Flood warning service
stepped up for town
by David Skentelbery
THE Environment Agency has upgraded its flood warning service for the Warrington area.
Businesses or residents in areas at risk from flooding in the town can now sign up to Floodline Warnings Direct (FWD)- the government?s free, direct flood warning service.
FWD used a simple telephone system to alert property owners to the risk of flooding before it actually occurs by telephone, mobile phone, email, pager or fax.
Until now the flood warning service in Warrington has consisted of flood warning messages broadcast on radio and/or television when flooding to properties in the area was expected.
The Environment Agency ? whose regional headquarters is in Warrington – is urging homes and businesses in these areas to sign up and take advantage of the service.
Blessed Shune, Environment Agency flood warning officer, said: “Anyone who has experienced flooding will confirm the stress, disruption and grief that can be caused as well as the physical danger.
?We all hope it doesn’t happen to us but we are better off prepared than not. We encourage everyone to visit our website or call Floodline to find out if they are at risk and sign up for warnings if they are eligible.
?By issuing warnings when flooding is expected, we hope to give people the chance to take simple steps to protect themselves and their property”.
Warrington residents and businesses can find out if they are at risk and eligible for direct flood warnings by calling Floodline on 0845 988 1188 or visiting the Environment Agency’s website www.environment-agency.gov.uk Flood warnings are also broadcast on local radio and television and on the Environment Agency’s website which is updated every 15 minutes.
Wide areas of Warrington are at risk of flooding from the Mersey, including parts of Howley, Latchford, Wilderspool, Sankey Bridges, etc.
Palestinian drama groups
to perform in town
by staff reporter
TWO Palestinian drama workshop groups are to attend a North West drama education symposium at Warrington.
The appearance will mark the culmination of an innovative project at the University of Chester to form partnerships in war-torn Palestine.
Staff, students and members of the local community have been involved.
The university?s Palestinian Project group has been working to create a continuing stream of international links with institutions and organisations in the territory.
Upcoming projects include a regional tour of two Palestinian drama workshops, culminating in the North West Drama Education Symposium at the University’s Warrington campus, and the possible visit by the Palestinian under-19s football team in the autumn.
One of the principal aims of the group is to strengthen links with the University of Bethlehem.
Leader of International Development for the School of Education and Children’s Services, Professor Allan Owens, said: “These new links will give staff and students a great opportunity to see the work of another education system in very different circumstances, and will facilitate the exchange of ideas and experiences. They will also raise awareness of the Palestinian-Israeli situation.”
Discussions with the University of Bethlehem about the best forms of partnership are ongoing, with firm links for collaboration on research projects and the sharing of experiences and ideas due to be established by 2008.
The Drama Education Symposium, entitled Thinking Through Practice, is being held at the University’s Warrington Campus on June 20 and 21, to explore how drama is currently being used in schools both domestically and abroad.
For more information, contact the Symposium Administrator, Rebecca Wilcock, on [email protected] .
“Fair trade” fashion
to go on show
by John Hendon
VOLUNTEERS at Fair 4 All ? the fair trade stall on Warrington Market – are getting ready to “strut their stuff” at their annual fashion shows.
They are being held at two venue, Warrington Golf Club tomorrow (Wednesday) and Birchwood Golf Club on Thursday.
Doors open at 7.15pm, allowing time for refreshments and to view fairly traded jewellery and accessories before the fashion show proper starts at 8.00pm.
For the first time there will be a selection of Fairtrade school uniform from Clean Slate being modelled, as well as clothing ranges for men, women and children.
Collections include; People Tree, Love that Stuff, Boaz, Siesta, Bishopston and Nomads. Garments are produced by workers who receive a fair wage and have good working conditions.
Many are made from organic Fairtrade cotton ? which is good for the environment, good for the grower’s income and health as they don’t have to buy expensive, harmful pesticides and good for the wearer, as there is no residue of chemicals in the garments.
Tickets are ?5.00 each and can be purchased at Fair 4 All or by telephoning the stall on 01925 415121.
Youngsters ready for
outdoor adventure
by staff reporter
A TEAM of eight youngsters from Warrington?s Fox Wood School is set to take part in the 2007 Kielder Challenge ? a unique outdoor adventure competition for youngsters with and without disabilities.
The Fox Wood team will firstly take part in the Challenge Gateway stage, during which time a team of Gateway volunteers will visit the school and run a series of teambuilding games. Following this, the team will be entered into a regional heat at a nearby country park where they will compete against four other local schools.
The Kielder Challenge is in its 23rd year and is organised by the UK?s leading outdoor access charity Fieldfare Trust and supported by HSBC in the Community. This year is the first time the Challenge Gateway has been included in the competition and it is hoped it will encourage even more youngsters to take part.
Andy Johnson of Fieldfare Trust said: ?Last year we had more than 1,800 youngsters take part in the Kielder Challenge and this year we?re hoping to get more than 2,000 involved. Entries have been coming in thick and fast although we still have a few places available so teams should get in touch soon.?
The Kielder Challenge aims to develop teamwork and communication skills between teenagers in a countryside environment, which many inner city youngsters may not normally get the chance to do. It?s open to teams of 13 to 16 year olds with and without disabilities and provides opportunities for youngsters to compete in problem solving and team building games. Each team consists of eight youngsters; four with physical, learning and sensory disabilities and four without disabilities.
Peter Bull, manager of HSBC in the Community, sai: ?The Kielder Challenge is a great opportunity for youngsters to integrate with other people with different abilities and disabilities. It is truly inspiring and humbling to see these children, many of who have so many difficult problems, rise to the challenge and get so much out of their participation.
?The new Challenge Gateway stage of the competition is being managed by our employees and I am pleased that so many of them have become involved in the competition. This year we will have close to 180 HSBC volunteers helping throughout all stages of the event.?
Regional heats are planned throughout April and May and following these, the 12 highest scoring teams will win a place in the 2007 Kielder Challenge Grand Final in Kielder Forest in September.
For more information about the 2007 Kielder Challenge log onto www.fieldfare.org.uk/kielder-challenge.htm or call 0115 948 6926.
Kennels plan: councillors
to study farm location
by David Skentelbery
PLANNING bosses at Warrington are to visit a farm at Croft before deciding wh
ether plans to erect dog kennels can go ahead.
Members of the borough council?s development control committee have been urged by their officers to reject the scheme at Brookside Farm, Lady Lane, because of a likely noise nuisance caused by barking dogs.
But they decided to go and examine the site in detail before reaching a decision ? despite the fact that a similar proposal was turned down in May last year.
Officers said the proposal was identical to last year?s scheme, involving removal of existing farm buildings to make way for 22 kennels with adjoining, caged, exercise areas.
There were residential properties on either side of the farm and it was considered they would suffer from the noise of barking dogs.
15-mile hike
for charity
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON-based charity The Relationships Centre is urging supporters to join them on a 15-mile hike to raise money for the organisation.
The Wirral Coastal Walk takes place on Sunday, May 20 starting from Seacombe Ferry Terminal from 9am onwards.
Marissa Hankinson, spokeswoman for the charity said: ?By participating in organised fundraising events such as The Wirral Coastal Walk really can help us make a difference to people?s lives.
?Just ?5 can cover the cost of The Relationships Centre handling a call from a victim of domestic violence. The Wirral Walk is a great event that is healthy and active too!!?
More details of the walk are available from the website www.wirralcoastalwalk.org.uk or from The Relationships Centre on 01925 246910.
