Building named in honour
of founder supporter
by John Hendon
AS part of mental health charity Making Space’s ongoing 25th anniversary celebrations a building has been named in honour of former Warrington Borough Council leader John Gartside OBE, who was a founder supporter.
Mr Gartside, now chairman of Warrington Primary Care Trust and a vice chairman of the Big Lottery Board was delighted to receive the honour at a special dedication service, performed by the Queen’s representative, Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire William Bromley Davenport.
During the dedication of the Workspace training facility at the national charity’s Warrington HQ Mr Bromley Davenport said: “I would like to congratulate Making Space on achieving its 25th anniversary and the impressive strides it has taken over the years.
“Making Space has achieved a very impressive list of high standards which provides morale for all those connected with the organisation. I wish the charity well in keeping up those standards.”
Mr Gartside said: “It is a great honour to have a building name after me.
“Making Space makes a real difference to the quality of life of people suffering with mental health, especially schizophrenia. It also provides support and advice for their families.
“I have always been interested in the social agenda which attracted me to the work of Making Space. I have learned a lot from my involvement and will continue to support the charity in the future.”
Mr Gartside was joined at the dedication service by Making Space vice chairman Sylvia Kelly, chief executive Elaine Parker Johnson, members of his family and former colleagues on the borough council, including current council leader Ian Marks and Coun Mike Hannon.
Panic in the streets?
PANIC in the streets of Warrington?
No, just a visit by a Dalek and, of course, the Tardis, to promote a Dr Who exhibition currently currently running at Manchester’s Museum of Science and Industry.
The exhibition includes a number of characters from the television series which stars David Tennant and Freema Agyeman. There is also the impressive four metre-long Empress of Racnoss character, which appeared in the Christmas Day special of Doctor Who: The Runaway Bride.
Doctor Who Up-Close has attracted thousands of visitors since the re-launch of the new series of Doctor Who in 2005. The exhibition is touring the country – but the Manchester version is the biggest so far.
It is open from 10am to 5pm daily. Tickets cost ?6.50 for adults, ?4.50 for concessions. Under 5s get in free.
Special meeting on
future of beauty spot
by Lesley Wilkinson
A SPECIAL meeting has been called to consider the future of the Ackers Pit beauty spot at Stockton Heath.
The meeting has been called by Stockton Heath Parish Council and will be held at the Sandy Lane Centre, Sandy Lane on Thursday, August 2 at 7.30pm.
It follows a number of stormy interventions by members of the public at the last two ordinary meetings of the council.
At one, councillors angered residents by going into private session to discuss the issue.
One residents had described the situation as ?one hell of a disaster.?
At another, residents suggested the lake could become a ?death trap? and the chairman of the meeting announced that he was taking no questions from the public on the issue.
But he did promise a special meeting later ? and that will be the meeting on August 2.
Work on the ?48,251 project to desilt the lake and landscape the surrounded area was abandoned in May after a series of problems with the project.
It has been claimed the contractors underestimated the amount of silt to be removed from the lake.
Apprentice storms the
Tower of London!
by staff reporter
NEWLY qualified electrical apprentice Mark Billington, of Warrington, has been recognised among the top three apprentices of the year at JTL’s National Award Ceremony at The Tower of London.
Mark, who works for Warrington-based Boulting Group plc and represented JTL’s North West Region, competed against 10 regional finalists from England and Wales, who were chosen from nearly 10,000 JTL apprentices.
As the third place winner, Mark’s total cash prize amounted to ?1,250. He also was presented with a trophy and plaque celebrating his achievement. Recognising the invaluable contribution that the winners’ employers have made to the advancement and support of these apprentices over the last four years, JTL also awarded the employers with a winner’s plaque.
Mark said: “I was amazed when I won the North West Region’s Best Apprentice Award earlier this year and it was a great feeling to be put forward for the national title, but I never imagined that I would come in the top three, especially competing against so many great guys and girls.
?The last four years have been a real challenge but winning this prize, and knowing I’ve got a great future ahead of me, has made it all worthwhile. I can’t thank enough my JTL mentor, John Taylor, and employer, Boulting Group plc who have helped me gain the necessary skills and a wide range of experience that will help me in the future. They’ve inspired me and encouraged me to recognise what I can achieve as an electrician.”
Ray Holden, HR Manager from Boulting Group added: “Mark’s done well and we’re all really proud of him. It’s great to see a young person grow into a really accomplished craftsperson.
?We fully support apprenticeships and have benefited from working with JTL in finding and developing capable, solid apprentices with enthusiasm and a strong future ahead of them; their support is invaluable. If I could say anything, it would be to encourage more companies to take on apprentices – they are the future of the industry and, in my experience, have really helped us grow our business.”
Boy of 12 robbed
by man with knife
by staff reporter
A 12-year-old boy walking home from a fishing expedition at Warrington was robbed at knifepoint.
The youngster was unhurt but left badly shaken by the incident in Lodge Drive, Bewsey.
He was walking along carrying his fishing box when a man aged about 30, who appeared to be out jogging, approached him and demand fishing equipment.
The man then produced a knife and threatened the boy.
Police said the offender was about 5ft 10 inches tall with stubble on his face. He was wearing a navy jacket, jeans and an orange baseball cap.
Anyone who can assist police is asked to call DC Carla Hunter or DC Jackie Daniels on 01244 614 890.
Residents oppose
school office plan
by David Skentelbery
NEARBY residents have lodged objections to a plan to convert a disused sports hall at a Warrington primary school into offices.
The building at Meadowside Primary School, in Clough Avenue, Longford, would be used to provide a health visitor service operated jointly by the borough council?s Children Services department and the Primary Care Trust.
But neighbours say additional parking space will be closer to houses on Clough Avenue and Fisher Avenue than existing provision and this would result in an increased security risk.
Planning officers say cars parked close to rear boundaries may give the potential for ?ready escapes? by offenders.
However, access for cars from the site to the road network would be physically barred out of hours and it is not considered the proposal would pose a seriously enhanced security risk.
The offices will be open between 9am and 5.30pm, but the service will be a low key operation.
Landscaping will be carried out and trees retained on the site.
Residents say security fencing might reduce security risks.
Rogue gardeners
on the rampage
by Lesley Wilkinson
ROGUE gardeners are on the rampage in Warrington and householders are warned to be on their guard.
Trading stan
dards have received complaints of opportunists following genuine gardeners, and fraudulently claiming to be working for the residents’ existing gardener.
One reported incident involved a delivery of mulch, supposedly on behalf of a woman’s regular gardener, but the unsuspecting householder discovered the deception only after paying the bill.
Officers say that anyone who is cold-called by somebody demanding money for another trader should report any information, such as their vehicle details, to trading standards or police.
Trading standards advise people to check contracts and cancellation details, secure a fixed price and get three separate quotes for each job and written details of all work to be done.
Coun Roy Smith, the borough council’s executive member for community services, said: “I would urge gardeners and residents to be on their guard against such traders and to keep an eye on any vulnerable neighbours. It is important that they do not feel pressurised by rogue gardeners who may attempt to frighten them into having work done.
“It is common to find traders offering to carry out work door-to-door but unfortunately many people end up paying much more than anticipated. The work is often done immediately before people have the chance to change their mind and it is often of a very poor standard.”
Anyone who has information about rogue traders can contact trading standards on 08454 04 05 06.
