Town struggling under
increasing debt burden
by David Skentelbery
FAMILIES in Warrington are struggling under an ever-increasing burden of debt, according to the town’s Citizen’s Advice Bureau.
Forty per cent of the CAB’s work is related to debt – and unsecured debts of between ?30,000 and ?50,000 are not uncommon.
Some people have debts of ?100,000 – not including their mortgage.
The stark picture of debt across the town has been outlined by Steve Cullen, district manager at Warrington CAB.
Nationally, he said, there were debts totalling ?1.25 trillion – an increase of 10 per cent in the last 12 months.
The average amount of debt per household is ?8,000 – or ?50,000 if mortgages are included.
Mr Cullen said the CAB did not regard debts as a problem until people were having problems with repayment. These problems were growing at a phenomenal rate, not necessarily because of people acting irresponsibly but simply because of over-extending themselves A worrying development was the number of older people who had debt problems. It was estimated that 12 per cent of pensioners with debt problems.
In Warrington there were many pensioners who still had mortgages. The CAB had clients aged from under 20 to over 80. They came from all parts of the borough and people living in private houses in Stockton Heath were likely to have mortgage arrears as high as people in rented houses in Longford had rent arrears.
Part of the problem was the number of enticements to people to borrow money. It was possible for an individual to be declared bankrupt and then go home to find offers through the door to borrow more money.
Doorstep lenders were a serious problem. A typical interest rate on a doorstep loan was 177 per cent and some were as high as 420 per cent on a loan of ?400 over six months.
Some people took out loans it would take more than 70 years to repay, even on relatively small amounts. Many would not live long enough to clear them.
Mr Cullen said credit unions were performing a useful role in solving debt problems, offering loans at 12 per cent and interest of four per cent on savings.
The CAB would encourage people to join credit unions, he said, and there were plans to extend credit union activity into other parts of Warrington, such as Stockton Heath and Appleton.
Store gets behind the
Children in Need appeal
FOR the sixth year running Asda in Warrington is raising funds for the BBC Children in Need appeal.
The Cockhedge centre shop is joining the company’s 320 stores and depots throughout the country to raise funds for the appeal this week.
Last year the Warrington store raised ?750 for the appeal.
Moe Brien, general store manager, said: “We’re really getting behind the BBC Children In Need campaign this year, and with our customers support, we know we’re going to help make this year’s appeal the biggest success yet.”
Pudsey, the appeal mascot, has visited the store several times during the week.
A tombola and collections at the store have so far raised ?500.
Drama group to
move out of village
by David Skentelbery
THE Playmakers ? the drama group that has been presenting plays at Stockton Heath?s St Thomas?s Hall for 60 years ? is to move out of the village.
It?s production last week of ?Lord Arthur Savile?s Crime? ? the Constance Cox adaptation of a short story by Oscar Wilde ? was probably the last the group will stage at St Thomas?s.
Plans are being made for The Playmakers to move to Cinnamon Brow Farm, on the other side of Warrington, where a community theatre has been developed in recent years.
Playmakers? spokeswoman Jennie Radley said: ?We are leaving Stockton Heath not because we want to, but because we really have no choice.
?We have not fallen out with St Thomas? because we have had a wonderful relationship with them for so many years. But the recently appointed management committee are naturally anxious to get more bookings and have made changes which have made things difficult for us.
?We put on three plays a year and have always been able to have the hall from the Friday evening prior to the play opening the following week. This has given us a long weekend to build the set. Now we cannot have the Friday night because another group uses it.
?In addition, we have to move all the audience seats every night so other groups can use the hall ? and on top of that we have been told the fees are to be increased next year.
?At one time, nearly all our members were from the Stockton Heath area, but now we have members from all over Warrington and even from Runcorn and Widnes.
?We just hope our loyal Stockton Heath audiences will follow us to Cinnamon Brow.?
The Playmakers have investigated all other possible venues in the Stockton Heath and Appleton areas but all have proved unsuitable for one reason or another.
Vicar of St Thomas’s, the Rev Michael Ridley said: “We are very sorry that The Playmakers are leaving. It will be a big loss to Stockton Heath. We would welcome them back any time.”
Retail chain targets
under-age shoppers
by Lesley Wilkinson
A WARRINGTON-based retail operator, which has 77 stores in the North West, is launching a campaign to target under-age shoppers buying restricted goods.
Alfred Jones, which operates SPAR convenience stores, has launched an in-store Check Out ID campaign, to discourage under age customers from attempting to buy products, including alcohol, cigarettes, tobacco and solvents.
The campaign, in conjunction with Warrington Trading Standards, is targeted at customers and store staff.
It features posters and displays in store with the message “Under 21? Have proof of age ready. No id, no sale! We will checkout your ID.” Staff training sessions will also be carried out to support the message.
“Be more aware of
diabetes” says MP
by Lesley Wilkinson
A CALL for people to be more aware of the factors that lead to diabetes in a bid to help prevent the condition has been made by Warrington South MP Helen Southworth.
She welcomes a report from Diabetes UK and the All Party Parliamentary Group for Diabetes. It found that individuals in Britain’s poorest communities are 2.5 times more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes, and 3.5 times more likely to develop related complications including heart disease, stroke and kidney damage.
The MP, who serves as secretary of an All Party Group on Diabetes, wants greater awareness of the factors which contribute to Type 2 diabetes, which include obesity and high blood pressure, and she wants improved access to health checks and the vital care that those diagnosed with diabetes need.
She said: “This report highlights the health inequalities which currently exist for disadvantaged groups and demonstrates that a shift in attitudes and services is vital if we are going to improve health and healthcare in our most deprived communities.”
Mrs Southworth said the report shows that in deprived areas poor care and unhealthy lifestyles put people at risk. It shows that obesity is nearly 50 per cent higher in women from poorer areas and people from these areas are also 50 per cent more likely to smoke.
The MP said the report also shows that following diagnosis people in deprived communities are not getting the vital health checks they need to prevent complications developing.
Not so fast!
by staff reporter
VEHICLE activated speed warning signs and speed enforcement signs are to be erected in Walton Road, Stockton Heath, following complaints about the excessive speed of vehicles using the road. Some trees and shrubs may have to be cut back to enable the system to work and home owners will be contacted by highways chiefs.
