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Clean sweep
for the Tories
by David Skentelbery
THE new Cheshire West and Chester Unitary Council which will take over local government in the Frodsham, Helsby and Kingsley areas from May 1 next year will have a massive Conservative majority.
After last month's elections for the shadow authority which will prepare for the take-over during the coming year, the Conservatives had 55 seats, Labour 13 and the Liberal Democrats 4.
Vale Royal Council will disappear when the new authority takes over - but in the meantime continues to operation as usual.
The Tories enjoyed a clean sweep in the Frodsham, Helsby and Kingsley areas, taking all six seats.
Coun Les Ford, leader of Vale Royal Council, came top of the poll in Frodsham and Helsby but Labour leader Brian Lloyd was not elected to the new authority.
In Weaver - which includes Kingsley - Vale Royal Mayor Doug Shingler, Ind, was not elected.
But the "casualties" of the elections who are already members of Vale Royal Council will continue to serve on that council until it is dissolved next May.
The results were:
Frodsham and Helsby
(Three seats)
Les Ford (Cons) 2303
Andrew Dawson (Cons) 2254
Mark Ingram (Cons) 2182
Brian Lloyd (Lab) 1389
John Beech (Lab) 1149
Alec Robertson (Lab) 1036
Joan Laming (Lib-Dem ) 641
Frank Pennington (Ind) 528
Tom Reynolds (Ind) 395
Weaver
(Three seats)
Ralph Oultram (Cons) 1927
Lynn Riley (Cons) 1668
Alan McKie (Cons) 1617
Nora Dolphin (Ind) 1109
Frank Dolphin (Ind) 1009
Doug Shingler (Ind) 893
Brian Jamieson (Lab) 622
Ailsa Gaskell-Jones (L-D) 621
Graham Clark (Lab) 575
Eira Bowden (Lab) 523
John Freeman (Ind) 453
George England (Lib-Dem) 341
Andrew Hyde (Lib-Dem) 265
Cheeky cover girls net
£2,000 for charities
by James Parr
DARING businesswomen from Frodsham are celebrating the overwhelming success of their naked calendar – even before it's been printed!
Andrea Ellison and Jane Palombella came up with idea of posing for a “Calendar Girls” style photo shoot to raise money for charity.
Their story was featured on the front of the March edition of Frodsham Life and, as a result, brought them their biggest donation to date.
Andrea said: “Jane gave her cousin a copy of Frodsham Life and she showed it to a friend. They then rang us up and said they were sending a cheque in the post.
"Next thing the cheque arrived - for £2,000!
"The response since the article in Frodsham Life has been fantastic. We’ve more than 300 people pre-ordering their copies already!”
Jane decided to do the calendar to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust after her cousins son, Josh, 18, died of leukaemia.
Mum of three Andrea wanted to take part to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation in memory of her father.
Together they persuaded other Frodsham businesswomen to take part.
The pair will be embarking on a 100km trek across the Sahara Desert following the Berber camel trail, as a second fundraising initiative.
It costs £2,500 to take part in the trek, a sum Andrea and Jane are well on their way to doubling through donations and sales of the calendar.
It is set to hit the shops in Frodsham and surrounding areas on May 9, with a champagne launch party being held that night at The Heathercliffe House Hotel.
For more information about the calendar, and how to sponsor Andrea and Jane contact 07954 123193 or e-mail Andrea directly at slimwithandrea@btinternet.com
Donations can also be made directly at www.justgiving.com/andreaellison
Pictured...Andrea and Jane's daring cover picture from March
Angry outburst over
"closed" police station
by David Skentelbery
AN angry councillor has complained about a notice that has gone up at Frodsham Police Station which states: "This police station is no longer open to the public".
Coun Frank Pennington told Frodsham Town Council that while Cheshire Police were asking for a 17 per cent increase in their budget, a sign had gone up at the local police station saying it was no longer open to the public.
He said: "The notice says that for all enquiries, people should use the call point at the police station to be connected with the enquiry desk at Winsford.
"In addition, if there is trouble in Frodsham, it will be a motorway patrol that is sent to deal with it - not ordinary policemen."
A police spokesman said because of the establishment of specialist help desks the decision was taken to close front desk operations at some police stations, including Frodsham. An external telephone provided a direct to trained call handling staff at Winsford.
However, Inspector Phil Hodgson said officers at Frodsham were still available to the public when on duty.
He said: "If people knock at the door when we have officers there, they will answer and offer what assistance they can. The Neighbourhood Policing Unit is based at Frodsham and we will remain very much a part of the community we serve."
Some motorway officers are based at Frodsham given its proximity to the M56. They are motorway and traffic specialists not utilised to deal with day-to-day enquiries unless they are motorway related.
But if they encounter crimes taking place or other situations calling for police intervention they would take action or offer assistance - as any officer would.
No change for the
torchlight procession
by David Skentelbery
A SUGGESTION that the route of Frodsham's traditional New Year's Eve torchlight procession should be changed has failed to win the support of the Town Council.
The idea came from the council's amenities committee and would have involved the procession leading to Frodsham Community Centre rather than to the Memorial Field.
Coun Rita Shearn, chairman of the amenities committee said the change would enable something to be included for children.
Quite a lot of children took part in last year's procession and it was felt that if it were to end at the Community Centre it would be possible to organise something specially for the children.
Coun Pammi Taylor expressed concern that this would involve the procession crossing two major roads.
Coun Brian Lloyd said the procession was a relatively short event and that most people than went on somewhere else for the New Year celebrations.
Coun Dennis Taylor pointed out that the Community Centre might have a function on itself - and Coun Graham Bondi pointed out that the fireworks which came at the end of the procession could be seen all over the town if set off from the Memorial Field.
Coun Andrew Dawson wondered if St Laurence's Church - starting point for the procession - could be persuaded to introduce something for children.
The council decided not to support the proposed change.
But members agreed to another suggestion from the amenities committee - that the town's Christmas Lights "switch on" should be on Sunday, November 30 rather than at the start of the Christmas Festival, which will be on December 5-6.
Town Council opposes
pipeline plan
by David Skentelbery
FRODSHAM Town Council has lodged an objection to a multi-million £ plan to construct a 35-mile pipeline through the town - despite being told it is vital to secure Britain's future gas supplies.
Councillors voted 4-2 to object on the grounds the pipeline would damage the local environment and the amenity of local residents.
Coun Graham Bondi said: "I am not persuaded it is really needed nor that it will benefit the local area.
"We are always being told we must accept things for the benefit of a wider area - incinerators, wind farms and now pipelines. If Frodsham becomes an easy target we will get more."
Coun Bondi said he believed the scheme was at least partly a commercial venture and he was concerned that the council had not been given enough detail.
The council decided to object after hearing a presentation from representatives of MWH, one of the firms involved in the King Street Gas Storage Project, which involves the creation of huge underground caverns near Northwich which would be used for storing natural gas.
A twin pipeline would pump water from the Mersey Estuary at Bromborough to the King Street site at Northwich. It would be used to create the caverns and would then be pumped back as a concentrated salt solution which would be disposed of in the estuary.
The pipeline would pass through the Frodsham area. It would take about 18 months to complete but the land would be restored to its original condition and care taken to protect the ecology and environment. Surveys had already taken place to avoid preserve wildlife habitats, river corridors and hedgerows.
Two pumping stations would be needed - close to the boat club on the Weaver.
Coun Tony Hinkins wanted to know why the numerous existing caverns in the Northwich area could not be used for storing the gas.
Coun Andrew Dawson said the council must demand the best for the people of Frodsham. He wondered if there could be some planning gain - such as a cycle route along the line of the pipeline which could be used by children going to Helsby High School.
"We should try and exploit this application for the benefit of the people of Frodsham," he said.
The meeting was told Britain had very little gas storage capacity and that by 2015-16 demand could exceed supply by about 20 per cent on the coldest days of the year.
Woodland battles inspire
new children's book
by John Hendon
THE long-running battles to save historic woodlands at Frodsham and Helsby have helped inspire a new children's book.
Journalist David Skentelbery reported on the campaigns to save Frodsham Hill Wood and Harmers Wood at Helsby and later realised they could be used in the book he had been kicking around in his mind for most of his life.
Now the book "Jumbles Wood" has been published and is on sale in Frodsham, Helsby and elsewhere. It's even available in America and online!
It all started with bedtime stories David used to tell his son, Gary - now editor of Frodsham Life - when he was a small boy.
They nearly always involved the adventures of Gary's pet rabbit and various other animals he met when he went off wandering the countryside at night while Gary and the rest of the family were asleep.
During his working day, however, David was reporting on real-life dramas - mainly in the Cheshire area.
He said: "Over the years I reported on fire, flood, storms and human conflict. I saw green fields disappear under housing estates, rivers diverted to allow development, woodlands wiped out and roads built cutting through other green areas - all in the name of progress.
"Fortunately I also witnessed an awakening to the fact that we can't go on. More and more people are pointing out that we only share the planet with the others - the animals and birds - and that we all need each other.
"I decided my book should look at the issue from the point of view of the animals and that it should be aimed at perhaps the most receptive audience - children. They, after all, have the future in their hands.
"I certainly wasn't thinking of global warming when I started telling Gary bedtime stories but it is quite appropriate the book should now be published when it is a topic on everyone's lips.
"'Jumbles Wood' is a work of fiction but I drew inspiration from actual incidents - such as the inspirational campaigns by local people to preserve Frodsham Hill Wood and Harmers Wood."
David's wife, Patricia, has illustrated the book, which also has a small dictionary explaining the meaning of words which younger children might not understand.
"Jumbles Wood" also has its own website - www.jumbleswood.com where children can learn more about the characters, see more pictures of them, send them emails and even get a reply.
Villagers quizzed
on affordable homes
by John Hendon
RESIDENTS of Kingsley are being asked for their views on the provision of "affordable housing" in the village.
A questionnaire has been circulated - with a section for people who wished to be considered for any properties which may be provided in the future.
Affordable housing is defined as property provided for people who can't afford to buy or rent because of high property prices or high rental levels but who wish to remain in the area.
Shared ownership schemes and reduced cost rental scheme could be considered - with agreements to ensure the properties remain affordable in the future. Only small scale schemes would be considered, of up to around 12 properties on a site.
If the survey shows there is a significant level of need in Kingsley, the parish council would take up the issue with Vale Royal Borough Council - or its successor authority - and consult with the local community. The scheme would involve homes being provided by a housing association.
Any new homes provided in Kingsley under the scheme would only be for local people, or people with local connections.
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