Drink and drugs
in town’s schools
by Lesley Wilkinson
A PROJECT to tackle the increasing problems of drinking, drug use and anti-social behaviour among school children in Warrington has hit town.
Warrington Rotary Club has organised and is sponsoring the health education programme aimed at encouraging youngsters aged four to 11 to follow a healthy lifestyle.
The North West Life Education Trust’s mobile high-tech health education classroom has spent two weeks in the town.
The unit, with a specially trained worker, visited Dallam Primary School and then moved to Our Lady’s RC Primary School, Latchford.
A Rotary spokesman said: “Our children are facing ever-increasing pressures and temptations to damage their health and their futures.”
He cites a survey, which found that by the age of 16, 57 per cent of children regularly binge drink, 70 per cent have smoked cigarettes, 28 per cent have smoked cannabis, 10 per cent have used solvents and 15 per cent are overweight.
The classes use audio-visual equipment, children’s participation and are aided by popular hand puppet, Harold the Giraffe.
Classes aim to teach youngsters about the effects and risks associated with the use of drugs, including alcohol and tobacco, contribute to life skills and teach them how to look after their health.
All that glittered
turned to…silver!
by staff reporter
ALL that glittered turned to silver for Warrington students who came second in the national finals of the British Beauty Show at Birmingham’s NEC. The photographic make-up students from Warrington Collegiate fought off competition from 25 other colleges to make it to the final seven teams competing for the British title. In what was described as a close-run contest, the Collegiate was runner-up to South Trafford College, which won the student catwalk competition. Anne Tabiner-Shaw, course leader for photographic make-up at Warrington Collegiate said: “The judges told us it was a difficult choice in the end and it took a while to make a decision on the winners.” “It’s a prestigious national competition with a very high standard of entry, so we’re delighted to have secured second place. I’m really proud of the team!” The theme of the contest was A Night at the Brits – reflecting the glamour of The Brit awards which were launched 25 years ago to celebrate achievements in the music industry. Terri Bennett, Shelley Hill and Bernadette Evans were the three students who represented Warrington Collegiate, under the tutelage of Anne. “We wanted our theme to reflect issues such as rebellion, freedom and self expression, which are synonymous with the late ’70s and early ’80s when The Brits started,” said Shelley Hill. Terri Bennett added: “Vivienne Westwood was big at that time, so our look was influenced by her. The fashion of the punk era threw the rule book out of the window and set its own trends – so we wanted to re-create that.” The students’ work was demonstrated during a catwalk feature at the event – designed to showcase the beauty industry’s up and coming professionals. Student Bernadette Evans said it was not just about make-up: “We created a whole look for the show from the make-up to the hair, nails, body art and clothing. The colours of the Union flag featured very strongly.” The Collegiate’s competition entry dazzled judges with the model, Kat Parr, wearing electric blue mascara, rhinestone gems, red glitter lipstick, red white and blue ‘big hair’ and musical notes on her nails and skin. “It has been a real privilege to work with this group,” added Anne Tabiner-Shaw. “Although we were only able to enter three students, this has been a complete team effort with each member of the course playing a part.” Sharon Barnes, Advanced Teaching Practitioner for the Beauty Department said: “Being selected as one of seven finalists and then coming in a close second place was a great achievement for our team. “With 200 colleges from across the country being invited to apply, standards of entry were extremely high.” “I’m so proud of the students, they’ve worked very hard. Congratulations to Anne Tabiner-Shaw, who has put so much effort, time and support into helping her students achieve great success!”
Puppy walkers wanted
THE Guide Dogs for the Blind Association is appealing for puppy walking volunteers at Lymm, near Warrington.
They will care for and educate guide dog pups from six weeks of age for a period of 12 months, when they begin their specialised guide dog training.
Shirley Cohen of Guide Dogs said: “We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to become puppy walkers because, at the end of the day, if we don’t have puppy walkers, we don’t have guide dogs.
“Puppy walking is challenging and it is a commitment but our volunteers find it extremely rewarding and worthwhile.?
The young dogs will spend much of their first year with the puppy walker volunteers who teach basic obedience and get them used to a home environment, noise and the bustle of towns. They will prepare the animals for their working life ahead which includes taking them on public transport including, trains, buses and taxis. A young guide dog puppy is a companion for its temporary owners, who find it so rewarding to raise a dog who will one day give a blind person a new independence by acting as their eyes.
Guide Dogs supplies basic equipment and covers all veterinary and feeding expenses. Volunteers will need to have access to a car and will have to be home for most of the day.
They will also have to be free to take their puppy into many varied environments – sometimes busy and difficult. Their yard or garden will also need to be securely fenced so that the puppy remains safely within its confines.
For more information on becoming a puppy walker contact Shirley on 07990 540228 or email [email protected]
Council to set up
“one-stop shop”
by staff reporter
A NEW town centre “one-stop shop” offering information and help for people using its services is being set up by Warrington Borough Council.
The telephone contact centre and increased use of Internet transactions are part of a plan to give people more choice on how they access information and services.
Plans have been approved by the council’s executive board, and will bring together customer service staff who currently work at different centre’s throughout the town.
The review follows months of research including councillors visiting other local authorities to pick up tips, and consulting residents.
The new service aims at getting the right information to customers first time, directing the public clearly towards services or buildings, providing specialist training to staff and increasing the number of transactions using the council’s website.
Opening hours of the new contact centre will be from 8am to 6pm weekdays and Saturday mornings. There will be just three or four numbers to access a whole range of council services, with staff aiming to deal with 80 per cent of enquires on the first contact.
A chance to
meet the police
by Lesley Wilkinson
PEOPLE in Warrington have the opportunity to have their say on policing at a series of meetings and walks being held throughout the town.
Everyone is invited to join in the Community Action Meetings (CAM) and Community Action Team (CAT) Walks.
Today (Thursday) there will be CAMs at Hood Manor Community Centre, Great Sankey, from 7.30pm, and at Sandy Lane Centre, Sandy Lane, Stockton Heath, from 7.00pm.
Tomorrow (Friday) there will be a CAT Walk starting from Rixton Community Centre at 7.00pm.
The following day, Saturday, there will be a daytime walk from the same venue at 3.00pm.
Rixton CAM will be held on Tuesday April 11 at St Helen’s C of E Primary School, Birch Road, Hollins Green, from 7.30pm.
Shoppers urged to
buy eggs for needy
by staff reporter
CUSTOMERS at B
irchwood Shopping Centre are being encouraged to buy an extra Easter egg to help a child in need in Warrington.
The centre is running a campaign to collect extra Easter eggs to help the NSPCC. Shoppers are invited to donate an egg at Cookie Bear’s stand next to Planet Caf?.
Eggs will be donated to the charity and to local children’s hospitals.
Centre manager Gary Jones said: “We always do our best to support local charities and the Easter Egg Appeal is such a worthy cause.
“We’re hoping people will come along and donate to this event. For such little cost, you can give an enormous amount of happiness to children that really need it,” he added.
