Cholmondeley plan

APPROVAL was sought by the Cholmondeley Estate for the conversion of a barn to residential.

The estate submitted the application at Oak Farm, Hetherson Green Lane, Bickley.

A two-storey aspect of the barn faces the road with single-storey space at the rear, according to a report.

The application included a new two-car garage and involved the demolition of two nearby dilapidated timber structures.

The borough council agreed the application could have permission.

Pride at primary

YOUNGSTERS at a suburban primary school are proud of their school, Ofsted inspectors found.

They reached their conclusion after a two day inspection of Hoole Church of England primary.

The inspectors rated the school as ‘good’ overall with good prospects for further improvement. They commented on the progress made since a previous inspection.

Effective leadership and management ‘with a relentless focus on improvement’ had successfully steered the school through an unsettled period of staffing.

Key areas of the school’s work had improved and the overall quality of teaching, the curriculum and pupils’ progress had moved from ‘satisfactory’ to ‘good’.

Police check drivers

THE chairwoman of Cheshire Police Authority says breath tests are making ‘a major contribution to safety’ in Cheshire during the Christmas and New Year period.

Margaret Ollerenshaw spent an evening with police officers carrying out roadside safety checks in the Chester and Knutsford areas.

She saw early evening checks on the A51 near Chester, then moved on to the Knutsford motorway services area and finally on to the A556 near Knutsford.

Officers stopped vehicles for speeding or for having defective lights.

In all cases where drivers showed any signs of drinking or taking drugs, they were tested.

Several of the tests proved positive and resulted in arrests.

Mrs Ollerenshaw said: “I was very impressed with the way the officers dealt with all aspects of these checks.”

Tip Top restaurant

CHESTER community theatre group Tip Top Productions has announced its corporate sponsors for the 2011/2012 season as The Rectory restaurant.

The restaurant, situated on Cathedral Close, is set to support Tip Top productions at The Forum Studio Theatre for the upcoming season including comedy Fawlty Towers and upcoming pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk.

The partnership will also see the restaurant and theatre work together on a variety of opportunities for theatregoers across the Cheshire region including pre-theatre dinner offers, group discounts and special theatre/dinner bookings.

Ramblers’ diary date

CHESTER Rambling & Hill Walking Club has a New Year’s Day walk at Eryrys and Nercwys Mountain, the leader is Sue Howard.

On Wednesday, Cyril Langman will lead at Acton Bridge for 13km (eight miles)

For more information, call 01244 347742 or visit the website at www.chesterwalking.com.

Poor school results

A VILLAGE primary school is among the worst performers in the borough, league tables reveal.

The latest Key Stage 2 performance table shows Audlem St James’s Primary School is ranked 118th out of 124 schools in Cheshire East.

The DoE table, published earlier this month, shows only 60% of pupils reached the expected level in both English and maths. The average is 81% in Cheshire East (national average 74%).

Around 65% reached the expected level in English, while 80% reached the required level in maths alone.

The ranking puts Audlem below schools in deprived areas such as Underwood West, Oakefield and Pebble Brook primary schools in Crewe.