Terrified man held at
gunpoint in own home
by James Parr
A TERRIFIED man was held at gunpoint by a thug who broke into his Warrington flat searching for drugs.
The 53-year-old had a gun held at his neck ? until the intruder realised he had broken into the wrong flat.
Michael Fowell, 26, then apologised, shook him by the hand and left, together with two other men who had accompanied him, Warrington Crown Court heard.
Fowell, of Kingsway North, Warrington, was jailed for six years after pleading guilty to burglary and wounding with intent.
Judge Thomas Teague described him as “a very violent young man” after hearing he had previous convictions dating back to when he was 10.
The court heard a few days after the incident with the gun, Fowell attacked a man in a pub at Woolston with a knife.
Miles Wilson, prosecuting, said Fowell was upset after losing his dog and went into the pub in an attempt to find it. He became agitated by a man he believed was laughing at him.
When the man got up to go to the toilet, Fowell lunged at him with a knife, stabbing him in the face and left arm. He required hospital treatment and suffered permanent scarring and nerve damage to his face.
Kenneth Hinds, defending, said that a pre-sentence report concluded Fowell had a severe personality disorder which caused him to hear voices in his head.
He had been abused by his father from a very early age and suffered from alcohol and drug problems.
Business centre will
boost village economy
by James Parr
A NEW business centre has been launched at Burtonwood, near Warrington ? creating new jobs and providing a boost for the economy of the village.
Warrington Wolves stars Chris Bridge and Ben Harrison and club mascot Wolfie officially opened the Causeway Bridges Business Centre ? an impressive barn conversion that will enable six new businesses to operate from the site alongside traditional agriculture.
The development was made possible by a ?62,500 grant from the North West Development Agency through the Rural Small Building Scheme.
Farmer Matthew Fairclough and family will remain on the land, farming alongside the new units.
The Fairclough’s have been farming on the site since 1850 and keeping the farming tradition in the family is something Matthew is keen to uphold.
He said: “It is important we have regeneration on the site because we have been here for generations and I keen for my children to learn the family trade.
“I went away and learned my building skills in the winter months, because I was tired of not getting any real money from farming. Me, my dad and brother built the units in 12 months and hope they will be a big boost to the economy of Burtonwood.”
Patrick Grange from CMS UK Services, who are the letting agents for the property, said: “They are really nice, fully functional units, ideal for any business. They give you a lovely view and provide good scenery to work in.”
College given top marks
by education watchdog
by James Parr
PRIESTLEY College has been given top marks by education watchdog OFSTED and included in a list of outstanding education and care providers.
Only 16 other education institutions in Warrington made the outstanding grade.
The report gave the Loushers Lane college the top grade in each of five categories which were inspected – achievements and standards, quality of provision, effectiveness of provision, capacity to improve, and leadership and management.
Student achievements of 99.7 per cent pass rate at GCE and 96 per cent on advanced vocational courses in the summer are testament to Priestley’s achievements.
The report stated: “Priestley College is an outstanding college where every learner really does matter.”
Priestley opened a new buildings this month to give students access to the most modern teaching and learning facilities.
Principal Mike Southworth said: “It is immensely pleasing that the work of the college and the achievements of students have been recognised by the inclusion of the college in the list of outstanding colleges. The investment of over ?9 million in college buildings over the last few years is making the college even more attractive to a wider spectrum of students in the area, and we will continue to offer the widest range of courses to students to help them achieve their potential.”
School to celebrate
a special birthday
by James Parr
A SPECIAL birthday will be celebrated in February when Little Bollington Primary School, near Lymm will be 150 years old.
Staff at the school are calling on past pupils, parents and friends of Little Bollington to put on their glad rags and help celebrate the birthday of a school steeped in history.
Only a year ago, the school faced closure and amalgamation with neighbours High Legh Primary, as part of Cheshire’s Transforming Learning Communities cut backs.
But, thanks to parents, governors and council members, they managed to fight back and keep the Church of England Primary School open.
With lots to celebrate, there will be a champagne reception, three-course meal, cabaret, dance band and disco at the ball.
Tickets are priced at ?30 each and tables for up to 10 people are available.
The event will be held at the Mere Golf and Country club on February 22. For ticket information contact the school on 01565 830 344 or pick them up from Rushgreen Service Station, Lymm.
Farmhouse changes
get green light
by John Hendon
DEVELOPMENT carried out at a former farmhouse has been given the green light by Warrington?s planners, despite opposition from neighbours.
The work completed on former agricultural land at Porch House Farm, Walton, consisted of a garden wall, pillars and gate, hardstanding and wooden outbuilding.
Neighbours argued that development was inappropriate on the Green Belt site and would damage the character of the countryside.
They also feared the work could set a precedent for further similar development.
But planners told members of the development control committee they considered the changes at the farm were acceptable with no perceived detrimental impact on neighbours or the openness of the Green Belt.
Live Worm at
the wheel!
WARRINGTON’S online radio station www.radioworm.co.uk will be broadcasting live from the big wheel on the Town Hall lawn on Monday (Dec 3).
Radio Worm’s David Lawrenson will be doing his show live on the big wheel from 12 noon until 4pm.
So if you would like to have a record request played live on air pop along to the big wheel.
Car damaged by
firework vandals
by John Hendon
FIREWORK vandals caused extensive damage to a car parked at Appleton, near Warrington.
Police say an industrial-type firework was placed inside a Audi saloon parked in Kingsley Drive.
The explosion serious damage to the interior and smashed windows.
The incident was about 8.15pm on Wednesday November 28.
Police are seeking witnesses who may have seen anything suspicious in the area around that time.
Anyone who can help is asked to call DC Adam Bolger on 01244 613834 or the confidential Crimestoppers LIne, 0800 555 111.
Lorry driver hurt
in motorway crash
by staff reporter
A LORRY driver was taken to hospital at Warrington after a collision on the M6 motorway near the town.
The crash involved to heavy goods vehicles on the southbound carriageway near Junction 21 at Thelwall.
Police sealed off the carriageway for a time and there were length tailbacks on the motorway. Traffic on local roads was also held-up.
No details of the lorry driver’s injuries were available but they were not thought to be life-threatening.
