Motorist dies as car
crashes into building
by Terry Johnson
DENTAL staff fought to save an elderly driver after he collapsed at the wheel of his car in Lymm village centre, near Warrington.
The vehicle – a black Ford Mondeo – crashed into a building in Henry Street and the man, aged 77, was trapped inside the car.
Vicky Wheatley dashed from her work at Gavin Laidlaw Dental Solutions, together with dental nurse Lorraine Berry and Joanne Flatley.
The three tried to release the unnamed motorist, but he was trapped in his seat.
Vicky gave cardiac massage for about 20 minutes, but was unable to revive the pensioner.
Ambulance crews were called to the incident but it is believed were delayed in reaching the scene because of roadworks in Eagle Brow. It is understood there was some confusion about routing because of the work.
Paramedics also struggled to resuscitate the pensioner. Their efforts also failed.
It is understood no other vehicle was involved in the incident.
But police said that prior to the crash, the motorist – from the Manchester area – had been involved in an argument with another motorist about a right of way.
A spokesman said: “We would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the collision or the argument which occurred earlier.”
Anyone who can help is asked to call Sgt Mike Jones on 01244 613813.
College’s healthy eating
drive gets under way
by John Hendon
HAMBURGERS, chips, fried bread and bacon rolls will soon be off the menu at Warrington?s Priestley College as they launch their latest menu!
In the last 18 months the catering facilities have been radically overhauled on the Loushers Lane campus with an emphasis on encouraging students to go green.
The issue of eating healthily within schools and colleges has recently been highlighted by chef to the stars, Jamie Oliver whose television show was based around remoulding the traditional “school dinner” with reports now suggesting that one quarter of the UK population is obese.
Priestley, however, aims to promote healthy life styles in every sense and believes it is breaking the mould with its daily mealtime offerings.
The traditional British chip is being snubbed at Priestley in favour of healthy salads and pastas.
Catering manager Sue Flynn said: “We sat down and thought long and hard about the types of food on the menu. Priestley is a very healthy environment and this should be matched on the catering front.
“Speaking to students it was apparent, that they themselves wish to eat healthily and we are only too happy to supply the kinds of foods which are rich in nutritional quality and aid their educational development.”
Road collapse sparks
emergency probe
by David Skentelbery
TEMPORARY traffic lights have been installed in London Road, Stockton Heath, Warrington following a road collapse.
Emergency investigation works are being carried out at the junction of London Road with Sandy Lane and Orchard Street.
The borough council’s highways department sent a team to the site at the junction as soon as the problem was identified and the cause has been identified as a hole in the side of a manhole owned by United Utilities.
Workmen employed by the utilities giant are working to resolve the problem as soon as possible and to minimise traffic congestion.
Traffic on London Road is being controlled by two-way traffic lights, manually operated at peak times. The junctions with Sandy Lane and Orchard Street have been closed and diversions are in place.
It is anticipated that the works should not take more than seven days. The traffic controls will, however, be removed immediately when the work is completed.
But in the meantime, delays are anticipated and motorists are being advised to avoid the area where possible.
The closure of Sandy Lane at London Road has affected people wanting to take refuse to the recycling and householder waste centre on Sandy Lane.
But Town Hall chiefs are anxious that recycling continues and have pointed out that access to the tip site is still available from Grappenhall Lane.
They are also reminding people that recycling centres are also available at Gatewarth, off Barnard Street, Warrington and at New Cut Lane, Woolston.
All three sites are open between 8am and 8pm, seven days a week.
Youngsters create a
garden in the heat
by Mark Hemmings
JOBLESS youngsters and young offenders were given 10 days to complete two tasks at Warrington?s Cinnamon Brow Community Centre ? creating a new garden and building a children?s play area.
Five youngsters took on the tasks as part of the Cheshire Fire Service Princes? Trust scheme.
The project involved the youngsters not only doing the work but also raising funding for the project.
Fundraising work included doing a bag pack at Morrisons, a car wash at Warrington Fire Station and a sponsored bike ride. In total they raised ?1120.
The hard work coincided with the hot weather ? but that didn?t stop the team who have to have the work completed for the official opening of the garden on June 22.
Local parish councillor Mick Curran said: “The people involved with these projects work very hard and have to raise all of the funds themselves. It would be wonderful if someone who could assist them financially could make themselves known to us.”
A family fun day is planned at the community centre on July 20 to help raise funds to enable development work to continue ? and also give local families a fun day out.
Knifeman in raid
on newsagents
by John Hendon
A MAN brandishing a knife got away with cash from a Warrington newsagent?s shop after threatening the manageress.
The 9.30pm raid was at Martin?s newsagents in Admiral?s Road, Birchwood.
A man burst into the shop holding the knife ? believed to be a kitchen knife with a 8-12 inch blade.
He threatened the 47-year-old manageress and then fled with money from the till.
Police said the man was of slim to medium build, about 6ft tall and had his face covered with dark coloured material. He was wearing a dark jacket with a pink band across it, blue overall type trousers and scruffy trainers.
Anyone who witnessed the robbery, or who can help police with information, is asked to call DS David Walsh on 01244 613730.
Library users to
be given a say
by David Skentelbery
THE library at Lymm, near Warrington, is about to undergo a major refurbishment – and library users are being given a chance to have a say on the shape of the future service.
Lymm Library will be holding a public consultation day on Monday, June 19 when users are invited to drop in between 2pm and 8pm to make comments, ask questions or make suggestions.
A library spokeswoman said: “Lymm Library is now 80 years old and we want to keep her fit for another 80 years. A major refurbishment is about to take place but we would like help from users.
“Some people may not have been in for a long time and haven’t seen that we’ve moved with the times. Perhaps we aren’t currently providing what you want, or perhaps the current opening times don’t suit.
“Whatever your comments, compliments or thoughts we would like you to join us for a public consultation day.”
Anyone who can’t make the consultation day but would like to voice an opinion is asked to telephone Wendy on 01925 442732 for a survey questionnaire, or simply call in and pick one up.
World Cup momentoes
in special exhibition
by staff reporter
A PAIR of World Cup Final tickets from 1966 signed by football legend Geoff Hurst are featured in an exhibition at Warrington Museum.
As football fever hits the town the museum is staging a special exhibition of memorabilia from the game.
There are many exhibits from the 1966 tournament, which belong to a Warrington collector, in th
e display. It is expected to be popular with fans.
A souvenir ice bucket and sweet tin, programme from the final and a framed newspaper bearing the headline “England Champions of the World” are featured. There is also a 1966 souvenir autograph book with Bobby Moore, the West Ham team and the 1966 World Cup team included.
And museum organisers are urging young fans to collects tickets, stickers books etc, from the current tournament – which could be exhibited in the future.
The display is part of the Warrington People exhibition, which celebrates people from Warrington, present and past, including Pete Waterman, Kerry Katona, Pete Postlethwaite and entertainer George Formby.
Coun Roy Smith, Executive Board member, said: “As world cup fever approaches people really shouldn’t miss out on this fabulous exhibition. And there is plenty of other memorabilia and interesting displays including a feature on Warrington’s famous people from the past and present for everyone to enjoy.
“The museum is a great attraction for all the family or those with specialist interests such as art from home and abroad or natural history,” he added.
Police stage special
“morning” meeting
by David Skentelbery
RESIDENTS of Great Sankey, Warrington, who find it difficult to attend local Police Community Action Meetings in the evening have a chance to meet their local bobbies today (Saturday) ? in the morning.
A meeting will take place at Great Sankey Library, Marina Avenue at 10.30am.
Officers will be reporting back on the progress made since the last CAM in relation to youth provision in the area which was the priority issue voted for by residents.
Police will also be providing details of an on-going operation to target youth nuisance and criminal damage in and around the school grounds of Great Sankey Primary School on Liverpool Road. This operation was launched as a result of a significant amount of damage caused in the area.
PCSO Natalie Giles said: ?We are taking the details of anyone found in the school grounds that doesn?t have permission to be there. The school is working closely with us and has put up signs warning people that if they are on the premises they will be considered a nuisance under the Education Act 1996.
?We will be sending letters to these individuals to warn them that if they are caught on the premises a second time they will be issued with an Acceptable Behaviour Contract and their details will be passed to the school who will consider civil action. A third offence will result in them being considered for an ASBO.?
Officers are also using a CCTV vehicle in the local area to deter would-be offenders.
Art show will be
bigger and better
by Lesley Wilkinson
THIS year’s Burtonwood Art Show will be a bigger event with 60 contributors taking part – almost double the numbers of last year.
The event is staged on June 24 and 25, with a private view on the evening of June 23.
Artists taking part are mainly leisure painters and most are from the Warrington area. Between them they will display about 250 pictures and many of the works are for sale at reasonable prices.
The show will be held in St Michaels Hall, and is open from 10am until 4pm, and all profits go to St Michaels Church.
Last year 33 pictures were sold. There were more than 500 visitors and the show made about ?800. Organisers are hoping to raise ?1,000 this year.
