April 2012 www.frodshamlife.co.uk 1 2 www.frodshamlife.co.uk April 2012 Editor Gary Skentelbery Production Paul Walker Business Manager Editor’s Comment James Balme WHATEVER the outcome of Frodsham's bid to become one of 12 Frodsham's high streets with those of a Advertising "Portas Pilot" towns, we can only commend all those involved city like Preston? What is the value for the amount of work they have put into the application. of a one twelfth share of £1million in Freephone a town the size of Frodsham when 0800 955 5247 We have heard of much midnight only an outside chance of being compared with a city with a oil being burned and even 3am successful. Editorial population of 132,000? Is sessions "on the kitchen table" as the But the towns involved are so Frodsham's shopping centre 01925 631592 bid team raced to meet an extremely diverse that it will depend very much struggling any more than any other in tight deadline. on the criteria applied by those at the these difRcult times? Email Statistically, with more than 150 Department of Communities and Local [email protected] These are all imponderables. towns making bids and the number Government who make the Rnal More important, perhaps, is the growing right up to the deadline, it decision. fact the Town Council, Love Websites has to be admitted that Frodsham has How does one compare www.frodshamlife.co.uk Frodsham, Cheshire West and www.culchethlife.com Chester Council and others have spoken with one voice. All have been www.lymmlife.co.uk Solar savings committed to making the bid www.warrington- HELSBY High School is reaping the environmental and cost-saving beneRts of successful. If it is not, it will be through worldwide.co.uk solar power. A newly-installed 50kWp system - generated by panels on the roof no fault of theirs. We trust that whatever happens, Address - is expected to reduce the school's annual carbon dioxide emissions by 26 tonnes, save £3,000 in electricity every year and generate a yearly income of they will continue to work together for New Media Centre £9,000 through the Government's "feed in tariffs" incentive. the good of Frodsham in the months Old Road Warrington ahead. WA4 1AT Seniors' party Frodsham Life is published monthly by Orbit News Ltd. FRODSHAM Town Council is issuing an invitation to senior citizens to The contents of this magazine attend a special "Seniors Party" at are fully protected by copyright and nothing may be reprinted Castle Park on Sunday, June 3 at or reproduced without prior 2.30pm to celebrate the Queen's permission of the publishers. Diamond Jubilee. Anyone who is aged over 70 on The publishers are not liable for any statement made or opinion June 4 and who lives in Frodsham will expressed by third parties in this be eligible to attend the party. publication. People who wish to attend are asked to contact the Town Council on Printed by TwentyFourSeven 01928 735150 or email [email protected] April 2012 www.frodshamlife.co.uk 3 Players celebrate birth of Dickens with classic FRODSHAM Players are presenting Charles Dickens' classic David Copper)eld at the Frodsham Community Centre next month (May) as part of the author's bicentenary celebrations and the theatre group's landmark 70th anniversary. Adapted by Alastair Cordin the the cruelty and arrogance often show runs)f rom Wednesday May 2 found amongst the wealthy. David's to Saturday May 5, starting at 7.30 experience of education at the hands pm. of the sadistic Mr Creakle is truly During the bicentenary of the birth horrifying. of Dickens, this is one of his best- Alastair Cording's stage loved and most autobiographical adaptation skilfully concentrates on stories, with all his marvellous the essentials of the story without creations of kindness and cruelty: losing the colour, humour and drama Wilkins Micawber, Uriah Heep, of the book. Clara Peggotty, Edward Murdstone, Following his recent success with James Steerforth and Betsey The Lion, the Witch and the Trotwood. Wardrobe Director Michael Mills has Weaving through the colourful again been able to draw upon maze of the storyline is David's youthful talent to perform alongside hopeless infatuation with Dora - and the more senior actors. eventual salvation in the arms of the Tickets, price £7, may be reserved long-suffering Agnes. by ringing the box of:ce TEL. 01928 The tale re;ects Dickens' 732 515: by email at preoccupation with social extremes - playersboxof:[email protected] or the decency and nobility and from Frodsham Frames, Main Street, joyousness of working people and Frodsham DRB 4 www.frodshamlife.co.uk April 2012 Bus stop – but not by request! ONE day it wasn't there, the next it was. The bus stop outside Leonard and Lilian Rice's house in Main Street, Frodsham.. With it, arrived a range of experienced difRculties getting technical and road safety problems, pushchairs and buggies on and off together with disturbance and anti- buses because of the kerb height. social issues. Passengers on the bus could look The couple attended the monthly straight into their living room. meeting of Frodsham Town Council to "It is like living in a goldRsh bowl," air their grievances. Mr Rice told the he said. council the bus stop - which had People sat on their wall, dropping previously been some distance away cigarette ends, crisp bags, drinks along the road - was suddenly moved cans, etc. When he had spoken to in front of their house. There was no them, he had been abused.He had warning and no consultation. noted that 99 per cent of people "We live on a very narrow section getting off buses walked in the of the road where the footpath is also direction of where the bus stop used quite narrow. The bus stops access to to be - a much wider, safer part of the my drive and the bus queues block road. the footpath. Mr Rice added: "We were not There is a one metre square of consulted about this - and I have to road that is clearly collapsing into the ask: Why was it moved?" sewer, despite repeated repairs. The Mayor, Cllr Andrew Dawson, Stopping a 10 tonne bus on it will said bus stops were an issue for hasten its collapse." Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWC) not the Town Council. Mr Rice said bus passengers also Cllr Lynn Riley, CWC's executive member for community and environment, apologised publicly to Taxline Chartered Mr and Mrs Rice and undertook to Accountants investigate the issue. Taxation & Business Advisors making life less taxing... Lake maintenance Phone: 01244 470123 MEMBERS of Frodsham Town Council's Community Committee Exchange Building have agreed the need to consider a St John’s Street, Chester maintenance programme for the Crowmere Lake area and the matter Great service, competitive rates will be discussed at the next meeting of the full council. Frodsham BusinessBridge Lane, Frodsham, Centre WA6 7FZ Easy Access To/From The Motorway Just off M56 Junction 12 Of1ce Suites Available • Sizes Starting From 250sq ft • Other Sizes Also Available • Wide Range To Choose From • Short& Long Term Licences For more information Tel/Fax: 01928 733151 www.frodshambusinesscentre.co.uk April 2012 www.frodshamlife.co.uk 5 Advertiser's announcement King’s Juniors– much more than an education KING'S Junior School for girls and The King’s Junior School offers an boys aged 7-11, offers an inspiring outstanding education, preparing education in small classes within a children academically and socially for separate self-contained school. the Senior School and beyond. Within the small classes in a caring King’s is a high achieving school and supportive environment of the with a vibrant atmosphere. Students Junior School, children Sourish. A are phenomenally successful, with recent inspection described the 100% going to university- 11 student children at the Junior School as went to Oxbridge last year and 86% ‘happy learners’. Overlaid on strong going to one of “The Times Top 30” academic foundations, the curriculum universities. King’s students are offers excellent Drama, Music, Sport articulate, conRdent and valued by and a whole host of other activities the top universities. which give your child every Financial considerations should not opportunity to succeed in a friendly, deter you from visiting, as Rnancial nurturing environment where learning help is available for Senior School, is fun! dependent on parental income. Junior Taster Days for Years 3 - 6 There are taster days in June for children in May give a child the Year 5 children interested in King’s for opportunity to sample life at King’s Senior School. Junior School and for Mums and For more information visit Dads to have a closer look too! www.kingschester.co.uk/welcome 6 www.frodshamlife.co.uk April 2012 Good response for ‘Town Champion’ job More than 22 people have applied for the post of Town Champ- heavyweight candidates, including on with some pace." ion at Frodsham - including some high proBle candidates. entrepreneurs, people with a wide The Town Champion will be experience of local government and This was revealed by the Mayor, although I have never exchanged appointed by a partnership of the people with a wide experience of Cllr Andrew Dawson, at the monthly Christmas cards with any of them. Town Council, Cheshire West and business. Chester Council and business group meeting of the Town Council. "I would imagine everyone on the "Two of them are probably people He said: "There are 23 or 24 Town Council will know at least seven just looking for jobs, but the rest are Love Frodsham.