?449,000 plan for
school arts studio
by David Skentelbery
TOWN Hall chiefs at Warrington are to be asked to approve a ?449,000 tender for the construction of a new performing arts studio at Padgate High School.
The development would support the school?s recent designation as a specialist arts college with a specific emphasis on performing arts and English.
But the studio would have the potential to meet a number of other significant needs of the school and the community it serves, according to a report to be considered by the borough council?s executive board.
Padgate High is already a specialist technology college ? but a shadow currently hangs over the school because of recently proposals to amalgamate it with Woolston High School.
Although two options put forward for consideration involved using the existing Padgate school, one option involved demolition of both the Padgate and Woolston schools and construction of a completely new school to replace them both.
A decision was put back at least a year when education chiefs decided to press ahead with plans for a new high school at Culcheth.
Padgate High was originally built in 1978. It already has a small performing arts studio which can cater for audiences of up to 150. It is used for a number of purposes, including performances by the school, local theatre groups and for concerts. But its size, the seating arrangements, lack of storage space, etc., and flooring unsuitable for dance, put a severe limit on its use.
The new studio would be built alongside the existing one, enhancing the existing facilities and linking them to the main school buildings. It would provide a public entrance to the school and a reception area.
The reception area would also be used as a small exhibition hall and there would be offices, toilet facilities and a large performance space equipped with audio-visual equipment, sprung floor, seating, etc. There would also be teaching spaces for the delivery of performing arts, and rehearsal space.
Golfers get on their
bikes for charity
MEMBERS of the Lymm and Stockton Heath Golf Society (LASH) spent a Sunday helping out the Children’s Adventure Farm near Lymm.
The day involved a sponsored bike ride from Lymm to the farm and back – with a stopover at the farm during which the cyclings cleaned the children’s mini-bus, swept up leaves, tidied the play areas and chopped down dangerous branches from trees.
Arriving an hour early, they decided to get cracking with the work and unknowingly stumbled through the wrong door, setting off the alarm and having security guards swoop on them.
Chairman Nick Steed said: “It was nightmare as we thought the bill for the security call-out might exceed our hard-earned sponsor money!
“This charity relies on volunteers from all backgrounds who can spare a few hours to help. Some of the society hadn’t rode a bike for years, let alone worked on a Sunday, but the feeling of satisfaction that you’ve done your bit to help those special children is fantastic.”
On their return to Lymm, the cyclists were refreshed at Rosco’s Bar, which opened early to quench thirsts and provide food after the hard day’s work.
Nick added: “We would like to thank all the regulars there, and the staff, especially Christian and Toni.”
LASH plan plan to stage the event every year in future on the last Sunday of October. Anyone who wants to get involved should email [email protected] for more details.
Minister’s praise for
town’s peace centre
by John Hendon
NORTHERN Ireland Secretary Peter Hain has praised the work of Warrington?s Peace Centre during a private visit.
Mr Hain ? who is also Secretary of State for Wales ? toured the centre accompanied by chairman and co-founder of the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Trust Colin Parry and his wife, Wendy.
He said the Peace Centre was not only trying to help survivors of the Irish troubles come to terms with their hurt but also challenging prejudices among young people from different backgrounds in an effort to prevent future suffering.
During the visit Mr Hain spoke to staff and heard at first hand about the work of the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Trust ? named after the two boys killed in the IRA bombing atrocity in Bridge Street, Warrington in 1993.
He said: ?I would like to pay tribute to the work of everyone involved in the Warrington Peace Centre. Your work is vital to so many people who have suffered so much.
?I know that the Legacy Programme, which has been supported by the Northern Ireland Office, aims to identify and meet the needs of victims and survivors of the troubles living in England, Scotland and Wales.
?The centre has an international reputation and its work is recognised across the world.
?The Trust has been able to provide a safe space for adults, young people and peace organisations to deliver educational peace programmes which challenge perceptions and prejudices with the aim of encouraging tolerance and acceptance of diversity.?
Thug robs woman
of 82 in street
by staff reporter
POLICE are searching for a young thug who attacked an 82-year-old woman at Warrington and robbed her of her handbag.
The woman was walking along Norris Street, near its junction with Gorsey Lane when a man, aged 20-30 approached her and snatched her bag, knocking her to the ground. As a result, she received injuries which required hospital treatment.
Police say the offender was slim, of average height and was wearing a light coloured hooded top and light trousers.
Anyone who witnessed the attack, or who has any information likely to assist the police, is asked to call DS Ian Allen on 01244 313831.
Pupils to take “tiny
steps for peace”
by John Hendon
CHILDREN from three Warrington primary schools will be taking ?tiny steps for peace? next week as they learn how to live and play peacefully together.
Pupils from St Bridget’s, Cinnamon Brow, Oakwood Avenue and Woolston primary schools will be involved in the initiative launched by educational peace charity, the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Trust.
The charity, set up in memory of the two boys killed in the 1993 IRA attack on Warrington, is working with the five and six-year-olds to tackle prejudice as part of an innovative educational programme which encourages young children’s personal and emotional development and the inclusion of others regardless of ethnicity, culture or ability.
Tiny Steps for Peace focuses attention on identifying similarities as well as differences and aims to reduce the level of aggression, bullying and violence in the playground, classroom and wider community.
The format of the programme consists of drama, play and discussion. This is followed by a structured circle time programme, delivered by the children’s class teacher, to explore these issues further; it also promotes empathy, consideration and acceptance of others.
Project leader Kerry Hosken said: “All our work is based on the belief that we can find non-violent ways to solve conflicts that arise out of individual or community differences. Through educational programmes such as this one, we aim to break down prejudices and encourage young people to be more accepting of others. These programmes do work and they are making a difference. By working with children at this age we can teach them skills which will help them throughout their life.”
Cricket club celebrates
10 years of growth
by staff reporter
GLAZEBURY Cricket Club will hold its annual meeting on Thursday, November 9 ? celebrating an incredible improvement in the club?s fortunes over the last 10 years.
The club now has almost 100 members, runs two senior and three junior teams, has almost completed a major pavilion refurbishment and has installed showers, an all-weather practise strip and sight screens and levelled and drained the Hurst Lane fie
ld.
In addition, the club has achieved the prestigious ECB ?Clubmark? and ?Focus Club? status.
Ten years ago the club had 24 members, a tumbledown pavilion and was struggling to turn out two teams each week.
Chairman Paul Warhurst said: This success story is, however, not without its problems. This meteoric expansion has been achieved, in the main, by the same small group of selfless and dedicated volunteers, together with our many supportive partners and benefactors.
?The increase in membership and our ambitious development programme have both provided an increased burden on the officers, committee, and volunteers.? To continue its development aims, the club has decided to change the way it is managed and plans to form a number of sub-committees for the management of cricket, junior, fund raising, grounds and development.
Each sub-committee will report to an executive committee. Officials are hoping there will be a good attendance at the annual meeting at Culcheth Royal British Legion, starting at 8pm.
Charity sets itself
?250,000 target
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON-based charity The Relationships Centre has set itself a ?250,000 fundraising target for the next three years to allow them to continue their work in the future.
The charity, which in the past has received its income through securing grants such as Comic Relief or BBC Children in Need, says it must start raising its own funds.
Spokeswoman Marissa Hankinson said: “This is a new area for us as a charity, as traditionally our income has come through the securing of grants from such as Comic Relief or BBC’s Children in Need to name but two.
?However, we have to take responsibility for raising our own money to allow us to continue our work. We have recently revamped our website to encourage supporters to get more involved, by giving them lots of ideas on volunteering and how they can raise monies.
?We are aware that people may only access our services when they may be experiencing difficulties within their relationship, however, everybody has relationships and it is important that services like ours are around for when they do go wrong.”
The Relationships Centre provides support to anyone affected by the issues of violent, abusive and unhealthy relationships within the Cheshire area.
Lorry crash brings
traffic chaos
by staff reporter
THERE was traffic chaos in Warrington after an articulated lorry overturned in Winwick Road after collided with a lamppost.
Fire crews were called to the scene to help make sure the area was safe prior to the arrival of electricity company engineers.
The driver was unhurt and was not trapped in the vehicle.
But the incident led to long traffic hold-ups during the morning rush-hour.
