Storm over restaurant
plan for village centre
by David Skentelbery
A STORM has broken over plans for 160-seater restaurant with two bars in the heart of busy Stockton Heath village, near Warrington.
The scheme ? submitted by Always Available Ltd ? will be put to the borough council?s development control committee next week.
Stockton Heath Parish Council has lodged a strong objection ? and there is opposition also from nearby residents.
The plan involves the former Stockton Heath Fire Station, an early 20th century building within the Stockton Heath Conservation Area.
It fronts onto London Road but flanks residential East Avenue. Currently empty, the building was last used for offices after the fire service moved to a new, modern fire station near the Cantilever Bridge.
The parish council says the development will increase existing parking problems in an already highly congested area. They say five proposed parking spaces will all be earmarked for staff.
Nearby residents claim it is a residential area and an additional licensed restaurant will attract and encourage more loutish behaviour, drunks, gangs, late night noise and vandalism and litter.
They claim late night problems have increased since over restaurants and bars opened over the last year or so.
Planning officers are recommending the scheme be approved, however. They say concerns over criminal behaviour are police matters and existing parking and late night noise problems are caused by people using other premises.
They claim the restaurant would maintain the character of the conservation area.
Flagging up the World Cup!
PEOPLE living in one of Warrington’s most-neighbourly streets decided to flag it up for the World Cup.
And in a true spirit of coming togetherness, they ensured the flags of every competing nation fluttered.
The friendly neighbours of Fairfield Road, off Pepper Street, Lymm have transformed their cul-de-sac of 24 homes with a vivid display of national flags which would make many ardent England fans cringe.
Their display is attracting people astonished by the level of multi-nationalist support.
“Most people said they didn’t know where they would find another national flag, let alone buy one”, said resident, Sophie McDonough.
She added: “There was not one argument or dispute about putting up all the national flags. We wanted to really brighten up our street.
“Every household joined in. Elderly residents said how colourful it was. And the kids – more than 20 of them in our street – just loved it.”
The flags were obtained by electrician Pete Entwhistle, after doorstep agreement involving all neighbours.
Four years ago the street flew only England flags – to celebrate the Golden Jubilee and World Cup.
But this time round they wanted it to be a truly international statement.
Carnival switches days
to avoid World Cup clash
by John Hendon
A CARNIVAL expecting to attract more than 5,000 visitors has made a last minute decision to switch dates ? rather than clash with England?s opening World Cup game with Paraguay.
Birchwood Carnival ? originally due to take place tomorrow (Saturday) in Birchwood Forest Park, Warrington – has been put back to Sunday.
The carnival procession of floats ? which usually wends its way around local roads ? has been dropped from the event.
Committee spokesman Barry Collins said: ?The World Cup clash has forced us to change the date.
?There will not be a procession this year, but the fantastic field events promise to be the best yet and we are hoping the good weather will bring in 5,000 people.?
The late changes were forced when too few people signed up for the float procession.
A smaller, walking procession will still take place through the Forest Park.
Organisers say there will be plenty for visitors to do, with acrobatic groups, a appearance by singing star Katie Halliday, who has toured with Atomic Kitten, Punch and Judy, Warrington Pipe Band and a mobile climbing wall.
SatNav thieves being
given an easy ride
by Mark Hemmings
THIEVES are being given an easy ride by Warrington motorists who are ignoring police advice and paying the price.
Despite repeated warnings, drivers in the town are continuing to leave expensive Satellite Navigation systems on view when they leave their vehicle unattended.
Crime reduction advisor Phil Buckley said: “Car crooks are just as keen to own one of these valuable items. They will think nothing of smashing your window and ripping the device from your dashboard causing considerable damage in the process.
“But don’t think that your glove box will be any safer. Thieves look out for tell tale clues so if you have a cradle that suctions onto the windscreen remove it and rub off any marks that may be left.”
Nearly 100 portable satellite navigation systems have been stolen from vehicles in Warrington this year.
Police are advising drivers that if they have a portable satellite navigation system, to make use of the fact that it’s portable and think about the possible clues that could be inadvertently left for thieves. Remove everything associated with the device from your vehicle when it’s unattended.
Crime reduction advisors say people need to invest in a property marking pen, or Smart Water so that if their device is stolen and police recover it, it can be re-united with its rightful owner.
Officers are also warning people not to buy if they are approached on the streets and offered a ?new? or ?second hand? as these goods will often have been stolen.
Creative talents
to go on show
by staff reporter
CREATIVE talents are to go on show at Warrington Collegiate?s Museum Street campus from June 15-19.
Students from adult centres across Warrington will have work on show, ranging from soft furnishings, watercolour, silk paintings and drawings to dressmaking, embroidery, pottery, card making, floristry and calligraphy art.
The exhibition is free to the public and will be open from 10am-8pm and from 10am-4pm on June 16 and June 19.
Exhibition organiser and head of creative and performing arts Margaret Ford said: “We hope as many people as possible take time to visit the exhibition. It’s a great opportunity for us to raise awareness of the Collegiate’s provision for adult learning and a chance to promote the huge variety of courses on offer”.
Young soccer stars
jet off to France
by staff reporter
LYMM Rovers Under 12s footballers have today (Friday) flown out to take part in a major junior soccer tournament in France.
A group of 18 young players, together with manager Richard Sandell and coach Jonny Marsh, will compete against teams from France and Spain in the competititon at Manival.
The matches will be played over the weekend and the youngsters will fly back on Monday.
A number of parents are accompanying the party.
Women give rugby a try
WARRINGTON RUFC Ladies team is now officially up-and-running with regular weekly training sessions at Walton Lea Road.
Community coach Peter Allen led a successful taster sessions at which he took the women through a number of drills to sharpen up passing and positional awareness in a two hour introduction to the game.
Driving force behind the new development Natasha Corns said: “This was a completely new experience for many of the girls and it was amazing to see how quickly they adapted.
?Quite a few of them said afterwards that they would be bringing friends down to the next session, so we should soon start to see the numbers increase.”
Regular training sessions will now take place every Wednesday at Warrington Sports Club, beginning at 6.30 p.m. Any one interested can turn up on the night or contact Natasha on 07955428861 for more information.
News in brief
Football fever
FOOTBALL fever has hit Statham Primary School, Lymm as they prepare to host their very own World Cup.
Teaming up with Oakwood Primary School, Warrington, their planned two-week event starting on Monday (June 12) will see children creating their own countries, football teams and football kits ready to play against each other to find out who will be crowned champion in this friendly tournament.
Hospital lottery
WINNING numbers in the weekly lottery run by the League of Friends of Warrington Hospital were 6, 10, 12 and 14. The ?516 jackpot went unclaimed which means next week’s top prize will be worth ?700. The ?25 consolation prize was won by “Raggy.”
Car park extension
PLANNERS have given the go-ahead for a proposed car park extension at Broomfields Junior School in Bridge Lane, Appleton, Warrington.
Cafe expands
THE Rhode Island Cafe, in Old Market Place, Warrington, has won planning consent to convert its upper floor from offices and storage to additional customer seating.
Open Day
WARRINGTON Primary Care Trust is holding an open day at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Wednesday, June 21. The all-day event will include information stands, workshops, and demonstrations.
