Arson theory after
fire outside house
by Lesley Wilkinson
POLICE are appealing for witnesses following a fire outside a house in Lovely Lane, Warrington, in the early hours of the morning.
The fire was discovered outside the premises at about 1.45 am. Fire crews were called and the residents of the property evacuated while they tackled the blaze.
Extensive damage was called to a wooden shed and fence, and the blaze spread causing damage to the outside wall of the house and guttering.
It is not known how the blaze was started, but police believe it was caused maliciously.
Anyone with information about the blaze is asked to contact Det Const Mark McManus at Warrington CID on 01244 614893 or ring the confidential Crimestoppers number on 0800 555 111.
Smile please – for your
mental health’s sake
by Lesley Wilkinson
WARRINGTON people were being encouraged to smile for the sake of their mental health, when they took part in a unique project at Walton Gardens. More than 100 visitors took the opportunity to make their mark on a graffiti wall during an event to celebrate positive mental health. The finished wall will go on permanent display at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
The Smile You’re Worth It event at the park was to encourage people to learn about the ways of staying mentally healthy.
There was the opportunity to take part in a range of activities including relaxation workshops, massage and creative writing.
Organiser Kerry Broadhead, Warrington Primary Care Trust’s assistant director of health improvement, said: “The event was a great success and it was wonderful to see so many people smiling. Using fun is a great way to understand how important positive mental health is.” Anyone who wants more information on the positive mental health scheme should contact Janette Norton on 01925 843725.
Politicians’ “hypocrisy”
over firefighter heroes
by Lesley Wilkinson
A CALL for firefighters to be supported at all times – not just when a crisis like the recent London bombings occurs – has been made by the Warrington branch of the Community Action Party.
Branch leader and ex-firefighter Mike Hughes said that as soon as threats subside, politicians start attacking the working conditions of firefighters.
“I find the extraordinary level of hypocrisy displayed by politicians quite nauseating. Following the London bombings, and before that the IRA bombings at Brighton, Warrington and elsewhere, politicians were falling over themselves to praise firefighters for their bravery and professionalism.
“However, as soon as the threat subsides they attack the working conditions of these same people and resort to penny pinching cuts in service levels and return to management by expediency,” he added.
Mr Hughes made his comments following a recent move by Cheshire Fire Authority to take disciplinary action against a “bona-fide” Fire Brigades Union health and safety representative carrying out his work to improve members’ working conditions.
He said the union was considering balloting members on industrial action over the issue.
“The latest terrorist threat requires fully funded, properly paid, and adequately equipped and trained emergency services. It’s time the Government stopped patting this dog on the head when it does it’s job and started feeding it between times,” said Mr Hughes.
Sunny summer festivals
THE sun shone, the crowds turned out and two more of Warrington’s programme of summer events passed off successfully.
Winwick Carnival and Stretton Walking Day were both hailed as “a great success” by organisers.
Warrington-Worldwide photographers were at both events to capture all the colour and pageantry.
A selection of pictures from the two events can be seen by clicking here
Pictures of other summer festivals and walking days from this year and previous years are also available to see.
This Saturday (July 24) is Westy Carnival.
Sign on for a
“reading voyage”
by staff reporter
CHILDREN are being encouraged by Warrington Libraries to don a pirate’s hat and set sail on a “Reading Voyage” during the summer holidays.
Library staff are hoping to entice youngsters to join their adventure of discovery into the world of books. And those jumping on board will be given a ship’s log to chart their progress packed with puzzles and challenges to complete.
A host of activities and story sessions will be held at some of the libraries, and those interested are invited to get more information from their local library.
Sessions at Warrington Library, Museum St, are being held from 10am to 11am on Wednesday August 3, Friday August 19, Monday August, 22, and from 2pm to 3pm on Monday August 8.
They will feature seafaring stories and the chance to make maritime crafts. Children have to be accompanied by an adult, and places can be booked by telephoning 01925 442889.
Palace visit for
hospital volunteer
by Lesley Wilkinson
A 78-year-old woman who has been a volunteer at Warrington Hospital for 33 years has a surprise invitation from the Queen to a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, to thank her for her work.
Peggy Sanson, of Great Sankey, will travel down to London later this month and is hoping to meet the Queen. Her invitation is in recognition of her work with the Women’s Royal Volunteer Service.
She said: “I got a fancy letter through the post about six weeks ago, and when I opened it there was the invitation.
“I was amazed. I don’t know if I will get to meet the Queen, but it would be lovely if I could. Apart from that I’m just hoping it will be a nice day in beautiful surroundings.
“I am very excited about visiting Buckingham Palace because I have never been and I am a staunch Royalist, as was my husband Bill before he passed away. He would be so proud, and my sons Stephen and John are delighted too. My grand-daughter even asked if she could come with me.”
During her time with the WRVS Peggy has worked in a variety of roles and currently helps out in the gift shop by the hospital’s main entrance. She will be joining 11 other WRVS volunteers from throughout the country at the garden party.
Busy Peggy is also on the Warrington Crossroads Care fundraising committee and a regular poppy seller for the Royal British Legion.
“I get a lot of satisfaction from volunteering as I feel I am putting something back into life and helping other people and the hospital. That’s really what it is all about,” she said.
Take the plunge,
free of charge
by staff reporter
FREE swims to celebrate the summer holidays are being offered to children and young people across Warrington.
Four Golden Gates Leisure Centres – Broomfields, Fordton, Great Sankey and Woolston – are taking part in the Free Swim for Kids extravaganza, between July 25 and September 4.
The project, made possible by a ?40,000 funding boost from Warrington Borough Council, allows children under 16 and full-time students up to 18, to join in. It is part of the council’s plan to improve the health and well being of youngsters, and allows them as many swims as they want during the holidays.
The council hopes it will encourage youngsters to take up swimming regularly and help tackle locally one of the country’s key issues – promoting healthier, more active lifestyles for children.
Coun Maureen Banner, the council’s executive member for well being, said: “We are committed to giving our young people real opportunities to get fitter and healthier – swimming is a fantastic way to do that. We’re putting our money where our mouth is and working together to make our children healthier. The message we want to get across to children and families is that swimming is not only good fun, it can have huge health benefits too.”
Admission is on a first come, first served basis and details of sessio
n times are available from each centre.
Access may be limited if sessions are full. Children under eight must be accompanied by an adult.
[ 25.07.2005, 09:49: Message edited by: DS ]
