Farmer’s son who became
unexploded bomb hero
by David Skentelbery
A FARMER’S son from Warrington who became Britain’s most decorated bomb disposal expert has died, aged 91.
Lt Commander John Bridge quit his job as a schoolteacher to volunteer for the Royal Navy at the outbreak of World War 2.
He was a pacifist – but he knew his degree in physics could be put to use saving lives.
Within a month of being accepted into the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and having had only one week’s training he defused his first German bomb.
Over the next five months the former Leigh Grammar School pupil, who was born at Ratcliffe House Farm, Bent Lane, Culcheth, was involved in defusing more than 100 “UXBs” in the Plymouth-Falmouth area as the Luftwaffe pounded naval dockyards.
He was awarded The George Medal for making safe a bomb known to be fitted with a delayed action fuse, which could have exploded at any moment.
On two successive nights, he dealt with 15 unexploded bombs in Plymouth including a double-fused bomb designed to prevent handling which was ticking ominously when he reached it. For this was awarded the King’s Commendation for Brave Conduct.
A few weeks later he defused a submerged bomb at Falmouth for which he received a Bar to his George Medal.
In August 1943, after the invasion of Sicily, he was instructed to clear Messina harbour of mines. A previous mine-clearing team had all been killed or seriously injured by depth charges fitted with a new unknown firing mechanism.
Bridge recovered one mine intact so that he could learn how to make the remainder safe and then made 28 dives over a period of 20 hours, often under enemy shellfire, to clear all the depth charges and 207 other explosive devices.
Two of his crew who had handled the cleared charges above water received the George Medal and Bridge was awarded the George Cross for his “conspicuous and prolonged bravery and contempt of death.”
On D-Day+1 he helped clear the Normandy to of mines and other explosive devices left there and then, at the end of September 1944, he was called forward to the Nijmegen area where a daring German operation was holding up the advance of General Sir Brian Horrocks’s 30 Corps over the River Waal.
An unexploded charge was lying against a bridge, under water when Bridge arrived. He was greeted by General Horrocks with an offer of breakfast, but declined, stripped to his underpants and made the charge safe.
After the war, Bridge returned to teaching and eventually became director of education at Sunderland where his funeral takes place on January 5.
He still has one more honour to collect. In February he was to have opened a new Royal Navy bomb disposal training centre to be named after him.
His nephew, also named John Bridge, of Moss House Farm, Glazebury said: “He was a truly remarkable man – but an extremely modest one.”
Council signs up for
climate change campaign
by David Skentelbery
WARRINGTON Borough Council has signed up to a campaign to tackle climate change ? but not without a difference of opinion between the political parties.
The council has joined 160 local authorities nationwide in agreeing to tackle the issue locally over the next two years.
But when the resolution was put to the council by Liberal Democrats Brian Axcell and Graham Welborn, Labour?s Paul Kenny and Jill Bolton moved an amendment.
Both sides expressed surprise that there should be any objection to their proposals before, finally, a minor change in the wording of the amendment enabled the resolution to go through.
The resolution was that Warrington sign the Nottingham Declaration ? a voluntary pledge to tackle climate change locally to help the UK meet national targets.
Energy saving, reducing traffic congestions and improving the local environment should now all be made a top priority in Warrington.
The declaration sets out a series of milestones Warrington will commit to, such as managing transport and buildings to cut carbon emissions, raising awareness among staff and residents about the impact of climate change and forging partnerships with local businesses and communities to address the issue.
Coun Welborn, executive member for Safer and Greener Communities, said: “Signing the Nottingham Declaration shows how committed we are as a local authority to reducing the effects of climate change. We hope that we lead by example since this is an issue that everybody must take responsibility for and that we all can help to change by working together.”
Philip Selwood, chief executive of the Energy Saving Trust, which administers the Nottingham Declaration, said: “We are delighted that Warrington Borough Council has signed this very important declaration. Climate change is occurring and will continue to have far reaching effects on the UK’s people and places.”
The Nottingham Declaration was originally launched in October 2000 at a conference in Nottingham with 200 leaders, chief executives and senior managers of UK local government. It was re-launched last year.
Festive drinks cans
should be recycled
by Lesley Wilkinson
PEOPLE in Warrington are being urged to enjoy a “greener” Christmas and recycle their drinks cans from over the festive period.
Warrington business Podmore?s Metal Merchants has teamed up with Novelis, the world’s leading recycler of aluminium, to remind people that cash can be made from recycling.
The company pays collectors .40p for every kilo (approximately 60 cans) recycled.
One regular recycler Philip Clarke of Westy has proved recycling pays by joining with colleagues and collecting aluminium drink cans around the local area. He has been rewarded by scooping ?50 of vouchers in a draw run by the companies.
He said: “It’s brilliant! As well as the environmental benefits of recycling and raising some extra cash, winning a prize is an added bonus. I hope that all the extra drink cans my colleagues and I get through at Christmas will boost collections in the New Year!”
Armed raiders foiled
in post office raid
by John Hendon
ARMED raiders failed in a bid to rob a Warrington post office.
A shot may have been fired during the raid on Glazebrook Post Office, in Glazebrook Lane ? but no-one was hurt.
Two men fled empty-handed and police are appealing for witnesses of the incident.
The men, wearing balaclavas, burst into the post office just after 12 noon yesterday (Wednesday).
One was carrying was appeared to be a firearm, covered by a piece of material.
They demanded money, but a member of staff standing behind a glass screened counter, activated an alarm.
People nearby reported hearing a loud bang like a gunshot, but police say there is no evidence of a firearm being discharged in the premises. No-one was hurt.
The men ran off and got into a dark blue Ford Mondeo estate car and drove off at speed.
Police are asking anyone who witnessed the bungled raid or who saw the car in the area to contact Det Sgt Carole Higgins on 01244 613833.
New programme
of live concerts
by John Hendon
A NEW programme of concerts in the ?Live at St Wilfrid?s? series at Grappenhall, near Warrington has been announced.
Eight concerts will be held next year ? preceded by a free curtain-raiser on January 11 when members of the audience will be able to take part in an open forum with light refreshments.
The idea is to give an opportunity to meet the new organising committee of Live at St Wilfrid?s.
Young musicians Hector Docx (piano) and Sophie Rosa (violin) will give a short recital before the open forum takes place across the road from St Wilfrid?s in the Parish Centre.
The programme proper gets under way on February 15 when Six-8, a vocal group in the style of the King?s Singers will present a mixture of rich vocal textures and foot-tapping rhythm.
Other concerts will
be: May 24: Chetham?s School of Music; April 19: The Leyland Band; May 10: Kingsbacka Piano Trio; June 14: Warrington Male Voice Choir; September 20: Manchester Camerata Ensemble; October 18: Martin Roscoe (piano) and November 15: Caliche ? a group promoting the music and culture of South America.
Fence erected to
improve park safety
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON?S Bewsey Park has had a new fence erected as part of the ongoing improvements to the area and the park.
The fence aims to improve the safety of the park and protect sports facilities within the area, such as the bowling green, which has in the past suffered from vandalism.
It comes as part of the Community Vision Project Improvement Scheme, which asked local residents about what changes they would like to see in their area. One of the main concerns was the safety of Bewsey Park and residents asked it to be improved to make it a place that the whole community can enjoy.
The fence is the latest improvement Bewsey has seen. Others include a new childrens’ play and sports activity area, new lights and improved access, with a scheme under way for a new main entrance. The biggest project currently being planned is a new and modern community park centre which, linked to the refurbished Bewsey Pavilion will provide a wide range of new services and facilities for the wider community and park users.
The transformation of Bewsey Park is a long-term project that has involved local councillors Pat Wright, Jeff Richards, and Hitash Patel, as well as the Friends of Bewsey Park, Golden Gates Housing and Warrington Sure Start.
Coun Liz Smith, executive member for Neighbourhood and Communities, Said: “We are constantly aiming to improve communities by involving residents in decisions that affect their area. The new fence, along with the other improved facilities in Bewsey Park are a result of listening to concerns of park users and local people and working together successfully.”
New chief
appointed
by Gary Skentelbery
WARRINGTON Borough Council’s new Chief Executive Diana Terris took charge at the town hall this week as retiring Chief Executive David Whitehead bid a fond farewell.
Parish hall
project
by staff reporter
APPLETON Parish Council has accepted a ?9,450 tender for the refurbishment of the men’s toilet at Appleton Parish Hall.
The work will be carried out by Moore Construction and involves refurbishment of the existing toilet and conversion of an adjoining storage area into an accessible toilet for use by all.
Existing filing cabinets will have to be relocated.
The work is in line with recommendations of the Warrington Disability Partnership who inspected the facilities in July.
