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Firm has computers
to give away!
by John Hendon
FRODSHAM-based financial advisers Willmor Financial Services Ltd, are looking for local charitable organisations or community groups to donate three computers to - complete with monitor, keyboard, speakers and operator chairs.
The company are offering the computers and chairs as they have recently benefited from a Frodsham Forward business grant that has allowed them to refurbish the office and purchase new equipment.
They now want to give something back to the local community by donating their used equipment to groups completely free of charge.
Director Steve Williams said "We are delighted with our new office equipment which has assisted us tremendously in streamlining our systems. We are very grateful to Frodsham Forward for having assisted us with these purchases by means of grant aid. We would be more than happy to pass on our used equipment to any group in the local community who may benefit".
Rob Crowther, Economy Group chairman for Frodsham Forward, added: “It is a fantastic opportunity for local community groups to benefit from a local business. This is an unforeseen bonus of the business grant scheme and Frodsham Forward are extremely grateful to Willmor for providing this opportunity to local groups."
Any charity or community group in Frodsham, Helsby, Kingsley, Alvanley, Manley, Sutton, Dutton and Aston, interested in some or all of the equipment, should call Steve Williams on 01928 739579. The equipment will be offered on a first come first served basis.
Council opts for "get out
clause" on medical centre
by David Skentelbery
FRODSHAM Town Council has confirmed the availability of the Top Field at Frodsham Community Centre as a site for a new medical centre.
But a letter to the proposed developers - which has been vetted by Vale Royal Council's legal team - will contain a "get out clause."
In the event of a more favourable site becoming available, the Town Council says it reserves the right to switch the scheme to another site.
The council was divided on the issue and councillors Tony Hinkins, Tom Reynolds, Lynn Riley and Frank Pennington voted against sending the letter.
Coun Hinkins said with the possibility of land becoming available as a result of the impending closure of Frodsham High School, it would be "dangerous" to send the letter. He thought the developer should be asked: "Please look at the school site."
Before voting on the issue, the council had been addressed by Martin Edmunds, of the Save Frodsham Fields organisation, who claimed no proper search had been made for an alternative site.
He had been in touch with Network Rail who said no approach had been made to them about the station car park. It seemed it had been ruled out simply because local doctors did not want it.
Mr Edmunds also said up to a third of the school site was already vacant and might be used for the medical centre.
He warned the council: "Don't expect the developers to look at other sites once you have signed up with them for the Top Field. It doesn't happen like that."
The council has already invited tenders from a number of chartered surveyors to obtain a valuation of the Top Field site.
More than 2,000 local people have signed a petition opposing the use of the Top Field. They want the centre built elsewhere - possibly the station car park or the school.
According to Vale Royal Borough Council's environment director John Jeffrey, the Top Field is currently the only suitable site for the medical centre.
Coun Professor Les Ford, of Vale Royal's executive board, believes the loss of the station car park would damage the economy of Frodsham. He believes the school site might not become available for years.
Councillor quits after
committee row
by David Skentelbery
A SENIOR councillor stormed out of a meeting of Frodsham Town Council after a furious row over the working of her committee.
Coun Pammi Taylor - wife of deputy mayor Coun Dennis Taylor - said she was resigning as chairman of the administration and finance committee and as a councillor.
Her walk-out followed a heated debate on the minutes of an administration and finance committee meeting at which it was reported that Coun Tom Reynolds had resigned from the committee because it had created "disproportionate power" for itself.
He had also claimed mismanagement a number of issues including the recruitment of a new Town Clerk.
Coun Frank Pennington said the committee was "running the council" and had burdened members with too much paperwork.
He declared: "I have been on the council 29 years and there has been more paperwork in the last year than in the whole of the previous time. I don't like it - it's got to be altered.
"This committee is running the council and it's got to stop."
Coun Lynn Riley pointed out that the administration and finance committees had been amalgamated to try and streamline procedures and save time.
"We started out with lofty intentions but we seem to have created a bit of a hydra. We are having a large number of extra-ordinary meetings."
Coun Tony Hinkins said he believed the committee was creating a lot of paperwork and dominating the work of the council.
But Coun Graham Bondi said as long as the committee's recommendations had to be approved by full council it could not be said it was "running the council."
The council decided the committee should look again at recommendations relating to pensions, staff and training. Coun Pammi Taylor asked that someone else take responsibility for these matters. When told it was "her job" she walked out, saying she was resigning.
After the meeting she told Frodsham Life: "I said what I said - I am standing down as chairman of the committee and as a councillor."
Drivers warned of
M56 viaduct delays
by staff reporter
DRIVERS are being advised to allow extra time for their journey as a £4.6 million improvement scheme on the M56 near Frodsham gets underway.
The work, on the Weaver Viaduct, is aimed at bringing it up to modern standards and will involve replacing the parapet rails on either side of the viaduct. Work will continue until November.
There will be narrow lanes throughout the project area and a 40 miles per hour speed limit, enforced by speed cameras.
There will be overnight slip road and lane closures on the motorway and local roads. The A557 underneath the motorway will also be closed at times. Advance noticed of closures will be given and alternative routes will be signposted.
Highways Agency project manager Phil Hardy-Bishop said: "The work has been carefully planned to keep delays to a minimum, but delays are likely especially during peak periods and road users should allow extra time for their journeys.
"The advice applies especially to drivers heading to either Manchester International or Liverpool John Lennon airports or heading to time sensitive events such as theatre or football matches."
Frodsham High School
to close in three years
by John Hendon
FRODSHAM High School - a science and technology college - is to close in 2009.
The decision has been taken by Cheshire County Council's executive board and follows several months of consultation with teachers, parents, etc., as part of the Transforming Learning Communities (TLC) initiative.
At present, the school has 654 pupils and 297 surplus places.
There will be no further admissions into Year 7 after September this year and the closure will take in the summer of 2009.
In order to provide continuity of education for Frodsham pupils, they will become registered pupils of Helsby High School with that school taking over the Frodsham site from September 2009.
The Dutton area, east of Frodsham, currently served by Frodsham will be re-zoned to Weaverham High School.
Frodsham High's closure was one of a number approved across Cheshire to solve the problem of surplus places.
County Coun David Rowlands, lead member for children's services, said: "We have listened to all the representations however we cannot ignore the fact that we have 10,000 surplus places in our schools.
"Our Transforming Learning Communities initiative is designed not only
to meet the challenging Children's Act but also to create integrated, efficient and sustainable services for children and their families."
Castle Park House to
re-open after £2m refit
by staff reporter
CASTLE Park House will open its newly restored doors for business on Monday, April 10 and begin operating as Frodsham’s first One Stop Information Shop.
Partners from a range of voluntary and public sector organisations, including Vale Royal Borough Council, Weaver Vale Housing, Frodsham Forward and Job Centre Plus will operate from the House. For many residents this is the first time they have been able to access these types of services in Frodsham.
The One Stop Shop will be open from 9am until 5pm, Monday to Friday. The following organisations will be operating from the house:
Frodsham Forward – all day Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings
Weaver Vale Housing – Friday afternoons
Job Centre Plus – Tuesday mornings
Vale Royal Borough Council will operate from the house on a full time basis, dealing with enquiries on the following services: Housing and Council Tax benefit, Concessionary Travel, Environmental Operations (Waste Collection etc), Bulky items (arrangement for removal), Leisure, assistance with Planning Applications, Tourist information.
All other enquires relating to the Borough Council will also be dealt with.
Community meeting facilities and offices for small and medium sized businesses to rent are also provided at the house. The basement has been converted into a state of the art Cyber Café offering 10 computer terminals, drinks and snack facilities and the council will offer a range of training courses.
Vale Royal Council managed the restoration project and work was completed on schedule at a cost of more than £2 million. The council provided the initial grant for the project and match funding was secured by Frodsham Forward from the European Regional Development Fund and the North West Regional Development Agency.
Frodsham Town Council has also moved its offices to the refurbished Footman’s Cottage, adjoining the main house.
For further details and infromation about Castle Park House and the One Stop Shop facilities and services, contact Castle Park House on 01928 734440.
Frodsham "unaware of
incinerator threat"
by staff reporter
PEOPLE in Frodsham are still not fully aware of the threat posed by the proposed waste incinerator on Ince Marshes, according to a councillor.
Coun Tom Reynolds told Frodsham Town Council the so-called Ince Resource Recovery Park was a major issue for the town.
He did not believe the council was treating the matter seriously enough.
Deputy Mayor Coun Dennis Taylor said the council had already lodged an objection.
But Coun Reynolds insisted that the matter should be on the council’s agenda every month.
He said: “When a protest meeting was held in Frodsham the attendance suggested that not many local people were aware of the implications. Most of the people present were from Helsby.”
Coun Lynn Riley said the proposal would evolve and the council should not “take its eye off the ball.”
It was agreed the issue should be placed on the agenda every month so it could be discussed if necessary.
Helsby-based campaign group RAIN – Residents Against Incineration – has distributed leaflets in Frodsham and set up a satellite group in the town.
The leaflets urged residents to send letters of objection to Cheshire County Council – although the deadline for sending in objections has now passed.
According to RAIN, the waste plant, if build, would have the biggest incinerator in the country, dealing with waste from Cheshire, Liverpool and Manchester.
Up to 500 heavy lorries would visit the site every day - and leave again. In addition, waste would be brought in by rail and via the Manchester Ship Canal.
Some 600,000 tonnes of waste would be burned each year and emissions would be discharged from a 100-metre stack having a major impact on Helsby, Frodsham and other surrounding areas.
However, Peel Environmental, a sub-group of Peel Holdings, owners of the Manchester Ship Canal, claim the plant would provide 1,100 jobs, generate 95MW of electricity and result in huge environmental benefits.
They claim the incinerator would be a renewable energy source which encouraged a reduction in greenhouse gases and diverted waste from landfill.
It is likely to be some months before Cheshire County Council consider the proposals.
Town Council seeks legal
advice on medical centre
by David Skentelbery
FRODSHAM Town Council is to take legal advice before negotiating further with the developer who wants to build a new medical centre for the town.
Councillors decided they wanted to ensure their hands were not tied on the question of whether the medical centre is built on the Top Field at Frodsham Community Centre - despite being warned there was a danger of the developer pulling out of the scheme.
They are also to instruct a chartered surveyor to establish the true value of the Top Field site.
United Health Care Developments have asked the council to reaffirm an earlier commitment to locating the medical centre on the Top Field. But the council is divided on this and more than 2,000 local people have signed a petition opposing the move.
They want the centre built on another site - possibly the station car park or Frodsham High School if it is to be closed.
In addition, West Cheshire Primary Care Trust - who would fund the development - is facing possible re-organisation and has, in any case, indicated it has no funding available at present.
Vale Royal Borough Council's environment director John Jeffrey to Frodsham councillors the Top Field was the only suitable site for the medical centre.
The developer faced substantial consultancy fees to ensure the site met planning policy guidance and without a commitment from the Town Council to sell or lease the site was not prepared to proceed with the scheme.
No decision had yet been made on the closure of the school which meant the site was available. Even if it was decided to close it, students already there would be able to continue studying there until they left school. This meant the site would not be available for some years.
Coun Professor Les Ford, of Vale Royal's executive board, said the loss of the station car park would damage the economy of Frodsham. The long term future of the school site was not known.
"If you want to go for the school site, you can if you want. But it is not available now. It might not be available for 20 years," he said.
He urged the Town Council to offer the developer a 125-year lease on the Top Field, subject to planning consent being obtained.
But Coun Tom Reynolds said the Top Field was a "soft option." He did not want the protest petition "glossed over" and he did not think there had been a thorough investigation of other sites
Coun Lynn Riley said the Primary Care Trust was facing a cash crisis and a possible amalgamation. The future of the school site would be known in a matter of days. Coun Frank Pennington expressed disgust that out of 29 sites examined, the only one considered suitable was a Greenfield site.
"We will have a three-storey building on a beautiful field," he said.
The council voted to instruct a chartered surveyor to assess the true value of the Top Field site - rumoured to be worth around £500,000 - and to accept an offer of legal advice from Vale Royal Council on an appropriate response to the developer which would not tie the Town Council's hands.
Police appeal for
witnesses to grave crime
by Gary Skentelbery
FRODSHAM Police have branded vandals who went on a wrecking spree in a church yard as “heartless” and “callous.”
A group of wreckers struck at St Laurence’s Church in Church Road at 6pm on March 22, causing damage to
railings and ancient gravestones. It is believed around £6,000 of damage was caused.
Frodsham-based Community Action Team officers were at the scene within minutes of the alarm being raised
however the culprits, believed to be three teenage boys, had made off.
PC Steve Turner, who is investigating the case, said: “We are making progress with this and we’ve got lots
of enquiries to make over the next few days. Hopefully, this will lead us to someone who saw what happened
and is willing to help us identify the culprits. The very sad thing is that without this type of support we
are unable to prove who is responsible and powerless to take any action.
“Those responsible for this damage should be ashamed. A church yard is a sacred place and to have a blatant
disregard for the feelings of relatives and history connected to the people laid to rest there is heartless
and callous.
“Desecration of graves is a very serious offence and it will not be tolerated. We will do everything in our
power to catch the culprits and take positive action against them.
“I can’t stress enough how important it is to have the support of witnesses in these type of cases. I’m sure
everyone in the community is as disgusted as we are by this incident and I’m sure there are residents who
know who is responsible. It would be a great shame if we had to turn around and say we cannot take any action
because no-one is willing to support us.”
Vale Royal Borough Council has been informed of the attack and inspectors are expected to attend the site soon
to see if repairs can be made to the gravestones and railings. Gravestones beyond repair may have to be removed.
The offenders are described as aged 13-14 years-old wearing blue tracksuits with hooded tops.
Anyone who can help is urged to contact PC Turner on 0845 458 6393. This is a message facility which allows
callers to leave a message for officers at any time of the day. All messages are regularly checked and
responded to.
Alternatively, to pass information on to the police anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The Bard
of Frodsham
by Gary Skentelbery
FRODSHAM's Andrew Rudd has been given the prestigious title of Cheshire Poet Laureate for 2006.
Although Andrew has always written poetry he has only recently submitted poems for publication and competitions,
with immediate success, winning the first prize in the 2004 Cheshire Prize for Literature, judged by Andrew Motion
who described his work as ‘seriously good poems’.
During his year in office Andrew will champion the written word through poetry readings, workshops and his
website BLOG. He is particularly interested in the connection between the arts and new technology.
His first Laureate project, is titled ‘Lines on the Map’ a website map of Cheshire with
pop-up poems linked to different locations. If you would like to submit a poem for the map,
visit www.cheshirepoetlaureate.blogspot.com for more details.
Special meeting for
Frodsham Carnival
by Gary Skentelbery
THE annual Frodsham Carnival will take place from Sunday September 3 - Saturday September 9 and a special meeting
is being held this week for anyone interested in helping out or taking part.
The Meeting has been arranged this Thursday (March 23) at 7.30pm at The Community Centre and
anyone wishing to be involved in the organisation of or helping with Frodsham Carnival 2006 is invited to attend.
Those unable to attend but would still like to be involved in Carnival 2006 please leave your name and contact details
at The Community Centre or telephone 01928 732222.
Meanwhile a rrovisional programme has been drawn up:
Sunday 3rd September - Carnival Sunday
Downhill Run from the Monument to the Centre
Six-a-Side Football Tournament
Sideshows and stands provided by local groups and clubs
Refreshments
Street Theatre
Monday 4th September
Carnival Bingo or Beetle Drive
Tuesday 5th September
Carnival Quiz
Wednesday 6th September
Carnival Concert featuring local choral, musical
and dramatic talent.
Thursday 7th - Saturday 9th September
Silcock's Fair
Saturday 7th September
'Frodsham Games'
'Keeping up with Paula' - a continuous relay for teams of 10 children under 11 years, over 2000 mtrs.
Over the Bales - 3 x 600 mtr Steeplechase relay for
Under 13 Boys, Under 13 Girls, Under 15 Boys, Under 15 Girls
Highland games Event - Soft Hammer (Scottish Style) + Weight for Height + Caber. Under 11 and Under 13 Age Groups.
The Scottish Highland Games Champion, Graeme Allan, hopes to attend.
Masked gunman grabs
cash from store
by staff reporter
A MASKED man wielding what is believed to have been a handgun got away with cash from a Frodsham convenience store after threatening a terrified woman assistant.
The robbery was at the Spar shop in St Hilda’s Drive, Frodsham at about 9.15pm on Sunday, March 5.
Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone who saw anything suspicious near the shop to come forward.
The man, wearing a black balaclava entered the shop and threatened the woman assistant with what appeared to be a silver handgun.
He ordered her to place cash in a carrier back and then left the shop, walking along St Hilda’s Drive away from High Street.
The man is believed to have been in his 20s, about 5ft 11 tall and was wearing a green coat, blue jeans and white trainers.
His face was concealed by the balaclava.
Anyone who can help police is asked to call 01244 613174 or the confidential Crimestoppers hotline, 0800 555111.
Police are also interested in talking to anyone who has found discarded clothing in the area.
Medical centre: Town
Council runs out of time
by David Skentelbery
THE vexed question of where Frodsham's desperately needed new medical centre should be built remains unanswered - after members of the Town Council ran out of time.
Councillors were debating the issue at their monthly meeting and were about to take a vote when someone noticed it was 10.08pm - eight minutes after the council's standing orders specify that meetings should end.
As no-one had suggested suspending standing orders, the meeting had to be suspended.
Coun Maureen Turner observed: "We cannot take a vote - we are in effect holding an illegal meeting."
The council had been debating a response to a letter from Vale Royal Council asking them to reaffirm an earlier commitment to locating the medical centre on the Top Field at Frodsham Community Centre.
But the council was divided.
Coun Tom Reynolds believed they should be looking for a more suitable site that would not involve the loss of green, open space. Coun Graham Bondi favoured the Bottom Field at the Community Centre.
Coun Tony Hinkins believed the council should await further news on the possible availability of land at Frodsham High School, in the event of a decision to close the school by 2011.
Coun Brian Lloyd said while he would prefer not to use the Top Field there was no alternative.
He warned there was a danger of Frodsham losing the medical centre altogether if the issue of a site was not settled. It was possible it would be built at Helsby, where a "brownfield" site was available.
While Helsby was not far away, it would be very inconvenient for many Frodsham people.
Coun Christine Lloyd believed the decision would be the most important the council had ever made and she could not believe some members were holding up progress.
Coun Colin Pritchard said he remained committed to the Top Field site. He believed a lot of opposition to siting the centre there was from people who were saying "not in my backyard."
The council was told that the District Valuer had still not valued the Top Field site, despite being asked to do so by the Town Council.
Members agreed to again ask the District Valuer to value the site but if he failed to do so to engage another suitably qualified valuer.
But when it came to the vote on reaffirming a commitment to building on the Top Field it was discovered time had run out and the meeting was suspended.
The mystery man
of Harmers Wood
by David Skentelbery
POLICE have been asked to investigate the activities of a mystery man who has been harassing members of the group campaigning to save Helsby's Harmers Wood.
The man - who has used a variety of names - has made repeated telephone calls to Audrey Davies and Maureen Parker, chairman and secretary of The Friends of Harmers Wood, seeking information about the progress of their fund-raising.
He has also telephoned Vale Royal Council, giving the impression that he is a member of The Friends, and has repeatedly telephoned Frodsham Life, asking for information.
Mrs Davies and Mrs Parker say he has adopted an aggressive attitude on the telephone - and on occasions lost his temper and slammed the telephone down.
When asked for his number so they can call him back, he has again put the telephone down.
They believe he is the same man they have seen walking in Harmers Wood, claiming to represent a pistol shooting club interested in buying the wood.
The man claims to have raised a sum of money among friends which he wishes to donate to the Friends to help them purchase the wood on behalf of the local community.
He says he wants to know the progress of various applications for grants before he commits his own donation.
But the Friends believe his actually has an ulterior motive - probably to try and scupper their plans to save the wood.
On one occasion he used the name of an official of Cholmondeley Estates, present owners of the wood, who have put it on the market with a £30,000 price tag.
The Friends - a registered charity - have already won one £5,000 grant and have reached an advanced stage with an application for a grant from Vale Royal Council's Rural Recovery Fund.
They have also applied for a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
In addition, numerous local people have pledged donations - some of them substantial.
Police crackdown
on train gangs
by David Skentelbery
POLICE and railway authorities are clamping down on gangs of youths travelling to Frodsham and Helsby by train to cause trouble.
Cheshire Police, British Transport Police and Arriva Trains have joined forces to tackle the problem caused by unruly youths from Runcorn looking for fights with local youngsters.
Insp Phil Hodgson, who is charge of policing in Frodsham and Helsby, said: "It seems a number of young people are coming to the villages, particularly at the weekends, with the sole purpose of getting involved in fights with the local teenagers. We believe in some cases, these meetings are arranged beforehand in internet chat rooms and alcohol is a factor.
"This type of behaviour is not acceptable and we're working with partner agencies to stop young people who we believe are travelling here for the wrong reasons. We're also dealing with the local children who we believe are getting involved in this undesirable behaviour."
Officers are boarding trains, checking passengers for valid tickets. Those without a ticket are ordered off the train and travellers who are too young to drink must hand over any alcohol in their possession.
PC Phil Meredith, one of the officers who covers Frodsham and Helsby, said: "This technique is proving effective and the handful of young people involved in these issues are getting the message they cannot come to Frodsham and Helsby to cause trouble.
"Here in the community, we're identifying the young people who getting involved in these problems and are working towards getting their parents and schools involved in addressing their behaviour.
"We are confident we know who the main troublemakers are and they can expect to be hearing from us. We don't want to go down the route of arrests and applying for Anti-social Behaviour Orders, however we are ruling nothing out."
The work at railway stations is being supported by increased high-visibility patrols at key times in both Helsby and Frodsham by police and council Community Safety Wardens.
Insp Hodgson said: "It's a shame we have to use these type of operations because the majority of the young people in the area are a credit to the community.
"Sadly, there are a few who don't fall into this category and we will use all the powers at our disposal to address the behaviour of both the locals and young people from other areas who are causing concern."
Opposition to waste
plant is growing
by David Skentelbery
RESIDENTS Against Incineration (RAIN) – the action group launched in Helsby to fight the plan for a giant waste plant on Ince Marches – has set up a number of satellite groups.
One has been launched in Frodsham, another in Kelsall and one at Ince in Elton.
A meeting is being held at the Beechwood Hotel on February 24 to establish another group at Runcorn.
Spokesman Lance Yates says the campaign against Peel Holdings’ proposals for the waste plant has now reached a crucial stage.
Peel Holdings have now submitted their proposals to Cheshire County Council and opponents have three weeks to lodge their objections with the county council.
RAIN is distributing leaflets in the Frodsham and Helsby areas, urging people to write individual letters of objection to the county council.
The leaflets give advice on how to write objection letters and stress the importance of them being individual letters.
Mr Yates said: “A duplicated letter is of very little value. What is needed is an individual objection, clearly setting out your own objections”.
If the waste plant is built it would include the biggest incinerator in the country and it would deal with waste not only from Cheshire but also from Liverpool and Manchester.
Up to 500 heavy lorries would visit the site every day – and leave again. In addition, waste would be brought in by rail and via the Manchester Ship Canal.
Mr Yates said it was vital that as many people as possible wrote objection letters.
“This incinerator would have a big impact on both Helsby and Frodsham and other surrounding villages,” he said.
What children really
think about Frodsham
by staff reporter
AN opportunity to find out what children and young people really think at Frodsham will come at Vale Royal Council’s Frodsham Area Meeting this Wednesday (February 15).
The council will be announcing the results of a series of consultation exercises it conducted with local children and young people at the meeting, which begins at 7pm, at Frodsham Community Centre in Fluin Lane.
In addition to revealing the results of the consultations, the council's role in children and young people's services will also be discussed.
There will also be an opportunity for residents to comment on how they think the council should respond to the priorities identified by children and young people.
At 6.30pm, before the start of the meeting, officers, including the police, will be available to discuss with residents any individual local community safety issues.
Coun Alan Mckie, chairman of the Frodsham Area Meeting said: "I hope local residents will join me to hear the views of the younger members of our community. This council believes that every child matters and is keen to work to provide all of them with the very best start in life".
At the meeting residents will also be given the opportunity to address questions to councillors and council officers. Questions can be about any issue that has an impact on them, their family or the local community and no issue is too small or too big to discuss.
To ensure answers are available to people on the night, residents are advised to register their question before the meeting. These can be registered in a number of ways:
Online at www.valeroyal.gov.uk
Ringing David Jones, Senior Committee Manager, on 01606 867622.
Writing to Committee Administration, Wyvern House, The Drumber, Winsford CW7 1AH.
Castle Park House
emerges from time warp
by Mark Vallely
THE transformation of Frodsham’s Castle Park House from 1950s time warp back to Edwardian Glory is almost complete - and councillors were given a preview tour of the refurbished house led project manager Rod Willet.
The differences are immediately apparent as one enters through the front door to find the staircase and central lightwell now made a feature of the entrance lobby.
To the right, what used to be a jumble of offices and small interview rooms has now been opened up to create a large well lit open space for the new Vale Royal Borough Council one-stop information shop which will house 13 partners offering services to the local community including the Job Centre, Connexions, the Citizens Advice Bureau, Age Concern and Weaver Vale Housing.
Upstairs on the first and second floors are meeting rooms and offices for small and medium sized businesses to rent, with currently 8 out of a total of 16 vacancies having already been filled.
One of the show areas will be a new state-of-the-art Cyber Café housed in the basement.
Frodsham Town council will return to Castle Park in the ground floor of the adjoining Footman’s Cottage refurbished alongside the main building.
After closing in January 2005, the house has been renovated over the last 12 months at a cost of £2.1 million, on time and with only a £40k overspend. Money for the project was given by Vale Royal Borough Council and Frodsham Forward secured match funding by the North West Development Agency and European Rural Development Fund.
Scaffolding and barriers should disappear on February 28 when the building is taken over from the contractors and, after a further month of fitting, will re-open to the public on April 3.
The initial scheme included regenerating the whole park and consultants are now working up a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund to secure more money to revitalize the gardens for future generations to enjoy.
Top picture is an artist's impression of the cybercafe. Lower picture shows the one-stop-shop.
"Prince of the people"
welcomed on hospice visit
by Mark Vallely
PRINCE Edward’s visit to Halton Haven Hospice proved to be a tremendous success as he toured the buildings before finally cutting the jubilee cake to inaugurate the landmark year ahead.
The Prince was greeted at a reception and toured the hospice, meeting both patients and their families, and the staff / volunteers. Some patients were met on a personal basis in the private rooms and in the complimentary therapy rooms.
Ram Pal Sahi, a day care patient said “It was quite nice for him to come in like that and he’s very easy to talk to – not snobbish at all. He talks to you on the same level and if he asks a question then he wants to listen to the answer. He’s not asking just for the sake of asking.
Carole Clare, also a patient remarked “He liked it here – he said. I said yeah we’re all happy here. I think really he is the people’s man. I think he’s the Queen’s youngest son and she gave him to us. He is the Prince of the people and was a lot more outgoing than I thought he’d be. I think it’s a shame he’s not recognised – he does a lot that people don’t know.”
Shaun Pollard, funding manager for the hospice enthused: “It was a fantastic day, a brilliant day. The priority was the patients, the staff that work with them and the volunteers who make the hospice run.. But it was also a fantastic opportunity to launch our 25 years of service to the community, kept open by the community”.
The hospice currently has 15 in-patient beds and treats up to 10 patients per day in day-care. Shaun added: “We do have a wish list for the coming year – we’re going to refurbish all the patient bedrooms, we’re now going to refurbish the Widnes shop, we need to put central heating into day-care, and we’re hoping for enough support this year to end up with a fighting fund towards a brand new hospice”.
Carole summed up by saying “This is only my third week so it has been an experience! But I should have been coming from the beginning. This is what I needed. These people give you spiritual help – I don’t mean religion but the staff give you a bond and you’re not frightened anymore. You’re not on your own.”
Picture shows Prince Edward chatting to patient Lilian Grafham.
Luke picks up gold
in indoor rowing
by staff reporter
FRODSHAM College student Luke Kelbrick picked up a gold medal in the English Indoor Rowing champships at the Velodrome in Manchester.
The college tgeam – staff and students – produced a host of fantastic results as they reaped their rewards for a lot of hard work and training for the event.
Luke (Year 8) produced a fantastic result by finishing first and winning the gold medal in the J13 category. His category had to row for 3 minutes and cover the greatest distance to win.
Spectators watched in awe as Luke sped off to start the race and many thought he wouldn’t be able to keep up the pace. But his first split time showed him to be on great form. He continued his great pace throughout the 834 metre race.
Other students from the college also enjoyed success including; Mike Hulme and Anthony Hulme of Year 8; Sam Edwards, Andy Holt and Amy Grieve of Year 9 and Paul Snelson and Carl Hawkes in Year 10. All students who took part achieved great results, some with the added bonus of getting personal best times and distances.
Pre-school opens
its doors to public
by David Skentelbery
NEWLY re-named Preston Brook Pre-School – which caters for children from the Frodsham area - is to hold an open day on Wednesday, February 15 from 10am to 11.30am.
The idea is to give parents looking for a pre-school setting, the chance to take a closer look at how this pre-school operates and provides a fun and stimulating environment for children from the age of two and-a-half to school age.
Parents and children will be able to see a typical daily session, with “play and learn” activities going on.
Preston Brook Pre-School was formerly known as a “Playgroup” and has changed its name to give a better impression of the quality of care and education provided.
A rewarding Ofsted report was received last July, reflecting the efforts of the staff, Lynn King, Debbie Tamber and Juliette Adams.
Supervisor Lynn King said: “There are more places available and a waiting list for those not yet two and-a-half.”
The pre-school has an option uniform with its own logo to make children feel part of something special. Sessions are held Monday to Friday, 9.30am – 12 noon in term time. More details are available from Lynn King on 07946 175690.
Terri's art success
TERRI Bartlett, a student from Frodsham Science and Technology College, won a top prize in the Aimhigher art competition staged at Mid-Cheshire College.
Her work is now to be exhibited at Frodsham’s Castle Park Arts Centre.
Terri, who said she was “delighted” with her achievement, received a letter of congratulations from Weaver Vale MP Mike Hall.
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