Thousands flock to
Disability Awareness Day
by Gary Skentelbery
THOUSANDS of people flocked to the annual Warrington Disability Awareness Day at Walton Hall Gardens which culminated a week of activities.
It took a super human event from many volunteers for organisers to get the show on the road, as rain throughout the week caused numerous problems.
But as grey skies lifted bringing a ray of sunshine, around 570 exhibitors attended the event, with only four failing to turn up on the day.
Co-ordinator Dave Thompson, who confessed to “not sleeping” for about four days due to his concerns about the weather, heaped praise on the hundreds of volunteers who worked around the clock to ensure the event, the largest of its kind in Europe, went ahead as scheduled.
Charities and businesses which promote independent living, promoted themselves in a tented village as thousands of people from Warrington and beyond made their way to Walton Gardens.
The event has come a long way over the past 16 years, since Dave and his friend Eric James, came up with the plan for a disability awareness event with a budget of just ?2,000!
Town provides lifeline
for Chernobyl children
by Gary Skentelbery
WARRINGTON is playing host to a group of 21 children, all victims of the Chernobyl disaster in Russia before they were even born!
With radiation levels still dangerously high in the area following the nuclear power station disaster in 1986 the children, all aged between 10-11, have been brought to the UK for a month by the Burtonwood based Chernobyl Childrens Lifeline.
The aim of the visit is to help them boost their immune systems by having a break from the radiation and eating healthy food. Colin Frodsham, Chairman of the charity said: “We fund raise all year round to bring the children over to the UK through charity concerts, personal giving and a trust fund.
“The charity was formed back in 1992 and now has 150 links throughout the UK.”
During their stay in the UK the youngsters visited Warrington town hall where they were greeted by Mayor Coun Celia Jordan.
While staying in the area they will also be visiting the Maritime Museum and the Ferry across the Mersey in Liverpool as well as trips to the Blue Planet Aquarium and Rhyl Sun Centre.
Arts centre named
after former principal
by staff reporter
IT was an all-singing, all-dancing spectacular at Warrington Collegiate when the new Hilary Tucker Arts Centre was officially unveiled.
Former principal Hilary Tucker launched the creative and performing arts faculty and said she was honoured the three-storey centre carried her name.
“It is a real honour. I was fortunate to be principal at a time when we were planning this fantastic new facility.
“I was particularly delighted when I heard it was the Creative and Performing Arts Department that was to be named after me.
“To see it now is wonderful and a real credit to those staff and students who have made those plans come to fruition.
“We have a wealth of talent in this town and now they have a facility to match their abilities.?
The centre, which boasts a 150-seat theatre, state of the art graphic design studios, modern dance facilities and a visual arts and music technology suite, is part of the Collegiate’s ?27million new campus and a ceremonial plaque now marks its opening.
Guests at the launch were treated to a range of creative works from graphic designers and performing artists and also a showcase performance from the arts centre’s first full production Moulin Rouge.
Music, dance and fashion students also performed.
Chairman of the governors Colin Daniels paid tribute to the staff at the Collegiate.
He said: “This building is a wonderful testimony to the efforts of everyone involved in the Collegiate. We hope we’ll go from strength to strength.”
Pictures show Hilary Tucker with chairman of governors Colin Daniels unveiling the plaque and Mrs Tucker with some of the students.
“Walking bus”
defies the rain
by Lesley Wilkinson
RAIN did not dampen the enthusiasm of youngsters at a Lymm school when they joined a “Walking Bus” project.
The 12 children currently walking to Cherry Tree Primary School in Hardy Road got soaked during a heavy downpour.
Acting head teacher Mrs Helen Graham said: “The youngsters walked to school in torrential rain and got absolutely soaked, but they seemed to enjoy it and there was a happy atmosphere.”
When they arrived at school the children changed into their PE kits for a short while and staff dried off their clothes in the kitchen.
The Walking Bus scheme is part of the School Travel Plan aimed at encouraging children to walk or cycle all or part of the way to school to encourage them to keep fit and to help reduce traffic congestion.
A ?1,000 grant was obtained from the education authority for the scheme which is run by parent volunteers trained in road safety. The walking route cuts through side streets to avoid traffic and a parent walks at the front and rear of the group.
The children wear bright yellow high visibility clothing and all their school bags are bundled into a shopping trolley, pushed by a volunteer, for the journey. Youngsters also receive prizes, such as a water bottle or pedometer, as they reach targets for participations – 20. 50 and 100 days.
The “bus” currently operates on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings and the school is looking for more volunteers to help expand the service.
Police launch manhunt
– for brass musicians
by John Hendon
BRASS instrumentalists who don?t mind getting mixed up with the police are being sought at Warrington.
Cheshire Police wants new recruits for its brass band.
Inspector Dave Woollam has just taken up the baton as the band’s musical director and its his ambition to boost the number of musicians and take on a wider variety of performances.
He said: “It’s a common misconception that to play in the band, you need to be employed by the force.
“In fact current members of the band come from all walks of life. What we have in common is the music.
“Like other brass bands, it’s something we do in our own free time. I’d like to enrol some more players and would welcome any brass musicians, particularly bass cornet and horn players.”
The band, which is made up of musicians from across the county, rehearses every Monday evening at Cheshire Police’s Headquarters in Winsford. The rehearsal schedule is less hectic than many other bands – so it should suit people with busy work, family or other commitments.
Inspector Woollam has more than enough experience for his new role as musical director. He joined the band as a 14-year-old schoolboy, remaining there for 15 years, during that time he not only became a police officer but also met his future wife – who also happened to play for the band.
Then he moved on to play with the Roberts Bakery Band and with Wire Brass in Warrington.
“Returning to the police band is like getting back to my roots,” he said. “I have some very happy memories.”
Any brass players interested in joining the band can contact Insp Woollam on 01244 613349 or by email at [email protected]
Pupils learn about
“the way forward”
by staff reporter
A RANGE of different career and education opportunities were outlined at a special event for Warrington schoolchildren.
The Route Finder event, organised by the Way Forward Warrington project, saw the youngsters receive invaluable career advice from a variety of local businesses and colleges.
The event, at Penketh High School, aimed at helping prepare vulnerable pupils for learning courses starting in September and featured representatives from organisations such as MyTravel, The Army, Reaseheath College and Riverside College.
Learners were able to try out ac
tivities from different subject areas including media, beauty, construction, horticulture and customer service. They were also asked to create an individual learning plan to identify their strengths and weaknesses to help make future decisions.
There was a beauty demonstration by Anne Tabiner-Shaw from Warrington Collegiate, assisted by Casualty and Emmerdale TV actor Dean Stephens, who was transformed into a car crash victim.
Maureen Kelly, 14-19 Pathfinder manager and consultant said: “It was extremely busy as there were so many activities taking place. It was a very positive day and the feedback from the young people involved confirms they got a great deal from the experience and now have a much clearer view of their way forward.”
Coun Sheila Woodyatt, the borough council?s executive member for Children’s Services, said: “It is vital that young learners are able to make an informed choice about their futures. By allowing them to meet business and education leaders, this project provided them with an invaluable opportunity.”
A map to make it
easier to bike it
by staff reporter
A NEW cycle map of Warrington has been produced ? to make cycling around the borough easier than ever.
The map, ?A Guide to Cycling in Warrington?, has been compiled by Warrington Cycle Forum in conjunction with Warrington Cycle Campaign and the borough council.
It shows on-road and off-road routes and is designed to allow easier planning of pleasant or more direct cycle trips across the borough.
A final version of the guide will be published in August and distributed to every home and information point in the borough, but this first draft is open for public consultation until the end of July and aims to ensure that maximum local knowledge is included in the guide.
Anyone wishing to comment can email [email protected] call 01925 443249/3243 or write to Warrington Cycle Forum c/o WBC Transport Planning Team Palmyra House, Palmyra Square North, Warrington, WA1 1JN.
The map can also be seen on the council website www.warrington.gov.uk/warringtoncycleforum
