Hooded raiders rob
village betting shop
by David Skentelbery
HOODED raiders burst into a Warrington betting shop, threatened staff and made off with cash.
No-one was hurt in the raid, but staff at the betting office in Clay Lane, Burtonwood were left badly shaken.
The three offenders burst into the premises around 6pm and hurled bricks at the glass partition separating the public part of the office from the staff quarters.
They then went behind the counter, threatened staff and grabbed a large quantity of cash from a rear office. Then they fled from the premises and drove off at speed in a car.
Police are appealing for witnesses of the raid.
They say one man was 6ft tall, of thin build and was wearing a black, hooded top and black trousers.
Another was 5ft 4 inches tall, aged about 38, of medium build and had short, mousey coloured hair. He had a pale complexion and wore a beige top.
The third man was about 5ft 2 inches tall.
Anyone able to help the police should call DC Mark Spaven on 01244 613730.
Top radio DJ to broadcast
from university campus
by Lesley Wilkinson
STAR of television’s “Never Mind the Buzzcocks” Phill Jupitus will present his national radio show from Warrington on Tuesday May 9.
His BBC 6 breakfast show will go out live from the radio studios at University of Chester’s Warrington Campus at Padgate, from 7.00am to 10.00am.
He is taking up a long-standing invitation to pay an exchange visit to the Warrington campus from third year BA in Radio Production student Mark Kendrick.
During a nine week work placement last summer Mark, 26, originally from Rayleigh in Essex, made such an impression at BBC 6 Music that staff encouraged him to keep in touch.
He said: “Working in radio is exactly what I have always wanted to do, ever since visiting BBC Essex aged six and volunteering there at 19.”
Senior lecturer in Radio Production and campus radio manager, Dave Grimshaw, said: “Our Media Department has close links across the industry, but attracting Phill Jupitus here is a real coup and we are fortunate that Mark had the contacts and dedication which made that possible.”
The programme will be simultaneously broadcast on “The Cat,” the university’s own radio station, which can be listened to on the intranet and on 1251 medium wave in the Warrington area.
After the show Phill will spend time chatting to campus students.
Brolly good show!
by Gary Skentelbery
GREY skies, wind and rain – Culcheth Community Day wouldn’t be the same without it!
Despite the bad weather local community groups managed to put on a “brolly good show” as anoraks and umbrellas were the order of the day.
Parish Chairman Lilian Houghton started proceedings which saw large crowds descend on the village green despite the weather.
Fortunately proceedings did brighten up later in the afternoon after a damp start.
Members of the Culcheth based Abuko African Drum and Dance band added a splash of colour to the proceedings and helped brighten up the day.
Parr Hall concert brings
George Formby to life
by staff reporter
THE songs of legendary Warrington entertainer George Formby were brought to life again during a lively concert at the Parr Hall.
Guest at Warrington Male Voice Choir’s Annual St George’s Day Concert was Mike Turner, of the George Formby Appreciation Society.
He has recently turned professional and was performing before his largest audience to date. He took the crowd down memory lane with a rendition of the star’s best-known hits.
A choir spokesman said: “We’ve always believed in encouraging North West talent to accept guest bookings at our concerts, hoping that the ever-increasing media coverage of the choir, will rub off and showcase their performances. Traditional northern culture is still very much alive and kicking.”
The show started with an unprogrammed item by the Corps of Drums: North West Infantry (T.A) (King’s). They were then joined by their full regimental band in a programme that ranged from “Starlight Express” to Vaughan Williams’ “Folk Song Suite.”
The choir under the direction of Russell Paterson started the show with the traditional “Jerusalem” and sang a wide-ranging repertoire, which included “West Side Story” and Sibelius’ “Finlandia.”
Members are now rehearsing for two separately themed concerts for “The Proms,” and a return charity weekend with Wingates Band in the Isle of Man, during September.
Crime novel shortlisted
for national award
by Lesley Wilkinson
CRIME novelist Martin Edwards, of Lymm, has seen his latest paperback shortlisted for a national book prize.
His novel, “The Coffin Trail,” is the first of his Lake District mysteries and is nominated for the Theakston’s prize for best crime novel of the year. It is competing against novels by international best-sellers such as Ian Rankin, Alexander McCall Smith, Kate Atkinson and Lynda La Plante.
Martin, of Baycliffe, is a partner in a firm of solicitors in Liverpool. He specialises in employment law and equal opportunities, but finds writing about crime is his passion.
He has written since childhood and has had 700 legal articles published on a variety of topics, and seven legal books used by his profession throughout the country. He finds writing a good way to relax after work. Many of his books are set in the Lake District and he often visits the area to carry out research.
Martin said: “One of the many exciting things about this nomination is that it is open to public vote. I am thrilled to be in such famous company.”
Inspector clears way
for takeaway shop
by John Hendon
A PLANNING inspector has cleared the way for a shop in Central Avenue, Orford, Warrington to be converted into a hot food takeaway.
The borough council?s development control committee last year refused planning consent for the change of use.
But the applicant appealed ? and the inspector who dealt with the appeal has ruled in his favour.
The council had rejected the plan on the grounds it would generate traffic and on-street parking likely to affect highway safety and the free flow of traffic.
But the inspector decided the shop was located in a group of other shops, that there was existing traffic calming which reduced the speed of vehicles and that there was no evidence the shop would generate sufficient levels of traffic to have an adverse impact on traffic flows.
Alan Stephenson, Warrington?s director of environmental services, commented: ?The council has, without exception, failed to defend refusal to grant planning permission for takeaway food uses based on highways and parking grounds.
?In the recent past, appeals against such refusals on Warrington Road, Penketh, Padgate Lane and Longford Street have been successful.
?Future decisions relating to applications for similar forms of development should have regard to the outcome of this and the other appeals noted.?
Mobile crane plunges
down M6 embankment
by staff reporter
THE driver of a mobile crane had an amazing escape early today when his vehicle plunged off the M6 and careered down an embankment.
It happened after a collision between the crane and another heavy goods vehicle on the motorway near Thelwall Viaduct.
The mobile crane ended up only yards from the Manchester Ship Canal.
Neither driver was hurt in the incident.
Emergency services rushed to the scene and fire crews from Warrington helped make the vehicles safe and clear wreckage from the motorway.
A spokeswoman said: “The mobile crane nearly ended up in the canal. The driver was extremely lucky to escape unhurt.”
The crashed occurred at 6.40am.
[ 04.05.2006, 09:36: Message edited by: DS ]
