Minister hails success of
pioneering peace project
by James Parr
MINISTER for Northern Ireland Paul Goggins hailed the tremendous work of the pioneering Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace during a special event to celebrate the achievements of the ground breaking Legacy Project.
The event marked an end to six years funding from the Victims Liaison Unit in the Northern Ireland Office, in which time, the Project has provided research and support to help victims, families and soldiers who have been affected by the troubles in Northern Ireland.
Mr Goggins, who was invited to Warrington by Warrington South MP Helen Southworth, spoke of the tremendous work that has been carried out at the Centre, in particular the Legacy Project.
“It is really, really important that events of the past are not forgotten and we all have a duty to provide help and support. The work that has been done at this Centre has provided many people with that care and support and all the people here must be thanked for that.”
Peace campaigner Colin Parry and his wife Wendy, who lost their 12-year-old son Tim in the Warrington bombing in 1993, alongside three-year-old Johnathan Ball, helped launch the event.
Colin said: “I hope we can get the funding to carry on the good work the Project has already achieved.”
Members of the group called STEPS, which stands for “Steps Towards Empowerment and Positive Survival” gave emotional accounts of what they have been through and how much the group, which formed as a result of the work carried out by the Legacy Project, has helped them.
Annie Bowman, a participant of the project who lost her father whilst he was serving in Northern Ireland in 1973, said: “By telling my story to other people who had been affected in similar way, it has really, really helped me as a quiet person, come to term with had happened.”
Since the outbreak of violence in 1968, the 30-year period known as the “Northern Ireland troubles” has seen the loss of 3,700 lives, with 622 people from Great Britain losing their lives and 2,000 being injured.
The legacy project was commissioned by the Foundation to firstly establish the specific needs of the British victims and survivors, which eventually gained the Foundation further funding from the Northern Ireland Office.
Once further funding had been secured, the Project then entered a second phase by developing and piloting a peer support programme, an advocacy group, a signposting service, a website and regular news letter.
Mr Goggins reflected on the Project and the work carried out at the Warrington Centre by saying: “Most people of my generation say they can remember where they were the day President Kennedy was shot, well for me, the same applies with the Warrington bomb.
“The Centre is a fantastic achievement that doesn’t dwell on the past, it helps people move on an get the support they need, helping them to learn, understand and move on from their experiences.”
Councillors asked: Have
you changed your minds?
by Lesley Wilkinson
COUNCILLORS who voted in support of the demolition of Stockton Heath Primary School have been asked if they have now changed their minds.
The question was asked by long-term ?save the school? campaigner Julie Kueres at a meeting of Stockton Heath Parish Council.
She asked if, with hindsight, councillor who voted for demolition were still happy with their decision.
Ms Kueres referred to proposed housing developments around the village which would increase the number of pupils at the school and also the fact that construction of the new school would result in a reduced play area.
But chairman Coun Graham Roughsedge refused to let members answer her questions.
He said: “I happen to be one of those who voted for the demolition and I am not saying whether or not I still agree with it.”
Ms Kueres retorted: “I think the public should know. In effect you are silencing members.”
Coun Roughsedge cited the parish council’s policy that members of the public could only speak for three minutes.
He said: “Your three minutes is up so we will move on.”
Children revive “beating
the bounds” tradition
THE ancient tradition of ?Beating the Bounds? has been revived at Whitley, near Warrington ? by local children.
Pupils at Whitley Village School pulled on wellies, donned raincoats and set off on a three-mile hike around the village boundaries.
In days gone by, villagers would walk to the border and beat an oak tree to warn off intruders and re-establish the boundary.
Packed lunches were the order of the day as the whole school took part in the trek which was also used to teach pupils about the local environment, wildlife and farming as well as village traditions.
Chairman of governors Julia Cooper said: ?The children were really excited and it was a great opportunity for them to experience the village as well as the wildlife and environment.?
Cate Madden, from the school, said it was important for children to learn about local history.
She added: ?The school works very hard to involve itself in the community. With a lot of children living outside the area, we want them to learn about the village and establish the school at the heart of the community.?
Students prepare for
awards ceremony
by staff reporter
STUDENTS at Warrington Collegiate will be honoured at an awards ceremony next month for all their hard work.
The Annual Higher Educational and Professional Studies awards ceremony will celebrate the efforts of students from a range of courses including, HNDs, HNCs and various professional qualifications.
St Elphins Parish Church, Warrington, will be the venue for the event on November 8, starting at 7.30 pm, with refreshments available in the church hall afterwards.
Anyone requiring any further information is asked to contact the Collegiate directly on 01925 494 494.
Disability charity
re-launches itself
by James Parr
DISABILITY charity Leonard Cheshire has re-launched itself to reflect changes in the organisations.
The charity ? which has its region office at Warrington – has re-branded itself as Leonard Cheshire Disability, introduced a new square logo and is embarking on a campaign to change people?s attitudes towards disability.
Regional Fundraising Manager Chris Bryan said: “Disabled people are still invisible to many in society. Our new look and feel will help us to campaign vigorously to change the way that society thinks about, and responds, to disability.”
Leonard Cheshire Disability supports more than 21,000 disabled people in the UK and works in 52 countries. They campaign to change and provide innovative services that give disabled people the opportunity to live life their way.
Champagne and cake were on offer to staff at the Warrington office and with the charity celebrating its 60th birthday next year, there will be more of the same to come.
Banners are
“an eyesore”
by Lesley Wilkinson
ADVERTISING boards and banners in Stockton Heath village are an “eyesore” according to Stockton Heath Parish Council. Members were complaining about the banners outside restaurants and St Thomas’ Church, and the A-boards placed outside shops, pubs and restaurants advertising their businesses. Coun Marilyn Timmins said: “All these boards and banners make the village look very untidy.” Coun Alan Loughlin said: “They look like an eyesore as you approach the village. It makes the village look unsightly.” Clerk Peter Briggs said that some of the boards were on land that belonged to the premises concerned. He said he would investigate the complaints.
Council donations
by staff reporter
TWO donations have been made by Stockton Heath Parish Council to organisations in the village.
A donation of ?100 goes to St Thomas’ Church and a grant of ?50 has als
o been given to the 2nd Warrington West Scout Group, in Loushers Lane, Latchford. This is to meet increased costs of accommodating Cubs after the closure of the 4th Warrington (1st Stockton Heath) Cub pack.
[ 17.10.2007, 20:33: Message edited by: DS ]
