300 mourn the family
man who faced up
to a gang of thugs
by David Skentelbery
MORE than 300 mourners attended the funeral of murder victim Garry Newlove at Christ Church, Padgate, Warrington ? only a few hundred yards from the tragic father?s home.
The 47-year-old?s coffin was carried into the church by six members of his family and was followed by his widow, Helen, and daughters Zoe, 19, Danielle, 16 and Amy, 12, and other members of the family.
It was a moving service during which the Rector, Canon Stephen Attwater described Mr Newlove as a family man, much loved and respected and the life and soul of any party.
Mr Newlove died in hospital three weeks ago after being attacked by a group of youths he confronted outside his home in Station Road North, Padgate because of their anti-social behaviour.
He suffered massive head injuries.
Four youths, aged 15 to 18, have been charged with his murder and are expected to stand trial in November.
The congregation sang Mr Newlove?s favourite hymn, Amazing Grace and also Ave Maria, which had been played at Mr and Mrs Newlove?s wedding 21 years ago.
Mr Newlove was a sales manager, but also a part-time DJ in Manchester and the service ended with the playing of the Bee Gees song Saturday Night Fever.
He had earlier survived stomach cancer and was due to go on holiday a few days after the fateful day when he met his death.
His death has sparked a national debate, led by the Chief Constable of Cheshire, Peter Fahy, about restrictions on the sale of alcohol and parental responsibility.
He believes under-age drinking is a child protection issue and parents who refuse to take action should face tougher sanctions through care proceedings and the criminal justice system.
Senior police officers were among the mourners along with the Mayor of Warrington, Coun Celia Jordan and other council dignitaries.
Canon Attwater, told the congregation:: “When Garry died three weeks ago the light went out for Helen and Zoe, Danielle and Amy.
“For Garry was central to their lives. He was a loving, caring, devoted family man and there is no doubt that he will be sadly missed.
“Garry enjoyed meeting people. He was very much the life and soul of the party. He had a great sense of humour, and he was a part-time DJ, working with his friend in clubs in Manchester at the weekends.
“Fifteen years ago Garry suffered from stomach cancer. He fought the disease with characteristic bravery. At that time his health was of great concern and his amazing recovery made him into what his sister-in-law calls ‘a walking miracle’.
“Above all, Garry was a dedicated family man. He loved Helen and the girls. Indeed, he was also their personal taxi.
“And so there is a tremendous amount to thank God for when we reflect upon Garry’s life.
” After the address the poem Footsteps was read at the request of Mrs Newlove’s sister, Marie.
The service was followed by a private cremation at Walton Lea Crematorium.
Members of Warrington Borough Council observed one minute’s silence at their meeting last night (Monday) in memory of Mr Newlove.
Vandals trash
legend’s memorial
by Gary Skentelbery
A FLAG pole erected in honour of a Warrington “living legend” was vandalised within hours of his funeral.
Community champion Paul White had always joked about the “memorial” erected near his home in Appleton Thorn, in recognition of his outstanding work at the local village hall where he was a life member, saying he was the only person he knew to have had a flag and plaque in his honour while still alive.
Now his son Adam has hit out at the “mindless vandals” who just 24hrs after his father’s funeral kicked the flag pole down and trampled over the flowers at the foot of the pole. They also smashed windows at the village hall, emptied bins of rubbish, set fire to a notice board and threw baked beans all over the windows.
Adam said: “After talking to various people in the village it seems the once peaceful, friendly village of Appleton Thorn is becoming a regular target for mindless vandalism, and every weekend there is evidence of anti social behaviour as the dawn breaks for the villagers.
“Our entire family and friends were devastated to hear that the flag pole had been targeted, and to make matters worse, it was done whilst the flag was still flying in Dad’s memory. However, not to be defeated, the incident was immediately reported to the police and the community spirit that Dad had spent his life time promoting and developing shone through. Within a matter of hours, several members of the community rallied around to tidy up and repair the flowers and erect the flag pole again, even if a little lower than it had been in recent weeks.
“The community of Appleton Thorn will not and should not have to tolerate this mindless behaviour; neither should any other community across the UK. It is the responsibility of the police, local authorities and the community to all come together and play an active positive role in eradicating the increasing anti-social behaviour we are seeing time and time again. As someone who works for a charity in some of the UK?s most deprived areas it does alarm me about what kind of society our children we will have in 10 or 20 years time. I would like to think that it will be one that still sees the flag flying for community spirit in Appleton Thorn.”
Meanwhile the Appleton Thorn Village Hall committee, where Paul was chairman of the fund-raising committee, has now ordered a new taller stronger flag pole in memory of Paul, who died from a brain hemorraghe. As well as various community links, Paul had also run White’s Sports on Warrington Market, which was established by the family in 1901 and once had a chain of four shops across the town.
His widow Susan is planning to keep the family business running, with help from her other son Roger.
A celebration of Paul’s life took place at the village hall following a service at St Thomas’s Church in Stockton Heath, where there was standing room only.
The town’s Coachhouse Brewery created a tribute of their own and brewed a beer called The Birdman of Appleton Thorn. Paul’s interests included caring for injured wild birds and he was also a keen fisherman.
Adam added: “The memory of Paul White will be in the hearts of all those who met him for many years to come and you can rest assured there will be a flag flying at Appleton Thorn Village Hall to honour his memory for a long time to come.”
Hospital’s fun day for
special care babies
by John Hendon
HOSPITAL staff at Warrington are organising a reunion and fun day for former ?special care? babies.
Youngsters who received neonatal care at Warrington Hospital are being invited to the event Woolston Primary School, in Hall Road, Woolston, this Sunday (September 9).
The event takes place from 1pm-4pm.
About 350 babies a year require neonatal care at Warrington Hospital ? usually after premature birth. On the neonatal unit they receive expert intensive care and support from teams of doctors and nurses to help them.
Babies from Warrington, Runcorn, Lowton and Leigh all use the unit if they require help and support after birth.
Any past babies who have had care on the neonatal unit and their families will be special guests but the event is also open to the general public and other children born in Warrington Hospital to join the fun.
A wide range of activities will be taking place with stalls, face painting, karaoke, a gymnastic display and children?s entertainers.
Parents of babies who have benefited from the unit have helped the staff to organise the day.
Debbie Yates, senior nurse practitioner from the neonatal unit said: ?It?d be great to see as many people as possible at the event. We try and bring together past babies from the unit and their families so they can meet up with us, see how everyone is doing and share their experien
ces. The day?s all about fun with plenty for the children to do and the chance to meet each other again. We know a lot of people have befitted form the care we give and it?s just great to see them and know that we have helped them.
?Other families and friends are welcome to the event as well and we hope it?ll be a great day for everyone involved.?
If anyone would like to book a table for a craft stall or needs further information please contact Debbie Yates on 01925 445550.
?6,000 boost for hospice
by Amy Skentelbery
ALMOST ?6,000 was raised for Warrington’s St Rocco?s Hospice and other charities at the Lymm Open Gardens event.
Despite heavy rain there were smiles all around, and over 500 people attended to visit the gardens, allotments and canal boats that took part that afternoon.
Commented organiser Imogen Sawyer: ?We are so grateful to all those who took part and supported the event this year ? it has become quite a social occasion.”
County’s history
goes on show
by staff reporter
HISTORICAL documents dating back hundreds of years will be on show when the Cheshire Record Office opens its doors as part of the national Heritage Day celebrations taking place this Friday (September 7).
An archivist will undertake tours of the search room and the conservation department which will include meeting a conservator who repairs and preserves ancient documents. The tour will also include the rarely seen strong rooms which house some of Cheshire’s extensive archive collections.
“The tours begin at 10.30am and are every half hour until 12.30pm and I would urge any one who has a love of history to come along” said Cheshire County Council?s executive member for Community and Communications Nora Dolphin.
“You will see rooms not normally open to the public and I am sure that you will enjoy finding out about the treasure trove of documents held in the strong rooms.”
Places on the tour can be booked by ringing 01244 972559.
Village pub to
become motel?
by John Hendon
A TRADITONAL pub could undergo major expansion is plans submitted to Warrington Borough Council are given the green light.
The scheme involves a three-storey extension to provide hotel accommodation at The Comfortable Gill, in Warrington Road, Glazebury.
Known locally as ?The Comfy?, the pub has been the local watering hole for locals for many years.
But the proposed extension suggests that the proximity of the East Lancs Road is seen as an opportunity to go into competition with the nearby Greyhound motel.
Police hunt
gang of four
by John Hendon
POLICE are hunting a gang of four youths believed to be responsible for a fire which destroyed two vehicles in Allen Street, Warrington in the early hours of today.
A Citroen AX car was completely destroyed after it was set alight and the flames spread to a Ford Escort van parked next to it. That vehicle was also virtually destroyed. In a separate incident, vandals set fire to a quantity of paper in Bank Park, Warrington and the fire spread to a number of trees.
Police trace canal
death plunge woman
by staff reporter
POLICE have confirmed the identity of an elderly woman whose body was found in the Manchester Ship Canal at Latchford, Warrington in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The woman’s name has not yet been released, as police are trying to notify members of her family.
But they are now satisfied they know who she is.
The woman is believed to have plunged into the canal from the high level Cantilever Bridge at about 4am.
She was wearing a cream and white nightdress.
Police do not believe there are any suspicious circumstances.
