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End of the road
for village cobbles!
EXCLUSIVE by Gary Skentelbery
ANCIENT cobbles which have lined the streets of a local village for more than a century are being ripped up and sold
by a council contractor - with the full blessing of the town's highway chiefs!
The cobbles are being removed as part of road improvement works at Lymm, Warrington.
Local councillors are outraged that the cobbles are being sold, possibly for profit.
"This is our village heritage which is being sold," said dismayed Lymm councillor Mrs Sheila Woodyatt.
"It is disgraceful that this is being allowed to happen. I am most annoyed that as a local councillor I knew
nothing about this. Even if the cobbles are worthless we should have been informed and given some say in the matter.
"At the very least the parish council should have been consulted. There is talk of the village perhaps one day
becoming a pedestrianised area and these old cobbles may have proved useful.
"We need to be more careful about how contracts are awarded and now there is a new administration at the town hall
we will be ensuring procedures are tightened up."
Council leader Ian Marks, who also represents Lymm, said he was "concerned" to hear about the practice of selling
the cobble stones.
"Procedures certainly need to be tightened up and we will be looking at contracts like this very closely,"
he added.
Local shopkeepers were outraged when they heard the cobbles were being dug up and sold by the contractors.
One said: "Cobbles like this can sell on the open market for around £10 each so there could be a few thousand pounds worth
of cobbles ending up in someone's back garden!"
Jonathan Plant, the borough council's Design Consultancy Manager, said: “Eagle Brow has for some time been a high priority road
maintenance project as part of the considerable investment, being made by the Council, in bringing the road
condition up to the standard expected of a main road. The condition of the road, evidenced by years of pothole
repairs is such that full rebuilding of the road has been necessary, rather than simply resurfacing the top layers.
“At the Bridgewater Street end of the road, an area of sett paving previously covered by tarmac is being removed
and replaced with conventional macadam construction. The area of sett paving is riddled with pot hole repairs and
service trenches and has a thin layer of tarmac over the top of it, and this has no doubt contributed to the
failure of the current road surface.
"The setts are polished and potentially have low resistance to skidding
and structurally, the condition of the stone could not be guaranteed for reuse. As we have no plans to incorporate
the old setts into the project, they are being removed from site by the contractor who is entitled to any residual
value they have, if any.
“The project does however incorporate a considerable enhancement to the street environment through the heart of
the village, as new sett paving, to current specifications and design standards will be provided adjacent to
the lower dam”.
Picture shows the road improvement works on Eagle Brow and (inset) Lymm councillors Sheila Woodyatt and Ian
Marks
Post Office to stay put
for another 12 months
by David Skentelbery
LYMM Post Office is to continue operating from its present premises for about 12 months – and could even stay there permanently.
A pledge has been given by Post Office chiefs following a meeting with Lymm Parish Council
The Bridgewater Street premises has been sold to a private buyer – and it was originally announced that it would close around June.
Also due to close was the adjoining sorting office which employers 18 Royal Mail staff.
But now, Chris Roberts, rural transfer advisor for the Post Office, has assured the council there will continue to be a Post Office service from the current location for about 12 months.
A temporary postmaster has been appointed with effect from May 26 and the Post Office is looking for alternative accommodation for post office in the centre of Lymm.
The Post Office could also remain at its current location if a new postmaster is found.
Anyone interested in taking over as postmaster in Lymm should contact the Post Office Agent Recruitment Centre on 0845 6016260.
Vandals attack park
skateboard centre
by David Skentelbery
VANDALS have attacked the skateboard facility in Ridgeway Grundy Park at Lymm.
A group of youths used a five litre tin of white paint to daub slogans, insults and names over the ramps and spilled paint across the tarmac.
Kieran Walshe, chairman of the Ridgeway Grundy Memorial Park Association said: "The damage leaves one of the ramps unusable and is likely to cost hundreds of pounds to clear up.
"
The skateboard park was controversially built by Lymm Parish Council, despite strong opposition from residents who feared it would just add to existing problems of vandalism and youth disorder in the park.
Mr Walshe added: "This is just what we said would happen. The skateboard park has been vandalised like this twice in the few months since it was opened. Now it looks a disgrace. We want the parish council to get this mess cleaned up immediately and to take steps to stop this kind of thing happening.
"These youths almost certainly live in the village. The culprit's clothes will have been stained with white paint when they left the park. The police are investigating, and would welcome any information, in confidence."
Coun Bob Barr, a member of the parish council and Warrington Borough Council, said: "Both the ramps were covered in graffiti daubed in white emulsion paint.
"Heavy rain washed much of it away but we have arranged with the borough council to have it all removed.
"This is very disappointing and very unsightly and something we deplore. But it is only a minor setback. Most of the time the skateboard facility is well used by local youngsters enjoying themselves, often accompanied by their parents.
"We cannot be sure whether it was local youths or youths from Partington.
"There have been ongoing problems of vandalism in the park for 20-30 years.
"We have asked the Police Community Support Officers to give extra attention to the park but they cannot be there all the time. We would also like to work with the park association to help protect the park."
Council has new
Lib-Dem leader -
thanks to Tories!
by Gary Skentelbery
LYMM Lib Dem councillor Ian Marks is the new leader of Warrington Borough Council.
It follows a pact with the Tories to over throw Labour who had been in control since 1983.
Tory leader Keith Bland will be deputy leader of the council.
Meanwhile Liberal Democrats increased their vote in Lymm in the borough council elections, with parish councillor
Bob Barr polling 2,117 votes - the second highest number for his party in the last six years.
Only once before during that period have the Liberal Democrats polled more than 2,000 votes in Lymm
and that was in 2004 when long-standing councillor Ian Marks polled 2,183.
The result means Lymm continues to be represented on the borough council by two Liberal Democrats and one
Conservative - Coun Sheila Woodyatt, whose personal following appears to transcend party political allegiances.
She has consistently topped the poll when defending her seat, polling 2,820 in 2001 and 2,484 in 2004.
The Labour vote fell away this year, with their candidate, an experienced borough councillor from another
area, polling one of their lowest totals of recent years, while the Green Party made little impact.
The full result in Lymm was: Robert Barr (Lib-Dem) 2,117; Philip Bachmayer (Con) 1393; Chris Fitzsimmons (Lab)
270; Kenneth Wilson (Green) 138.
End of the road
for bus number 37!
by Gary Skentelbery
MORE than 500 people have signed a petition in a bid to save a vital bus service in Lymm.
Arriva North West have withdrawn the No 37 which runs between Warrington and Altrincham via Lymm and Broomedge.
They have also varied the times of the No 38 which also runs between Warrington and Altrincham but
via Lymm and Warburton.
Local councillor Ian Marks has presented the petition to Warrington Borough Council's Chief Executive David Whitehead
and urged action.
He said: "This service is vitally important for many people and it is regretted that changes have been made at
a time when we are trying to encourage people to use public transport.
In the words of the petition, it is a ‘lifeline’ for many.
"We realise that the Council’s Public Transport Office is actually involved in this issue and is looking
at various options with Bus Operators. I urge the Council to do all it possibly can to retain this service,
in a modified form."
Fellow councillor Bob Barr (pictured) said, "People talk about the need for integrating transport but this is a case
of disintegrated transport. We have received a large number of complaints from bus users about these
proposals. People are angry because the withdrawal flies in the face of attempts to encourage more people
to use public transport and cut down on the use of their cars. Residents of semi-rural areas like Broomedge
who don't have cars are worried about being cut off. Schoolchildren would be badly affected too.
"The new housing development at Longbutt Lane only received planning permission because of the inclusion of
allegedly affordable housing. Linked to this is the importance of easy access to public transport. If these
proposals go through it makes a mockery of this commitment."
Coun Barr added: "The reduced bus service would make it very difficult for people commuting from Lymm to work in Altrincham and
Manchester. There are already difficulties about the timing of services relative to people's working hours.
If buses are late or don't turn up people must have a back-up that will get them to and from work at an
acceptable time. These proposals would make life extremely difficult.
"I urge Arriva to think again and for the Public Transport Department at Warrington Borough Council to bring
their weight to bear on coming up with some alternative arrangements to safeguard the needs of the public."
Derek Bowes, commercial manager for Arriva North West and Wales, said: “I can confirm that the 37 service, which runs
between Warrington and Altrincham, has been withdrawn.
“However, evening and Sunday journeys on this service, currently operated by Arriva under contract to Cheshire
County Council and GMPTE, will continue to run as normal.
“Whilst we realise this decision will disappoint some of our customers, we would ask them to recognise that we
must allocate resources to where they are of most benefit to most people.
“Local authorities do have the right to offer services for competitive tender, which cannot operate commercially
because of low usage, but are deemed socially necessary. Talks have been held with the relevant authorities
and we will, of course, continue to keep our customers informed.
“The 38 service will continue to operate every hour, although there will be slight timetable changes in order
to create better links with other local services.”
Rent demand could
force club to close
by Gary Skentelbery
LYMM youth club could be forced to close following a demand for a massive rent increase
of £4,500 from Warrington Borough Council.
Lymm Youth Club, which is already opens just one night a week due to funding and staffing issues
had previously enjoyed a "pepper corn" rent from the council.
Youth Club Chairman Paul Littler said: "The future of the youth club is uncertain unless a new lease and reasonable
rent can be negotiated.
"It is also subject to us finding adequate funding to maintain the facility for the benefit of the community."
The building was "owned by trustees" who are now long deceased but is situated on borough council land in
Bridgewater Street, Lymm, next to the picturesque Bridgewater Canal.
It is currently used as a youth club on a Monday evening and also opens on a Thursday, providing refreshments
for people visiting the local market.
Mr Littler and local councillor Sheila Woodyatt, together with other members of the management team, are
currently trying to negotiate a new deal but have been served notice on the lease which is due to run out in
September.
The local authority are believed to be demanding a rent of £4,500 a year in return for a new 10 year lease.
A number of youth clubs and community centres across Warrington have been closed in recent years due to
financial cut backs which have also affected the council's youth service.
Nobody from the borough council was able to comment.
Pub couple held captive
as raiders grab cash
by David Skentelbery
A LICENSEE and a woman bar supervisor were locked in a bedroom by a gang of four men who raided their Lymm pub.
Money was stolen from the tills, a safe and a cash machine at The Crown Inn, in Booths Hill Road..
Neither the 22-year-old landlord nor his 21-year-old assistant were hurt in the raid but both were left badly shaken by the terrifying ordeal.
It was 2.30am when the pair were tidying up after the pub had closed. The woman went upstairs to the bathroom and was grabbed from behind by a man who placed his hand over her mouth and said: “Shut up and you won’t get hurt.”
Three other men then appeared from a rear bedroom – and the woman screamed.
The landlord ran upstairs but was met by two of the intruders on the stairs and was overpowered.
Both were then held prisoner while the gang ransacked the pub, stealing money from various places. Then they were locked in a rear bedroom while the offenders made their escape.
It is believed they left in a dark coloured car with no lights showing.
The four men were all wearing dark clothing and black ski-masks. All are said to have been of medium build, varying in height from 5ft 8 to 6ft. One was carrying a black crowbar.
Police are appealing for witnesses. Anyone who can help is asked to call DC Gordon Wilson on 01244 613832.
Sooty- the
inside story!
by Terry Johnson
THE man who brought laughter to millions in a career spanning 25 years with children's tv favourite Sooty will be
stepping out of the shadows this summer as part of Lymm village's annual Festival.
Matthew (Peter) Corbett, who took over the hand-puppet, 'Sooty', from his father, Harry, to entertain families
for a second quarter-century, is to reveal how one of the most famous bears in the country took over their lives.
But his furry friend will not be making a guest appearance due to legal reasons - and the show is certainly
not suitable for children!
Matthew - real-life, Peter - (pictured outside his home) made his home in Lymm eight years ago, having helped make the 'Sooty Show' the
longest running children's tv show in the world.
He will recount anecdotes of his years in tv and theatre at the Lymm Festival in July - but warns
that many of the out-takes are unsuitable for children!
"The show, entitled '25 Years Sticking Your Hand Up a Teddy Bear's Bottom', is not for the faint-hearted",
said Peter.
Harry Corbett bought the original 'Sooty' bear for 7s. 6pence from a novelty shop on Blackpool Pier and
introduced him to millions of children in 1948, the year that Peter was born.
In 1957 'Sooty' was given a chum, 'Sweep', and Harry's performances continued until he suffered a heart attack.
The series went on and in 1993 'Matthew' signed a deal with Granada Tv for a new series, 'With Sooty and Co'.
The tv bear's celebrity status was closely followed by national newspapers who carried headlines like 'No Sex
for Sooty'.
Peter, who lives alongside the Bridgewater Canal, will be showing 'Sooty' memorabilia to festival-goers -
including a miniature copy of the OBE medal awarded to his father, who died in 1989, aged 71.
The show is at Lymm's Spread Eagle Hotel on July 6-7......but for legal reasons 'Sooty' will not be able to
attend.
Lymm Cruising Club will be presenting a fast-paced festival comedy, 'Out on a Lymm', written and directed by
Nick Johnson, from Oughtrington.
The festival also presents Peter Read's one-man show, Dylan Thomas in America, which received excellent reviews
at last year's Edinburgh Fringe.
Lymm has also invited back Oddsocks Theatre to present Shakespeare's 'The Taming of the Shrew' in the garden of
Cotebrook House.
Festival programmes are available from mid-May.
Booking details on www.lymmfestival.org.uk
Tributes paid to
former council clerk
by Gary Skentelbery
TRIBUTES have been paid to Geoffrey Atkinson, the former Clerk of Lymm Parish Council, who has died aged 78.
Geoff became Parish Clerk in 1982 and served in this role for nearly 18 years. He was involved with the building
of the extension to the Village Hall and with the introduction of CCTV in the village centre.
Geoff was especially proud of the traditional streetlights installed in the centre and the re-gilding of
the weather vane on the Cross.
He was born in Warrington and educated at Stockton Heath Primary and Lymm Grammar Schools. After National
Service he joined the Rio Tinto Zinc Group and worked in various sales and marketing roles.
He leaves a widow, Mabel and a son and daughter.
Yvonne Cook, who took over from him as Clerk, said, “I couldn't have wished for a better predecessor
as he showed great patience in passing on his extensive knowledge about the workings of the Parish Council.
Nothing was too much trouble for Geoff and he never complained when I needed to ask for help many years
after he had retired."
Councillor Sheila Woodyatt said, “Geoff Atkinson was a lovely man and a gentleman in every sense of the
word. When he became our Parish Clerk it soon became obvious that he would do an excellent job for us.
He quickly became part of the Council, joining in everything that went on and giving full support to
the Chairman each year. We were very sad when he retired but he still kept in touch with us and came
to Parish events. He was a good friend and we will miss him."
Councillor Ian Marks added, “Geoff and I had a similar background in industry so we had a common bond.
I strongly valued his judgement and he had a way of getting to the point when we had problems to deal with.
The people of Lymm have much to thank him for and we will all miss him greatly.”
Geoff was also heavily involved with the Methodist Church acting as Treasurer at Stockton Heath and for
the Circuit. He was a JP and served as Vice-Chairman of Relate / Marriage Guidance.
Picture shows Geoff Atkinson with Town Crier, Peter Powell on Lymm Cross in 1999
Shops plan thrown out in
historic village centre
by David Skentelbery
PLANNING chief have thrown out controversial proposals for shops and flats in a three-storey building overshadowing historic Lymm Cross.
Warrington's development control committee refused planning consent for the development which would have involved demolition of an existing detached house and the removal of an old, standstone wall.
The scheme, put forward by developers Majornet Ltd, had caused a storm of protest from local people.
There were objections from Lymm Parish Council, the Domville Close Residents Association and more than 35 villagers.
Parish council chairman Pam Marks said the proposed building would be too high, given its close proximity to Lymm Cross.
Historically the house to be demolished was constructed as a condition of the planning consent when Domville Close was built at the rear of the site. This condition was imposed because the cottage that originally stood on the site had been knocked down without permission.
"To allow the demolition of this house will nullify the spirit of that permission," Coun Marks said.
"This development needs rethinking and a two story sympathetic structure made of local brick and set back from the pavement could be considered.
Coun Sheila Woodyatt said: "It is an extremely sensitive site and the proposal has caused a great deal of local concern.
"Lymm Cross is a well known landmark and makes the village centre very precious. It attracts many visitors, including artists.
"I do not oppose the principle of development but the present proposal is over large, over dominant and damaging to views of the historic Cross."
Coun Ian Marks expressed concern at the speed with which the planning application had gone through, in view of its importance. Many local people did not know about it and there appeared to have been no notices on lamp posts as was usually the case.
He said the scheme represented over-development of the site which would have highly detrimental effect on the street scene and would dominate and dwarf the Grade 1 Listed historic Cross only few metres away.
Car parking was already a major problem in the village and the plan had no parking provision for the shops and, more importantly, no provision for delivery vehicles.
The development would change the centre of Lymm for ever more, he added.
Officers had recommended the scheme be approved - and claimed it would enhance the historic village centre.
But the committee disagreed and refused permission.
Pictured...a computer generated image of what the development would have looked like.
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