Mobile objections

A CAMPAIGN group has expressed 'deep concerns' over the impact a 30 metre mobile phone mast could have on Appleton Thorn if planning consent is given.

Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure Ltd has registered a planning application to the council for such a site on Burley Lane.

It is asking for full consent for the proposed installation of a 30 metre lattice tower supporting nine antennas, with two dishes, as well as a 1.8 metre high palisade fence.

Campaign Against Ruining our Environment (CARE) and Appleton Parish Council are objecting to the plans and hope 'common sense will prevail'.

CARE member Kevin McAloon has written to the council, on behalf of the group, to set out his objection.

"We would urge the council to refuse this application on the basis of unacceptable visual amenity," he said.

"Whereas most villagers including me personally will welcome the arrival of generation four telecom technology, many of us are unhappy that the structure will be placed on the edge of our village and therefore will dominate our rural skyline.

"We would therefore urge you to ask the applicants to reconsider the positioning of this proposed structure, away from our village."

Mr McAloon said he would be happy for development to take place on an alternative site, such as on the nearby industrial estate, to serve the '4G needs of villages'.

The council has been urged to visit the site before making a decision.

Farewell to head teacher

A MUCH-LOVED head teacher has bid an emotional farewell to staff and pupils at Moore Primary School after retiring following 37 years in teaching.

Jan MacDonald has been in charge of the school for 11 years but taught the children for 26 years before taking on that role.

To celebrate, the entire school visited Tatton Park in Knutsford for a giant picnic and day of fun and games.

Pupils and staff held a special assembly where every class contributed with thoughts and memories.

Mrs MacDonald said: "Moore School has been the most wonderful place to be and I shall miss all the staff and children very much."

‘Heavy’ chairs issue

THERE have been calls for Appleton Parish Council to purchase new chairs because the current ones are 'uncomfortable' and 'heavy'.

The parish council, which is based at Appleton Parish Hall, on Dudlow Green Road, has handed the matter over to the finance and general purposes committee for a review.

The committee is set to analyse the state of the current chairs and the cost of a potential purchase.

Cllr Peter Walker (LD – Appleton) said: "Some people believe the current chairs are uncomfortable and a bit heavy.

"The committee will come back to us with a recommendation and we will go from there.

"The chairs we have now were especially brought it to replace the previous ones."

DJ’s restaurant set

A RESIDENT DJ will be taking to the decks at new-look Stockton Heath restaurant Piccolino.

The Italian restaurant reopened its doors last Thursday following a refurbishment, which includes the addition of an all weather roof terrace, with a state of the art retractable roof.

The eatery, which first opened its doors on Victoria Square in 2005, also has an extended wine wall and terrace to seat 60 guests on the ground floor.

The DJ will be playing at the venue between Thursdays and Sundays but his start date will be confirmed in 'the coming weeks'.

The restaurant offers a combination of both modern and classic Italian dishes prepared in an open kitchen in full view of diners.

For further information call 211190.

Awards for school

THE good news is continuing to roll in for Stockton Heath Primary School.

In January an Ofsted report said the school was 'good, with outstanding behaviour and safety of pupils'.

The school has now been awarded the Association for Physical Education (AfPE) quality mark and the Warrington Schools' Sports Partnership's school of the year honour.

It is one of only five schools in the town to gain AfPE accreditation.

Together with the school of the year award, it demonstrates the outstanding physical education provision, teaching and learning and staff professional development taking place on site.