Green belt “lake”
plan causes a storm
by Terry Johnson
DEVELOPERS, parish councillors and residents have clashed over plans for fishing lakes and a 45-space car park in the Culcheth green belt.
The row centres on a proposal to turn flat agricultural land at Ratcliffe House Farm, Bent Lane, into 100-peg fisheries with woodland and car park.
Applicant Graham Unsworth has scaled down an original development of 120 fishing pegs and 60 parking spaces close to Newchurch Parish Church.
But Culcheth Parish Council objects to the latest project. Councillors feel the match lake would be too close to homes, there is no provision for cyclists and area traffic would increase.
Protests about traffic volume on congested Bent Lane also come from neighbours.
But Warrington planners have received three letters supporting the fisheries. They state that improved wildlife and community benefits will result.
The Peak and Northern Footpaths Society and Ramblers’ Association feel that walkers should have their own pathway and hedgerows be retained.
Borough Council planner, Jason Lewis, is recommending Development Control Committee approval of the scheme at a meeting next Thursday.
The proposed lakes and woodland would be of ‘countryside character’, he says. They are not considered significantly harmful.
College names its sports
people of the year
by Terry Johnson
TEENAGERS Kevin Penny and Emily Williamson took to the podium as Priestley College, Warrington’s ‘Sports Personalities of the Year’. Kevin,17, is already on the books of Warrington Wolves and has notched 17 tries in nine games. Emily, also 17, has successfully juggled her AS level studies with a range of sporting activities and is a key member of the ladies netball team. Wolves squad members, Logan Swann and Brent Grose, handed out awards at a ceremony at the Priestley campus attended by 200 people. Coach of the Year was Beth Burns and Football Player of the Year, Osman Ahmed. Beth Palmer took Netball Player of the Year and Matt Barber, RL Player of the Year. Rugby League International Honours: Matt Barber, Luke Andrews, Simon McEvoy(England), Danny Shaw and Dave Heathwood(Ireland). Golfing Award, Paul Cliff. Swimming team award: Kate Eccles, Rachel Hillam, Gemma Holmes and Laura Wilford. College sports spokesman Nigel Howells, said: “From swimming to golf, rugby league to netball, 2005 was a year of superb success”.
“Garages are getting
better” say watchdogs
by Terry Johnson
IT’S good news for Warrington motorists – the town’s garages are getting better!
A customer-satisfaction survey of ‘approved’ garages revealed that 73 per cent of motorists thought service standards were ‘excellent’.
And 100 per cent of customers said they would use the garages again.
The garages covered by the survey are all members of the Warrington Approved Motor Trader scheme.
Trading Standards chief Roger Mapleson, said: “This scheme aims to encourage and promote high standards in the local motor trade.
“Responses from customers show high levels of confidence”.
The motor trade in Warrington was working successfully to improve its image and vehicle owners were expressing increased confidence.
“Trading Standards is working to encourage reputable traders and at the same time is targeting those who deliberately seek to rip off customers”, said Mr Mapleson.
All ‘approved’ garages are checked by Trading Standards who monitor complaints, use ‘mystery shoppers’, carry out regular audits and act as mediators in disputes.
Village’s Teddy
Bear memorial
A ‘TEDDY Bear’ memorial has been gifted to the community of Burtonwood, near Warrington.
Carved by Roughley’s Stonemasons, of Warrington, from a granite block, the memorial has been erected in the children’s garden of Burtonwood Cemetery.
It is placed alongside a bird table, provided by cemetery staff.
The wildlife table and Teddy Bear should encourage children into the cemetery, where staff and Friends of Burtonwood can talk to them about nature and being respectful.
Learning is fun at
the “happy” school
by Terry Johnson
LEARNING is “fun” at Culcheth Primary School, near Warrington, say education standards watchdogs.
Pupils achieve well because teachers make their lessons interesting.
And pupils are ‘happy in school’. They show very good personal development and have very good attitudes and behaviour.
The overall message from Govt. Ofsted inspectors is that it is a good school where pupils receive a well-rounded education and achieve well.
The inspectors do say, however, that pupils should be consistently taught handwriting and spelling skills.
They should also receive day-to-day experience of ‘British cultural diversity’.
The school has been successful in steadily raising standards and promoting higher achievement.
Curriculum innovations meant teachers were ‘successfully motivating pupils towards better learning’.
Head teacher, Craig Richardson, said: “We are very proud of our Ofsted result. We are determined to use the suggestions to further improve our school’s effectiveness”.
He added: “We have worked very hard to ensure the school gives children an inspiring start to their education and instils in them the motivation to learn and develop.
“We are not content to rest on our laurels. We shall be working with pupils, parents and the community to create an even more positive learning experience for our pupils”.
