Rescue package for
“eyesore” beauty spot
by Lesley Wilkinson
A RESCUE package for the abandoned Ackers Pit beauty spot at Stockton Heath, Warrington, has been approved.
More than 60 residents who crowded into a special meeting of Stockton Heath Parish Council were surprised to hear that work would start again on Tuesday (August 7) – and that the site would open again in October.
But residents were disappointed that the lake would be considerably reduced in size and were concerned that raised water levels could cause a risk of flooding to neighbouring homes.
People were also worried that silt permanently deposited on the banks could be a safety hazard for children and pets to become trapped in.
One man said: “As water falls onto the silt what can you do to stop the area becoming boggy? Children, adults and animals could get stuck into the mud.” But Graeme Atherton, senior landscape architect with project managers TEP, assured residents the site would be safe and that contrary to some rumours the site would not be sold for housing.
He told residents: “The new contractors say they will do what is on the plan and they have got to do that.
“The risks are ours as we have done the design. If something happens on the site, you sue the parish council and they sue us.”
He promised an improved site with wider, more accessible paths to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act, more natural planting with aquatic plants on the banks, a better flow of water through the lake caused by improvement to drainage and a site to attract more diversified wildlife.
He said: “Although it looks bad at the moment, it can look very good in the future and the improvements mean it will look good for a number of years.”
Work was halted on the ?48,000 project in May, after problems with the contractors. Angry residents claimed the site had been turned into an eyesore and safety hazard.
But Mr Atherton said the hold-up had actually enabled those involved to look at the site and decide on the best way forward.
He said a new second phase of work would start next week with a four-week project to re-distribute the silt along the banks of the lake.
After that, a third phase would include footpaths, landscaping and thinning of the trees to allow more light on the site.
The meeting heard the parish council will apply for further funding for the final phase, and chairman Coun Peter Walker said Warrington Borough Council would loan the parish council money at a low interest rate if there was a delay receiving grant money.
Coun Walker said the parish council had agreed to put aside money each year, to provide for future maintenance.
The council approved a payment of ?28,000 to contractors for work done so far, and a further ?10,000 to a second contractor for the new work. Members agreed to look at future plans for the site after the next, four week, phase had been completed.
Town threesome win
“battle of the bands”
by David Skentelbery
WARRINGTON-based Indie rockers The Cordels have picked up a ?1,000 cash prize and a week in a recording studio after winning a “Battle of the Bands” at Manchester’s Ritz.
The three-piece band took the coveted title “Manchester’s Next Big Thing” after beating off challenges from nine other unsigned bands.
Earlier they had won a hotly contested preliminary heat in which 60 bands took part.
The band, Dave McNamara, vocals and bass guitar, Stephen Taylor, vocals and guitar and Dave Wimbush, vocals and drums, are also through to the final of a battle of the bands contest at Chester on August 28.
They are due to go on tour in Germany next month and the cash prize will help fund the trip.
Dave McNamara said: “The money will come in really useful as it will go towards paying for the tour. We are delighted to have won and hopeful of pulling it off again in Chester.”
Promotor Pete Sudworth said: “The band is getting a lot of attention now and I am sure they will soon be snapped up by a record label.
“It really was an exhilarating performance and one that really wowed the audience.”
Luncheon club
celebrates 20 years
by Gary Skentelbery
AS part of their 20th anniversary celebrations members of Oughtrington Luncheon Club where entertained by pupils at Lymm High School.
The event was part of the school’s Founder’s day, involving youngsters helping out and worting with the local community.
The luncheon club were entertained by a wide variety of music and dance and also had their lunch prepared by youngsters working in the school kitchens.
Luncheon club organiser Joyce Penlington said: “It was a super event and the young people did themselves proud. All our members and volunteers had a memorable time and we would like to thank the High School for putting on such a fantastic event.”
Company chiefs to
trek the Great Wall
by Lesley Wilkinson
TWO company directors are trekking along the Great Wall of China in a bid to raise ?5,000 for the Children’s Adventure Farm Trust (CAFT) in Millington, near Lymm.
Managing director Grant Barton and director Susan Tracey, of Jobwise – which has an office in Warrington – are undertaking the challenge of a lifetime in October.
The challenge involves trekking up thousands of steps and hiking over tough terrain during the nine-day trip.
The two are funding the trip themselves, so all money raised will go directly to CAFT which provides adventure breaks and activities for hundreds of disabled and disadvantaged children each year.
A spokesperson for Jobwise said : “We are looking for sponsors to help Grant and Susan in their aim to raise ?5,000 for CAFT.
Donations can be made on line at www.justgiving.com/jobwisechina or by calling Jobwise on 01204 550680.
Recycling starts
for paper cartons
by staff reporter
PAPER-based drinks cartons, such as used for milk and fruit juices, can now be recycled in Warrington.
Collection points have been set up at recycling centres across the borough and cartons will be then taken to a recycling mill.
There they will be processed for use in the manufacture of a variety of products such as plasterboard liners, paper bags and envelopes.
The council has joined forces with Tetra Pak Ltd and the carton industry body ACE UK to launch the new carton recycling scheme.
Millions of cartons are used by UK households each year and most end up in the rubbish bin. However, this scheme aims to give residents the opportunity to recycle even more of their household rubbish.
All cartons should be squashed before being put into the designated container. The following locations have carton recycling points:
Gateworth Recycling Centre, Barnard Street.
Woolston Recycling Centre, off New Cut Lane.
Burtonwood Centre Bring Site, Green Jones Brow.
Hatton Arms Bring Site, Hatton Lane.
Tesco Supermarket Bring Site, Winwick Road.
It is hoped to add more locations as carton recycling grows.
Coun Bob Barr, the borough council?s executive member for Planning, Regneration and Climate Change, said: ?The residents of Warrington have always responded well to the different recycling schemes we?ve implemented across the borough, but we?ve still got some tough targets to meet, both as a borough and as a nation. We?re delighted that Tetra Pak and the carton industry is working in partnership with us to help increase recycling.?
Richard Hands, Environment Manager at Tetra Pak Ltd and Chairman of ACE UK, added: It?s therefore fantastic news that Warrington Borough Council is taking a lead by adding cartons to the list of materials collected for recycling and we very much hope that the initiative is successful.?
Wine shop short-listed
for national awards
by John Hendon
A WARRINGTON-based ind
ependent wine retailer has been short-listed for two prestigious national awards to be presented next month.
Corks Out, of Stockton Heath ? which also has a branch in Chester – will vie for the titles Independent Entrepreneur of the Year and Independent Off Licence at the retail industry awards ceremony at London?s Grosvenor Hotel on September 27.
The firm, run by Ruth Yates , has won the Retailer of the Year title at the Warrington Business Awards for the last two years.
Corks Out opened in Stockton Heath in December 2003 and expanded to Watergate Street, Chester last year.
Ruth Yates said: ?I am very proud of our expanding team, which is now 11, and all of the team pride themselves in involving our customers at a personal level.
?We don?t just sell you a bottle of wine, we sell you the pleasure it gives you when you come to drink it, and with enthusiasm, knowledge and passion, all of the Corks Out team have taken the business of selling wine to another level.
?I would also like to truly thank all our loyal customers. I know its really hard to support your local independent or village shop when there are other convenient ways of purchasing. However, Corks Out is about finding out a little more about what?s in your glass and through educated wine chats and our range of lighter alcoholic wines, we feel we offer a sensible approach to responsible drinking.
?It?s about sipping a wine that you can truly enjoy, not glugging something that just provides alcohol. Wine is art and we try to involve our customers in a little knowledge of its life cycle, its perfect food accompaniment and what it has to offer our palates, not its alcohol content.?
[ 06.08.2007, 16:57: Message edited by: DS ]
