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Council won't sell
greenfield site
for medical centre
by David Skentelbery
FRODSHAM Town Council is to tell developers who want to build a new medical centre on the Top Field at Frodsham Community Centre, that it is not willing to consider selling the land.
Neither will it consider granting a freehold tenure on the site.
But the council will apply to the District Valuer for a valuation of the land, including a realistic estimate, based on current market values, of the realisable income from leasing the land for a specific period, such as 99 years.
This follows the receipt of a letter from United Healthcare Developments Ltd., the firm selected by the Primary Care Trust, to build a medical centre and pharmacy on the Top Field.
The council is split on the issue although a majority of members have voted to raise no objection to the scheme.
But the letter - the contents of which have not been revealed in detail - appears to have angered most members.
Coun Frank Pennington described it as "barefaced cheek."
At their meeting on January 23, the council was addressed by Martin Edmunds, of the Save Frodsham Fields group.
He said the group supported the principle of a new medical centre in Frodsham, but not on the Top Field which had been given to the people of Frodsham as a "green lung" in 1969.
There was a duty on the Town Council, on behalf of the community, to preserve the field, he claimed.
Mr Edmunds said there were suitable "brownfield" sites elsewhere, including the railway station car park. In addition, there was the possibility of the High School site becoming available if the school closed, the Co-op supermarket closing because of competition from Tesco and a scout hut site becoming available because the scouts were in difficulties locally.
There was a shortage of green space in Frodsham - and the Top Field was used regularly for events such as a beer festival, the Frodsham carnival and an annual Donkey Derby.
"Let us preserve these fields and look for a brownfield site," he said.
Mr Edmunds said using green field sites was against national planning policy.
The Frodsham community needed to regain control of the medical centre issue, he said.
"The 12,000 people of Frodsham need to dictate the terms," he said.
Mr Edmunds stressed that a medical centre on the station car park site would attract people to the town centre. It had the advantage of an existing pharmacy nearby, he said.
Scout group faces
threat of closure
by Gary Skentelbery
THE 1st Frodsham Scout Group which has been in existence since 1909 and one of the oldest surviving groups
in the North West District, is facing a major crisis.
Due to leader vacancies the Group is now threatened with closure.
Following the departure of the Group Scout Leader Ian Prime and Scout Leader Geoff Barnard in July last year,
who both donated over five years service, both positions remain unfilled.
In addition the Cub Scout Leader Wendy Prime and Assistant Cub Scout Leader Simon Vernon will both be leaving
shortly.
The Beaver Leader Jo Garner and Assistant Beaver Leader Janis Sharp both have family commitments that mean
they cannot continue without additional support.
Following an Extraordinary General Meeting nobody has volunteered to fill their roles. Without help the group
will have no option but to close.
The group currently have 26 boys enrolled and lack of parental support within the Group means they are now
having to look outside the current parents for anyone wishing to join as a Leader, Assistant Leader or even
helper. Perhaps there is someone who has been through 1st Frodsham as a scout who is now in a position
to help with the crisis.
Scouting is an extremely rewarding activity. It exists to contribute to the development of young people
by helping them grow up to be self-reliant, responsible and caring citizens. The boys benefit enormously
from belonging to the Group. Scouting is open to all young people in the community, regardless of social,
religious, ethnic or financial background.
Scouting starts with Beavers aged 6 to 8, Cubs aged 8 to 10 ½ and Scouts 10 ½ to 14.
Any person wishing to help would be greatly appreciated, there is plenty of support available. Leaders are
required to undertake training or learning appropriate to their role and due to working with children all
applicants would be asked to complete a criminal records disclosure form.
For details and further information please call Jo Garner Beaver Leader on 01928 722384.
MP's concern over
waste plant plan
by David Skentelbery
WEAVER Vale MP Mike Hall has spoken out on what he says are "areas of great concern" over the proposals for a giant waste plant at Ince Marshes.
He is particularly concerned about the possible impact of emissions from
The plant on people living in the Frodsham and Helsby areas.
Peel Holdings - owners of the Manchester Ship Canal - are expected to submit a planning application for the so-called Ince Recovery Park later this months.
The proposal is to construct a power station that will produce energy from burning treated waste.
They are also proposing to build a waste recycling plant on the same site, with waste to be incinerated treated off-site and brought to Ince Marshes by barge along the Manchester Ship Canal.
Waste for sorting and recycling will be brought to and taken from the site by a variety of methods including heavy lorries.
Mr Hall says there are six areas of great concern.
Firstly, can large quantities of waste be burnt safely to produce energy without producing emissions that are harmful to public health and the environment?
Secondly,the MP questions the need for another huge industrial complex on a green field site in North Cheshire and the impact it would have on the visual amenityh of the area.
He also questions the ability of local roads to cope with more heavy, industrial traffic and also the principle of bringing in waste from other areas for processing.
"Should Cheshire only take responsibility for dealing with our own waste?" he asks.
Finally Mr Hall queries the availability of other alternatives for dealing with waste other than incineration and landfill and the implications for residential areas near the site.
He said: "There is no doubt the Peel Holdings proposals are very controversial, they have caused real concerns for local residents and for people who live within the emissions fall-out zone of the proposed incinerator. They have also caused real concerns for those who live along the road routes to Ince Marshes.
"When the planning application is submitted and a decision is made about how that application is going to be dealt with everyone will be entitled to have their say. Meanwhile everyone should visit the Incinerator Action Group web page to find out more details about this proposal."
Motorist's terror ride
in hi-jacked car
by David Skentelbery
A MOTORIST was taken on a terrifying ride in his own car after it was hi-jacked at knifepoint in Frodsham.
The man was driven to Runcorn and then ejected from the car which was later found abandoned.
Police are hunting for a 6ft tall man with short, gelled, dark hair, clean shaven and with crooked teeth. He spoke with a Merseyside accent.
He was wearing a blue tracksuit top when the offence took place on the B5152 near the Lady Heyes Craft Centre, Frodsham in the early hours of New Year’s Day.
The owner of the N-registered blue Fiat was sitting in the car near the craft centre when he was approached by the offender, who got into the vehicle and threatened the driver with a knife.
He forced him to drive to Russell Road, Frodsham, where he ordered him out of the car and drove off at a high speed.
The car was found abandoned at Grangemoor, Runcorn, the following day.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police on 01244 613258.
Memories come flooding back
of Empire Day in Frodsham
by Gary Skentelbery
MEMORIES came flooding back for Geoff Percival when he discovered a souvenir programme welcoming home those from Frodsham
who served during the Second World War.
A total of 600 names are listed in the “Welcome Home” brochure, including more than 30 who didn’t make it back.
Now Geoff, who remembers the homecoming well as a teenager, has enlisted the help of local councillor Brian Lloyd to
try and find a way of listing the names in a public place to honour their service.
The document, which was found during a house clearance at Geoff’s brother’s home, is a souvenir of the official
“Welcome Home” to all those who left the town to serve in His Majesties Forces in the war 1939 to 1945. The event took
place at Castle Park on Empire Day, Saturday May 24t 1947.
Geoff recalls: “I was there. I was 16 and it all happened in the park here. In the programme is 600 members of the
village who fought in the 1939 / 1945 war.
“I think there was 30 or 32 that never came back. I don’t know whether any other villages or town did anything like this.
They had the do here in the park and they all got a plaque and four guineas.
“All the names on the list had an invitation to come – probably some had left the village by this time – I had a brother
in Leeds, but Les came home for it although there would have been a few who didn’t. But I can see them all now lining up
– I had three uncles in the line and two brothers but another brother was away in Mombassa. My dad went up and got his
and knowing my dad he probably spent it on the night anyway!”
Brian said “My dad’s in there but he wasn’t in active service and I’m looking at some of them and I think some of them
were Ambulance drivers and others like them who were included in the 600. You’ve got the merchant navy lads in there as
well.
Now Geoff and Brian are investigating ways of having the names put on public show as a lasting memorial.
They would like it to be somewhere where people can go and identify family names.
at a bit of a loss as to what can be done with it so I’ve had a word with a number of people – not the history society
as yet but I have had a word with Mike Hall who’s very keen to do something (very interested in his own family
search and he’s writing a book, I think about his grandfather in the trenches of the 1st world war. He travels over there).
So it’s of interest to him. But it’s of big interest to me because I didn’t know that this event had come about.
It must have been a fascinating day in 1947.
Picture shows Brian Lloyd (L) and Geoff with the programme on the top of Frodsham Hill.
Quilt exhibition
draws the crowds
by David Skentelbery
THE bi-annual exhibition of quilts made by members of Frodsham Patchwork Group drew a big crowd of members and friends
to Frodsham Community Centre.
Founded some 20 years ago, the 40-strong group still has three of its original members, Margaret Quarterman,
Camille Bradford and Beryl Thorne.
The group meet on alternate Wednesday afternoons at the Community Centre and have to restrict membership to 40 for
space reasons. At present they have a waiting list of six or seven.
Margaret Quarterman told Frodsham Life: "The group is thriving. We can't have any more members for health and safety
reasons.
"We have guest speakers - sometimes well known speakers - and sometimes we ask a member to speak on her own work."
Among those present was Fiona Williams, who has made more than 50 quilts.
She started making quilts when she was still at school and now makes a lot for teenagers - including boys who take
them away with them when they leave home for university, etc.
A simple quilt may take 20-30 hours to complete but Fiona works on several at once, drawing inspiration from books,
pictures, exhibitions, etc.
Picture shows Berit Beech, chairman of the group, and member Angela Patton with her biggest quilt to date.
High school closure
could hit businesses
by David Skentelbery
CLOSURE of Frodsham High School could have a damaging effect on businesses in the town.
The warning has come from Mayor Nigel Griffiths who has called for a Town Council debate on the issue in January.
He said: "So far the council has not had much to say on the subject of the proposed school closures - mainly because
we have not had people approaching us about them.
"This is probably because so few pupils at Frodsham High actually come from Frodsham.
"But closure could have a damaging impact on businesses in Frodsham, who have already been hit by the opening of the
Tesco store at Helsby."
Coun Christine Lloyd told Frodsham Life that only about one third of pupils at Frodsham High came from the town.
Most of the others came from Runcorn.
The situation had arisen because of parents having a choice of schools. Many Frodsham parents had chosen to send their children to Helsby, which had always had a good reputation.
In turn, Runcorn parents had chosen to send their children to Frodsham.
"The school probably does provide a lot of business for Frodsham traders which would be lost if it closed," she said.
"But it may be that Frodsham parents would welcome their children going to school in Helsby. Certainly all the pressure to stop the closures is coming from areas like Kingsley. There has been very little said in Frodsham itself."
Meanwhile, parents at the various primary schools threatened with closure or amalgamation have continued to mount a
vigorous campaign to keep them open.
Hundreds of parents and children took part in a demonstration at Delamere Forest when children spelled out a giant SOS - "Save our Schools" - message on a hillside.
The governing body of Kingsley St John's CE Primary has put forward the idea of a "hard federation" with Norley CE Primary as an alternative option to amalgamation.
This would mean the two schools continuing on the existing sites but with one governing body and one head teacher.
Both schools would continue to be CE Aided School.
A spokesman said: "The governing body has considered all information from the local authority. On educational and
community grounds, we feel that federation is the strongest viable option at this time."
Picture shows an earlier public protest by local primary schools about the closure and merging of local schools.
Christmas is a
time for giving
Christmas message from MP Mike Hall
This time of year brings home to me just how important the Yuletide celebrations are for people and communities.
I have recently been researching my Grand Father’s military career in World War 1. Private PW/443 Thomas McBride served
on the Somme, Hindenburg Line, Flanders, Passchendaele and Lys. He spent the Christmas of 1915 and 1916 on the front
line of the Western front.
At the time my Grandmother, Martha McBride and my Aunty Martha Jane McBride had to celebrate Christmas on their own.
He was sent home sick for Christmas in 1917 but returned to France for the spring offensive in 1918.
Today we have members of our armed forces stationed abroad often in dangerous situations. We should keep them and their
families in our thoughts this Christmas.
Now we celebrate Christmas in many ways and get a great deal of pleasure from the different aspects of the festive season.
Christmas Day is for family, presents, food and drink. And of course many are disappointed when it fails to snow.
We have lots of different things to look forward to.
In wishing all the readers of the Frodsham Life the very best for Christmas and the New Year, I also
ask you to remember that other people at home and across the world need our support now so that they can enjoy Christmas.
Please be generous this Christmas and give what you can. Every little contribution helps.
Mayor says thanks to
woodland campaigners
by David Skentelbery
MAYOR Nigel Griffiths has expressed the thanks of the Town Council to the people of Frodsham and to the Woodland
Trust for their hard work in raising the £125,000 necessary to retain Frodsham Hill Wood for community use.
Speaking at the monthly council meeting, Coun Griffiths said: "I think we should say a massive thank you to the Woodland
Trust and to our residents.
"A great deal of the money for the future maintenance of the woodland came from the people," he said.
A total of £125,000 was raised to purchase and manage the ancient woodland - and the Woodland Trust, who now own the
site, acknowledge that £25,000 in pledges from local people had been integral to the success of the appeal.
Other money came from Vale Royal Borough Council's Rural Delivery Programme, £75,000, the Mersey Forest Partnership,
£10,000 and the Sandstone Ridge ECOnet Partnership, £15,000.
Coun Brian Lloyd said he had been amazed at the amount of support from outside the local area.
"The number of people from Liverpool who were prepared to make a pledge was amazing," he said. "It think it is a
sign of how well Frodsham Hill Wood is all over the North of England."
New look for
Hospice shop
by Mark Vallely
HALTON Haven Hospice -Shop in Frodsham now has a new look following a re-opening ceremony.
Fundraising Manager Shaun Pollard said that thanks to an offer of some help from community punishment the premises
had been completely refurbished.
It is the second of three shops to be refurbished although it is the biggest, and the third one will be Widnes
in the new year.
The 3 shops generate 10% of the charity's income and it's all thanks to people bringing in items for free.
Meanwhile the charity is planning to celebrate their Silver Jubilee in January.
Picture shows Mayor Nigel Griffiths opening the new-look store with: Front Row 3rd from Left Dot Reid (Volunteer);
Lynn Peck (Manageress); Ann Wynn (Volunteer), Nigel, Margaret Dandy (Halton Haven Hospice Director); Shaun Pollard
(Fundraising Manager); Jean Allen (Volunteer).
MP slams county over
school closure plans
by David Skentelbery
WEAVER Vale MP Mike Hall has criticised Cheshire County Council over its school closure and amalgamation programme in the Frodsham and Helsby area during an adjournment debate in the House of Commons.
He said the proposals were causing great concern in four villages in his
Constituency - Kingsley, Manley, Norley and Alvanley.
And he also accused the county council of failing to study the possible implications of closing Frodsham Technology College (High School).
Mr Hall (pictured) said many people believed the county council's "transforming learning communities" initiative aimed to close two, possibly three schools.
The council had decided on the basis of population projections and birth rates that it would have a surplus of some 5,000 school places by 2010.
It decided on a piecemeal approach to dealing with the problem and has divided the county into eight different areas, three of which it will visit this year, a few of which it will visit next year, and a few the year after.
The first part involved Manley village school, Kingsley St Johns school and Norley Church of England school, as well as Alvanley primary school.
It also recommended Frodsham Technology College for closure because it has only 700 pupils, at least 400 of who are from outside the county council area. Most of them, in fact, come from Runcorn.
He did not believe the county council had thought through the implications of closing Frodsham Technology College for other parts of Cheshire, particularly for Ellesmere Port and Neston.
Young people from the village of Elton would be very much affected by the closure, and could be forced to go to a school other than Helsby High School for their secondary education.
The review suggested Alvanley Primary "amalgamate" with Manley Primary, and that Kingsley St Johns and Norley CE school should amalgamate. That could result in the closure of all four schools and the opening of two new schools on sites yet to be determined, or it could result in two of the schools closing and the two other schools amalgamating on one of the sites.
"Whatever happens, village schools in my constituency will close. When we pressed the county council on the matter, its first argument was that it had to tackle falling school rolls and surplus places.
"The four primary schools, however, are full. They have a buoyant intake, they do not face the prospect of falling school rolls and they provide an excellent education for the pupils in their care. The role that they play in their communities is equally important. They are vital to the infrastructure of their communities, and closure of any one of them would be irrevocable."
Mr Hall said the county should not be adopting a "piecemeal" approach but should review every primary school in the county and, when it had an idea of the changes it would like, go to the second stage of the process and carry out the statutory consultations required by law.
That would give a clear picture of the effect on the whole county. Everyone would see that the process was fair and transparent.
"There is a fear that the county council will do the first tranche of work and find out that the temperature out there is so hot that it needs to rethink its views, so that village schools in my constituency will close but a different attitude will be taken to reviewing the rest of the county.
"That would be unfair and unnecessary. I hope that the county council will consider that view, but I am not optimistic that it will do so."
Mr Hall said birth rates in Cheshire were rising and the county council acknowledged that all the four schools were full. He could not see how they could justify closing or amalgamating them.
Police seize alcohol in
clamdown on binge drinkers
by staff reporter
AROUND 20 containers of beer, wine and spirits were confiscated from underage drinkers in the Frodsham and Helsby areas at the weekend.
The seizures were made by police as part of a major clamp down on binge drinking and anti-social behaviour across Cheshire.
A police spokesman said: “The pub and club scene remained quiet and safe thanks to the heavy presence of officers and investigations are now well underway into the two calls of note received - an assault by a known perpetrator and a report of a fight at a local restaurant.”
Community Action Team officers were out in force keeping an eye on the night scene in all areas.
No major fights or serious street problems were reported and the few people who did display unacceptable behaviour were dealt with firmly and effectively.
In addition, genuine emergency calls were dealt with fast, firmly, and fairly.
The crackdown on binge drinking takes place every Friday and Saturday all over the festive season to ensure the message that drunken, violent, rowdy behaviour is not acceptable and will not be tolerated by Cheshire Police.
Thousands flock to
Frodsham festival!
by Gary Skentelbery
FRODSHAM'S annual Christmas Festival proved to be a huge success, attracting 15,000 visitors into the town.
The main High Street was thronged with spectators for the reindeer parade, despite a downpour on the Saturday evening.
The two-day festival, has now become firmly established as
a great family event.
Local primary school children from Manor House, Alvanley, Frodsham, St Lukes and other schools entertained the crowds on stage in Eddisbury
Square and also joined in Santa’s parade with his Reindeer.
Market traders lined the bustling street as the festival helped bring a welcome boost to local trade in the build up
to Christmas.
Santa broke off from his hectic preparations to attend the event. He said: “This is the third year my reindeer and I
have visited the Festival to lead the night time parades and hear all the children’s wishes. I can tell you the
children have been incredibly well behaved this year and I will have a busy time on Christmas Eve”.
Coun John Grimshaw, Lead Councillor for Recreation, Rural and Culture, also enjoyed the event. He said: “I am delighted
so many people came to the event despite the bad weather on Saturday. It just shows that this Festival has something
for all the family to enjoy; come rain or shine”.
The Mayors of Vale Royal and Frodsham joined Santa and local school children for the Lantern Parade on the Friday evening.
The event is sponsored by Frodsham Forward and supported by the local Town Council.
Picture shows Santa touring through the town and with twins Hannah and Ewan Palombella aged 5.
For more pictures from the festival click here FRODSHAM FESTIVAL
Frodsham to join protest
over waste plant scheme
by David Skentelbery
FRODSHAM looks set to hold its own public protest meeting over the controversial plan for a giant waste processing plant on marshland in the neighbouring borough of Ellesmere Port.
Members of the Town Council have agreed that action needs to be taken to raise awareness of the plant - which could involve Britain's biggest incinerator - on Ince Marshes.
Around 500 people have already voiced their strong opposition to the scheme at a meeting at Helsby.
But very few Frodsham people attended the meeting.
Coun Tony Hinkins told the council: "This will be an enormous incinerator burning stuff from Liverpool, Manchester and almost anywhere. It will be come in by road, rail and ship.
"The meeting at Helsby was packed - but mainly with Helsby people. Many Frodsham people don't seem to be aware of the situation.
"Everyone is worried about the health implications - but there are other issues, such as traffic.
Coun Hinkins said the scheme was a commercial venture, not part of the Cheshire Waste Plan.
"It's ironic that Vale Royal, which has won an award for recycling, should get the country's largest incinerator on its doorstep," he added.
Coun Brian Lloyd said the council should press Deputy Prime Minister for a public inquiry into the proposals.
"We need to raise awareness in Frodsham. The people I have spoken to found out about the public meeting at Helsby late in the day. I think we should have a public meeting in Frodsham."
It was agreed to organise a meeting early in the New Year.
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