WITH many in the media focusing on negative news stories we have again decided to look back at our top 10 “good news” stories of the year as we look ahead to the New Year with optimism in Warrington.
These are the top 10 best-read stories during 2023 based on the number of people who read each story, with all of them attracting thousands of readers.
Coming in at Number 10 was our feature “All you need to know about Fiddler’s Ferry Power Station demolition day” as we looked back at more than 50 years of history.
While it had mixed emotions for many – the redevelopment of a brownfield site is good news to help meet the town’s future housing needs, taking pressure off Green Belt land.
At number nine was one family’s dedication to fundraising through the decades as Laura Appleton from Chisholm Hunter Jewellers put on her dancing shoes to raise money by taking part in this year’s Strictly St Rocco’s event.
She raised funds by selling limited edition prints of the town by her later grandmother Brenda Shaw, once dubbed ‘the Lowry of Warrington.’
Then at number eight was an exclusive first look inside “Little India” Indian Restaurant at the historic Ring ‘O’ Bells pub.
Warrington Worldwide was invited in to take a first look inside the new concept Indian restaurant last April, where customers can either enjoy a traditional pint or an Indian meal – or both!
It was a joint venture between Azid Miah, who is looking after the restaurant side of the business and Chris Catelani from Same Again Pubs.
At number seven was the opening of Danish furniture giant JYSK in Warrington.
The store on Riverside Retail Park in Warrington was the opening of its 30th store in the UK.
At number six was Mixed emotions for raffle prize winner who will press big red button to demolish Fiddler’s Ferry landmark towers as we revealed the lucky winner of a raffle prize to press the big red button – and it was certainly good news for Warrington Disability Partnership who raised £14,600 from selling raffle tickets.
At number five was a story of a couple being stunned as Great Sankey street shared £1 million Postcode Lottery win!
Leah Corless, 32, and her husband Matthew were left in disbelief when People’s Postcode Lottery knocked on their door with a £31,250 surprise – after getting home from a holiday in Spain at 2 a.m. They were part of 26 people in Farmleigh Gardens in Great Sankey, who have scooped at least £31,250 each.
The pair’s big win comes after a string of bad luck which included a broken arm, a cancelled holiday, gallbladder removal and nose surgery.
Farmleigh Gardens residents celebrate
At number four was our coverage of Warrington Town achieving promotion to the National League North after a dramatic play-off final win over Bamber Bridge last May – the highest level the club has ever played at.
Skipper Amis celebrates with his teammates – Picture Jonathan Moore
At number three was a story about six- year-old Warrington girl Ivy Scott, from Woolston, who raised more than £8,000 for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and was one of 24 young people who received the British Citizen Youth Award at a ceremony at the Palace of Westminister. She also featured on the cover of the November edition of the print edition.
At number two was the good news about the Oughtrington Luncheon Club re-opening last April after nearly three months of uncertainty following a fall-out between Trustees and Volunteers that resulted in the locks being changed on the building last January after nearly four decades of providing hot meals for elderly, vulnerable and isolated people.
There was much rejoicing including a belated “Happy Birthday” sing-a-long for 101-year-old Gladys Taylor, a regular member of the club, while volunteer Lorraine Wright and her husband Dave celebrated their Golden wedding with friends.
Finally, the best-read good news story of 2023 was our exclusive coverage of the opening of the Raven Inn community pub at Glazebury.
After nearly five years of hard work the historic Raven Inn, which was almost demolished to make way for housing, officially re-opened in August after a remarkable community effort!
Ahead of the opening, Warrington Worldwide was given a first look inside the new look premises, which has been painstakingly renovated in a bid to retain as much of its history as possible.
Bob Eden pulling the first pint at the Raven Inn
