Candles blamed for big
rise in house fires
by Terry Johnson
THE romantic and the poor are being blamed for a huge surge in home candle fires.
Fire chiefs at Warrington are worried that candle blazes causing severe damage have leapt nearly 200 per cent.
Multi-coloured and scented candles are increasingly being used to ‘bring a touch of romance’ into rooms, following the alluring lead of TV home d?cor programmes.
But unattended candles have flared or been knocked over by domestic animals, causing substantial fire damage.
Cash-strapped people whose pre-payment electricity has run out have resorted to using candles – again with increased fire risks.
“It is disappointing that the number of accidental domestic fires has increased”, said station officer John Noden, who heads the Warrington Community Safety Team.
A 200 per cent surge in candle fires was of ‘particular concern’.
Mr Noden reports that firefighters from stations in Warrington, Birchwood and Stockton Heath are heavily involved in community work. They regularly visit schools and fetes, giving talks and demonstrations.
The team also works to promote home fire safety checks, with visits to homes across Warrington to fit smoke alarms, advise on fire exit routes and give safety advice.
Partnership working was achieving real benefits, he said.
“Age Concern has carried out a great deal of excellent working, helping us carry out home fire safety checks for the over-55’s. We were invited by Warrington Wolves to attend a match against Widnes and give a half-time fire safety demonstration.
“If we can link up with community groups like this it will be brilliant”.
Youth support officer, Ray Galligan, said: “The fire service is involved in much more than spraying water on fires. It is proactive – working to change people’s habits in fire awareness and fire safety”.
The community safety team is involved with counselling young children who have a fascination for fire, a programme for dealing with fire-raisers, theatre techniques to carry a fire safety message and producing a leaflet warning of drug dangers.
Mr Noden added: “We want to make Warrington a safe and better place to live – by working to reduce hoax calls and malicious fires”.
Pupils skip for charity
PUPILS of Woolston High School, Warrington raised more than ?200 for the British Heart Foundation – by skipping to their heart’s content.
The sponsored skipping challenge was part of the national Jump Rope for Heart initiative, organisation by the Foundation to raise vital funds for heart research, education and patient care.
It also encouraged healthy habits and showed children that keeping fit could be fun.
Pupils trained hard for the event, developing their skipping skills, exercising their hearts and improving their co-ordination.
The sponsored “Jump Off” involved the pupils skipping in small groups non-stop for an hour.
Schools across the country raised a total of ?7.2 million for the British Heart Foundation’s fight against the nation’s number one killer – heart disease.
Woolston High headteacher Jill Robinson said: “Our congratulations to all the pupils who took part in the Jump Off. We hope they keep on skipping!”
Historic canal to be
put in the picture
by Terry Johnson
A WARRINGTON canal which tasted sweet success as the commercial artery for horse-drawn ‘sugar boats’ is to feature in a photographic celebration, spanning 250 years.
The Sankey Canal is one of Britain’s pioneering man-made waterways, serving as a vital trading link across Warrington to the Sankey Sugar Works at Earlestown.
The canal is two-and-a-half centuries old this year and its restoration from an abandoned industrial route to a heritage and wildlife gem has taken 20 years.
Now the Sankey Canal Restoration Society is launching a public photographic competition, with cash prizes for the best pictures showing various chapters in the canal’s life.
The competition will feature its ‘hey days’ when the canal was a busy trading link for the ‘sugar boats’. Commercial traffic ceased in 1959.
Then there will be a section on the ‘forgotten years’ – up to 1980 – when parts of the waterway in Warrington and Widnes were restored.
Finally, there will be the ‘restoration years’ – a 25-year time span when agencies and community groups invested massive effort in canal improvements.
The waterway at Warrington is now the spine of a linear park, teaming with wildlife.
Andrew Screen, spokesman for the Sankey Canal Restoration Society said: “The 250th anniversary of the Act of Parliament authorising the building of the ‘Sankey Brook Navigation’ in 1755 takes place in the summer and will be celebrated at the Inland Waterways Association’s National Waterways Festival over the August Bank Holiday.
“The campaign to restore this canal will take centre stage before thousands of visitors.”
The photographic competition will be judged by waterways lensman, Harry Arnold, who took historic pictures of the canal in the 1960’s.
Entries can be digital or prints, in colour or black and white. Details and entry forms from SCARS Photo Comp, 23, Hague Bar, New Mills, High Peak, or e-mailed to [email protected]
Mike completes marathon
– 16 years later!
by Terry Johnson
UNI-lecturer Mike Burt completed the London Marathon…16 years after applying for a place in the gruelling race!
Running man Mike, from Croft, near Warrington, who is now 56, completed the capital challenge in four hours, 48 minutes.
He said: “I applied for a place in the London Marathon in the late 80’s – but didn’t get in.
“I managed to complete marathons in Manchester and Liverpool 18 years ago, and prompted by my 28-year-old son, Alex, I decided to go for the London challenge again.
“My finishing time was slower. But it was well worth the effort – just for the support from the crowds.”
Mike, a social work lecturer at University College Chester’s campus in Warrington, added: “I’ve been pounding the streets of Warrington two to three times a week since last summer.
“The training has re-kindled my interest in running. Though I don’t think I will enter such a long race again, I am hoping to do some half-marathons and 10k events.
“It’s a great feeling to have such a good level of fitness again.”
World champions
dance into town
by Terry Johnson
WORLD salsa champions, Cuban Groove, are to host free ‘Salsa your socks off’ classes in Warrington.
The sessions at Pyramid Arts Centre and Parr Hall on July 20 are aimed at getting Brits dancing.
Cuban Groove reckon they can teach anyone to salsa within an hour.
‘Strictly Come Dancing’ stars, Julian Clary and Erin Boag will make appearances at some classes, as part of the launch of new Surf Tropical.
Lessons can be booked by collecting two tokens from promotional packs and phoning 08707-552280.
Probus club’s
new president
by staff reporter
RETIRED managing director, Barrie Gray, has been elected president of Culcheth Probus Club, near Warrington.
Mr Gray, who lives in Culcheth, was with a plastics company formerly located in the village.
He succeeds John Cropley as president of the 44-member club, which is linked to the international association of retired men.
Club secretary, Arthur MacDougall, said that Culcheth Probus, now in its 17th year, was seeking new members. Details: 01925-764784.
Probus meets at Culcheth Social Club, Charnock Road, on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month to hear speakers and take part in discussion. There are also social and sports events.
Hoax fire calls
cause concern
by John Hendon
A SPATE of hoax fire calls is worrying fire chiefs at Warrington.
The calls – often made by youngsters – result in fire engines being called out to deal with
non-existent emergencies when they could be need to deal with genuine, life-threatening fires elsewhere.
A particularly serious hoax occurred during the night when a caller dialled 999 to report a fire in Watkins Street, Warrington.
They claimed smoke and flames were pouring from a house and that someone was trapped.
As a result, two fire engines and an ambulance were called to the scene only to discover there was no emergency.
A Fire Service spokesman said: “This could have led to a tragedy if a serious fire or other type of emergency occurred somewhere else. We can only guess at the intelligence of the people who do this sort of thing.
“We are continually trying to education children in schools about the dangers of making hoax calls but there seems to be a minority of idiots who can’t or won’t understand.”
