|
|
Frodsham Life Discussion Forum
WHY not join our Discussion Forum and start having your say on
local issues, appeal for old friends and relatives to get in touch -
or just talk about old times with other visitors.
Simply register to be able to post, choose to remain anonymous or
allow other visitors to e-mail you.
The Frodsham Life Discussion Forum -Click Here!
Two hurt in
gas explosion
by staff reporter
TWO people were taken to hospital after a gas explosion in
Beech View Road, Kingsley.
A woman of 47 and a man of 55 suffered injuries in the blast, which rocked the area and led to four adjoining properties being evacuated. Police sealed off the area.
It is understood the man is still being treated in hospital but that the woman was discharged after treatment.
Residents were later allowed to return to their homes although the Health and Safety Executive were checking the structural stability of the property where the explosion occurred.
Fire Brigade and Transco experts are investigating the cause of the explosion.
The explosion occurred at about 10pm on Tuesday, April 12.
Circus must pay
£100-a-day
by staff reporter
FRODSHAM Town Council has decided to end the practice of making a "nominal charge" for the use of the Fluin Lane playing fields by commercial organisations.
Members voted to charge John Lawson's Circus £100 a day when it visits next month, instead of the £100 "nominal" charge for the four-day stay originally recommended by the Amenities Committee.
Coun Pammy Taylor asked why the circus was being charged a "nominal" amount and how long it was since the charge had been increased.
Town clerk Gill Birch said the charge had remained unchanged as long as she could remember.
Members agreed unanimously to increase the charge to £100 a day.
Speed watch group
may be formed
by David Skentelbery
A COMMUNITY Speed Watch group could be set up in Frodsham and Helsby - with speed cameras manned by volunteers.
Coun Denis Taylor, chairman of the Town Council's Traffic Management committee said: "These groups have been successful in other parts of the country and I think it is something we should be doing in Frodsham."
Community Speed Watch groups work in co-operation with the police and use speed cameras to check the speed of traffic in areas where it is known drivers often exceed the limit.
Speeding motorists are not initially prosecuted but were sent a warning letter by the police. In the event of further offences they could be prosecuted, however.
The volunteer "speed cops" receive special training from the police.
According to Coun Taylor, local roads to be targeted would include Kingsley Road, Chester Road and Fern Lane.
But he said it would be necessary to co-operate with Helsby Parish Council as some of the roads subject to speeding ran through both areas.
Coun Taylor also suggested a scheme in which local motorists were asked to sign a commitment that they would not exceed speed limits.
Coun Graham Bondi said members of the Institute of Advanced Motorists undertook not to exceed speed limits.
But the Mayor, Coun Margaret Turner, said she doubted if people would sign a document agreeing not to speed. Even if they did, she doubted if they would actually stop speeding.
Community Speed Watch groups already operate in Appleton and Stockton Heath.
Parish may seek "take over"
of some borough services
by David Skentelbery
MEMBERS of Helsby Parish Council are considering which, if any, of a wide range of functions they might like to take over
from Vale Royal Borough Council.
The list of services the parish might take on includes street cleaning, maintenance of highway verges, litter
collection, recycling, parking restrictions, issues of bus and rail passes, road safety, noise and nuisance abatement,
public conveniences, taxi and public entertainment licensing and street lighting --other than main roads.
Helsby could apply to take on these and other functions following its success in becoming a Quality Parish Council.
But clerk Jeanette Hughes and the 15 members of the council are well aware of the difficulties that could go with
many of the additional responsibilities and will want to think carefully before any decisions are reached.
They will also want to discuss the situation with Vale Royal.
Senior councillor Frank Thomas - a former chairman of the parish council and also until recently chairman of the
Cheshire Association of Parish Councils - says Helsby is delighted with its new "Quality" status.
He said: "We need to know what services we are capable of handling and to discuss them with Vale Royal. One issue
would be the funding. If we took over a particular service, we would also take the money needed to run it.
This could cause problems for Vale Royal and we would not want to do that.
"This scheme is still very much in its infancy so we need to tread warily."
Helsby is only the 131st parish council, out of more than 10,000 across the country, to win Quality Parish Council
status. It is one of only four in Cheshire.
Its success was in no small measure due to the fact that its clerk agreed to take on a 12-month course to obtain
a Certificate in Local Council Administration, awarded by the Assessment and Qualification Alliance (AQA).
Mrs Hughes passed the test with flying colours and her success, along with a three inch thick portfolio of evidence
produced by the council, clinched the matter.
Said Coun Thomas: "This shows residents we are a good, properly run council. We are delighted."
Pictured with their Quality Parish Council award are (Left to right) Jeanette Hughes (Clerk), Sylvia Crossley-Jones
(Chairman) and Frank Thomas (Councillor).
Frodsham Christmas
Festival 2005
by Gary Skentelbery
Following the success of last year’s Christmas festival work is already underway to ensure that Christmas Festival 2005
is as great, if not greater, than it’s predecessors in 2003 and 2004.
Although December may be a long way off, Christmas has a tendency to creep up fast and before you know it Santa is
sliding down your chimney to deliver those Christmas presents!
In order to be well prepared for this year’s festival Frodsham Forward, Vale Royal Borough Council and local community
and business volunteers are in the early stages of planning for the flagship event that attracted over 10,000 people
into Frodsham last year.
High on the agenda at the moment is the entertainment and activities programme for the event. The festival committee
have a number of ideas in the pipeline but they’d like to hear from local entertainers and groups that want to be
involved in the festival through performing or organising activities.
The committee are looking to encourage the use of local skill and knowledge resources for the festival and would be
delighted to hear from anyone that is interested in taking part.
If you are a member of a local group or are an entertainer and would like to get involved please call Mark Bamford on
01928 735967 or email mark@frodshamforward.org. Alternatively call
Andrea Peattie on 01606 867531 or email apeattie@valeroyal.gov.uk.
Volunteers wanted
for cricket "force"
by David Skentelbery
VOLUNTEERS, including people from the business community, are being sought to help Alvanley Cricket Club get ready for the new season.
They are taking part in a national event on April 2-3 organised by the English Cricket Board, sponsored by the Natwest Bank and called CricketForce.
Although Alvanley have fared poorly on the field in recent years and were relegated to the second division of the Meller Braggins Cheshire League last season, they are one of a handful of "Focus Clubs" in the county - recognised for their first class facilities and administration.
Chairman Chris Fletcher said: "To improve the standard of cricket played by the senior teams we need to strengthen our squad of players both in terms of quantity and quality.
"To attract new players we have to have facilities attractive for playing and socialising. This is also a pre-requisite for encouraging parents of junior players to come and support the club on match days, in fund raising and by attending social events.
"We want our existing youth team players to stick with the game and develop their playing careers at Alvanley."
On April 2-3 the club will refurbishing the kitchen, decorating the lounge, replacing pavilion guttering, giving a facelift to the score box and sheds, tidying the perimeter of the ground, repairing painting fences and sightscreens - and anything else which does not move!
Anyone able to help should call Chris Fletcher on 01928 725611.
Frodsham and Kingsley cricket clubs, who both play in the Cheshire Alliance, are also gearing up for the new season.
Work set to start
at Castle Park
by Gary Skentelbery
Exciting plans for the refurbishment of Castle Park House in Frodsham have now been approved and physical work is due to start
by the end of March 2005, following preparation and the agreement of formal contracts.
This unique development will not only secure the future of Castle Park House through refurbishment but will bring
with it a community hub, providing services for jobseekers, young people, residents and businesses.
Frodsham Forward secured funding to develop the site from the North West Development Agency and European Regional
Development Fund. Matched with investment from Vale Royal Borough Council and Castle Park Trust, this £2m project
will enable locals to access services from local colleges, Business Link, Connexions, Job-Centre Plus, Weaver Vale
Housing Trust as well as continuing services from Vale Royal Borough Council and Frodsham Town Council.
A cyber café will be created within the basement of the house and floorspace for business use will be extended
into the attic. Outbuildings will be refurbished to accommodate local businesses and there are plans to
restore the conservatory to provide refreshments for park visitors.
Temporary accommodation (portakabins) have been provided within the park to enable Frodsham Town Council and Vale
Royal Borough Council to continue to deliver services to the community in the interim period.
The project, managed by Rod Willett, Vale Royal Borough Council, is on schedule for completion in Spring 2006.
A further bid to develop the listed parklands is currently under development and hopes to complement the sympathetic
restoration of the house.
For further information contact Anne Boyd 01928 735967.
Cash aid to keep
home fires burning
by staff reporter
LOCAL residents who keep their homes warm with sold fuel may soon
qualify for grant aid to make their heating more efficient. A total
of £90,000 has been allocated by the Energy Saving Trust to Vale
Royal Borough Council and the Cheshire Energy Efficiency Centre
to provide grant aid and advice on insulation to households that
are reliant on sold fuel.
A study by the energy efficiency centre indicated that a significant
proportion of properties in rural Vale Royal use solid fuel as their
main heating fuel, as they have no of mains gas connection.
Although funding for grants will be limited and subject to eligibility,
householders wishing to apply should contact the Cheshire Energy
Efficiency Advice Centre on free phone 0800 512 012.
Booze busters!
by staff reporter
FRODSHAM and Helsby off-licences are in high spirits after showing
the door to an underage customer who tried to buy booze. Community
Action Team police officers joined forces with Cheshire's Trading
Standards team recently in an operation set up to make sure outlets
are sticking to alcohol laws. Six premises were targeted by a 16-year-old
boy who tried to buy alcohol and every outlet refused to serve the
youth.
Acting Insp Pete Minghella, who heads up Community Action Teams
in Vale Royal, said: "We set this operation up after receiving information
from people with concerns about young people drinking. "It's encouraging
that not one of the shops targeted sold alcohol to the youngster
and I think that very fact will reassure a lot of parents that youngsters
can't easily get hold of beer and spirits."
Trading Standard's Andrew Rees, Team Manager of Investigations,
added: "We're delighted with the very positive results and I'd like
to urge all off-licences to continue to be vigilant. Throughout
Cheshire, we're encouraging premises to get involved in the Challenge
21 scheme, which requires staff to ask people for identification
if they suspect they are aged 21 or under. Trading Standards will
help set up this initiative with any outlet interested and I'm confident
the more places that get involved, the more we'll see excellent
results like these delivered."
The recent results are a much-welcome improvement on last year's findings
when two off-licences were warned for selling alcohol to youngsters.
Findings from the recent Friday night test-buy proves that the warnings
were taken on board however there is still work to do in making sure
underage drinkers don't get their hands on booze. Sgt Minghella said:
"We know that there are a minority of underage people regularly drinking.
There's a handful of irresponsible adults supplying these youngsters
with the alcohol and I'd warn them that we are monitoring the situation.
One male suspected of doing this has already been warned and we are
now keeping a close eye on him. We suspect a handful of others are
doing the same thing and they should be warned that we will take positive
action in dealing with them. These people are directly contributing
to anti-social behaviour, which can have a real effect on people's
quality of life. Nobody wants to live with that on their doorstep
and I'd urge anyone with information about over 18-year-olds who are
supplying underage drinkers with alcohol to pass on the information.
"The more eyes and ears we have working in a community solving problems,
the more effective we can be.
To contact Acting Insp Pete Minghella's team ring 01606 48000 and
ask for Frodsham Community Action Team. To report a crime contact
Cheshire Police on 01244 350000 or Crimestoppers anonymously on
0800 555 111.
Youngsters have
their say
by staff reporter
A special drop-in event organised by the Kingsley Under 17's group took place allowing young people to have their say
on future facilities they would like to see in the area.
Special arrangements were made for a quick tour of the local community Centre, which is due to re-open following an arson
attack.
This enabled youngsters to make their suggestions on whether it would be a good new place for them to meet.
Clive Jones (KCA Re-build) and Carol Rowlands (KCA Interior Design) very kindly gave their time to speak directly to the
young people.
Pete Anthony, VRBC Community Safety Warden, spoke individually to the children, and later with the adults about all
the schemes currently available, such as sponsored litter picks, special events, and trips with transport.
Under the umbrella of the "Market Towns Initiative" Anne Boyd of Frodsham Forward has supported the production of
"Kingsley Youth Questionnaire 2005," enabling Kingsley Under 17's to go on and fully develop an "Action Plan" for
Kingsley Youth.
Kingsley Under 17's had a very positive response from 13 local youngsters, mostly boys whose average age was 12. Most
thought the New Community Centre would be a good place to meet.
Concerns were expressed over vandalism and the run-down state of the children's play-area and there was a call for
extra policing in the village.
CCC Youth Services have already offered mini-bus and driver to transport Kingsley Children to the new "Red-Room"
in Frodsham.
KU17s already have full Public & Employers Liability Insurance, and are in the process of writing and adopting all
appropriate policies, including Child Protection, Health & Safety, Equal Opportunities etc. They are currently
undergoing related training courses via the Youth Federation, which are provided free as we are a voluntary group.
Kingsley Parish Council is the initiator and major financial sponsor of the KU17s project, having donated an initial
start-up grant and pledged additional support, once the service is fully up and running. (Young people have raised over
£200 themselves)
Ellen Lewis, (Kingsley Parish Councillor for Youth Issues), & KU17s Treasurer, liases with the Parish Council on KU17s
behalf, and presents regular reports of progress to them.
Ginny Wood, (KCA Committee member), & KU17s Secretary, co-ordinates the project along with husband Graham (KU17s Chairman).
Sara Helsby, an experienced Teacher, also gives us her invaluable skills as a KU17s committee member.
Once the Centre is open they shall be hosting an open evening and they would particularly welcome any local residents to join their management committee. If anyone would like further information, particularly on the programme of events they can contact the group via email at KU17s@ukonline.co.uk
Picture: Emily Lythgoe.
'Mini-force' for local police
by David Skentelbery
POLICE have announced details of the new Neighbourhood Policing Unit which will cover the Frodsham, Helsby and Kingsley
areas from April 1.
The unit, which has been described as a "mini police force", has been formed as part of a major shake-up of the
police force across Cheshire - and the aim is to bring police officers closer to the communities they serve.
Inspector Phil Hodgson (pictured), who will lead the unit - known as an NPU - said: "The challenge is immense
but I can't think of any other role I would rather perform.
"My team and I want to improve the policing service for everyone, regardless of the standard they've had
in the past. I want to reassure people that I'm committed to making all the communities within the NPU feel safe
with visible, accessible policing and I won't give up on achieving that goal.
"We've listened to what people want and there will be a definite change - more officers will be dedicated to working
in the community rather than racing around in police cars with horns blaring and lights flashing."
Insp Hodgson's unit will cover a wider area, including the rural areas of Vale Royal and Chester.
He is 40 and lives in Warrington with his wife, Julie and their stepdaughter. He also has two sons who live locally.
He enjoys walking, cooking and fitness. He started his police career in 1984 at Warrington and has worked in Widnes,
runcorn, Congleton and Northwich, becoming an inspector in August 2002.
The NPU will have Community Action Team (CAT) officers, Community Support Officers and Special Constables assigned
to it to create a strong local profile so the public know who they are and how to contact. It will deal with incidents
of crime and disorder that do not require an emergency response, the reduction of crime and disorder, partnership working,
interaction with local people and organisations, intelligence gathering and the targeting of local offenders and
problem areas.
It will be supported by Area Teams, dealing with emergency calls, more serious crimes, public protection and specialist
investigation.
Youths United front
by Gary Skentelbery
YOUNG people from Frodsham and Helsby put on a "united front" as
part of a special initiative to allow youngsters to voice their
opinions. 
Taking place at the Castle Park arts centre, the "Youths United"
meeting was chaired by Kyle Mcgregor, senior head boy at Helsby
High School, with Frodsham College represented by head girl Jenna
Johnston. Local MP Mike Hall, local councillors and community workers
also attended to hear the views of youngsters, with a selection
of youngsters of varying ages also present.
The meeting was organised following an approach by Frodsham Forward
to local schools seeking the opinions of young people in the local
communities. Kyle told the meeting he didn't want all youngsters
to be "tainted by the small minority of unruly youths who cause
problems". "We are valuable members of the community and don't
all go out vandalising public and private property and killing horses."
Kyle says many of the problems are created because young people
are bored. "There is little to do on a Friday or Saturday unless
you want to drink beer or stay at home. There are no services available
to stop this boredom tunring into anti-social behaviour. This is
why Youths United has been created. This partnership of youths and
community leaders is designed to help influence and ensure what
we talk about does not fall on deaf ears."
It is hoped a regular meeting can be set up as part of the Frodsham
Forward initiative.
Mike Hall welcomed the initiative saying the government had a consultative
document which aimed to encourage young people to become involved
with their local communities. "It is important to focus on the positive
side of young people," he added.
Picture shows Jenna Johnston with BJ Hudson, James Ellis
and Kyle McGregor at the Youths United event.
Schools celebrate
World Book Day
by Gary Skentelbery
WORLD Book Day proved to be a big hit at schools throught the area as pupils entered into the spirit
of the occasion by dressing up as their favourite books characters.
Our pictures show pupils and staff at Weavervale Primary School, including Lone Ranger Zoe Pearce-Wright, aged nine and five-year-old
Big Friendly Giant Alex Madders.
Teachers dress up as characters from the Wizard of Oz - Mrs Butcher as Sacrecrow, Miss Harrop as Munchkin, Miss Dutton as Dorothy and
Mrs Burgess as the Lion.
Meanwhile every class from Manor House Primary School visited Frodsham Library to help
improve links between the school and the library.
Book fundraiser
by Mark Vallely
PUPILS at Kinglsey St John C of E Primary school used World Book Day as a fund-raising initiative for a
charity run by two former teachers.
Children brought in a £1 to dress up as their favourite book characters.
Money raised is being donated to the Kimbuta Rural development Programme in Uganda, a charity
set up by former teachers Gill Morgan and Moira Curry.
The money will help children buy books at their local school.
Pictured as their favourite book characters are (L-R) MacKenzie Wier (alien), Simon Stubbs (cricketer),
Larna Bridges (witch), Olivia Church (Fairy Godmother), Sophie Reynolds (Illustrated mum) and
Amber Hulse (Sugar Plumb fairy).
Amber is also pictured with her twin Jasmine, who was a little worried about not having her picture taken!
Best kept secret!
by David Skentelbery
ONE of Frodsham’s best kept secrets is Runcorn Rowing Club, nestling
on the banks of the River Weaver at Clifton Village. The club boasts
the longest stretch of navigable water in the North West, as the
Weaver runs towards Dutton Lock and Acton Bridge.
Established over a hundred years ago the club has enjoyed success
in its past followed by periods of quiet. However along with rowing
in general the club has enjoyed something of a renaissance in the
past four years. 
In conjunction with Frodsham College and Helsby High School the
club has launched Project Oarsome, which has seen the junior section
flourish. Junior members of the club have rowed regularly at national
rowing events representing both the club and the North of England.
The club also hold two rowing events a year and February saw their
Head of the River Race. Reflecting the recent success of the club
the event recorded a record entry, with over 600 rowers competing
in 68 boats. Division I and 2 was won by Agecroft Senior Eight,
with Hollingworth eight being the fastest women. Medal winners from
Runcorn were Junior coxless four and Women’s Junior 15. They are
all girls who went to Frodsham Church of England School together,
and although they go to different high schools have remained friends
through their rowing. Other crews from Runcorn were Women’s senior
four, Women’s Junior 14 and another junior coxless four. It was
a chilly day, but whether you were behind the BBQ or the tea urn
or out on the river everyone had a great day.
Anyone interested in finding out more about the club can visit on
Saturday and Sunday mornings- and thanks to the new Weaver café
they can offer a cup of tea and a bacon buttie.
Further details are available from Val Edwards or Vivien Shaw at
Frodsham College on 01928 731665
CRICKET
Frodsham start
with a win
by our sports staff
FRODSHAM started the new season in the Cheshire Building Society Cheshire Alliance with a fine three-wicket
victory at Trinity.
The home side batted first and were dismissed for 175, B Large with 4-37 being Frodhsm's most effective bowler.
Frodsham had to battle for runs but reached 178-6 with time to spare. G Houghton, 32 and J Lewis, 33, were
the top scorers.
Kingsley found things more difficult at Sandbach and had to fight hard to earn a draw.
Sandbach batted first and hit 216-7, despite excellent bowling from Anthony Alderman, 4-36 and Adrian Burden, 3-49.
Kingsley's batsmen never looked in the hunt with only Neil Rowlands, 39, and Burder, 34 not out, offering much
resistance. At the close they were 102-7.
Kingsley 2nd enjoyed a use win, however, after dismissing the Sandbach 2nd string for 108 at Kingsley.
Andrew Ainsworth took 4-17 and then followed up with a fine 50 as Kingsley hit 143-7 to claim victory.
Alvanley got off to a good start in the Mellor Braggins Cheshire League, beating Lymm Oughtrington Park by
three wickets.
Lymm batted first and declared at a modest 137-9 on a wicket.
Alvanley found runs hard to get but reached 139 with three wickets to spare.
|
|
|
