Four arrested after
search for mugger
by John Hendon
POLICE have arrested four men at Warrington following a major operation to catch muggers who have attacked six elderly women within the space of a week.
The women, aged 71 and 82 have been attacked in a series of separate incidents.
In each case, the offenders has snatched their handbags and then runoff.
But several of the women have been injured. Several were bruised and one had her arm broken.
One was with her four-month-old grandson at the time.
All had their bags snatched.
Police issued a warning to elderly women because they strongly suspected a link between the attacks ? five of which were in the Orford area and several of which occurred within a short time of each other.
A spokesman said: ?These are despicable attacks and we are anxious to catch the offender.?
There has been no previous indication that more than one offender has been involved.
But police say four men are in custody and are being questioned.
The attacks were in Norris Street, Willis Street, Shakespeare Grove, Fothergill Street, off Chester Road and at Grappenhall.
The offender has been described as about 6ft tall, with light or ash blonde hair and in his early 20s.
Detectives are still seeking witnesses. Anyone who can help with information about any of the offences is asked to call DS CarolineTipping, DC Ged Bibby or PC Ian Ellis on 01925 652222.
Mercy mission girls
turn concert promoters
by Lesley Wilkinson
A WARRINGTON girl is one of three teenagers who are turning concert promoters to raise money towards the cost of a mercy mission to Namibia next year.
Rachael Patterson, aged 15, from Stretton with friends Kitty Couper, 16, from Stockport and Ellie Yorke, 15, from Wilmslow, are staging a fundraising gig at popular venue Manchester Music Box, Oxford Street, on Thursday November 30, featuring a variety of bands.
The trio are all pupils at Withington Girls School, Manchester and need to raise ?3,000 each to go on the trip with 11 other girls from the school.
So far, they have each raised about ?1,000.
Rachael said: said: “The gig will feature three local bands, Montagues – a group from Manchester Grammar School – Drive Like I Do from Wilmslow and Astro Boy, from Alderley Edge, who have played gigs with the likes of Boy Kill Boy.”
The headline groups are The Lodger and The More Assured – both rising stars from Leeds and London respectively.
Rachael said: “We are raising money to pay for our visit to Namibia next year.
“Fourteen girls from school are going on the trip through the World Challenge charity and all are raising money. We decided to organise the gig and we have had a lot of help from everyone.
“In Namibia we will be helping out in local villages and soaking in the cultural aspects of such a fascinating place. But we each have to raise ?3,000 first.”
Anyone who wants tickets for the gig or to offer donations to supports the girls’ trip should email [email protected]
Binmen to stage
two-day strike
by David Skentelbery
BINMEN and other environmental service workers at Warrington are to stage a two-day strike on Wednesday and Thursday next week.
The stoppage ? second in the ongoing dispute with the borough council over plans to modernise the environmental management service ? was forecast by Warrington-Worldwide on October 26.
It is understood talks took place this week between council leaders and union representatives but failed to resolve the deadlock.
The council claims the changes will mean most employees will benefit from improve pay and conditions but the unions ? Unison, GMB and TGWU – say some workers will lose up to ?50-a-week.
Binmen and parks and cemetery workers in particular will lose out, they claim.
Refuse collections were disrupted during the first strike ? a one-day stoppage on Wednesday October 18. Since then, workers have been operating a work-to-rule and overtime ban.
Private contractors have been drafted into try and clear any back-log, according to the unions.
The council says it has put in place contingency plans to maintain a service. They are asking residents to put out their bins ? including the blue and green paper and garden refuse bins ? on the normal day. If they are not collected, they are asked to leave them out so they can be collected as soon as possible.
A council spokesman said: ?The industrial action will not affect the council’s intention to modernise the Environmental Management Service. This will lead to most employees benefiting from improved pay and conditions. It will also provide a significantly higher level of service for local people in return for more flexible and effective working.?
Prime Minister praises
Daresbury scientists
by Terry Johnson
PRIME Minister Tony Blair, has commended the work of Warrington-based, world-leading scientists and researchers who are striving to build machines which could unlock secrets of the Cosmos.
The Cockroft Institute at Daresbury, underpinned by ?50m of North West Development Agency funding, is pushing forward the frontiers of particle physics to better understand how the universe was created.
In a keynote speech on science, Mr Blair praised the input from the North West and especially the innovative Institute.
“This new research facility is helping us understand how the universe came into existence”, declared the Prime Minister.
“It is leading the way in designing the next generation of particle accelerators. These will put the UK at the forefront of international efforts to build machines which will unravel the mysteries of particle physics – by recreating the earliest moments after the Big Bang.”
The Institute’s set up in the North West is a major coup for the region, led by the Development Agency and other bodies, including three universities.
NWDA chairman, Bryan Gray, said: “Science and innovation are key enablers to global competitiveness. They are at the heart of the UK’s drive to build and sustain a knowledge-based economy”.
Firework display helped
pupils realise a dream
by Terry Johnson
TWO thousand people flocked to a village school’s fireworks extravaganza…and helped pupils move nearer to realising a dream.
People from all over Culcheth, Padgate and Birchwood enjoyed the fireworks display at Culcheth’s Twiss Green Primary School last night (Friday).
Numbers have been swollen by killjoy moves to cancel displays at Birchwood and Padgate.
What other communities lost, Culcheth gained, with a fairground and clowns adding to the village celebrations.
And the gate money helped Twiss Greens’ 230 pupils move closer to their project of planting a school orchard.
The planting of fruit trees is intended to extend the school’s ‘healthy eating’ culture.
Said a spokeswoman: “We encourage children to eat a lot of fruit. It was their idea to plant their own orchard”.
University seeks views
on disability scheme
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON people are to be asked their views on a university Disability Equality Scheme.
In recent years The University of Chester has introduced a range of measures across its Warrington campus at Padgate. These are aimed at ensuring equal opportunities.
It now plans to combine these into one improved scheme, together with an action plan.
Said a uni-spokesman: “We are inviting everyone with an interest in the university to have their say on the draft policy and action plan.
“We especially hope to hear from people with experience and knowledge of disabilities, as they are best placed to advise on combating discrimination and promoting equality of opportunity”.
The draft Disability Equality Scheme can be seen at www.chester.ac.uk/sgss/scheme.ht
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