Anger over overflowing
recycling containers
by David Skentelbery
ANGRY councillors are demanding action to avoid a repetition of the chaos at Warrington?s tips and recycling period over the Christmas and New Year period.
A motion will be put to the borough council at its meeting next week drawing attention to the problems which caused anger among residents across the borough.
Because of a week-long gap in the emptying of wheelie bins, recycling sites were left overflowing with rubbish for several days as people arrived with bottles, paper, packages, etc and found all the containers were full.
Liberal Democrat councillors Keith Gleave (pictured) and Brian Axcell are to move a motion that the council:
Notes that over the Christmas and New Year holiday period there is a week?s gap in the emptying of wheelie bins at a time of increased generation of waste.
Regrets the problem caused by overflowing recycling containers at some tips and local recycling centres.
Examines the reason for these difficulties, put measures in place to ensure they do not happen again next year and report back on the actions taken.
In fact, the councillors are echoing comments made by many residents ? not just at Christmas but also at most Bank Holiday periods.
The problem is exacerbated by the fact that many people while quite prepared to take their rubbish to recycling centres, refuse to take it back home again if the containers are full and instead leave it on the ground where it is soon scattered by the wind and scavenging animals.
Legends turn out
to support Mike
by Gary Skentelbery
WARRINGTON stars of the past, present and future, turned out to show their support for former club captain Mike Gregory, who is suffering from a debilitating illness.
They were joined by more than 6,100 fans at a special Mike Gregory Trust Challenge when the Wolves narrowly triumphed 21-20 at the Halliwell Jones against near neighbours Widnes.
The event included the presentation of a rare Championship Medal donated by Harry Bath who is now aged 81 and living in Sydney, Australia. Harry and his wife Gwen, who spent nine “very happy” years in Warrington, where the ran the Britannia pub, sent the medal after hearing of Mike’s plight through Warrington-Worldwide.
Both players had the honour of skippering the side and Harry, was eager to help 42-year-old Mike and his young family during their difficult times.
Harry, who collected 17 winners medals during his illustrious career, decided to donate one he won in 1947-48 with the Wire, to help the man who shared the honour of captaining Warrington.
He also parted with his only copy of a signed Wembley programme from the 1950 season when he skippered Warrington to a 17-0 victory over Widnes.
The Warrington team that day was full of “legends” including Moggy Palin, Gerry Helme and Brian Bevan.
Harry was eager for the Championship medal and Cup Final programme to stay at the club and now thanks to the fund-raising activities at the game, they have gone on show in a special display case which has been organised by Nobby Clarke Clarke, Chairman of the Past Players Association and Finance Director Neil Dowson on behalf of the Supporters Trust.
Harry said: “Warrington gave me the opportunity to win the medal and I believe it belongs in Warrington and I would like the medal to be able to do some good.”
When his playing career ended, Harry, who lived in Grappenhall, moved back to Australia for a successful coaching career.
Rescue operation
for the red squirrel
by David Skentelbery
A PROJECT to help rescue the endangered red squirrel is set to launch at Warrington’s Walton Park Children’s Zoo.
The zoo has received a ?3,500 grant from Waste Recycling Environmental Ltd (WREN) to set up the conservation project, in conjunction with Colwyn Bay’s Welsh Mountain Zoo.
Red squirrels from the Welsh zoo will be sent to Warrington – and any offspring will then go back to Colwyn Bay for a captive breeding programme or to be released in closed sites.
The squirrels’ new home at Warrington will be in a conservation area with a large, outdoor house and play house and visitors to the zoo will be able to get up close and see the attractive animals in their natural habitat.
Coun Jeff Richards, Warrington Borough Council’s executive member for Sustainable Environment, said: “Everyone at the Children’s Zoo is very excited about the arrival of the new guests, which are sure to be a big hit with visitors.
“The squirrels will also be included in the zoo’s educational programme and children can learn about them and the native wildlife that surrounds them.”
The conservation area will be officially opened in April and a special fun day is taking place on Wednesday April 19 between 1.30pm and 3pm when children can take part in various activities including making squirrel masks at the new visitor centre.
Police swoop on
two drug dens
by staff reporter
DRUG squad officers and housing chiefs swooped on two properties at Warrington following reports from local residents that they were being used as drug dens.
Officers discovered drug taking paraphernalia in both properties ? and both were boarded up.
But now they are being made secure a second time ? this time with steel security shutters ? after one of the properties was broken into and set alight.
The fire ? reported in Warrington-Worldwide yesterday (Tuesday) ? caused extensive damage in a flat in Whitecross Road.
Police spokesman Insp Damien Smethurst, said: “The fact that one of the properties was broken into overnight shows the determination of those who are intent on using the address for criminal activity. With the support of Golden Gates Housing and the local community we are taking swift action to put a stop to this behaviour and I would encourage anyone who has information about drugs to report it to police.”
It was information provided by members of the public which led police and Golden Gates Housing officers to the two properties in the first place.
Nearby residents suspected drug taking activities were taking place.
Drugs paraphernalia was discovered at both addresses by PCSO Kathryn Harkin and PC Tony Davidson.
Kelly Abbott, tenancy impact officer at Golden Gates Housing, said: “We are taking prompt action to secure the property using steel shutters to make sure no-one else can get inside.”
Anyone with information about crime can contact Cheshire Police on 08545 458 0000.
Waste management
under the spotlight
by John Hendon
WASTE management will be under the spotlight at Warrington Town Hall next week.
The Council’s Sustainable Environment and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Committee will meet with Officers on Wednesday January 25, to discuss plans for disposing of Warrington’s waste.
In addition, management of the town’s parks will also be under scrutiny.
Members of the public and interest groups are welcome to attend. To scrutinise local services properly, the committee positively seeks views and information from people both within the council and from partners and key stakeholders.
Anyone who wishes to contribute or ask a question on the reports please contact Bryan Magan, scrutiny co-ordinator on 01925 442079 or email [email protected] who will talk through the issue and agree the most appropriate way of dealing with it.
PC sacked for
misconduct
by staff reporter
A FORMER Warrington police officer who had sex with a woman in the back of a patrol car has been sacked.
Cheshire Police say the conduct of PC Raymond Waring, 31, fell short of the standard expected of police officers and, consequently, he had been dismissed from the force.
The officer, who was serving in Warrington at the time of the offence, was found guilty of misconduct in public office
following a trial at Chester Crown Court in December. He had denied the offence.
The court was told he had sex with a woman he was having an affair with in a patrol car in Victoria Park, Warrington, in August 2002.
Independent Police Complaints Commissioner Mike Franklin said the officer?s behaviour would appal all decent, hardworking police officers.
He said: ?The public has the right to expect the highest standards of conduct from police officers.?
Park plan to
defeat vandals
by David Skentelbery
PLANNING chiefs at Warrington have approved a scheme to seal off two entrances to a town centre park to try and drive away vandals and criminals.
Entrances to Bewsey Park off Bagot Avenue and Delves Avenue will be closed because they provide access to troublemakers who start fires and sabotage bowling greens.
Park users will have to use the main entrance ? which will become the only entrance ? in Troutbeck Avenue.
Vandalism, hooliganism, drug taking and arson have forced council bosses to come up with the plan.
Despite security patrols and special police attention, problems have reached an unacceptable level.
While planners accept the changes will intensify use of the Troutbeck Avenue entrance, they do not believe.
A council spokesman said: “This action will potentially reduce the risk of crime by removing passageways that act as a through route to the adjoining housing estate”.
The park has three bowling greens, a children?s play area, two pavilions and open, landscaped areas.
