Storm after second
“invasion” by travellers
by David Skentelbery
ANOTHER ?invasion? by travellers has triggered a storm of protest from Appleton, near Warrington.
Up to 15 caravans and lorries have moved onto Old Barleycastle Lane, Appleton Thorn ? after earlier causing chaos on the Stretton trading estate.
The travellers appear to have gained access to Old Barleycastle Lane by demolishing barriers erected by the borough council some years ago to keep fly tippers out.
The borough council and local parish councillors have been blitzed with complaints.
Coun Dot Edwards, of Appleton Parish Council, said: ?My phone has hardly stopped ringing.
?It would seem the same group of travellers arrived on the trading estate and moved to Old Barleycastle Lane the following morning.
?There are about 15 vans and other vehicles. I have been on to the borough council and I understand they have started the necessary procedure to get them moved on.?
Last week there was uproar in Grappenhall after travellers moved onto land off Cartridge Lane ? particularly after nearby residents found the travellers had purchased the land and laid hardstanding without seeking planning consent.
But the new group appear to be unconnected with them.
They moved onto the Elizabeth French warehouse site, which was recently vacated.
There were claims of a security guard on the estate being threatened and of the site being littered with waste paper and packaging.
Adjoining businesses claimed they had had equipment stolen and another alleged vehicles had been damaged. One small businessman said he had moved his operation off the estate.
A spokesman for Warrington Borough Council said: ?We are aware that a group of travellers moved onto private land and then onto the disused highway in Old Barleycaste Lane. We have sent officers to speak with them.?
Cheerleader Christy
defies all the odds
by James Parr
DEFYING the medical world and overcoming adversity are things that Warrington resident Christy Mitchinson has had to face to pursue her one true love… cheerleading!
Christy, who was born in Virginia, in the United States, took up cheerleading at the age of five and has had to go to extraordinary lengths to finally establish a cheerleading group in Warrington.
Her whirlwind story began when she was told that she and husband Steve couldn’t have children and were placed on an IVF waiting list.
Incredibly, while waiting to receive treatment, Christy fell pregnant at their then home in Scarborough.
Sadly for her, she lost the child – but then managed to set up her own cheerleading squad called the McKenzie Wolves.
The squad was funded entirely by Christy, who taught all the girls herself, while Steve worked in Warrington.
Defying medical odds again, Christy fell pregnant a second time and decided to move Warrington with Steve.
She said: “I just wanted him near me in case anything went wrong like the first time. Doctors told me not to get too hopeful as they couldn’t even find a heart beat during the early scans.”
Christy passed the cheerleading torch to a fellow coach in Scarborough and settled down with her new arrival, Hunter, in Warrington and decided it was time to pursue another dream.
She now wants to set up an all-age cheerleading squad.
“I have specialty awards for coaching stunts, gymnastics and special needs people. I hope to establish a strong squad base in Warrington and then set up special needs teams,? she said.
All aspects of cheerleading, including its history, are covered in the classes, which Christy hopes will produce a professional team one day.
“There is a chance for teams to compete in national and international tournaments. We’ve already started the process to compete in a tournament in the States next year and one at Disneyland Paris in 2009.
“There’s lots to learn and I hope people who try out for the squads will take it as seriously as I do.?
Her group, Knights American Cheer is already holding tryouts for youngsters in the town, catering for ages 6-21.
To get involved, contact Christy on 07804 226 025 or log on to www.knightsamericancheer.piczo.com
Christy added: “The number one reason I’m doing this is because I really love cheerleading. Another reason why kids should get involved is because from a parent’s point of view, you know where your kids are for at least two nights a week. We are also going to teach them lessons about life, friendship and charity – it’s not all pom-poms and giggling.?
School leavers praised
for outstanding work
by James Parr
SCHOOL leavers from Warrington?s Birchwood High School received accolades from the staff for their GCSE results.
Year 11 students, who left the school last year, were honoured at a special presentation evening after achieving the schools best GCSE results to date.
Strategic director for Children’s Services in Warrington, Norma Cadwallader and head teacher Anne Bright were present to make the presentations.
Special awards were given to Jenny Garlick, who received the Birchwood Mall Community Award, and Jonathan Kindon, who received recognition for having 100 per cent attendance throughout his five years at the school.
Anne Bright said: “The academic year 2006-7 was my first as the head teacher of Birchwood High School. I am delighted to report that you did yourselves, the school and me proud. Thank you and really well done!”
Economic Alliance has
busy, successful year
by Lesley Wilkinson
A BUSY and successful year is reported by Cheshire and Warrington Economic Alliance (CWEA) in its annual review.
The report’s publication coincided with the annual stakeholder forum, attended by 120 senior representatives from public and private sector companies.
CWEA’s key achievements include a ?1 billion action plan, Investing in Success, aimed at transforming the economy of Cheshire and Warrington, and securing ?38 million funding for action plan projects from 2007-2010.
It has also commissioned, with the North West Development Agency, a major economic review of Cheshire and Warrington’s economy, together with the production of forecasts up to 2030.
Other action includes formulating the Cheshire and Warrington Employment and Skills Board, establishment of a climate change group and establishing a joint working forum on worklessness with Jobcentre Plus bringing together all the main funding and delivery partners.
A programme of workshops, consultations and strategy development events, including business ambassador events in London, Chester and Warrington, were also held.
Martin Lee, CWEA chief executive, said: “This has been another busy and successful year for CWEA and for many of the businesses in this area.
“Development of the ‘Investing in Success’ action plan has enabled us to work closely with our partners, especially the NWDA, to secure significant funding for the key projects we identified would deliver economic growth. We look forward to continuing to provide strategic leadership for the development of our economy up to 2011 and beyond.”
Copies of the annual review are available from CWEA or can be downloaded from the CWEA website at www.cwea.org.uk
A chance for writers
to have work performed
by Lesley Wilkinson
BUDDING writers in Warrington have the chance to have their work performed live by talented young actors.
A five-week series of free creative workshops is being run by the University of Chester’s Learning and Enterprise Centre at the Padgate campus.
Warrington Borough Council’s arts and sports engagement team has joined forces with the university and will be running the workshops in January and February.
At the end of the workshops
they will produce a monologue, which will be part of a special performance at the Pyramid in Warrington.
Anyone interested in booking a place should contact Amy or Elsie at the centre on 01925 534309.
