Cathy to ride pillion
– around the world!
by David Skentelbery
A WARRINGTON woman is aiming to become the first blind person to travel around the world on a motorbike.
Cathy Birchall, from Old Hall, hopes to raise more than ?250,000 with her unique two-wheeled trip which will see her ride pillion across Europe, Asia, Australia and America.
She will be “piloted” on the trip by long-time motor cycle enthusiast Bernard Smith, an employee of the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) who is planning to sell his home to finance the expedition.
A “biker” for 32 years, he estimates they will use 714 gallons of fuel on the 25,000 mile trip.
Cathy, who is totally blind, will leave her guide dog, Biscuit, at home while she undertakes the journey, scheduled to start in the Spring of next year.
As well as generating cash for essential services, she hopes the voyage will help foster better relations between international organisations tackling visual impairment.
She said: “It’s an incredible challenge but a very worthwhile one. There are two million people with sight problems in Britain. Simple facilities such as software to enable reading and writing can make such a difference to our lives. All of that costs money and, unfortunately, there isn’t always enough to go around.”
Cathy and Bernard will head through Europe to Russia and on to India and China before making their way to Australia. They will then cross the Pacific by plane before restarting their journey in South America, continuing north towards Canada and – finally – home.
En route, they will be dropping in on a number of projects to help visually impaired people.
It is estimated there are 161 million people with sight problems across the globe – some 50 million of them blind.
The pair will be raising money for the RNIB, Action for Blind People and Guide Dogs for the Blind – all of who are backing the trip.
Cathy admits she isn’t quite sure what to expect – other than being saddle-sore!
She said: “Bernard and I have been on a few trips to Europe before but nothing on this scale. By taking on the trip, we will be doing more than merely raising money.
“We want to raise awareness and people’s hopes that even if they lose their sight, it shouldn’t necessarily mean placing boundaries around their expectations or ambitions.”
Anyone who wants to support the pair can do so safely at the website www.justgiving.com/worldtour
Music student hopes
he has the X-factor
by Lesley Wilkinson
A WARRINGTON music student hopes to wow Sharon Osborne and Simon Cowell today (Thursday) when he joins an audition for television’s X-Factor.
Warrington Collegiate student Mark Blakeson, 20, of Edgar’s Drive, Padgate, will be competing in Mancheter for a place in the programme’s “boot camp.”
Mark, a student on the college’s vocal artist course, plans to entertain show producers with a rendition of The Beatle’s song “Hey Jude.”
He said: “It’s just a great chance to get myself heard and I hope that I have got the X Factor they’re looking for.?
Mark has studied music from the age of six, playing cornet, guitar, drums and keyboards as well as singing. He is a member of Warrington Brass Band.
He said: “It’s just something that comes naturally to me. If someone puts a musical instrument in front of me I’ll have a go at it.”
Mark has won about 10 trophies in the past few years for his musical skills, and last year his college band Nooj won a local club?s Battle of the Bands. Earlier this month he performed in the town centre with friends, singing songs from stars such as Robbie Williams and Freddie Mercury.
A former Padgate High School pupil, he has also completed the college’s performing musician course. He hopes to make a future career as a singer.
Before the contest Mark said: “I think I could do well but it depends what they’ve got in their mind and whether I fit that. If Simon doesn’t like me I think I’ll just take it as constructive criticism and use it to better my career.”
Neighbours from hell?
Council help is at hand
by Lesley Wilkinson
BARKING dogs, late night music and car alarms going off are just three of the noise complaints suffered by Warrington people.
But Warrington Borough Council’s environmental health team is telling people they do not have to suffer alone – help is at hand.
They are publicising their services during national Noise Action Week, which starts on Monday May 21.
The team has seen the number of noise complaints increase by 230 per cent since 1980. The most common reports include house or car alarms, barking dogs and loud music from neighbours or pubs and clubs.
Officers want people to know that they do not have to put up with the problem, which can affect quality of life. They also want to make people aware that the noise they make may be disturbing others.
Loud noise can be reported to the team, who can take action to tackle the problem.
During the week officers will also be urging people to escape the “hustle and bustle” in the town’s top five tranquil retreats – Walton Hall Gardens, Lymm Dam, Risley Moss, Sankey Valley Park and Appleton Dingle.
Anyone bothered by excessive noise should contact the team on 01925 442588 or e-mail [email protected]
New bid to solve the
“school run” problem
by David Skentelbery
YET another bid is to be made to have ?school run? traffic banned from Beechways, Appleton.
Residents are to present Appleton Parish Council with copies of agreements made with Warrington Borough Council about two years ago which would have resulted in signs reading ?Access to residents? properties only? being erected at the entrance to Beechways.
The parish council will then take the issue up again with the borough.
Residents claim the ban, including the wording on the signs, had been approved by the borough council and even by the government. The plan was only dropped as a result of an officer leaving the borough council and being replaced by another who said he ?didn?t like it.?
Since then, the borough has attempted to resolve the problem by creating a ?lay-by? where parents can drop or pick-up Bridgewater High School pupils. But the lay-by is, in fact, only an area of road marked off by line painted on the highway. Beechways residents say it has made matters worse.
One resident told the parish council: ?We now have gridlock in Beechways at school times.
?I arrived home the other day to find my way blocked by parked cars. There were kids shouting ?back-up, back-up? but I couldn?t because of traffic behind me. In the end I had to ask a neighbour if I could pull onto his drive to allow five cars to get past. It was chaos.?
The parish council agreed to take the matter up with the borough council after they had seen copies of the original agreement to ban school traffic from the road.
Council objection
to bungalow plan
by staff reporter
APPLETON Parish Council has lodged an objection to detailed planning proposals for a dormer bungalow on land at the rear of Brook House and Linton House, in Cann Lane South, Appleton.
The objection is on the grounds the proposed access follows the line of a public footpath, which would required diversion.
Outline planning consent for the bungalow has already been granted.
Motivating leaders
of the future
by Lesley Wilkinson
POTENTIAL leaders of the future, selected from Warrington schools, attended a motivational course at the University of Chester.
Twenty-eight youngsters from William Beamont, Sir Thomas Boteler and Birchwood high schools were among the first in the country to attend the HOBY seminar (a USA originated youth training programme).
The four-day course included talks from motivationa
l speakers and high profile leaders who helped equip students with leadership skills and self-belief. They looked at the ethical and moral questions facing today’s high profile leaders in areas including business, sport and politics.
Students Nicole Whiston from William Beamont and Sam Ford from Birchwood have also been specially selected to attend HOBY’s World Leadership Congress in Washington DC.
Coun Sheila Woodyatt, the borough council?s executive member for children’s services, said: “This is an amazing experience for all pupils involved and shows that Warrington children have the chance to gain a very broad set of skills. I’d like to congratulate the pupils who are going to the US – well done and good luck!”
News in brief
Leader again
COUN Terry O?Neill has been re-elected leader of the Labour opposition group on Warrington Borough Council.
Driving ban
A TEMPORARY driving ban is to be introduced in Green Lane, Burtonwood, near Warrington on May 28 while a number of telegraph poles are installed. The road closure is expected to last for one day only between Phipps Lane and Lumber Lane. An alternative route using Phipps Lane, Chapel Lane, Fir Tree Avenue and Lumber Lane will be signposted.
Zebra crossing
WARRINGTON Borough Council is planning to provide a Zebra crossing in Hilden Road, Warrington, close to its junction with Catfoss Close. Any representations must reach John Holmes, the council?s legal services department by June 7.
Disabled parking
A DISABLED person?s parking place is to be created in Stockton Lane, Grappenhall at the end of May. Anyone wishing to object can do so by applying to the High Court within six weeks.
