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Woman, 82, dies
after road crash
by staff reporter
AN 82-year-old Lymm woman died in Warrington Hospital after being involved in a road collision
in Massey Brook Lane, Lymm.
The woman was in collision with a red Fiat car, apparently while crossing the road.
Police arrested the car driver, a 21-year-old man from Lymm and he was later questioned.
The identity of the woman, from Lymm, has not been revealed.
Police are appealing for witnesses of the incident and anyone who can help should call
Sgt Mike Jones on 01244 613813.
A police spokesman said: "We would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident, or anyone
who noticed a red car being driven in the area."
The accident happened on Tuesday February 28 shortly after 3pm.
Storm breaks over shops
plan for village centre
by David Skentelbery
A STORM is brewing over plans to demolish a house in the historic heart of Lymm village and replace it with a three-storey building comprising of three shops and six apartments.
The plan involves a house at the corner of Pepper Street and Rectory Lane, overlooking the centuries old Lymm Cross.
Shopkeepers in the village are furious about the scheme which they claim will change the character of the Lymm Conservation Area.
Lymm Parish Council has already lodged an objection.
Borough councillor Ian Marks said: "If this scheme goes forward it would change the centre of Lymm forever.
“It is vital that as many people as possible express their views to the planning authority. It is not just nearby residents who would be affected, but everyone in the village. Plans and a computer-generated picture are available at Lymm Library and I do urge everyone to go in and have a look.
Lymm has had more than its fair share of unwelcome development in recent years and we certainly don't want another that could wreck our village forever."
Coun Marks urged residents to write to Warrington Council's development control department at New Town House in Buttermarket Street quoting references 05/07243 and 06/07383.
Parish council chairman Coun Pam Marks said: "While I don't object in principle to development of some kind on this site, I do have major reservations about this scheme.
“It is over-development and the buildings are too high and would dwarf the Cross. There appears to be no provision for delivery vehicles at the retail units and there are already major problems with traffic and illegal parking on Pepper Street. We are also worried that some mature trees might be removed.
“This is a Conservation Area and any development must be in materials that match the older buildings in the village centre."
A computer generated picture of what the development might look like.
Spooky fund-raiser
by Mark Hemmings
THINGS that go 'bump' in the night caused a hair raising experience for Phillip Savage and Danny Newton as the two intrepid
adventurers slept rough in the graveyard of Lymm Baptist Church - all in the name of charity!
The two were keen to raise awareness of the plight of street children in Romania, who have no option, but to
sleep rough on the streets 365 days a year. This is alright in the summer time, but in February the temperature
can drop to minus 20 degrees!!
Phillip and Danny raised the all-important funds via sponsorship for the completion of a children's home in Cluj,
Romania, which when finished will be the home for up to 40 children.
Groups of people from other churches in the surrounding area took part in the same event in their church grounds,
again to increase the awareness of the homeless, and the street children in Romania.
All proceeds from the 'spooky sleepover' will go straight to Emanuel Children's Home in Cluj, Romania.
In addition, and very much awake this time - Lymm Baptist Church is hosting a special concert by Haydock
Male Voice Choir on March 9, which again will be in aid of the children in Romania.
For more information go to http://www.sleep4romania.org
Twin Town members
to take French leave
by staff reporter
MEMBERS of Lymm Twin Town Society are preparing for a visit to twin town Meung-sur-Loire at the end of May.
Now in its 38th year, the twinning arrangement began with a chance meeting in the Spread Eagle between a Lymm Francophile and a French Air Force officer attached to the US base at Burtonwood.
Last year, the Mayor of Meung, Christian Coute and his wife Monique joined the French party to visit Lymm, staying
with parish councillor James Ashington.
This year James will be in the Lymm party to visit Meung - by which time he will be chairman of Lymm Parish Council.
Two of Lymm's primary schools, Cherry Tree and Oughtrington, are establishing links with two similar schools in Meung
and the Twin Town Society believes links at primary school level are essential if the twinning is to survive.
Chairman Peter Birchall said: "In the biennial visits to Meung, Lymm members enjoy great hospitality from their French
hosts and have the chance to visit many parts of the beautiful and historic Loire Valley.
"In May, 50 'Lymmois' will be spending a minimum of five days in Meung."
The Twin Town Society holds several social events each year, between overseas visits, to keep in touch and raise
funds to entertain French visitors.
A year's membership costs a family £6.
Anyone interested in joining can call Mr Birchall on 01925 481783 or treasurer Iain Macfarlane on 01925 753227.
Cards aid
Amazon mission
by Lesley Wilkinson
THIRTY kilos of Christmas and birthday cards collected in Lymm have been sent to villages in the Amazon area
of Brazil to be used for Christian education.
Irene Rowley, of Tower Lane, Lymm, who worked for 36 years as a missionary in Brazil, alongside her husband
Joe and son Nigel, returned to Lymm in 2001 and was determined to continue helping the overseas communities.
She put a note in Statham Post Office saying she was collecting cards to send out to the community and was
overwhelmed by the response.
"I cut off the English words and send them to my ex students who are all now either teachers or pastors in
small communities along the Amazon or deep in poor jungle interior places, where card is beyond their budgets
to buy," she said.
"They are received with great joy and the feed back I've had is terrific," she added.
Irene was featured in Lymm Life magazine in November 2004, for her unusual hobby of collecting pieces of pottery
from a farmer's field near her home to transform into a mosaic.
For nearly 25 years she and her husband worked along the Amazon helping set up churches, and then worked at a
Bible College training others to do the work.
She collects then cards for workers to use to spread the Christian message. The English words are cut out
where possible, and may be replaced with Portuguese phrases by students.
Irene said: "The people are so poor there, that in some cases the cards are used to paper the walls."
She said that Lymm people had been generous in donating cards, and she has two-trunks full that need sorting,
so had stopped collecting for the time being.
She recently sent the 30 packs of cards at a cost of £5 per kilo, to Brazil. She raises money to cover postage
by making cards that she sells cards around the village, including at Lymm Baptist Church where she is a member.
"It was a great privilege for us to work in the communities and it took us a while to settle back in Lymm. But
we are determined to keep helping the people in Brazil," she said.
Half Term
Holiday Club
by Terry Johnson
LYMM Baptist Church is organizing a half term holiday club for all primary school aged children attending schools
in Lymm and surrounding areas of High Legh and Little Bollington.
During the half term break the holiday club members will be searching for treasure on a desert island with the help
of three friendly pirates, Redbeard, Bluebeard and Blackbeard. Following maps, solving puzzles and playing games
together with lots of singing and laughter - can you help find the treasure worth more than silver and gold?
The club has been run in many forms at many churches, including Lymm Baptist, by Ralph Chambers but this year he has
finally stepped down and handed over the reigns to younger members of the church. Organisers would like to say a
big "thank you" to Ralph for all his hard work.
The club starts each morning of the half term holiday at 10.00am the club takes the children on an exciting search
of a desert island. During the morning there will be time spent singing songs, listening to the story of the
three pirates and watching their adventures in live-action drama. All children get the opportunity to have fun
making things in the craft workshops and a chance to win prizes during the daily quiz.
At the end of the week the parents are also invited to an evening event to see the final installment of the drama
and find out what their children have been doing all week. This year there will be the added bonus of a real-life
treasure hunt around Lymm on Saturday for all the family followed by a BBQ at LBC - more details including cost
will be given to all the children attending the holiday club.
The holiday club takes place at the Lymm Baptist Church on Higher Lane
Monday through to Friday 20th - 24th February 2006
10.00am till 12.00pm
Cost £1.00 per day (or £4 for the week)
For more details call Chris Newton the pastor at the church on 752805.
Residents' association
faces "meltdown"
by Terry Johnson
CRISIS moves are under way to try and save the campaigning Statham Residents' Association at Lymm, following impending meltdown of its management.
The association has represented tenants and private residents in Lymm for almost 10 years, during which time it has achieved some notable community successes.
But its main officials will be stepping down at the April annual meeting and new blood is being urgently sought.
Former secretary Marie White, who has served as chairman for the past two years, said: "We are at a crossroads - it is time for new people to get involved in the running of the association".
Current secretary, Elaine Leytham and treasurer, Liz Cross, are also stepping down. So, too, is vice-chairman, Len Sorrell, in his 70's, who is retiring on health grounds.
Said Marie: "It would be a great shame if the association had to fold. Some 840 leaflets are to be delivered to area homes appealing for participation. People can nominate themselves for posts within the association".
The start-up initiative for Statham Residents' Association was taken by Warrington Borough Council in April, 1996.
Since then the association has improved the lives of people in the area. It provided the driving force for compensation grants of between £900 and £3,000 to people whose homes were affected by noise from the second Thelwall Viaduct. It was also involved in provision of a skateboard area for youngsters at Lymm's Ridgeway Grundy Park and the re-surfacing of local roads.
"There have been a number of new developments in Lymm and we are hoping the incoming residents will be supportive to the Statham Association, as well as long-standing residents", said Marie.
Golden Gates Housing – which manages many rented houses in Lymm - is also anxious that the association should continue.
Parents asked: "What are
your children doing
on a Saturday night?"
by David Skentelbery
PARENTS in Lymm are being asked: "Do you know what your children are up to on a Friday and Saturday night?"
The question is being asked by police - and it follows a number of drink-related incidents in the village over the last few weekends.
Police claim underage drinking is behind much of the anti-social behaviour and disorder - which is also affecting residents in the neighbouring villages of Thelwall and Grappenhall.
Insp Stuart Woodcock said: "Most of the problems are occurring in and around the centre of Lymm on a Friday and Saturday night and we know local youths are involved."
To curb the behaviour, officers have mounted extra patrols in hot spot areas to coincide with the times youths are gathering. As a direct result of this action Police Community Support Officers seized a haul of alcohol from under 18s including cans of lager, a bottle of strong cider and a bottle of Baileys.
Recently, 10 youths from Partington, who had travelled into the area with knives and knuckle dusters, were arrested after police launched an intelligence-led operation to prevent violent disorder breaking out.
Enquiries are also continuing to trace those responsible for damage caused at a pub in the village. Licensees are working closely with the police as part of the "pub watch" scheme which has resulted in four youths being banned from all public houses in the village.
Insp Woodcock added: "There will be more patrols at weekends and there will be further arrests made to deal with the minority of people who are responsible for this disorder."
But officers are keen to stress that parents need to take responsibility for the actions of their children and work with police to put a stop to the anti social behaviour.
PCSO Alex Stacey said: "The public know there is a problem and want us to take action, which we are doing. But we need parents to do their bit as well and start asking their children questions about where they are going and what they are up to at weekends. We also need shops and off licences to continue working with us to stop the sale of alcohol to underage drinkers."
Anyone with information about crime can contact Cheshire Police on: 0845 458 0000, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on: 0800 555 111.
Pictured are PCSOs Darren Dennis and Alex Stacey and alcohol seized by the officers.
"Affordable" homes
plan runs into trouble
by David Skentelbery
MOVES by Lymm Parish Council to free-up two underused sites for affordable housing have run into trouble.
Borough planning chiefs have vetoed suggestions by the parish that council-owned land in Northway and off Princess
Road and John Road, on the Elms Farm estate could be used for affordable housing developments.
Coun Sheila Woodyatt expressed disappointment at the negative response from the borough.
She said: "These sites are used for garages which are underused and, although they are small, could have accommodated
some much needed affordable housing.
"The planners say the sites would have been over-developed, which when you consider some of the other developments
which have been allowed in Lymm in recent years, is disappointing."
Elvis and friends
in Santa challenge
by Gary Skentelbery
"ELVIS" was alive and kicking at Clau Wau - The World Santa Claus Championships, Samnaun, Switzerland, in the shape of
former Lymm resident Matthew Brown and his right Royal friends!
Decked out as "Elvis" with the help of his mum Su (pictured) Matthew and his friends took part in a variety
of events including chimney climbing, a Reindeer (donkey) race, snowball throwing, a toboggan race, beer
barrel ski race climaxing in a stage performance.
The team representing the UK was: King (Elvis) santa, Matthew Brown , Lymm
Camilla santa, Michelle O'Connell - Billericay, Charles santa, Gerwin Gfrerer - Innsbruck, Austria and Queen santa,
Marcel Jenewien - Innsbruck, Austria.
Their antics were followed by the airline film crew (ITV) to be aired in February.
Self confessed skiing addict and online tourism marketing consultant, Matthew now lives in Innsbruck, Austria and has
recently launched www.skiingaustria.co.uk and www.gotosnow.co.uk - ski and snowboard information portals with online
booking of ski hotels, ski flights, car rentals and ski insurance.
Pictures show Matthew being dressed for the occasion by mum Su and on location with his Royal friends.
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