Hero police officer
died in bid to
rescue children
by David Skentelbery
A WARRINGTON police officer who died as he helped rescue children swept out to sea by a “rip” tide in Australia has been hailed as a hero.
Stunned colleagues of PC Jonny Speakman at Warrington are mourning the loss of a brave officer who had a promising police career ahead of him.
PC Speakman was in the fifth week of a visit to Australia when he met his death on a beach known as Spoon Bay, north of Sidney.
The 33-year-old constable, who was attached to the pro-active CID team at Warrington, lived at Hoole, Chester, with his wife, Jenny. He had joined Cheshire Police in March 1998, following in the footsteps of his father, Don, who retired in February 2003 after 36 years service.
A police spokesman said Jonny was with a group of friends, which included five children, believed to be aged between eight and 15 years when the tragedy occurred.
Jonny and a male friend were in the sea, as were the five children, when it is believed a rip tide swept the adults and three of the children out to sea.
Rescue services were alerted, but eyewitnesses reported seeing Jonny rescuing one of the children by placing him on his body board and setting him towards the shore on a wave, before the rescue services arrived.
Australian Sea Rescue, using boats and a helicopter, recovered Jonny’s body from the sea. The other adult in the water with Jonny was taken to hospital where he received treatment and is now recovering. The children were uninjured, but extremely shocked. A coroner’s inquiry will now take place.
Jonny’s father, Don Speakman, speaking from his Chester home, said: “It does not surprise his family that Jonny gave his life to save a child. Jonny was a keen sportsman. A qualified football coach, he also played for Chester Boughton Hall Nomads, and was the second team captain. He was also the proud possessor of a rottweiler dog, Bob. He will be missed not just by his family, but by everyone who knew him.”
Cheshire’s Chief Constable, Peter Fahy, paid tribute to Constable Speakman.
He said: “The Cheshire Constabulary is mourning the loss of a fine officer. His colleagues today at Warrington when hearing of his death were stunned and silent, not understanding how such a vibrant life could have been cut short. The Constabulary as a whole is feeling the loss of such a promising officer and a popular person. Our thoughts go out to Jonny’s family whose grief is hard to imagine at this time.”
“Six-months-to-live” man
finds time to marry at last
by David Skentelbery
CANCER victim Paul Marshall wed his fiance Janet in a simple registry office ceremony at Warrington – only three weeks after being told he may have only 3-6 months to live.
But if the ceremony was poignant, the irrepressible 50-year-old barrister made sure the rest of the day was not.
He drove to the wedding at registry office in his 1970 endurance racing “Gulf” Porsche, attended by a fully liveried service vehicle with family members following on in his Bentley Continental.
After the ceremony the motor racing enthusiast groom drove his new wife to the reception in the Porsche.
He said: “I am staying as positive as the facts will allow. I’ve fought for everything all my life. I fight every day in my work and I’ll fight this.
“I have been told I have a one-in-five chance of surviving but that I could have only three-to-six months to live.”
Janet had been Paul’s fiance for around 10 years. They originally planned to marry in Jamaica in 1996 but “never got around to it.”
“The marriage was a romantic way of putting things in order as we both want them,” he said.
In November 2003, following a routine chest X-ray, Paul, head of chambers at a specialist chambers in Manchester, was given the all-clear by a specialist.
But three weeks ago he was told he had lung cancer and could have 3-6 months to live.
“The tumour was clearly visible in the original X-ray but the consultant had missed it” said Paul. “The chances of recovery would have been massively improved if the tumour had not had 14 months in which to grow.
“I have now embarked on a vigorous course of chemotherapy at Christie’s – far more vigorous than could be given to an older man. It is only possible because I am only 50. I am facing the matter as positively as humanly possible.
“They are not giving me palliative care to make me more comfortable – they are trying to cure me and I can only put my faith in them. I know Christie’s is the best place I could be.”
Janet said: “We are all pretty shell-shocked. Something like this really changes your priorities and that’s why we decided to do things as soon as possible.”
Paul’s children by a previous marriage, Lucy and Piers, and Janet’s daughter, Steph and son, Ric, were all present at the moving ceremony. But no honeymoon was possible because of hospital commitments.
In the weeks prior to the wedding Paul, a talented pianist and guitarist, spent much of his time at home composing songs – one of which he is hoping to sell to Fame Academy winner Alex Parkes.
“I think she has great talent but her career doesn’t seem to have been going anywhere since Fame Academy and I would hope my song could give her a new start,” said Paul.
The couple live at Appleton and both are members of Stockton Heath Tennis Club.
Voters are three-to-one
against Euro constitution
by staff reporter
PEOPLE in South Warrington voted by almost three-to-one against Britain signing up to the European Constitution in a poll conducted by the Conservative Associaiton.
Voters were asked: ” How would you vote if the Referendum on the European Constitution were held today – For or Against?”
Only 5% of those questioned were undecided on how they would vote.
The numbers against the Constitution were markedly greater than those in a national survey by the pollsters YouGov published on the same day as the Warrington Poll was taken.
In the national survey those against the Constitution outnumbered those in favour by two to one.
Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Warrington South, Fiona Bruce (pictured) said: “What impressed me particularly was not just the proportion opposing the European Constitution, but how strongly so many of those against it feel about this issue. Time and again, people said: ‘Our Sovereignty is being stolen.’
“This is not how a country should be run, laws are being made by Brussels bureaucrats with no proper accountability.”
Fiona added: “If the Government is hoping it can change voters’ minds between now and the Referendum in 2006, judging by the strength of opposition feelings in Warrington, they could be very disappointed.
“I oppose the European Constitution, as does the Conservative Party nationally. The Conservatives are the only major political party which is against it; both Labour and the Lib Dems are in favour of the UK signing up to the Constitution. This gives Warrington South voters a clear choice on this important issue at the next General Election.
“Signing up to the Constitution would further undermine our ability to determine our own policies in key areas such as the economy, law and order and asylum. As someone who runs a business here, I know first hand of the impact which regulations like the European Employment Directive already have. “
A poll conducted by Fiona Bruce and local Conservaives in Warrington in 2003 showed that more than 90 per cent of residents wanted a referendum on the European Constition.
This latest poll is significant because it is the first Poll of Warrington voters since the question which will be used at the Referendum Ballot Box was announced by the Government – “Should the United Kingdom approve the treaty establishing a Constitution for the European Union?”
Joyriders deal blow
to boat chandlers
by David Skentelbery
JOYRID
ERS struck in the early hours of the morning – and dealt a serious blow to Warrington boat chandlers Thorn Marine.
The hooligans took the firm’s pick-up truck and drove it around the Stockton Heath area before crashing it into a ditch in Hough Lane, Walton.
Customers over a wide area were affected as the vehicle was believed to be a write-off and the company did not have a back-up.
But it was business as usual today after father-and-son team of Nigel and Brian Hamilton arranged for a tow bar to be fitted to their car to pull a trailer.
The stolen vehicle was seen by various people in different parts of the village in the early hours of the morning. A man was seen getting out of the vehicle at one location.
Parish councillor Patrick Mullee offered to loan the firm a van when he heard of the incident.
“Unfortunately, bottled gas cannot be carried in a closed van for safety reasons,” he said.
The incident came after a worrying 12 months for Thorn Marine, whose business is threatened by plans to build housing on the site of their 234-year-old building on the banks of the Bridgewater Canal.
At present, the firm has a lease that will keep them on the site until September, but after that the future is uncertain.
Coun Mullee said: “This was the last thing they wanted happening after the year they have had.. It was really bad luck. I offered to help, but could not do so because of the safety regulations.”
Margaret Hamilton said: “We were unable to do any deliveries of gas on Monday. But now it’s business as usual. We deliver to boats on the canal, businesses and private houses over quite a wide area.
“We are not sure yet whether it will prove possible to repair the pick-up. It’s not worth a lot, but it is vital to us.”
“Unwanted gifts” sale
for tsunami victims
by Lesley Wilkinson
UNWANTED Christmas gifts – such as an odd vase, or an unwelcome type of perfume – can be put to a good cause when a sale is held in Warrington to raise funds for Tsunami relief.
The sale of unwanted Christmas gifts and nearly new items is being held at the Lymm Macdonald Hotel on Sunday (February 6) from 11am to 4pm.
During the day there will be entertainment for children including a clown, a puppet show and face painting. Entry for adults is 50p, which includes a tombola ticket, and is free for children.
There will be lots of bargains and a raffle of prizes donated by local businesses.
Goods for the sale can be dropped off a Warrington and South Warrington branches of Bridgefords. Further details are available from Claire on 07913 449 101 or 07913 449 102.
Top flower arranger
will decorate hall
by staff reporter
AN INTERNATIONALLY-known flower arranger, who demonstrates his art in more than 20 countries each year, is to guest at Arley Hall, near Warrington and decorate the premises.
German-born Gregor Lersch, one of the most important flower-arrangers of his era, has been invited to the hall by Northwich flower-shop owner Ian Lloyd to work on an International Master Class in Floristy with him in April.
Ian will also celebrate his 40th birthday at Arley, and he has asked Gregor to work with him to decorate all the main rooms in the hall.
He said: “It will be the first time that Gregor has decorated a country house in England. He is known all around the world as the grand master and his ideas and creations are always thought provoking and very different with his unique use of materials, plant material, containers and metalwork.”
The German florist is renowned throughout the world and his Arley workshop is already over-subscribed. He speaks eight languages and is the fourth generation of flower arrangers.
Ian said: “His unique style and use of materials will create a different interpretation to the hall. I am so excited that he will be joining me at Arley.”
The floral display will be open to the public from Sunday April 17 to Tuesday April 19.
Advance tickets are on sale and further information is available by telephoning 01565 777353, or by email [email protected]
Home for disabled
seeks volunteers
by Lesley Wilkinson
A HOME for physically handicapped adults, that has been open for almost 60 years, is looking for volunteers to serve on its management committee.
Cotebrook Home, in Oughtrington Lane, Lymm, near Warrington is a voluntary-run home for people over 18, and a registered charity.
Ann Scales said: “The management committee is interested to hear from people who feel they could contribute voluntary on a management basis and channel their expertise into the home.”
Volunteers have worked to raise funds since the home started in the late 1940s at Cotebrook, near Tarporley, in a church hall.
The home has a number of specially equipped bedrooms and specially-adapted bathing facilities, There is also a day centre with kitchen and hairdressing facilities, and an occupational therapy section.
A variety of fundraising events have been held by the home and local groups such as Lymm Lions Club, Lymm Round Table and Lymm Rotary Club.
Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Ann on 753410.
