A plush new home –
complete with bus pass
by John Hendon
RESIDENTS of a plush new housing estate at Warrington will be issued with free, annual bus passes – to encourage them to use public transport.
The perk will be offered to people who buy any one of 178 houses to be built on the site of the former headquarters of United Utilities at Dawson House, Great Sankey.
Planners have given the development the green light after hearing of the bus passes and proposals to provide additional bus stops and extend bus routes in the area.
The utilities giant will also make a ?3.95 million contribution towards the cost of “affordable” housing in other areas, ?405,000 for sports and recreation facilities and ?34,000 towards improved local health care facilities.
More than 900 United Utilities staff will be relocated to the company’s new headquarters at nearby Lingley Green Park when Dawson House is demolished.
Residents of existing homes nearby opposed the plans on the grounds of increased traffic congestion, higher noise levels and damage to the local environment.
Major housing schemes are normally resisted by Warrington planners because of an accepted surplus of housing land in the borough, but they gave the go-ahead because of the overall benefits the project would bring.
Dawson House was originally the headquarters of the Mersey River Authority, then North West Water before privatisation of the water industry. Parts of the sprawling office complex are relatively modern.
Crash course for students
challenged by cookery
by James Parr
WARRINGTON Collegiate is serving up a crash course in cookery for students who are calamitous in the kitchen.
A culinary survival guide will help students who find themselves reaching for the takeaway menu when they are living away from home, according to food lecturers.
Head of hospitality Lesley Wilson said: “As soon as the family apron strings are cut and they have to cook for themselves many students are lost. They end up living on a diet of fast food and takeaways.
“We are talking about a generation who didn’t have the opportunity to take cookery as part of their school studies. At home they have relied on mum to look after them and as soon as they head off to university they haven’t got a clue what to buy or how to cook.”
Recent research shows that many students who do attempt to cook end up contracting food poisoning because they do not have sufficient knowledge of hygiene and food preparation.
Lesley added: “What we want to show them is how to prepare simple, nutritious food for themselves or friends on a budget.”
Courses will operate at the Collegiate on six week cycles, during which time, the students will be taught a number of simple recipes including pasta dishes and curries.
Lecturers have cooked up three styles of recipes to suite every occasion, these include, survival, for students cooking for themselves, sharing, for dining with others, and indulgent, for something a bit special.
Also on offer will be advice on how to shop cheaply, how to bulk out meals and how to use leftovers.
Anyone requiring more information on the courses can contact the Collegiate on 01925 494 494.
Drug crazed woman
in knife attack
by James Parr
A DRUG crazed woman was jailed for 14 months at Warrington Crown Court after admitting attacking a man with a kitchen knife.
Zoe Hurst, 25, of 32 Redshank Lane, Birchwood, admitted assaulting Frederick Leather at his home after he had refused to give her money to buy drugs.
The court heard that after he refused, the defendant struck Mr Leather with her left hand and went into the kitchen in his home.
She returned charging at him with a kitchen knife and wounded him on the hand, causing an injury that required stitches at hospital.
When police arrived to arrest her, she attacked him again, said David Jones, prosecuting.
He said the defendant and Mr Leather were friends and he had given her money to buy drugs in the past.
Simon Leong, defending, said the woman committed the offence while under the influence of drink and drugs.
Judge David Hale commented: “It strikes me as she is a woman who needs a period of stability in her life.”
The court heard the woman had a total of 23 previous convictions – one involving a knife attack.
Youths deny
murder charge
by court reporter
FIVE youths charged with the murder of father-of-three Garry Newlove at Warrington have all pleaded not guilty.
They appeared at Chester Crown Court where they were remanded in custody until November 13, when they will stand trial.
They cannot be named because of their ages.
Mr Newlove, of Station Road, Fearnhead, Warrington died in hospital in August two days after being attacked outside his home.
Ex-Wolves player aims
for sporting excellence
by James Parr
A FORMER Warrington Wolves player is urging wannabe sport stars at Warrington Collegiate to get an education.
Will Cowell has joined the Collegiate as Service Area co-ordinator in a bid to boost the College’s status to a centre of sporting excellence.
Will, 27, who is being funded by the Collegiate, Warrington Wolves Foundation and the Rugby Football League, has first hand experience of how important an education outside the sporting field is after he had to cut short his professional career because of a recurring injury.
He said: “I played 14 games for Wolves but my contract didn’t get renewed and then I moved to Oldham Roughyeds and was there until 2005 when I was forced to retire due to a persistent shoulder problem.
“Rugby is a very short career so my main message to anyone looking for a career in professional sport would be to make sure you get an education.”
Currently living in Penketh with his wife Rachel and one-year-old son Josh, Will is determined to ensure that the Collegiate is noted for sporting abilities.
He added: “I am trying to form a centre of excellence at the Collegiate, not just for rugby but for all sports, so we can say whatever sport you may be interested in, we have the qualified coaches.
“At the moment I am just getting to meet everybody and trying to forge a link between all the amateur clubs, professional clubs and the schools and the Collegiate.”
Youths charged after
alleged racist attack
by staff reporter
TWO youths have been charged in connection with an alleged racially motivated attack at Warrington.
The pair have appeared before magistrates and remanded in custody until Wednesday, October 24 when they will appear in court again.
Victim of the attack, another youth, is in Warrington Hospital with serious head injuries.
Police say his condition is “critical.” The attack took place in Sankey Street, Warrington, in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Bonfire night
celebrations
by staff reporter
MEMBERS of the All Saints Church in Thelwall will be making sure this year’s Guy Fawkes celebrations go off with a bang when they host their traditional Bonfire Night Party.
Stretching back for more than 15 years, the party has provided the people of Thelwall with nights of fun, food and fireworks on the event’s site at Thelwall Parish Hall.
Last year, more than 1,000 people turned up to the event and were treated to fair ground rides, a huge bonfire and a thrilling firework display.
The event this year is taking place on November 3 at Thelwall Parish Hall, and is being organised by All Saints Church Cricket team and Church Manager Frank Whittaker.
