SPRING BANK HOLIDAY
MONDAY, May 7 being the Spring Bank Holiday, Warrington-Worldwidewill not be published. But the site will remain on line and the popular Reader’s Forum will be operating as usual. Urgent news items may be added to the site. Normal publication will resume on Tuesday, May 8.
Splashing out
in freestyle
by Gary Skentelbery
PENSIONER Ernest Rudd celebrated his 80th birthday in style – freestyle – swimming 80 lengths of his local swimming baths.
Ernest from Winwick, Warrington, started his tradition 10 years ago when he was 70 and each year celebrates his birthday by swimming a length for each year.
This year he did it for charity in memory of his wife Joan, who died from cancer in September 2000. He raised more than ?1,300 for Macmillan Cancer Support, with help from his friends at St Oswald’s Church.
He completed his 80 lengths in 80 minutes and keeps fit by swimming three times a week at Fordton Leisure Centre. He also enjoys walking and bowling.
The retired management consultant hopes to be back next year to complete 801 lengths and reckons he averages about a mile a week in the water.
“It’s certainly doing me no harm and I look forward to the challenge,” said Ernest, who swam 100 lengths five years ago to raise funds for St Rocco’s Hospice in the town.
Teenage girl fights
off sex attacker
by David Skentelbery
A 17-year-old girl managed to fight off an attacker after being pushed to the ground as she walked home at Orford, Warrington.
The terrified girl was pinned to the ground by her arms by a scruffy man aged 20-30 and smelling strongly of drink.
But she managed to escape from his clutches and run away.
The girl?s ordeal began as she walked along a footpath near the junction of Capesthorne Road and Greenwood Crescent.
She became aware of a man following her and quickened her pace to try and get away from him. But the man also walked faster and caught up with her near a subway near Valiant Close.
He pushed her to the ground and pinned her down by her arms. But she managed to shake him off and run away.
Police say the man had fair, shoulder-length hair, matted and scruffy and was wearing a navy shirt and dark tracksuit bottoms.
Anyway who witnessed the incident on April 24 is asked to contact PC John Tetlow on 0845 458 0000.
The girl was not seriously hurt.
‘Phones mast approved
for woodland site
by David Skentelbery
PLANNERS have given the go-ahead for a 60ft high telecommunications mast on a woodland site off Chester Road, Walton, Warrington.
A 50ft mast already stands on the site in Outer Wood, about 140 yards from Chester Road.
Members of the borough?s development control committee decided to allow the new mast to be erected after hearing that upgrading the existing mast would be more harmful to the local landscape.
Walton Parish Council had lodged a strong objection to the scheme.
The committee was told mast sharing was not considered appropriate.
There would be no impact on nearby houses and, although trees on the site were protected, they would not be affected by the scheme.
The parish council argued that an additional mast was unnecessary as a service could be provided by an upgrade of the existing mast. They suggested a mast with a mock tree design could be used.
But officers said an upgrade of the existing mast would be more harmful visually than having two masts.
Improved coverage was necessary to serve the Higher Walton, Daresbury and Moore areas and along the A57 corridor.
The applicants ? telecommunications giant O2 ? had demonstrated that there were special reasons for allowing the mast to be erected.
Search starts for Bobby
– the runaway tortoise
by staff reporter
A SEARCH has started for Bobby ? the runaway tortoise.
The three-year-old Horsfield Tortoise disappeared from the Keefe family?s home in Rectory Lane, Lymm nearly a week ago.
Bobby can live up to 120 years, so he is a mere youngster. He was purchased for young William Keefe for Christmas.
Mrs Angela Keefe fears the tortoise may have been stolen because he would have to perform feats of considerable agility ? for a tortoise ? to escape from the area of garden where he was kept.
She said: ?We are offering a reward for his return and have put up posters in the village. But so far there has been no sign of him. We don?t think he has been run over or anything like that.
?But he is a tropical breed and needs to be cared for properly.?
Anyone who sees Bobby is asked to call Mrs Keefe on 07834 933770.
Man robbed while
walking his dog
by staff reporter
A MAN was robbed of his mobile ‘phone while out walking his dog at Warrington.
The man was walking along Weir Lane at Woolston using his mobile when a 6ft tall man in his 20s punched him, grabbed the Motorola ‘phone and made off.
Police say the offender was of stocky build and was wearing blue jeans, a black jacket and a navy blue cap.
They are appealing for witnesses of the incident which occurred at about 3.15pm on April 13. Anyone who can help should call DC Jackie Daniels on 01244 613845.
Childhood and ageing
reflected in dance
by Lesley Wilkinson
A CONTEMPORY dance piece reflecting on childhood and ageing is being presented at the Pyramid on Thursday May 10.
Forecast returns to the venue with the poignant Wordsolos, performed by a 33-years-old woman and a girl, aged eight.
It blends dance and live art to create images and movements taken from the places where the performers grew up.
Forecast (Penny Collinson and Anna Macdonald) has been working together since 2002. Wordsolos is directed by Olivier award-winning director Mark Whitelaw and Paula Hampson (Chapter 4, Yolande Snaith) has choreographed the work.
Experienced dance artist Andrea Buckley will also perform a new solo created in collaboration with film artist Daniel Williams. It combines live performance and video.
Girls run marathon
for Africa charity
by Gary Skentelbery
HIGH school students Marie-Claire Oziem and Rebecca Harrison are taking part in a marathon this Bank Holiday Monday in aid of the Lymm High School’s ‘Afri-Twin’ project.
They are travelling to Belfast to take part in the marathon and aged just 18 it is the first marathon they have ever done.
The girls were helped with their training by Roger at Lymm Leisure Centre who they say was a great support.
Both girls were among the lucky few who had the opportunity to visit Lymm High’s twin school in the small township of Qhasana in South Africa last summer.
They taught some lessons in the local secondary school and also visited the local HIV/Aids clinic.
“This is a charity close to our heart because of the friendships we established in the school. We want to help give them the opportunity to better their own community by providing them with resources and that’s why we are trying to raise enough money to buy them 5 new computers,” said Marie.
News in brief
Hospital lottery
WINNING numbers in the weekly lottery run by the League of Friends of Warrington Hospital were 6, 9, 13 and 16. The ?366 jackpot went unclaimed and will be “rolled over” to next week. A ?25 consolation prize was awarded.
Extension approved
PLANS for a part single, part two-storey extension at the Hollybush Residential Home, Lovely Lane, Warrington, have been approved by borough council planners.
Boot sale
A CAR boot sale is being held in Victoria Park, Warrington on Bank Holiday Monday (May 7) to raise money to help send nine scouts to the World Scout Jamboree in Essex.
Demolition job
A BUNGALOW in Bent Lane, Culcheth, can be demolished to make way for a new detached house with detached double garage, following the gran
ting of permission by Warrington planning bosses.
