School shows support
for missing Madeleine
by Gary Skentelbery
MORE than 1,000 local school children will today (Friday) wear yellow ribbons to raise money for the Madeleine McCann “Bring Back Madeleine Campaign.”
Inspired by father Gerry McCann’s visit to England earlier this week, the pupils at Lymm High School near Warrington, have decided to contribute to the cause by buying the ribbons for 50p and hope other schools around the country will follow suit.
Lymm High School Assistant Head, Mrs. Catherine Lewis said: “The Every Child Matters” agenda underpins everything we do at Lymm High School and we are therefore pleased that our students have the opportunity to keep the plight of Madeleine in the news, in the hope of a rapid and safe return to her family.”
The day has been organised by local resident Joanne Arada, whose 12-year-old-daughter Leila goes to the school. Joanne has also arranged a floral tribute for the missing three-year-old at the picturesque village’s Lower Dam, in the centre of the village.
Local florists have donated both the flowers and yellow ribbons for the village tribute. The school campaign is called “A Splash of Yellow Across Lymm.”
Mrs. Arada, who has been selling ribbons with the help of other mothers, said. “The whole country sympathises with the McCann family and I just wanted to do something to help.”
“Any monies raised will go to the “Bring Back Madeleine Campaign and potentially other families who are in similar situations.”
Pictures shows Ann Barton from Arrangements by Ann with the yellow ribbons which are being displayed at the Lower Dam and pupils with the yellow ribbons.
Golden Square opens
with festival of fun
by staff reporter
THE new ?120 million expansion of Warrington?s Golden Square has opened ? with hundreds of people queuing from the early hours of the morning to be the first to sample its attractions.
Mayor Coun Celia Jordan cut a tape to officially open the centre for shopping ? and the crowds thronged in.
Miss Warrington Holly Ikin was there and so was Warrington Wolves mascot Wolfie.
There was music and entertainers and a general festival atmosphere as shoppers rushed to be among the first in the new Debenham?s store.
Nearly 20 new big name stores were open and Golden Square owners Lend Lease say another 20 will be open before the end of July.
The list of stores either open or shortly to open includes H&M, River Island, Sportsworld, Topshop/Topman, Phones4U, Beaverbrooks, 3 Store, Monsoon, Republic, WH Smith, Games Exchange, Pumpkin Patch, La Senza, Jane Norman, Oasis, Clarks, Parchment, Carphone Warehouse, Games Station and Ernest Jones.
A six week programme of events has been laid on to attract shoppers to the new centre.
Town Centre car parks were free for the day ? and Warrington Borough Transport one penny fares for shoppers visiting the town centre from 9.30am to 3.30pm.
Youth Offending Team
“desperately under-funded”
by David Skentelbery
WARRINGTON?S Youth Offending Team ? which aims to help young people and make local communities safer and stronger ? is ?desperately under-funded,? council chiefs have been told.
The council?s executive board has been urged to consider increasing funding as soon as possible ? and no later than the next budget round.
Coun Mike Biggin, lead member of the council?s Youth Justice Working Group said the team was ?desperately under-funded.?
Yet at the same time, the team was working well and, indeed, would be 19th out of more than 700 if there was a league table, he added.
The Youth Offending Team was created in 2000 and covers Halton as well as Warrington and last September the working group was asked to review their work.
Currently they work from various premises across the two boroughs and the Warrington town centre staff are based at Patten Hall, in Winmarleigh Street.
However, the accommodation there is unsatisfactory and because of this and funding constraints, the team has decided to vacate the premises by the end of the summer.
They believe they will be able to provide a service in the town centre by working from such buildings as the police station, court buildings and New Town House.
However the team is under pressure because the workload has doubled since 2003 and funding and staffing has not increased in proportion. There is a shortage of qualified Youth Offender workers nationally and increasing competition for staff from neighbouring authorities.
The working group is urging Warrington to increase funding and also to ask other partner organisations such as the police, probation service and health services to increase their contributions.
Charity casino night
raises over ?8,000
by staff reporter
AN ?Ocean?s 11? theme Charity Casino Ball was a resounding success raising over ?8,000 for Warrington Disability Partrnership, to help support their services in the local communities.
More than 130 guests enjoyed a full night?s entertainment with a Las Vegas, Rat-Pack Cool theme, with outstanding live music from Joel David, who had worked with Dean Martin himself.
The casino tables were packed all night through.
After a unique charity auction which also raised ?300 for Cancer Research, WDP were also delighted to receive a cheque for over ?1300 from Gary Skentelbery, editor of Warrington Worldwide. As Gary said on the night:”I would like to thank everyone who has sponsored me in my challenge to lose nearly two stone in weight, especially the readers of Warrington-Worldwide website. WDP is a deserving cause and one I will continue to support in any way I can.”
The next WDP Casino Night will be on Friday October 19. Tables can be reserved now by calling Jon Menzies on 01925 240064.
Behind scenes talks
to boost town’s image
by David Skentelbery
BEHIND-the-scenes talks are going on to boost Warrington’s image across the North West.
Borough council chiefs are meeting with their counterparts in Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire to hammer home the message that Warrington is a major player in the region.
The town has been an associate member of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities for some time, but has only recently started to attend its meeting.
Council leader Ian Marks said: “We are making sure they know all about us and what we have to offer.
“We did find, at first, that there was a feeling across the region that Warrington wasn’t doing itself justice. But we are changing all that.”
Town Hall chiefs are conscious of the fact that Warrington is sandwiched between Manchester and Liverpool – and are determined to ensure it is not crushed.
They are also talking to Cheshire and in particular the Cheshire and Warrington Economic Alliance to tap into funding from the North West Development Agency.
Said Coun Marks: “There’s a lot of money available and we want to make sure we get our share. But if we don’t put projects forward we won’t get it.”
Schemes such as the improvements to Bank Quay railway station and the ambitious redevelopment of the Parr Hall could benefit.
Flats for elderly
rejected by planners
by David Skentelbery
PLANNING chiefs have thrown out a plan to build flats for the elderly on a garage site at Lymm ? despite an offer by the developers to make a ?200,000 contribution towards the provision of affordable housing.
Warrington?s development control committee reject the scheme put forward by McCarthy and Stone for the site of Rushgreen Service Station in Rushgreen Road.
They decided the development was too big for the site and that the location was too remote from local shops for elderly residents. Parking provision was also inadequate, they concluded.
The plan involved complete demolition of the filling station, car wash, adjoining shop and house. More than 50 apartments would h
ave been built.
Nearby residents were divided on the scheme, roughly half opposing it but the other half arguing that the scheme would be an improvement on the existing situation.
Lymm Parish Council and local councillors Ian Marks and Sheila Woodyatt were opposed to the scheme.
The scheme envisaged ?sheltered? flats with communal facilities and an on-site manager. The building would have been part three storey and a 26-space car park was envisaged.
Officers said existing policy was to restrict new housing, because of the current oversupply of housing land in the borough. But they said an exception could be made because of the contribution offered towards affordable housing.
The parish council said the scheme would be an over-development of the site, and detrimental to the street scene. A three-storey building would be out of character with the area and overbearing in the situation. They pointed out there is already sheltered accommodation for the elderly in Lymm.
Police probe
arson attack
by John Hendon
POLICE are investigating a fire which caused serious damage at a building currently being converted into an Indian restaurant at Burtonwood, near Warrington.
The fire, which occurred during the night, was started by someone piling rubbish in the front entrance and setting it alight. The door and doorframe were badly damaged and there was heavy smokelogging inside.
The building is a former community centre at the junction of Phipps Lane and Clay Lane.
A Fire Service spokesman said: “Workmen are currently renovating the building and converting it into a restaurant.
“This deliberately started fire will probably put them back a couple of days.”
