Police to ‘beef
up’ patrols
by Terry Johnson
WARRINGTON is to “beef-up” its police Community Support Officers after ‘very positive’ feedback from the public to the high-visability patrols.
The town presently has 10 CSO’s – dedicated men and women who work alongside regular police officers. They are funded by Home Office and other sources.
The reaction of communities to these trialled patrols has been welcoming – leading to a decision to appoint further Community Support Officers next month.
Two-thirds of the extra funding will come from South Warrington parish councils.
And before the year-end the Constabulary will also have 10 traffic wardens in post. The new traffic CSO’s will have the combined powers of both roles.
Community Support Officers have a range of powers. They can issue fixed-penalty notices to anyone cycling on footpaths and pavements and for littering offences.
They can also obtain names and addresses of people acting in an anti-social manner. And they can confiscate alcohol from anyone drinking in designated places.
They also have authority to enter and search premises for the purpose of saving life and preventing serious property damage.
Kath Harkin, CSO for the Sankey Bridges, Whitecross, Bewsey and Dallam areas, for the past eight months, said: “Conducting high-visability patrols has reassured members of the community.
“People feel more comfortable talking to us. A lot of good relationships have been built up. We have tackled community problems with good results.
“We are finding out the local problems because intelligence is passed on to us”.
Cheshire Police say resources for community policing are to be significantly increased over the next year.
Seventeen neighbourhood policing units will be set up across the county, containing between one and three sergeant-led Community Action Teams.
These teams will have constables and Community Support Officers dealing with area incidents.
Working in partnership with local communities, they aim to increase public safety and reduce the fear of crime.
A Neighbourhood Investigation Team would probe all volume crime – leaving the Community Action Teams to take ‘a visible and proactive role’ in communities.
Policing policies adopted in Warrington have been praised by HM Inspector of Constabulary. It is now intended to build on this success.
Last post for
base parade
by Gary Skentelbery
THE last ever “Battle of Britain” parade took place at the former RAF Burtonwood base near Warrington yesterday, Sunday.
More than 200 people from a variety of services were on parade to remember “the few” at the former base, which was once the largest military depot in Europe and supplied Spitfires used in the Battle of Britain.
The parade was the last as the base is demolished to make way for the new Chapelford urban village. The base was once a second home for thousands of Americans, playing a vital role in the Berlin Airlift and last saw active service during the first Gulf War. Members of RAFA Burtonwood, along with other local branch’s from Warrington, St Helens and Widnes joined forces to Remember The Few. The event which attracted a large crowd of onlookers, was organised by RAFA Burtonwood Branch and the Last Salute was taken by former Station Commander, Sqd Ldr Jim Young MBE who held the post in 1985-1988. The service of rewmemberance was conducted by the RAFA’s padre Rev. Norman Huyton.
During the day there was also a display of military vehicles and the museum run by the Burtonwood Association was also be open.
Choir’s history to
be published
by Terry Johnson
A HISTORY of Warrington’s ‘wire town’ Male Voice Choir which has forged an international profile, is set to be published early next year.
The 100-strong Warrington Male Voice Choir is one of the oldest and best supported in the country.
The choir was formed when Warrington had its roots in wiremaking and steel processing, more than a century ago – when singing was a welcome release from the heavy drudgery of work.
Its history has been traced by chairman, Barrie Johnson, retired schoolteacher and amateur historian, who has led its development for two decades.
Said Barrie: “The choir’s community role has surged over the last 10 years. It’s renaissance followed the terrible Warrington bombing, when people desperately needed to heal wounds and go on to a better future.
“This period was the choir’s community highpoint. It carried the peace message to Ireland, with hugely successful concerts in the North and South and a choral programme in Irish jails.
“The highest politicians praised the choir’s peace-making role. Their comments will be strongly featured in the choir’s history.”
Princess Diana sent the choir a message and support flowed from Ministers and Prime Ministers. Peace campaigner Terry Waite joined the thrust as the choir’s Patron.
“The strength of support from ordinary people was massive”, said Barrie. “Thousands of people were touched by the message of peace and reconciliation. The book of the choir’s history will underline this momentous period”.
The choir has won a string of top contests and taken song into Europe, the US and Canada.
Electrician’s ‘sculpture
culture shock’
by David Skentelbery
ELECTRICIAN Paul Lewis got something of a “shock” when he arrived at a customer’s home to carry out some work.
The garden was full of sculptures – including a striking work in willow depicting a running man.
But when he came down to “earth” he had a bright idea. That willow sculpture would look well as part of a floodlit feature in his own garden!
The display in Alan and Su Williams’ garden at Leckonby Cottage was part of the Lymm Festival and the running man – the creation of willow artist Alexandra James – was for sale.
Paul paid up – and the sculpture was transported to his own garden.
He said: “I was immediately impressed with how unusual the sculpture was. I wanted something striking for my own garden and it just fitted the bill.
“I eventually intend to build a small wall around it and install some lighting. I think it will make a most interesting feature in the garden.”
Su said: “I was delighted when Paul decided to buy it. Not all the exhibits were for sale, but this one was.
“We had more than 30 works in the garden altogether and more than 500 people came to see them. Various groups served tea and cakes in aid of various charities.”
The display was officially opened by Prisons’ Minister Paul Goggins in view of the fact that two of the exhibits were done by prisoners from Risley Prison.
Sailing club gets set
to celebrate 100 years
by Gary Skentelbery
FIDLERS Ferry Sailing Club in Penketh, Warrington, is celebrating 100 years of sailing on the Mersey during October.
A special open day takes place on Sunday October 31 from 1pm to 6pm when members of the public are invited to visit the yacht haven at the bottom of Station Road, near the Ferry Tavern pub.
One of the first boats to sale at the venue was the Fidlers Ferry “Sharpie” which sadly no longer exists.
A replica of a similar boat “Crack of dawn” made by local member Bryn Catwright from fibre glass, was used until recently, before being sold to a new owner in the South of France. Bryn spent two years making the boat, after moulding it from a wooden boat called “Dawn.”
His wife Sue is still a regular sailor at the club, although Bryn has had to take time away from his interest due to work commitments.
Various activities are planned for the weekend including a more formal event with guests from Warrington Council, the Royal Yachting Association and the RLNI etc.
Making sweet music
by Gary Skentelbery
PUPILS from Green Lane Special School played host to some very special guests thanks to a project designed to forge relation
ships and create wider opportunities through music.
Members of the Park School Brass Band, from Blackpool, gave an inspirational musical performance to pupils and teachers at the school to help kick start the launch of a new initiative – the ‘Wider Opportunities Performing Project’.
The Wider Opportunities Strategy will involve 15 children and three staff learning to play brass instruments as part of the Warrington Music Service ‘Get Playing’ project.
The school is the 16th in Warrington to benefit from working with the ‘Get Playing’ Project and to create long lasting associations with musicians from other authorities.
The Strategy is a government initiative, which seeks to promote greater numbers of primary children becoming actively involved in music making activities. The Warrington Music Service is supporting the strategy, across the borough, through ‘Live Music’, ‘Warrington Voices’ and ‘Get Playing’ programmes.
Janice Pounds, Music Development Officer for Education, said: “It was a wonderful day with all the children, and even some of the adults, getting involved to help make music. We are delighted to be involved with this project and look forward to reaping the benefits of creating these long lasting links with other authorities and musicians.”
Beer festival
LYMM High School’s PTA is organising a fund-raising Oktoberfest beer festival at the school on Friday October 8.
The event will help raise funds for the redevelopment of Ty’n-y-Felin, the school’s outdoor pursuits centre on Anglesey and other school projects.
The event will include an authentic Bierkeller atmosphere in the main hallalong with The Heinz Miller Oompah Band, real ales, German lagers and fine wines at a licensed bar and a two-course German style hot supper.
Tickets cost ?10 each and include supper.
