Consultation starts
on school closure
by Gary Skentelbery
CONSULTATION has now started on the controversial proposal to close Woolston Community High School.
Warrington Borough Council has written to pupils, parents and local residents to gain their views and comments on the recommendations to close the secondary school in August 2012 and stop the intake of any new year 7 pupils from September 2008.
The first phase of statutory consultation, which the council is required to hold by law in the event of a proposed school closure, will last until November 9.
The council?s Executive Board will then consider the comments at meeting on Monday December 3 and decide whether to enter into the second phase of statutory consultation in January next year.
Councillors unanimously approved the recommendation to close Woolston High School, at a meeting in September, which attracted a huge demonstration by pupils and parents outside the town hall.
Local councillors claimed the decision was being made for “political reasons” with Woolston being in a Labour controlled ward, while another school under review, Padgate High School, was in a Lib Dem ward.
But the council say the closure is necessary due to falling pupil numbers in the area.
The proposed closure of Woolston High School does not include any other community facilities, such as Woolston Leisure Centre or the local library. Coun Sheila Woodyatt, Executive Board member for children?s services, says, ?If you would like your comments or views to be heard on the proposals for Woolston Community High Schools, now is the time to make them. We will consider them all carefully before making any further decision on the school?s future.
?The proposals do not extend to the library or leisure centre in Woolston and there have never been any plans to do so.?
All comments must be made in writing to children?s services, Buttermarket Street, Warrington, WA1 2NJ or by emailing [email protected].
First Ghurkha to serve
in town is appointed
by James Parr
THE first Ghurkha to serve at the Warrington headquarters of 75 Engineers Regiment has been appointed.
Major Dhan Chand, 46, has made history by taking the post of Training Major in the 75 Engineers Regiment, which is one of only a few Regular Army places available in the Warrington barracks.
He will now be responsible for recruiting and training soldiers to serve the British Army on a part-time basis as reserves.
Dhan will make a 10-minute commute to his new position in Warrington ? a far cry from the extraordinary journey he makes on his annual trip to South Asia to visit his parents.
A plane journey of 11 hours to Kathmandu, followed by a one-day bus journey and a 13-hour walk to reach the village of Gumlek, in Nepal, is the trip that Dhan has to make to get back to his roots each year.
Dhan, father of two, has served for 28 years in the army, as a member of the Queen’s Ghurkha Regiment.
During this time he has fought all over the world including Kosovo, Hong Kong and three times in Iraq.
Being heavily involved in raising money for charities that help local villages Nepal, Dhan has seen many school buildings erected in the villages as a result of the work done by the charity called the Pahar Trust.
The current project involves reinforcing a wall that surrounds a school’s mountainside football pitch.
Dhan said: “If the ball gets kicked into touch it takes about seven to eight hours to retrieve it!? 75 Engineer Regiment is recruiting now and for contact details, information on training nights log onto www.army.mod.uk/royalengineers/org/75regt
Swimmer Aden makes
a splash for charity
by James Parr
SWIMMER Aden Walker didn?t need pushing to get in the water to swim for charity ? but he got it anyway!
Mayor of Warrington Celia Jordan pushed 37-year-old Aden into the pool ? and he was off on a sponsored 5000 meter swim which raised more than ?150 for Asda Westbrook?s Tickled Pink campaign.
Aden, from Great Sankey, said: ?Hopefully, the swim will raise awareness of the charity as well as money for the campaign.?
He swam a sponsored 5000 meters to raise funds and awareness for the cancer charity.
The Mayor was quick to commend Aden’s fund raising spirit.
She said: “He is to be congratulated on what he has done. I wanted to show the council’s support for the campaign by being there and supporting Aden.”
So far, Asda Westbrook has raised nearly ?2000 for the Tickled Pick Campaign.
Cathy Robinson, events co-ordinator at the store said: “Aden does all sorts to raise money, year in year out. He’s always the first to volunteer and arranges the venue, time and coverage himself.?
Next on the agenda for Aden is a swimming event at Harrogate and then the Special Olympics Regional Games at Hull.
Police seek witnesses
of glass attack
by staff reporter
POLICE are seeking witnesses of an attack on a 19-year-old Warrington man which left him with serious face injuries.
The man was struck in the face with a glass or bottle outside Panama Jack?s bar in Bridge Street on October 3. The victim was rushed to hospital and underwent major surgery.
The offender is described as being in his late 20s, stocky and with dark hair.
Anyone who saw the attack is asked to contact DC Ruth Atherton on 0845 458 0000.
Stream hit by
weed problem
by Lesley Wilkinson
JAPANESE Knot Weed, which is notoriously difficult to kill, has been sighted in Stockton Heath.
The weed has been found by the side of the Lumb Brook stream by the wooden bridge off Mill Lane.
Stockton Heath Parish Council has authorised a payment of ?200 to a company to treat the site. Treatments will also have to be repeated in spring, July and October next year.
Coun Tudor Pole said: “There is no weed killer I know that will kill Japanese Knot Weed.”
Residents lose battle
over mobile phone mast
by James Parr
RESIDENTS of Woolston, near Warrington are reeling after a decision to ban the building of a telecommunications land mast was overturned.
As a result of a successful appeal, the mast can now be erected at Junction 21 of the M6.
Warrington Borough Council originally refused permission for the mast on the grounds it would have a negative impact on the landscape at a key entrance point to the borough.
But the inspector who conducted the appeal has rejected the submission ? along with concerns the mast would obstruct road signs and street lights.
Alternative locations for the mast were considered but all were dismissed as unsuitable.
Festive lights
switch-on
by staff reporter
CHRISTMAS lights in Stockton Heath will be switched on at 6pm on Friday December 7 in Victoria Square.
Stockton Heath Parish Council approved ?3,160 for a Christmas tree and lights.
Choirs from Stockton Heath Primary School and St Thomas’ CE Primary School will sing carols at the event.
[ 19.10.2007, 13:27: Message edited by: DS ]
