Youth robbed at
knifepoint in wood
by staff reporter
A YOUTH was robbed at knifepoint as he walked along a path in a wooded area at Fearnhead, near Warrington.
The knife was held at his throat by one man while the other went through his pockets, stealing cash and other property.
Police are now searching for two youths, one aged about 19-20 and the other about 16.
The attack took place as the victim was walking along the wooded path, near Blackledge Close, intending to visit the Spar shop at Fearnhead.
He was confronted by the two offenders who demanded cash.
The older of the offenders had no left eyebrow, according to police. He also had a “sunken face” with a number of missing teeth on the left side of his face.He was wearing a padded jacket, black tracksuit bottoms with three green stripes on them. He was about 5ft 9 inches tall.
The second offender was about 5ft 7 inches tall, of skinny build with mousey or blond coloured hair. He was wearing a black baseball cap, navy blue hooded jacket and blue tracksuit bottoms.
Police are appealing for witnesses who should contact DC Ian Hampson on 01244 613845.
Dispute over firm’s
car park plans
by David Skentelbery
COUNCILLORS at Warrington are to visit a major company?s car park to try and resolve a dispute over whether a big extension can be carried out.
Planning officers say the scheme should be blocked ? to discourage staff travelling to work by car.
But local residents, councillors and Birchwood Town Council say it should be allowed to ensure there is adequate off-road parking in the area.
The scheme is at Carphone Warehouse, Standford House, Birchwood.
Borough planners argue that the availability of parking has a major influence on people’s choice of transport.
A spokesman said: “Increasing the level of parking would detract from the important objective of promoting sustainable travel choices.”
The company want to increase the number of parking spaces from 223 to 343.
Local people say parking by Carphone Warehouse staff in nearby Glover Road is causing road safety problems – particularly for primary school pupils. The company has had limited success in persuading staff not to use their cars.
Two nearby residents are opposing the plan on the grounds it will turn the area into an “ugly and demoralising sea of tarmac”
There is also opposition to the scheme from planners on the grounds the development would result in the loss of trees and shrubberies which form part of a ?greenway? network throughout the Risley employment area.
Self-taught artist
plans exhibition
by Mark Hemmings
A WARRINGTON man who took up painting when he was made redundant is planning his first exhibition in the town.
Brian Hendry, of Winwick said: ?I should have been doing this for years ? but I am so glad to be doing it now.?
Born in Scotland in 1946, Brian attended Glasgow School for Art for 12 months in his youth but apart from that it self-taught.
He moved to England in 1967 and worked as a photogravure engraver.
“I have always been aware of my ability to draw but only realised my skill as an artist after being made redundant from my job.
“None of my family were artistic so I don’t know where this gene has come from.
“When I was at school I was drawing all the time because I wasn’t that good at Maths and English.?
Brian paints landscapes, buildings, still life and portraits but his real passion is for figurative images.
He said: “I enjoy painting figures in a contemporary style. For this, I use acrylic paint on canvas.”
After a spate of ill health, Brian operates now from his studio on Falcondale Road, Winwick.
He added: “Art has proved to be really good therapy for me.?
Arson attack on
unoccupied flat
by John Hendon
ARSONISTS broke into a first floor flat at Warrington and started a blaze which wrecked the premises.
Two youths were seen to break into the flat in Plumtre Avenue, Bewsey and run away shortly afterwards. Minutes later, neighbours spotted smoke pouring from the property.
Fire crews wearing breathing apparatus tackled the blaze, unsure at first whether someone was trapped inside. But in fact the occupants were out at the time.
A ventilation unit was used to clear smoke from the property, but damage was severe and the flat will need to be completely refurbished.
Smoke water damage was caused to the flat below.
Police are investigating the incident.
Finance company
well on target
by business staff
JUST nine months after Warrington-based Blue Motor Finance landed a ?7 million equity investment to take it from broker to lender, the company will hit profit earlier than forecast and at a time when many other lenders are withdrawing from the market.
In that time, the company, from St James Court, Wilderspool Causeway, has handled tens of thousands of applications from for non-prime motor finance, even seeing a record ?5 million in a single day. It is well on target to achieve its first year lending target and its short-term ambition to achieve ?250 million worth of new business a year.
The system behind Blue?s success is BIDS (Blue Interactive Dealer System) ? an innovative web-based automated scorecard housed on a specially developed computer system, which offers response times previously only associated with prime finance.
Even on start up this system could turn an application around in 15 minutes compared to hours, if not days. Now it is capable of doing the same in an average three minutes, maximising the potential of a sale.
It is this fast turnaround and Blue?s detailed and considered approach to its non-prime products that has led more than 1,200 dealers and dealer groups to put their non-prime business through Blue.
There are an estimated nine million people in the UK with credit difficulties and Blue?s workforce has more than quadrupled to 64 to cope with demand.
Sales director Peter Critchley, who helped found Blue four years ago, said: ?Our confidence that there was a huge, untapped market out there has been justified by the fantastic response we have had to our offer.?
Estate agent cheques
out on a high
WARRINGTON based estate agent Gascoigne Halman and their offices across the region have been undertaking stunts from the daft to the daring to raise much needed funds for the David Lewis National Epilepsy Centre in Cheshire.
As a result of their efforts Gascoigne Halman were recently able to hand over a cheque for no less than ?22,450, money that the Centre have put towards the purchase of two holiday caravans which will be permanently cited in North Wales and used by residents from the Centre.
During the course of the year staff at Gascoigne Halman have participated in a wide range of activities. In January they took part in a ?Wacky Races? baton challenge which saw a baton passed around the firm?s 16 offices using unusual modes of transport. In March they entered a team in the Wilmslow Half Marathon, and in May they participated in the David Lewis Centre?s annual 5-a-side football competition.
June saw the firm using a For Sale board designed by Ben Jones, a student at the Centre and in July the team took fundraising to new heights in a skydiving challenge.
More recently estate agency staff turned themselves into interior designers when they turned a tired and somewhat neglected day room into a stunning relaxation room for the residents at the Centre.
Commenting on the success of the fundraising, John Halman said: ?It has been a pleasure to work with the fundraising team at the David Lewis National Epilepsy Centre and given the team at Gascoigne Halman a shared goal and focus outside of the usual ?office? remit. We have had great fun and I am indebted to my team for the effort they have put in to all the fundraising challenges we h
ave set them.
The final amount raised is beyond our wildest expectations and I am really proud with what we have achieved.?
The David Lewis National Epilepsy Centre, in Warford near Alderley Edge is the UK?s largest provider of a range of medical, educational, residential and assessment services for people with complex epilepsy and other neurological conditions.
Biting Back
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON Wolves have announced that former club captain Mike Gregory will be signing copies of his book ?Biting Back: The Mike Gregory Story? on Saturday December 9 between 12noon and 1.00pm at the Main Reception.
Mike will be joined by Wolves Head Coach Paul Cullen and Club Captain Paul Rauhihi.
The event is a book signing only and no other merchandise will be signed.
Mike?s book, which tells his life story and his battle with a debilitating illness, is available from Wolfware retailing at ?17.99 and can be ordered on 01925 248888.
News in brief
Celebrity concert
WELL known pianist Stephen Hough, who originates from Warrington is performing a celebrity piano recital at St Peters Church, Oughtrington, Lymm at 7.30pm on Wednesday January 10. Tickets from Stephanie florist, 19 The Cross, Lymm, or by calling 01925 753968.
‘Open Mike’ Night
LOCAL residents are being given a chance to perform live music at new “open Mike Nights” taking place every Wednesday night at the New Inn pub, Culcheth near Warrington at 9pm. All are welcome of any age, type of music or ability. The aim is to promote live music in the area and there will be prizes to be won.
Road humps
WARRINGTON Borough Council proposes to install road humps in Oxford Street and Clifton Street, Latchford. Anyone wishing to object should write to the council’s legal services department by December 21.
Footpath closure
TEMPORARY footpath closures are planned for the west and east sides of Kingsway South, Warrington close to the junctions with Grange Avenue and Bridgewater Avenue, from January 15 while maintenance work is carried out on Kingsway Bridge. It is expected the work will take about 16 weeks.
