Marathon runner who is
coached by telephone
by David Skentelbery
A FORMER Warrington runner who still receives “telephone coaching” from the town is jetting off to Japan this week to face a formidable endurance challenge . . . and it’s all in a good cause.
TA sergeant Rick Gannon, a member of a famous Warrington running family, will compete in the Tokyo Marathon on Sunday (Feb 18).
It will be the start of a hectic few months for the 37-year-old, now based in Plymouth.
On February 28 he will take part in the Royal Engineers’ inter-corps cross country championships, bidding for a place in the Army national team.
Then on March 11 he will compete in The Fleet Half-Marathon in Hampshire, which he is bidding to win for the third consecutive year.
On April 22, he will be running in the London Marathon, attempting to beat his time last year of two hours, 41 minutes.
And on May 27 he will run in the Plymouth Half-Marathon.
Throughout, Rick, who is with 131 Independent Commando Squadron, Royal Engineers, will be raising funds for Leukaemia Research.
He said: “I chose that charity after the father of a close, ex-TA friend of mine died from the disease.” “Every penny of sponsorship arising from the Tokyo run will go to the charity. I’ve found myself some cheap accommodation over there and the flight was mostly sorted out by a friend who donated his air miles.” Rick was born at Great Sankey, Warrington and went to Sacred Heart Primary and English Martyrs schools.
He comes from a running family. Together with his mum, Margaret, brothers Simon and Sean and sister Caroline he was a member of Warrington Athletic Club, taking part in many track and cross-country events for the club.
His mother, who still lives in Warrington, has completed the London Marathon several times – the first time at the age of 41. She has also competed in European competitions as a veteran.
Said Rick: “I learned my running at Warrington – and I still get coaching from the town now. Eric Furby, a former club member who still lives there, regularly gives me coaching by telephone.”
Rick joined the army from school, serving for nine years as a commando engineer in the regular Army. He left in 1998 and subsequently transferred to the TA, serving in Kuwait and Iraq in 2003.
In civilian life, he works as a diving instructor at the University of Plymouth. He and his wife Tracy-lee also run a local pub.
Anyone interested in sponsoring Rick should contact him via www.justgiving.com/richardgannon
Women Freemasons
raise ?900 for charity
A LYMM-based charity has been presented with a cheque for ?900 by women Freemasons.
Worshipful Bro Jennifer Ann Brook, Master of Lodge Vale Royal No 263 on the Register of The Order of Women Freemasons presented the cheque to Clare Beavan head of fund raising for the charity Steps, which supports people affected by a lower limb conditions such as clubfoot or a hip condition.
The money was raised by the Brethren of Lodge Vale Royal No. 263 which meets at the Church Hall, Weaverham, by a series of social events held at members? homes.
Steps is a small, national charity which receives more than 5,000 contacts from people with lower limb problems every year, through its website www.steps-charity.org.uk
The website is packed with information and has a discussion forum where visitors can meet and correspond with other people whose lives have been affected by a lower limb condition.
Fire crews tackle
factory blaze
by staff reporter
FIREFIGHTERS had to break into a factory unit at Warrington when fire broke out during the night.
The blaze was on the Penketh Business Park, Liverpool Road.
Fire crews had to use hydraulic cutting gear to break through roller shutter doors to get at the fire.
The outbreak involved waste materials from a solid fuel burner which spread to a quad bike parked nearby and then to the walls of the building.
Two factory units were heavily smokelogged and firefighters had to wear breathing apparatus during the operation.
The cause of the fire is being investigated but it is believed to be accidental.
Warning over bogus
water board workers
by David Skentelbery
POLICE at Warrington have issued a warning to householders after two incidents of bogus water board workers managing to gain entry to homes.
Both occurred yesterday afternoon (Monday) ? one at Lymm and the other at Culcheth.
At around 12.30pm two men called at a house in Hopefield Road, Lymm claiming to be from the water board. They asked if they could enter to check the water and were admitted.
While one stayed in the kitchen, the other went upstairs and was heard opening cupboards. It is not clear if the pair stole any property but they drove off in a white, Transit-style van.
Shortly before 1pm the same two men are believed to have called at a house in Warrington Road, Culcheth, again claiming to be from the water board. They pushed passed the occupier to gain entry ? but again it is not known if they stole any property.
Again, the pair were in a white van.
Police say both men were aged about 30. One was about 6ft tall, wearing a blue or grey jumper and yellow gardening gloves. The other was wearing a grey hooded top, black jacket and black tracksuit bottoms. He had short dark hair.
A police spokesman said: ?We would urge people to be on their guard as these people are operating in the Warrington area. Householders should demand to see identification before allowing anyone into their home.?
Illegal tipping blights
recycling centres
by John Hendon
ILLEGAL ?flytipping? is increasingly causing problems at Warrington?s recycling sites.
Materials that cannot be recycled, such as disposable nappies, polystyrene, food waste and even electrical appliances have been found at sites across the borough.
Now the borough council is urging residents to be responsible when recycling.
Warrington?s recycling rate continues to rise and by December was up to 29 per cent.
But as recycling has increased, so has irresponsible tipping at recycling sites.
One of the worst problems is that of leaving rubbish on the ground near to recycling banks.
Recycling sites are cleaned and emptied regularly. However, they can get full quickly at busy periods, which can result in people leaving waste on the ground next to banks. This can make sites look untidy and can deter people from using them.
At busy times, the council will try to provide additional containers where possible. For example, an extra can and larger plastic bank were provided at Davis Way, Lymm to keep up with demand.
Council chiefs are asking people to use recycling sites responsibly and avoid leaving material on the ground ? and to remember to make use of the blue and green bin kerbside collections.
Coun Graham Welborn, the council?s executive member for Safer and Greener Communities, said: “While I’m very happy that people are recycling household waste, some responsibility does need to be exercised when using recycling banks. Flytipping is illegal and using sites in this way ruins the facility for everyone. I would urge all residents to carry on recycling but to do it in the correct way.”
Youngsters sample “day
in life of a councillor”
by staff reporter
YOUNG people from across Warrington joined councillors as they went about their daily duties as part of Local Democracy Week.
The ?A Day in the Life? event involved members of the Warrington Youth Parliament, The Impact Group and students from Priestley College shadowing a number of councillors.
The event was part of a series which included Democratic Speed Debating, the building of a Democracy Wall, attendance at
council and a ?Take Part, Take Power? evening, which gave young people the opportunity to find out how they could become a local councillor.
The aim of the events was to ensure a good turnout of 18-24-year-olds in the local elections in May.
Councillors from all parties, including with the Mayor Linda Dirir, leader of the council Ian Marks, deputy leader Keith Bland and a number of other councillors.
Coun Ian Marks said: “This is was a successful event which was enjoyed by all the young people who joined in. Hopefully, from what they’ve seen, we’ve managed to create a few local councillors for the future!”
Fire in roof at
recycling plant
by staff reporter
THREE fire engines from Warrington and Birchwood were called to the Alcan aluminium recycling plant in Thelwall Lane, Latchford, Warrington, when fire broke out in the roof.
The blaze involved a quantity of cabling in the roof space and was put out using a dry power extinguisher. Fire crews wore breathing apparatus during the operation.
No-one was hurt.
