Running club hits its stride

MEMBERS of a Westbrook-based running group have launched a campaign to help people in underprivileged countries.

The Warrington Running Club (WRC), who normally meets at The Seven Woods, is collecting unwanted kit, race t-shirts and trainers to send to keen runners in Kenya.

Committee member Dave Yates has called on the public to help collect as many items as possible to send to the country.

WRC was founded in 2012 and, since applying to be affiliated with UK Athletics just over a year ago, the club has gone from strength to strength and now has 200 members.

The group, which meets twice a week, have already been involved in a series of successful running competitions.

Dave said: “The last weekend in May saw one of our running club members complete an amazing feat by becoming only the eighth person in the twelve years of the history of the Edinburgh Running Festival to run a number of events.”

Mike Metcalfe, aged 25, completed a 5k and 10k and the following day completed a half marathon and full marathon.

The group also recently took part in the Liverpool Rock n Roll Running Festival in June.

He said: “In a month that saw the Three Queens sail majestically down The Mersey, WRC strode into Liverpool and made its presence equally felt at the running festival.

“A double-decker bus was filled to capacity with 80 runners and left a trail of primrose and blue at the iconic big wheel.

“We were joined by two members who had secretly arrived separately, in fancy dress as Mr and Mrs Potato Head.”

To find out more about WRC and how to donate visit warringtonrunningcluib.co.uk.

 

Circus triggers concerns for Winwick residents

CONCERNS have been raised about the lack of consultation with Winwick residents about Planet Circus.

Sam Driscoll, of Myddleton Lane, has spoken of his ‘anger and frustration’ after the circus was set up near to her home last week.

He said: “Not only has there been as large amount of disruption over the past week of setting up, there has also been a number of near misses with children and the elderly as HGVs and larger trailers have been brought in constantly over the past 48 hours with no regard for public safety.

“I find it completely outrageous that as a minimum we were not notified of this heavy influx of traffic that prevented my child from using the facilities in which we pay for in council tax.”

Have you been affected by Planet Circus? E-mail lauren.hirst@nqnw.co.uk.

 

Work under way at new development in Westbrook

WORK has begun on a new housing development in Westbrook.

Bloor Homes was granted planning permission to build 123 new homes on land east of Westbrook Crescent in February.

Construction work is now under way on the 5.4 hectare site, which is close to the Gemini Retail Park.

The Willow Vale development will comprise of three, four and five-bedroom properties.

Road access to the site will be through Carina Park to the north, whilst new footpaths will be created to improve links to the surrounding streets.

As part of the development, a contribution of £1.3 million will be made towards transport improvements, including the proposed Warrington West railway station at Chapelford, just two miles south of the site.

A further £866,000 will be provided to fund additional primary school places within two miles of the development and secondary school places within three miles.

Bloor’s Hermitage Green development in Winwick is now almost fully occupied after the last plot was reserved.

 

Raise a mug at Winwick coffee morning

ENJOY a cup of coffee and a chat at Winwick Leisure Centre every Thursday.

A coffee morning will held at the centre on Myddleton Lane from 9am to 12pm.

All ages are invited to attend.

There will also be hot food and cakes available to buy.

Tea and coffee are free.

 

Plans to build bungalow on derelict site in Winwick refused

PLANS to build a new bungalow on the same site where a fire engulfed a house killing a war veteran have been turned down.

The house on Gerosa Avenue in Winwick was destroyed after a blaze broke out on Monday, July 7, killing 94-year-old Samuel James.

Blueprints to build a bungalow on the now derelict land were submitted to the planning authority earlier this year but have been refused.

The proposed development was turned down as it represents an inappropriate form of development in the green belt.

The decision, which has been published on the council’s website, claimed the bungalow would result in a loss of openness and harm to the character and appearance of Gerosa Avenue and Golborne Road.