Car boot sales a
threat to road safety
by David Skentelbery
PLANNING bosses have thrown out a controversial plan to hold markets, car boot sales, circuses and funfairs on open land at Winwick, near Warrington.
Car club meetings and ?cruisers? events were also proposed for the land at Townfield Lane and Newton Road, Winwick.
But members of Warrington?s development control committee decided the proposals would be a threat to road safety on one of the busiest roads in the borough and would be damaging to the green belt.
Car boot sales have been held on the site for some years ? despite strong objections from Winwick Parish Council and local residents.
The committee was told that up to 14 sales could be held in any one year without planning cosent.
But the applicants wanted to hold more events ? including markets, circuses and funfairs.
More than 3,000 people had added their names to an internet petition in support of the application.
The committee heard that fencing, advertising, lighting, directional signage, storage containers and the parking of vehicles in connection with the sales had a damaging impact on the openness of the green belt.
Trading Standards officer had an ongoing interest in events held at the site, particularly car boot sales, the meeting was told.
This had resulted in the seizure of counterfeit goods, pornography, contraband alcohol and tobacco, fireworks and food which failed to comply with the Food Labelling Regulations. The applicant was aware of these concerns.
The appeared to attract mainly professional market traders.
Other sites were available for car boot sales in Warrington and the council was not opposed to community-based events.
Town lands four
top tourism awards
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON and district has scooped four prestigious tourism awards at the annual Visit Chester and Cheshire awards ceremony.
The borough council won the Tourism for All Award for the new Warrington Visitor Centre and Bus Interchange off Winwick Road.
Hollies Farm Shop at Stretton was named the Best Supporter of Regional Food and Drink, Corks Out, was voted best retail business for its branches in Warrington and Chester and Arley Hall and Gardens took the prize for the best tourism website.
Visit Chester and Cheshire Chairman Mike Cooksley commended the winners, describing their commitment as ?outstanding?.
He said: “We had an unprecedented level of nominations this year.
“Quality is yet again a key factor in the winners’ successes and I’m delighted to congratulate each and every one of them on their well-deserved victories.”
Peter Mearns, Director of Marketing and Communications at the NWDA, added: “Chester and Cheshire play a vital role in the region’s ?10 billion visitor economy and these awards recognise the dedication and commitment of the people who work so hard to make it such a successful industry. The winners are setting the standards that are needed to make this one of Europe’s top visitor destinations.”
After the event, Coun Brian Axcell, (pictured)Warrington Borough Council?s executive member for Environment Services said the award for the bus interchange was a fantastic achievement.
He said: ?This is a testament to our transport and economic development strategies. I am pleased that all our hard work has been rewarded.?
One of the judges commented: “The extensive involvement of local disabled people in developing the building and services, a commitment to researching and following best practice advice and an astonishing amount of attention to detail made this the winner.”
Army chef scoops
“field catering” award
by John Hendon
A FORMER pupil of Great Sankey High School, Warrington was a member of an Army team which won one of the top awards at a military catering contest.
Lance Corporal Martin O?Brien, (pictured) of 5 General Support Medical Regiment, based at Fulwood Barracks, Preston was one of a three-man team judged the best ?field caterers? in the North of England and Scotland.
The other members were Lance Corporals Dave Mitchell and Jay Barton, based in Preston and Chester.
The trio had to compile, prepare, cook and serve a two-course meal for 20 soldiers using only basic Army ration packs and additional fresh food items up to the value of just ?5. All of the cooking was carried out in field kitchens, inside tents.
The award-winning trio?s mouth-watering main courses included chicken lasagne with fresh pasta, lamb madras curry with turmeric and balti rice, fresh peshwari naan breads, herbed wedges, cheese and potato mash and a mixed medley of vegetables. For dessert, they made both brandy-snap ?tutti fruit? and a bread and butter pudding.
Lance Corporal O?Brien, age 29, was originally from Great Sankey. He is married to Hayley and has a sister and three brothers. He has served in various countries during his nine years in the Army, including Bosnia and Iraq.
He said: ?Iraq was hard work because I was the only chef in my location.
. ?I was attached to the Royal Anglian Regiment and I had to feed about 150 people each day. The heat outside was horrendous, the hottest place I?ve worked in, and it was even hotter inside the kitchens!
?I?ve always loved cooking. I like creating things and love it when I have to produce things under pressure, which tests all of your skills and experience. I also do all the cooking at home, but for some reason I find it much harder cooking for the two of us than I do cooking for 200!?
Exercise Divisional Field Caterer 2007 was a competition open to all Army units based in 2nd Division, the Army division covering Scotland and the North of England. Teams competed in various categories, including field catering and improvised catering. The event was held within the grounds of Dishforth Airfield in Yorkshire.
Major Mark Harris, director of Exercise Divisional Field Caterer 2007, said: ?It was a fantastic event with our Army chefs performing at their best. Many of the teams were taking part for the first time and the standard was very high. My congratulations go to all the teams for competing at such a high standard, particularly those winning prizes.?
Council seeks “joined up
working” with health Trust
by David Skentelbery
TOWN Hall chiefs at Warrington are being asked to approve a number of measures to strengthen the links between the borough council and local health chiefs.
The proposals, to be put to the borough council?s executive board, would mean more ?joined up? working between the council and Warrington Primary Care Trust.
Senior officers of the two authorities would attend each other?s executive meetings and there could be increased joint commissioning in addition to that already taking place.
The council and the Trust are the two largest employers in the town and already have a history of partnerships on a number of levels, according to a report to be considered by the council?s executive board.
The proposal would build on this and result in a more integrated approach to delivery of health and well-being services.
?Joined up? working between the two bodies already includes:
A joint equipment store for people with disabilities.
Joint mental health learning disability and dlder people?s mental health teams with various levels of integrated management.
Close and joint working between Environmental Health, Community Development, Leisure, Culture and Heritage and PCT Health Improvement staff.
Additionally, there is joint working at an operational management and strategic level.
These arrangements have been largely effective to date and an opportunity now exists to “cement” some of these relationships in a more strategic context, the report says.
The advantage of this would be to ensure that all major initiatives by the two authorities are undertaken in a joined up way while at the same time recog
nising the differences between the organisations.
Among the proposals are that the PCT Director of Public Health should become a member of the strategic management board of the council, the council?s chief executive should attend PCT board meetings in an advisory capacity and the PCT chief executive attending council executive meetings in a similar capacity.
The council?s strategic director, Community Services/director of Adult Social Services should attend the executive team meetings at the PCT.
At an operational level, consideration will be given to the potential joint management of “back office” services as well as those focused on health improvement and consideration will also be given to further joint commissioning arrangements.
But there will be no presumption of transfer of management accountabilities. The aim will be to achieve better value for money and improved outcomes for residents of Warrington.
Walking – the way
to better health
by staff reporter
THE ?Walking the way to Health? initiative is offering local people and opportunity to get out in the fresh air and get some exercise.
Warrington Rowing Club is involved in the scheme, which has already staged one Sunday morning walk and plans two more on July 8 and August 12.
The half-hour walks start from the rowing club?s headquarters on Howley Lane, near Kingsway Bridge.
Free parking is available, the walks are predominantly flat and no special equipment is needed, other than comfortable clothing and suitable shoes.
The organizers say the walks, suitable for beginners, will result in people feeling more energetic, sleeping better, managing their weight b etter and reducing blood pressure.
Walks start at 11am.
Crematorium’s service
of remembrance
by staff reporter
THE annual Service of Remembrance at Walton Lea Crematorium, Warrington will take place on Sunday, July 1.
Starting at 3pm, the service will be held in the grounds of the crematorium – weather permitting. If not, it will be held in the crematorium chapel.
Members of the public are invited to attend the service, led by The Rev Stephen Kingsnorth and as in previous years people will be invited to release balloons in memory of their loved ones The crematorium is set within 17 and-a-half acres of landscaped grounds including formal gardens, wild flower meadows and mature woodlands.
Neil Simpson, acting bereavement services manager, said: “Our annual Service of Remembrance has proved to be of great comfort to all those attending. As always, everyone is welcome.”
Further information is available from the Bereavement Services Office at Walton Lea Crematorium on 01925 267731.
Parking wardens
ease problems
by Lesley Wilkinson
BOROUGH Council parking wardens have helped alleviate problems in Stockton Heath according to Police CSO Peter Crellin.
“The wardens are making their presence felt in the village,” he told Stockton Heath Parish Council.
He said a Speed Watch campaign had targeted Walton Road and during one week 26 people had been caught speeding.
