Angler stabbed
by gang of thugs
by staff reporter
AN angler fishing at a quiet pool near Warrington, suffered a stab wound to the chest when he was attacked by a gang of three thugs.
The attack took place at Heatley Flash, off Mill Lane, Lymm.
The fisherman, aged 30, was sitting fishing with his two sisters and a family friend when was approached by three men who asked him where he was from. He said he was from Cadishead – at which one of the three picked up an umbrella and hit him with it.
He then stabbed his victim in the chest, causing a puncture wound to his lung.
Police say the attacker was about 5ft 9 inches tall, of heavy build and aged about 25. He was bare chested, tattooed and had a skin-head haircut. The other men with him were of similar appearance.
He may have left the scene riding a small, yellow moped while the others in the gang left in a green Land Rover.
Police are seeking witnesses of the attack. Anyone who can help is asked to contact DC Rebecca Stokes on 01244 613834.
Town centre steps
back in time
SHOPPERS in Warrington were able to step back in time when the town centre staged a “medieval” event as part of the celebrations to mark the 750th anniversary of Warrington Market.
The Old Market Place at Golden Square was transformed into a Medieval encampment, complete with valiant knights and quarrelling duellists.
The weekened activities were co-ordinated by Warrington Market Manager Steve Pickering, with other traders in the town centre entering into the spirit of the occasion.
Traders on Warrington Market dressed in period costume throughout the weekend.
The old Market Place also became home to “The Stag Inn”, which hosted living history demonstrations. Characters included Bess, the ale wife, the executioner, and the Market Rogues demonstrating swordsmanship skills.
There were also Medieval games, calligraphy and storytelling. A chef prepared dishes from the times and there were a range of Medieval toys, and musicians from the era.
Golden Square manager David Allinson added: “The whole of the town centre is participating in this historic event and we are proud to be involved. Not only will there be fun activity for all the family, but the event is also important in helping a younger generation learn and be inspired by our local heritage.”
Residents fight plans
for factory building
by David Skentelbery
ANGRY householders at Warrington are fighting plans for a factory building in front of their homes.
Residents of Old Liverpool Road, Sankey Bridges, say the development will have an unacceptable impact on their residential amenity and could lead to increased traffic.
They say directors of Warrington Fabrications Ltd have displayed a total disregard to the impact on neighbours of their expansion plans and current 24-hour working patterns.
The company is seeking planning consent for the 25ft high steel framed building on land currently used as a yard between the River Mersey and the railway line which runs parallel with Old Liverpool Road.
Environment Agency experts have raised no objections to the scheme but say the floor level of the new building should be 27 feet above the minimum tide level as the site is within the Mersey flood plain.
The residents have won the backing of borough councillor Jeff Richards – a former planning chairman – who believes the development would have a damaging impact on residential amenity.
Planning officers accept that the main issue relates to the impact of the development on the residential amenity of people living on the opposite side of Old Liverpool Road.
They admit the building will increase the overall massing of the site when viewed from the houses, but as the nearest house is some 180 yards away and the site is to be landscaped they do not consider it will have any detrimental impact on residential amenity.
Conditions can be applied to control noise, smells or air pollution arising from use of the building.
Masonic help for
hospice tops ?34,600
by staff reporter
A CHEQUE for more than ?6,000 has been presented to St Rocco’s Hospice by Warrington Freemasons.
This latest donation means that support for the hospice from the Warrington Group of Lodges and individual Lodges in the town has topped ?12,000 in the last year. In the seven years that local Freemasons have been supporting the hospice more than ?34,600 has been donated.
The latest donation was presented to matron Beth Eccles Ian Boswell, chairman of the Warrington Group of Masonic Lodges and means that the hospice can now go ahead and purchase a new much-needed van.
In 1999 Warrington Freemasons became the first group to donate ?10,000 to endow a suite when the new hospice was built.
Mr Boswell said: “The obvious feelings that local Freemasons have for St Rocco’s Hospice is evident by the fact that more than ?12,200 has been presented during the last 12 months. St Rocco’s is a superb community charity and provides an invaluable service for the people of the Warrington area. We hope that our support will help St Rocco’s to continue to provide the people of the Warrington area with a centre which has such an excellent reputation for its caring work.” Beth Eccles said: “Over the years we have received tremendous support from the Warrington Group of Freemasons. To have donated more than ?34,600 in less than seven years is a magnificent achievement. It is a huge amount of money which has helped the hospice a great deal. This latest donation will go towards the cost of a new van which is really needed and can now be purchased next week.” There are 23 Lodges in the Warrington Group who meet at the Winmarleigh Rooms, Winmarleigh Street.
Boy suffers
fractured jaw
by John Hendon
A 16-year-old Warrington boy suffered two fractures to his jaw when he was attacked by three thugs.
The attack took place as the youngster was walking home late at night through Woolston Park.
He was approached by three youths in hooded jumpers, all aged about 18.
They asked him where he was from – and then struck him twice about the head.
The victim was taken to Warrington Hospital and later transferred to Fazackerley Hospital in Liverpool.
Police said the three youths all wore dark jeans with hooded jumpers. They are appealing for help from anyone who witnessed the attack or thinks they know who the attackers are.
Anyone who can help should call DC Rebecca Stokes on 01244 613834.
Former Tory
MP dies at 76
by David Skentelbery
A FORMER Warrington MP and education secretary in Margaret Thatcher’s first government has died, aged 76.
Mark Carlisle was Conservative MP for Warrington South from 1983 to 1987 when he accepted a life peerage and became Baron Carlisle of Bucklow.
He was MP for the old Runcorn constituency – which included a large part of the present Warrington South constituency – from 1964 to 1983.
Mark Carlisle was appointed education secretary in 1979. But he was sacked in 1981 after opposing ?1bn cuts to his budget.
A QC, he was born in Uruguay where his cotton-merchant father was then working.
After leaving the Commons, he was chairman of the Parole Review Committee and the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board and became a judge of the Courts of Appeal of Jersey and Guernsey.
He is survived by his wife, Sandra and their daughter, Lucy.
Police warning after
copycat burglaries
by staff reporter
POLICE sounded an alert at Warrington following four copy-cat burglaries.
In each case, a substantial quantity of old gold jewellery was stolen from people’s homes.
Police believe the offenders will now be trying to sell their loot.
A spokesman said: “If anyone is approached by someone trying to sell gold jewellery, please contact the police.”
The number to call is Det Chief Inspector Mick Gee on 01244 612 645.
