Masked knifeman
raids petrol station
by David Skentelbery
POLICE are hunting a masked raider who robbed a petrol filling station at Lymm, near Warrington.
The offender brandished a knife and threatened a girl assistant at Agden Park Garage, Agden Brow before making off with a quantity of cash from the till.
He is described as being aged about 16, between 5ft 1 inches and 5ft f4 inches tall, and of skinny build. He spoke with a local accent and was wearing a home-made mask, in a black, shiny knitted material.
His eyes showed through the eye-holes as being blue.
The youth was also wearing a dark coloured hooded top with the hood up and navy coloured track suit bottoms with a single white stripe down each leg.
Although the assistant was badly shaken, she was not hurt.
Detectives investigating the offence would like to speak to any witnesses. They should contact DC Craig Lindfield or DC Astbury on 01244 613646.
Double cause
to celebrate!
by Gary Skentelbery
PEACE campaigner Colin Parry had double cause to celebrate at a surprise party to mark his 60th birthday as he became a grandad for the first time.
His daughter Abbie gave birth to a baby girl, Evie, four days before the event, while his wife Wendy organised for family and friends to donate money to the peace centre instead of buying presents for Colin. Members of Birchwood Lions handed over a cheque for ?460.
The party took place at the landmark Warrington Peace Centre, which Colin and Wendy campaigned for in the wake of the Warrington IRA bombing in March 1993, which claimed the lives of their son 12-year-old Tim Parry and three-year-old Johnathan Ball.
Both boys died from their injuries after terrorists placed bombs in two town centre bins the day before Mother’s Day.
But instead of reacting with anger, Colin and Wendy sought peace and reconciliation in their son’s name and with the help of former Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlam, embarked on a ?1 million fund-raising campaign to create the peace centre as a last memorial to the two young boys.
Colin was joined at the party by family and friends, including Abbie and Evie and his other son Dominic, along with people he hadn’t seen since his days at Swansea University.
Other guests included civic leaders the couple have befriended during their efforts to campaign for peace over the years. The peace centre now works closely with young people, not just in Warrington but from across the North West, Ireland and across the world.
Colin said: “It is very fitting that I should celebrate my 60th birthday and the birth of my grand daughter in the building which was created as a living memorial to Tim. I obviously wish Tim was still here but his spirit lives on in this building.”
Poppy Day
boxes stolen
by John Hendon
SEVEN Poppy Day collection boxes were stolen in Culcheth and district this year ? from shops, churches, pubs and banks.
But one church ? St Lewis? RC Church at Croft ? made up the money by sending a ?30 cheque to Culcheth Royal British Legion.
And despite the losses, Legion president Ron Stewart says the early indications are that this year branch collections could be better than ever.
Poppy boxes were stolen despite being secured by a chain.
Mr Stewart said: ?It is sad that people can sink so low as to steal these boxes. We do our best to secure them, but they must have wire cutters with them.
?We at the British Legion are grateful to all businesses who accept our bottles and boxes on our behalf and we accept that the liability for them is ours and ours alone.
?However, it is nice to hear of a donation being made to our charity from someone who has experienced a theft. It shows the church?s humility and understanding towards our charity.
?It is good to know such understanding exists even in this greedy age. It also puts fresh heart into the ever decreasing number of volunteers who do such wonderful work on behalf of the charity.?
Ref on the ball
for Foundation
by Gary Skentelbery
RUGBY League referee Steve Ganson was on the ball at a sportsman’s dinner at Culcheth British Legion to help raise funds for the Warrington Wolves Foundation.
Special guests included Wolves Deputy Chairman Steven Broomhead who is pictured with Steve who is being assisted with his eyesight by Foundation volunteer Steve Cox watched by Warrington Wolves Supporters’ Trust Chairman Roy Chicken and compere for the evening Darron Bibby.
Auction prizes included a signed framed Andrew Johns Wolves shirt and hospitality at the Wolves and Leigh Rugby League Clubs.
Cash prizes won during the evening were all donated back to the cause by members of the audience.
The event raised over ?4,000 which will go towards funding the Foundation, a stand alone Trust set up to support sport in the local community.
Robbery at town
centre travel agent
by John Hendon
A MAN walked into a town centre travel agents at Warrington and got away with cash after threatening staff.
The man, olive skinned and believed to be foreign, spoke in broken English and went into the exchange bureau at Just Go in Buttermarket Street.
He pointed something at a cashier, demanded money and left. Later he was seen getting into a taxi near Central Station in Winwick Street. He was carrying a Marks and Spencer bag.
Police say he was about 5ft 6 inches tall, in his late 40s or early 50s. He had black, receding hair and was wearing a blue waterproof jacket, black trousers and a grey hat.
The incident was at 9.30am on Saturday (November 18) and police say many people must have been around and seen him. Anyone who can help should call DS Ged Bibby on 01244 615859.
Youths freed on
police bail
by staff reporter
FOUR youths arrested at Warrington in connection with an alleged attack on a man who had filmed a gang of thugs wrecking his garden fence have been released on police bail.
The youths ? all juveniles ? were held in custody overnight, questioned by police yesterday and then released on conditional bail pending further enquiries.
They were three 15-year-olds from Penketh, Winwick and Wrexham and a 14-year-old from Orford.
Fifty-five-year-old Robert Anderson, of Culcheth near Warrington was attacked after a gang of youths spotted him filming them with his video camera as they vandalised his garden fence.
He was punched in the face, suffering a cut to his mouth.
It was the latest in a series of incidents suffered by Mr Anderson and his wife, Shona over a period of 10 days.
On previous occasions, troublesome youths had thrown stones and eggs at their house.
Police are still investigating the incidents and anyone who can help is asked to call PC Paul Fairhurst on 01244 612622.
Doorstep thief
duped woman
by staff reporter
POLICE have issued a warning after more doorstep thieves struck in Warrington.
A man called at an elderly woman?s home in the Longford area shortly after mid-day and claimed to be from the Water Board.
He kept the woman talking while testing taps in the kitchen ? and while he was doing so a second man went upstairs and stole money.
Police say the first man was in his late 20s or early 30s, of slim build and with a thin face. He was wearing a navy blue overcoat.
They are anxious to heard from anyone who saw the incident at Longford or who may have seen the offender elsewhere. Anyone who can help should call 0845 458 0000.
