Creamfields to be policed
by huge security operation
by Gary Skentelbery
NEARLY 1,000 police and security staff will be on duty when Creamfields ? one of the UK?s biggest dance festivals ? returns to the Warrington area next month.
Following its premiere in Daresbury last year the event is set to return to the same site over the Bank Holiday weekend in August with more than 40,000 people are expected to attend from across the UK.
Around 500 officers will be on duty to police the event, which runs from 3pm on Saturday August 25 to 6am on Sunday August 26 ? so that neighbourhood bobbies can continue patrolling the surrounding communities and nearby town centres of Runcorn and Warrington.
As part of the conditions of the licensing agreement this year a minimum number of 410 stewards/security staff will be deployed throughout the event. This is a substantial increase from last year.
Police say the number of stewards and security staff should not be reduced under any circumstances as it forms an integral part of the police contingency and emergency plans.
Leading the police planning team this year is Inspector Paul Carroll, who said: ?Throughout our contingency planning for Creamfields we will be working closely with the organisers and local residents to discuss any concerns they may have.
?We have learned lessons from last year?s event and we want to make sure the event has the minimal disruption for those living in the area.
?We want to keep residents informed every step of the way in the planning process. I have been attending meetings with parish councillors, we have distributed a special newsletter with information about the policing of the event to almost 1,000 homes in the area and information is regularly being updated on our website.?
Cheshire Constabulary has had in depth discussions with the Highways Agency, the two local councils and the organisers and is currently producing a detailed traffic management plan ? in consultation with the relevant agencies – to deal with the increased traffic coming into the area.
Details of the plan will be available to local residents and ticket holders once it has been finalised.
There will be two main car parks available to ticket holders over the weekend ? one is located north of the A56 and the other south of Daresbury Lane. Toilets and refreshments will be available at the car parks to cater for anyone who arrives before the event starts.
A shuttle bus service is being provided by the organisers to help people get to and from the site from outlying areas.
Inspector Carroll added: ?This event is for over 18s only and as part of this year?s licensing agreement wristbands will be given to ticket holders once they have provided satisfactory proof of age.
?The wristbands will be of a type that cannot be removed and transferred to other people.?
Local residents and ticket holders can find out more about the event over the next few weeks by logging onto the dedicated section on Cheshire Constabulary?s website at www.cheshire.police.uk More information about the policing of Creamfields will also be printed in local Community Action Team (CAT) newsletters.
Police hunt
knife attackers
by Gary Skentelbery
POLICE are hunting a gang of four white males who carried out a vicious robbery on a 26-year-old Warrington man, yesterday Friday.
The attackers produced a pen knife and slashed the victim on the face and stomach near the B&Q store on Winwick Road in the full view of static rush hour traffic at around 8.15am.
They pinned him to the ground and stole property from his pockets.
The attackers were all in their early 20’s and wearing track suit bottoms. Two had skin heads and one had short spikey hair.
The victim was wearing a distinctive black leather jacket and army type trousers.
Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the attack to contact DC Tracy Short on 0845 4580000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Council has not given up
on Time Square project
by David Skentelbery
TOWN Hall chiefs at Warrington still want to press ahead with regeneration of the Time Square area of the town centre – despite the Government’s refusal to allow a major new leisure complex to be built.
Council leaders are pleased the proposals for a rival development off Winwick Road are to go ahead but they say it will become increasingly important to ensure that other parts of the town centre are given continued attention They want talks with Big Apple – the company behind the Times Square scheme – to find a new way forward.
Planning chief John Groves, in a report to be considered by the Development Control Committee, says: “Indication has already been given to representatives of those behind the Time Square proposals of the need for dialogue to explore the most advantageous way forward, including focus on the most appropriate formulation of policy which would support this part of the centre and extract maximum advantage from the increasing attractiveness of the town centre as a whole.
” Imminent review of the Town Centre Strategy will provide a useful vehicle for consideration of these issues.” The borough council supported both the Winwick Street and Time Square schemes – even though they both included multi-screen cinemas, restaurants, bars, offices and apartments.
So did the inspector who conducted a major public inquiry into the two projects.
But the then Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Ruth Kelly, rejected the Time Square scheme.
She said there were no specific policies which advocated regeneration of the site, which remained in active use. She also pointed out that it contributed further to the existing oversupply of housing in the borough – although it did not adequately provide for affordable housing.
The Winwick Road scheme, by contrast, offered regeneration of a cleared site and, while it also proposed housing, this and the level of affordable housing proposed was acceptable taking into account the benefits of regenerating the site.
Blind couple’s plea
over footpath hazards
by Lesley Wilkinson
A BLIND couple from Stockton Heath are urging people to report pathway obstructions following two accidents they were involved in.
Geraint and Sue Jones, and their guide dogs Weaver and Fidde, are well known in the area. They are regularly seen walking around the village.
Sue said: “Overgrown bushes and trees can cause problems for blind people. Guide dogs are trained to safely manoeuvre around obstructions. However, objects above the dog’s head can be difficult to avoid.? Recently the couple and their dogs were taking an early morning walk along Wilderspool Causeway, when Sue had a head injury after colliding with a vandalised fence at a building site.
They were helped by a passerby and Sue was taken to hospital for treatment. She later reported the incident to Warrington Borough Council.
The second incident happened at about 10am one morning when Geraint was taking Weaver to the vets on Wilderspool Causeway.
Sue said: “Unfortunately, en route there was broken glass on the footpath. Weaver got glass in one of his back feet. Thankfully a couple who were passing saw what had occurred and stopped to assist.
“We are very grateful for the quick reaction of that man who removed the glass from Weaver’s foot. We again telephoned Warrington Council and staff were very sympathetic and assured us that someone would be sent to clear the glass.”
Now the couple are asking people to look out for incidents which may cause hazards for blind people or glass that could be a risk to guide dogs and to report them to the council.
Local bands
make finals
by Gary Skentelbery
WARRINGTON based Indie rockers The Cordels are celebrating after winning Manchester’s Next Big Thing event at
the Ritz.
Fellow Warrington rockers Z List Tears came runners-up and will both now go through to the final at the same venue on Thursday August 2nd.
Meanwhile The Cordels are already attracting interest from the music industry.
The three piece band have scured a regular support slot at Liverpool’s Carling Academy with their fresh brand of music which is influenced by indie, rock, electro and reggae.
The band will be performing in Warrington next Thursday, July 26 at the WA1 Club in the town centre. Admission costs just ?2.
Promoter Pete Sudworth said: “This band is starting to attract a lot of attention and I am sure they will soon be snapped up by a record label.”
To see and hear band visit www.thecordels.net
?2,448 boost
for church
by Lesley Wilkinson
COMMUNITY facilities in Culcheth have been given a boost by a ?2,448 grant from environment fund Biffaward.
Work is underway to improve Culcheth Methodist Church for use by the whole community. More than 1,000 people a week already use the building attending events such as pre-school groups, badminton club, drama club, painting classes, choir and youth groups.
The grant will fund new tables, chairs and lightweight staging blocks that can help set up a traditional stage, raised seating or podium. Future work planned includes outside improvements and refurbishing part of the kitchen.
Martin Bettington, chairman of Biffaward, said: “Biffaward is delighted to support this project in Culcheth, which will bring more flexibility in the way the church can be used. Everyone who attends groups, meetings, concerts and events will benefit.”
Daphne Eastburn, project leader, said: “The positive effects of the Biffaward funding will be that we can offer extra facilities.”
“Golden Shoe” award
for walking to school
by John Hendon
A PRESTIGIOUS golden shoe was awarded to the winner in Warrington?s Walk to School Week competition.
Ellis Davis scooped the top prize, which also included a goody bag and helmet, with his eye-catching design for a walking shoe.
He received the award at his school, Gorse Covert Primary, from the Mayor of Warrington, Coun Celia Jordan.
More than 40 schools from the borough took part in the national event, which aims to encourage children, parents and teachers to look at healthy travel methods.
Coun Sheila Woodyatt, the borough council?s executive member for Children?s Services, said: “This competition is an excellent way of encouraging children to find healthier ways of getting to school and underlines the tremendous efforts being made within the borough to promote sustainable travel and reduce car congestion.”
Construction firm’s
safety success
by staff reporter
A WARRINGTON-based construction firm has scooped a top safety award for the 25th time.
Cruden Group has again received the International Safety Award from the British Safety Council.
Only companies with below-average accident rates are eligible and they must show evidence of good safety policies, plans and training.
Crudens has also recently been accredited under an occupational health and safety management system.
Tony Barry, health and safety manager for the Cruden Group, said: “This is a remarkable achievement, especially considering the potential hazards and risks involved in every working day on a construction site.”
Town tackle Everton in
pre-season “friendly”
by Gary Skentelbery
AMBITIOUS Warrington Town FC who have set themselves the goal of achieving football league status in the next five years, have arranged a pre-season match with Premier League Everton for Thursday August 2, kick off 7.30pm.
A big crowd is expected as last season more than 1,500 people attended a Liverpool Senior Cup clash with Liverpool, while more than 1,000 supporters attended a pre-season friendly with Everton.
The club is now looking to build upon the high profile match with special season ticket deals, including their first ever family ticket.
To celebrate the dawn of a new era, which includes a new consortium of business backers and cash injection, the club is offering season tickets for adults for ?100 if bought before July 31st (normally ?120) while a family season ticket (two adults and two children under 16) is being made available for the first time costing just ?200 before July 31st (normally ?250). The family ticket will also allow admission for all home cup games.
Admission for the Everton game is ?6 for adults, ?4 for concessions and just ?10 for a family of four, two adults and 2 Under 16s.
Tickets are available by calling club secretary Barry on 0161 790 1490 or 07733446412 or be emailing [email protected]
