Wolves launch drive to
unite community groups
by David Skentelbery
A PIONEERING initiative to bring community organisations closer together is set to become a reality next month – with the unveiling of a new Community Learning and Sport Foundation based at Warrington Wolves’ Halliwell Jones Stadium.
The Warrington Wolves Community Learning and Sport Foundation, a stand-alone charitable trust, will bring community groups and organisations together under one umbrella.
To commemorate the achievement, former Wolves star Sid Domic has produced a unique piece of Aboriginal Artwork to be displayed in the entrance to the stadium’s Community Floor.
Sid’s story is as unique as the painting – a self-taught artist with a passion for his Aboriginal history.
He still lives in Warrington and said: “The community work done by all clubs is fantastic. Warrington certainly lead the way and the setting up of The Foundation within this great new stadium is a tremendous testament to the hard work that goes on.”
Coun Terry O’Neill, a member of the Board of Trustees said: “I would like to thank all the many partner agencies, organisations and people across the community who have been so instrumental in its development from a simple community liaison group to a very special example of a true working partnership – a Foundation we can be very proud of. The reality is even better than our vision!”
The Trust board comprises of representatives from local community organisations and partnerships as well as club personnel.
They include Wolves’ chief executive Andy Gatcliffe, Coun O’Neill, Pat Kitto director of Lifelong Learning at Warrington Collegiate and John Gartside chairman of the Five Boroughs NHS Trust.
The Foundation has been formed to enable the Wolves and Warrington Borough Council to build upon the success of its past community work and to help expand and develop that work right across the Warrington community. The North West Development Agency has helped with funding.
The aim of the Foundation is to create a more cohesive approach to the provision of many of Warrington’s key services.
It will focus on using the positive power of sport to promote active participation in sport and learning, with the ultimate aim of helping to improve the quality of life for everyone involved.
Neil Kelly, the Foundation’s director, said: “There is no doubt that, away from the field of play, Wolves’ biggest strength is the work developed in conjunction with the local authority over many years within our local community. With the new stadium, the formation of The Foundation enables us to now take this work to a new and unprecedented level.”
An official opening date for the Community Floor is to be announced in the very near future.
Southern import!
by Gary Skentelbery
MANY models are forced to venture south to pursue a career.
But the roles have been reversed for Kimberley Cooper, 21, who has moved “Up North” after a meeting with Warrington photographer Nick Giles to discuss a possible photo shoot.
The pair instantly fell for each other and within two weeks Kim had moved from her Southern roots to Warrington.
With such a hectic start and Kim being in demand from work commitments it took Nick two months before he finally got Kim infront of his own camera lens. The move away from the “Big-Smoke” has not affected Kim’s workload, in fact she is now in more demand for her modelling skills than ever, being close to the many fashion photographic studios located in Manchester which specialise in the retail and catalogue sector of the fashion industry.
Kim said: “I just love living in Warrington, it has a fantastic social life equally, if not better than the south. The people here are so easy going and friendly and there are real bargains to be had in the shops, many at half the price for the same outfits. It’s a girl’s dream for shopping prices, and I just love the way the designers have finished the centre of the town with the stonework and fountains. Socially, going out at night is a fraction of the cost compared to London with venues of equal enjoyment”.
Kim still commutes back to London for shoots when required and to visit her family. She has been a regular for the last three months in publications such as “Front” magazine and various car specialist circulars in addition to normal modelling duties. When asked about her life as a model Kim added, “Any models worst enemy is constant tiredness, it goes with the job, its not the bed of roses the media would have many believe it is, but its good points far outweigh the bad ones.”
Of Kim, Nick said: “Kim has become my best friend which is very important in a relationship. She’s a very natural and talented model but her success is down to her hard work and determination. My son Oliver thinks he has the coolest step-mum ever, and his dad agrees with him. I see Kimmy going far in the modelling world, she deserves it.” When asked about a possible marriage the couple raised their eyebrows and grinned, “Perhaps… Watch this space, we will let you know. If we do Warrington Worldwide be the first to know …. that’s a promise!”
Works chimney plan
given the go-ahead
by David Skentelbery
ALUMINIUM can recycling company Novelis UK has been given the go-ahead to install filtration equipment at the Warrington works to improve the working environment of employees.
The borough’s development control committee approved the scheme despite objections from Grappenhall and Thelwall Parish Council.
Worries about noise, smells and dust and the proximity of the plant at Latchford Locks, Warrington to proposed new buildings had led to the objections.
Novelis will now be able to erect a 20 metre high chimney and bag filter building at their works.
The committee was told the purpose of the new plant was to provide enhanced air extraction in the premises in the interests of personnel.
The plant will filter emissions through a bag which, when full, will be disposed of at a landfill site.
Planning officers said the new plant would be on the north side of the existing works and would have no visual impact beyond the confines of the site. Noise levels would be below background noise levels.
The nearest houses would be more than 200 metres away and although proposed new buildings would be closer a refusal on this basis could be justified.
Pubs and clubs may
be forced to close
by Lesley Wilkinson
PUBS and other businesses and individuals who have not applied for licenses to sell alcohol under the new rules, are being urged to do so quickly by Warrington Borough Council.
Traders selling alcohol have to apply for a new premises licence, club premises certificate or personal licence.
The council’s Licensing Committee was advised that it had received 499 applications for premises licences and club premises certificates and 499 applications for personal licences, under the Licensing Act 2003.
Members were concerned that many businesses needing a licence, had failed to apply.
New licenses come into effect from November 24. The August deadline for converting existing licences has passed, but there is still time to apply for a new license.
Businesses that sell alcohol, provide public entertainment or sell hot food after 11pm must apply for a new licence or certificate. And some businesses will require a licence for the first time.
Coun Brian Maher, chairman of the Licensing Committee, said: “Individuals and businesses must have their licence/certificate in time for November 24 and those that left it too late risked closure or prosecution.
“As the application process takes time I would strongly advise applicants not to delay submitting their applications. In the case of new applications for premises licences and club premises certificates, applicants that have not already applied are recommended to apply before September 24 to enable th
eir licence to be dealt with before the deadline,” he added.
Festive floral
show at hall
by staff reporter
PLANS are underway for the third annual Christmas Floral Extravaganza at Arley Hall, near Warrington from December 3 to 11.
It will include candlelight and carol evenings, floodlit walks through the award-winning gardens and a special family weekend with Father Christmas. There will also be the chance to make mince pies and learn the skills of a butler.
The event starts with a display of Christmas trees and a celebration of flowers.
Event organiser Judy Popley said: “With over ?10,000 worth of fresh flowers adorning this charming old country house, visitors are promised a feast for the senses.”
This year’s themes will be masks and opulence and experts have already started working on the arrangements.
Judy said: “Each year the leaders decorate a different room and we also change the focus and style of the arrangements, with some rooms traditional in design while others are contemporary. Last year, for example, we had hundreds of orchids in the Gallery, which gave a Far Eastern feel to the room as the ladies had picked out the oriental designs in the two magnificent Chinese cabinets we have in there.”
Other events during the extravaganza include floral demonstrations and a visit by Yorkshire TV’s Carl Wilde.
Car torched
by hooligans
by staff reporter
A STOLEN car was abandoned and set alight by hooligans in Sheerwater Close, Bruche, Warrington during the night.
The culprits emptied the contents of a nearby wheelie bin into the car, set it alight and then pushed it into a brook.
Fire crews raced to the scene but the car was burned out.
A spokesman said: “This is the second similar incident in the area. Two nights ago, a car was torched and pushed into the same brook.”
He said people could help by not putting their wheelie bins out overnight.
