Second chance to quiz
police on crime issues
by David Skentelbery
RESIDENTS of a troubled inner-Warrington area are to get a second chance to quiz police on anti-crime and vandalism issues.
A second Community Action Meeting is to be held at Whitecross – where only a month ago residents voted for police to make tackling anti-social behaviour a top priority.
The meeting at the Sacred Heart Primary School, in Selby Street, on January 19, will be given an update on progress since the initial meeting in December.
Residents will be given another chance to vote for a key priority over the following six weeks.
They can vote for anti-social behaviour again if they wish – or different issues such as graffiti or criminal damage.
It is the first time in Warrington that local people have been able to vote for a particular issue they want police to tackle and is part of a pilot scheme which could see similar Community Action Meetings being held in other parts of the borough.
Community Support Officer Kath Harkin said: “At our first meeting the people of Whitecross voted for us to tackle anti-social behaviour.
“We want those residents and others who could not attend on the night to come along to find out what’s been done to address the problem.
“This meeting will give everyone the chance to decide the issue we all need to focus on next. Don’t leave it up to someone else to vote for the top priority- if there is something affecting the area where you live tell us about it.”
Local Community Action Team officer PC Tony Davidson and CSO Harkin are inviting residents to attend the meeting, which starts at 7pm.
China cycling adventure
will boost charity
by John Hendon
WARRINGTON’S Rugby League development officer Neil Kelly is to embark on the challenge of a lifetime.
On May 28 he will take part in a 10-day cycling adventure across China to raise funds for learning disability charity Mencap.
He will join a group of 30 cyclists, who will cycle more than 300 miles from the Great Wall of China to Tiananmen Square.
Fitness is not the only goal in the challenge – a fund-raising target of ?2,750 is the main aim.
Neil will be working with the Wolves’ Community Team to create fund-raising schemes, such as sports memorabilia, collections, raffles and special events.
Money raised by Neil will go towards Mencap’s vital work supporting people with learning disabilities and will provide life-changing opportunities for children and adults.
Neil’s current work not only helps create a pathway for Rugby League participation, but will soon see the creation of a community learning floor at Wolves’ Halliwell Jones Stadium. The floor will open new opportunities for all in education, employment and leisure.
Wolves’ prop foward Mark Hilton is backing Neil in his fundraising efforts.
He said: “I have worked in Warrington’s Special Schools and Neil’s effort will help contribute to a better life for many people and I am backing him all the way”.
Anyone wanting to sponsor or support Neil in any way can contact him on 0773 007 5931.
New initiative to
boost internet access
by John Hendon
A NEW initiative has been launched in Warrington design to provide faster internet access for people living and working in the town.
The Broadband Connect Community Chest covers Warrington and the rest of Cheshire and offers the hope of grants of up to ?66,000 to people and groups wanting to launch innovative broadband projects.
In Warrington and Cheshire generally, more households and businesses have taken up broadband than any other area of the country with the exception of London – 15.6 per cent compared to the national average of 14.7 per cent.
However, the role that broadband can play and its true potential are only just being fully realised. It is hoped that through the Community Chest, funded by the North West Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and managed by Cheshire and Warrington Broadband CONNECT, pioneering uses of broadband will be established to assist different sectors of the community and encourage more people to connect to broadband.
Simon Parr, who is managing the project said: “This funding is great news for Cheshire and Warrington, as it will enable us to champion some really exciting and groundbreaking broadband projects.” “We are looking for initiatives that will benefit different sectors of the community, which go beyond content based broadband solutions. These could target a variety of users, for example, members of a community, voluntary groups, local businesses, pensioners or a housing association.
“Successful projects might incorporate new technology trials, or introduce new forms of leisure and entertainment. The aim might be to assist vulnerable members of the community, or perhaps involve schemes for groups such as the scouts or guides, or could work in conjunction with a locally based charity.
“We want to get people thinking beyond some of the features of broadband, such as speed and always on, and to explore what it can do to enhance the lives of others. We would be interested to hear from anyone who thinks they could deliver such ideas.”
Kevin Morley, head of ICT at the North West Regional Development Agency (NWDA), says, “This funding will enable Broadband CONNECT to implement a number of significant projects to enable the local community, individuals, and local businesses to enjoy the benefits on offer from broadband technology. I hope these schemes will allow individuals and businesses to see the benefits of broadband and encourage them to continue connecting.”
Hospital’s ?100,000 boost
for cutting waiting times
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON Hospital has won a ?100,000 funding boost for North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust – by reducing waiting times in the accident and emergency department.
A&E met the government’s target of 97 per cent of patients being treated, admitted or discharged within four hours of their arrival to the department during the final quarter of last year.
The money forms part of an initiative which rewards Trusts for their performance and will ultimately mean no patients wait longer than four hours by March 31,
2005.
Welcoming the additional funding directorate manager for emergency care Shirley Brady said: “This is excellent news and a real boost to staff in the Department.
“We are delighted we are able to continue to reduce waiting times for patients and this money will be ploughed back in to ensure we can provide even better access to our facilities.”
The additional funding is still subject to confirmation.
Battle to become
town’s youth MPs
by staff reporter
BUDDING politicians will battle it out on tomorrow (Saturday) to become members of the Youth Parliament.
Young people, aged 11 to 18, will set out their stall to become the town’s representatives of the UK Youth Parliament – set up to give young people a national voice listened to by the government and local authorities.
Elections for the new MYPs will take place at 10am The GATEWAY on Sankey Street.
Every young person living in Warrington has the right to vote for the person they believe should be their Member of Youth Parliament.
The election will provide the chance for every young person to have their say on “what’s hot and what’s not” in Warrington, and to decide who represents them for the next year.
The two young people elected will represent the two wards of Warrington North and Warrington South. Each of the MYPs will also have two deputies to support their workload, to work with local groups and to gather information about what young people want in Warrington.
Anyone interested in attending the elections should call to book a place on 01925 811955 or e-mail [email protected]
Hunt for thug who
attacked clubgoer
by David Skentelbery
PO
LICE are hunting an unknown thug who carried out a vicious attack on a clubgoer at Warrington.
The victim – who required hospital treatment for a number of facial fractures – was struck from behind in a completely unprovoked attack at Mr Smith’s Club at Bridgefoot.
Anyone who saw the attack is asked to contact DC Mark Rown at Warrington CID on 01244 613833.
Police say the victim, a 22-year-old man, was on the upper dance floor in the club, walking towards the exit, when he was struck from behind.
He is described as 5ft 11 inches tall, with short dark hair and at the time was wearing a light grey Ben Sherman jumper, blue jeans and white trainers.
There is no description available of the attacker because the victim never even saw him.
