May 2016 www.culchethlife.com 1 2 www.culchethlife.com May 2016 Editor Gary Skentelbery Production Paul Walker Editor’s Comment Advertising James Balme AFTER reporting local news for your vote. more than three decades it takes When the time comes to vote Freephone a lot to shock me - but the recent please go out and vote and use in the future following his decision 0800 955 5247 incident involving the Shaw Street your vote for the best person to do to stand down as a councillor. recreation ground left me sickened. the job locally. Whatever you may think of Chris Editorial What sort of person or people Try and look beyond the political 01925 623633 and I certainly haven’t always can go to the trouble of taking party colours and vote for the agreed with some of his political Email bags out of a dog litter bin and person you think best to represent practices, he has undoubtedly [email protected] then smear the contents over play our local communities. worked hard in the community equipment? Finally putting politics to one side Websites raising issues and has been an It defies belief that anyone could I would like to wish Chris Vobe well excellent communicator. www.culchethlife.com be so depraved that they could www.frodshamlife.co.uk stoop this low in our so called www.lymmlife.co.uk civilised world. www.warrington- Fortunately Warrington Borough Tree work approved worldwide.co.uk Council moved quickly to clean up PLANNING chiefs have given the go-ahead for tree surgery work on www.warrington.tv the mess within 24 hours of it being protected trees at the rear of new development at Culcheth Hall Farm Barns, Address reported by a local resident. Withington Avenue, Culcheth. New Media Centre As far as I am aware nobody The work will be subject to conditions, including no work being undertaken Old Road Warrington has been brought to book for this eight metres from ground level to retain the screening value of the trees. WA4 1AT gross act. Ivy can be removed from the base of the trees to allow for more light and I doubt those involved have the increase visibility for tree defects. In addition, willow growing near a pond ability or mentality to understand can be thinned out by 50 per cent. the depths of their depravity or even the possible health consequences Culcheth Life is published of their actions. monthly by Orbit News Ltd. If by any chance anyone reading this does know who was The contents of this magazine responsible please report them are fully protected by copyright and nothing may be reprinted to the authorities as they clearly or reproduced without prior have some kind of psychological permission of the publishers. problems which require treating – more so than any punishment to fit The publishers are not liable for any statement made or opinion the crime! expressed by third parties in this Meanwhile many of you will publication. probably be aware the local elections are almost upon us and I Printed by TwentyFourSeven am sure our local politicians have been busy out and about seeking May 2016 www.culchethlife.com 3 Church celebrates its 50th anniversary CULCHETH Methodist Church central Methodist Church, to buy School on Warrington Road since its anniversary with a number is marking 50 years since it first land at the corner of Burton Close 1958. of events. Throughout May, opened its door in May, 1966. for the grand sum of £825 in 1962. The hall was opened in an exhibition of photographs, The church – then considered Building work on the current September 1965 and the Church memorabilia and documents will be to be quite futuristic in design – church began two years later. was dedicated on May 19, 1966. on display. A number of previous was built after local people raised Prior to construction of the In the 50 years since, an organ ministers and church members enough money through personal church, services had been held at was commissioned, the current have returned to preach in this foyer added, the courtyard was anniversary year, including Rev giving, alongside a grant from the what was then Culcheth Secondary filled with a glazed conservatory Paul Martin and Rev Phillip Berry on and a multi-use games pitch was May 15. The anniversary weekend included in the garden. will include an activity day and a The building has been filled special service and lunch on May with, among many other things, 21 and May 22. a nursery, pre-school, Scout and A leaflet about the events is Guide groups, choirs, fellowship available in the church foyer and and bible study groups, as well as further information can be found on weekly services. the web at www.leighandhindley. The church is celebrating org.uk. • Professional, approachable, affordable • Accounts preparation & tax returns for individuals & companies • Bookkeeping, payroll & vat Members of the congregation and the church 50 years ago. • Capital Gains, Estate Planning & Probate Work • Business start up advice • First meeting free of charge Deadline for the June issue of Culcheth Life Call Nigel Healey now on 01925 767222 Abacus House, 450 Warrington Road, Culcheth WA3 5QX is May 17 www.hunterhealey.co.uk 4 www.culchethlife.com May 2016 Retiring councillor ‘overwhelmed’ at support from residents A COUNCILLOR who announced earlier this year that he would not be seeking re-election in this month’s elections says he has been “overwhelmed” by the support he has received from local residents. Cllr Chris Vobe, a member of the borough council, Culcheth and Glazebury Parish Council and Croft Parish Council, announced in January that he was standing down from all three because of “a wide variety of other commitments.” He says he has not previously publicly commented on the feedback he has received to give candidates contesting the elections “breathing space.” But now he has publicly thanked all those who have offered kind words and good wishes since his announcement. He said: “I have been overwhelmed by the many messages I have received from local residents. “Whether ‘phone calls, emails, text messages, or even those who have stopped me in the street, the feedback from neighbours, friends and those I have represented for the past four years has been humbling. “I thought it was important to allow Labour’s new candidates the breathing room to set out their priorities and vision for our community, which is why I have not commented publicly before – although I have spoken privately with everyone who has been in touch and offered them my personal thanks for their kind words. “Since before I was first elected, I have been simply bowled over by the loyalty and support that my fellow residents have shown me. “I was especially humbled by the petition which was drawn up locally, asking me to reconsider my decision and seek re-election. That that petition drew such a high number of signatures is something which I find deeply touching. “However, despite the best attempts from so many of my fellow villagers to twist my arm, I felt it was right to stick to my original decision. “I am delighted to be able to look back over the past four years and highlight the many positive things we have achieved for our villages – those achievements have come about not because of any one individual, but by our community working together and championing our causes so effectively. It has been my privilege to work alongside so many local people to deliver successful outcomes on wide-ranging issues across Culcheth, Glazebury and Croft." May 2016 www.culchethlife.com 5 6 www.culchethlife.com May 2016 Howzat! A Vandals great start to stoop to the summer THE curtain has gone up on the local cricket season – and a new Glazebury Cricket Club started in fine style. There were fine wins for both the low 1st XI and the 2nd XI in the opening games in the Cheshire Cricket LITTER louts and vandals have Alliance. stooped to a new low at a recently The 1st XI entertained Saughall refurbished play ground in at Hurst Lane and bowled them out Culcheth, smearing equipment with for a modest 84 in 32 overs after dog excrement taken from nearby dog bins. winning the toss and electing to Local resident Nick Taylor was field first. appalled by what he found at the Skipper Sam Stanier took 5-22 Shaw Street Recreation Area. with his pace bowling and fellow Mr Taylor says the recently paceman David Acton took 2-19. refurbished play area has become Then Glazebury batted and hit the target of some fairly unsavoury off the necessary runs for the loss environmental crimes including of only two wickets, opener Jack repeated littering and emptying of Warhurst hitting an unbeaten 48, the litter bins. Bags of dog faeces were taken including a six and five fours. and their contents spread on ramps The 2nd XI travelled to Ashley in the skateboard area creating an where they batted first and hit environmental hazard. a formidable 265-7, Anthony An area near the newly Meulman hitting 91, Phil McCue resurfaced car park has been dug 30, Michael Nutkins 36, and up and the stones used to throw at children and will need professional to have been isolated incident, but skipper David Nicholson 34. the rugby club changing rooms and attention to make it safe.” if anybody has any information The home side were bowled out strewn across the car park along Mr Taylor said the matter had for 118, Nicholson taking 3-36, with broken glass.