Skateboard park plan
splits a community
by David Skentelbery
A PLAN for a skateboard park at Lymm, near Warrington has split the local community.
More than 100 residents have signed a protest petition and 94 have written letters of objection – but 13 petitions with a total of 342 signatures support the scheme and 53 people have written letters welcoming the project.
The plan, drawn up by Lymm Parish Council, is to be submitted to Warrington’s development control committee.
The scheme, for Ridgeway Grundy Park, off Maltmans Road, Lymm has angered nearby residents.
They claim it will worsen existing problems caused by unruly youths in the park, under-age drinking, noise, damage and vandalism.
It would also reduce the space left in the park for walking, picnicking and playing with children – and the visual impact of the skate park would damage an attractive and peaceful area of semi-woodland.
Lymm Parish Council and Cherry Tree Primary School both support the scheme – along with Statham Residents Association.
They argue that it will provide a welcome addition to youth facilities in the village.
Coun Sheila Woodyatt said: “This facility will encourage more of our well-behaved young people into the park and I can find no evidence of skateboard areas increasing youth problems. The project is supported by the borough council, the police, local schools and youth group and local residents.”
Coun Ian Marks said: “This facility has been requested by young people and we know from a survey carried out at the schools has large support.
“At present, young people skateboard on the roads on street corners, which is very dangerous. This designated area would be much safer.”
Casino fundraiser’s
?700 boost for disabled
by Gary Skentelbery
A CASINO night held at Shelly’s restaurant in Warrington town centre helped raise more than ?700 for the Warrington Disability Partnership.
Michelle Butterworth, proprietor of the restaurant, staged the Casino Night themed fundraiser for the benefit of the charity.
The night exceeded all expectations, with the 40 guests including the Mayor and Mayoress Coun Hans and Karen Mundry, enjoying the fantastic food, drink and atmosphere laid on all night by Shelly?s hard working staff; raising ?759 in the process!
Jon Menzies, WDP?s fundraiser said that: “Everyone told me that they had a great night out and seemed to enjoy themselves in helping to raise so much in a single evening for WDP to make essential repairs to our accessible ?Wizard? narrow boat and get her back on the water as soon as possible for both the disabled people of Warrington and their families to enjoy. Both WDP and the Wizard team thank the tremendous work of Michelle and her team at Shelly?s.”
Hazel Smart from Smarts Furniture at Stockton Heath won the Casino?s 1st prize.
Singer Gareth is
town’s top busker
by Lesley Wilkinson
THE streets of Warrington town centre were alive with the sound of buskers during a week-long competition.
Shoppers and visitors were entertained by street musicians during the Buskers Alive competition with prizes donated by three local music shops Dawsons Ltd, Back Alley Music and Aardvark.
Joining local musicians were others from throughout the region – and even from America.
Music ranged from Old Time Music Hall and sixties classics to current hits with guitars, brass and piano accordion. Judges reported a high standard among candidates.
First prize went to Gareth Neil, of Oakwood, Warrington, whose outstanding vocals and guitar based classic hits and modern anthems pleased judges and the public alike.
Second were Mark Byles and Sonny Price, a saxophone and guitar duo from Appleton. Third was Ian Mac, of Liverpool, who played pop classics.
Alan Storton, assistant town centre manager, said: “We had a fantastic week of music in the town centre, which came to a fabulous end with the Georgie Fame concert on Saturday.
“We were delighted with the number, and talent, of the entries in the busking competition and many other talented people just missed out on prizes and the overall standard was very high.”
Allotments for people
with special needs
by Lesley Wilkinson
NEW community allotments in Battery Lane, Woolston, designed for people with special needs, have been officially opened.
Chairman of Woolston Parish Council, Coun Ann Brennan, cut the ribbon to open the site.
Work on the project has been carried out by the parish council, Warrington Borough Council and the Battery Lane Allotment Association.
The specially-designed plots feature tarmac pathways, raised beds, a large shed for cover from bad weather and disabled toilets. They have been funded by several organisations including the borough and parish councils.
Coun Pat Wright, the borough council’s executive member for community services, said: “It is fantastic to see the allotments officially opened as I know a lot of hard work has gone into delivering this project. Everyone who has been involved should feel very proud and I hope people enjoy using the allotments.”
Town’s new “easy
access” buses
by staff reporter
SIX new “easy access” buses have been added to Warrington Borough Transport fleet as part of the ongoing programme to improve public transport in the borough.
The new buses are buggy and wheelchair friendly, have ultra clean low-emission engines and new style LED destination displays for easy reading during the hours of darkness.
As a result of requests from passengers, the vehicles have also been fitted with continental style seating, allowing extra leg-room.
They are also fitted with CCTV systems to improve passenger and driver safety.
WBT managing director Nigel Featham said: “We are working to transform the quality of public transport in Warrington.
“Investment in the bus fleet is a vital part of this process and we are delighted to have added another six new buses.
“However, it does not stop there; staff are now being trained to higher standards than ever before, Real Time passenger information screens have been fitted to 180 bus stops across the town and 250 new shelters have been installed. This will be complimented by a new ‘state of the art’ town centre bus station due to be opened in May next year.
“Warrington is rightly regarded as one of the most vibrant towns in the North West and we are working to ensure it has a public transport system in keeping with that standing.”
The company – wholly owned by Warrington Borough Council – now has 52 easy access buses in its fleet.
News in brief
Car fire
ARSONISTS set fire to a nine-year-old Ford Escort parked outside the owner’s house in Birtles Road, Orford, Warrington, during the night. The car was burned out before fire crews could reach the scene. Police are investigating.
Hospital lottery
WINNING numbers in the weekly lottery run by the League of Friends of Warrington Hospital were 10, 11, 13 and 15. There was one winner for the ?100 jackpot and the ?25 consolation prize went to “Pauline”.
Studio refused
PLANNING chiefs have turned down proposals for a garage with a studio above it on the site of an existing twin garage at Dene Hey, in Broad Lane, Grappenhall, Warrington.
Farming scheme
B WILSHAW and Partners, of Bates Farm, Warrington Road, Risley, near Warrington, have won planning consent for a steel frame building for livestock at the farm.
Disabled parking
WARRINGTON Borough Council has made an order to allow disabled person’s parking places in Wellfield Street and Lexden Street. Anyone objecting must do so in writing to council solicitor Howard Norris by September 22.
