JUST about everyone expects if there’s spare sliver of land anywhere in greater Warrington, that either a mega-warehouse or housing estate will spring up.

And the announcement that another £30 million deal has been struck for Omega South, for manufacturing or logistics, is another vital shot in the arm for the borough and county.

(Perhaps not so much for everyone living from Callands to Chapelford but you can’t have everything.) But it was another less-touted communique, this time from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, that brought a little sparkle to Podium’s jaundiced eye.

Because Warrington, close neighbours in Trafford – and Cheshire – have been successful in securing a Leader programme, with the specific aim of boosting rural jobs and tourism.

Now Podium’s experience of rural affairs in Warrington is limited to a couple of summers at a farm in Lower Whitley, spud-picking and hay-baling with a couple of mates.

Nevertheless the opportunity to redress the balance between the borough’s urban sprawl and its leafier edges should be seized by farmers north and south of the river.

In my other life, I’ve seen the significant benefits Leader programmes, funded by the European Union, can have on particular areas.

That’s real spending, specifically targeted at rural communities, which may feel left behind, and may be further bereft if the present government continues to cut social spending to the bare bones, only providing for basic needs in deprived inner towns and cities, cutting the rural population adrift.

  •  Last week we ventured into the stormy waters of international affairs – this week we might vote to bomb Syria.

As postulated seven days ago, there’s a seemingly unstoppable momentum for some form of military action.

Hopefully our two MPs will be given a free vote by their respective parties, to come to whatever decision they see fit in a Commons vote (and there really isn’t a right or wrong stance in these circumstances.) This has not been assisted by paring down the ‘might’ of our armed forces to virtually a skeleton staff in recent years.

But just as long as our commanders can play ‘Call of Duty: The Isis Years’ from a remote bunker underneath Salisbury Plain, we’ll be fine, surely?

  • This week sees the departure of Michael Boden from the Good Ship Guardian and I, along with dozens of his colleagues past and present, wish the old warhorse well for the future.

In a career spanning more than 40 years, Chief photographer Mike has seen it all, from Sankey Street to The Academy, from the joys of Wire at Wembley to the untellable heartache of Bridge Street.

He’s shepherded countless reporters through the perils of covering one of the largest towns in Britain, sharing the legend of The Secret Chippy (think Longshaw Street), with a dry wit and steady eye.

Hopefully I’ll always be able to catch up with Mike at The King’s Club in Latchford, or some forsaken Challenge Cup away tie in Dewsbury. Cheers Bodey.

  •  Fairly soon a new rail franchise will be awarded for part of our train network and. Podium spent a morning with current holder Northern Rail’s business development director Barry Graham.

He was unable to shed any more meaningful light on the desperately-needed Warrington West station (even more crucial given the Omega news).

But he was at least able to give an explain why electric trains whizz through Newton and Earlestown but not Warrington Central and Birchwood – it’s all down to connectivity with the West Coast Main Line apparently.

Whoever wins (Arriva and Govia are also contenders) we’re promised 200 extra services for the region, free Wi-fi and 120 new diesel trains. Can’t wait.