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Gunman in raid
on bullion van
by staff reporter
ARMED raiders tried to get away with cash when they raided a bullion van in Frodsham.
A handgun was used in the incident in High Street, shortly after mid-day on Friday October 21.
Police are appealing for witnesses.
A security guard was loading cash boxes into his van in High Street when he was approached by a man holding a small, black handgun.
He ordered the guard to drop the boxes – which he did. The man then tried to grab one of the boxes and ran to a nearby car, driven by another man. The vehicle accelerated away along High Street.
Police said the gunman was about 5ft 6 inches tall, of stocky build and aged about 25-27. He was wearing a balaclava and dark blue trousers.
The car was driven by a second man, small and of mixed race appearance.
£75,000 grant saves
Frodsham Hill wood
by David Skentelbery
FRODSHAM Hill Wood has been saved.
Vale Royal Borough Council's Executive Group has awarded a grant of £75,000 from the Rural Delivery Programme to the Woodland Trust to enable the trust to purchase and preserve the 26-acre area ancient woodland on Forest Hill, Frodsham.
The Rural Delivery Programme is an initiative designed to help rural communities preserve their distinctiveness and conserve the countryside. It also provides funding to improve the delivery of rural services and help communities gain better access to services.
Coun Frank Dolphin, chairman of the Rural Development Investment Working Group said: "The Rural Delivery Programme is an initiative I thought up and got adopted. I am pleased the council is working in partnership with the Woodland Trust and Mersey Forest to protect this valuable part of our local landscape.
"The Trust is raising funds from the local community and other organisations to finance the management and improvement of the site over the next three years. It has taken a huge team effort by many organisations and individuals to secure the woodland's future".
The Trust already owns four other sites of ancient woodland across the hill and received unanimous public support for buying and managing this new site.
Sara Lyons, from the Woodland Trust, said: "We are delighted to have been awarded this grant.. Ancient woodland habitats are particularly sparse in Cheshire and under threat on a national scale from a lack of protection. We will be able to manage this site making sure it remains accessible and enjoyable for the local community and visitors for decades to come".
It is hoped the sites on Forest Hill will eventually form part of the proposed Regional Park that will run the length of the River Weaver, right through the heart of Vale Royal. All Cheshire's local authorities and the North West Development Agency are supporting this project.
The battle to save Harmers Wood, in Helsby, continues, however.
A dispute between two groups - one called The Friends of Harmers Wood and the other consisting of five households in Hill Road North - has resulted in a £32,000 rescue package falling through.
The Friends group are now desperately applying for grants to help them raise the asking price. The Woodland Trust have announced that they are not interested in purchasing this eight-acre wood
Teenagers to have a
say on youth facilities
by staff reporter
TEENAGERS in Frodsham are to get a chance to have a say on the type of facilities should be provided for young people in the town.
Vale Royal Borough Council is holding a public consultation on Sunday (October 23) to find out what youngsters think.
The consultation is open to people of all ages living in Frodsham and the surrounding areas and will be held at Saltworks Farm, Ship Street, Frodsham from 11am until 4pm.
As well as talking to officers from the council and the Groundwork Trust about the type of facility the community would like to see, young people can also try their hand on a range of skate ramps and rails at the event.
Officers are particularly keen to hear from young girls about what they would like to see in Frodsham - and also from parents and other residents.
A variety of skate ramps and rails will be set up and there will be demonstrations and coaching sessions throughout the day. There will also be competitions with a variety of prizes up for grabs.
Coun John Grimshaw, lead councillor for recreation, said: " We are in the early stages of planning 'teenzone' facilities for the area. This is an ideal opportunity not only for the young people to try out some skate ramps, but for the whole community to come along and tell us what facilities they would like to see on offer for young people in the area".
Community split by
medical centre plan
by Mark Vallely
MAJOR splits in the community – and on Frodsham Town Council – were revealed at a stormy consultation meeting called to discuss the controversial plans for a new medical centre for the town.
Up to 200 people attended the meeting at which a majority of town councillors voted to raise no objection to the scheme.
But four councillors – Mayor Nigel Griffiths, Graham Bondi, Tom Reynolds and Frank Pennington voted against the proposal and the meeting was told that Cheshire County Council, as strategic planning authority, had raised their own objections to the scheme.
The application, involving land on the Top Field adjoining Frodsham Community Centre, will be considered by Vale Royal Borough Council’s planning committee on November 15 when a final decision is expected to be made.
Strong feelings were evident as arguments for and against the scheme were put forward.
Supporters stressed the new for a new medical centre and the risk that if the proposals were not approved, Frodsham would lose its opportunity as the money would be spent elsewhere.
At present, the Top Field was the only available suitable site, more than 20 others having been found unsuitable.
Although land at Frodsham High School could become available, this had not yet been decided and might not be for some time.
There was a need to attract the best doctors to the area and to do this there would have to be first class facilities.
Objectors agreed on the need for a new medical centre but said the Top Field was the wrong site. They argued that other sites had not been properly considered.
They claimed the High School site should be considered as it appeared to be ideal and had never previously been considered.
Money would not be available for the centre until 2007 anyway, so nothing would be delayed by refusing the application now.
Veiled threats that if the application was refused Frodsham would not get a medical centre amounted to “blackmail.”
They also pointed out that the loss of the Top Field would be the loss of a valuable recreational facility used for charity and community events ranging from bonfires to Donkey Derbies.
The meeting was told more than 1,000 people had signed a petition opposing the centre.
Heartless thief
steals from pensioner
by staff reporter
POLICE are investigating after a heartless thief stole a handbag from an elderly woman
while she was shopping in Frodsham town centre.
The woman was using an invalid scooter and the thief took her bag from the vehicle
while her attention was distracted.
A group of youths had been acting in an unruly manner in the area - near Eddisbury Square -
shortly before the incident, but police said there was no evidence to connect them with
the theft, which took place at about 9.30am on Tuesday, October 11.
Anyone who witnessed anything suspicious is asked to contact police.
Pensioner suffers heart
attack after intruder scare
by David Skentelbery
AN elderly Frodsham man suffered a heart attack and was rushed into hospital after discovering an intruder in his home
The intruder left the property without apparently committing an offence, but police have issued a warning about the “suspicious” man after discovering he had been involved in two incidents
They have warned residents to be on their guard – and to inform police if they have any information about the man
In the first incident, the man – said to be aged between 30 and 40 – entered property in Ship Street, Frodsham
He was disturbed by the occupier and left without committing any offence after being told to leave
But later, the same man entered a property in Hayes Crescent
He was again disturbed by the occupier, a 79-year-old man, and again left without causing any trouble
But later, the elderly occupant suffered a heart attack and was taken to hospital where his condition was said to be “serious but stable
”
A police spokesman said residents were being advised to keep all doors and windows locked. If they had any information they should contact DC Nigel Parr on 01244 616053
The intruder was said to be wearing a green cardigan and light coloured trousers. He had short, dark hair.
CCTV for Frodsham
town centre?
by Mark Vallely
FRODSHAM town centre could be one step closer to having CCTV coverage following a feasibility study carried out by independent consultants in the field.
The study, carried out by CCTV specialists Optimum Security, looked at all aspects of a scheme, including crime hotspots, numbers of cameras, monitoring and costs.
Frodsham Forward project manager Anne Boyd, who initiated the study, funded by Vale Royal Borough Council, said the study had now been completed.
She told the monthly Frodsham Forward Executive Group meeting that although details of the study had yet to be considered by members, she believed significant funding could be available if the costs of implementation could be justified.
Money could be available via the Community Safety Partnership or even Vale Royal Rural Delivery Programme and Frodsham Forward were also keen to contribute.
The initiative comes in the wake of the current refurbishment of Castle Park which is to be protected by its own CCTV system.
Anne said: "We've have several requests from local businesses for CCTV funding, so at this point it makes sense to look at the wider picture.
“What we don't want to see is any problems that Castle Park may currently have simply being pushed down the road.
CCTV could open the doors to an improved night-time economy as people feel safer."
Four year delay
for bridge works?
by staff reporter
IT could be four years or even longer before rusting, dilapidated Sutton Weaver Swing Bridge - often described as the "gateway to Frodsham" - gets a facelift.
Members of Frodsham Town Council expressed disappointment at the prospect of such delays after receiving a presentation by representatives of British Waterways and Cheshire County Council.
Mayor Coun Nigel Griffiths described the bridge as: "The scruffiest building in Frodsham by far" and Coun Lynn Riley expressed surprise that the cost could be as high as £5 million - even if the bridge was found to be structurally sound.
Waterways spokeswoman Julie Sharman told the council the last structural assessment of the bridge was carried out in 1993 when the bridge was declared structurally sound. An additional review was undertaken two years ago.
However once the findings of the new inspection were assessed and on the assumption the bridge was still sound, it was likely to be two to four years before works would begin.
The cost was expected to be around £5 million - but there was an arrears of maintenance work on the Weaver Navigation amounting to £45 million and the plan was to clear this by 2012.
Councillors expressed incredulity at the £5 million cost, but Ms Sharman said even if the bridge simply required improving aesthetically the costs and timescales would be of a similar magnitude.
She added: "It's not just a lick of paint".
County Council spokesman David Heyes said funds had been earmarked for road surfacing. Disruption during work would be kept to a minimum and if a complete closure was required, the council would be consulted beforehand.
Councillors complained that every time the road was patched, damage reappeared within days.
Mr Heyes said it was the County Council's responsibility to find a solution and more suitable materials would be sought.
The bridge has been a sore point in Frodsham for some time.
Earlier this year, people living near the bridge claimed it had become dangerous through neglect - with some of the metal structure "razor sharp" and a hazard to pedestrians.
Last winter, Frodsham Town Council expressed concern at the condition of the bridge and the "bad first impression" it gave of Frodsham.
Members said the bridge appeared to be "falling apart" and could become dangerous.
School closures proposed
in education shake-up
by David Skentelbery
A BLUEPRINT for how schools in the Frodsham and Helsby area could adapt to meet the demands of the 21st century has been unveiled.
It would involve the creation of a children's centre with a satellite nearby, amalgamations of two pairs of village schools and the creation of one high school for the local community if implemented.
But, responding to rumours that Frodsham Science and Technology College, was to close, a Cheshire County Council spokeswoman said: “No decision has yet been taken – closure of the school is just one option being put forward.”
The suggested changes have emerged during almost five months of discussions between Cheshire County Council officials and key stakeholders including local heads and chairs of their governing bodies.
"The local community was challenged to help us decide how best to meet the learning needs of future generations while dealing with falling pupil numbers" explained the Cheshire’s Children's Services executive member David Rowlands.
"The options developed show there has been much hard work done - for which I am very grateful to everyone involved - and it is vital now that we are given feedback on the suggestions.”
Details of the "Transforming Learning Communities" package have been outlined to teachers, support staff, parents, pupils and the county council's partner organisations.
If approved for public consultation by elected county councillors at a series of meetings in October the wider community of Frodsham and Helsby will be encouraged to have its say later in the autumn.
The intention is that the new £185,000 children's centre would be at Frodsham's Weaver Vale Primary - subject to Whitehall approval - with the satellite facility at Kingsley Primary to provide early years care and education in partnership with other agencies such as health.
It is hoped amalgamations of the Alvanley and Manley primaries, and the C of E's Kingsley St John's and Norley schools, will mean that these rural schools are sustainable and in the best position to meet future challenges.
Pupils currently attending Dunham Hill Primary, if it is closed, could be transferred together to a neighbouring school.
The suggested changes in secondary education reflect the fact that Frodsham and Helsby requiree only one high school to meet its future needs - meaning the Frodsham Science and Technology College would close.
The aim is to bring together the best features of the two existing schools at the earliest opportunity - operating on the two sites while Frodsham's existing pupils complete their education.
Children's Services acting director Joan Feenan said: "The hope is that these suggested changes will provide maximum opportunities for young people at all stages of their education - from pre-school to Sixth Form - to prepare them for the challenges they will face in their adult lives.
"They involve some interesting new developments including Frodsham and Helsby's first children's centre.
"The options for the rural schools reflect current parental preference, meet the needs of the Children Act and reduce the number of empty desks which are no longer needed, and the wish to strengthen the roles of the new schools in their communities.
"A single secondary school would mean that in future every child living in the Frodsham and Helsby catchment area would be given a wide choice of academic and vocational education on the one site.
County Councillor Rowlands added: "Next month we will be asking for the wider community of Frodsham and Helsby to become involved in helping to shape the County Council's formal decision-making process and the eventual implementation of whatever changes are necessary.
"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to create a new era for education in Frodsham and Helsby for the benefits of today's children and those who are yet to be born".
Helsby High School headteacher Richard Evans said: "This school will be committed to enriching the curriculum for all pupils in Frodsham and Helsby, developing in particular a substantially enhanced range of 14 to 19 vocational opportunities on this site.
"Its identity and ethos will reflect its mission to serve the whole community".
The package of suggested changes will be considered by the School Planning Select Panel - an all-party seven-strong group of elected county councillors - on October 3 and a week later the Executive is expected to be asked to give approval for public consultation.
But it could be the late spring before a formal decision is reached to implement any of the suggested changes.
Woman assistant hurt in
raid on jewellery shop
by staff reporter
A WOMAN assistant was injured during a robbery at a Frodsham jeweller’s shop.
The woman suffered a hip injury as she tried to prevent the offender leave Harris Jewellery in Main Street.
He escaped after jumping into the rear of a white Fiat Punto van parked near the Natwest Bank.
The robbery occurred at about 11.25am on Friday September 23 but police have only just released details.
A man aged about 30 and more than 6ft tall entered the shop and asked to see some trays of engagement rings. He then snatched a tray and ran from the premises – assaulting the woman assistant when she tried to stop him.
He then ran across Main Street to get into the van which drove off at a fast speed along the A56 in the direction of Runcorn.
Police say he had short cropped blonde hair and was wearing blue overalls bearing a Mercedes Benz badge.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or saw the white van after it left the scene is asked to call police on 01244 613134.
Extra help
for schools
TESCO celebrated the opening of their brand new store with a very special donation to two local primary schools.
The supermarket chain has provided £500 each from the ‘Tesco Charity Trust’ towards the improvement of the playground
environment at Hillside and to purchase much needed ICT equipment at Horns Mill.
The picture shows Back: Mathew France (Tesco Store Manager), Coun Norman Wright (Mayor of Vale Royal) cutting the ribbon with his wife June Wright, Helsby Cllr Mike Bellairs
Front: Children from Horns Mill Primary School , Anne Doughton (Head teacher of Hornsmill Primary School) and Rob Seabrook
(Head teacher of Hillside Primary school) with their cheques for £500 donated by “Tesco Charity Trust”, Children from
Hillside School.
Medical centre plan
"should be deferred"
by Terry Johnson
THE on-going controversy over plans for a major new medical centre on community land adjoining Frodsham Community Centre has flared-up again.
The project is to meet the health needs of a string of villages - from Sutton Weaver to the outskirts of Chester - as well as 10,000 people in Frodsham, has caused the rift.
The scale of the proposal has surprised many people, who see the community fields being “snatched” to build a medical centre, employing around 60 staff.
There is a feeling that all options have not been explored for a health centre which cannot be funded until 2007.
Town councillor Frank Pennington, 71, claimed that covert meetings had taken place in Chester to discuss the plans, but Frodsham Council, which owns the land, had not been consulted.
"The whole matter smacks of skulduggery", he said. "I know from my career in the building trade that a very large building would be required on this community site.
"Only 10 parking places are proposed - though 60 people will be working there. And instead of just patients from Frodsham's two surgeries, they will be drawn in from a much wider area, which bodes badly for village congestion".
Coun Pennington added: "I am not against new medical facilities. The concept is right: it is the location which bothers me.
"The Primary Care Trust must look at all possibilities for suitable sites.
"Closure of Frodsham College would provide the option for re-using school buildings at much lesser cost than a purpose-built health centre in an area that creates dissent".
Coun Pennington said he favoured deferment of the medical centre plan until the future of local schools had been settled, as the changes in education provision could result in a more suitable site becoming available.
Fears over
hospital plan
by Gary Skentelbery
THE proposed redevelopment of Crossley Hospital was the main topic of debate at Manley parish Council.
Developers are seeking permission from Vale Royal planners to convert the redundant hospital at Waterloo Lane, into
apartments.
Chief Planner Richard Ellison said normally the Council would not agree to new development in the green belt, but being
a former hospital and listed, there were provisions in the Local Borough Plan.
However, factors such as ecology and impact on wild life needed to be considered. The focus was to restrict building
to "brown field sites." The Council recognised a duty to assist in the case of listed buildings and wanted
long term viable use for them.
He said Vale Royal Planning Committee would consider the developers' application on the October 15, and he asked for
written responses from the public by October 1st . Later replies would be passed on verbally.
Residents have raised concerns about extra traffic which was expected to exceed the 137 cars which the developers'
plans provided for.
One resident said they had taken photographs of a lorry meeting a car on the very narrow road, causing a total
blockage and told the meeting that "you took your life in your hands joining the major roads at both the Kingsley
end and the Riley Bank end of Waterloo Lane."
Although Cheshire Highways Department have been consulted, they had not yet responded. Another meeting would needed
to be called for them to answer these local concerns.
Many people felt that the most acceptable option was for the main hospital building to be restored but there was a
great deal of concern about the size of the total redevelopment of 81 apartments and 4 new large houses, which
the developers claimed was necessary to pay for the cost of restoring the entire site, including its service buildings.
Questions were asked about the sense of turning the garage, boiler house, or mortuary into apartments. The developers'
own architects in their report described the nurses' home as a "tall gaunt building."
None of these had architectural merit. This was adding to the costs as well as adding to the number of dwellings.
The developers said they faced extra costs because Vale Royal Council had asked for 30% of the developed site value to
be donated to Vale Royal for low-cost housing elsewhere. In the past they had been asked for between 10 and
15 per cent.
New store creates
172 new jobs
by Gary Skentelbery
THE New Tesco Superstore in Helsby which officially opens its doors on Monday (Sept 19) has created 172 new jobs for
the area.
Matthew France, Store Manager is pictured receiving the keys for the new store.
The key handover signified that the structural work to the new store was complete, the staff could start stocking
the shelves, and local residents could begin the countdown to the opening day.
Matthew has previously managed a Tesco store in Rock Ferry, Bebington, and is finding his new role as leader of a brand
new team very challenging and exciting.
Matthew said: "This is a fantastic opportunity to build a really strong and diverse team in the town and have had the
opportunity to create our own unique culture. We hope the residents of Helsby will be very happy with their new store.
To kick off the launch celebrations, the first customers through each of the stores checkouts at 8am will be presented with
a bottle of Tesco Premier Cru Champagne!
Picture shows From left Julie Hibbert (stock controller), Linda Johnson (personnel Manager), Kate McCarthy Construction,
Jane Pearson Stock controller, Richie Mills Deputy manager, Phil Shepherd Project Manager, Matthew France Store manager,
Douglas Currie Service Manager, Liz Richardson Checkout Manager and Dave Pollard Fresh Food Manager.
Chance to become
next Freddie Flintoff
by John Hendon
INDOOR cricket courses are now on offer in Frodsham for all those budding Freddie Flintoffs and Michael Vaughans
after Vale Royal Borough Council teamed up with Vale Royal Cricket Forum.
The eight-week courses are designed for under 11's with little or no experience of playing cricket. Courses will begin
on Sunday October 16 at Frodsham Leisure Centre from 10am until 11am. The cost of the full course is £15.
CounJohn Grimshaw, Lead Councillor for Leisure, believes these courses will be well attended. He explained: "We already
provide one of the most comprehensive junior programmes in the country but with England enjoying one of the most
successful Ashes series in two decades, local cricket clubs have been inundated with children wanting to emulate
the England Team. Despite it being the end of the cricket season we are keen to encourage these youngsters'
interest and decided to run these special indoor sessions to teach newcomers the basics".
For more information or to book a place on the course, please contact James Birdsey on tel: 01606 867521 or by e-mail at
jbirdsey@valeroyal.gov.uk
Police warning after
cash machine scam
by John Hendon
POLICE have issued a warning after a suspicious device was discovered in a cash dispensing machine in Main Street, Frodsham.
It is believed it was a device for scanning credit card details.
A woman went to use the machine at about 8.30pm on Wednesday, September 7. She discovered the device and removed it from the machine.
She was immediately approached by three men who snatched the device from her and made off.
A police spokesman said: "We believe this was a device for scanning cards.
"We would advise members of the public to exercise extreme caution when using cash machines.
"If you are not comfortable using the machine because there are people nearby acting suspiciously, don't use it. If your card is retained by the machine, immediately contact the card supplier.
"If you are suspicious about anything, inform the police immediately."
The three men involved in the Frodsham incident were in the mid or late 20s and wearing casual clothing.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, or someone answering the description in the area, should contact Cheshire Police on 01244 350000.
Villagers' fury over
waste plant plan
by David Skentelbery
RESIDENTS of Helsby are furious over plans to build a large waste processing plant
on Helsby Marshes.
They claim the proposals - put forward by Peel Holdings - incorporate a power station
and plant for the storage, separation and processing of waste materials, including
refrigerators.
Waste materials will also be brought for incineration by canal - from Manchester,
Liverpool and possibly overseas - and by road from other parts of the country.
Janet Ford, chairman of Helsby Village Society said: "We don't want to be
the rubbish collection area for the world!
"We shall be on the receiving end of all sorts of waste from a vast
collection area, causing many more lorries on the M56 and local roads.
"The rubbish would have to be stored before processing when rain could wash
effluent into our water courses. Tt would attract flies and vermin and the
prevailing wind would carry any smells across Helsby.
"Local house prices would drop with such a site on our doorstep.
"There is a nationally protected site for birds just across the canal from
this proposed plant.
"Peel Holdings still need planning permission from Ellesmere Port Borough
Council. We must all keep informed and keep Helsby unpolluted!"
Helsby Parish Council has already been consulted by Peel Holdings, who say the
development could create 3,500 jobs.
A consulation exhibition will be at Helsby Community Centre on Thursday, October 6
between 4pm and 8pm.
Carnival capers
by Gary Skentelbery
GLORIOUS sunshine greeted the start of the annual Frodsham Carnival with a family fun day at
the Frodsham Community Centre.
Visitors were entertained by members of the George Formby Society, who ensured it "turned out nice again,"
with their tribute to the ukulele playing comedian.
There were also performances by the Frodsham Silver Band as well as circus skills from Uselessskillz.
Various community groups had stalls on the main field including members of The Aeroplane Collection, with
cockpits from a Hawker Hunter Blackarrows display team and a Provost Jet T4 from the
MaCaws aerobatic team dating back to 1972.
Carnival Chairman Brian Lloyd entered into the spirit of the occasion dressed as Darth Vader.
The fun day kick started a week long list of events, culminating with Silcocks Fair arriving in town.
Picture shows "Top Gun" Nathan Timms in a Hawker Hunter cockpit and members of the George Formby Society.
More pictures will be added later.
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