Kerry Katona and
family robbed at
home at knifepoint
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON-born former pop star Kerry Katona, her husband and five month old baby were held at knife-point in their own home by three masked raiders.
Husband Mark Croft, 36, was forced to take the raiders around the house while they identified objects to steal while Kerry, 26 and baby Heidi, were kept in a room by one of the three thugs.
Property stolen include the couple?s blue BMW M5 sports cars, registered number WFO 6KMM.
Other property stolen include two laptop computers, two game boxes, two televisions and jewellery.
Also taken were ignition keys to other cars at the couple?s home at Wilmslow.
Police are appealing for help from anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area in the early hours of Monday morning.
The three men were all wearing balaclavas and were armed with a sledgehammer, crowbar and large knife.
After ransacking the house they locked the family in a room before making their escape.
The family sounded the alarm after managing to escape from the room.
Later, Max Clifford, Kerry’s PR adviser said the former “Jungle Queen” and Atomic Kitten had a knife held to her throat during the raid.
He said: “She thought her dreams had finally come true – that she had a new husband, a new baby girl and a new home. But then this. “Her dream has vanished. When I spoke to her she couldn’t stop crying and shaking.”
Police said other vehicle?s at the couple?s home had been removed by the insurance companies involved as the keys had been stolen.
Neither Kerry, her husband nor their baby were hurt, but all were badly shaken by the incident.
Anyone who can help police with enquiries is asked to call 0845 458 000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Pupils take on
best in the world
by Gary Skentelbery
YOUNGSTERS from Warrington once again competed with the best in the world in a special eco-challenge.
Set with the task of seeing how far they could travel on one gallon of petrol, it was the seventh time pupils from Penketh High School competed in the Shell Eco Challenge at Rockingham Speedway, near Northampton. They managed a creditable 746 miles to the gallon – just 9,000 miles behind the winners!
For the second year running the French Microjoule, team from St Sebastien, took the top place on the podium with an average fuel consumption of 9737 mpg – which was around 1,000 mpg down on last year’s world record.
Cliff Seggie, Head of Design Technology at Penketh said: “We are still trying to break the 1000mpg barrier. Our car has evolved over the years but it is now time to retire it and this will be the last time the current vehicle is used. Weight is an issue and the biggest factor in denying us the 1000mpg that we have been striving for. We are proposing entering two vehicles next year, one into the schools class using a donated GX31 engine, along with another lighter and better version of the current vehicle.
“The Year 9 girls and Year 7 boys are carrying on into next year and we will be building a new chassis.
” This project is 100% self financing and relies solely on sponsorship and outside help.We will be needing significant help in designing and building our new vehicle and would welcome contact from anyone or any companies who feel they can support us in this.”
He added: ” I would like to acknowledge the financial sponsorship received from Bodycote Warringonfire and the free hire of two vehicles from Enterprise Car Hire to transport the team and equipment.”
Tune in to your new
online radio station
by Gary Skentelbery
Warrington-Worldwide has teamed up with a new online radio station in the town providing local news, sport and your favourite music 24/7 seven days a week, including live commentary of Wolves home games and player phone ins on Mondays at 6pm live from the Halliwell Jones.
Like warrington-worldwide radio worm (Warrington online Radio Media) is run by Warrington people for Warrington people and is the only local radio station to broadcast 24/7 from your home town.
To find out more about how you can listen to this brand new radio station simply visit wwww.radioworm.co.uk and follow the simple on screen instructions. Email your special requests to CLICK HERE and listen out for local news bulletins at the top of the hour throughout the day.
Radio Worm is now the only truly local radio station which broadcasts 24/7 from Warrington for Warrington.
Radio Worm completes the full media platform on www.warrington-worldwide.co.uk the town’s online daily newspaper, which also brings you online television with www.warrington.tv and five free colour community magazines covering central Warrington, Lymm, Culcheth, Stockton Heath/South Warrington and Frodsham.
With Radio Worm being an advertising free zone there are a limited number of sponsorship opportunities.
To find out more email EMAIL
Young people
celebrate success
by Gary Skentelbery
THE Warrington based Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace celebrated the educational achievements of young people from Warrington and across the North West.
Young people who took part in the Foundation?s ?Full On? programme were presented with Certificates of Achievement by the Trust Chairman, Colin Parry OBE.
The ?Full On? programme is nationally accredited by the Open College Network. The programme includes units on anger management, anti-bullying, self-awareness and identity, communication, conflict resolution, and citizenship. The programme has been exclusively researched, developed and written by the Foundation. It aims to raise standards and attainment in schools, improve community relationships, overcome barriers to exclusion, increase access and participation in learning and enhance employability skills.
In the seven years since the Peace Centre has been open, over 15,000 young people have participated in Foundation programmes with over 6,000 of these participating in ?Full On? programmes.
Programme Leader Kelly Simcock said: ?These young people, most of whom have gained accreditation by the Open College Network, have worked hard to achieve these certificates. This was an opportunity for their friends and family, as well as ourselves, to congratulate them and celebrate their success?.
Mail order success
by John Hendon
Warrington-Worldwide columnist and clinical hypnotherapist Michael Mahoney, based at Guardian Medical Centre in Warrington has reached an agreement with Pharmacy2U.co.uk, the largest mail order and online pharmacy in the UK, to stock and distribute his highly respected IBS Audio Program 100 for sufferers of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
The IBS Audio Program 100 is recognised by many to be the leading home use, self help audio program in its field. Michael said “It seemed right to have the biggest and respected to distribute my IBS Program, and I am delighted pharmacy2U.co.uk have agreed.
“With my background in research, development and innovation, and of working with the medical profession in many areas, I was keen to find a reputable organisation, that was trusted by the NHS and who were innovative in their field of providing services and solutions, not only to the public but also to the health profession.
“Pharmacy2U.co.uk ticks all the right boxes and I am delighted,” added Michael.
Pharmacy2U can be found at www.Pharmacy2u.co.uk
IBS Audio Program 100 can be found on www.tlrltd.com
Scouts set off for
World Jamboree
by staff reporter
LOCAL Scouts are taking place in the 10-day World Scout Jamboree which starts at Hylands Park, Chelmsford
, Essex on July 28.
The event will bring together scouts of more than 200 nationalities to live out all the adventure, fun and challenge the global organisation offers. This year Jamboree marks the centenary of Scouting.
Alex Newall from Warrington said: ?A World Scout Jamboree is a once in a lifetime event for a Scout. I?m so excited about meeting hundreds of new friends from around the world and a fantastic opening ceremony.?
During the Jamboree, the scouts will live under canvas and the event will be a live demonstration of diverse cultures and communities coming together to live in peace and learn a little bit more about each others? values.
There will be an opportunity to try new sports and challenges, get involved in projects making a real difference to local communities and share in a range life changing experiences with peers from all over the world.
Many of the UK Scouts will host their new foreign friends back in their hometowns under a hospitality scheme, after the Jamboree.
Factory fire
FIRE crews were called to the aluminium recycling plant off Thelwall New Road, Latchford, Warrington during the night when a blaze broke out in ducting.
A hydraulic platform had to be used to gain access to the blaze which involved waste materials lodged in the ducting. No-one was hurt and no serious damage was caused to the plant.
