New probe into ancient
Roman settlement
by Gary Skentelbery
AN ancient Roman settlement discovered near Warrington nearly 10 years ago and featured in cult TV programme “Time Team” is to undergo further intensive investigation over the next three years.
Warrington-based archaeologist and presenter James Balme who filmed the programme with the team believes vital clues have been missed.
James explained : “Whilst an excavation took place for the programme it centred on one particular field in Warburton and the location was based on previous university archaeological test results within that field that suggested a possible fort. The rest of the village was not archaeologically investigated which is a shame.
“But I now believe I have located an area of intense Roman activity some distance from the area excavated.
“Already it has produced a rare Roman silver coin known as a Denarius and dated to 58 BC. As well as the coin, a silver snake bracelet featured in the Time Team show actually came from a new area of land now under investigation.
“Roman farming and agriculture would have been taking place in the village and I thank Tony Robinson and the team for revealing archaeological evidence in support of this. But if there was a network of small Roman farmsteads tending the land there is a very good chance there was possibly a much larger Roman farm in the area serviced and supplied by the local Romano-British people.”
Previous research work in the village has uncovered a vast collection of artefacts spanning almost 8,000 years of history and James believes there is still an underlying reason why so much material is concentrated in an area as small as Warburton.
He added: “The quality of many of the latest finds are what can be classed as being of ‘High Status’ in other words the sort of items owned and used by affluent people around the village. This points to there being a strong possibility that there were indeed wealthy landowners in the area. This would explain a lot of my recent findings. I have earmarked at least three years to investigate this potentially important new area of land for research.
“We are continuing to search the area and are still unearthing Roman artefacts on a regular basis. We will leave no stone unturned in our investigation.”
For more information regarding archaeological discoveries made by James and his team visit www.jamesbalme.co.uk
Man rescued after
arson raid on flat
by David Skentelbery
A MAN was rescued from a first floor flat at Warrington after arsonists pushed burning materials through his letter box and started a fierce blaze in the hallway.
Firefighters using a ladder rescued the 43-year-old from a first floor window at the rear of the property in Folly Lane.
Police are investigating the incident, which was at about 7.30pm last night (Monday) and are appealing for witnesses. Anyone who can help is asked to call DC Stuart Clay on 0845 458 0000.
Fire crews had to break in through the front door to tackle the blaze. They found material soaked in petrol or some other accelerant had been set alight and pushed through the letter box, causing a substantial fire and filling the property with dense smoke.
The occupant was unharmed – but a fire service spokesman said he had been fortunate the alarm had been raised promptly.
Holly is the new
Miss Warrington
by staff reporter
HOLLY Ikin, of Culcheth – a former Warrington-Worldwide magazine cover girl – is the new Miss Warrington.
The 20-year-old from Culcheth took the title at the Park Royal Hotel, Stretton ? beating off the challenge of other local lovelies.
Sponsored by Warrington town centre hair and beauty salon JAKATA, she already has a number of titles on the beauty queen circuit.
She is the current Miss Hawaiian Tropic GB winner after coming out on top in the competition held in Antigua last year and is also Miss England Earth after representing England in the ?Miss Earth? competition in the Philippines – the third largest contest in the world behind ?Miss World? and ?Miss Universe?.
Style director Adam Carter, said: ?It was important for Holly to choose a salon that offered everything to help give her that extra edge and JAKATA was perfectly positioned to prepare her for the event.
?Her winning look was created by adding new hair extensions, hair colour and cut, eye lash extensions, St Tropez facials and massage which were professionally selected for her by our hair and beauty team – all aimed at giving Holly that extra confidence to win!
Holly said: ?There has been a lot of controversy about girls from out of the area entering Miss Warrington so it was important for me to respect that I am from Warrington and truly representing my town.
“I hope to be able to do something to promote Warrington and go on to win the Miss England contest. I’m Warrington born and bred and am very proud of the town.” ?I also personally selected JAKATA, a local salon, to fully prepare me for the contest ? I really believe I couldn?t have done it without them!?
Holly is current studying English at the University of Manchester and intends to carry on with her studies leading, hopefully, to a degree.
Nursery learners dress
up for World Book Day
LITTLE Learners at Warrington?s Priestley College got into the full swing on World Book Day when they arrived at nursery dressed as their favourite characters from children’s stories.
From Noddy to Spiderman, Cinderella to Snow White, the children enjoyed their special day and were able to look at some of their favourite books with Thomas the Tank Engine proving to be a popular choice.
World Book Day was celebrating its 10th anniversary and still remains as the biggest annual event promoting the enjoyment of books and reading.
The nursery actively encourages reading for all its children who range in age from 0-4 years and is particularly proud of their continued success.
Indeed a report issued on the nursery following their last OFTSED inspection commented: “The provision in the Little Learners Day Nursery is of high quality. Children are making very good progress towards their early learning goals.”
Nursery manager Leigh Howard said: “It’s always a joy to see our children with wide smiles on their faces and this was the case when they got the chance to dress up for the day. We have a firm belief and commitment to start the process of learning to read early with our children as we know this has a great benefit later down the line in their continued development.”
Police seek three men
after ?100,000 theft
by John Hendon
POLICE have released pictures of three men they wish to interview in connection with an incident where a 89-year-old woman had more than ?100,000 of her life savings stolen.
One of the three ? Miley Quinn, aged 25 (pictured)- is said to have links with the Warrington area.
He is about 5ft 11 inches tall, stocky, speaks with an Irish accent and is described as being of scruffy appearance.
The other two men are Patrick McDonagh, 35 who has also used the name Paul Kelly and is believed to have a home in Manchester and Kevin Laney, 46, whose last known address was at St Albans, Hertfordshire.
All three are believed to have links with the travelling community in the North West. They may be together or separate.
The alleged offences are said to have taken place between August 2005 and April last year.
Anyone who knows of any of the men’s whereabouts is asked to contact South Manchester CID on 0161 856 4843 or 856 4852.
Pupils’ designs on
banning smoking
by David Skentelbery
TALENTED young designers from Warrington?s schools are to visit the Town Hall on Monday, March 12 to receive awards for their ?anti-smoking? posters.
Schools across the borough are
in full support of the Smoke Free legislation coming in July and are leading by example by re-visiting their own smoke free school policies.
They are also working with the borough council’s Healthy Schools team to identify opportunities to teach children about the effects of smoke and the benefits of leading a smoke free lifestyle.
Pupils created their own entries for a competition for the official poster for the Warrington Smoke Free Schools Award.
The winners will meet the Mayor, Coun Linda Dirir, to be presented with a certificate and be congratulated on their success.
They are Nerissa Childlaw, of St Augustine’s RC Primary School. Lauren Hesketh, of Statham Primary School, Kathleen McAvoy, of St Gregory’s RC High School and Phil Green of Sir Thomas Boteler CE High School.
Many schools have been identifying how they can support staff members and parents who wish to quit in anticipation of the July legislation.
Coun Sheila Woodyatt, the executive member for Children’s Services, said: “Congratulations to all of the pupils who submitted posters for the competition. The standard and quality of all of the posters was high and it was a difficult decision choosing the winners.”
The Smoke Free Schools Award is facilitated by the council’s Trading Standards, Healthy Schools team and Warrington Primary Care Trust and acknowledges best practice of both policy and tobacco education within schools.
MP hits out over council’s
“unacceptable” street cleaning
by John Hendon
WARRINGTON North MP Helen Jones has accused the borough council of ?neglect? over the level of street cleaning in various parts of her constituency.
She says in recent weeks, streets in Orford, Burtonwood and Woolston have been unacceptable and ?not up to any reasonable standard of cleanliness.? Ms Jones has expressed her concern in a letter to the borough council?s chief executive.
She claims that until recently if constituents had raised concerns about accumulations of litter the council would have responded and in most cases found that extra cleansing was required.
Now, however, excess litter is being left on the streets, she says.
The MP says the council has tried to claim that they only carry out inspections in rural areas where there is no longer regular planned maintenance.
But they have done so in Orford which cannot be placed into that category.
Ms Jones said: “The council tell me that because areas are on a planned schedule ‘further inspection is not required’ and that ‘areas are cleaned to the agreed standard’ so there cannot be a problem.
?Many of my constituents would disagree. I have seen for myself in recent weeks streets in Orford, Burtonwood and Woolston which are clearly not up to any reasonable standard of cleanliness.
“This is simply not acceptable. Litter and mess does not simply disappear because the council says it is not there. If council tax payers are telling the council that there are accumulations of litter or the service is not up to scratch, then they should be paying attention and doing something about it.
“I fear that, yet again, the people in the north of the town are not being treated fairly and their complaints are just dismissed out of hand. I am raising my concerns with the chief executive and will be seeking an assurance that the situation improves.”
