Three men injured
in street attack
by David Skentelbery
THREE men were assaulted as they walked along Sankey Street, Warrington in the early hours of the morning.
One was knocked unconscious and suffered a fractured jaw and fractured eye-socket and had to be transferred to Liverpool for treatment at a specialist unit at Fazackerley Hospital.
Police are appealing for witnesses of the incident.
The three men, all in their early 20s, were walking along Sankey Street in the direction of the Golden Gates when they passed a group of about eight people – male and female.
They were suddenly attacked from behind – all three suffering injuries.
The most seriously injured was taken to Liverpool, but a second man suffered a black eyes, cuts and swelling and was treated at Warrington Hospital. The third victim suffered minor injuries.
Police say one of the offenders was about 5ft 10 inches tall, stocky with short dark hair. He was wearing dark trousers and a black shirt. Another was about 5ft 6 inches, slim with short dark spikey hair. He was aged about 23 and was wearing a pink and grey striped polo shirt.
One of the women in the group had short blonde hair.
Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact DC Jackie Daniels or DC Ian Allen on 01244 613845.
Police would particularly like to speak to a man who assisted the victims after the attack, as he may have information.
RL stars help tackle
hospital cleanliness
by Terry Johnson
WARRINGTON Wolves players Steve Pickersgill and Andy Bracek are throwing their combined muscle behind a campaign to beat hospital bugs.
The second-row forwards joined Infection Control Nurse, Lesley McKay, to reinforce a ‘Cleanourhands’ campaign.
North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust has alcohol handrub at every bedside and entrance to every ward in Warrington Hospital to guard against Staphylococcus aureus bacterium.
Patients are also encouraged to take a direct role in their care – by asking staff if they have washed their hands! Anna Alexander, the Trust’s Deputy Director of Nursing, thanked the RL players for helping beat the bugs, including the deadly MRSA.
“It’s great to see Steve and Andy take the time to come in and lend support to what we are doing”, she said.
Latest figures show that hospital infection rates are down – a result of the stringent measures taken.
GCSE results could
be “the best yet”
by staff reporter
PUPILS in Warrington are continuing to enjoy success in GCSE’s and early indications suggest this year’s results are the best yet in Warrington.
Around 2,500 16-year-olds in Warrington’s schools received their GCSE results on Thursday and it appears that success rates continue to improve as this year 61 per cent of pupils have achieved five or more passes grade A*-C, compared with 59 per cent last year.
Achievements for grades A-C are known as Level 1 qualifications and grades A-G are known as Level 2 qualifications.
Colin Froggatt, the borough council’s executive member for Children’s Services, said: “Early returns from our schools indicate that GCSE results continue to improve in Warrington and are well above the national average. This is a reflection of the hard work undertaken by our schools and their pupils. I would like to congratulate both school staff and pupils on successes this year.”
“The introduction of vocational GCSEs and other qualifications mean that the vast majority of pupils now achieve a good foundation for further study or work. The very high proportion of students in Warrington obtaining a Level 1 qualification is as important to us as high proportion obtaining a Level 2 qualification. Last year, 75 per cent of Warrington’s 16-year-olds continued in full time education or work-related training.”
Last year, Warrington’s GCSE performance ranked 24th out of 149 Local Education Authorities and third in the North West.
Photographic society
to host top contest
by John Hendon
WARRINGTON Photographic Society has been given the honour of hosting one of the region’s most prestigious photography competitions.
The St Helens Interclub Competition will be held at Warrington’s headquarters, The Quays Community Centre, in Grappenhall, on November 19.
The competition is held annually in different areas, with the host club assisting the St Helens society to organise the event.
Warrington’s new season opens on September 13 with a presentation by new president Martin Berry.
The programme includes an illustrated talk on the Walls of Chester, another on Switzerland , a Lancashire and Cheshire Photographic Union Folio evening, a selection of London Salon pictures and a monthly competition.
Anyone interested in joining the society should contact secretary Shawn Brierley on 01925 232495 or simply go along to one of the Tuesday evening sessions at The Quays Community Centre, which start at 7.30pm.
House extension
plan thrown out
by David Skentelbery
PLANNING chiefs at Warrington have thrown out a householder’s application to extend his home after hearing of objections from neighbours.
They claimed the two-storey extension and rear dormer windows would be out-of-character with existing property and the surrounding area and would rob them of privacy.
Members of the borough’s development control committee visited the site in Field Lane, Appleton before reaching a decision – but then decided to go against officers’ advice and refuse permission.
The officers argued that the scheme was not out of character with the surrounding area, particularly as a proposed balcony had been removed from the scheme and replaced with inward opening French doors with a balustrade.
But the committee accepted neighbours’ concerns and refused consent.
Jazzman Martin to
play for hospice
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON-based jazzman Martin Bennett is bringing his Old Green River Band to Culcheth Sports Club on Friday, December 2 to raise money for the town’s favourite charity – St Rocco’s Hospice.
Well known on the UK jazz club circuit, the band has a wide repertoire of music ranging from the earliest blues and jazz, through country and western to popular songs, rhythm and blues, etc, including some original material.
Singer-pianist Martin, from Glazebury, has been touring Europe for 20 years and has recently also toured in the US, Canada and Australia.
He first visited New Orleans in 1966 where he met and became friendly with many jazz greats, including legendary clarinettist George Lewis.
The band’s line-up is Martin, on piano and vocals, Dave Clennell, trumpet and vocals, Tony Denton, sax, Eric Brierley, trombone and vocals, Louis Lince, banjo and guitar, Jimm Swinnerton, bass and Stuart Smith, drums.
Tickets can be obtained in advance from Martin on 01942 677815 or on the door.
Martin warns: “We are not for the faint-hearted, nor for ‘mouldy figs’ – we appeal to those with a wider musical awareness.”
