Top award for the
nature reserve
that wouldn’t die
by David Skentelbery
A 40-acre complex of abandoned clay workings near Warrington, which has survived the attentions of builders, waste dumpers, car thieves, big business and natural disasters for more than 20 years has been named as one of Europe’s top nature reserves.
Rixton Clay Pits nature reserve, has been classed as an internationally important “Special Area of Conservation” (SACs) by the European Commission in Brussels.
It is recognised as one of the most important breeding sites in England for great crested newts.
But for more than 20 years it has been threatened with destruction by a variety of “invaders.”
Warrington borough council, Rixton parish council and local residents mounted a strenuous defence and won – time after time.
In 1981 it was threatened by flooding – but local volunteers with buckets formed a human chain to come to the rescue. They couldn’t move a significant amount of the water but they persuaded people to sponsor them by the bucketful to raise money for proper drainage.
In 1986 rangers had to stand guard day and night to keep fly tippers away – and three years later there was a poison scare when high levels of arsenic were found in soil samples.
The same year, plans were put forward for 100 homes on adjoining land but these were thrown out after an inquiry.
In 1992, a naturalist reported seeing strange shapes below the murky water and divers had to be brought in to remove three stolen vehicles which had been dumped at the bottom.
There was fury in 1998 when a bid was made to resume clay excavations for the brick trade and then back-fill with waste tipping.
Each time local campaigners fought and won – and the newts survived.
Two other Warrington sites have been named as SACs by Brussels – Risley Moss and Holcroft Moss, both relics of the ancient mossland that once was a feature of the Mersey Valley.
Dr David Bell, Warrington’s principal ecologist, said: “We should all be proud of this achievement. To have three internationally important sites within our borough is exceptional. I hope that even more people will now be tempted to visit the reserves, and enjoy the exceptional wildlife experience on offer.”
Risley Moss and Rixton Clay Pits are owned and managed by the borough council and offer excellent visitor facilities.
Coun Paul Ross, deputy leader of the council, said: “Special Areas of Conservation represent the best wildlife sites found across Europe and the Warrington sites put us firmly on the international map for nature conservation.
“One of the strengths at all three sites is the large community involvement, with dozens of local volunteers giving up their free time to help with management and monitor the wildlife.”
“Crack house” closed
after court hearing
by court reporter
A WARRINGTON house alleged to have been used for the supply of Class A drugs has been closed following a successful application to the town’s magistrates by Cheshire Police.
The so-called “crack house” in Harbord Street, Howley, has been boarded-up.
Police gave notice of the proposed closure at the weekend.
Warrington Magistrates considered their application and agreed to the closure and police officers immediately went to the house to post a closure notice on the door. The closure is effective for three months.
Police made the application to close the premises under Section One of the Anti Social Behaviour Act, 03 which allows for “closure of premises used in connection with the production, supply or use of Class A drugs and associated with the occurrence of disorder or serious nuisance.”
Police spokesman Supt Gary Finchett said: “This is our second crack house closure in Warrington and I commend the work of the officers from the Proactive Policing Team who put many hours into collating intelligence and conducting surveillance on the premises. There are links between drug abuse and crime in general and by tackling the supply of Class A drugs we are effectively tackling other types of offences such as vehicle crime and burglary. This closure order should send a positive message to the local community.”
Helen Kirkley, Community Safety Co-ordinator for Warrington Borough Council, added: “The council is keen to support the work of the police. We will not tolerate this sort of anti social behaviour in our neighbourhoods.”
Bus station is
on the move
by Lesley Wilkinson
IMPROVEMENTS to Golden Square shopping centre reach their next milestone tomorrow (Wednesday) when the existing bus station is relocated.
The depot moves to a temporary location at the corner of Winwick Street, Golborne Street and Midland Way, to allow work on extending the shopping centre to continue.
Work also starts this month at the Golborne Street entrance (by WH Smith), to include the new upper level car park due for completion by next spring. It will have direct access to the centre, allowing the existing Legh Street car park to be demolished next April or May.
To allow the work, the entrance will be closed for a week from Monday, July 25.
Hoardings will be erected between WH Smith and Vision Express and the subway under Golborne Street will also close. The centre will remain fully open and pedestrians should follow the entrance direction signs.
Road widening works to Legh Street are due to be completed by the end of July and Legh Street will continue to be one way from Sankey Street to Midland Way Directional signs are in operation.
The Legh Street car park remains open at present with 850 spaces, including 24 designated disabled spaces and the Shopmobility facility.
Students graduate
with honours
by Gary Skentelbery
STUDENTS from throughout the UK and overseas have been rewarded for years of hard work at the Warrington campus of University College Chester.
Two hundred and fifty students – some of whom flew in especially for the occasion from India, Spain, Belgium and other countries – were presented with BAs and MAs for part- and full-time courses ranging from Media and Business to Performing Arts and Sport.
Held at the historic Whitworth Hall, part of the University of Manchester, It was the last time Warrington-based postgraduates were awarded degrees from the University of Manchester, while the final cohort of undergraduates will receive their University of Manchester degrees next year.
From September, University College Chester will become a university in its own right and students starting courses on the Warrington campus will be awarded degrees from the new institution.
The College’s Assistant Principal and Provost for the Warrington campus, Dr Malcolm Rhodes, said: “The graduation ceremony is the culmination of years of diligent study, a proud occasion for families and friends and the point at which our students make their way into the world.
“For many who have undertaken part-time courses, the achievement is even more impressive, as they have been dividing their time between learning their subject, holding down a job and managing family commitments.
“Although this is the penultimate Manchester graduation, we are looking forward to a new era, as Warrington students join those from the Chester campus to receive degrees in Chester Cathedral from our new university.”
Family escape from
smoke-filled house
by staff reporter
A FAMILY of four – including a baby – escaped unhurt from a smoke-filled house early today after fire broke out in a fuse box.
The blaze was at a house in Locker Avenue, Longford, Warrington and is believed to have been caused by an electrical fault.
It was discovered when a man got up to put the kettle on to prepare a feed for the baby. He smelled burning, roused the family and got everyone outside before dialling 999.
A Fire Service spokesman said the house was fitted with smoke alarms
which activated shortly after the family left the property. But they would have activated early enough to save the family even if they had been asleep.
“We strongly advise the fitting of smoke alarms and provide a free fitting service. Any interested should contact Warrington Fire Station,” he said.
Swift action over
recycling bins
by Lesley Wilkinson
PROMPT action was taken to improve the condition of glass recycling bins by the Hood Manor shops, following complaints from Liberal Democrat councillors in Great Sankey South, Warrington.
They reported that bins were brimming over, and site clearing was arranged by Warrington Borough Council.
Coun Alan Litton said: “We are grateful to the council for acting quickly but we shouldn’t allow the containers to get into this state. More frequent emptying is needed.
“If people turn up and find the containers full they have two choices. Take the bottles home again and have a wasted journey or leave them in bags on the ground. Neither is satisfactory. It’s not just the recycling containers because the litter bins are overflowing too.” Coun Liz Smith said shopkeepers had been complaining about the state of the area.
“It’s a safety hazard too because we saw young children climbing over the containers with broken glass around them on the floor,” she said. “We are asking the council do more to keep Hood Manor tidy. General untidiness doesn’t help the litter campaigns we are running with the school and the Clean Team initiative.”
Footballers’ ?600
boost for hospital
by staff reporter
PUB footballers have raised more than ?600 for cancer research – with a little help from the motor trade.
Members of the Golden Fleece football team at Lymm organised a six-a-side soccer contest in the village and Warrington’s Polar Ford promised to match whatever they raised.
The footballers raised ?220 so Polar Ford chipped in with the same amount. Another car dealer, the BBA Auto Centre also contributed ?200.
Team members Paul Wilson, Gary Banim and Phil Taylor organised the event to help local girl Karleen Hesketh, who wanted to raise money for Weston Park Hospital, where she was treated for the disease.
Phil said: “We would like to thank everyone who helped us – particularly Polar Ford and BBA.
“Everyone enjoyed the competition and Karleen, who is making good progress, was able to come along and watch.”
