Storm over “sweeteners”
paid to parish councils
EXCLUSIVE by Lesley Wilkinson
A STORM has broken over cash payments totalling ?10,000 offered to three parish councils close to the site of the Creamfields music festival near Warrington.
Residents of Daresbury claim the money represents a “sweetener” to persuade the councils not to object the staging of a second festival in the village in August.
Daresbury, Hatton and Walton parish councils have each been offered “grants” of ?3,333 by the festival organisers.
But Hatton looks set to decline the offer. Chairman Coun Robin Brown said: “I personally feel it is tainted money and that we could not object to future festivals if the money was taken.
“We haven’t made a decision yet but I know several other councillors feel as I do.”
Daresbury parish council has accepted the money. Chairman Coun Jean Griffin said: “It is a generous offer and we are considering how to spend the money.”
Walton has also accepted the money. Chairman Coun John Ashcroft said: “Personally I feel the festival was in the wrong place and too near to residential areas. But we did not expect this money – and you never look a gift horse in the mouth.”
Clerk Roy Stopford said he had taken advice and accepting the money would not compromise the council’s future actions.
Originally held at Speke, on Merseyside, for seven years, the Creamfields festival was held at Daresbury for the first time last August. It triggered major opposition from local residents before the event.
Afterwards, villagers complained of noise, traffic chaos, litter, drug-dealing, vandalism and anti-social behaviour. More than 45,000 people turned up to see groups such as The Prodigy, Gnarl’s Barkley, Goldfrapp and The Zutons.
Police made 18 arrests, 40 people required treatment at Warrington Hospital, including several with stab wounds, and 300 people were treated at a first aid tent on the site.
Creamfields has yet to apply for a licence for a second festival at Daresbury, although they are advertising the August 25 event on their website.
A spokeswoman admitted grants had been offered to three local parish councils but would not say why, nor how much was involved.
New projects for
young people
by Lesley Wilkinson
A SERIES of new projects is being offered for young people at Warrington Youth Club, based at the Peace Centre.
For young women, aged 14 to 17, there is project just for girls starting next month.
In March there is a training project called Loud and Clear for anyone aged 10 to 12 interested in volunteering.
Also on offer are projects for those aged eight to 11, a relaxed drop-in night for ages 11 to 16 on a Tuesday night from 7pm to 9 pm, and Planet Blue, a night for young people with disabilities which runs on the first and third Thursday of each month.
Dan, a youngster who has completed Loud and Clear, said: “It’s really worth doing – you get to try out loads of different things like outdoor pursuits and you meet lots of cool people too.”
Anyone interested in joining the projects should contact Janis on 01925 581227 for more information and to sign up.
Police in hunt for
handbag snatchers
by David Skentelbery
POLICE are searching for two men believed to be responsible for snatching handbags from women at Warrington.
The pair are believed to have struck twice in the Padgate and Fearnhead area.
A 20-year-old woman was walking along Lancaster Close, Fearnhead when two men snatched her bag and ran off.
Shortly afterwards, two men snatched a bag from a 19-year-old woman in Station Road, Padgate.
The offenders were both about 5ft 4 inches tall. One was wearing dark tracksuit bottoms and a dark zip-up coat. The other wore dark trousers and was wearing a dark shell jacket.
Anyone who witnessed either incident or can provide police with any information is asked to call DC Carolyn Higgins on 01244 613833.
Students raise cash
for the disadvantaged
by John Hendon
STAFF and students at the Warrington campus of the University of Chester have contributed to a ?643 ?windfall? for disadvantaged communities across the world.
TWIN, the university?s own charity, collected the money through donations from university departments, clubs and societies which were asked to make a cash pledge instead of sending Christmas cards.
Elissa Williams, Global Perspective Co-ordinator said: ?I am so pleased with the amount raised. This sum will make a real difference to those communities in need.
?The additional funds, through TWIN, will allow us to work and assist more projects at grass roots level. This will include an orphanage in Busia in Kenya, health programmes in Lake Bunyony in Uganda and environmental programmes in Brazil and Costa Rica.?
Staff and students give support directly to groups they have met through the Global Perspective programme – an educational and awareness-raising initiative for students which enables them to visit the areas that need help.
Elissa added: ?All money raised goes directly to the causes via our students and staff who take the money over in person and help out with the community projects. It helps teach the students that a little money can go a long way.?
Elderly woman robbed
by bogus roofer
by staff reporter
AN elderly Warrington woman has been robbed of cash by a man posing as a roofer.
The woman, from Burgess Avenue, answered her door to a man who told her repairs were required to her roof. He offered to do the work and named a price.
When the woman came to the door with the money he snatched it from her hand and ran off.
Police say he was aged about 30, 5ft 10 inches tall and of stocky build. He had short, fair hair At the time was wearing a yellow, fluorescent jacket.
Anyone who can help police with their enquiries should call DC Jackie Gee on 01244 614892.
Public consultation
on youth facilities
by staff reporter
VILLAGERS in Lymm were invited to a meeting to look at proposals for providing youth facilities on the May Queen Field.
Lymm Parish Council organised the public consultation meeting at Lymm Village Hall, following requests from young people for a play area.
Coun Sheila Woodyatt said the youngsters had requested a pitch for football and basketball, and a small play area for under eights.
She was pleased with the number of people attending the event and would like to thank residents for their co-operation. Public consultation would continue.
Council moved quickly
in the wake of storms
by Lesley Wilkinson
EMERGENCY plans to deal with the disruption caused by the storms last week were quickly set into place by Warrington Borough Council.
A range of departments pulled together to ease the effects of the adverse weather conditions affecting roads, businesses, homes and public spaces, according to a spokesman.
People were stranded in the bus interchange, day centres for the elderly stayed open late, the Pyramid and Parr Hall provided food for children stranded after a show and an emergency generator was installed at Walton Hall and Gardens.
At the bus station people had to wait up to six hours for a bus as trees and debris blocked the roads across the town. The tourist information desk gave out details of local hotels for those who needed them, and a few people spent the night at the interchange, where the staff canteen stayed open to provide hot drinks and food.
Day Centres for the elderly stayed open late as their transport could not get through the traffic jams. Staff worked long hours to provide food and drink until transport arrived. And the majority of Social Services clients received their home visits as carers shared lifts.
The parks department received more than 300 calls and dealt with 400 fallen, damaged and dangerous trees. They
worked with the police and other emergency services to deal with issues such as trees blocking highways, footpaths and public spaces and properties.
Power supplies to Walton Lea Crematorium were hit and contingency plans were introduced to ensure planned funerals went ahead.
A power generator was installed at Walton Hall Gardens and Estate when power was cut, to ensure public safety and that a scheduled wedding could go ahead.
Transport and Highways worked with Cheshire Police to keep roads safe by braving the weather to operate traffic signals manually and keeping routes clear for emergency services. Town centre wardens also reported damage to buildings swiftly to ensure public safety.
Bagpipes celebrate
Burns’ birthday
by staff reporter
SHOPPERS in Warrington will be treated to the stirring sound of bagpipes today ? to mark the birthday of Scotland?s national icon and poet Robert Burns.
Warrington Pipe Band will provide the music and afterwards there will be a performance of Burns poetry by the members of the Centenary Theatre Company, whose next play Abigail’s Party, starts on January 30th at Runcorn?s Brindley Theatre.
Anyone who turns up at Old Market Place, Golden Square at 1pm in a kilt will receive a prize.
Walking
for water
by staff reporter
PLACES are still available on the ?Walk for Water? to take place at Culcheth, near Warrington, on Sunday, February 18.
About 40 people currently plan to take part in the walk which starts at the Harrow pub at 12 noon. Some will be power walking, but others are planning to take it at a more leisurely pace. Participants can do either a half marathon (13.1 miles) or 8.5 miles.
The event is in aid of WaterAid which, since 1981, has helped more than 9.5 million people to obtain clean water supplies and now works in 17 of the world?s poorest countries.
Volunteers are also needed to act as marshals along the route.
Anyone who wants to help should contact organiser Amy Driver on 01925 766550 or email [email protected]
She hopes the event will raise about ?3,000 for the charity.
