the kitchen and smoke damage to the rest of the house.
Henry’s in the
driving seat
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A tractor rally and car boot sale organised by the Rotary Club of Lymm helped raise over ?600 for the club’s charity fund.
Organised by club member Tony Cookson and fellow club members on his farmland at Warburton the event proved to be popular despite the threat of rain and blustery conditions.
Bargain hunters and tractor enthusiasts included two-year-old Henry Woods who is pictured testing out a 1956 “Fergie” tractor and with his dad Geoff on a newer model.
The Rotary Club of Lymm would like to thank everyone who supported the event.
The club’s next major fund-raising event will be their annual Christmas float.
Young offenders
musical chance
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YOUNGSTERS at Thorn Cross Young Offenders Institute in Warrington will have a unique chance to take part in a series of brass concerts.
As part of its community outreach programme BBC Radio 3 Listen Up! Festival of Orchestras is using orchestras from the North West – including the BBC Philharmonic, Manchester Camerata and Manchester Halle – to promote music in the region.
Events, organised from a base in the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, aim to take music into the community and particularly to people with little or no musical experience.
The Warrington project will aim to start a brass ensemble at the institute, training youngsters who have no previous musical experience.
