New buildings must be
replicas of the old
by David Skentelbery
A BOLD plan to provide more shops, restaurants and bars in the historic centre of Warrington has been given the green light ? subject to a strict conditions that new buildings must resemble as closely as possible those which have to be demolished.
Developers must use materials reclaimed from the old buildings wherever possible ? and there must be no plastic windows.
The conditions were set by the borough council?s development control committee when they granted permission for the scheme on land off Cairo Street and Barbauld Street.
Buildings to be demolished include the old schoolroom at the historic Cairo Street Unitarian Chapel and the old Garnett works.
The chapel itself will not be affected and the distinctive Victoria Works building with its landmark tower will be preserved ? albeit converted for retail, caf? and office use.
Parking for 45 vehicles will be included in the scheme.
Former council offices in Cairo Street will be renovated for restaurant or caf? use and the school house will be replaced with an almost identical building to provide nine flats.
Developers had made it clear that if planners insist on the old schoolroom being restored rather than replaced it would add significantly to the cost of the scheme which would probably result in it not going ahead.
The scheme represents a bold bid to provide more retail and restaurant uses in the town centre, given the recent completion of the big extension to Golden Square and proposals for two other major shopping complexes in the town centre currently awaiting the result of a public inquiry.
Planners say the scheme will make a significant contribution to the regeneration of the town centre. It will preserve important buildings which are currently deteriorating and could become a danger to the public through instability.
Comics help raise
funds for peace centre
by Gary Skentelbery
AN evening of laughter featuring comedians Lea Roberts and Josh Daniels, compared by former Rugby League commentator Malcolm Lord helped raise funds for the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation based at Warrington Peace Centre.
Organiser Wendy Parry said: “The Foundation would like to thank everybody who attended the event and we hope that their support will continue to help us raise funds for the young people in their community.”
The event took place at the Park Royal Hotel in Stretton and was supported by around 150 people from the Warrington business community and their friends.
Youth club seeks
people with “creativity”
by Lesley Wilkinson
PEOPLE with “creativity, passion and enthusiasm” are being sought by Warrington Youth Club to help offer new opportunities to young people.
During National Volunteers Week, June 1 to 7, the club is hoping to attract more people to volunteer at its base, the Peace Centre.
Development manager Sarah Harris said she is looking for people interested in doing something different who would like to work with young people. She would also like to hear from those who would like to share their skills in art, drama, dance, or sport.
She said: “There are a range of opportunities working with young people of different ages, and on different nights of the week.
“Volunteers could support young people working on structured projects, engage with young people within a drop-in service, or act as a specialist delivering workshops on things such as sport, art or drama.”
Volunteers will receive training, support and expenses.
More information is available from Sarah on 01925 581248 or e-mail [email protected]
Charity challenge teams
help raise ?134,000
FOUR Warrington-based teams took part in this year?s Ford Ranger Great Lakeland Challenge ? and helped to raise ?134,709 for underprivileged young people in the UK and Ireland.
They had to cope with south westerly gales on Lake Windermere and driving rain on the passes and were only offered any respite from the elements thanks to good visibility on Scafell Pike.
Two of the Warrington teams came away with the cycling and fell running honours as they succeeded in canoeing the length of Lake Windermere (10.5 miles), cycling 26 miles over England’s steepest passes – Wrynose and Hard Knott – and climbing Scafell Pike (3,208 ft) inside 12 hours.
Chief trading standards officer Peter Astley, 40, and company director Andy McKay, 38, both from Padgate, and firefighter James Bell, 37, from Fearnhead finished the event in eight hours and 14 minutes, setting the second fastest time.
In doing so, they stormed over the passes in two hours and 23 minutes and were presented with the Cycling Bowl in recognition of their efforts.
Forty-year old Richard Robinson, a sales executive from Great Sankey, acted as their support driver, transporting their equipment between the stages in a vehicle supplied by Ford – main sponsor of the Challenge since it was established in 1997.
Stockton Heath broker Michael Daniels, 38, took on the same role for his team as sales manager Mark Shephard, 36, also from Stockton Heath, company director Dominic Jude, 38, and Nigel Quarmby, a 34-year old firefighter from Grappenhall, completed all three Challenge elements in eight hours and 16 minutes to finish third fastest overall.
Their particular forte proved to be fell running, as they scaled the mighty Scafell Pike in three hours and 11 minutes to lift the prestigious Mountain Bowl.
Mark Shephard said: “The event was certainly a challenge, especially taking into account the terrible weather we experienced during the first two disciplines, but everything was superbly organised and managed.? Peter Astley added: ?Despite the Challenge being one of the toughest we have ever had to face, we thoroughly enjoyed it, especially in such inspirational surroundings.? Most importantly, the four Warrington teams contributed ?20,000 to the total sum of ?134,709.79 generated by the event. The money will be used by the charity Wooden Spoon to fund a variety of capital projects that will benefit children and young adults who are physically, mentally or socially disadvantaged.
The prize for the fastest time went to a team from Teeside which completed the event in seven hours and 55 minutes.
Charity’s plea to
Premier-in-waiting
by Lesley Wilkinson
A WARRINGTON charity has welcomed a campaign encouraging Prime Minister-in waiting Gordon Brown to use his first 100 days in office to help tackle violence against children.
The Relationship Centre, which helps those affected by abusive relationships, is backing the NSPCC’s campaign. The charity reports that during 100 days it is estimated that 205,000 children will witness domestic violence.
For almost eight years the centre has been dealing with domestic abuse and its effects in Warrington and Halton. It has recently secured Comic Relief funding to provide support to young males, aged between 13 and 19, who have experienced domestic violence at home.
Marissa Hankinson, centre spokesperson, said: “We know that violence is a major problem for young people in today’s society.
“This new service will enable us to provide a variety of services to help young male teenagers to look at their behaviour, their attitudes towards violence and to address their perceptions of what is a ‘healthy’ relationships.”
