Sub-Aqua divers come
face to face with sharks
by Terry Johnson
INTREPID Warrington Sub-Aqua Club members snorkelled with manta rays, dived with barracudas and moray eels and had close encounters with gliding sharks.
Their adrenalin rush lasted a week as they explored the teaming underwater world, off Port Sudan.
Club chairman, Peter Holbrook, took a spring break from his Warrington conveyancing business to ?chill out? with sharks – dozens of big greys, white tips and silkies which circled the divers and at times eye-balled from less than two metres!
The thrilling underwater encounters were added to by visits to Egypt’s Pyramids.
On reaching Port Sudan, the diving team were whisked from the airport in the early hours – despite a city-wide midnight curfew.
“The diving was spectacular”, said Peter. “There were amazing currents and drift dives, fantastic coral reefs, a couple of huge shipwrecks and fish shoals in every direction”.
He added: “We went round Port Sudan at the end of the diving trip, but couldn’t take ‘photos for fear of arrest.
“This is one of the three main cities of Sudan, but there is no water or sanitation, no electricity and some roads had only recently been surfaced for the first time”.
Banned killer sweet
is on sale in town
by Terry Johnson
A SWEET killer banned from Europe after 18 choking deaths is being openly sold in Warrington.
The mini-cup jellies do not dissolve easily and stick in a child’s throat.
A Europe-wide ban has been in force since 2002. The danger sweets are contained in a dome-shaped plastic cup with peel-off lid.
Trading Standards spokeswoman Edwina Greenwood, (pictured above with the mini cups) said: “We would urge parents whose children have bought these danger jellies to dispose of them safely.
“Parents must be alert to the risk. And children are advised not to buy or eat these sweets”.
Borough safety chiefs are tracking retailers selling the banned sweets and are appealing to the public to help them.
They say that a batch of the sweets was discovered at a town retailer’s premises.
Rock band’s debut
disc a “sell-out”
A WARRINGTON rock band formed just a year ago has sold out HMV’s stocks of its debut single, with demand ?accelerating?.
A strong fan base and universities’ sales have kick-started The Randoms rock band, with 1,000 pre-sales of ?2 Stripe Trainers/Taking Your Best Mate’s Girl to the Pictures?.
The band have released the single on their own November Record Label.
Greg Derbyshire, Tim Matthews, Alex Lomas, Rob Rees and Sam Panic have played gigs in Liverpool (The Cavern) and Manchester.
They are at Warrington’s Panama Jacks on April 30.
Spokesman Dominic Walker said: “For fans wishing to buy a copy at HMV there will be stocks later this week and also to order at their website.”
Former pupil plans
a school reunion
by Lesley Wilkinson
A WOMAN who emigrated to Perth in Australia 35 years ago is returning to Warrington and planning a reunion of her old school.
Pamela Sutcliffe, nee Johnston, went to the former Oakwood Avenue Girls Tech School and left in 1962.
“I have always wanted to come back for a school reunion but never heard when there was one. So I decided to organise one from here,” she wrote to Warrington Worldwide.
The reunion will be held at The Village Hall, Appleton Thorn, on Saturday June 10 at 7.30pm.
“We would like everyone to come who was in our year and anyone else who would like to. We just ask if you would please bring a plate of food to share for supper and drinks can be bought at the venue,” she said.
Pamela leaves Perth for Warrington on May 22. She travels via Singapore and arrives in Manchester on May 26.
She can be contacted by email at [email protected]
College is crucible
for musical talent
by Terry Johnson
WARRINGTON?S Priestley College is becoming a crucible for development of the town’s musical talent.
Nine students from Cardinal Newman High were welcomed to Priestley to get hands-on experience of the college’s professional musical facilities – from editing music on computer to studio performing.
The event is the latest in a series of cross-town partnerships with borough secondary schools.
College spokesman Nat Ashurst said: “We are thrilled to welcome to campus visitors from secondary schools. The latest event allowed Cardinal Newman pupils use of industry standard equipment and facilities. It also proved a constructive use of their holiday time”.
Thieves torch
parked car
by David Skentelbery
THIEVES broke into a parked car at Warrington, stole a laptop computer and then set fire to the car.
The incident happened during the night in Manchester Road.
Fire crews were called to the scene but the car was almost completely burned out.
A Fire Service spokesman said: “The owner had left a laptop in view on the back seat – which is not a very good idea.
“There was no sign of the laptop so we think someone broke in, took the computer and then set fire to the car to destroy any evidence.
“We cannot emphasise too much that valuable property should not be left on view in cars. It is asking for trouble.”
Tenants get lettings
“bidding” service
by John Hendon
TENANTS of Warrington?s Golden Gates Housing are to get a 24-hour bidding service for lettings and call-free access to housing/rents enquiries.
From April 24, a new automated ‘phone service will be launched. This will enable Choice Based Lettings customers to bid for homes any time of the day or night.
They can ‘phone free on 0800-648000: mobiles should ring 01925-430159.
Customers with housing enquiries can call free on 0800-252627. This number includes repairs and rents issues. The service operates between 8.00am-6.30pm: mobile users should ring 01925-443535.
