182 acres of “left over”
land handed to Trust
by David Skentelbery
MORE than 400 small parcels of land at Warrington are to be handed over to the Land Restoration Trust by national regeneration agency English Partnerships.
The ?left over? land from past residential and commercial development covers a total of 182 acres.
English Partnerships ? successors to the New Towns Commission ? say they played a vital part in the success of the Warrington New Town project.
Known as the Warrington Community Related Assets (CRA) the 440 separate parcels of land include linear parks, play areas, unadopted roadsides, access paths, gardens and ponds, situated mostly in the Longbarn, Westbrook and South Warrington areas.
When the Warrington New Town was developed around 30 years ago, great effort was put into ensuring the newly created localities included attractively landscaped areas.
These small tracts of land are a significant factor in the high value and desirability of the area and contribute to the success of the New Town.
But failure to maintain the land would significantly reduce the appeal of the area and subsequently affect its economic viability ? and maintaining it has placed an on-going financial burden on English Partnerships.
Handing ownership to the Trust, along with an endowment to cover management costs in perpetuity, is seen as the way forward.
Glenn Sutton, English Partnerships? head of asset transfer, said: ?Transferring these pieces of land is a cost effective way to ensure the land remains in good condition and the area continues to be desirable.?
Trust chief executive Euan Hall said: ?This is a major step forward for the LRT. It is recognition that our endowment model is the most cost effective way to manage open space, not just the big restoration projects like the coalfields but also smaller community areas.
?Furthermore it demonstrates that the LRT can be a sustainable exit strategy for all developers who include open spaces in their projects. Indeed we are currently working with several private sector companies with a view to being their green infrastructure strategic partner.?
Travel agent celebrates
national award
by Gary Skentelbery
A WARRINGTON based travel agent is celebrating after coming runner up in a national competition to find the best independent travel agent in the UK.
Linda Crowder from Stockton Heath Travel had been shortlisted as one of the four best independent agents in the UK by tour operators across the country.
As one of the four finalists in the annual prestigious Travel Agent Achievement Awards, Linda , travelled to the awards ceremony with Jacqueline Ahmed (Assistant Manager) held at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London and received the Runner Up award for the ?Independent Agency Proprietor of the Year Award?.
The awards are given to independent travel agents who are nominated by a variety of British tour operators, who are members of a consortium known as the Truly Independent Professional Travel Organisation or TIPTO, a British association of independent tour operators in the travel trade. The award was given in recognition of excellent service to customers and the industry.
Linda senior partner at Stockton Heath Travel said: “We were delighted to have been nominated, it is a real honour to be in the top four finalists. The competition was tough as we were competing with agents who have multiple stores and much bigger operations than us; we did so well to make it to the top four.
“We had a fabulous night in London where the champagne was flowing ? we are still on a high.
The certificate awarded to us at the event has now taken pride of place in our shop on London Road.”
“No confidence” vote
at parish meeting
by Lesley Wilkinson
A VOTE of no confidence in Stockton Heath Parish Council was passed at the annual parish meeting after members were slated by a group of angry residents.
Members were criticised for failing to support the refurbishment of Stockton Heath Primary School. Plans to demolish the building and replace it with a new build have been approved by Warrington Borough Council.
A petition was organised by residents who were against the demolition and wanted the existing building refurbishing.
Julie Heal, of West Avenue, Stockton Heath, said: “I have grave concerns over the parish council’s lack of support for the majority of residents over the demolition of Stockton Heath Primary School.” She complained members had supported the “badly run project” to demolish the building and replace it with a new build, and proposed a vote of no confidence in the parish council.
But chairman Coun Celia Jordan said she did not agree that the majority of people in Stockton Heath were against the new build. She said members had considered all the information over many months before making a decision.
The vote of no confidence was passed by 15 votes to five.
Leon comes home
for charity concert
by David Skentelbery
WARRINGTON-born international pianist Leon McCawley is to return to his roots next month to play a charity concert.
Leon, aged 33, was born in Culcheth and brought up in Croft and was a pupil at St Lewis? Primary School, Croft.
He now lives in London ? when he?s not appearing on the world?s concert platforms ? but makes occasional trips back home to help raise money for good causes.
He will be playing works by Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin and Schumann at St Catherine?s Church, Lowton on Thursday, May 17 at 7.30pm.
The concert is in aid of Jacob?s Well, the charity which promotes Christianity, supplies medical relief in Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa and supports medical research, education and teaching. Tickets are ?8, including wine and a programme.
Leon McCawley has appeared as a soloist with many leading British orchestra, including the London Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic, Halle, City of Birmingham Symphony and at the BBC Promenade concerts at the Royal Albert Hall.
He has also appeared with leading orchestras in the United States, Australia and in Europe. He broadcasts frequently and has issued numerous recordings. His recent release of Mozart?s complete piano sonatas had earned rave reviews from critics.
Tickets for the concert are available from St Catherine?s, Lowton and St Lewis? Church, Croft as well as the Parade Newsagents, in Lodge Drive, Culcheth or by calling 01925 762879.
Motorist dragged
from car by thief
by staff reporter
A MOTORIST was dragged from his car at Warrington ? and then could only watch as his attacker drove off in the vehicle.
The blue Peugeot 106 was not seen again for three days, when it was found undamaged at Partington, Manchester.
Police are seeking witnesses who may have seen the car when it was taken in Park Avenue, Latchford in the early morning of Sunday, April 1 or at any time after that. The registration number was P231 SHS.
After the driver was dragged from the car, the offender, a short, slim youth, about 17-18 with spikey, dark hair and pointed features, drove it about 50 yards and then stopped to pick up a second youth, aged 17-19 and slightly shorter.
The car was then driven away at a fast speed.
Anyone who can help police is asked to call DC Tracey Short on 0845 458 0000.
Shoppers put on guard
after purse snatches
by John Hendon
POLICE are warning shoppers to be on their guard after a number of purse snatches in Warrington.
Officers – in uniform and plain clothes – have increased patrols in the town centre after members of the public reported items going missing.
Shoppers have been warned to keep an eye on their handbag, purse or wallet at all times.
“We would like to encourage all shoppers in the town to always be aware of where their purse is and to have their handbag securely fastened and across
the front of their body,” said PC Jessica Jarvis.
“Don’t leave your handbag on your shopping trolley, not even for a minute.” Three people have been arrested in connection with the incidents. But police believe that more than one group could be responsible.
Officers are working closely with security staff from shops and CCTV operators to identify the thieves.
They have targeted shoppers while their attention has been on something else and many have not realised that anything has been taken until they get home.
Police are also warning shoppers – who are withdrawing money from outside cash machines – to be on their guard.
“If you do need to carry large amounts of cash, keep it well secured, in a zipped inside jacket pocket if possible,” she said.
[ 17.04.2007, 17:00: Message edited by: DS ]
