Death crash victim was
to marry in three weeks
by David Skentelbery
THE Warrington man killed in a horrific accident on the M6 last week was due to marry in three weeks.
This has been revealed by police in a statement on the accident which resulted in three deaths.
Traffic management worker Raymond Schofield, 48, (pictured)lived in Sandy Lane, Orford.
He lived with his partner of three years Tracie and her two daughters and the couple were due to marry in three weeks.
Police released a statement by Tracie in which she described him as a kind, generous and loving man.
“We were looking forward to a long and happy future,” she said.
Mr Schofield was the father of two sons by a previous marriage.
He and a work colleague, Stephen Coulter, of Runcorn, were killed while coning off part of the motorway.
The accident involved a Honda Civic car driven by a 31-year-old woman, Mehrunnisa Yusuf,31, of Preston, who also died.
An inquest has been opened but adjourned after evidence of identity.
Terry Waite helps
hospice celebrate
by Gary Skentelbery
FORMER Beirut hostage Terry Waite compared the invaluable work of hospice workers to fellow captives who helped him through his darkest days.
Terry, who was on hand to plant a tree to mark the 20th birthday celebrations of Warrington’s St. Rocco’s Hospice, said the support of fellow hostages had helped keep him going when he was on the edge of life. “I was fortunate in some respects because I only became ill towards the end of my captivity. I had a chest infection and was finding it so difficult to breathe I couldn’t lie down.
“But I had been moved to be with other hostages who made the effort to stay awake and watch over me. They didn’t have to say anything, just knowing they were there was a great comfort.
“I was on the edge of life and on my last legs but I didn’t want to die with my family not knowing. I wasn’t afraid of dying, because death is inevitable for us all. I just didn’t want to die in those circumstances.
“The support I received from my fellow captives reminds me of the support work of a hospice.
“I have yet to visit a miserable hospice. They are a place of joy and happiness.”
The tree Terry planted is a symbol of the triumph of hope and prayer over adversity.
St Rocco’s opened in a converted vicarage in 1985. With the support of thousands of Warrington people, it has expanded to purpose-built premises in Lockton Lane, Bewsey, offering care and support to those with life-limiting conditions.
It depends entirely on public donations to fund its work and raises around ?1.5 million each year.
Matron Beth Eccles said: “The fantastic support of the local community over 20 years means so much to us. Terry proved to be a very popular visitor and I’ll think we’ll have to invite him back again next year to celebrate our 21st!”
A special ‘Sunflower’ cake donated by Waterfields bakery was also made to mark the occasion.
During his visit Terry met with patients, staff and hospice volunteers.
Man’s jaw broken
in street attack
by John Hendon
POLICE at Warrington are hunting a gang of five or six thugs who attacked a man as he walked home in the early hours of the morning.
Their 23-year-old victim was punched to the ground and kicked repeatedly and suffered serious injuries including a broken jaw.
The unprovoked attack took place at the junction of Hallfields Road and O’Leary Street, Orford, Warrington, close to Penninsula House.
Police say all the attackers were in their late teens or early 20s. But they have good descriptions of two of the men.
One was aged 17, about 5ft 8 inches tall of slim build. He had a young looking face and wore glasses.
He was wearing a Nike baseball cap and possibly had a shaved head. He was wearing a blue and white striped Henry Lloyd jacket, dark tracksuit bottoms and white trainers. He spoke with what was described as a “fake Manchester accent.
” The other man was about 19-20 and 6ft 4 inches tall, of proportionate build and broad shoulders. He was described as looking scruffy and had a one inch scar over his left eye. He had a crooked nose and his hair was scruffy. He was wearing a coloured Nike top with a gold coloured trimming around the neck, grey Adidas tracksuit bottoms with white stripes and cream coloured trainers.
Anyone who witnessed the 3am attack is asked to contact PC Stuart Earley on 01244 613833.
The victim of the attack is still undergoing treatment for his injuries.
Lib Dems back call
for voting reform
by staff reporter
LIBERAL Democrats at Warrington are backing calls for a reform of the voting system.
Politicians from all parties are demanding changes to the first-past-the-post system in the wake of a General Election in which Labour formed a government with the smallest share of the vote for more than a hundred years.
Coun Ian Marks, leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition group on the borough council, who stood for the Liberal Democrats in Warrington South, said: “It is a travesty of justice when the Prime Minister can hold power with the support of just a fifth of the adult population – the lowest figure since the Great Reform Act of 1832.
When Labour came to power in 1997 its manifesto contained a commitment to a referendum on the voting system, but this has melted away following three elections with substantial majorities. We have fairer voting systems for the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the European Parliament and the London Assembly, so why not for Westminster?”
Coun Marks said under a fairer voting system the Liberal Democrats would have about double the number of seats, the Tories would also have more and so would minor parties.
“Labour would have about a hundred less MPs so we have the problem of ‘turkeys voting for Christmas’ to overcome. We have a Catch-22 situation that any party with a majority able to pass fairer voting legislation has no need to pass the legislation after all!
“Disillusionment with the present system is a major reason why turnout at elections is so low. Turnout in safe seats often fell below 50 per cent, but in seats where the contest was more open, the turnout tended to be higher.
“Parts of the country have few or no MPs from some parties. For example in Surrey, 148,000 votes were cast for Lib Dems and 87,000 for Labour yet every seat was won by the Tories.
“It’s ironic that our country which preaches the virtues of democracy to other countries has such an outdated system itself. I urge people to support the ‘Make Votes Count’ campaign to bring about the promised referendum on changing the way we elect our MPs”.
Police hear worries over
anti-social behaviour
by John Hendon
WORRIES about the problems of anti-social behaviour in the Bewsey, Fearnhead and Whitecross areas were raised by residents at a meeting of Warrington Police Forum.
There were also concerns voiced about indiscriminate parking on pavements, Anti-Social Behaviour Orders and a reduction in the number of Community Support Officers in Birchwood.
Cheshire’s Chief Constable, Peter Fahy, divisional commander Supt Julia Clayton and other senior officers were present at the meeting.
Supt Clayton announced changes to the way police respond to requests for assistance, which involves call handlers determining each call based on the information given and allocating a grade on a scale 1-5.
The Forum received a number of examples of types of incidents and the response they would receive ranging from an emergency response to a deferred response where the immediate attendance of a police officer would not make a difference to the outcome.
The Forum was introduced to the four inspectors – Stuart Woodcock, Damien Smethurst, Steve Precious and Brian Heywood – who are responsible for the four new Neighbourhood Pol
icing Units in Warrington. Community Action Meetings (CAMs) will be arranged in the areas covered by these new units which will deal with issues of concern to the local community.
Supt Clayton reported on police activity in the division including crime levels, and the work being undertaken in partnership with other agencies to combat anti-social behaviour, burglary, vehicle crime and violent crime.
Coun Peter Walker, chairman the Forum said afterwards: “The meeting has provided the people of Warrington with the opportunity to comment on the changes to the way the police will operate at a local level. Solutions to local problems will be agreed at CAM’s in partnership with other agencies.
“With the help of local people we hope to make a significant impact on local crime and disorder. I look forward to seeing a good attendance at the next meeting of the Forum, which will be held on 9 August 2005 in the Town Hall, when I hope we will get feed back on how these new arrangements are working”.
Town leads the way on
NHS fertility treatment
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON Primary Care Trust is at the forefront of a national drive in moving towards equal access to NHS-funded fertility services for all residents, regardless of where they live.
A public consultation on eligibility for NHS funding for specialist treatments such as IVF will examine proposals aimed at reducing waiting times for treatment and ensuring that those in greatest need are given top priority.
The 12-week consultation is being carried out on behalf of PCTs in Cheshire, Merseyside and West Lancashire which commission fertility services for their residents.
In Warrington, the general public are invited to join the debate and can obtain information, as well as forms to record their comments, by visiting www.cmssct.nhs.uk or by picking up leaflets from local libraries, health clinics and GP surgeries.
About 140 couples from Warrington are referred for fertility treatment each year – the average waiting time is currently about 20 months.
This is thought to be an ideal period as it gives couples a chance to be able to conceive naturally. It is also considered reasonable compared to much longer waiting lists in other parts of the country. By continuing to concentrate on those with the greatest need – as outlined in the proposals – it would be possible to maintain the waiting lists in Warrington at their current level.
Clinicians providing the service will continue to prioritise the length of time people wait in line with their clinical need.
Warrington PCT acting chief executive Allison Cooke said: “Warrington has always been a relatively good provider of NHS-funded fertility treatment. While we have already been using some elements of the proposed criteria, this is not the case for all the PCTs taking part in the consultation. If adopted, the proposals will make the provision of services more equitable across Cheshire and Merseyside. They will also ensure those with greatest need are given top priority.
“These are important decisions. I would urge people across Warrington, especially those affected by difficulties in conceiving, to take part in the consultation.”
Truck fire
FIRE crews were called to a pallet yard off Antrim Road, Warrington when fire broke out involving an old articulated trailer unit and its contents.
Extensive damage was caused to the trailer and a large quantity of plastic bags on the vehicle, but the flames were prevented from spreading to other property.
Large clouds of smoke hampered firefighting operations but no-one was hurt.
[ 02.06.2005, 17:18: Message edited by: DS ]
