Rare coin unearthed
in farmer’s field
by Gary Skentelbery
A RARE Roman coin found in a farmer’s field at Lymm near Warrington, could provide a vital clue to a village’s ancient past.
Archaeologist James Balme discovered the rare silver coin which he believes could be vital evidence to prove the village was once a centre of major Roman military activity.
He has spent the past decade researching the area and has recovered rare and exciting artefacts from the Prehistoric and Roman periods.
His latest find is extremely rare and reveals a great story from the ancient Republic of Rome that came to rest in the village two thousand years ago.
James said: “During a recent field-walking exercises I recovered a very rare Roman Republican silver coin of King Aretas, minted in 58 BC. This in itself tells a great story from history and the coin carries an amazing legend from the past.”
“King Aretas was associated with victory in Judaea by the ruler ‘Pompey the Great’. It represents a time when there was a second Jewish revolt against Rome that sparked the Roman conquest of Judaea. It was issued by the Roman General Aemilius Scaurus and produced by the moneyer known as Plautius Hypsaeas.
“The question remains as to why such a coin ended up lying in the soils of this small Cheshire village and I am still convinced that this coin is from Roman military activity rather than a rural farmstead or similar.
“This is now the second silver coin that I have recovered in the area as well as a rare 1st century silver snake bracelet that is currently at the British Museum and has been declared as Treasure Trove.”
James, who also discovered a Roman fortlet in the area believes more crucial evidence will come to light during further investigation in the area.
For more information about his finds visit www.jamesbalme.co.uk or email [email protected]
Two pronged attack
on housing problems
by David Skentelbery
TOWN Hall chiefs have announced two initiatives to deal with housing problems in Warrington – particularly high rise homes.
Planning officers are to be asked to prepare a design brief to provide guidance on tower blocks ? and a one-day conference is to be held to discuss all aspects of housing in the borough.
Leader of the council Ian Marks said: ?One of our long-term objectives is to open up the River Mersey for the benefit of people in Warrington.
?At the moment, the town turns its back on the river – yet we are in the fortunate position of having one of the greatest rivers in the country flowing right through the centre.
?In the short-term we have another priority. Proposals are coming forward to build high rise blocks of apartments along the banks of the Mersey. This is both at the Howley end and at the Lower Walton end.
?Many local people feel these are quite inappropriate and should not be allowed. There is considerable disquiet that the council does not have a design brief to guide development.
?We are asking Officers to prepare a design brief for high rise. We must ensure that decisions made in the coming months do not detract from our long-term objectives for improving Warrington and for the River Mersey in particular.?
Coun Marks said the council had on many occasions expressed concern about the town?s housing problems. The situation was not improving and in many ways continued to worsen.
?We are going to hold a one-day summit for those who have an interest in housing in the town.
?Obviously the conference will in itself not solve the problems. But what we want it to do is come up with a series of actions for partners to try and improve the situation.?
Among topics on the agenda would be homelessness and bed and breakfast accommodation, house waiting lists, the shortage of social housing and genuinely affordable housing, the mix of family housing and apartments, homes for the elderly and alternatives sources of funding.
Coun Marks said rather than simply talking about problems, he wanted action to improve the situation.
Among those invited to the summit would be Golden Gates Housing, the main housing associations in the town, planning officers, Social Services, the voluntary sector and representatives of house builders.
The date and venue of the conference have yet to be fixed but details will be announced later.
Actors get to grips
with rugby ball
by Mark Hemmings
WESTBROOK Tigers rugby player Jason Garrathy had his coaching skills put to the test when Impact Theatre director Darren Scott him to train the cast for the next production.
Jason was intrigued and a little confused until he found out that the play being staged by the company was John Godber’s ?Up ‘n’ Under? – a comedy about a mediocre amateur Rugby League team.
Jason said: “Most of the actors had never even touched a rugby ball but the cast is now virtually match fit!”
Theatregoers can find out if the team beat the tough Cobblers Arms side by seeing the production on Friday November 3 and Saturday November 4 at The Farm Community Centre in Cinnamon Brow, Warrington.
For information about tickets either visit the website www.impact-theatre.co.uk or telephone 01925 452895 or 07887 726160.
Flats plan given
the go-ahead
by David Skentelbery
A PLANNING inspector has cleared the way for a controversial project to build 16 apartments on land at the rear of Church Street, Warrington.
The scheme, which involves the demolition of existing industrial buildings, was originally thrown out by Warrington?s development control committee ? against the advice of their own officers.
Councillors had decided the scheme would have a detrimental impact on adjoining dwellings through overbearing impact, loss of light and privacy.
But the applicants appealed and the inspector who dealt with their appeal decided there was an adequate distance between the buildings and no unacceptable loss of light or privacy.
He said the design of the proposed buildings was acceptable and sympathetic with surrounding development.
Bungalow loft
plan refused
by John Hendon
PLANNERS have refused permission for a first floor loft conversion at a bungalow in Twiss Green Lane, Culcheth – because of its impact on the street scene and the character of the original building. Members of the borough’s development control committee heard the scheme would increase the roof pitch and the ridge height. It was noted that although a rear first floor had been added to a neighbouring bungalow, this had been achieved without increasing the original roof height. A similar application earlier in the year was also refused. The committee was told the proposal conflicted with planning guidance which stated that raising the ridge height could cause a hard and discordant effect on the street scene, unless there were already other examples within the street.
Girl attacked and
robbed of mobile
by John Hendon
A 17-year-old girl was attacked and robbed of her mobile phone in Fletcher Street, Warrington.
The girl had walked from Wilderspool Causeway into Priory Street and then into Fletcher Street when she noticed she was being followed by two other girls.
They asked if she had a mobile and said she had not. But one of the girls then hit her in the face with her fist. The victim then handed over her mobile and her attackers ran away.
Both were aged about 17 and 5ft 6 inches tall. One was dark and other other blonde and both wore baseball caps. Both wore hooded tops.
The victim suffered injuries to her face but did not require hospital treatment.
Police are appealing for witnesses who should call DC Ian Hampson on 0845 458 0000.
Council to consult
on budget process
by sta
ff reporter
WARRINGTON Borough Council is to hold a major public consultation meeting in the run-up to setting next year?s budget.
The meeting will be at the Parr Hall on November 21 and will be hosted by broadcaster Jim Hancock.
A wide range of people will be invited so that council chiefs can hear what they have to say about the priorities for Warrington.
Council leader Ian Marks said: ?The outcomes will be taken into account in setting the budget for next year.
?This is in line with one of the important objectives of the new administration to listen to and engage with the people of Warrington.?
Coun Marks said more details would be made available in the near future.
In recent years, the council has consulted business leaders on the budget, but this will the first time a public consultation meeting has been held.
News in brief
Pub fire
FIRE crews were called to Porter’s public house in Buttermarket Street, Warrington, early today after fire broke out involving an automatic glass washer. They carried the machine outside to deal with the blaze and no-one was hurt.
Hospital lottery
WINNING numbers in the weekly lottery run by the League of Friends of Warrington Hospital were 6, 7, 11 and 12 – but the ?300 jackpot was not claimed. It will now be rolled over to next week.
Speed limit
WARRINGTON Borough Council is to make an order introducing a 40mph speed limit on Grappenhall Lane and Barley Castle Lane, Grappenhall, following concerns about the speed of vehicles visiting the expanding Barleycastle Trading Estate at Stretton.
Date extended
SCOTTISH and Southern Energy have been given permission to extend the commencement date for constructing of an ash processing plant at the Fiddler’s Ferry Power Station, near Warrington, until October 31 next year.
Extension refused
A HOUSEHOLDER in St Matthews Close, Appleton, Warrington has been refused planning consent to build a two-storey extension with a porch and utility room on the ground floor and a first floor bathroom in the loft.
[ 25.10.2006, 10:21: Message edited by: DS ]
