Shops plan for historic
heart of town centre
by David Skentelbery
AN innovative plan to provide more shops, restaurants and bars in the historic heart of Warrington town centre is to be considered by planning chiefs this week.
The scheme involves demolition of the old schoolroom at the historic Cairo Street Unitarian Chapel, demolition of the old Garnett works and refurbishment and change of use of other adjoining buildings off Cairo Street.
Members of the borough?s development control committee are being recommended to the approve the scheme, which occupies an important conservation area site in the town centre.
Former council offices in Cairo Street would be converted for restaurant or caf? use, the school house would be demolished and replaced with a similar building accommodating nine flats and the Garnett works would be demolished to provide car parking and access.
The Victoria Works building in Barbauld Street would be converted for retail, caf? and office use but its distinctive tower ? a town centre landmark ? would be retained. Parking for 45 vehicles would be provided.
Distinctive white lettering on the wall of the building would be replicated in the new scheme and, where possible, materials from the original buildings would be salvaged and re-used.
The Grade 2 listed Cairo Street Chapel would not be affected.
Developers say if planners insist on the old schoolroom being restored rather than replaced it would add significantly to the cost of the scheme which would probably result in it not going ahead.
Planners say the scheme would make a significant contribution to the regeneration of the town centre. It would preserve important buildings which are currently deteriorating and could become a danger to the public through instability.
Mayor signs off by
planting a tree!
by Gary Skentelbery
WARRINGTON’s Mayor Linda Dirir has signed off from her year in office by planting a tree outside the town hall.
It is the seventh tree she has planted during her term of office, replacing the carbon footprint of the Mayoral car Ed 1.
Golden future for
model shoppers
by Gary Skentelbery
TWO teenagers who visited Warrington town centre shopping are now model shoppers.
Heather Nelson aged 16, who is studying A Levels at Winstanley College in Psychology, Philosophy, Law and English and Tim Groves, aged 18 who is also studying A Levels at Barrow Hall College in Maths, Physics and Biology have won a competition to be the faces of a major advertising campaign to promote the new multi-million pound Golden Square development.
The pair of have also won two-year modeling contract with Warrington-based EKA Model & Actor Management.
They were selected by Miss Warrington Holly Ikin who picked out potential models from people shopping in Golden Square.
Heather was visiting Warrington from nearby Leigh while Tim lives in Old Hall, Warrington.
Golden Square’s Marketing Manager Ian Cox said : “We were keen to have a male/female mix for the advertising campaign and I am sure they have sparkling careers ahead of them!”
Meanwhile Warrington’s new Golden Square development, including the Debenham’s store will open this Thursday at 10am
Orchard project
aims to bear fruit
by Lesley Wilkinson
A NEW orchard in a Warrington park will offer local people access to fresh fruit and the opportunity to learn new skills.
As part of the Government drive to encourage healthy living, a new ?41,000 Orchard Project has been developed by Groundwork with partners.
The Victoria Park Orchard, set in a Warrington Health Improvement Zone, is being created in partnership with the borough council and its Youth Service, Connexions, MacIntyre Charity and Warrington Primary Care Trust.
Groundwork’s Liz Sabatini said: “The idea behind the scheme is to offer horticultural therapy and training to any local residents keen to learn new skills and enjoy exercise out in the fresh air.” Local adults and young people have helped with the design of the site. Work started in the autumn on pathways around the site and land preparation.
Planting began in November and has continued throughout this spring. The orchard will eventually feature a variety of fruiting trees and shrubs and the local community will be involved in the long-term maintenance of the site.
The Deputy Mayor, Coun Celia Jordan, officially opened the orchard and toured the outdoor site and polytunnel where a variety of vegetables, herbs and flowers are being grown, and met those involved in the project.
She said: “The vision to see that such a wonderful area could be created from what was a wasteland is amazing, we also have to compliment all of the partners for the huge physical efforts to achieve such a transformation.”
Lindsey “comes home”
for festival concert
by staff reporter
A YOUNG musician, currently studying in France, is returning to her home village to take part in Lymm Festival.
Flautist Lindsey Ellis comes “home” to perform with harpist Gwen Yorke as the duo Elysium. The concert is on Wednesday July 4 at Lymm Baptist Church at 7.30pm.
Lindsey, of Lakeside Road, Lymm, was featured in Lymm Life in 2001 after a tour of Paris as a member of the Northern Youth Wind Orchestra and Barcelona with the Merseyside Youth Orchestra.
The talented multi-instrumentalist, a former pupil of Lymm High School, was also runner-up in the Cheshire Young Musician of the Year.
Lindsey gained a First Class Honours Bachelor of Music Degree from the Royal Scottish Academy for Music and Drama. She is currently studying in Bordeaux.
Householders warned:
“Protect your sheds”
by Lesley Wilkinson
PEOPLE in Warrington are being urged to take care to protect their sheds and garden equipment as the warmer weather returns.
Police are advising residents to increase garden security to deter burglars, following a number of recent incidents where sheds and garages have been targeted.
Officers advise strong padlocks and door bars fixed across garage and shed doors, and securing bikes, gardening tools and other equipment with a sturdy chain to a fixed point.
Crime reduction advisor Lynne Lees said: “The value of the property in your shed is greater than you think. Take action now, lock your shed, alarm it and mark your property.” She advises locking gates and doors to secure garages and sheds and using thorny bushes next to walls and fences. She suggests visibly marking shed contents and making a note of the serial numbers and photographing valuable items and garden ornaments.
Police say that external security dusk to dawn lighting is a useful deterrent. They advise fitting bars and padlocks to shed and garage doors, and using coach bolts or non-return security screws to secure door hinges.
Further advice is available from Warrington Community Safety Unit on 01244 613862.
?800 grant for
scout centre
by Lesley Wilkinson
STOCKTON Heath Parish Council has approved an ?800 grant to local scouts.
The money was earmed for the 4th Warrington 1st Stockton Heath Scounts last year towards the cost of an asbestos survey and brickwork repairs at the scout centre in Parkgate Road.
But subsequently the scouts were unsuccessful in a bid to win funding from WREN for the ?33,000 repairs project.
Clerk Peter Briggs said the group had carried out “urgent” re-roofing of the two-storey part of the building at a cost of ?6,742. The scouts were asking if the ?800 could be made available to offset costs.
Members agreed to make the money available.
