Keeping the
dream alive
A WARRINGTON based heritage group is keeping the dream alive of a permanent centre dedicated to the memory of the Burtonwood Airfield and the thousands of GI’s once stationed there.
Members of the Burtonwood Association have captured memories of the once bustling base since the last of the aircrews and service personnel left.
But the association lost its ‘home’ in part of a giant warehouse as the new Chapelford Village progressed.
Entertainment complex, Gulliver’s World, offered to provide a regional base for the heritage group, linked to a hotel facility. But this has been rejected by local planners.
Meanwhile Gulliver’s have offered the Burtonwood Association a temporary home within their site alongside the Sankey-St. Helens Canal at Westbrook.
The company has also put in a planning appeal which could force a public inquiry.
Dave Goulden, UK president of the Burtonwood Association and a trustee of RAF Burtonwood Heritage Centre, said: “Gulliver’s World have been very kind to us, allowing use of a temporary building which has saved us from disaster.
“I believe that certain people who opposed the development plans were wrong to miss out on a golden opportunity. They would enhance the attraction of Gulliver’s and also enable us to develop a North-West heritage museum, which would be a marvellous venture, extending to a much wider catchment.”
Planning issues, however, could mean that a permanent ‘home’ is three to four year’s away – even if the present appeal is successful.
The temporary centre, which was officially opened by the Mayor of Warrington Coun Hans Mundry during VJ Day Parade commerations, is open to the public Saturdays and Sundays, from 12.00-4.00pm and weekdays, from 10.30-4.30pm.
Crackdown on ‘failing’ taxis
and private hire vehicles
A MULTI – AGENCY team took to the streets of Warrington for a day-long inspection of taxis and private hire vehicles.
The ‘Taxi Enforcement Day’, pioneered across the borough by the Council, Cheshire Police and the Department for Work and Pensions, included officers from all three agencies carrying out spot vehicle inspections and detailed record checks on drivers.
While the majority of taxis and private hire firms do operate within the laws, the crackdown was part of a large scale inspection across Cheshire to target those who flout the laws.
Its aim was to ensure the safety of passengers that use taxis and private hire vehicles as a mode of public transport across the region.
In addition, roadside checks were held throughout the day at: – Bridgefoot (outside Mr Smiths), Mersey Street, Battersby Lane, Cockhedge Way and Birchwood.
A total of 75 vehicles (22 hackney carriages and 53 private hire vehicles) were checked on the day and the results are as follows:
Fully compliant vehicles/drivers – 41
Minor breaches/warnings – 8
Immediate vehicle suspensions – 5
Police fixed penalty tickets – 0
Immediate driver suspensions – 4 (2 Hackney/2 Private Hire) – Until production of badge.
Operator visits – 2
‘Benefit’ claim stopped – 1 Coun Jeff Richards, Executive Board Member for Sustainable Environment, said: “This initiative was part of an on-going clamp down on drivers, and vehicles, particularly as these vehicles are an important part of our public transport system – it is essential they are as safe as possible.
“This is a major borough-wide crackdown and we are targeting all taxi and private hire vehicles and drivers who may be flouting laws or failing to meet necessary standards. We will take necessary action against those vehicles or drivers not reaching these standards in order to promote greater confidence in public transport.”
Security firm
patrols allotments
A PRIVATE security firm is now patrolling the Sowbrook allotments in Lymm near Warrington, following a spate of vandal attacks.
The extra security measures have been welcomed by members of Lymm Parish Council, which owns the allotments off Star Lane, Statham.
Dave Betts QPM, Company Director said, “On hearing through the media of the considerable damage being caused to the Lymm allotments I offered the support of North West Security Guards.
“The mindless vandalism being caused was unacceptable and we are now supporting the Parish Council to prevent any further recurrence of the problem. A strong message is being sent to the offenders, that if they are identified they will be prosecuted. We will work closely with the police should this happen in the future.
“We have a strong local affinity with the Warrington area and we have continued to support the local community whenever possible.”
North West Security Guards has its Head Office in the centre of Warrington.
Dave an ex police officer is widely known throughout the community for his community safety and partnership involvement in his previous police role in which he was involved for many years prior to his retirement, following 30 years service with the Cheshire Constabulary.
Warning sings have been erected at the allotments alerting would be vandals that they are now being patrolled.
Pciture shows Dave Betts (left) with local councillors Sheila and Neville Woodyatt and a security guard at the Sowbrook allotments.
Tea to toast
training successes
THE Mayor and Mayoress of Warrington will join catering supervisors from schools across Warrington to toast their training success!
The Mayor and Mayoress, Coun Hans and Coun Karen Mundry, will join together with the School Meals Catering Supervisors for afternoon tea at the Town Hall next week.
The event is being held to celebrate the fact that all of Warrington’s School Meals Catering Supervisors have attended a unique training course in nutrition.
It is believed that the course is the first of its kind in the UK and has been developed in partnership with Warrington Primary Care Trust (PCT), the Council’s Catering team and the Northwest Coordinator of the National School Fruit and Vegetable scheme.
The training culminated with an examination and every one of the catering supervisors passed with flying colours.
Gordon Carson, the Council’s Catering Services Manager, said: “The training was designed to compliment our School Meals Craft Skills Academy. This was prepared and delivered in partnership with Warrington Collegiate, and is the first of its kind in the UK.
“It is a wonderful and unique opportunity for a School Meals Catering Service to work in partnership with the PCT and the National School Fruit and Vegetable project. This initiative, one of many, demonstrates our commitment to deliver the best possible catering service and underpins our principal objective to ensure the health and well being of the children of Warrington.”
Coun Maureen Banner, Executive Board Member for Well Being, said: “The knowledge and the skills our catering supervisors have gained from this training puts them well ahead of the game in the difficult area of ensuring the children of Warrington adopt and maintain healthy eating habits. Very well done to all those involved.”
Diane Whitfield, Nutrition and Dietetics Manager and Emma Bashall, Food and Health Advisor from the PCT’s Food and Health Team delivered the training along with Nicola Patterson, regional co-odinator of the National School Fruit and Vegetable scheme.
Wine circle
seeks new blood
MEMBERS of Daten Wine Circle which meets at Culcheth Sports Club near Warrington, every month are on the look out for new blood.
With around 40 members the group meets on the 3rd Wednesday of each month for a variety of wine tasting events. warrington-worldwide Editor Gary Skentelbery was special guest at the group’s recent “Call my Bluff” wine tasting meeting.
As well as wine tasting the group also have social events, including talks and dinners.
Anyone interested in joining the circle please contact Chairman Peter H
ilton on 01925 762748.
The next meeting is on September 21st when guest speaker will be Roz from Theshers.
Picture shows members of Culcheth Wine Circle at their Call my Bluff event
Open doors for
crafty people
WARRINGTON is backing an arts initiative in which Cheshire professionals open the doors of their studios to the public.
Thirty-seven studios and workshops across Cheshire are open to the public week-ends during October.
The free invitation for people to discover how local artists and craftspeople work is supported by the Warrington Council and other agencies.
Visitors can view artists’ workplaces, discuss their work and buy from them directly.
Ceramics, glassware, paintings, textiles, photography and art installations are among the diverse talents showcased.
Details of the events are available from Cheshire libraries and the website www.cheshireopenstudios.org.uk.
