Passers-by went to aid
of out-numbered police
by staff reporter
FOUR members of the public went to the assistance of two police officers who found themselves out-numbered when trying to arrest an unruly youth in Culcheth, near Warrington.
Seven other youths ? friends of the drunken offender – intervened in an attempt to prevent the arrest taking place.
But four men, passing by at the time, assisted the officers in dispersing the gang.
As a result, the 15-year-old offender was arrested and subsequently charged with a public order offence.
Police have praised the four public-spirited men who helped out in the incident on the night before Christmas Eve.
A spokesman said: “We didn’t get their names but would like to thank the four men for assisting us.”
Vandalism, graffiti and nuisance youths were the major issues raised by members of the public at the first-ever Community Action Meeting (CAM) held by police at Culcheth.
More than 50 residents, interested in making the village a safer place, attended the meeting.
Problems caused by youths gathering in and around the Millennium Gardens, Shaw Street and Withington Avenue, and also Thompson Avenue and Jackson Avenue, were considered a major problem.
Residents claimed disturbances often continued until 10pm.
Police were delighted with the response to the meeting.
A spokesman said: “I was really pleased with the turnout. Some 54 people took the time to attend and all had the chance to have their say and vote for the key issue they want us to focus on together with our partner agencies.
“I would really encourage others to join us at our next meeting in March, particularly residents from neighbouring Glazebury. We want as many people as possible to get involved.?
He said the public had highlighted issues and locations and officers could now target resources to best deter offenders.
The next Culcheth CAM will be on Wednesday March 15 at 7.30pm at Newchurch Parish Hall, Common Lane, Culcheth.
Rangers’ workout
in the outdoors
RANGERS and volunteers at Warrington’s Sankey Valley Park are getting a full workout without even going to the gym.
That’s because planting bulbs, clearing canals and laying hedges are all part of a day’s work in helping to maintain the park for everyone to enjoy.
The rangers organise monthly workshops for volunteers to get stuck in and help maintain the park and to socialise and have fun at the same time.
They also come across all sorts of things when they clean out the Sankey-St Helens canal – including shopping trolleys, bikes, road cones and even garden Furniture.
Since last October they have cleared ponds ready for the return of frogs and toads in the spring, planted bulbs. Woodlands have been thinned to promote healthy growth and a hedge has been laid.
Coun Jeff Richards, the borough council?s executive member for Sustainable Environment, said: “The park really benefits from the time put in by the rangers and volunteers. They also get a lot of satisfaction from being a part of the workshop and get a good workout at the same time. It’s a good opportunity to socialise and also see some of the nature and wildlife that we live side by side with in Warrington.
“The rangers organise the workshops as part of their commitment to getting local people involved in looking after parks and green spaces and taking responsibility for them.”
Volunteers are always needed so anyone aged 18+ is welcome. No experience is necessary and volunteers can take part as often as they choose, once a month or once every couple of months – the only requirement is a willingness to get involved.
For more information ring Steve or Helen on 01925 571836.
Hammer raid on
off-licence
by David Skentelbery
TWO men armed with hammers raided an off-licence at Warrington – but failed in a bid to smash open the till.
They escaped with a quantity of cigarettes only from the Bargain Booze shop at Stockton Heath, leaving the staff badly shaken but unhurt.
The raid took place at about 8.15pm when they men entered the shop, one carrying a sledgehammer and the other a claw hammer.
They forced the staff into a rear storeroom and then tried to smash open the till with their hammers. But they were unable to do so and one man then went into the storeroom and took the cigarettes.
They fled in a BMW car which had been reported stolen in the Liverpool area the previous day.
Anyone with information about the raid, or who witnessed it, is asked to to contact Warrington Police on 0845 4580000.
Breakfast date
with the army!
by Gary Skentelbery
A SPECIAL breakfast meeting has been organised to help recruit army reservists from local employers.
Lt Col RF Rutherford from the Army Personnel Centre, Glasgow will be briefing employers at a free Breakfast Meeting on January 27 at the King’s and Cheshire Regiment in Warrington, on the financial help available from the Ministry of Defence should an employee be mobilised for Regular Military Service.
Details of the compensation and how to claim are just one of the subjects being covered. Others will be the benefits to companies of employing Reservists, the skills they bring to a workforce and the reasons for occasional mobilisation.
With the large number of men and women giving their time to serve with the Reserves of Britain’s Armed Forces in this region coupled with the possibility of these volunteers being mobilised to support the Regulars, it was decided to hold this session. The objective is to keep employers informed of all aspects of their very worthwhile service.
At the 7.30 am briefing and breakfast served at 8.15; visitors will be welcome to stay afterwards if there are confidential matters they would like to discuss.
Depending on the success of the event it is hoped to organise others in the future.
It is aimed at Chief Executives, HR Directors and Company Proprietors or those in a position to pass on the information.
Further details are available from Ian Rankine on 0151 728 2069 or at [email protected].
Bookings should also be made at these contacts.
The King’s and Cheshire Regiment are at the TA Centre, O’Leary Street, Warrington WA2 7QS. Telephone 01925 636 519.
Firework hooligans
strike in town centre
by John Hendon
FIRE crews were called to a town centre car park at Warrington early today when hooligans apparently set fire to a large box of fireworks.
The alarm was raised when the unexpected display on the car park at the MFI store in Wilson Patten Street was picked up on CCTV cameras.
No damage was caused to property, but fire chiefs said anyone in the area at the time would have been at risk of injury.
A spokesman said: “This was not just an ordinary box of fireworks that you might pick up in a supermarket – it was a large box of Roman Candle type fireworks. There were balls of fire shooting all over the place.
“We can only assume someone had fireworks they no longer wanted and decided to get rid of them in this way. But it was a highly irresponsible act.
“Anyone who wants to dispose of unwanted fireworks should take them either to the police station or the fire station. It is not a good idea to keep them until next year.”
Police are investigating the incident.
Young swimmers to
train in Majorca
by staff reporter
EIGHTEEN members of Warrington Warriors Swimming Club are flying out to Majorca next month to attend a ?swim camp.?
The 230-strong club is sending some of its top swimmers on the 10-day trip to Palma on February 17.
Ten girls and eight boys, aged 12-16 will be accompanied by two coaches and five ?chaperones? ? mainly parents.
The group includes English Nationals qualifier Aisha Thornton, County champions Julie Connor and Kate Ormston, Scottish and Northern Counties champion Johnathon Gatl
ey, English Nationals qualifier Martin Holmes, English, Scottish and Northern Counties champion Matt Verdon, County champion Phillip Cooper and English, Scottish and Northern Counties champion Tim Almond.
Others in the party are Alysha Verdon, Claire O?Brien, Faye Hodgkins, Jenna Kane, Rachel Callaghan, Rebecca Tansey, Vicky Boswell, Mike Tujeshyn, Sean Halpin and Yian Smith.
The two coaches are the club?s chief coach, Darren Ashley who is also a coach to Great Britain Junior Squads and club coach Steve Critchley, who is also coach for British Disability Swimming.
Phoney pine tree
needles residents
by Lesley Wilkinson
PLANS to build a 60ft high telecommunications mast in Lymm have attracted massive objection – despite plans to disguise it as a pine tree.
The application, by T-Mobile, for the mast at Sow Brook Pumping Station, Lymmhay Lane, is recommended for approval when it comes before Warrington’s Development Control Committee tonight (Wednesday).
Lymm Parish Council objected to plans for the mast with associated antennas and equipment housing, as they say it would be out of character with the area. They say the area is used by young people for leisure and that the safety of masts is not yet proved, and also that it could be a target for vandals.
Letters of objection have been submitted by 14 residents who also complain it is out of character, express health concerns and say it will devalue property.
But planners say the mast in the form of a pine tree would be in keeping with the green belt area, would not be a target of vandals and met safety requirements. They say that claims it would devalue property were not a planning issue.
Residents quizzed
on rights of way
by Lesley Wilkinson
WARRINGTON people are being asked for their views on how public rights of way – such as footpaths, bridleways and cycle tracks – can be improved in the future.
During the past 12 months Warrington Borough Council has been working on a Rights of Way Improvement Plan aimed at ensuring rights of way are adequate for today and the future.
It included an assessment of use and demand and a survey on accessibility of the network. A series of focus groups and public workshops were also held.
Now the council is consulting more widely with information available on its website and in libraries, before producing a Draft Rights of Way Improvement Plan.
Coun Jeff Richards, Executive Board member for sustainable environment, said: “A considerable amount of work has already gone into the Rights of Way Improvement Plan, which is working towards ensuring rights of way across the borough including footpaths and cycle paths are adequate for the public’s needs.
“I would encourage residents to read the information and give their views so they too can play a part in shaping and safeguarding the environment for the future,” he added.
The Plan is a response to the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. This act also resulted in the setting up of the Cheshire and Warrington Local Access Forum, which advises both Cheshire and Warrington Councils on countryside access issues.
The Annual Report of the forum for 2004/5 can be accessed on the council’s website or a hard copy can be requested. Membership of the forum comes up for renewal in 2006 and anyone interested should contact John Thorp in the Rights of Way team.
