“Time bomb” probe
ordered at 300 homes
by Terry Johnson
A “TIME BOMB” probe has been ordered at 300 homes built near the former Burtonwood Base at Warrington.
Soil samples will be taken from gardens for laboratory analysis and house-owners growing vegetables and fruit will be questioned.
The investigation at the old Burtonwood Repair Depot in west-Warrington, where chemicals and radio-active materials were used in aircraft repair and maintenance, follows strict Government guidelines which attempt to seek out “contaminated” sites earmarked for home-building.
The repair depot was heavily used for several decades, during and after World War 2. Any land toxicity cannot be competently assessed because full records of the site’s clearance in the 1980’s are not available.
Warrington Borough Council has now brought in consultants to look at the results of an earlier site study and determine what further measures are needed.
Phil Woods, the Council’s Environmental Health and Protection Manager, said: “Following this new guidance, it is important to ensure we have done everything we can to give certainty to the results of this study.
“In the absence of adequate records, we need to make sure we can remove any uncertainties – and, most importantly, clear up any concerns residents may have”.
He added: “We want to keep people fully aware and informed throughout every stage of this study. We shall be writing to everyone.
“We have also set up an information line that people can use if they have any questions or concerns”.
He confirmed that as part of the study, the council would be carrying out a survey of those growing fruit or vegetables on former airbase land.
The council’s original study between 2002-04 – “to assess the land’s legacy” – involved taking soil samples from 300 properties.
Consultants then concluded that, for the majority of the study area, no further work was needed.
But Government experts now say they require a minimum number of soil samples to be taken. Every front and back garden within the study area must be tested, to give certainty to the results.
Residents can contact the Council on 01925-443245 or e-mail [email protected]
The investigation does not include the nearby Chapelford site, where a unique urban village is being created. The suitability of this land for home-building has been proven.
Memories flood back
for the class of ’79
by Gary Skentelbery
MEMORIES came flooding back for former pupils of Culcheth High School during a Class of ’79 Reunion held at Culcheth Sports Club.
Organised by Anita Matthews (Williams) and Anne Gregg (Barber), with the help of Helen Kember (Weight), Stella Kember (Davies) around 50 former pupils attended the event, some travelling from as far as London and Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
For many it was the first time they had caught up on the “good old days” for more than 25 years.
Culcheth Life Editor Gary Skentelbery was delighted to meet up with old friends Philip Butterworth, who he hadn’t seen since the end of the 5th year in 1979 and Mark Taylor, who he lost touch with in the mid 1980’s. All three are now in regular contact thanks to email!
It is hoped another reunion can be arranged in the not too distant future.
Those who attended included : Nigel Long, Graeme McMenemy, Gary Farrington, Alan Daintith, Mike Hadfield, Keith Linsley, Mike Leaver, Alastair Bromley, Jane Mullineuax, John Worthington, Adrian France, Ronnie Thompson, Ian Grimshaw, Sharon Gorral, “The Watson twins” Deborah Hayes, Susan Hargreaves, Mark Bradley, Colin Shillitoe, Janine Price and Tracy Southern to name but a few!
The organisers, Anita Matthews and Anne Gregg, said they would like to thank everyone who attended the ‘Class of 79’ reunion.
“It was great to meet up with old friends and we were very pleased with the amount of people who attended.
“Thank you to everyone who helped out with the organising and we will try and hold another one in a few years time.”
If anyone would like to keep in touch please send your email address to [email protected] or [email protected]
Controversial homes
plan is put on hold
by David Skentelbery
A CONTROVERSIAL plan to build houses on open farmland at Glazebury, near Warrington, has been deferred.
The borough council’s development control committee decided to defer consideration of the scheme, off Warrington Road, Glazebury, after hearing of a possible legal challenge to the Green Belt boundary proposed in the borough’s Unitary Development Plan.
More than 76 people have signed letters supporting Mr Jess Bradbury’s proposals for land at the rear of his home – but 28 local householders have lodged objections to the scheme.
They claim most of the people supporting the scheme live outside the area.
Culcheth and Glazebury Parish Council is also opposing the proposal.
Two years ago Mr Bradbury submitted similar proposals which were thrown out by Warrington’s development control committee.
He subsequently failed in an appeal against the decision.
Planning officers are recommending that the scheme should again be refused. They say part of the site lies within the draft Green Belt and that with Warrington’s Unitary Development Plan now much closer to adoption, Green Belt land in the area has an even greater level of protection than it had two years ago.
Mr Bradbury’s new scheme includes a number of community benefits. Ten per cent of the development would consist of “affordable housing.”
A parcel of land would be donated for a village green and ?20,000 offered towards the cost of a new scout hunt/community hall.
Improved car park facilities would be provided for Glazebury Methodist Church together with improved outdoor facilities, costing ?15,000 at Glazebury CE Primary School. Traffic speed warning signs would be provided near the school and a footpath laid to the community centre. Public seating would be funded.
Objectors claim the financial donations offered are purely to gain support for the scheme – and planning officers say the community benefits do not address the harmful impact the development would have.
The parish council says the project would be detrimental to the Green Belt and contrary to the current policy on housing development.
Man found dead
in town centre
by David Skentelbery
THE body of a man has been found in the centre of Warrington.
A syringe was discovered nearby and police are investigating the possibility of a drug overdose.
The body, of a man aged in his 40s, was found at the rear of shops in Bank Street, near Warrington Market.
Although he has not been formally identified, police believe they know who he is but are witholding his name until relatives have been contacted.
Enquiries are being made among his known associates to see if they can throw any light on his last movements.
A police spokesman said: “A syringe was found near the body so drugs testing will form part of the post mortem process.”
Village’s unique
thorn tree ceremony
by staff reporter
THE annual Bawming the Thorn ceremony will be held at Appleton Thorn, near Warrington on Saturday, June 18.
A procession will leave the village hall and the “bawming” ceremony, starting at 1pm, will be officially opened by the Mayor of Warrington, Coun Hans Mundry.
Children from Appleton Thorn Primary School will dance round the decorated thorn tree and sing the “bawming” song.
Appleton Thorn is the only village in the British Isles – and probably the world – that celebrates the ancient ceremony of “Bawming the Thorn”.
The custom dates back to medieval times when a Norman Knight, on his way back to Cheshire from the Crusades, brought with him a sprig of the Glastonbury Thorn and planted it at Appleton Thorn.
Although the tree has died on several occasion
s over the centuries, it has always been replaced with a sprig from Glastonbury.
The singers will be accompanied by Appleton Thorn school brass group, conducted by Mr Gordon Thatcher.
Afterwards there is a summer fete and barbecue at Appleton Thorn Village Hall. Among the attractions will duck racing, a traditional fun fair, bird of prey exhibition, cake stall, face painting and tombola.
Community gears up
for carnival day
by Terry Johnson
PLANS are well advanced for Warrington’s Birchwood Carnival, with organisers urging the widest possible community support of the fun event.
The carnival committee is urging more entries of “floats” and walking groups in the colourful procession on Saturday, June 4. There are also charity stalls available to fund-raisers.
The procession will leave the Birchwood Shopping Centre at 12.00 noon, en-route to the 100-acre Forest Park.
Main arena act is a performance by the Black Eagles Acrobats, combining balancing skills with energetic dance.
There will be a falconry display, circus workshop, fairground, Punch and Judy, land train, drum workshop and a ranger roadshow with animals from Walton Hall’s mini-zoo.
A marquee-based local history exhibition will include the former Risley Royal Ordnance Factory whose re-development provided the catalyst for Birchwood.
The carnival programme will also include environmentally-friendly exhibitors marking World Environment Day(June 5).
Further details about the carnival and entries from Gaynor Kerry on 01925-824239 or visit the website www.birchwoodcarnival.org
Newly-returned MP
goes back to school
by staff reporter
NEWLY-returned Labour MP, Helen Jones, went back to the classroom when she spent the morning with pupils of Burtonwood Community Primary School.
The MP for Warrington North was taking part in a Global Campaign for Education initiative which puts the spotlight on the 100 million children worldwide who receive no education.
The Burtonwood school is among 3,000 UK schools making cut-out figures representing the huge number of education-deprived children.
The cut-outs will be handed to world leaders when they meet for the G8 Summit in July…reminding them of a promise to ensure all children access primary education by 2015.Schoolchildren at Burtonwood took part in a number of activities focused on children denied an education.
They showed Ms Jones their work, watched a video on the subject and discussed the issue with her.
Service of
Remembrance
by staff reporter
LYMM branch of the Royal British Legion is to hold a special Service of Remembrance to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of World War 2.
The service, which will commemorate both VE Day and VJ Day, will be held at St Mary’s Church, Lymm on Sunday July 10 at 10am.
Afterwards there will be a wreath laying ceremony at the War Memorial.
Further information can be obtained from David Dixon on 01925 752271 or Raymond Massey on 01925 755556.
Similar services will be held by Royal British Legion branches across the UK.
