Voters to give verdict
on new council bosses?
by David Skentelbery
VOTERS are going to the polls in Warrington today in the first elections since a Liberal Democrat-Conservative coalition took control of the borough council a year ago.
The three main political parties are all fighting all 19 seats ? and there are also five candidates from the Green Party and four Independent candidates. Currently the council is run by an alliance of 26 Liberal Democrat and six Conservative councillors. Labour hold 24 seats and there is one Independent. The Liberal Democrats are defending nine seats, Labour eight and the Conservatives two. Current Mayor Coun Linda Dirir is defending her seat at Penketh as is council leader Coun Ian Marks at Lymm. But perhaps most interest is focussed on Stockton Heath where deputy Mayor Coun Celia Jordan is being opposed by former Stockton Heath parish councillor Patrick Mullee, who resigned his seat over the controversial decision to demolish Stockton Heath Primary School. He is standing as an Independent and is hoping for support from the thousands of people who signed a petition to save the school. In Poplars and Hulme, former Labour rebel Eric Verdon is making the latest in a series of attempts to get back on the council as an Independent. The results are not expected until the early hours of tomorrow (Friday)
Full line-up of candidates is as follows:
Appleton: *Ray Hancock (Lib Dem); Gloria Jefferson (Lab); Paul Kennedy (Con).
Bewsey and Whitecross: Sonia Boggan (Con); *Jeff Richards (Lab); Bob Timmis (Lib Dem).
Birchwood: Chris Fitzsimmons (Lab); Christopher Hepworth (Lib Dem); David Ward (Green); Andrew Wilson Smith (Con).
Burtonwood and Winwick: Val Allen (Con); Philip Chadwick (Lib Dem); *John Joyce (Lab).
Culcheth and Glazebury: *Sue Bland (Con); Merril Cummerson (Lib dem); Tony McCarthy (Lab).
Fairfield and Howley: *Yvonne Fovargue (Lab); Ileyne Hutchinson (Con); Hasan Kazi (Lib Dem).
Grappenhall and Thelwall: *Mike Biggin (Lib Dem); Dorothy Carter (Con); Helen Dutton (Lab).
Great Sankey North: Stephanie Davies (Green); *Roy Smith (Lib Dem); Adrian Wildman (Con); Tony Williams (Lab).
Great Sankey South: Jan Davidson (Lab); *Alan Litton (Lib Dem); Mike Stansfield (Con).
Latchford East: Julian Craddock (Con); Lyndsay McAteer (Green); *Hans Mundry (Lab); Eddie Sloane (Lib Dem).
Latchford West: Kevin Bennett (Lab); Gwyneth Craddock (Con); *Ted Finnegan (Lib Dem).
Lymm: James Ashington (Con); Chris Ferguson (Lab); *Ian Marks (Lib Dem).
Orford: Barry Burton (Lib Dem); *Kate Hannon (Lab); William Jackson (Ind); John Leslie (Con); David Whitehouse (Green).
Poplars and Hulme: Joan Hall (Lib Dem); Brian Lambert (Con); Steve Roberts (Lab); Eric Verdon (Ind).
Poulton North: Francine Leslie (Con); *Colin Oliver (Lib Dem); Alan Simcock (Lab).
Rixton and Woolston: Edward Bibby (Ind); Paul Bretherton (Lab); Peter Edwards (Lib Dem); *Roger Rankin (Con).
Stockton Heath: Thomas Forster (Con); *Celia Jordan (Lib Dem); Peter Kenny (Lab); Patrick Mullee (Ind); Kenneth Wilson (Green).
Whittle Hall: Peter Carey (Lab); Carl Roberts (Con); *Judith Wheeler (Lib Dem).
Students’ exotic
Arabian Nights
A TASTE of the exotic East came to Warrington when students performed the theatrical classic “1001 Arabian Nights.”
Performing arts students at Priestley College staged the show, which was one of their most challenging productions to date.
Dating back to the ninth century it tells the story of courageous heroine Shahrazad who marries King Sharayar. The merciless ruler is in the habit of marrying a different wife each evening only to behead them in the morning.
However Shahrazad’s ability to keep him entertained with colourful and imaginative stories puts an end to the executions.
The students worked hard to produce the show and learned about Islamic culture and aspects of Bhangra and Bollywood music and dance.
. The production took place during a week of events when multiculturalism was celebrated on campus. Worldfest aimed to educate and enrich the lives of students using performance, workshops, art and food to help them learn about different languages and beliefs.
Sarah Graham, head of performing arts, said: “The first year students who took this project on should be commended for their efforts. The format of Arabian Nights was a difficult challenge to tackle but from the results it is one in which the group were able to excel at.”
“It is pleasing for us to create a performance which celebrates multiculturalism and it also introduced students to aspects of performance that they ordinarily wouldn’t have come into contact with.”
Student Daniel Fitzsimons, who played King Sharayar, said: “It was a more difficult and challenging role than I had previously experienced but the serious nature of the show made it very enjoyable indeed. It was certainly a good experience for my future career aspirations.”
Victim needed six
stitches in wound
by staff reporter
POLICE are hunting a thug who attacked a 52-year-old man at Warrington, leaving him with a head wound requiring six stitches.
The attack took place in the Salisbury Street-Glazebrook Street area of Howley as the victim was walking home at about 7pm on Tuesday (May 1).
He was approached by a group of five men, who appeared to have been drinking. One of them butted him, causing the head injury which resulted in him being detained in hospital overnight.
Police are appealing for witnesses who should call them on 0845 458 6379.
School’s “happy, secure
family environment”
by staff reporter
PUPILS at a Warrington school enjoy a “happy and secure family environment” according to an inspection report from Ofsted ? the Office for Standards in Education.
Glazebury CE Primary School was classed as a good school with some outstanding features, by the inspectors.
The report noted that, “pupils flourish in the happy and secure family environment that the school creates” and their enjoyment of school “is illustrated by their excellent attitudes in lessons and by the enthusiasm they show as they tackle tasks.” It found that children regularly reach higher that the national average standards in reading, writing, mathematics and science. Good quality teaching and learning and high standards of care and guidance for pupils were also found.
The report found the curriculum was well-suited to the school. It also found enjoyable lesson links, for example using art and drama to illustrate books that pupils have been studying.
Inspectors found good management and leadership from the head teacher, supported by a strong team of teachers.
Two recommendations were made – to improve achievement and raise standards in writing throughout the school and to ensure that work set for higher attainers is sufficiently challenging.
Parents were found to be supportive of the school work and staff.
Head teacher Elaine Morgan said: “We are delighted with this Ofsted report and it has highlighted so many aspects of our school life that we are really proud of.
“It’s by the whole school pulling together that we are able to create a happy learning environment for our children and we will be continuing to provide the best education we can.”
Delia Caswell, chairman of governors, said: “There are some fantastic comments in the Ofsted report and I would like to thank everyone, the children, teachers, parents and all those associated with our school life for their part in this great achievement.”
Village launches
its parish plan
by Lesley Wilkinson
MORE than 50 people attended an event to launch The Daresbury Parish Plan, which outlines future development in the picturesque village.
The event in the Parish Rooms was a “huge success” according to volunteers from the Daresbury Parish Plan Steering Group.
Guests included t
he Mayor and Mayoress of Halton, Coun John Swain and his wife Margaret, Daresbury councillors John Bradbury and Chris Inch, people from Moore, Halton Borough Council and the Cheshire Wildlife Trust.
Steering group chair Ian Ireland gave a presentation on the plan and people were encouraged to sign up and help with activities to improve the parish.
He said: “We are delighted with the turn out to this event and we have had a great response to our request for further help in taking the plan forward ? the event has shown there is a great deal of support and interest for what we are doing.”
Guests also enjoyed a buffet and a raffle for a bottle of champagne was won by Daresbury resident Pam Sephton.
Man threatened
children in park
by John Hendon
A MAN was arrested and charged with public order offences at Warrington after allegedly threatening passersby with a knife.
Police were called to a park area at Birchwood on Monday, April 30 just after 7pm after receiving a number of calls about an incident involving a man alleged to be brandishing a knife.
A 39-year-old man was arrested and charged with causing an affray and possessing an offensive weapon but was later freed on bail pending a court appearance.
Police are now seeking witnesses of the alleged incident.
A spokesman said: “It was a warm, sunny evening and we believe there were a lot of people about.We would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident.”
The man is said to have threatened a number of passersby in the park, including children.
He grabbed hold of a young girl, before releasing her unharmed. No-one was injured during the incident.
Anyone who can help is asked to call PC Keith Cross on 0845 458 0000.
Youth danced on
bonnet of car
by John Hendon
A YOUTH danced on the bonnet of a parked car at Warrington after nearby residents tried to move on a noisy gang of teenagers.
He caused serious damage to the car before running off with other youths.
The incident was in Kings Road, Padgate on the evening of Friday, April 27.
Police said a group of youths were causing a disturbance in the area and were asked to move on by residents.
One youth, aged about 17-18, jumped on the bonnet of a car parked in the street and jumped up and down.
He was wearing distinctive blue and white shorts with horizontal stripes.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, or who recognises the youth from the description, is asked to call PC Richard Kennedy on 0845 458 0000.
