New record as town’s
business booms
by David Skentelbery
ALMOST 150,000 sq metres of office and industrial floor space was occupied in Warrington last year ? the highest combined total since records began.
This is revealed in the Warrington Annual Property Review, compiled by BE Group for the borough council?s Economic Development Unit.
The review highlights another excellent year for the town?s property market and provides an overview on movements in the commercial and industrial property market, together with details of deals and strategic development sites.
In addition to the record number of occupations, the review reveals that the investment market traded ?100 million worth of property, reflecting the sector’s confidence in the long term future of the town.
Coun Brian Axcell, the borough council?s executive member for Environment and Regeneration Services, said: “The council is delighted that Warrington is continuing to grow economically. Based on this track record, we are confident that business activity in Warrington will continue to expand and make its valuable contribution to regional growth and competitiveness”.
The official launch of the review was held at the 96-acre Lingley Mere Business Park when guests were treated to an overview of the report as well as the opportunity to network with fellow property developers and investors, along with the chance to view the prestigious development at Lingley Mere.
Phil Mayall, development surveyor at AMEC Developments Ltd, who have developed the business park along with United Utilities, said: “The annual review highlights how the Warrington property market has matured. We believe it is fitting therefore that the event was held at the maturing business location of Lingley Mere Business Park.
“The relationship between Lingley Mere and the council has continued to flourish, particularly throughout the development of our comprehensive Green Travel Plan, which has really taken off.”
Murder investigation
after man’s death
by staff reporter
ELEVEN days after an elderly man died in hospital at Warrington, police have released a photograph of him and confirmed that he died in suspicious circumstances.
Three members of 76-year-old John Atherton?s family have been arrested on suspicion of murder but released on bail.
Mr Atherton, of Swindale Avenue, Orford, was taken to Warrington Hospital where he died on Friday, May 4.
Detectives have carried out a forensic examination of his home.
A post mortem examination has revealed that death occurred following a heart attack.
But his 43-year-old son 43-year-old daughter-in-law were arrested and bailed until July 18 and his 19-year-old grandson was also arrested and bailed until May 24.
Police said all three were arrested on suspicion of murder.
After 120 years, church
gets a water supply
by David Skentelbery
AFTER a wait of 120 years, the church of St Cross, Appleton Thorn, near Warrington has had running water installed – for baptisms, communion and making tea.
The Right Rev Keith Sinclair, Bishop of Birkenhead, attended to join a family service with a difference – the baptism and confirmation of 80-year-old George Rose, who served at the former Royal Naval air station nearby and who still travels to services from the Wirral.
After the service there was a ceremonial turning on of the single, outside tap when the Bishop said prayers and cut a ribbon.
The vicar, the Rev Elaine Chegwin Hall, said: “Keen to ensure the tap worked, the Bishop turned it on and promptly squirted water over me!
“At present we have only an outside tap, but it is very much the shape of things to come. We plan to install a kitchen and toilet ? inside the building! – and a meeting room dedicated to the old air station, HMS Blackcap.”
Two years ago, the vicar raised ?2,000 towards the cost of laying on the water supply – by sitting on a toilet outside the church all day.
Councillor’s protest
over voting ban
by Lesley Wilkinson
A PARISH councillor who has served Stockton Heath for more than 20 years, but lives just 50 yards outside the parish boundary, has complained bitterly over a ruling that she cannot vote at the annual parish meeting.
Coun Wendy Emsley said she took “strong exception” to being told she could not vote at the annual assembly of parishoners Only residents of Stockton Heath can vote at the parish meeting. Non-residents are barred – even if they are members of the parish council.
Coun Emsley, who lives in Walton Road, about 50 yards from the parish boundary, queried the logic of regulations which made her eligible for election to the parish council but prevented her from voting at the annual parish meeting.
Clerk Peter Briggs said at the meeting that only residents of Stockton Heath could vote. Parish councillors who did not live in Stockton Heath were excluded from voting.
Coun Emsley, lives just outside the boundary so was excluded from voting.
She said: “For 20 years now I have been duly elected to Stockton Heath Parish Council and live within 50 yards of the boundary. If that is legal, I should be able to vote at the annual parish meeting.”
Her comments were supported by Coun Sonia Boggan who said she felt quite strongly about the issue.
Mr Briggs said the situation was complex but, as he understood it, only residents could vote at the annual parish meeting, which was not a meeting of the parish council. However, he would research the situation to find out more e about the protocol for the annual assembly.
Litter pickers expand
into “guerrilla gardening”
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON Clean Team, the volunteer group which organises litter picks across the borough, has branched out ? into ?guerrilla gardening.?
Members tried their hand at a little gardening during their latest litter pick along Whittle Brook and in the park off Vine Crescent, Great Sankey.
Experts Paul Gore, of Garden Transformations and Steven Wood, of Greenways Garden Services, were on hand to help with tools and advice.
Secretary Coun Trudi Wood said: ?The path through the park has become more and more overgrown over the years and, try as I might, I could not get any department of the council with either funding or people to do the work.
?So, as one of the aims of the Clean Team is to improve the town, we decided to do it ourselves.?
Coun Roy Smith, treasurer of the Clean Team added: ?One disturbing feature that came out of this pick was the number of householders who dispose of their garden waste over their back fence. This is not just grass clippings, but plastic flower pots and even a plastic model of Tony Blair?s head! People must take responsibility for their own recycling and not indulge in what amounts to fly-tipping.?
Further details of the Clean Team can be obtained from Coun Trudi Wood on 01925 790712 or e-mail [email protected]
Cafe culture
comes to church
by John Hendon
CAF? Church comes to Warrington?s St John?s United Reformed Church on May 22 ? a different kind of church service.
Members of the congregation will sit around small tables, rather than in pews, and will be able to enjoy drinks and nibbles while the service is in progress.
The idea is to try and engage with caf? culture and is a deliberate change of ambience and ?feel?.
The theme will be The Bible ? not specific parts, but the book as a whole ? and what it means to individual people. There will be a chance to talk to three or four other people, engage in an activity, watch a clip from a movie and enjoy a drink and something to eat.
Minister the Rev Dave Coaker said: ?The focus is on what you think and looking for answers together.
?People characteristically sit and talk, rather than stand or defend their personal space. Interaction rather than spectating is encouraged.
?This is our first attempt at something like this and if it goes well we?ll be exploring when and how to do it again. We want to include the thoughts of people who can and can?t make it this time to help us do this.?
More details are available from Mr Coaker on 01925 633486.
Extra litter
bins needed
by Lesley Wilkinson
EXTRA litter bins are needed in Stockton Heath?s Alexandra Park to cope with increasing numbers of visitors during sunny spells, according to a local councillor.
Coun Tudor Pole told the parish council: “Bins are overflowing with rubbish. We need two or three times the number of bins for waste disposal.”
He said bins also needed to be emptied more regularly.
Clerk Peter Briggs said he would report the problem to Warrington Borough Council.
Hospital blaze
TWO fire engines were sent to the BUPA Hospital in Firtree Close, Stretton, Warrington following a report of a fire in an operating theatre.
A sterilising unit was believed to be involved – but on arrival it was discovered it was a false alarm caused by an equipment fault.
