Masked gang in
terror raid on pub
by David Skentelbery
A GANG of masked men burst into a Warrington pub late at night and threatened terrified staff with a machete and knives.
The raid was at the Noggin, in Warrington Road, Risley around 11.30pm on Monday (February 19).
Four members of staff were on the premises at the time, tidying up after the evening?s business.
They were threatened and forced to hand over a quantity of cash.
No-one was hurt, but the staff were left badly shaken.
The four raiders, who were all wearing balaclavas or face masks, ran off in the direction of Cross Lane South. It is believed they had a car waiting.
Shortly afterwards, a silver Ford car was seen leaving Cross Lane South and police are anxious to trace the vehicle.
They do not know if it contained witnesses who might have vital information or was, in fact, the offenders making their getaway.
Any who witnessed the raid, or saw the car or who has any information that would help police, is asked to call DC Jackie Daniels on 01244 613831 or contact the free Crimestoppers line anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Walk for Water
raises ?2,200
by David Skentelbery
FORTY one people took part in a ?Walk for Water? at Culcheth near Warrington ? raising an estimated ?2,200.
Some walked 8.5 miles and others 13.1 miles ? a half marathon ? enjoying glorious sunshine.
At the half-way stage, marshalls Ella, aged four and Lucy, aged two, provided a welcome boost with a banana and fresh water supplies.
The event was in aid of the charity WaterAid which raised money to provide clean water supplies, sanitation and hygiene education to people in Third World countries.
Organiser Amy Driver said: ?It costs them ?15 to provide one person with access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene education, meaning that we will have helped at least 145 people out of the cycle of poverty.
?As we walked, our thoughts were with the women in Africa and Asia who walk these distances every day with heavy water carriers, to collect water that we would not like to drink.?
Walkers and marshals were provided with a welcome bowl of soup at the Harrow pub and St Catherine’s Church, Lowton, provided en route toilet facilities.
Search for over 55s
who are young at heart
by Lesley Wilkinson
WARRINGTON?S over 55s are to get a chance to show off their skills in the town?s Young at Heart awards.
Nominations are being invited by the Pyramid arts centre and the Parr Hall for the awards, which will take place at the Pyramid on Saturday May 19.
The competition recognises and celebrates the achievements and efforts of Warrington’s older community (aged 55+) and those who work with older people in the areas of music, dance, drama, visual arts and sport.
WAPOP (Widening Active Participation for Older People) encourages active participation within the older community, including dancing, walking, swimming, acting or even Dragon Boat Racing.
One of the organisers Lyndsay Patino said: “If your granddad plays the trumpet, your mum participates in a dance class, your husband helps to run a sports club or your daughter organises activities for older people we want to hear from you.”
Nomination forms and more information are available from Owen Hutchings on 01925 442871, or [email protected]
Nursery expansion
causes a row
by John Hendon
PROPOSALS to increase by just seven the number of children attending a day nursery at Birchwood, Warrington have sparked a planning row.
Birchwood Town Council and a number of nearby residents have lodged objections to the proposals put forward by the Risley Day Nursery, in Delenty Drive to increase the number of children from 32 to 39.
Ten staff currently work at the nursery and the applicant says there will be no increase. But the Town Council fears an increase ? and say there will be more noise and more traffic, leading to road safety hazards.
Warrington?s development control committee will have to decide ? and planning officers are recommending the increased number be allowed.
The nursery operates from what was formerly a pair of detached houses two doors away from another day nursery. The Town Council says approving the application would set a precedent for the other nursery.
They argue that it is a mainly residential area and that increased number of children will create road safety hazards ? particularly at picking up and dropping off times.
Highways chiefs say there is room for adequate parking on the site and the increase is only marginal.
“Nearly new”
sale for parents
by Lesley Wilkinson
A CHARITY is offering Warrington parents and carers the chance to kit out their kids at a fraction of high street prices.
The National Childbirth Trust will be holding a Nearly New sale on Saturday March 3 at St John’s United Reformed Church, Wilderspool Causeway, between 12.30pm and 2pm.
On offer will be nearly new clothing, equipment and toys for babies, toddlers and children up to six-years-old.
Clothes ranging from jeans and T-shirts to winter coats will be on sale, together with toys, videos and other items such as buggies, high chairs and safety equipment. Mums-to-be can even find inexpensive maternity clothes.
Anyone can attend and entrance is free, although a donation to the charity is welcome.
Places for sellers were allocated within three days, so organisers are expecting their biggest and best sale yet.
Catherine Walshe, of the North Cheshire branch of the NCT, said: “Parents always want the best for their children but many of them simply can’t afford the latest ‘must have’ item on the market as well as all the everyday clothes an active child can get through.
The cost of kitting out a child for the first five years can run to thousands of pounds. But on the other hand, parents don’t want to dress their children in hand-me-downs. Our Nearly New sales are the perfect solution – high street quality at knock-down prices.”
New laws to protect
emergency workers
by John Hendon
TOUGH new laws to help crackdown on people who obstruct emergency workers have come into force.
The new offences have been welcomed by ambulance and fire crews at Warrington where there have, in the recent past, been a number of incidents of gangs of youths threatening firefighters as they have attempted to tackled fires.
Offenders who get in the way of an emergency worker responding to emergency situations can now be prosecuted and fined up to ?5000.
Home Office Minister Gerry Sutcliffe said: “The Government is committed to ensuring the safety of those serving their communities. Too often emergency workers are unable to get to incidents as quickly as they should due to a minority of people obstructing their rescue efforts.
“This seriously impacts on both the emergency workers’ ability to do their jobs effectively and, even more worryingly, on those who require an emergency response. In some instances a delay of just a couple of minutes can have terrible consequences.?
Emergency workers covered by this new offence are firefighters, ambulance workers, people transporting blood, organs or equipment on behalf of the NHS, coastguards and lifeboat crews.
Police and prison officers are not included as there is already a separate law protecting them from obstruction.
Violence against emergency workers can be dealt with under existing laws, such as assault or actual bodily harm. Sentencing guidelines stipulate that the court should impose tougher sentences for offences committed against public sector workers.
Conference centre opens
NEW conference facilities will be officially opened at the Thorn Cross Young Offenders Institution at Appleton Thorn, Warrington today (Wednesday).
The opening ceremony will be performed by Steven Bro
omhead, chief executive of the North West Development Agency.
