Laboratory wins ?2.9m
award to build prototype
by David Skentelbery
WARRINGTON?S Daresbury Laboratory has won a ?2.9 million award from the North West Development Agency which could secure a cutting edge role for the facility in future scientific research.
The award to the laboratory, the Photon Science Institute of the University of Manchester and the University of Liverpool, will help build a prototype to prove the technical feasibility of the Fourth Generation Light Sources (4GLS) concept.
In a statement, the NWDA said 4GLS would be a state-of-the-art suite of accelerator-based light sources, used for advanced scientific research.
If the Daresbury team was successful, it would place them in pole position to esecure the Government investment neede to enable the full 4GLS facility to be build at the laboratory.
Scientists at Daresbury are already working on an Energy Recovery Linac project as a precursor to 4GLS, which represents a revolution in accelerator design. It will help develop the next generation of computers, medicines and catalysts by allowing scientists to study how atoms and molecules move within a thousandth of a millionth of a millionth of a second.
The award was one of a number of science ?firsts? announced by the NWDA, thanks to a major new fund which is helping the region to pioneer university/industry partnerships, speeding up the transfer of scientific discoveries into world-class commercial products.
One was a ?1.68 million award for the University of Liverpool to establish the world’s first centre to undertake zoonosis research – infections transmissible between animals and humans – recent examples of which include BSE/vCJD and Bird Flu (Avian Influenza).
Worldwide, around 75 per cent of emerging human infectious diseases are zoonosis, yet research in this area is often incomplete and sometimes contradictory. Now a new national centre will bring together scientists working on zoonosis from the Universities of Liverpool and Lancaster, with representatives from the Health Protection Agency and the Veterinary Laboratories Agency.
A further ?1.45 million has been awarded to the University of Manchester to help develop a world-class UK Centre for Tissue Regeneration (UKCTR). The centre, which is led by the University of Manchester in collaboration with the University of Liverpool, the NHS and five industrial partners including AstraZeneca, will make a major contribution to UK research into tissue regeneration.
The centre will help develop small calibre artificial arteries, skin repair products, cartilage regeneration and nerve repair techniques. An example of the application of this research includes the development of arteries for use in coronary patients and also smokers with blocked arteries.
Steven Broomhead,executive of the Warrington-based NWDA said: “Science is a key economic driver providing the impetus for investment and innovation across key business sectors, creating high quality employment and business renewal. The new fund will significantly improve the North West’s science infrastructure, reaffirming England’s reputation at the leading edge of scientific endeavour, as well as making a major contribution to UK research.”
Town’s revival plans
come under scrutiny
by David Skentelbery
PLANS for reviving Warrington?s run-down areas will come under the spotlight at a Town Hall meeting next week.
Members of a borough council watchdog group ? the Sustainable Environment and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny committee ? will be questioning officers on proposals for regenerating deprived areas.
The vexed question of mobile phone masts, and the planning process surrounding them, will also come under scrutiny at the meeting on Tuesday (February 28).
Members of the public and special interest groups are entitled to attend the meeting.
The committee will be seeking views and information from people both within the council and from partners and key stakeholders.
Anyone who wishes to contribute to the meeting or ask a question on the reports presented should contact Bryan Magan, the council?s scrutiny co-ordinator on 01925 442079 or email [email protected] who will talk through the issue and agree the most appropriate way of dealing with it.
How yellow can
become “green”
by Lesley Wilkinson
CHILDREN from schools throughout Warrington will be collecting old Yellow Pages directories in a bid to prove they are “green.”
As part of the Yellow Woods Challenge, run by Yellow Pages and the Woodland Trust in conjunction with Warrington Borough Council, youngsters are collecting directories for recycling.
For the next eight weeks, pupils, parents and local communities will be taking part in the challenge to collect as many directories as possible.
Fun educational packs will be sent out to schools to teach children about paper, recycling, woodland and “minibeasts” like Kirk – the recycling mascot.
The schools that collect the most directories per pupil will win cash prizes and native tree saplings to plant in their grounds. And for every pound given to schools by Yellow Pages, a matching pound will be given to the Woodland Trust.
Coun Jeff Richards, Executive Board member for sustainable environment, said: “This is a great initiative that the whole community can get involved in and have some fun with as well as helping to encourage and teach school children about recycling and helping to protect the environment for the future.
“We have taken part in this initiative for a number of years now and it always proves to be a great success and I am sure this year will be the same,” he added.
People not connected with participating schools can recycle their old Yellow Pages directory via libraries and facilities at the Recycling and Household Waste Centres at Gatewarth, Woolston and Stockton Heath.
Woman attacked and
robbed on own doorstep
by David Skentelbery
A WOMAN was attacked and robbed on her own doorstep at Latchford, Warrington.
Police are seeking witnesses of the attack ? particularly a taxi driver who had dropped the woman off a new minutes earlier or members of a group of young men standing outside the Penny Ferry pub in Thelwall Lane.
The 25-year-old victim had taken a white taxi from Central Station, Warrington, to Thelwall Lane.
At Latchford she paid her fare and then walked to her home, passing the crowd of about 20 young men talking outside the pub.
As she reached her front door she was grabbed from behind by two men who struck her on the head and knocked her to the ground. She lost consciousness momentarily and when she recovered discovered the two men were still on top of her.
She fought them off and they ran away. But she then discovered a sum of money was missing.
Police say the woman received grazing to her head and back but did not require hospital treatment.
They want to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the attack or seen anything suspicious in the area. In particular they are looking for help from the taxi driver or the group outside the pub.
The woman was about 5rft tall with short, cropped brown hair and was wearing a beige jumper, beige jeans and black boots.
Anyone who can help should call DC Emily Cole on 01244 613834.
Advice on getting
jobs and training
by Lesley Wilkinson
ADVICE on getting jobs or training is being offered to local parents at a series of drop-in sessions being held at Sandy Lane Sure Start Children’s Centre, Sandy Lane, Orford, Warrington.
Connexions Warrington is helping local people by offering information and guidance on careers, training, updating your CV, job searches and interview techniques.
Anyone interested in meeting a careers adviser should visit The Beaches, part of the centre, on Tuesday March 7 or Saturday April 4, or contact the Connexions Centre on 01925 424900.
A chance to find
bargains for babies
by staff reporter
PEOPLE who look after babies and young children have the opportunity to give them a new look at a fraction of high street prices at a charity sale on Saturday March 6.
A Nearly New Sale of clothes, equipment and toys for babies, toddlers and children under six, will be held in St John’s UR Church, Wilderspool Causeway, Warrington.
It is being organised by the North Cheshire branch of the National Childbirth Trust (NCT). It will features children’s clothes and other items such as videos, buggies, high chairs and safety equipment, together with inexpensive maternity clothes.
It is open to parents, grandparents, carers and anyone who has children to buy for. There is no entrance fee although a donation to the charity is welcome.
People can also register to sell “nearly new items” by contacting Sue on 01925 752411.
Police name road
tragedy woman
by staff reporter
POLICE at Warrington have named an elderly woman killed when she was involved in an accident in Blackbrook Avenue, Cinnamon Brow, Warrington last Friday (February 10).
She was Gwendoline Ida Wood, aged 82, who lived in the Cinnamon Brown area. Mrs Wood was a pedestrian and is believed to have been crossing the road when she was struck by a vehicle.
She was rushed to Warrington Hospital but died there later.
Vandals start
fires in park
by John Hendon
HOOLIGANS started a number of fire in Bruche Park, Warrington last night – using wheelie bins dragged from nearby houses.
Fire crews were called to the park several times as new fires broke out.
Damage was restricted to the bins, with minor damage caused to asphalt driveways in the park.
A Fire Service spokesman said it was the second occasion local youths had been involved in setting fire to bins in the park.
“It is a mindless activity – but it could be stopped if people would not leave their bins out overnight.”
[ 23.02.2006, 20:00: Message edited by: DS ]
