Movie aims to be
a runaway success
by Gary Skentelbery
YOUNG film makers are taking their hard hitting message to Home Secretary Charles Clarke to highlight a unique project which provides support for young runaways.
Mr Clarke has agreed to see the “Talk Don’t walk” promotional video made by students at Penketh High School, Warrington, to mark the school’s success at receiving specialist media and visual arts status.
The film made by students Rik Bridge and Jonathan Kay and starring 16-year-olds Emiley Smith and Chris Sutherland, highlights the problems faced by youngsters who run away from home.
Emiley takes to the streets after suffering abuse at home while bullying victim Chris opts for talking about his problems. The film shows the horrors of living on the streets as Emiley suffers further abuse, while Chris overcomes his problems through counselling.
Each year more than 800 young people under the age of 18 run away from home in Warrington, and Cheshire police and a local charity are working on a campaign to prevent this. The majority of children choose to go missing. Research shows that one in 14 runaways survive through stealing, begging or getting involved in prostitution and drugs and the campaign aims to highlight the problems.
The project is backed by ARC, a charity supporting people affected by domestic violence and abusive relationships and aims to reduce the numbers of children missing from home.
Talk Don’t Walk project manager Alison McCausland, who is also a missing persons liaison officer with the police said: “The film is an extremely powerful way of showing young people the risks of running away.
“This is the only project of its kind in the country and we hope that when Mr Clarke sees the film it will help us launch a national campaign.”
She added: “The film is of such a high standard I think it should be nominated for a young film makers award.”
The film is the first major project under taken by Penketh High School since becoming a specialist school in visual arts and media.
Town Hall quiz hints at
4.95% council tax rise
by Lesley Wilkinson
VIEWS are being sought on a possible 4.95 per cent increase in Council Tax in Warrington ? which would mean an 88p-a-week rise for an average Band D House.
The increase is mentioned in a borough council consultation document which gives local people a say on council spending over the next three years ? and on the level of Council Tax.
Town Hall chiefs have put together the consultation document, as part of the budget planning process, which identifies its proposed spending plans and Council Tax rate for 2006/2007.
But they stress that no decisions have yet been made.
Everyone across the borough including residents, businesses and community groups is being asked to give their views.
One of the main aspects is a proposal for a ?3 million investment in services over the next three years.
Investment priorities are linked to the council’s six main ambitions, which include:
Making communities safer, stronger and sustainable
Improving health and well being and promoting independence
Improving transport infrastructure and choice. Other ambitions include improving the environment and economy, ensuring that children and young people reach their potential and improving council services.
The document can be viewed on the council’s website at www.warrington.gov.uk, where people can make their suggestions on levels of services and spending.
Residents have until Thursday February 16 to submit their views and can respond by either emailing [email protected] or writing to Budget Consultation, Corporate Services Directorate, New Town House / Quattro Complex, PO Box 13, Buttermarket Street, Warrington WA1 1BN.
Coun John Morris, the council executive member for resources, said: “Warrington is consistently improving and moving forward. We achieved a lot last year and we are aiming to achieve more in the future. The council has to make important decisions but before any decisions are made, the council is committed to engaging with communities across the borough – we need your views.”
He said an Audit Commissions inspection judged Warrington to be a “council that is improving well and demonstrating a three star overall performance.” It was judged as delivering value for money and having a stable financial position.
“However, we still need to make some tough decisions to make sure that our spending is focused on being able to deliver current services, improve the services people value, deliver our priorities and keep council tax as low as possible,” he said.
“Above all our main priority through delivering services is to make a real difference to the lives of local people,” he added.
The decisions on the budget will be made at full council on Monday February 27.
Beauty looking
for a date
by Gary Skentelbery
WARRINGTON beauty Emma Hayes, aged 26, from Orford, has beaten thousands of entrants to get into Maxim’s Little Black Book of Britain’s Sexiest Single Girls 2006.
Now she needs as much local support as possible to help launch her modelling career and to win an additional ?500.
One lucky reader could also win a date with Emma who is single.
She has lived in Warrington all her life, attending Padgate High School before going on to Warrington Collegiate to study Beauty Therapy and Leisure & Tourism.
She is currently working full time for BT as a Customer Service advisor in their Warrington Contact Centre and on her days off she also does modelling, which ideally she would love to do fulltime.
“In between working for BT and modelling, I enjoy keeping fit and I adore shopping. I’m a busy girl most week days but I always look forward to Friday’s when the weekend lands. I generally like to ease into my weekend starting with a few drinks with friends in Stockton Heath and then we’ll go into Warrington town for a dance but nothing to wild as I always like to save that for Saturday Night when I head into Manchester.” To vote for Emma and the chance of a possible date text Emma H to 83055. Closing date is the end of February.
(Text messages are charged at the normal rate and you will be giving the options to download a choice of two pictures to your WAP phone or computer for a charge of ?1.50 which will be charged to your next bill).
The lucky winner will escort Emma to Maxim’s V.I.P Little Black Book party in London.
Armed police seize guns
as four are arrested
by David Skentelbery
ARMED police seized firearms, other weapons and drugs in early morning raids on three addresses at Warrington.
Three men and a woman were arrested and are assisting detectives with their enquiries.
The raids were in Bevan Close and Fildes Close, Hood Manor and Poplars Avenue, Orford.
A police spokesman said armed police executed warrants under the Firearms Act at the addresses.
The raids followed an incident on licensed premises in Warrington on Monday evening.
?Four people have been arrested, three men aged 34, 27 and 26 and a woman aged 23,? the spokesman added.
He said a number of firearms, other weapons and controlled drugs had been seized.
Submariners “rowed”
270 miles – on dry land
by Lesley Wilkinson
THE officers and crew of Warrington?s adopted warship ? the submarine HMS Turbulent ? were set a difficult challenge when they came to town: rowing 270 miles on dry land.
They teamed up with Warrington Market and the borough council?s sports development team to ?row? from Warrington to Plymouth, where the vessel is currently based.
The object was to raise money for Mayor Hans Mundry?s charities ? The Butterfly Project (NCH) and Home-Start Warrington.
It was all done with the aid of a rowing machine in the market ? and the submar
iners had to row at 70mph to complete the distance in the allocated time.
Market manager Steve Pickering said: “We were only too happy to welcome Commander Coles and his crew to Warrington Market and they displayed great spirit as they rose to the challenge. It was a fantastic day and the event certainly drew in and delighted the crowds.”
The captain and crew were in Warrington for three days to help raise their profile in the town.
Driver killed as
car plunges off road
by John Hendon
A MAN died when his car careered off the road at Warrington, crashed through a fence and then overturned.
The crash was in Lymm Road, Thelwall shortly after 8.30pm last night (Wednesday).
Police are seeking witnesses who should call them on 0845 458 0000.
The black Fiat Bravo, driven by a local man in his mid-20s, was travelling towards Warrington Road when it left the carriageway, crashed through a fence and overturned.
It is understood the driver, who was alone, died at the scene.
No other vehicle was involved in the crash.
Volunteers gain
in self-esteem
by staff reporter
VOLUNTEERS who work for a Warrington charity report an increase in their self-esteem, social life and confidence, according to a survey.
A national report by Home Start, the UK’s leading family support charity, called “Doing Something for Nothing” shows that as well as helping others, voluntary work offers personal benefits.
The Warrington branch of the charity is hoping this will attract more volunteers.
A survey, commissioned to mark “The Year of the Volunteer,” questioned 1,000 current and 500 past volunteers. Results show volunteers’ self-esteem, self worth, social life and confidence had all been boosted by their work with families.
The charity has 10,000 volunteers supporting almost 30,000 families and 64,000 children across the UK. It has offered support, friendship and practical help to parents with young children for more than 30 years.
The survey showed that only 10 per cent of volunteers come forward because they “needed something for me” or wanted to get work experience. The remaining 90 per cent wanted to help others.
But after working with the charity, the benefits to the volunteers were significant, with 70 per cent claiming a sense of purpose, 61 per cent benefited from meeting new people, and 60 per cent feeling more valued.
Just over a quarter said volunteering looked good on their CV, and almost a half reported an increase in confidence.
One volunteer said: “As I supported families, I grew from being a victim of domestic violence to someone in control of her life. I’m still in contact with my first family – I’m so proud of her and me.”
Another said: “It has been, and continues to be, a positive influence within my life, both personally and professionally.”
Anyone interested in volunteering should contact the Home-Start Warrington team, on 01925 652320.
Council’s carers
celebrate success
by Lesley Wilkinson
MORE than 100 Warrington Borough Council staff who achieved social care qualifications last year took part in a celebration at Bewsey Old School.
Training was provided by the council’s Social Care Training and the workers achieved nationally recognised qualifications.
They studied for a variety of qualifications, including NVQ 1, 2, 3 and 4, Skills to Care Programme, Post Qualifying, and Management qualifications and their hard work was recognised at the presentation lunch.
The annual event was attended by the learners, their line managers and their training assessors.
Coun Pat Wright, executive member for community services, said: “This is fantastic news and I want to say well done to all the staff for their achievements.
“To carry out their day-to-day work and also study for more qualifications is highly commendable. I hope more staff are inspired by their colleagues to hit the books and achieve more qualifications for themselves.”
Council chiefs approve
new youth centre
by staff reporter
A NEW community, youth and sports facility will be built in Shaw Street, Culcheth, to replace the existing one in Church Lane.
Warrington Borough Council’s executive board has decided to go ahead with the new, improved facility, following months of uncertainty and a campaign by local residents.
The sale of the Church Lane site will help fund the new building. It will include an activity room, kitchen and better access and car parking.
Coun Pat Wright, the council?s executive member for community services, said: “There is increasing demand in this area for community, sport and youth facilities and the Church Lane site, which is more than 25 years old and in need of repair, cannot provide users with the facilities they need and of a standard they deserve.
“The benefits of relocating to Shaw Street outweigh proposals to carry out a major refurbishment at Church Lane. It also means that new facilities and improvements to existing ones at Shaw Street can be made for the benefit of the local community,” she added.
